Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen in New York, NY

0

Don't be fooled by the word ramen in its name: Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen is a Chinese restaurant that offers flavorful dishes at prices that do not break the bank. There, one of their star item is the lamian or hand pulled noodles that Chef Peter Song, a native from China, prepares in the kitchen. 

This is a small place, crowded, especially during the week, being located on 8th avenue and so, spoiled with a lot of passage. 

We decided to go on a Saturday early evening. I guess we were right not to go too late as, when we left, the restaurant was full. And trust me, it filled up quickly as we did not stay hours there: you sit, you eat and you go. Not that they were pressing us to leave, but this is not the place for a tête à tête, the tables being very close to each other. Don't get me wrong: you get the same feel when you go to other ramen places like Menkuitei or Totto Ramen. 

So we decided to try some of their little steamed buns and ramen. 

We shared:

The Kung Fu steamed pork buns:

These are soup dumplings that I guess are a hit in most restaurant, not only for the taste, but also because people try to understand how the soup made it inside (they do not use a syringe, but just freeze it, before putting it in the dumpling). It was fairly good, a bit fatty, but in a good way. I would put them at the level of Joe's Shanghai. 

The way I eat them is from the top, after placing the dumpling on a spoon (the plate is for the photo only...). 

Only problem was that it was a bit sticky and we had to be careful when lifting them from the steamer as one or two broke and leaked. 

Then, we tried the vegetable dumplings:

For sure, the green color stood out...inside and outside. It was just ok for me: too much broccoli and the filling was a bit dry. 

Last was the ramen. I decided to go for the roasted duck one. 

I forgot how difficult it can be to eat duck with chopsticks because of the bones. But I made it. It was very flavorful altogether, the duck giving lots of flavors to the broth that, on its own, did not stand up like the broths you can have at places like Ivan Ramen or Ippudo.

The noodles were delicious and perfectly cooked.

It was ok. Would I go back? Maybe. This is not a must go.

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post or the photos, feel free to share it using the toolbar below or to write a comment! 

And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Continue Reading »

Becco in New York, NY

0

Opened in 1993 by Lidia and Joe Bastianich, Becco is one of those Italian restaurants where your palate will transport you miles away, on a culinary travel that you will never forget. Reservation necessary for this hotspot located in restaurant row, in the heart of the Theater District. 

Becco means beak in english, hence the bird on their logo. I am not sure if it is a reference to feeding us, but, after reading this post, you will probably check when you will be able to go there!

It is a fairly big place and I counted three different dining rooms. One of them had a rustic feel with its pans on the wall.

But the most surprising was the one where we sat, in the back: it was as if we were in a backyard, thanks to the windows on the ceiling that let the sun come to the room. A room nicely decorated, with an impressive display of wine bottles.

At Becco, Executive Chef William Gallagher crafted an interesting menu, elevating some traditional Italian dishes. They have the great idea to offer for lunch the Sinfonia di Paste or pasta symphony, an all you can eat pasta made of three preparation of the day for $18.95 with a Caesar salad or an antipasto misto (marinated and grilled vegetables). If you do not feel only eating pasta, you can pick and entree and, for $9, you can try each of the three pasta. That is certainly a good deal!

So, after we sat and while we were trying to decide what to get, they brought us some olives

A bread basket (the focaccia and bread sticks, homemade, were delicious):

As well as a spread made of white beans, carrots, roasted red peppers, oregano, turmeric and olive oil.

That was like an Italian hummus, as the waiter put it and was divine on a piece of focaccia; it was dry comforting and a nice way to start the lunch.

Jodi decided to go for a special of the day: pan seared tuna with some greens.

It was a perfectly cooked fish, fresh, with a nice red color.

On my side, I decided to order the Fegato, Pan-seared calf’s liver with caramelized onions, bacon and crispy polenta, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and Aceto di Balsamico (balsamic vinegar). I decided to accompany it with the three pasta of the day, that were:

Farfalle with tomato sauce and basil:

Swiss chard ravioli:

Linguine with mussels:

These pasta were sublime: perfectly cooked (the farfalle were soft, the linguine al dente), they had so much flavor that I was tempted to go for a second serving. My favorite was the linguine, then the farfalle and then the ravioli. The only complaints is that they put all the pasta into one plate: it would be great to have a plate split in three different sections so the sauces do not mix.

After this, came my entree: the calf's liver.

This was a huge plate: there were two thick slices of liver (I am more used to thinner slices, but still, perfectly cooked, not dry), as well as some polenta sticks under that were crispy on the outside and soft in the inside, not blend as polenta can sometimes be.

