NYC Blog Post - 10.21.2013 (To Go or Delivery)

In the interest of sticking to themes again this week includes all the awesome places I've been using for takeout and/or delivery.  I've offered up everything from healthy to hungover.


CHELSEA

Hummus Pita Co.
One of my go-to options when I get tired of eating at Chelsea Market for lunch.  Hummus Pita Co. offers a ton of different meats, veggies, sauces, etc.  You basically just go in and go crazy!  I eat here constantly and have tried most of the options and they are all equally good.  Perfect lunch option or order takeout for a huge part.  Also makes great leftovers.

Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Liquiteria
This juice bar just opened a location in Chelsea so it's been my new go-to for lunch.  They have bottled juices (pictured below), smoothies made on site and a couple of boxed lunch options.  I've tried all three categories and everything has been fresh and flavorful.  My only comment would be that it's pretty steep for what you are getting but for a change of pace I don't mind sometimes.

 Photo Credit: Liquiteria Website

EAST VILLAGE

Motorino
This place is my favorite pizza in NYC.  Yes, I said it.  And guess what... they deliver.  The only downside in my book is you can't buy it buy the slice at their locations.  I'd be going out of my way for dinner-on-the-go if I could stop in for a quick bite.  I've had the three pizzas listed below and each is better than the next.  The crust is soft on the inside crisp on the outside, the ratio of tomato sauce to cheese is perfect, the cheese is creamy and soft and melty, and the toppings are always free and plentiful.  Literally LOVE this pizza.  Oh, and the best part?  It's just as good cold the next day for breakfast.

• Margherita - Tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, basil, percorino, and olive oil
• Soppressata Piccante - Tomato sauce, fior di latte, spicy soppressata, chili flakes, garlic, oregano, pecorino and olive oil
• Brussels Sprout - Fiori di latte, garlic, pecorino, smoked pancetta and olive oil
  

Photo Credit: slice.seriouseats.com

Smac
When my little bro was in town I had to get him eating all sorts of good takeout.  I walk past Smac to take the F train to work at least once a week and always would pass their little stand at 1st and 1st but it was always in the morning and mac n' cheese was not top of mind.  So when he and I were wandering the East Village looking for a snack we found ourselves in front of their door.  We tried a couple different Mn'Cs and they were all pretty good.  Not the best mac I've ever had in my life but I'd definitely get it again.

LOWER EAST SIDE

Los Perros Locos
Hello scrumptious hotdogs covered in fattening delicious things.  You make me happy when skies are grey... or blue...or sunny...  I keep wanting to try other hot dogs on the list but I just keep finding myself ordering the Mexi-Max over and over again because the combo of Sriracha Pico de Gallo, chipotle kraut, ChipZana sauce, salsa verde, queso cotija and crushed Fritos just can't be beat.  I've even eaten it for breakfast...

Perfect Picnic
This place makes some of the best "baguettini" sandwiches I've ever had.  I can't remember the exact sandwiches we ordered into work but it wouldn't matter anyway since they change the options daily.  You just order a "picnic basket" and it comes with all sorts of different sandwiches to choose from.  I tried four different ones that had everything from goat cheese to duck to chorizo and more and they were all good.  That's enough proof for me.  I'll be begging for this at our next lunch meeting.

MIDTOWN

Potbelly

Hello hangover, it's time to feed you.  The number one place I crave after a big night out (when I'm not headed straight back out to boozy brunch) is Potbelly.  Their sandwiches are big and greasy and covered in hot peppers (if you don't get hot peppers on your sandwich you are an idiot).  My personal favorite is the Italian which comes with Capicola, Mortadella, Pepperoni, Salami and Provolone Cheese.  Never fails me.  Never. (You should also know I just ordered one while writing this blog)

Wichcraft

This is another Midtown lunch time favorite.  I've had both the free range roasted chicken with braised kale, pickled vegetables and spicy aioli on ciabatta and the slow-roasted Berkshire pork with Dijon mustard and bread and butter pickles on ciabatta.  I'd say the pork sandwich is my favorite as all the flavors are well-balanced.  The chicken one comes with a little too much mustard which is overpowering but it's still a great sandwich.  And the bread is super fresh!

Photo Credit: WichCraft Website (Pork sandwich)

 

Chicken Sandwich

WEST VILLAGE

Bantam Bagels
For those of you who have loved doughnut holes throughout life, I have a new spot for you.  Bantam Bagels are essentially bagel "holes" filled with delicious centers of cream cheesiness.  My personal favorites they have right now (the menu changes constantly) are Grandma Jojo (italian spiced bagel with thinly sliced, marinated tomato filled with fresh basil pesto cream cheese) and the The Bleecker Street bagel (Pizza dough bagel topped with a thin slice of pepperoni. Filled with marinara mozzarella cream cheese).  But beware... just because they are small doesn't mean you won't eat 20 in one sitting.  So good!

 

Photo Credit: Bantam Website

Weekly NYC Blog Post - 5.15.2013

Hey Everyone - I've got a great list of restaurants and bars for you this week compiled from the last few weeks.  I even made my first venture into Bushwick!

BUSHWICK
 
Heavy Woods
My first adventure into Bushwick proved very fruitful!  We landed at Heavy Woods to enjoy some post dinner drinks.  I was pleasantly surprised to find Session Black on the menu which is a DELICIOUS beer from my hometown of Portland, OR.  I find it to be a less thick, more flavorful version of Guinness.

