Posts tagged music

BonChon Chicken East Village @ Boka

Rob Bruce IMed me at work. He never IMs me and we never talk about food. He was raving about the BonChon Chicken he just ate. I thought it was suspicious, like BonChon hacked his IM to message me. It worked.

Every time I planned to go to BonChon (Midtown) before, I was dissuaded by what I hear is a super long wait for the food. In fact, I just assume that’s the nature of Korean Fried Chicken. There used to be a BBQ Chicken (not barbeque chicken, but “Best of the Best Quality Chicken”) Korean spot near my work. There would be no one in there and it would still take over 30 minutes for my small order. They said it was because they fry each chicken to order.

I got Chris of Cubeecraft to go eat BonChon Chicken right now. He got me to go to the East Village one (the same one Rob went to). They both said the service is so much faster there. I’m sold …and they were right. The chicken came so fast. Maybe five-ten minutes after we ordered.

The chicken was crispy, sweet, sticky …delicious. I liked it with Sriracha sauce. They were finger lickin’ good.

We also had Korean Tako Balls, which I kept thinking they said Korean Taco Balls. They were those octopus Takoyaki balls. Really good. At the time, I was wondering what made them taco-style or Mexican. Now I get it. I no dumb.

Okay, yes. The East Village BonChon is the one to go to if you don’t like to wait. It’s hard to find though. There’s no real sign and it looks like a cave. And the small whiteboard says Boca. From my understanding, it’s a bar called Boca that serves BonChon Chicken. I think this place used to be a wood and metal parts shop. I thought Chris was taking me there.

BonChon Chicken (@ Boka) - 9 St Marks Pl (btwn 3rd Ave & Astor Pl) New York, NY 10003

Speaking of “Finger Lickin’ Good”, here’s my tribute to MCA, Beastie Boys, NYC and Huey Lewis…

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Marky Ramone’s Cruisin’ Kitchen Meatball Truck

Yesterday, Sam and I walked by this new Meatball food truck parked behind our office (near Madison Square Park & Eataly). It’s Marky Ramone’s (of The Ramones!) food truck, serving meatballs… head by this accomplished chef.

We were headed somewhere else to get food and I asked them when they’ll be back. They said tomorrow (which is today). I thought, “Oh shit. They are going to come back to this shitty spot because they think we are going to come back to get two meatballs?” I walk by this spot everyday and have seen so many lonely food trucks (with the exeption of Kimchi Taco Truck). When we walked back with our lunches, there was no one in line. I said hi. One guy smiled at me, then he saw my food and his smiled dipped. I was thinking, “Shit.” …and they did come back today.

I was pretty surprised that they were men of their word. Were they coming back to this shitty spot because now we were obligated to buy two meatballs? Luckily, there were a few people there in line. I felt relieved.

Sam got the Italian Original (beef balls) with Marky Ramone’s Marinara Sauce and I got the Asian (Pork), since Sam and I are both Asian. We swapped balls to taste each others. You can get them on a roll or with crisps (toasted bread chips or Fried Chinese Noodles for the Asian ones). The meatballs look good in the basket (as in the display), but they put them in plastic containers to go. See the last four photos.

Overall, they were pretty good. But I expected more from such a fiery looking truck with Marky Ramone’s name on it. I was expecting bold flavors or a kicked up spicy meatball that punched me in the face. They were quality balls, but not so rock n roll. Plus, are they worth $7?

I think this Meatball truck will fare better in Midtown or at least over to Park Ave and mid 20′s …not this shitty spot. It doesn’t do me any favors by telling people to park away from my office, but I’m just trying to help.

Marky Ramone’s Cruisin’ Kitchen – Facebook & Twitter

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Pulp @ Radio City Music Hall & a Vietnamese Sandwich

I went with Chris (of Cubeecraft) and his friends to eat at Baoguette before the Pulp show. I would never suspect him of being a Pulp fan …but maybe that makes sense. I’m a nerd and Jarvis Cocker (the singer) kinda looks like Harry Potter. Nothing against Chris. I’m just saying he likes comic books and video games. Nothing against that. I like that stuff …and maybe Jarvis does too. I just thought that Pulp fans hung out at BritPop night wearing their skinny pants …like me.

The guy at Baoguette let me change my order from the regular Pork Banh Mi to the Catfish Vietnamese sandwich. Chris was very helpful to buy the extra Pork sandwich they made for me by mistake. I think they forgot I changed my order. I know the Pork one is good. But dang, the catfish one was good too. I like how the bottom of the bun looks like comic book dots. How come I don’t eat more of this shit? I work closeby. Carbs?

Baoguette - 61 Lexington Ave (btwn 25th & 26th St) New York, NY 10010

And then onto the Pulp show. Chromatics opened up. I digged them. They even sat in the same row as me when Pulp played. Very blessed to have such good seats.