Last was dessert. Yes, I am sure you are wondering how we still had space for it. Well, they were proposing a sampler and I could not resist...

It was composed of:

Banana bread pudding:

Italian cheesecake (made with ricotta):

Chocolate mousse cake:

Panna Cotta:

Pear sorbet:

I love when restaurants propose samplers as, often, I am not sure which dessert I should order, several being mouth watering. At Becco, for $7.50 per person, you get five different ones. Ok, the portions are small, but still, this is a good deal and a perfect way to finish a meal. My favorite was the pear sorbet, then the cheesecake, panna cotta, chocolate mousse and last the banana bread that did not taste banana.

This was a fantastic lunch: the food was delicious and the service impeccable. Becco is definitely a restaurant to know for some great Italian food and delicious pasta.

Enjoy (I did)!



If you like this post or the photos, feel free to share it using the toolbar below or to write a comment! 

And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Continue Reading »

Le Rivage in New York, NY

0

Going to Le Rivage is like going back in time twenty years ago: that is how I would characterize this restaurant located in Theater Row. I definitely wanted to go when I saw that they serve two of my favorite traditional French dishes: escargots and frog legs (cuisse de grenouille). 

The restaurant has few sections: a small space at the entrance. 

Few tables on the left, across from the bar. 

The main dining room. 

I saw the menu few weeks ago and what I did not notice is the pricing. We could only order from the prix-fixe. $39 for an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a coffee. The thing is that this was the pre-theater menu. After 7:30pm, they serve one that is slightly different for $25. So, if you go early, you pay more, that is contrary to what most restaurants are doing, trying to attract early dinners. Then, for few items, you pay extra; that is not surprising, but you will see while reading this post that they push a little bit the envelop. 

For appetizers, Jodi ordered their green salad with artichokes.

Nice salad, a bit overdressed. It was the first time I saw artichokes presented this way. 

On my side, I ordered the escargots, prepared with garlic and butter. 

They were served with their shell, that is pretty rare here. Fortunately, they provide the necessary equipment to extract the animal. 

It was just ok, having too much breading in it. I was surprised to see that they served only six of them, considering that there was a supplement of $5. 

For the entree, Jodi ordered the quiche Lorraine:

And I ordered the frog legs, prepared with garlic and...

As you can see, the sides the dishes came with were the same: potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Well, we definitely did not enjoy the sides that were undercooked. At least, the quiche was good: fluffy, light, with lots of cheese. The frog legs? Way too much garlic, otherwise good. 

For dessert, Jodi got the Napoleon. 

And I got the poire Hélène as they wrote on the menu, that is in fact poire belle-Hélène. It is a traditional French dessert made with a poached pear, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 

Trust me: it was definitely not made with the best ingredients; the pear was not ripe and the vanilla ice cream not very tasty. 

As for the Napoleon, it was standard and bought in a bakery from what I understand, nothing chocking there as many restaurants source their desserts in local bakeries instead of making them. 

So I believe you already guess what I think about Le Rivage...I definitely do not recommend it. For the same price, I can get the same meal, a la carte, at Sel et Poivre, or a delicious experience at Jeanne et Gaston.

Enjoy (?)!

If you like this post or the photos, feel free to share it using the toolbar below or to write a comment! And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Continue Reading »

Bangkok House in Hell's Kitchen, NY, New York

0

Still exploring the many restaurants located on 46th, we noticed this small Thai restaurant called The Bangkok House. Well small from the outside, big in the inside, thanks to the long shape of the dining room.

There, no surprise concerning the cuisine served as it is pretty standard, the only thing that would make them standout from other Thai restaurants being the prix-fixe menu they propose for dinner, probably wanting to align with the other restaurants in the area that try to attract theater goers. 

I started of course with a Thai iced tea.

It was very good, but had too many ice cubes in it.

We decided not to have the prix-fixe and shared the spring rolls as an appetizer.

They were good, tasty and not greasy. Pipping hot of course...

For her entree, Jodi ordered the pad see ew. 

And I ordered the curry massaman. 

I asked for not spicy, but there was definitely a bit of kick that started building up in the back of my throat. 

The food, pretty standard, was good and the portions generous. The service was also excellent, ensuring that we had everything we needed and liked the dishes. 

Would I go back? Yes, if I am in the area and am looking for a Thai that serves traditional dishes. For a more modern, more original and a little pricier menu, I would go to QI in Times Square. 

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post or the photos, feel free to share it using the toolbar below or to write a comment! 

And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Continue Reading »