We started with the Maryland roll – avocado, lump crab, tuna and caviar. I wasn’t too thrilled with the roe being on the side like that, but took to dipping my pieces in it… this was OK. I was hoping for something more interesting based on the description, but it was just… okay.

Tommy ordered a spicy ramen. He liked it.

There was a sign on the wall that explained ramen and the process of making it, which encouraged me to order the ramen. I ordered the shiromaru hakata classic, and though I didn’t like that the ginger was mixed in and gave a bit of an unpleasant strong taste to my broth (I don’t like ginger generally), I found myself really enjoying my bowl, broth and noodles. I slurped most of my broth away and chomped happily on the very chewy noodles before I decided I wanted more noodles, an option offered at Zutto. Tommy and I split the second order of noodles (just noodles); these were slightly more cooked and almost gummy, though a swim in my remaining broth and they were fine. I was surprised I enjoyed the ramen as much as I did – perfectly cooked the first time around, with a very fragrant broth that pleased my salty-tooth greatly, I wouldn’t hesitate to return if someone requested it – though the location in TriBeCa makes it unlikely I will request it anytime soon.

Yvo says: The ramen really surprised me here, though the empty restaurant and the non-A rating may scare some people away. If you are intent on trying all the ramen in the city, I would definitely say you should check out Zutto – you may be surprised as I was.

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Post tags: Ramen

For $1, I picked up a container of black sesame croutons. I think they just use leftover black sesame bread that they haven’t been able to sell and cut it for croutons – that’s perfectly fine by me, I really enjoyed the crunch of these and the subtle black sesame flavor.

DLS chose a green tea macaron, which boasted lots of green tea flavor but lacked the crisp crack of the shell that I so desire in macarons.

My black sesame macaron was the same – great in terms of flavor, but not the best macaron ever.

It probably isn’t clear, but I love black sesame and was excited to pick up black sesame coronets. The exterior was fluffy, slightly sweet much like the bread in many ‘baos’ found in Chinese bakeries, while the black sesame paste/cream inside was wonderfully flavored. Perhaps a bit too much of the cream for the amount of pastry, but I enjoyed it in any case – perfect breakfast time treat with a cup of tea!

Yvo says: So many more goodies to try in the bakery! Must go back.
recommended

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Post tags: DLS, Macaron, pastries

As soon as I sat down, I was handed a cocktail menu – and of course had to order the Grapefruit Soften.  Soften = Elderflower, and though my elderflower obsession has waned a little bit (insomuch where I was going through a bottle of syrup every month, and I currently have the same bottle from a few months ago), I will still order it whenever I see it on the menu.  Stoli vodka, grapefruit juice, orange bitters and elderflower – I think this might’ve been better with a floral gin like, ahem, Bombay Sapphire (my personal fave gin), but the drink might’ve felt a little too summery then.  As it was, a very nice take off of the classic screwdriver, and I happily drank this. 

I ordered brussels sprouts & bacon because something about seeing this on the menu makes me order it, though I’m more than capable of making these excellently myself.  I asked MK if she’d eat any and she said, “Well, I’ll eat the bacon…” hahaha! HB tried some, commenting that she doesn’t like brussels sprouts usually – finding them too bitter (and I said “then they’re undercooked”) – but thought she might like them better since these were cut apart.  She was right – she thought these were much tastier than ‘sprouts she’s had in the past.  I thought these were fine, but really, cut apart, cooked in butter, then tossed with crispy chunks of bacon… There’s nothing in that explanation that I don’t like.  MK happily ate all the bacon… and some of the butter.  I prefer eating my ‘sprouts in halved form, though, and roasted. 

I ordered the wiener schnitzel, and while it looks the same as that at Wallse, it was markedly cheaper, and the breading stayed on the schnitzel.  HB and I both liked it better here than at Wallse – I thought this was perfectly cooked, tender, flavorful, and just made better by the lingonberry sauce.  The potato-cucumber salad was very tasty as well. 

Most people ordered wiener schnitzel or this – the jaeger schnitzel, which was schnitzel topped with mushroom/bacon gravy, buttery, rich gravy, that MK all but drank from her plate.  I guess she liked it?  I tried a bit but I don’t really remember it to be honest.  I know she was very happy with it though! 

MK ordered the Sacher Torte, which she appeared to find too goopy sweet – it was pretty dense and sweet.  The top was fudgy while the cake itself tasted a bit nutty, like hazelnuts almost. 

Since I’d like it last time, I ordered the salzberger nockerl, or merengue on top of huckleberries. 

This was too much for just me, so I passed it around the table, and everyone seemed to like it.  I really like the airy puff of cloud on top, and the tart huckleberries do a good job cutting through the sweetness.  A nice end to a pleasant meal!

Yvo says: The food was markedly better than Wallse, and the service was also very pleasant while we took up the huge long wooden table in the middle of the restaurant.  Very casual, laidback atmosphere – I would definitely return, if I didn’t think it was in the middle of nowhere- the above brunch, with most of us getting coffee, a cocktail, dessert, etc. plus paying for the birthday girl came to $45/person… not so bad. 
brunch is recommended

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Post tags: schnitzel

When I saw housemade rhubarb strawberry soda on the menu, I knew what I had to get.  Imagine my shock when I realized I’d ordered an $8 soda.  Um.  It tasted good – like what it was supposed to – but $8 for a soda is just not acceptable.  I’ll make this at home next time with my once-a-season rhubarb bunch (in my CSA). 

