I started the night off by going to Limewire’s Ear to the Ground:Tokyo release party. It was great to see my old friends, Kelly and Jeremy. I texted Marcellus to come over, who was at an art exhibition. Then he unknowingly shows up with two America’s Next Top Models. It was sorta funny he didn’t know who he brought. Well I didn’t know either. There was a photographer taking our photos and we got into a conversation about this Japanese treat (Yatsuhashi) he’s been trying to find all over NY. Then somehow I was blocked out of the conversation and I found myself hovering outside the group. The photographer apologized later figuring that I was trying to talk to the models, but I actually was trying to finish my conversation with him about the treat. That’s how sick my food blogging obsession has become.
We left and Matt & Marce took me to Thái Son for me to food blog. We weren’t even hungry. How nice of them. We got some summer rolls and a bowl of Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong (Spring Rolls & Grilled Pork W. Lettuce On Rice Vermicelli). Affordable and good Vietnamese food. I likee the fish sauce.
Thái Son – 89 Baxter St (btw Bayard & Walker) New York 10013
I should plug my band’s live EP that’s on Limewire – Tigers and Monkeys Live at Lime.
Full story »
I’ve walked by this place a few times and it’s always been packed with business people. The dining room is pretty big and a few customers always seem to give me a weird look when I stare at their food through the window. I went with Jimmy because I know he likes noodles. We both got the Pho (“A Hearty Oxtail Soup with rice noodles sliced fist of beef saved basil dipping in sauce”) lunch special $6.95. It was the first time I pronounced “Pho” correctly …you act like you about to say “fuck” but only half way.
The portions were big, including the other dishes I saw on other tables. The Pho was nothing too special. I was hoping for all sorts of random cuts of beef like you get in Chinatown Vietnamese restaurants. And I wasn’t a fan of the noodles. It did get better when I put all the bean sprouts, basil, lemon, chili sauce and hoisin in there.
L’Annam reminds me of an Olive Garden version of a Vietnamese restaurant. Big, clean and safe dishes. It does its job and brings Vietnamese to Murray Hill. Hospitaliano!
L’Annam 28 – 393 3rd Ave (@ 28th St) New York 10016
Full story »
I’ve only had a chance at the Sloppy Bao from Baoguette before all the media hype that sent lines out the door. It was a rainy day last week, I walked by and no line because of the icky weather. Interestingly enough, there was a line at the halal cart on the corner in the rain.
My first try at Baoguette’s standard roast pork Banh Mi sandwich. It’s a really good sandwich. Comparable to Saigon Bakery’s in level of flavorfulness. The roast pork was mushy, but juicier. Saigon Bakery still is my favorite, but it’s close. Not bad at all for $5.50 without having to take the train to Chinatown. Although I don’t know about that line they regularly have. I suppose bad weather can be a good thing sometimes …and this applies to the Shake Shack line.
Baoguette – 61 Lexington Ave (btw 25th & 26th St) New York, NY 10010
Full story »
Just landed into Seattle where my sister picked me up from the airport. She asked me if I wanted to eat anything. I say Banh Mi! Seattle and San Fran are supposed to have some of the best Vietnamese sandwiches in the States. She took me to one of the best, Seattle Deli. They were closing shop and ran out of the roast pork, so I chose one combo and one special. I don’t know what the differences were. Maybe a combo is a special?
Sorry to say I was quite disappointed. I felt like I was just eating a regular cold cut sandwich on a baguette. I didn’t get any flavors out of the pickled carrots & daikon. I asked for it spicy, but didn’t feel the heat. It was dry. If there was mayo or pate, it was some slim spread.
The good news is that the Banh Mi’s are super cheap at $2 to $2.50, much cheaper than any place I know of in New York. But as far as flavor, I just don’t know.
Seattle Deli – 225 12th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144
Full story »
I met my sister at Macondo and it turns out she already ate with her friend. So I said let’s have a drink then. Three hours and a few cocktails go by and I get so hungry watching everyone eat all around me while I did the chair shuffle with the manager/servers. I can see why drunk starving hobos go crazy. I got a taste of that insanity. I walked into New Saigon Vietnamese/Chinese Fast food. They have bahn mi Vietnamese sandwiches. I’ve seen this place for years, so I was curious to taste this pre-banh mi explosion/fast food version. They had a tiny little grill to cook up my meat. It was chunks of pork that tasted Teriyaki style. It was huge and definitely not bad for $4 late night in the East Village, but definitely had that Chinese Fast Food angle to it. Don’t think it’s banh mi to seek out, unless you’re turning into a starving drunk crazy hobo.
New Saigon Vietnamese Fast Food – 59 1st Ave (btw 3rd & 4th St) New York 10003
Full story »
I ran into a friend that I made on the subway who’s now starting up a food video blog for Fader Magazine soon. Can’t wait to check it out. She gave me a tip on this new banh mi shop close to our work and they have a sandwich called the Sloppy Bao –a Vietnamese take on the Sloppy Joe with spicy curried beef. I asked for it spicy and I got real sweaty. Awesome!
…by the way, I can’t figure out why my sweaty pits smell like celery. It started happening several months back –right around the time I started food bloggin. I’d like to think they’re my pheromones.
Baoguette – 61 Lexington Ave (btw 25th & 26th St) New York 10010
Roboppy’s awesome pics of these sandwiches (via Serious Eats)
Full story »
Posts