The Delta Grill

Having spent a good number of years living in the south, I love and missed comfort food, despite the calories.  In fact, I have been craving some good chicken fried steak/chicken loaded with gravy, beef briskets, fried okras, corn bread, and peach cobblers for some time.

Since I know I can't find any good southern restaurant in Chicago, I searched long and hard for a good one as a parting meal before I leave NYC.  (Unfortunately, I have no business in the south this trip.)  And that's the back-story of how I ended up at The Delta Grill.

Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen

100K total page views!  wow!  Most of you are probably like... "meh~ what took you so long?" oh well, the number still mean something special to me.  :)  Anyways, 2 more posts and I am done with NYC.  I know I am moving in a snail pace but at least I am moving.  Let me know if you prefer (1) fix the damn broken links from my past popular posts or (2) start writing the wonderful food adventures I had to date in 2014.

Kung Fu was almost brand new and a surprise favorite for this trip.  In fact, I liked it so much I did a real-time review on Yelp!  Hopefully they are still doing well 6 months since their opening :)  This little place has a lot of potential and is definitely better than Joe Shanghai in my opinion.

Totto Ramen

I was here on Boxing Day (correction: it was actually Christmas Day) 2013.  The sign-up sheet fooled me... There was only 6 groups before me when I signed myself up so I thought, "Ok, I can handle this".  I found out much later what really happened was the lady took the full page of sign up sheet with her shortly before we arrived... If I had known earlier, I would have gone somewhere else nearby.

"The ramen better be out of this world."  I thought to myself while I was waiting and freezing on the streets... 

The Halal Guys

It's a myth that good food is always expensive.  For USD$6, you can get a delicious meal that's enough to feed two.

Go early or expect a line!  They are very efficient so even if the lines are long, you never have to wait too long.  The white sauce is delicious and the red sauce is ridiculously hot! (Ask for the sauce on the side)  I also prefer the chicken over the lamb. 

Lombardi's Pizza

A trip to NYC is incomplete without visitng one of their famous pizzerias.  First, there is the debate between Chicago-style pizza and the New York-style pizza.  (I prefer NY style.)  Then, there is the debate among Giodano's, Gino East, Lou Malnati's, Grimaldi's, Lombardi's, etc. of whose pizzas rein supreme. (clearly Iron Chef poisoned...)

I haven't been to Grimaldi's yet but I like Lombardi's enough I will go everytime I visit NYC.  The location is perfect after spending a relaxing afternoon in SoHo.

Rice to Riches

This is a desserts place that sell rice puddings in Nolita.  I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of rice puddings.  However, I know a lot of people who love this place.  Personally, I love the cheeky signs they put up in the shop.  I took my mom and brother here on separate occassions and we all had a good laugh.  I will continue to come back here just because of the signs... (and also because this shop is on the way to my favorite pizzeria!)

"Sleep till you're hungry, eat till you're sleepy"
That's my motto!

Momofuku Noodle Bar

There are so many eateries in NYC and most diners have been spoiled by the best of the best.  It is hard to to succeed in this city and even harder to maintain the success.  Momofuku is a success story in my opinion.

Dominique Ansel Bakery

If you have heard of cronuts, you probably have heard of Dominique Ansel Bakery.  The line for cronuts starts as early as 5 am. (insane!)  Honestly, as much as I love food, I don't understand why people would line outside a bakery at 5 am for a cronut when it's minus ten degrees Celsius outside.

Chelsea Market & the Lobster Place

Believe it or not, Chelsea Market was an alternate destination after I (barely) missed the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the David Zwirner Gallery... It turned out to be a favorite for both my mom and I... You can't go wrong by taking a housewife and a foodie grocery shopping...

Shake Shack (Grand Central Terminal)

My friend recommended this place to me and it's been on my list for a while.  Finally tried and it was delicious!  They have a number of stores in NYC and I went to their Grand Central Terminal location.  Good things come to those who wait :)

Joe's Shanghai (Midtown)

I used to love Joe's Shanghai's soup dumplings.  It's a must-eat every time I visit NYC.  Perhaps I am spoiled by the soup dumplings from the likes of Din Tai Fung after I moved back to Asia but I can't believe I used to love their soup dumplings here.  I was so disappointed.  My mom was not impressed either...I am not sure if it has to do with the fact that I always go to their Chinatown location for the soup dumplings but it's a meal not worth the calories...