Chromatics%20 %20Radio%20City%20Music%20Hall Pulp @ Radio City Music Hall & a Vietnamese Sandwich

Then once everyone started piling in for the sold out show, I realized I was surrounded by three other single Asian dudes. I looked around. We were the only Asians and we sat right next to each other. The Four Muskateers. The one right in front of me was freaking out the whole time –too hot; the one to my right was crossing his arms the whole time –too cold (He caught a Snickers from Jarvis); and I was in the middle –just right. I forget. Am I the baby bear or Goldilocks?

I thought I shot a whole video of this dude in front of me for one of my favorite Pulp songs, Disco 2000, but my camera or my pushing the record button finger is stupid.

Anyway, I love Pulp. I am so grateful to see them and will see them again tomorrow at Radio City Music Hall. Does that make me Annie or Daddy Warbucks? …it’s late.

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V Spot’s Vegan Empanadas

I came back to the Littlefield show after my awesome Fried Clam Sandwich from Littleneck. I wanted to see Summer Twins from California. They had cute girls in the band. I thought I got there just in time for them to start, but it turned out to be the last note in their set. So nothing to do but drink until we play. I remembered rambling on about Tebow with the Summer Twins. I’m not sure they knew he was.

Park Slope’s Vegan restaurant, The V Spot, set up an empanada stand. Shonali gave me a Black Bean Empanada. It was really good. Jasper went to get one and almost got the Philly Cheesesteak , but then realized they were vegan. He felt they should give you more warning first. I likened that to a guy making out with a girl who has a pee-pee. It might be awesome, but full disclosure, right?

I tried the Philly Cheesteak Vegan Empanada at the end of the night when they gave the last few away. It wasn’t so bad. It was stuffed with Seitan. Not as good as the Black Bean one though.

V Spot - 156 5th Ave (btwn St. John’s & Lincoln) Brooklyn, NY 11215

Then this band, Madam Trashy, rocked it like Soundgarden/Alice in Chains.

Jeff noticed that I was the only guy to play less than five strings on the bass all night.

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Spring Garden’s Meatball Stromboli (Philadelphia, PA)

We came down to Philly last night to play our friend, Paul’s show at the PhilaMOCA (Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art). I walked in next door to Spring Garden Pizza & Restaurant and ordered a small Meatball Stromboli ($8.95). I asked the sweet old lady if I could get a beer. She told me go a block away to the bar (where you can get beer to go) and also bring her one back. I brought back two Coors Lights. She wasn’t joking. She took one. That was pretty cool.

Meatball Stromboli was huge. This is a small? What’s the large? Really good. Sliced meatballs, onions, peppers and lot of cheese! I texted my bandmates to come help eat it. We couldn’t finish it. Left a whole quarter. So stuffed …like that Stromboli.

Look how huge this small Stromboli is!
Jason%20and%20Jeff%20Stromboli%20 %20Philly Spring Gardens Meatball Stromboli (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo by Shonali

This place felt like an old traditional family establishment. Customers came in and knew the sweet lady and the staff. A real feel-good restaurant.

Spring Garden Pizza & Restaurant – 1139 Spring Garden St (btwn N 11th & N 12th St)Philadelphia 19123

The PhilaMOCA (Zoodada) show was a lot of fun. A variety show of poetry, comedy and bands. I liked the bands –Tutlie and Break it Up. There were sandwiches, but I was too stuffed to eat. Somehow I still managed to put a whole lot of beer in my stomach. I even made eye contact with a pretty cute girl and missed my mouth, pouring half a can down my shirt. It was pretty smooth though. It went right down my collar and no one wouldn’t have ever known.

I took this picture in Philly. I kept thinking it was a place to wash your hands. I just got it.
Hand%20Wash%20n%20Lube%20carwash%20 %20Philly Spring Gardens Meatball Stromboli (Philadelphia, PA)

We’re playing again tomorrow (Sunday April 1st) at Littlefield in Brooklyn. Come out! Not an April Fool’s joke.

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2 More Mashups

I can’t stop. I’ve got two more to share and then I’ll post more food stuff soon…

Jay-Z vs Lady Gaga

Beastie Boys vs Britney Spears

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Busta Rhymes vs Islands in the Stream

This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever put together I think. Okay, it’s not food related, but I got a sweet food post tomorrow.

I’m trying to think what name I should go under for these mashups. DJ Mash Potatoes? Or DjHam, which I use for all my porn accounts.

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My Mashups: Mixed in Key

I wish this was a post on mashed potatoes or something food related. But just wanted to share these Mashups I just made, before they get taken down on Youtube and I get sued. I love mashed potatoes!

Dr. Dre vs Usher vs Beyonce vs Michael Jackson

T.I. vs Vanilla Ice vs Eminem

Kanye West vs Destiny’s Child vs Whitney Houston

I used Mixed in Key’s new Mashup software. It’s impressive how well it worked and how quick too. There are points where things need a little adjusting for timing and phrasing. Also there’s a lot of room for improvement in the software that I’m sure they’ll tackle in future updates. Looping, trimming and extending clips, Track Mute and Panning, and VST support would be awesome and make it much more complete. All in all, a really cool and pretty affordable application ($39). http://mashup.mixedinkey.com/

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