Category: restaurants

Japanese Fast Food – Kobeyaki

There are not many ramen places in New York City. Correction: There are not many ramen places that do not require a two hour wait. The other part of your criteria is that it is authentic ramen and not the Maruchan freeze-dried kind.


Kobeyaki seems to satisfy this desire. It is fast food for people who don’t want a typical burger and fries with some Japanese fusion thrown in for good measure.  They have everything from sushi to Kobe burgers to ramen. The selection is small, but it makes up in taste.

The ramen was good and filling, despite the small size.  It satisfies your “I’m craving ramen” desires. I even started drinking the broth, which I never do.

It’s a bit pricey for your typical meal – calculate drink and food and you’ve got a little more than $10 to spend. Factor in that all there food is sustainable and locally grown (which they mention on their website), Kobeyaki is alright for a midterm study break or, in my case, just dinner since you’re not familiar with the Chelsea area.

It’s too bad there’s only one location (right now).

Kobeyaki
293 7th Ave
New York NY 10001
212-242-5500

Sunday Brunch: Eataly + Birreria

This is not your typical Italian food with pasta and pizza (which is not really Italian). If you’ve never heard of Eataly before, and you love artisanal food, then this is your heavan. Or at least your mall.

From chocolate, to cheese, to seafood, to vegetables and gelato, Eataly is your level of gluttonly at its finest. Besides shopping you can also dine and the various stations/sections. Be prepared for a long wait for any of them (especially during weekends and dinner hours), but that’s when you begin roaming around this part supermarket, part restaurant, part food court.

If you aren’t in the mood to stare at the various kinds of brie Eataly offers, then head up to Birreria, Eataly’s own rooftop beer garden/restaurant.

Wine and Bread wrapped in parchment paper.

I can only attest to a late lunch, but it was still exquisite, especially when paired with a rosé wine. The waiters are also very attentive when it comes to asking for recommendations.

Cavolo Nero Con Salsa – Chopped mixed kale, grapefruit, poppy seed frico with anchovy vinaigrette

The price is a bit average for New York, but worth it to try once. Although Birreria is open all year round (winter time, they have heatlamps) the best time to dine would be preferably during fall and spring when the weather is just right.

Eataly
200 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212-229-2560

Sunday Brunch: Sip Sak

New York City is a very convenient place for anyone who is hungry anytime, anywhere because there is always a slew of restaurants to choose from.

What people may not know is that if you step off the main streets like Broadway, you arrive in the New Yorker’s area of the city: a quieter, residential but still have that urban feel.

With so many restaurants in the area is best to choose based on a roulette method: walk along the street until one strikes your fancy.

It’s a method that’s especially useful when you are unsure of what do about brunch on a late Sunday morning after one last skate around The Pond at Bryant Park.

If you’re wanting brunch, but want something different, Sip Sak should be on your list. Their sage green doors and mirror-framed menus outside will entice you to try their food on impulse.

And it won’t disappoint.

It’s a Turkish restaurant located on the upper part of Midtown along 2nd Avenue.

The menu was pretty simple and explanatory for those unfamiliar with Turkish cuisine. With items like Sahanda Sucuklu Yumurta (eggs with spiced lamb) or Kasarli, Sucuklu Tost (panini with cheese and spiced lamb sausage) you really can’t go wrong. Or if you’re a burger person and want to be a just a little adventurous, try a Lamb Burger.

The Turkish tea was certainly a refresher after being quite comfortable with the taste of English Breakfast or Earl Grey. It was perfectly hot to the touch (just the way I like) and in a cute tulip-shaped cup. The light smoky flavor lifted my tastebuds to imagine drinking in a teahouse at the side of a bazaar.

If you are more of a coffee person, Turkish coffee is very much like a shot of espresso, except much stronger.

The waiters were attentive, and the food arrived as soon as our side of hummus and bread were nothing but crumbs. Although I had an omelette with mushrooms, peppers and onions, it came with home fries and a salad. The price is average for a Manhattan restaurant, but considering it was my first time at Sip Sak, I’ll be sure to be coming back with friends.

(Note: While Turkish cuisine highly favors meat-lovers, Sip Sak does have vegetarian options.)

