Joe's Shanghai

Wow. What a tourist trap.

Enter Pell Street. See the mob in front of the green awning. This is it.
Grab a number and wait. And wait. And wait some more...till you notice your fingers are still connected only because you're wearing gloves. Leave to get bubble tea. Wait there. Leave bubble tea place with bubble tea in hand. And wait some more. About 23,189 hours later, sit at table...alongside random strangers.

Over hyped? Hell, yeah. The first time I had soup dumplings was in China, and it was amazing there. The bamboo steamers piled high to the ceiling. The waiters carrying the piles around with hands tied behind back. What's not to be in awe about? It's soup inside a dumpling. But unlike many a friend here, I just can't bring myself to crave soup dumplings from Joe's.

Maybe I'm just jaded. Or maybe it's because I'm bitter I almost lost my fingers and toes...
I hear the Queens location is exponentially better... I guess I don't give up easily.


Joe's Shanghai
9 Pell Street
nr Bowery
(other locations available)

Pongsri Thai

This wasn't the first (or the second) time I'd been to this restaurant, but it was the first time I'd seen it after its remodeling. It was a whole group affair - gathering to celebrate an engagement, birthday, AND graduation (nevermind two, let's kill three birds with one stone).

We started the night off with a couple of appetizers: the Thai Fresh Rolls (aka spring rolls) and the Coconut Omelette. The spring rolls were definitely a good start, though our first try at the omelette proved it wasn't as yummy as it initially sounded. Probably won't be ordering that one again.

I couldn't tell you what everyone ordered, but what I do know is that my pad thai was YUMMY. What was even YUMMIer was A's Chu-Chee curry chicken (too bad he got it on himself :p). L even stole a bit of his sauce for her rice ;) I think J got the same thing as me, K got the red curry, and I'm pretty sure M got the pad see-ew. Both dishes were quite YUMMY (yes, I tried them). Unfortunately, I couldn't see beyond that, but I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed their food. And I'm pretty sure this won't be the last time I eat there.





Pongsri Thai
106 Bayard St
(@ Baxter)