Goya Chips (bitter melon tempura)

TORYS
248 E 52nd St 2nd Fl
(2nd & 3rd Ave)
212-813-1800
map/subway
$$

Goya chips are Torys’s (and Yakitori Totto’s) inventive version of chips using the healthy and uncommon vegetable, bitter melon. They hollow out the center, cut the remainder into ring-shaped slices, then batter and deep-fry tempura style. The outcome is a delightfully appetizing and visually beautiful snack that pairs perfectly with beer before dinner. Here’s something to relish while deciding which yakitori skewers to order.

Posted in Veggies, Japanese, Snack

Ham, Gruyere & Egg Crêpe

PALACINKA
28 Grand St
(6th Ave & Thompson St)
212-625-0362
map/subway
$

The charming thing about Palacinka is that it’s a high-profile but low-profile joint. What I mean is that it’s laid back and unpretentious, yet it’s also a great place for celebrity sightings. The buckwheat crêpes are thin and compact, and are accompanied by a little side of salad. The ham, Gruyere and egg crêpe is classic, elegant, and delicious. Think about it, who doesn’t love ham, cheese, egg, or crêpe? When you put them all together and enjoy them while chilling out at this endearing crêperie, it just makes for a perfect meal.

Posted in Pork, French, Cheese

Bureka Treat (filled w/ cheese, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, tahini & pickles)

AROMA CAFE
145 Greene St
@ Houston St
map/subway
$

It’s good to have an Israeli café chain open up in SoHo because I was getting a bit tired of the sandwiches, muffins and coffee one finds at our local coffee shops. At Aroma Café I can get a bureka treat, a sandwich filled with cheese, slices of hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, tahini and pickles — yummers! I’m not sure if this is an everyday Israeli treat, but whoever thought of it is a genius. The burekas have a good dose of sesame seeds on them, reminding me of Chinese bing, or bread — which is also delicious and makes for a great sandwich bread even though it is not as light and crispy as a fresh bureka.

Posted in Sandwich, Israeli

Spaghetti (w/ chilis, mint & 1 lb. lobster)

ESCA
402 W 43rd St
@ 9th Ave
212-564-7272
map/subway
$$$

The spaghetti is cooked to a perfect al dente, so that there is actually a bite to it. It’s hard to compare the tomatoes here in the US to those in Europe, but the tomatoes used in this dish made me reminisce about how flavorful and juicy tomatoes are meant to be. Finally, the full one-pound of lobster is as fresh and tender as can be. I wouldn’t expect anything less from chef Dave Pasternack. The final touch of mint and chilis adds the perfect amount of freshness and kick to polish the dish off. I’d stop by Esca any day just to have this pasta.

Posted in Seafood, Italian

Frita Cubana con yuca fritas (four mini Cuban-style hamburgers w/ or w/out cheese, served w/ yuca fries)

CAFECITO
185 Avenue C
(11th & 12th St)
212-253-9966
$
map/subway

These sliders are unusually yummy because there’s chorizo in the patties — a brilliant formula that makes a regular burger extraordinary. The four minis come with ketchup and garlic sauce. Garlic sauce is yet another ingredient (in addition to chorizo) that makes everything taste good, and you should dip the yuca fries and the burgers in it. Your tummy will be so satisfied by the end of the meal. Just realize that, with your garlic breath, you’ll be ready to face any vampire — even the day after — so think twice before bringing a date to satisfy this craving.

Posted in Cuban, Burger

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