After a couple of hours at the batting cages, BF and I had sufficiently worked up an appetite – despite my brunch – and met up with BlindBaker plus BF’s former coworker, JP (I don’t know why I referred to him as this in a previous post - one of the downsides to using initialed nicknames constantly) and his wife, VSa, to grab some food.  JP and VSa wanted to hit up Congee Village in Chinatown, which caused both BlindBaker and I to cringe internally, but I decided to put my gameface on and put aside my prejudices.  (With a name like Congee Village, I really want to ask them WTF they were thinking.  Plus, I’ve been twice in the past, and their congee sucks – how are you going to put “congee” in your name and then not make it properly?!) 

***I should note here that I actually co-hosted a baby shower here – for ANM and T of TCC – three years ago – and I enjoyed some of the food, as noted below. 

Because I speak Cantonese semi-fluently (especially in food), I ordered everything everyone wanted, in Cantonese.  The fun part was when he tried to clarify things with me, and I had no idea what he was asking me!  Shameful that I can ask for things but I can’t answer when they ask me things…. sigh. 

JP and Vsa ordered veggie dumplings, steamed.  I didn’t want one, but they said these were pretty sad – very soft and floppy, and not very tasty.  FAIL. 

BF wanted fried dumplings, but these were the thick-skinned kind he doesn’t like.  I tried one, and while I don’t mind thick skin (sometimes; I have to be in the mood), these were not cooked through (the skin, if that makes sense) and the meat was not that flavorful, even with the use of black vinegar.  FAIL. 

I remembered this dish from the baby shower – garlic paper fried chicken, which I ordered as such, but the waiter tried to tell me the name is something else.  Ok, you know what I’m talking about, so why do you have to keep telling me I have the name wrong?  I said “Ok, but it’s paper fried chicken with garlic added, right?” and he kept telling me about some sauce that’s added.  I don’t know what he was talking about.  So I got the name wrong, but the dish was right: juicy fried chicken with paper-thin crispy skin, tender meat, and amazing bursts of garlic flavor.  I don’t like chicken at restaurants, but this is one of the dishes I like to eat a few pieces and be done with.  I think an entire meal could be eaten of this and rice… Yum!  Everyone else seemed to like it, too. 

“Wet” fried noodles with beef, beef ho fun, sup chow ngau ho.  Yes I’ve tried to make this before, to great fail (don’t look for it! please!).  They did it pretty well here – this was another of JP’s choices – lots of beef, veggies, and the noodles were good. 

Honey walnut shrimp, VSa’s favorite dish.  She said she really likes this here, and it was perfectly tasty – large shrimp, each coated with the sauce.  I’m completely biased and still prefer my favorite Cantonese place, especially since they keep the sauce separate for me to dip as liberally or as conservatively as I like (and to scoop some into my white rice to eat like that… o yes I did and do!).  I also would have liked extra sauce to dip the broccoli in, but as it stands, this is an acceptable version.  (I also prefer the beef noodles – the last dish – from my favorite place more, but that’s straight bias, since these were good, too.) 

Seafood chow mein – I love noodles.  These were really good, lots of seafood, though a bit skimpy on the more expensive seafood bits.  JP said he liked this dish a lot too, which made me glad I’d ordered it – I didn’t want to be seen as the pig just ordering stuff that no one else wanted to eat (we shared everything family-style).  When I asked for “jeet cho” (red wine vinegar), the guy brought it but then pointed out the black vinegar on the table.  Hon, if I wanted to put black vinegar on my noodles, I’d be crazy first of all, and second, I’d have used it already then.  I just kind of blankly stared at him because I didn’t know the name for black vinegar in Chinese until he pointed at it.  This was very confusing.  Did he not know I wanted to put this on my noodles?  Was he just having fun mocking the girl who clearly did not know any Chinese but FOOD???

BlindBaker stepped in here and added a tofu dish whose name escapes me (or perhaps I never knew it).  This was tasty with rice!  Can you tell me what the name is?  Thanks! 

My first plate, I took a little bit of everything to show you.  Then I stuck to mostly noodles since those are the carbs I crave.  Seafood chow mein with red wine vinegar???  Yes please!!!  NOM!!! 

