FridayJan 8,2010
Finally, a good and authentic Chinese Szechuan restaurant. The spices are handled in the authentic way.
Sun Na took me there; and it became a little yummy heaven for she and I to hang out whenever we can find a moment together on our schedule.
Love the spicy dumpling in Szechuan hot oil, love the pan-seared pork dumplings, love the spiced string beans, love the braised fish with napa cabbage, love the tea-smoked duck, and love the spicy cold hot pot.
Give it try ~ this is the perfect winter for it.
Szechuan Gourmet, 244 W 56th St (Btwn 8th Ave & Broadway), (212) 265-2226
WednesdayOct 28,2009
When walking, I love walking into unfamiliar blocks. That day, I found Orwasher’s Bakery.
It’s beautiful handmade breads.
It’s just beautiful.
When you walk into the store, it’s a beautiful world with the wonderful smell of freshly baked breads. It’s picture perfect and makes Polly a very happy girl.
Can’t wait until Dan gets home so I can cook up a meal to go with the pretty breads.
Orwasher’s Bakery, 308 East 78th Street, 212.288.6569
MondayOct 26,2009
I have been wanting to eat at Prune for a long time!!! Finally, one day, after watching Eleanor’s performance, I went with Susanna.
YUM YUM YUM
The lamb sausage (in pic) was out of the worldly perfect for starting a late meal. The grills Brazino (see pic) is simply fabulous. And that Steamed Lemon Cake (see pic) made us almost went for a second!!!
Can’t wait to go back and try sweetbread and the bone marrow, who’s coming with me?
Prune, 54 E 1st St, (212) 677-6221
TuesdayOct 20,2009
Everyone I know who likes Ramen likes this place; it’s quite magical. I love their appetizers, anything. I like the interior space, very modern. And that bowl of ramen, oh, how could that be bad?!
The only bad thing for this place is the wait if you go for dinner from 6 pm - 9 pm; it’s normally 45 minutes or more for 2 people or more.
Went with Vicky for lunch; Ippudo has my favorite combo - some type of rice dish + a bowl of ramen; reminds me of some yummy memories in Tokyo.
Ippudo, 65 4 Ave (btw E 9th - 10th Street)
ThursdayAug 27,2009
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It was the perfect July 4th weekend dinner with good friends Bea and Jill at Zum Schneider!
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The beer selection was great, cucumber salad was awesome, potato pancakes were tasty and my favorite Wiener Schnitzel was perfect. And I LOVE the potato salad!!! Never made it to dessert … oops …..
We were lucky to get an outdoor table in the breeze … what a lovely summer day!
Zum Schneider, 107 Avenue C (East 7th Street), 212.598.1098
MondayAug 24,2009
It was meant to be. Susanna and I decided we’ll go early at 6 pm without reservation (gutzy!) We actually got seats on the bar facing the kitchen!! And it was a night to remember!!!
The tapas was just amazingly tasty. Nothing tasted as how they look - the dishes were fully of yummy surprises and are just amazing!!! It is the most pricey tapas bar I’ve been; but I’ll go back again in a heart beat (hint, hint, who’s coming with me?)
We had Bacalao Croquetas with Orange Alioli (in pic, my favorite!!! Fried starch with orange mayo - how bad could this be?!); Pork Belly with Spicy Sandia (it’s magical to mix in watermelon to balance this spicy dish for the early summer days); Fideos with Chorizo and Clams (in pic; I don’t even usually like clams and can’t keep my hands away from this dish!!!); Sepia a la Plancha with Salsa Verde (yum yum yum … just perfect!)
Drooling as I’m blogging this magical night … call me please to go eat there …. please ….
Casa Mono, 52 Irving Place, rerservation strongly recommendated, 212.253.2773
SaturdayAug 22,2009
What a great find for a quick and yummy and cheap lunch in Gramercy area!!!
Patty found the place and shared with Diana and I for lunch 1 day. Ramen was good, gyoza was good and the rice dishes were yummy too. The portion was more than enough for sure. LOVE how fast they serve!!!
Terakawa Ramen, 18 Lexington Ave (between 23rd and 22nd Street), cash only!
SundayJul 5,2009
Always love this little spot on the way to the office …
Very French — good bakery goods, great coffee, very small space, very hidden
Try to see if you can find it when you are in Upper West Side
Cafe Margot - 2109 Broadway
MondayJun 29,2009
I rarely have time for brunch. Yes, I do work 7 days a week. Lately, I was brave (and praying the world does not fall apart because I skip a work day on Saturday) and had brunch. Both times, I went to Five Points!
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I love the atmosphere of the whole place. Of course, my favorite table is under the sun roof nearby the kitchen (see picture).
I LOVE their food. LOVE the Pulled Chicken Salad, LOVE the apple and sage sausage, and love the Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata (in pic). And do want to make it to Churros and Mexican Hot Chocolate one day.
Reservation strongly recommended unless you can get to the door at 11 am.
Five Points, 31 Great Jones Street, 212.253.5700
MondayJun 15,2009
I have been wanting to try this place. Many foodie friends visited and loved it. Got lucky the past Saturday night, Dan got a 4 people reservation at 6:30 pm!
We got garden seats!!! What a surprise!!!
The staffs here are very friendly and knowledgeable what they serve.
The food here is rustic and interesting! In pictures: Bone Marrow Crusted Cod, Suckling Pig, and Stuffed Brook Trout. YUM YUM YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many things on the menu I cannot wait to go back and try - Pizza con le Patate e Lardo, Duck Carbonara, Apple and Pretzel Tartlet …. drooling …
August - 359 Bleecker Street - (212) 929-8727
SundayJun 14,2009
Really Belgium, though I don’t drink beer. 
Love the homemade pate and Bitterballen which are tiny deep fried beef meatballs (see pic) and their frites are really good with homemade mayo.
Dan’s sad that the moulé is not sizable as he expected, but we have yet to find a sizable moulé place in NYC.
LOVE how small this place is and how cozy and relaxing it feels.
The service was great!!!
B. Cafe West — 566 Amsterdam Avenue (between 87th St & 88th St) — (212) 873-1800
SundayMay 10,2009
It was a very tasty meal at this Taste Good restaurant.
This restaurant offers the most tasty authentic Maylaysian cuisine; this is sweared by the people (7 of them) who took us there.
We had some special dishes that were special ordered. But few I’ve never tried and fell in love with - Rojak (assorted fuits and veggie salad tossed with homemade spicy shrimp paste topped with grated peanut and crispy shrimp crackers). The chicken Satay was juicy and melted in the mouth. Sizzling Bean Curd has this delicious sauce to accompany the homemade tofu (made a premise daily!!!). And I love love the way they cook Kangkung Belacan (green veggie with spicy Malaysian shrimp paste sauce).
Friends told me that there are the Laksa (house specialty: curry noodles with stuffed bean curd) that I must try. And we found out it was only 35 minutes subway ride from Elmhurst to Upper West Side!!! Can’t wait to eat there again soon!!!
Sedap Taste Good Malaysian Cuisine, 82-18 45th Avenue, Elmhurst, NY
Take G, R, or V train to “Elmhurst Ave”, it’s next to the Hong Kong Supermarket
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