Tag: Food

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Long week, get the body and stomach work done

Business is slow, yet my work is intensely busy; mostly trying to generate new business and convince customers it’s the right time to part them from their cash hords. E and I made an appointment at Lilly and Raul for some Qi Gong Tui Na body work. Ah such relief. It’s a great ladies and couples only shop on the 15th floor of an office building. We got a full hour in for $50 each.

Afterward, we headed to the basement of the same building for some Izakaya. If your not familiar with Izakayas, they are traditional Japanese after work drinking establishments, with excellent food. In this building, there’s Sakagura, one of the best establishments in New York City for this fare. I’ve been here several times and will typically will recommend it to people looking for good Japanese food (non sushi) and it’s a go to spot to take out of town guests.

From their website:

Sakagura was founded in 1996 and has become one of the top sake bars in the United States, attracting countless sake lovers. When you visit our unique location in the basement of a Midtown East office building, you’ll understand why we have earned the nickname “hidden jewel.” and why our customers say that walking into Sakagura is “like walking into Tokyo.”

We offer over 200 kinds of carefully selected sakes, various authentic tapas-style dishes, and homemade desserts.

I’ve had the majority of the menu and there hasn’t been one item I wouldn’t order again. There’s definately unique options but it does help to like foods like Beef Tongue and Raw Squid to experience the entire menu.

After a great massage and meal, the weekend was set for what ever happens. Great times.

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The Banh Mai Buzz

Bread has been the vehicle of sustenance for ages of afternoon gnash. Every culture seems to have some variation of a “sandwich”, whether it be stuffing vegetables and/or meat in between sliced bread, pita, tortilla, loafs, buns or rolls. In New York, the best known version is the dirty water hot dog sold many corners of every borough. However, my favorite sandwiches are the Spicy Italian hero, the middle eastern Falafel and Hummas in pita, the French Croque-madam, the traditional Cuban Sandwich (sans pickles), the NOLA Po’boy, Katz Pastrami on rye, or the Vietnamese Bánh Mì.

In my short time being in New York, I’ve not seen any food trends in sandwich making world, so when I see Bánh Mì shops pop up every month for the last few months, you know there’s either a fresh influx of Vietnamese, or it’s a wondrous trend on the classic.

I just checked out a new spot in Sau Voi. I’ve walked by this chinese CD and cassette shop many times but never knew there was a sandwich counter in there…. right next to the lotto and cigarettes. The Bahn Mi was good and cheap. I’ll put it in the rotation with my other regulars at Paris and Banh Mi So 1. I failed to the higher end Baoguette, or the low key Ba Xuyen in Brooklyn.

Then after lunch I see in the NY Times, a story by Julia Moskin about the evolution of the Bahn Mi in New York [Building on Layers of Tradition]. I now have several others to check out in the mad rush to improve on the Vietnamese sandwich…. none yet can compare to those I pick up in San Jose, CA

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Disappearing New York

This week’s Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations show (Feb 2009), a constant on the DVR schedule btw for Tony’s snark and direct take on travel and food porn, he aired a show on “Disappearing New York” (NOTE the link in the pic is actually to Jeremiah’s blog “Vanishing NY”).

Russ & Daughters was mentioned but it’s still remains. It’s located down the street from me on Houston st (pronounced “House-ton”). I wouldn’t say I’m a regular but the lox, smoked salmon and sable are phenomenal, but I prefer the bagels from Murray’s. It’s one of the pricier options for your smoked fish, caviar and specialty foods, but don’t forget the service is great as well. I hope Joe Russ’s vision stays with us for another 100 years.

Minetta Tavern – I’m ripping this post direct from NY Mag. Minetta Tavern used to be in my staple of old bar hang outs as I’d either start or end my evening there with friends. We’d sit at the bar and have scotch or grab a table for some old school Italian pasta. Keith McNally bought the place last year and it’s finally reaching opening status, scheduled for March 10th. According to a recent interview in the Observer, much of the old fell will stay, however, all the cocktail prices will go up to ridiculous NY club offerings ($14) and the food will now be French. R.I.P. the original Minetta Tavern that I knew and drank at many of nights…

Vesuvio – It’s official. Location for sale signs are up in the windows. Vesuvio is no more. TBD for what comes next all I hope is they keep the iconic store front for the memories.

Bar 108 – This is a new spot that opened up a month or two ago on Houston and Thompson’s North west corner. It replaced the very low key Italian speaker’s heaven: L’angolo Cafe. I watched several of the World Cup matches there when Italy played and it was just like being in Italy. The staff and patrons were all speaking Italian and I only new how to order Peroni. The Italian cafe will be missed and based on the new airs of 108, this bar is best suited for Murry Hill, UES or at best Financial District – I give it a year max to survive in SOHO/Greenwich.

The former Moondance Cafe, much loved by the SOHO neighborhood, which moved is now being replaced by a monkey cage, um, hotel (Construction Watch: Moondance to Pole Dance at Soho Hotel)

Lola Shutters as well in the neighborhood but I’m not too sad about that place based on my reviews…