November 16, 2009
You didn’t think NYC Food Guy could stay away for this long, did you? I didn’t either, but here we are, more than four months since the last review. A complete change of schedule at my day job gave me a life beyond eating for the first time in three years and unfortunately the blog suffered. Big time. But I’m back for good, so let’s get to the real reason you’re here: My first taste of Szechuan cuisine, Cantonese Chinese food’s bolder, spicier cousin, at newcomer Lan Sheng Szechuan Restaurant on 39th street b/t 5th & 6th Ave. Three people, thirteen dishes and one fiery eating adventure.
For this meal, my friend Steve invited me to a press dinner during Lan Sheng’s opening weeks. His friend Robert, a writer and respected Chinese food expert would lead our meal through a constant stream of the chef’s finest dishes. Since it was so early in the restaurant’s existence, I omitted prices since they may have changed. Certain aspects of the dishes, particularly regarding presentation, may have changed as well. If you’re confused, feel free to email me: lawrence@nycfoodguy.com
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July 13, 2009
There’s finally a reason to remain in Midtown when the clock strikes 5PM on weekdays (and starting at 12PM weekends): the new “Southwest Porch” at 40th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan’s Bryant Park. The venture combines Southwest Airlines, who’s celebrating their first flights out of LaGuardia, with a menu from Tom Colicchio and his two partners in the ‘wichcraft sandwich shops.
Sandwiches (2 for $9), cheese, cured meats, and cookies are all served on small plates intended for sharing while the drink menu features 3 mixology-quality cocktails ($9 each), a “Southwest Summer Ale” specially brewed by Blue Point beer, two beers from Six Point ($7/beer), and 2 types each of red and white wine ($8/glass).
Surprising value and the backyard chic setting (pillowed Adirondack chairs, porch swings and couches) make it easy to forget you’re a block from Times Square. Read on for food reviews and all the info on being a part of the summer fun at “The Southwest Porch.”
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July 8, 2009
I had to shake my head and smile as I re-read the title to this post. Beer and wine paired with cupcakes? A revolutionary idea to say the least. But in the end, how can you really go wrong? Especially when the cupcakes are as ridiculously delicious as the ones at Sweet Revenge. I tried three of the four sizable Signature cupcakes ($3.50 each) and was blown away by the vibrancy of the flavors and the delicate richness of the frosting and fillings (yes, one cupcake is filled with decadent chocolate ganache). Read on for some seriously sinful photos…
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July 7, 2009
After discovering the bargain that is Puebla’s $5.50 fried chicken torta, I was surprised to see that the $8.50 chicken mole poblano platter provides even more deliciousness for your dollar; it’s enough give you dinner for two days! Tender, pulled chicken breast stewed in a spicy, sweet and smokey mole Poblano is served with flavorful, fluffy yellow rice, creamy black beans, and steaming-hot tortillas perfect for creating a chicken-rice-black bean taco. I’ve ordered this dish countless times and never been disappointed, even when bringing it to the office and reheating it in the microwave. The key to nuking it back to life is placing 2 to 3 damp paper towels on top of your plate, thereby preventing the food from drying out.
Puebla Mexican Food & Coffee Shop
47 1st Ave near 3rd Street New York, NY 10003
212-473-6643 $10 Minimum for Delivery
Open Mon. – Fri. 7AM-11PM, Sat. 7AM-12AM, Sun. 10AM-12AM
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July 1, 2009
Whenever the conversation about Manhattan’s best burger arises, Corner Bistro, the self proclaimed “last of the bohemian bars in west Greenwich Village,” always seems to get a mention. My question is always “why?” Despite being broiled, the burger is par-cooked and flavorless. The only saving graces are a plethora of toppings which divert attention away from a lackluster patty. I respect an old school bar that offers $2.50 beers all night and serves burgers until 4AM, so if you’re looking for a drunken nightcap, head on over. But to call Corner Bistro one of the best burgers in Manhattan is a disservice to all of the finely crafted ones out there.
