Tuesday, August 23, 2011

NYC 08-2011

I love going to New York to recharge. I have really dope friends who are willing to host me, even if it means sharing a bed with them for a week. My twin from another coast Michelle did just that. Before I left my goal was to walk around New York and be cute, eat a lot, dance like fairy, be drunk like pirate, and do some hipster shit.

Well... all of those things were accomplished except for being cute. We ate and drank so much that I went to NYC with one chin and came back with like five. Which is why there are barely and pictures of me! I took pictures of only the food and below is everything I ate in NYC. Enjoy!
My favorite NYC Italian place Celeste is Michelle's pride and joy. You can find her enthusiastic review on the yelp page.
Linguine Vongole: Celeste

Penne with tomato sauce and mozzerella: Celeste

Tiramisu: Celeste
I had a ravenous craving for an NYC slice and I didn't care where. I apologize I can't remember the name.
Random Pizza Place by Radio City Music Hall

It was a Filipino Fat ass night. We went to a BBQ buffet that scrumptious enough to get the most committed of dieters to leave weight watchers. I'm lucky that none of my friends are on a diet!

Brisket, BBQ Chicken, Corn Bread, Macaroni and Cheese, Green beans: Hill Country BBQ

The owner chatted up with me and Chelle the day before. We stopped by for some wine and key lime pie!
Key Lime Pie: Brooklyn Public House
There was a post on Vashtie that got me super obsessed with trying Trini food. I couldn't freaking find it, but Chelle found Sugar Cane. Although it was pretty pricey, I suppose it was a good introduction to Trini food for this Asian girl from the bay.

West Indian Honey drizzled Fried Chicken with plantains and red rice: Sugar Cane

Chicken Roti: Sugar Cane
Fiore is Celeste's more expensive cousin. If you are in the Brooklyn area this is a great place to eat.
Vongole and Penne Carbonara: Fiore (Boobs not included)

Burrata Salad: Fiore
Eataly is a super duper Italian market place that is the brain child of Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, and her son Joe Bastianich. Inside is a my fantasy wet dream of cured meats, cheeses, and pastas that will surely fill my tomb when I meet the inevitable. Surrounded by posh dresses and suited stockbrokers, I felt a little out of my element until I started to eat. If you are in Soho and do not have the time to make it to Little Italy. This is definitely a good stop.
Cheese and Antipasto: Eataly

Lasagna and Cacio y Pepe Pasta: Eataly



Me in the midst of a wet dream
Smorgasburg Food Market in Brooklyn: This day was awesome. It was super pricey, but I felt that all of the food that we ate was great quality. It's a foodie's fantasy to be around so much yumness. Warning if you hate Hipsters, yeah, just look at the food. Keep your eyes on the food.

Noodles with peanut sauce, Lobster roll, and Chorizo sandwich: Smorgisburg food market
I am not a sports girl. I know like the minimal... if that. I had a tomboy phase where I wanted to play in little league so I know SOME of how baseball is supposed to work. My high school friend Mikey had an extra ticket and the day off, so I decided to visit the new Yankee Stadium.
I am a Giants fan, and it hurts me to say this, but the Yankees are a fucking magnificent team. I witnessed my first live grand slam. It was awesome. The fans are super loyal and fun to be around. Mikey had a bunch of useful bla bla bla about the Yankees being the oldest team, the most expensive team, and yadda yadda.... omg I just ate the best freaking philly cheese steak sandwich of my life....


Carl's Steaks Yankee Stadium: Philly Cheese Steak with onions and White Wiz
Photo from the web (cuz I ate all of it before I thought of taking a picture)


The Yankees played a great game that day. Ironically they were playing the LA Angels. I'm not sure if this was a sign of my future plans, but all I could think about was that damn Philly Cheesesteak sandwich! I loved it so much I took a picture at the stand. I have a feeling these dudes are used to random Asian chicks wanting to take pics, so they hammed it up for the shot. LOL.


I think it's safe to say David Chang is responsible for the pork bun fad. I've eaten at two of his restaurants Milk Bar and Momofuku Noodle Bar. David Chang's creations have popped up in all sorts of magazines and the young chef has even made an appearance on Anthony Bordain's No Reservations. His pastries and noodle dishes are scrumptious and familiar enough for the Asian palate. His legacy is in the buns. Pork buns that is. They will make you quiver.
You know I was dreaming about some Shake Shack. I had it last year and I couldn't stop thinking about their burger. I had it this time around and I didn't feel the amaze balls. It could be I had a week of eating and fatness and I just didn't care anymore. I would rate Shake Shack as the NYC equivalent to In and Out. Yeah..... eat here when you haven't eaten for like three days.

I saw my brother and his best friend while I was in NYC and I was about to jump both of them to get their take out dumplings. It was stuck in my head so I begged Mikey to take me to Chinatown. He had Vanessa's Dumplings on his Yelp Bookmarks and geez oh my... it was great! Mikey and I spent ten dollars for 16 dumplings, 1 sandwich, and two cokes. Fatness I tell you! Fatness on a budget is the way to go.

Sesame Pancake Sandwich with Pork Belly: Vanessa's Dumplings
Shrimp Dumplings: Vanessa's Dumplings
Pork and Chive Dumplings drowning in Siracha and Sexy dumpling sauce: Vanessa's dumplings
I've been following Chef Eddie Huang's blog Fresh Off the Boat and was excited to try his restaurant Bao Haus. He was featured in the Paper Tigers story that I mentioned earlier this year, and you know, I just dig it when Asian Americans challenge this whole ching chong ling long ting tong business. His Baos were omg... hella good. Don't be fooled they will fill you up.


And I hella forget everything we ordered.Whatever had fried chicken and pork belly will do you just fine: Bao Haus