For a Tuesday night it was just crowded enough to feel "happening" without being annoying.  As in we easily found a seat by the open window.  Unfortunately not much to look out at (Bushwick is pretty stark) but the inside of this place was cozy.  I would totally come back.  Great spot for a date.

Photo Credit: Mitch D. from Yelp.com

Mazelle
Dinner in Bushwick was somewhat hit or miss.  I tried about three different cocktails and thought all of them were pretty poor (the margarita, the whiskey sour, etc).  Luckily the food proved much better.  We shared the veal dumplings and salted cod fritters (amazing!) and then ordered the bass and the chicken.  The chicken dish is INCREDIBLE - it has this thick balsamic glaze that I smothered the chicken in.  Would definitely recommend.  The service was great too.  Our waitress could tell that we weren't particularly into the drinks and without us even saying a word removed one of the drinks from the bill because I guess she felt bad.  So unnecessary and yet so appreciated.  Another great date spot because you have some room to yourself at the table but also great for dinner with the parents.

Photo Credit: Ron C. on Yelp.com

 

 

 

CHELSEA

Cook and Go
I attended a Yelp Elite event at this spot so I had pretty much no idea what goes on here at first but I learned that this is basically a "kitchen" where you learn how to cook different recipes and then you take the final product with you to eat "on the go."  You can sign up for a workshop by yourself or get a group together.  For example, they have a package called the High Line that is $39 per person and gets you an app, entree and dessert (small sizes) that you can then go eat on the High Line! 

The chefs are super friendly and attentive and the recipes were DELICIOUS.  We made tres leches with mascarpone, chili grilled corn with spicy salsa, horchata and tostadas.  The salsa on the grilled corn was so good that I was ending the rest of it with the left over corn chips.  Trying to track down the recipes.  Would highly recommend this for a birthday party, girls night, date night or a team-building workshop for coworkers.

 

 

 

 

EAST VILLAGE

Bareburger
I've walked past this place a few times and it always made me hungry for burgers so when we were in need of a quick yet tasty dinner option that was nearby this jumped out at me.

My overall assessment is everything is nice.  The staff is nice, the restaurant is nice and the burgers and spicy pickles are nice.  But nothing more than that.  Not standout.  For reference we had the Roadhouse and Mediterranean burgers.   Good but probably don't need to come back.  They do make milkshakes to go that are really thick and tasty though.

 

 Photo Credit: Bareburger Facebook

 

Ippudo
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have waited and waited and waited and called and pleaded and FINALLY I ate at Ippudo.  And it was everything I dreamed it would be.  The fact that I would go back and wait TWO HOURS to eat here AGAIN says it all folks.  I had the Shiromaru Hakata Classic ramen (because hello you have to get the classic on your first trip) and it was fantastic.  I also ordered it with Onsen Tamago (poached egg) and extra pork belly.  WORTH IT.  It is super filling and not too salty.  Literally I'm salivating writing this right now.

And that was just the final piece.  We started with the Hirata Buns and the Hirata Chicken wings which were both outstanding too.  Probably the best steamed pork buns I've ever had.  The bun was SO fresh and hot and the pork crumbled in my mouth.  The chicken wings were large and smothered in black pepper sauce.  YUMMMMMMM.

Whatever it takes you must eat here.  It is worth the wait.

 

 

 

Liquiteria
Just a quick entry here... I'm sure you've noticed the current fresh juice craze that is taking over the nation.  I refuse to partake just because it's trendy but I do think that Liquiteria is standout in terms of their drinks.  I'm a fan of good ole Jamba Juice but found myself really enjoying my smoothie from here.  I would recommend as a great alternative to a heavy meal especially after a hot yoga session!

The Toucan and the Lion
I've been here before for brunch so some of you may have already read that post.  I'm here to say "screw brunch; come for dinner."  I say that even though I was there the other day for drinks but I did have the rum braised pork belly with sambal glaze, thai sticky rice, peanuts, pickled cucumber and beet sprouts.  The glaze was thick and sweet/spicy and finger lickin' good.  Mmm....

Oh and then there were the actual drinks which I argue are some of the best cocktails in the city.  My two favorites were "The Black Night" which is Gordon's gin, Aperol, and house rendered balsamic vermouth.  The balsamic vermouth made this drink taste unlike anything I have ever had.  It's only on the menu during spring/summer so get there and try it!  The "Thai Fighter" was also good (made with Ezra Brooks bourbon, fresh muddled Thai basil leaves, simple syrup, lime, and yuzu.

Highly recommend this place and I will definitely be back to try the ever changing menu.  Great place to catch up with a friend or for a first date.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Adrienne's Pizza Bar
Happened to be down in FiDi hanging with a friend who lives down there and I hadn't eaten all day so we ended up at Adrienne's.  I have to say I was STARVING and this place still didn't really do it for me.  The pizza, loaded with toppings as it were, still didn't have any taste to it.  I was sadly disappointed.  Skip!

Photo Credit: Diana L on Yelp.com

LOWER EAST SIDE

Snack Dragon 
Another place that I've been meaning to try but it's apparently best late night after you've been out all night.  I'm probably one of the few who have actually been here sober in the daylight so I can give you a fair assessment.  I tried almost every tacos on the menu and they are all good.  The only one that I would say is GREAT is the Quinoa Pilaf taco with cilantro, coriander, scallions and red pepper.  All the tacos could use a little extra kick in my opinion so don't be worried to utilize the nine million hot sauces hanging out on the back table.  Will definitely hit up again.