Sip Sak
928 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 583-1900

Valentine’s Day – Eat, Indulge, Distract, Repeat

Valentine Day’s should be celebrated for the sake of being able to wear red, eat lots of sweets, and watch lots of sappy movies. While you could do this any day, February 14th is a good excuse as any, especially if you’re planning to sulk and be like every other “woe is me.”

Whether you are enjoying it as a couple, single, or with friends, you should just plain enjoy Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday, after all.

So plan a rocking outfit, grab some friends (or drag the significant other), and go out on the town. Or find some comfort in front of the couch with some cheezy movies. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Out on the Town
– Going to Dances of Vice never fails in entertainment. Monday is Amor y Tango at the Highline Ballroom.
– The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History presents “Romance Under the Stars” a classy night with champagne, hor d’oeurves, chocolate covered strawberries, and music followed by a planetarium show of the night sky.
– Have dinner at a restaurant you’ve never been to. Restaurant Week is still happening so it’s a good opportunity to spend a little more than your normal price range.
– You be the judge for this year’s Oscar-nominated animated films. Playing at the IFC Center.
– Go straight for dessert at Holey Cream. (And walk to the station to make the guilt go away for a little bit.)

Comfort is Key
– Buy food from your favorite takeout place and eat to your hearts content. Perhaps get a fancy dessert from Financier on your way home to end the night.
– Or finally bake those sugar cookies you been meaning to. Once that sweet smell of sugar is in the air you’ll forget its the 14th.
– Wear the comfiest outfit you can find. (Snuggies count!)
– Drink out of champagne or wine glasses. (Doesn’t have to be alcohol.)
– Grab your laptop and do some retail therapy. Feeling better means buying something to make your heart flutter.
– Video Skype with your best friend and watch a movie together.

Don’t be Ashamed
– Eat cookie dough out of the package. (It’s okay it’s Valentines Day meaning its a day to indulge in sweets)
– Watch really bad romance movies.  Nothing beats a day that celebrates love with a good laugh and unrealistic plotlines. (I recommend Leap Year or if horror movies are more you’re thing, House of Wax. Valentine’s Day is never complete without watching Paris Hilton get an axe to the head.)
– If you want to spend it alone, that doesn’t mean you have to be literally alone.  Gather all your stuffed animal friends and have them join you on the couch for some reality TV.

Distract Yourself
– It’s a good day as any to clean. Start Spring Cleaning early.
– Organize your Lolita closet again. It’s good to re-organize your wardrobe every now and then because it means finding something you haven’t worn or a skirt or hat you just have no use for now.
– Start that sewing project you’ve been meaning to get to.
– Pick a book out of your local library (or buy one) that peaks your interest (i.e. The Bro Code by Barney Stintson anyone?).

Whatever you do, do something fun. Even if that means just wearing an awesome Lolita outfit or counting down to the Valentine’s Day candy clearance sale at your local Rite Aid. What are your plans? I’d love to hear them!

NYC Restaurant Week Extended until 27th!

No more Sky High Pie for me.

Calling all Foodies. New York City cannot get enough of Restaurant Week and has been extended to the 27th.

NYC Restaurant Week is a time when anyone who wish they could afford the appetizer and a high end restaurant on a regular day, can now do so.

Selected restaurants offer prix fixe lunch and dinner specials at more affordable prices ($25 and $35 respectively). It offers restaurants the chance for new customers (and future food connoisseurs) to get a taste of what they offer, and it gives the everyday New Yorker a chance to really dine fine.

I sincerely recommend making reservations. While the prices are lower that doesn’t mean it is easier to get a table for four at Coliccho and Sons. Opentable is a restaurant directory that enables you to make reservations online. (Note: Be sure to have a good internet connection.)

NYC Restaurant Week
January 30th – February 27th, 2011

Six places to go when the weather is frightful

Winter’s definitely here in the Big Apple. It’s colder, windier and the locals are a tad bit grumpier than usual. This morning the temperature clocked in at a brisk 28 degrees. So bundle up, layer on those petticoats, and don’t forget your bunny-shaped earmuffs on your way out.

Still feeling cold-blooded? Here are some places that I recommend to warm you up from the inside out.


Original Soup Man – Yes the Soup man from Seinfeld. While the man himself is no longer there, the soups still are!