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June 30, 2009
It’s been a while since my first feast at S’Mac so I stopped in to try the Cheeseburger (Top – cheddar, American and ground beef, $6.25 Nosh) and the Alpine (Bottom – Swiss, gruyere and slab bacon, $7.25 Nosh), both with bread crumbs added. Per my first encounter at S’Mac, I discovered bread crumbs add a whole new level of decadence and texture. Read on to find out if I’ll be ordering either variety on my next visit…
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June 29, 2009
DISCLAIMER: There’s nothing like eating at Shopsin’s General Store and that’s because most people feel awkward, uncomfortable and offended upon merely entering the vicinity of the place. One thing that holds true is that if you don’t feel any of those three undesireable emotions upon arrival, or at any point during your meal, then you know you belong. And then you’re in for one hell of a meal. In the end, Kenny Shopsin is a great dude; if he feels like being one. If not, well then be polite, know what you want to eat ahead of time, and if Kenny curses at you, feel free to curse back. If you go to Shopsin’s and you’re not prepared for this, please don’t mention you found out about it from me. Read this article by Calvin Trillin to understand what I’m talking about.
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Awesome and awe-inspiring. Both words describe the two defining characteristics of Shopsin’s General Store: its menu and its owner/chef, the inimitable Kenny Shopsin. And with a constantly changing menu (the massive Mexican skillet combo is already gone) and equally unpredictable maker, every trip to Shopsin’s provides a new opportunity for edible adventure.
This post features three dishes:
- Treif: 3 Jewboy (brisket, onions, jack, Swiss) Egg Sliders ($17)
- Moe II: Maple bacon French toast sandwich, eggs on top ($14)
- Fried Potato Shreds with melted Jack and Hatch chile ($11)
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June 26, 2009
Tuck Shop’s new 2nd location (115 St. Mark’s Place b/t 1st Avenue & Avenue A) will open tonight at 6PM and remain open until Niall, the co-owner, contractor and counter man, “drops.” If you’ve never been to Tuck Shop’s original location (68 East 1st street b/t 1st & 2nd Ave) now you have no excuses. Get over there tonight after 6PM and eat some meat pies or try some delicious desserts. Click here for NYC Food Guy’s food photos and recommendations.
Clockwise from top left: Thai Chook (Chicken) Curry Meat Pie, Beef Meat Pie, Lamington Cross Section, Stack of Lamingtons
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June 24, 2009
Tuck Shop’s 2nd location at 115 St. Mark’s Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, pushed back their soft open day to this Friday (June 26) in an effort to ensure they’re ready to rock. And rock they will, they’re original location (68 East 1st street b/t 1st and 2nd Avenues) is a great blueprint for success: fresh baked meat pies and homemade Australian desserts from breakfast until the wee hours of the night (5AM Friday and Saturday, 2AM Sun. – Thurs.). My three favorites are the beef pie with a side of ketchup, the Thai chook (chicken) curry with a side of sweet chili sauce and the Vanilla Slice, vanilla custard between two sheets of pastry puff all topped with vanilla icing. The new location, just a few doors down from Crif Dogs, will deliver all the classics plus a few new additions. Click here for a look at the new shop’s interior and a list of new items.
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June 23, 2009
“I wish they did this four times a year,” said my brother Craig as we watched Chris Lilly pull two shimmering pork butts from the smoker, some of the 3,000 pounds of pork cooked by the Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q crew at this year’s Big Apple BBQ Block Party. Lilly, 8-time Memphis In May Champion and co-creator of Big Bob Gibson’s famous Bar-B-Q sauce, then proceeded to pull, chop and sauce the best pulled pork I’ve ever tasted. Read on for the step-by-step pulled pork photos and a look at some other hits and misses at the 2009 Big Apple BBQ Block Party.
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Posted in LATE NIGHT EATS, MEXICAN, Uncategorized 16 Comments »
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