A taste of N'awlins

I am a self-proclaimed sandwich snob. I could eat sandwiches every day. Every single day for the rest of my life. I love them so much that I follow a blog that reviews a new sandwich in NYC every day. So, when they posted about a cozy little creole joint serving southern favorites,  I all but slammed my laptop shut and bolted out the door. 

It's officially summer in New York and the only thing more unbearable that the relentless humidity is having to go underground to take the subway. That being the case, I have found myself spending more time in Lower Manhattan that normal just to avoid the public transportation situation. Lucky for me, Cheeky's Sandwiches is located on the Lower East Side and is a pleasant 1.5 mile stroll from my apartment. And if I needed anymore convincing to hit the road, I could always remind myself that a trip to the LES means I get the pleasure of walking through China Town to get a front row view of the live toads, snakes, and eels being sold by the pound. But the real treat is the stench of old fish sitting out in 90 degree weather that is sold on the sidewalk markets. Love China Town, really do. 

If I wasn't looking for the address, 35 Orchard Street, I would have definitely missed it. That's such a trend in NYC...not displaying the name of your business on the awning or window. That trend usually implies that the restaurant has a Michelin Star or, at the very least, is shockingly expensive. 

Not at Cheeky's. This little shop, which wasn't much larger than my studio apartment, could hold 10 patrons, tops. It was decorated like some little mom 'n' pop deli that you'd find deep in the bayou. Metal roofing covered the ceilings, seating consisted of a few red bar stools and some matching picnic benches, fresh flowers were placed in old beer bottles, and your meal was served wrapped in white craft paper. 

Cheeky's charming interior

The menu is short and sweet. I always put more faith in a restaurant that has only a handful of items to choose from, but each are dynamite. Nothing scares me more than seeing a menu that goes on and on for pages; just pick one thing and master it. That's exactly what Cheeky's has done. You can choose from a handful of New Orleans inspired sandwiches including a shrimp and oyster po' boy, a seared pork chop and mustard sandwich, or what I had, a fried chicken sandwich on a buttermilk biscuit. There's nothing over $8.50 on the menu, which I think is more than fair for a gourmet sandwich.

The chicken had such a thick breading and was so heavily fried that it would make even Paula Deen blush. The perfectly fried chicken was placed inside the best buttermilk biscuit you've ever had, topped with pickled cole slaw and country gravy. I know what you're thinking, and no, I'm not kidding. It was perhaps the closest thing to heaven that I've ever eaten. I've never been so pleased with a sandwich in all of my sandwich eating days. It had so many of my favorite foods crammed into one little buttermilk biscuit. I wish that I could put into words just how good this sandwich was, but I don't think I can.  

 

I think I might cry.

Bagels with chutzpah

The best bagels in all of New York? Probably not, but they have a great selection, great hours, and are two blocks from my apartment.


The Financial District is a funny thing. Monday-Friday I have to walk down the middle of the streets while dodging traffic just to avoid the hoards of pedestrians dominating the sidewalks. Come Saturday and Sunday, I'm lucky if I can find a grocery store open past 5 p.m. Apparently Leo's is the place go for a weekend breakfast. If you come here on a weekend morning, expect to wait at least 20-minutes. The line will most likely be out the door and wrapped around the street corner. In all fairness, the store only holds about six people at a time, so it doesn't take much to move that party outdoors.


They have a ton of options. every possible cream cheese concoction you could dream of and standard sandwich toppings like chicken salad, tuna salad, smoke salmon, etc. Their scallion cream cheese is ridiculously good. Don't leave Leo's without it. I'm guessing they have about a dozen bagel flavors. In fact, on St. Patrick's day, they even made green bagels!

Another reason I like this place: they don't act personally offended when I ask for my bagel to be toasted. Murray's Bagels, a NYC local and tourist hotspot, which is famous good reasons, refuses to toast their bagels. It's their claim to fame, and also the reason I refuse to go there. If I'm going to make the trek to Chelsea to get a toasted everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, which, I'm paying for, BTW, I really mean it when I say I want it toasted. Not a problem at Leo's.


Service has been a little questionable. I've had both great and downright rude experiences. But for $3.25 for a toasted BLT-bagel sandwich, I can't be too picky.


I tend to get obsessed with a certain food and eat nothing but that food for a few weeks, or until I have overdosed on the item and no longer like it. That happened last month at Leo's. I got pretty into ordering a toasted everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. And by "pretty into" I mean that I honestly ordered it for lunch and dinner for four days straight. That being said, I lost my cool and got a little aggressive with one of the servers. Picture this:


(ring, ring, ring)


Leo: "Leos!"
Amanda: "Hi, what time do you close?"
Leo: "6 p.m."
Amanda: "Perefect. Can I place an order to pick up in ten minutes?"
Leo: "No...we're closed."
Amanda "No, it's 5:49, you're closed a 6."
Leo: "We're slow tonight so I'm closing now."
Amanda: "Right...acutally you close in 11 minutes. Toasted everything bagel, scallion cream cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Be there in 5."
Leo: "No, I'm closing now, you can pick that up in the morning."
Amanda: "Huh. Thank you for that option, I appreciate your creative thinking.


