May 25, 2006
Delicious New York
Blog reader Kendra emailed today, "I'm coming to New York for a Memorial day weekend. Where should I eat? I'm looking for something a little bit offbeat. Asian maybe? Something we can't find here in Tulsa and not super expensive."
Well Kendra, the question is broad (so many options!), but here are a few suggestions that immediately popped into my head.
(in no particular order)
1. The Kuma Inn - 113 Ludlow Street, 2nd Floor. (212) 353-8866
Every time I eat at the Kuma Inn my dinner guests get a little wild eyed with glee. Everything at this Asian Tapas bar is absurdly yummy. The grilled items are especially drool-worthy. Cash only. Reservations recommended.
2. The Yemen Cafe - 176 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
My own neighborhood is a bit of a restaurant wasteland with many places for passable eats, but few that really knock the ball out of the park. Enter the Yemen Cafe... the kabobs, the lentil soup, and the Yemeni salads are all just about perfect. I always bring out of town guests here and they always leave happy. Cash is king.
3. Pat Pong - Pat Pong, 93 East 7th (212) 505-6454
Thai-Hungarian? Sounds good-awful, but how wrong you are. Turns out kielbasa is just the thing certain Thai dishes need. Order the yum-nuea beef salad, of the scores of yum-nuea's I've had at Thai joints around the city this is one of the few contenders. another review here
4. The Good Fork - 391 Van Brunt Avenue, Brooklyn.
This one might be a bit difficult to find for an out of towner as it's in Red Hook which is subway inconvenient. I ate there my first time last week, but the place instantly went to the top of my list. The best description I've heard of the menu is "Korean inspired diner food." Don't know if that sounds appealing but everything on the menu is knock-you-out delicious. Make sure to order the dumplings. Menus available online.
5. Momofuku - 163 1st Ave (btw 10th & 11th)
I haven't eaten there yet, but Jenn has been raving about Momofuku, a newish Korean noodle bar.
6. Nha Trang- 87 Baxter St.
Vietnamese restaurants in New York have nothing on their counterparts in Houston or San Francisco, but I imagine they are better than anything you can find in Tulsa (do they even have Vietnamese restaurants in Tulsa?)... It's hard to go wrong at Nha Trang where I've rarely had anything less than super-tasty meals. And whatever you order make sure to wash it down with their home made limeade. So good.
Is 6 enough? I could go on, but go through this list first. If you need more suggestions just shout for more... (and fellow New Yorkers are welcome to add their own favs).
to this site
05/25/06 11:47 AM
David said...
For Kendra (and everyone else) Cheburechnaya in Rego Park is Very Very Very good. Also if you are looking for directions within NY, is a great site because it includes subway directions.
David
05/30/06 05:13 PM
Kendra said...
A million gracias for this list. We ate at all except the Yemen cafe and were not disappointed.
My favorites in order:
The Kuma Inn- virtually everything we ordered (and we ordered tons) was to die for
Pat Pong - we didn't love the kielbasa dish, but the yum-nuea was just as yum yum as you had promised.
The Good Fork - Korean steak and eggs. (This would have been top of the list if we hadn't gotten lost in a scary project while looking for the subway)
Nha Trang - Pho ga + spring rolls + the lemonade
Momofuku - In any normal list this would be tops. I had some yummy noodles and little crab cake thingys.