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

NYC Blog Post - 10.16.2013 (Awesome Asian Food)

This post is all about the recent obsession I've been having with Asian cuisine.  There's been some "hits" and some "misses."

EAST VILLAGE

Hanjoo Korean
Happened along this hole-in-the-wall looking for cheap food in my neighborhood.  Very impressed.  I ordered the Yuk-Gae-Jang (shredded beef, mushroom, and scallions in spicy beef soup) and the Gopdol Bibimbap (assorted vegetables and fried egg over rice with red chilli sauce in a hot stoned pot) with pork.  Both arrived really hot and steamy and were filled with beef and pork.  Split across two people it was plenty of food.  I would totally come back here.

 

Photo Credit: Hanjoo Korean Website

LOWER EAST SIDE

Jin Sushi
Was yet again craving sushi the other night and had a coffee date across the street from this place.  My coffee date told me the sushi here was good so I decided to test it out.  I wasn't hugely impressed although it was by no means a bad meal.  It just didn't impress me.  The service was also pretty lax. 

Photo Credit: Jin Sushi

MIDTOWN EAST

Amaze Asian Fusion
After an amazing work day playing with puppies volunteering, my famished coworkers and I stopped by Amaze from some afternoon cocktails and appetizers.  My top favorites were (in same order as the pictures below):

• Bangkok Duck Wrapped Lettuce - delicious!  The lettuce was very crispy, the peppers were just a little hot and very fresh and the duck had a great sauce that it'd been cooked in.  I tried to steal a whole plate of this to myself.
• Gyoza Pork Dumplings - so juicy on the inside and very hot so be careful when you bite!
• Bacon Wrapped Pineapple - Sounds better than it was but I'm also not a huge fan of pineapple.  I'm giving it an A for creativity though.

Don't need to go back but the service was great and it was perfect for the occasion.

Photo Credit: Amaze Website

MIDTOWN WEST

Sushiden
I went here for a work lunch and was told to order the Negi Toro Spicy Garlic Roll (mashed toro with scallion, topped with spicy mayo sauce and garlic chips).  I also ordered an assortment of handrolls and sushi.  Overall I was very impressed.  I actually think it could've been even more garlicky.  I would totally come back here.  The service was also excellent.  Beware that unless you are a regular you may want to snag a reservation if you are coming here for lunch.  Great place to bring clients.

Photo Credit: Andrew D. on Yelp.com

Sushi Zen
I know apparently I love places that are down the street from each other that rhyme!  While it looks like an accident this is actually a different restaurant than Sushiden but equally delicious.  The presentation of the food here is especially beautiful (working in the food industry I notice things like this).  We started with the Seared Tuna appetizer which was light and lovely and then I ordered the "Special Sushi" lunch item which includes two tuna, one white fish, one salmon, one Spanish mackerel, one eel, one shrimp, one seasonal and then an egg roll.  They switched out my shrimp for a yellowtail since I was allergic.  All very tasty.  I'd come here again too although I'd order less.  They had to cart me out of there!

Photo Credit: Yelp.com

TRIBECA

Zutto
A group of my friends hit this place up and forced me to come meet up.  Normally you can't get me to Tribeca unless it's brunch on a weekend but when I heard "free meal on work" I couldn't say "no."  This place is way cool.  It looks like an American pub and serves lots of cool beers but the food is Asian.  They are especially well known for their ramen.  I. love. ramen.

I ordered the "Tonkotsu" which is noodle soup with chasu (pork jowl), kikurage, menma (bamboo shoots), pickled ginger, sesame, and scallions.  I also added a slow poached egg because "hey why not?"  I had them hold the kikurage because I hate mushrooms.

This was one of the best ramen bowls I have ever had.  I literally drained the bowl which I never manage to do with ramen because it's always so much food.  This night I had no problem... literally couldn't stop.  I would've ordered more noodles to add to the remaining broth if I'd had room in my stomach.  The service was awesome, the atmosphere is laid-back and really cool.  I will definitely be back.  This would be a great date spot as well as birthday dinner or just a spot to chill with a bunch of friends.

Photo Credit:  David N. on Yelp.com

WEST VILLAGE

Noodle Bar
After a luxurious pedicure date with another friend (man I've been on a lot of lady dates lately) we were starving but too lazy for a sit-down dinner.  So she recommended picking something up from Noodle Bar.  We called ahead on our walk over and it was ready when we arrived 15-20 minutes later.  Great service!  They even gave her extra bok choy upon request.  I then walked all the way back to the East Village (we went to the West Village location) and sat down to eat my noodles on my couch and they were still warm!  Yeah!  I'd ordered the Soto Ayam.  The noodles were extra thick which I really liked.  The soup was slightly too salty but overall I was impressed.  I would order from here again.

Photo Credit: Noodle Bar Website