(click)


Oh, uh-uh.


I promptly hung up and raced out of my office and down the street. I arrived at Leo's at 5:55 just as my special friend was locking the door. I let myself in gave him a friendly "Hellllooooo, so glad you're still open, that's a pleasant surprise. Toasted everything bagel, scallion cream cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon!"


My bagel tasted like spit that evening.

I've been to Leo's enough times to know that it's consistently good food. I always order some variation of a toasted everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. Whether it's with tomatoes, bacon, both, or none, it's always good. If there is such a thing as too much cream cheese, Leo's has that problem. There's easily enough cream cheese on each bagel to smear on another.


Despite the iffy service, Leo's is by far the best bagel establishment in the Financial District.  Great selection, dynamite bagels, and even better scallion cream cheese.

New take on tacos

Several pretty amazing things happened over the past couple of weeks.


1) My office, which was previously at 57th and Park Ave., signed a new lease in a building downtown  off of Water and Wall. My 35-minute, each way, commute on the notoriously packed 4/5 train just got upgraded to a cool five minute walk out my front door. Perfect timing, because I couldn't handle another 8 a.m. homeboy fist-fight, and was going to go postal if I had to listen to another rap song blaring out of some idiot's around-the-neck Beats.


2) I finally caved in and let my favorite film-studies graduate, Katie Gagnon, drag me to the movies...two weekends in a row! I've historically not been a big fan of movie theaters; I can't sit still long enough to enjoy a full movie, they're always so cold, and I can't stand hearing people shoving greasy popcorn into their pie holes. However, I think I have turned over a new leaf.


3) And finally, and the whole point of this post, I tried the famed Korilla BBQ!  Another benefit of working in the Wall St. area-- food carts that serve something other than chicken over rice and previously frozen knishes, are lined up and down the streets.


This is definitely not a post exclaiming that I've found some hidden gem in the land of truck-food. Korilla BBQ is quickly turning into a franchise-like operation with an addictive following. They've been featured on The Food Network's, "The Great Food Truck Race," have multiple cart locations from the FiDi  all the way  up to West 116th and has received shout-outs from multiple major New York blogs including, Serious Eats and Refinery 29. Korilla BBQ certainly doesn't need another review by an amateur blogger to help drive traffic to their Tony the Tiger style truck. But, being the self-proclaimed street-food connoisseur that I am, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to toss my $.02 in. (shocking)


Korilla BBQ has a simple, Chipotle-style menu.


Step 1: Choose your vehicle: taco, burrito, or a chosun bowl (fancy talk for a rice bowl).
Step 2: Pick your protein: chicken, pulled-pork, ribeye steak, or tofu. (why bother?)
Step 3: Pick your rice: sticky rice or bacon and kimchi fried rice. I actually think that's a mistake on their menu. I should call them and tell them to fix that. No one would ever actually pick white rice over bacon infused rice. That's my number one favorite food mixed in with my number three favorite food.
Step 4: Choose from a nearly unlimited list of toppings including: kimchi slaw, three different hot sauces, and a handful of veggies.


I wanted to sample a few different options but knew I'd regret my gluttony when my 3 p.m., post-lunch coma hit and I was found slumped over in my chair, possibly drooling. So, I exercised some self-control and chose a trio of tacos. I went for two steak, which the menu refers to as bulgogi, and one shredded-pork. I topped it with the only realistic rice choice, Korilla sauce and cabbage. Troy mentioned that I really should have tried one of the three kimchi options, since that is really the only thing making these tacos Korean, but I don't really like vegetables, so why would I like fermented ones? It was a totally unreasonable request.


The tacos were doubled-up, soft corn tortillas, which are my favorito! The beef is by far the best choice one the menu; it has the perfect sweet, grilled flavor that all BBQ meat products should include. Pretty big fan of the Korilla sauce, too. But then again, it’s mayo-based, so that's a no-brainer. My favorite part of the meal was the adorable little container it was served it. It was as if it was custom created to perfectly cradle three little warm bundles of deliciousness.

$7 gets you three tacos, which are more than any 5'2" girl needs for lunch. It's a great value for a lunch outing. I'm just glad to have an alternative to lamb gyros after a recent dinner experience rendered my intestines useless for days.  Just last week I told the cart server that yes, I did in fact want all three kinds of hot sauce. He must have taken that as some kind of challenge.

