NYC FoodLog

This is one of those 'rare' judeposts. I know that I have mentioned this to some people and that I have only now just gotten around to it. Here is the blow-by-blow (or mouthful-by-mouthful) account of how we ate our way across the Big Apple :)

DAY 1
- Sapporo Jap Rest. (On the corner of 50th & 7th Ave.)
In Jude Yew's "American Odyssey-esque" oral history, this was the very first place that I ate at when I first set foot in America. The place really looks the same as it did when I first came in 1993. For some reason, I keep coming back everytime I go to New York. It isn't the finest Japanese restaurant around, definitely of the "ghetto" variety, but man does that ramen warm you up on a cold day. Something that Ann Arbor sorely lacks - a good noodle bar. There's a review and the menu at this link.

- Cafe Muse (Korea Way)
Yong wanted to show us around Korea Town and we ended up in this cafe. Sorta like an upscale Eastern Accents but with more variety in terms of pastries.

- Windfall Bar
Site of the SI alumni event. Nothing much to say about it.

- Serendipity 3 (Between 2nd & 3rd Aves on 60th)
This place is something else!!! It is a truly charming little dessert place that is tucked way up on 60th street. Have to try their frozen hot chocolate and a good place to people/celebrity watch.

DAY 2
- Cafe Metro (Next to our hotel on Lexington & 51st)
This was a surprisingly good cafe that seems to be always packed. It's right next to the subway and our hotel. Great selection of soups and foccacias. There's a menu here.

- Shanghai Dim Sum (that's the actual name of the restaurant just south of Canal St.)
This was some place we stumbled upon. Not an upscale dim sum restaurant though. However, it was refreshing to have a Northern Chinese take on dim sum once in a while.

- Ferrera (Chinatown on Grand St.)
With its wood panelled walls and ornate interior decor, this place really does bring make me think of a place where the mob used to hang out. Check out this article which talks about mob activity in the area's not so distant past. Now if only I had space for one more cannolli ;)

- Russiya (you have to click on this link!!!)
This never happened. We ate instead at another Russian restaurant next to the Brighton Beach train station. Who would have thought that there would be a sizable Russian community in Brooklyn?

- The Rodeo Bar on 28th (Dave almost got into a fight here, so ...)

DAY 3
- Gus' Gyros (street vendor on Park Ave & 51st)
Claims to have been at the same street corner since the 1970s. But man did that gyro hit the spot that morning.

- Beard Papa
Never heard of Beard Papa? Check this link out then!!!

- Nyonya Restaurant (194 Grand Street between Mulberry & Mott)
Excellent Singaporean/Malaysian restaurant that never fails to draw the crowds. While we were dining, there was a queue that snaked out of the restaurant onto the street. And it was cold that day too!!! You can check out the menu here!

- Sugar
This bar sure made me feel my age!!! I couldn't relate to the music that they were playing or the after-work singles social scene that was unfolding before my eyes. Here's a review anyways.

DAY 4
- Cafe Vesuvio (160 Prince Street)
Charming old bakery right in the heart of Soho. Definitely worth a visit. Had a panini with proscuitto ham, goat's cheese and olive spread.