(38th and 6th Ave)
1021 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
646-852-6113

(55th Street)
259A W. 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-956-0900

(3rd Avenue)
918 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10022

(Bleecker St)
190 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012

Max Brenner’s Chocolate by the Bald Man – Nothing says winter like hot chocolate, and one place that makes it best is Max Brenner.

841 Broadway
New York, NY
212-388-0030

Celsius Bar – This pop-up bar and restaurant is erected every winter for people to bask under the warm glow of heat lamps and the scenic view of The Pond at Bryant Park.

5th Ave & 42nd St
New York, NY 10110

Shanghai Cafe – Soup dumplings are a Shanghai specialty, and are not only good but messy. Shanghai’s Cafe is the place for the authenticity and just plain delicious for this type of comfort food.

100 Mott St
(between Canal St & Hester St)
New York, NY 10013
212-966-3988

Shabu Shabu 70 – Shabu shabu also known as Japanese-style hot pot is taking raw ingredients such as deli-cut style meats, vegetables, and noodles all cooked in a full-flavored broth right at your table. Best had with large groups.

314 E 70th St
New York, NY 10021
212-861-5635

La Bonne Soupe – Fondue is the one thing that I try to indulge in at least once a year and the atmosphere at La Bonne makes me thing I’m in my own little version of France.

48 W 55th St
New York, 10019
212-586-7650

Needs more peanut sauce

MalaysiaKitchenNYC at Grand Central

I love Malaysian food.  I love the spicy sweet kick of peanut sauce over satay, and washing it down with a warm glass of teh tarik.  This past spring, I got a chance to visit Malaysia on the east side for a crazy family reunion. Over the years my palate has become more eager to try new things, so this was a perfect opportunity to try everything. There was good food and then there was food to try once and never again (i.e. sea cucumber).

The reason I’m fawning over past vacation memories was because today I happened to stop by Grand Central’s Vanderbilt all to check out the last day of Eat|Drink|Explore  MalaysianKitchenNYC – a weekend culture celebration of all things Malaysian.  They had things like chicken and beef satay, chicken curry over rice, mee goreng (noodles with curry, vegetables, and chicken). While I was mainly there for the food, I was impressed by the large stage setup on one end with native dance performances.  At the other end there were more flat-screen TVs showing the performances if you couldn’t see because of the crowd.

I couldn’t decide on what to eat, so I went with a sampling of chicken satay from a vendor that is an upcoming restaurant collaboration with Todd English and Ian Chalermkittichai. Unfortunately it was so good I didn’t have time to take a picture of it so you’ll just have to take my word for it.  Or check out their restaurant when it opens in November.

Ramen Noodle Snacks (no water needed)

Malaysian cuisine is very much a melting pot of Indian, Chinese, and Nyonya (native Malaysian) foods.  Here are some common Malaysian food-related phrases you should know:

teh tarik – tea that has been strained between two cups several times so it develops a frothy texture
kopi o – black coffee
maggie – instant noodles
roti – light thin, fluffy pancake/pita
satay – thinly sliced pieces of meat/tofu on barbucue skewers accompanied with peanut sauce
mee – general term for flat egg noodles
kaya – sweet coconut jam (great on toast)

Malaysian Restaurants around the city:

Café  Asean
117 West 10th Street
New York, NY
212-633-0348

Fatty Crab
2170 Broadway
New York, NY
212-496-2722

Jaya Malaysian
90 Baxter Street #28
New York, NY
212-219-3331

Laut
15 East 17th Street
(Between Broadway & Fifth Ave.)
New York, NY 10003
212-206-8989

Malaysia Grill
224 West 104 Street
New York, NY
212-579-1333

New Malaysia Restaurant
46-48 Bowery
New York, NY
212-964-0284

Nyonya
199 Grand Street
New York, NY
212-334-3669

Overseas Taste Asian Restaurant
49 Canal Street
New York, NY
212-925-3233

Penang
41 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY
212-431-8722

Sanur
18 Doyer Street
New York, NY
212 267 0088

Skyway Restaurant
11 Allen Street
New York, NY
212-625-1163

These are the restaurants that are in Manhattan, but there are plenty more in Queens, and Brooklyn, so if you’re interested in trying something Indian, Chinese or just something different look into MalaysianKitchenNYC. Watch out for their food truck too.