Conclusion: Korilla BBQ stands up to its hype. Fresh, unique options, conveniently located around the corner of my work two days a week, and a filling lunch for under $10.  

#1 Fast Food

Wah Fung #1 Fast Food; how could you go wrong with a name like that?

Year after year, my New Year’s Resolution is to think nicer things in my head about people. I say year after year, because I have never kept that resolution. My excuse is that I’m an ISTJ; I can’t help it. That being said, when I heard about this super-cheap and delicious Chinese takeout joint, my extroverted thinking skills kicked in and I refused to go because of the ridiculously stupid and uncreative name. Especially an uncreative name in NY’s China Town, considering every other restaurant on Canal Street has some variation if “#1” in its name. If you can’t take the time to come up with an acceptable name, then I can’t take the time to eat in your seemingly fine dining establishment.

I can’t quite remember where I heard about this place. I want to remember that it was in the book, “NYC Free and Dirt Cheap.” When I was interning at Glamour a few years ago, I was paid in cosmetic production samples and Rich and Skinny jeans rather than rent-paying cash, so that Frommer’s guide was pretty much my Bible.

I’m not crazy about Chinese food but Troy loves it. So on a semi-annual basis, I dutifully oblige and give into his requests for  takeout.  When the recent rounds of begging began, I pulled this gem out of my memory bank and we met there after work tonight.  It was easy to spot because there was a line out the door. It's one of those places in China Town that hangs roasted chickens in the window. Chickens with heads still attached. I think I saw their eyes and I definitely saw their beaks. Good thing I already don't like eating chicken. 

Photo Credit

A few things to expect if you're going to try out Wah Fung's:

• At least a pound of food for $3. Yes, $3. You didn't have to pass your required undergrad finance class to know that’s a positive cost-benefit ratio.
• Amazingly sticky, salty and perfectly roasted pork. On a pork scale of 1-10 -- 1 being cheap deli ham with 20% water solution and 10 being center cut bacon -- this prize is a solid 8.5.
• Unquenchable thirst following your meal. I've already downed four bottles of water tonight trying to wash down the sodium and reduce the risk of waking up pickled.
• You'll get a balanced meal. Roughly two-cups of rice (grains), 1/2 lb of pork (protein) and about two broccoli florets (vegetable). A complete, healthy meal. Mother approved.
• Cash only. Which is usually an inconvenience, but again, I feel like I need to reiterate that  it's only $3.
• Expect to wait in line for at least 30-minutes. It's a two-man team (husband and wife, I think) rushing to feed a line that is always at least ten deep.
• No seating. Take-out only. Which is a good thing since Wah Fung's has a NYC Health Department rating of a B. I don't even want to know how bad you have to be to earn a C.
•  Likely to cause intestinal distress after consumption. But, think back to that cost-benefit analysis referenced earlier. Again, it tips in Mr. Fung's favor. It wouldn't be worth it at $7.99, but at three singles, it's worth a little discomfort.                                                     

This has to be  the best thing on the menu. Take my word for it, in fact, you'll  have to, because there is now way you're going to be able to read the menu. Besides the $20 mani/pedi specials on every corner, this $3 gem is the next best deal I've discovered in the city.

A breath of fresh air

It’s no coincidence that my lack of blogging coincides with New Year's resolution season.  For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to put down the pizza and try some lighter options.

I don’t like fruit, I only like vegetables if they are swimming with ranch dressing and I think that nuts and granola are straight up garbage. The following true scenarios basically sum up my affinity for crap food.

1) When “Fast Food Nation” came out a few years ago it disgusted all who saw it, made most swear off fast food for months and created an entire anti-McDonald’s culture. I’m not ashamed to say it, but it just made me hungry. In fact, I paused it half way through and went on a Mickey D’s run so I could finish the movie while throwin’ down a Big Mac.


2) The Double Down. Don’t pretend you think it’s disgusting, ‘cause it’s not. It’s delicious, actually, it’s freaking delicious. Two crispy chicken patties create a bun-like atmosphere for the bacon, cheese and special sauce filling. Who needs a bun when you have chicken patties to hold on to? I’ve received a lot of ridicule over the years for my adamant stance that the Double Down is the best thing to happen to KFC since the invention of the extra-crispy recipe.

I think it goes without saying that eating healthy is a challenge for me. So, when my jeans became a little tighter around the holidays, I decided it was time to chill-out on the lard for awhile. However, I can only eat so many ranch dressing-free salads and cans of Progresso Light soup for lunch before I feel like bingeing on a mammoth-sized chili cheese dog.