Yvo says: Both BlindBaker and I admitted to each other that we had unfairly judged Congee Village without giving it a fair chance till then.  The food was tasty enough.  However, it’s in an awkward part of Chinatown for those of us using mass transit (on Allen Street) (we drove this time and found parking very close by, luckily), and to me, this isn’t real Chinatown – not just because it’s on the edge, but because it’s a large, very clean restaurant – good for those who are going to Chinatown for the first time.  The food is definitely tasty – but I don’t think I’d seek this place out often.  Maybe if I were showing people new to Chinatown, or wary of “hole in the wall” dining, I could see going back.  The full bar doesn’t hurt either (though we didn’t utilize it).  I can’t speak to prices because BF and JP paid without letting us look at the bill – thanks again, BF & JP!!! – but I know that neither of them said it was expensive, and we had some leftovers to take as well.  Oh, and the waiters totally spoke enough English for those who are new to Chinatown and don’t speak Chinese. 
recommended for Chinatown n00bz and/or those afraid of grime

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Post tags: cantonese

I recently went back to Bonchon on John for post-happy-hour-munchies.  This time, we were hooked up to the ultimate since Cookie knew the owner apparently.  Awesomeness!

We started off with an order of dumplings, which were alright.  Great snack type food but nothing mind boggling or game changing. 

Sir Eats A Lot ordered a chicken and a beef taco.  I know he enjoyed these greatly, and I tried a bite of each and agreed they were pretty damn good.  Great sauce on both, and moist protein with a good tortilla.  Nom.

Pretty standard fries. 

The chicken, per usual, was deliciously crisp and well-flavored.  Super moist meat and very garlicky flavor.  I even had some spicy by accident and though I thought I was going to die, everyone else seemed to like it very much.  They also brought over some green sauce that was super duper spicy, though some of my friends were dipping the spicy in that.  Craziness. 

I went back a week later with the same group of people (long story why), and tried the zucchini fries about which I’d heard many positive words.  And let me tell you, these were awesome!!!  Surprising me, they were slightly battered, super crispy on the outside, and perfectly cooked zucchini on the inside.  I was totally into the plate and even had some of the “I only eat meat!” people eating them and loving them.  Delicious!

Yvo says: The owner(s) were obviously very friendly to us both times we went, but beyond that, the atmosphere was pretty chill to hang out and eat and have a few drinks.  With so many people, the prices are really reasonable (almost cheap, even), and we sat for a long time just eating and drinking, the owners never bothering us.  They had some of the NCAA games playing while we ate, which was cool, and the waitresses are all super friendly and cute, offering great service.  I definitely recommend it for a different kind of after-work-drink/bite in the area.
recommended

© Feisty Foodie for The Feisty Foodie, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: korean fried chicken

Yet another one of my last days down in the Financial District, and the Wafels & Dinges truck finally showed up!  I was so excited to get to try them finally before I left for good.  (Actually, I’m pretty sure this was my last day ever down there, so it was excellent timing.)  I wound up having a long conversation with one of the guys working there while they made my wafel fresh… they were both very cool and fun to talk to, but of course, held my wafel hostage! 

Yes… come to me, my preciousss

A BACON WAFEL! with the bacon embedded, banana slices and maple syrup.  All that’s missing is peanut butter, or it could have been an Elvis take (which I told them, so if they’ve started selling that combo in the time since, it was MY IDEA YOU CAN THANK MEEE!).    I have to say, I was really impressed by the wafel.  I hadn’t expected to like it that much, eat half, get rid of the other half (my coworkers surprised me with a red velvet cake that day, actually), but I totally inhaled it all.  Crisp bits of bacon littered throughout a crisp but soft wafel (I waited a bit to eat it, so I’m sure the maple syrup absorbed into it, softening it up a bit)… the banana did amazing things with the salty, smokey bacon… I just really enjoyed my wafel more than I’d thought would be possible.  I don’t like waffles in general, but was game to try this Belgian kind.  I was very happy.

Yvo says: Pleasantly surprised by how this turned out to be so tasty!  I liked the combination I got, but I would love to go back and try more things.  Yum!
recommended

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© Feisty Foodie for The Feisty Foodie, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: pastries

I’ve tried BonChon a bunch of times but always at parties or get togethers where I haven’t taken photographs and haven’t had to deal with the idiocy I’ve heard is involved with ordering from BonChon.  Besides, I was never so in love with the chicken anyway. 

Blurry photograph of the menu.  It was super packed on the 2nd day it was open and the line was moving super slowly.  In fact, when I was 3rd on line, I realized why it was moving so slowly: the man at the cash register was answering the phone and taking those orders before any of the people who were actually in the store.  Umm… FAIL. 