One of the appetizers listed was housemade potato chips with I believe Roquefort cheese. These arrived quickly (there was no one else in the restaurant), hot and freshly fried… doused in the melty Roquefort.  I liked how crispy they were, but I would have preferred the blue cheese be served on the side.  It warmed and just… made the chips soggy eventually.  Wah. 

And then the main event arrived: fried chicken, with fried okra, mac&cheese… and three pieces of fried chicken.  Yum! 

The fried okra wasn’t quite as crispy as I’d have liked, and could have used a little salt.  A nice munch while eating the fried chicken, since I didn’t have to wipe my fingers to use a fork to eat them. 

The mac&cheese was a little too bland for me, with a very mild cheese used. 

As for the star of the show… the chicken.  Disappointingly, my favorite piece, the thigh, was missing.   

A breast, a drumstick and a wing piece appaeared, but the thigh… gone.

So I picked up a drumstick and began nomming. 

The chicken was juicy and flavorful.  Crispy exterior.  But it lacked something, a little oomph.  I thought it could be better, that while the meat was juicy, the exterior crisp… it lacked a bit of seasoning or salt.  A sprinkle of salt or a bit of seasoning in the batter would do this chicken wonders, it’s a shame that it was missing.  Maybe this was an off night?  I’m not really sure… But it’s also on the expensive side (not just the soda, but everything), so I’m not entirely sure when I’ll revisit.  Hmm. 

Yvo says: I love the fact that Bubby’s is open late, so you can get your fried chicken fix anytime you need.  I was too full for dessert after eating, but they also have a lovely pie selection.  Unfortunately, the chicken lacks in just that one area, and it’s definitely somewhat pricey, but given that you can go anytime you want… perhaps that’s justified.  Hmm.  Definitely some thought for me to return, but your reasons for going may be different from mine.  Lots of pie! 
middle of the road

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Post tags: fried chicken, soda

While we were browsing the menu, three types of salsa and a basket of crisp tortilla chips were placed in front of us.  The chips were not stale – a recent pet peeve of mine when munching on this sort of snack – and the salsas ranged in heat level, and were clearly homemade.  Not bad. 

Happy hour beer specials included Modelo for $5, so I said, eh, when in Rome, why not?  Don’t ask me how it was.  I wasn’t a fan, but I didn’t expect to be. 

But we went onwards with ordering copious taco platters.  Here’s the thing.  They didn’t limit us, and our server was absolutely fantastic.  She kept coming back to ask us if we wanted more, if we wanted more beer, if we needed anything else.  Awesome.  The deal: $15 for all you can eat tacos, and you choose the protein.  Fish, pork, chicken, vegetarian (which were portobello mushrooms, I believe).  Each platter comes with 3 tacos.  We had to order by the platter, but we could order as many as we liked at a time.  For example: my first order was one fish and one pork.  This was separate from everyone else’s orders, which ranged from “one of each, please” to “vegetarian only”. 

The first to arrive for all of us were the fish tacos. 

Little nuggets of lightly fried fish on a corn tortilla, dressed with a bit of a spicy sauce, some lettuce, and cotija cheese: these were good fish tacos.  The spicy drizzle actually was just the slightest bit too much for me, but you know, I dealt with it.  I would have liked some sauce on the side for me to put as much or as little as I liked, and maybe more tomato… and cilantro.  Love cilantro. 

I took a quick pic of Cookie’s vegetarian tacos, but I didn’t hear from her how they were. 

Next to come out were the pork tacos. 

Pork shredded, again dressed similarly.  I thought this was okay, slightly dry, not quite juicy enough.  Again, I wanted something extra to it, but t’was not to be. 

Last and sort of least was the chicken.  I didn’t actually order any, because I don’t generally like to order chicken from restaurants. 

I was glad when I heard the general consensus was that the chicken tacos were awfully dry, and the least favorite. 

We ordered a few more rounds – my next order was a single platter of fish tacos, since I’d liked those best.  And by the end of the night, the numbers went like this:

Goats: 20
TC: 19
BeerBoor: 18
Cheese & Yasmine: 10 each
Yvo: 8
Cookie: 4

Then I posed the kicker of a question to the super awesome waitress: “So, if we came in and it wasn’t happy hour, how many tacos come to an order?”  I’d already checked the regular menu, and it was $15 – 17 per order, depending on what protein you chose.  She looked at me, smiled, and said “Three.  Just like what you just got.”  So… yep, each order we got normally goes for $15, and we each had at least two orders.  Nice!  (And there was no suggestion that if we didn’t finish a taco, we’d have to pay for it individually.  I’m sure if you waste a lot of food, they’ll do something about it, but I’m just saying they don’t go into it trying to stop you from ordering as much as you like.)

GREAT DEAL. 

Yvo says: Seriously, were you not reading?  The tacos – particularly the fish tacos – were quite tasty, and for the happy hour price of $15 all you can eat, a total steal.  I would totally recommend the happy hour – and there are other things on the happy hour menu, but we were very focused on getting all the tacos we could eat.  Yum! 
recommended

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Post tags: all you can eat, fish tacos, happy hour, tacos