Minetta Tavern

Finally ate at the famed Minetta Tavern. When I was at NYU, this historic restaurant had fallen on hard times. Mostly neglect. Still, I always wanted to eat there and take a stroll through old New York. So, almost 20 years later I finally stepped foot in the restaurant. I have changed quite a bit since those teenage years and the restaurant also went through a metamorphism. Renovations to bring back the feel of a historic New York tavern and a new menu with award winning dishes re established this restaurant to its former glory. So, to celebrate a dear friend’s big birthday, we did brunch at Minetta Tavern. While I reviewed this on Yelp: Minetta Tavern Let the pictures speak for themselves.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Pastrami, corned beef, melted Swiss on grilled rye with Russian dressing and Mustard. Verdict: Perfect!

Super MegaDog

Today for lunch I had the Super Megadog from Rupert Jee’s Hello Deli. This dog was recently mentioned on David Letterman due to size controversy. I had heard about it prior to the Letterman skit as I always have my pulse on the foods of New York City.

It being a cold February day, I decided to walk over and get myself the Super MegaDog which comes with bacon. Sure the dog already is a hot dog with chili, fries, mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut and relish but we all know everything goes great with bacon. Comfort food at its best.

I chatted with May and we talked NYC and food. Rupert was part of the assembly line making my lunch so it was nice to see the proprietor being hands on with the dishes. Always a cool vibe in the small cheerful place. In fact the deli holds a special place in my heart cause I rendezvous with my friend Courtney when she made her first trip to NYC. Good times. Anyway the place was jammed with onlookers as well as a few regulars but I didn’t mind the wait cause good food comes to those who wait.

May was very nice to give me a side of hot sauce for the dog which fit on a paper plate. Due to the ingredients it is not meant to hold but to eat at a table. I brought it back to my office to savor. The bacon was liberally placed and crispy. Fries were the steak fries and sprinkled across the dog which had a layer of cheese adhering to it. The bed of the bun had the condiments as well as chili. Using a fork and knife, I cut pieces of it and those bites all came together. Crispy, salty, savory and spicy. A combination on a hotdog you won’t find easily in New York City. I mentioned to May that the sound of it reminds me of the Primanti Bros. sandwich which she said she heard others compare it to. I will report back to the deli that it was a satisfying meal.

If pictures could be eaten, then everyone would enjoy the photo.

Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish

Great way to start a morning: Everything Bagel with jalapeño cream cheese.

My Life In Pictures

Ever since I’ve owned a phone with photography capabilities I find myself taking pictures of everyday places or things that I come across. Some have meaning while others just catch my eye. Time to share my world through my eyes.

Vendy Awards 2012

When the season changes from Summer’s muggy/humid days to the cool crisp air of Fall, what also is ushered in is the annual Vendy Awards. The Vendys, which celebrates the roadside chefs who inhabit street corners of the five boroughs as well as various fairs and flea markets, is held by the Street Vendor Project, a non-profit group which provides legal and other assistance to the city’s food vendors.  Their tireless work to ensure the rights of vendors are projected culminate in what is now the 8th annual Vendy Awards. The last couple of years it has been held at Governor’s Island, a wonderful spacious location where foodies and food vendor supporters come together to celebrate a truly uniquely New York City experience.

I have been to 6 of the 8 Vendy Awards, where I have enjoyed a wide variety of cuisines. I also have used it as a springboard to teach others that street food is good food. In fact, it can be better than brick and mortar establishments. Most of all, food brings people from all walks of life together and makes them happy. For 5 hours we do not worry about our daily issues or world issues. We are united behind our love for food and appreciation for the hard work street food vendors perform in providing us such nourishing meals.

This year was no different from the others. There were international representatives from around the city. Below are pictures of the various meals from the following artisans: Uncle Gussy (Greek), Cinnamon Snail (Vegan and People Choice Award 2012), Piaztlan Authentic Mexican Food (Vendy Cup Winner for 2012), Hamza and Madina Halal Food (Solid Street Meat with kick ass sauce), Xin Jiang Prosperity Kebabs (So good I didn’t waste time on taking pictures of these amazing Chinese inspired Kebabs), Tortas Nezas (Near CitiField and awesome Chicken Milanese), CoolHaus (With Cute girl working the window), La Bella Torte Dessert Truck, Melt Bakery, Mayhem & Stout (short rib heaven in a sandwich), Baby Got Back Ribs (Awesome rub), Parantha Alley (Parathas done right and great chutneys), Lumpia Shack (loved the Peking Duck Rolls and so sweet and refreshing was the cantaloupe honey drink), Pestle & Mortar (Ceviche on a warm day makes everything right),  Phil’s Steak (Rookie of Year Philly in the house and their recommendation was off the hook), Okadaman (Long line but worth the wait – Kara-Age FTW), Chinese Mirch (dumplings and noodles=bliss), Morocho (Peruvian paradise: Aji de Gallina) and Fun Buns (Pork Belly never was more fun than in a bun).  So without further delay, the pictures.

Norma’s Brunch

Normalita’s Huevos Rancheros. Hits the spot every time.

Corned Beef and Cabbage My First Attempt

Success with crockpot cooking it!

Delmonico’s

This past weekend I went with friends to try out the venerable steak house, Delmonico’s. Delmonico’s opened in 1837 as one of the US first fine dining restaurants. Located in the financial district in New York City, it is a gem from our past tucked away on a quiet corner of Beaver Street. Their signature dishes include the original Delmonico steak and Baked Alaska. I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Salad Life

Recently, with the start of a new year, I have decided to live a semi-healthy life. I decided to incorporate salads into my life. Now, I’m not a salad person. Never a fan of the leafy green stuff, if I ate it was usually because it came with the main course. So I tried to avoid eating them but as I’ve gotten older and realizing it is tougher to keep the weight off, it is time to make some adjustments. So, I welcome salads with open arms/mind/stomach. What I didn’t realize was that I was entering into a different culture.

The salad culture, or as I refer to those who do salads for lunch (saladites) are a protective bunch. They pride themselves in knowing what they want to include in their salads, without looking at the board or the choices in front of them. They also have mastered the dressings and the whole process takes less than 5 minutes to get their salad and be on their way to work or wherever they intend to head with salad in hand.

I’m a newbie and it shows.

I look at the board, trying to determine what to place into my salad. Do I like certain combinations? Will I eat that? Why are there so many choices? The first step is choosing the size of the salad. I go with the small since I do not want to waste food. Then there are the choices, mixed greens, spinach, romaine. I go with mixed greens. Can’t go wrong with mixed stuff, right? With my bowl in hand I enter the line. I see some people glance at me and imagine it must be cause I don’t look familiar. They sense my amateur status. So I hold my bowl a little tighter and wait patiently on line, studying the list so not to take too long and piss off the line. So far, I’ve gotten the hang of things but much like New Year’s resolutioners, the saladites I have met don’t think I’m going to be there for the long haul. They have seen my types come and go. I told them while every lunch will not be a salad lunch, mark my word, I will be there at least once a week.

Today was my first time this week and it was good. Going for two tomorrow. Let’s roll.