Menkui Tei

It's a misnomer that eating out in NYC is expensive.  Of course, it's home to many world's best and Michelin-starred restaurants.  However, there are many cheap eats to moderately priced restaurants in town also.  NYC caters to every budget :)

Cake Boss Cafe (Times Square)

Even though I did not watch any episode of Cake Boss, I knew of this place.  When I passed by the shop per chance in Times Square, I went in for a cupcake!  Apparently, I wasn't the only one making a pilgrimage as this place is packed!

Keens Steakhouse

When it comes to NYC steakhouses, the most famous one I know is Peter Luger's. However, I have heard that it's full of attitude and the food there is overrated. So I am happy to discover this low key chophouse in the heart of Mid-town.

According to their website, Keens Steakhouse was a part of the Lambs Club, a famous theatre and literary group founded in London prior to 1885. Back in the day, Keens was a lively and accepted rendezvous of the famous. Actors in full stage make-up would hurry through the rear door to “fortify” themselves between acts at the neighboring Garrick Theatre.

I forgot to take a picture outside...
(Photo from the internet, no copyright infringement intended)

Inakaya (New York City): Re-visit

If you have read my previous post on Inakaya, you would know that we won a USD$50 dining coupon :)  Since we were only in NYC for a week, we returned before we left so we could use the coupon for another great meal :P

We pretty much know what we wanted already so the ordering process was a breeze.  We were a little embarrassed since most of the staff remembered us as the group who won the coupon (less than a week ago...) but oh well.

Inakaya (New York City)

Inakaya is an international chain.  It is a robata-yaki restaurant originated from Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan.  In addition to the Tokyo location, they are also in NYC...  (They have a franchised restaurant in Hong Kong, but it was not acknowledged on their official website.)

Ever since I read about my friend's experience at a robata-yaki restaurant in Tokyo, I have been dying to try it for myself.  Since I won't be in Tokyo anytime soon, this outlet in NYC, believe it or not, became my more accessible option.

Merry Christmas from NYC!

It's been a while since my last blog post but I thought I would do a live update from NYC!!!  It's not my first visit to the Big Apple but this is the first time I actually have plenty of time to sight-see in this beautiful city.  All my previous trips were kind of rushed...

I brought my mom with me this time so my itinerary is super relax... (We are covering 2 POIs a day on average, which is actually what most tourists do but I am usually a "walk-a-holic" when I am traveling...)  She is also forever reminding me to be frugal... Thus, I didn't splurge (as much) this trip... I am just glad that there is delicious food in NYC for every budget!


The Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center
We had to fight crowds to get to it!

The Spotted Pig

Fabulous news.  I will be spending Christmas in NYC this year.  (It so happen I am going there for work for a few days.)  *cheers*  I have been to NYC a few times myself but I am still thrilled every time I get to go.  (I usually don't get thrilled by cities...  Tokyo and NYC are probably the only exceptions...  Perhaps London too but I have never been... yet...)

Anyways, as I am planning on what to do and where to eat for this upcoming trip, I dug up the Spotted Pig from my archives.

Picture from the Spotted Pig's Official Website
(as usual, I was too hungry and forget to take pictures of the actual restaurant)
No copyright infringement intended.

NYC Recap

Back from NYC - thought I should do an update before I forget :)

NYC Restaurant Week 2011

Going to NYC for work next week and it so happened it's restaurant week!  Totally excited to try 1 or 2 of the restaurants out and just eating at the fabulous places in general...  some of the places I have in mind or places I know my co-workers are dying to go / return...

I feel like a pilgrim :)

1. Spotted Pig - 314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014 - (212) 620-0393
2. Peter Luger - 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211 - (718) 387-7400
3. Joe Shanghai - 9 Pell St, New York, NY 10013 - (212) 233-8888
4. 21 Club - 21 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 - (212) 582-7200
5. Yakitori Taisho - 5 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003 - (212) 228-5086
6. Rice to Riches - 37 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 - (212) 274-0008
7. Magnolia Bakery - 401 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 - (212) 462-2572
8. Lombardi's - 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 - (212) 941-7994
9. Nobu - 105 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013 - (212) 219-0500
10. DBGB Kitchen and Bar - 299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003 - (212) 933-5300
11. Ippudo - 65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003 - (212) 388-0088

I wonder if I have missed any "must-try" restaurants... the next thing is to plan the routes and try not to break the bank :)