If there is one person in the world that hates healthy food more than me, it would be my darling husband. In fact, I once confessed that I made spaghetti with gluten-free pasta. The next day, he calls me in a panic telling me he was having hot flashes and feeling nauseous. To this day he claims he has a violent intolerance for anything gluten-free. He’s a real prize. 

But, finally, I have found a relatively healthy dining option that we both really, truly like.

The Hummus Place

We only stumbled across this place due to a daily Groupon deal which scored us 50% off of our dining experience. I’m so glad we tried it out, because we’ll definitely be back for more.

 

We felt a little out of place in the tiny, earthy atmosphere situated in the NYU neighborhood. It felt like the kind of place where I shouldn’t admit that I use a PC and not a Mac or that I make a point to co-mingle glass, cardboard and plastic. Now that I think about it, it felt similar to going out to dinner with my in-laws in any number of restaurants in Eugene, OR. 

 

Considering that we didn’t know what a solid 99% of the menu items were, we tried a bit of everything. Troy is still searching for any mention of meat on the menu, but we managed to make it work. 

Dolmas

They were surprisingly amazing! I am a big fan of stuffed grape leaves and pretty particular about what I consider to be a good one. They have to be super tangy, be served cold, and no have any currants in the mix. I was a little emotional when these were brought to our table warm and covered in a green sauce. However, they were among the top three best dolmas I have ever had, and by far the best warm ones. (The best ones ever are served in bulk at the Co-Op in Corvallis...whenever I felt like having my character questioned and made to feel like an inconsiderate human being with no regard for the earth, I would swing into this friendly joint for my dolma fix.) Oh, and that green sauce was a totally delicious and lemony mint sauce. So very good. 

Dolmas

Falafel

Of course we liked these; they were fried. These were the first falafel I've had that were green on the inside. I'm not going to question the ingredients because I wouldn't want to not like them anymore. Troy was really into these nuggets of chickpea heaven. Crunchy and light and really good in that yummy green sauce.

Falafel

Hummus
Appropriately enough, The Hummus Place offers a wide selection of chickpea concoctions. We stayed close to the edge of the pool and ordered the classic version. It was super creamy and cold, which made it the perfect accompaniment to a side of hot pitas. My only complaint was the whole wheat pitas. I can only be pushed so far. That's entirely too healthy. Again, served with more of that addictive damn green sauce. Must find out what that is.

Hummus

Lebane
Saving the best for last. The lebane was so thick, creamy and salty. It was total heaven with hummus on a pita. Lebane is a basically greek yogurt strained to remove excess moisture and seasoned with garlic and lemon juice.

Lebane

We had quite the spread for the two of us. And for eating healthy, I was definitely impressed. I've already asked Troy to go back with me, especially during brunch, at which time they serve liquor. While I wouldn't be down for eating this every day, this is definitely our new go-to place on days when we are trying to cure a grease hangover.

Our big fat kosher Christmas

Problem: We didn't properly plan to ahead to make a nice Christmas dinner and therefore didn't have anything in the freezer except for 5 lbs of bacon and a frozen lasagna.

Solution: What restaurants are open on Christmas day when everything else is closed? Jewish Delis.

We decided to have a late lunch and head over to Ben's Kosher Delicatessen for some solid comfort food.  We decided to celebrate and try a little of everything, you know, a smorgasbord.

When we sat down our table had a bowl of giant pickles and a side of coleslaw waiting for us. We didn’t really know what to do with these generous gifts, so we looked around and did as everyone else did. Eat the pickles and ignore the coleslaw.

Delicious pickles

I started with chicken soup with a giant kreplach, which is a ground beef filled dumpling. I am a sucker for chicken soup and this met all my requirements.

We both ordered half of a corned beef sandwich, which was giant. I’m a self-proclaimed sandwich snob, and this sandwich didn’t really do the trick for me. I know a corned beef sandwich at a Jewish deli by nature is supposed to be served dry on rye with a thick schmear of mustard. I just really needed some mayo.  This thing was a little dry. I am not a fan of rye, so I ordered mine on wheat bread. Apparently that is a big faux pas and a bit insulting in a Jewish Deli. Just be lucky I didn't ask for it with American cheese, mayo and a handful of potato chips on top, as I normally would. I guess it’s just not my thing. 

While the soup and sandwich are a standard deli item, we ordered a truly unique appetizer.  The Hush Puppy. I thought a hush puppy was a southern food of fried cornbread balls. Apparently not at Ben's. Picture it: a giant kosher hot dog, which is amazing on it's own, rolled in mashed potatoes and then...deep fried. Similar to the American Pig in a Blanket, but replace that pig with a more kosher animal-- like a puppy.

Is this real life?

As far as great Jewish deli food goes, I think we can find better in New York. But, this was fun way to spend our Christmas and the Hush Puppy scored a 10 in my book.  All in all, we liked it a latke.