ooh, jason lam so hungry in nyc
I got hungry when I saw this Oxtail Stew on Serious Eats. But instead of getting the $11 one at Sophie’s, I went for the $8.50 one at Milanes. They gave me a full cup of pinto beans on the side. So smart when getting it to go –it doesn’t sog up everything on the walk back to the office. The Oxtail was tasty, but sometimes I wonder if Sophie’s green sauce is worth the extra $2.50. It probably is.
Milanes Restaurant – 168 W 25th St (btw 6th & 7th Ave) New York 10010
I haven’t returned to Johny’s Luncheonette since I tried their disappointing Famous Sloppy Johny (grilled chicken, bacon, onions, cheese and coleslaw on a hero). Sounds amazing, but didn’t work for me. It says a lot when you put “Home of the Sloppy Johny” on your awning, so I didn’t expect much from anything else on the menu. I was dead wrong. The Melissa Munchie (Hot Roast Beef, Sautéed Mushrooms, Onion Rings, and Melted Mozzarella on Garlic Bread) is frickin’ awesome. They even threw in a few fries in there. All the ingredients work together and melds into one hell of a trucker-style sandwich.
I feel bad that I wrote off Johny’s after that first sandwich. Now I have to eat my words …and I’d be happy to.
Johny’s Luncheonette – 124 W. 25th Street (btw 6th & 7th Ave) New York City, NY 10001
I like these guys because they’re nice and their lamb & chicken combo comes with fries, pickle and a falafel ball at only $5. It might be much blander than the $6 one a couple blocks away, but that place doesn’t give you a free soda anymore and made me feel stupid for trying to grab one.
LTZ Halal Truck – South East Corner of 30th St. and 5th Ave, NYC 10010
Met up with Greg and Seth at Cafe Medina. I was frazzled, because I kept thinking the men behind the counter gave my sandwich away to someone else a few times. I got what Greg got –the Chicken Milanese Sandwich. Or I thought I did. His looked totally different, but he just ordered it that way. The sandwich had some boozy wine aroma to it. It had a quality ingredients but seemed a little dry. I should have ordered it the way Greg did.
Cafe Medina – 9 E 17th St (btwn 5th Ave & Broadway) New York 10003
Walked around with Matt & Sam and ran into a $10 Burger & Beer lunch special at Lillie’s. I’ve seen this place before and was always too intimidated by how fancy it looks, but we took a chance. I ordered my burger medium-rare, Matt had his rare. The cute waitress asked if she should just bring out the cow live. That’s the kind of playful waitress flirting that makes a man feel attractive. I bet so many guys walk away thinking she’s into them.
The burger was okay and came with plenty of fries. With a Stella, it’s a pretty good burger & beer deal. You don’t even have to get a burger. You can get a Grilled Ham & Cheese like Sam.
Lillie’s Victorian Bar & Restaurant – 13 E 17th St (btwn 5th Ave & W Union Sq) New York, NY 10003
I went to work yesterday and noticed Planet Thai 212 is now reopened as Boyd Thai II. It looks pretty much the same, except they put the sushi counter out in the dining room and took out the awesome looking booths. I went for the Tom Yum Seafood Noodle Soup lunch special $9. Sam had the Stir Fried Udon w/ Seafood $9. It came with a spring roll and salad. I guess all in all, it almost seems the same as the old restaurant. Some menu changes. I just wished I wasn’t always confused with Tom Yum and Tom Kha (made with coconut milk). Remember that old Planet Thai that once had that delicious Tom Kha Gai dumpling soup? Yum! …but not Tom Yum.
Boyd Thai II – 30 W 24th St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave) New York 10010
Met up with Shonali for lunch at the popular Veronica’s Kitchen food cart down in the Financial District. My first time. I always heard the lines were long and food runs out quick, but this time it wasn’t so bad when I got there at one. The Goat Roti ($6.50) was soupy and had pumpkin sauce on it. The meat so tender and so good. I was sucking on the bones afterwards. The Jerk Chicken ($6) was some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Heavily spiced thick coating of the jerk seasoning. The hot sauce on the side was the bomb. One of the best Caribbean meals ever.
Veronica’s Kitchen – 125 Front St (@ Pine St) New York, NY 10005
Had the Chicken Special at Terry’s Gourmet Deli, where they have great Caribbean roti. The Chicken Special – two dark pieces with two sides for $3.99. Almost seemed like the sides were decided for me –white rice and vegetables. The chicken tasted like a fresher version of one of those microwave Oriental/Caribbean Chicken frozen meals. I could really go for a roti next time.
Terry’s Gourmet Deli – 575 6th Ave (@ 16th St) New York 10011
The Sloppy Bao
Lunch Box of the Day
lunch box of the day
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