When it was my turn, I asked them what would be fastest, and luckily, that was what I wanted to order, anyway.  Small wings (6 pieces) and fries.  I kind of wanted a healthier side, but by this time, I was so hungry I wanted whatever I could shovel in my face the fastest, which would be fries. 

Looks pretty damn good, right?  The box was filled with fries, and the wings tossed in haphazardly.

Like so.

This small cup of pickled radishes was way too much for one person to comfortably eat without getting sick and/or really gassy.  I ate the whole thing. 

Here is my wing.  Okay, it was pretty damn good.  It’s not that close to my office to go all the time (and I’m told that there is actually a cafe nearer to the office where I could get Kyochon wings – Kyochon being my favorite for Korean fried chicken), but if they work out their service issues (or if you just call ahead, since that seems to let you skip to the head of the line), I could see this becoming a great go-to place for Korean fried chicken; soy sauce, garlicky fried wings with a great flavor and crispness.  (And if you like it hot, they do hot.) 

One other service note: when I ordered, the guy who took my order circled the “order number” (see circle at top of receipt) and told me to listen for that number.  I sat down and waited for them to call my number.  The woman kept calling order numbers and no one was responding; I wanted to get up and say “I’ll take whatever that is” but figured I should not be so impatient.  Finally, she started checking receipts and came over to me, and I said “No, I’m 93, that’s what he said,” and she mumbled, “No, you’re 64, that guy is new, he doesn’t know yet,” and handed me my order.  64 is the ticket number on the bottom of the receipt.  Now, I understand these things could happen, but the woman had just blatantly lied to me by telling me that the guy was new.  How do I know this?  Because while I sat there, I witnessed the guy greet a delivery guy and explaining to someone else what that guy was delivering; by his words, gestures and attitude, it was clear that the man who had taken my order and told me the number to listen for was the owner, not some random new guy who didn’t know better.  They really need to get their ish straight.  Hopefully that’s happened since I went (January 21, as you can see by the receipt). 

Yvo says: I’m sure it’s a great addition to the neighborhood (now that I’m no longer there!).  I heard some people on line talking about how great the food is at the one on Chambers, except they hate how disorganized the ordering system is.  That one has been there for a year or two, so I’m not sure what that means for this location.  The wings were pretty good – much better than the times I’ve had it ordered in, honestly – and yes, not cheap, but not too expensive either.  It is what it is, I suppose.  If you like Korean fried chicken, you’ve probably already been to one of these locations… but I’d still recommend it for at least comparison’s sake.  (Also, please note, on another blog they said this is too little food (the ’small’ offerings).  This is not too little food if you’re me.  I’m not a small eater.  I’m not a huge guy who eats 2 lunches a day, but I’m not a small eater.  Take that into consideration when you’re ordering lest you order way too much.)
recommended

© Feisty Foodie for The Feisty Foodie, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: korean fried chicken

I recently went back to Paris to grab lunch and discovered, happily, a $5 combo they now offer.  $5 gets you a green tea waffle, a coffee or tea (I think it’s milk-tea or the Asian coffee thing, which is great), and a smaller banh mi, chosen from the same selection. 

The green tea waffle has a very subtle green tea flavor, but has some crisp, chewy parts that are great, and other parts that fall flat.  Overall, not bad for a green tea waffle (these usually are $1 by themselves).  It’s a slightly sweet treat to go with your meal.  Not bad. 

I went with my usual order of the Paris special.  Honestly…

Do you see a size difference from the regular banh mi?  Maybe it’s a little smaller?  They didn’t cut it in half, which didn’t bother me (it must not have, since I didn’t notice until just now). 

I have to say, for $5, it’s a pretty completely rounded out combo deal.  $4 for the banh mi, regular size, but this injects a little variety into your meal and gives you a good feel for everything.  Totally worth it.  (And yes, it’s the same bread, but smaller.  Still perfectly crisp, tender bread.  Mmm.) 

Yvo says: You know I love Paris banh mi the best in NYC, so this deal is a no brainer for me.  When I’m not in the mood for just banh mi, I’d totally go for this again… although sometimes, I just want a huge banh mi, a bottle of water, and the sunshine…
highly recommended

© Feisty Foodie for The Feisty Foodie, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: banh mi