Spot

It was a bit of a crazy night: last minute plans with L (& J), last minute decision to head out to NY, rain forecasts, humidity up the wazoo, and no real destination before KP's birthday bash. While searching for a good, uncrowded restaurant in St.Mark's, we passed by The Spot, and KM declared that under no circumstances were we to miss the opportunity to try this new-ish itty bitty... uh... spot (har har) by Pichet Ong (whom KM and I met and adored at P*Ong and is responsible for the tastiness of The Village Tart). Let's just say crickets could be heard 'round the world over all of our complaints.

After a mediocre dinner (at a crowded place with a longer-than-promised wait), we were all ready for a dessert pick-me-up. Our eyes were just as hungry as our taste buds, so we ordered a 3-course sampler (really worth the price) and some sides. The phone pictures really do no justice to his eccentrically served desserts. I don't usually follow chefs as I do authors, but he's an exception. Can't wait to try his recipes too!

3 Courses:
Avocado Parfait (calamansi chili, cocoa cracker)
Chocolate Marquis (alfonso mango tapioca, yakult ice cream)
Butterscotch Torchon (gingered pineapple, macadamia, thai tea whip)

Sides:
Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookie
Mocha Molten Salted Caramel Drink
Condensed Milk Ice Cream w/ Strawberries


Spot Dessert Bar
13 St. Marks Place
b/t 2nd & 3rd Avenues

soba-ya

A last minute text from L (who we haven't even contacted for ages-- maybe 7 years?) coupled with some scrambling, hasty text messages, and quick decisions, KM, her cousin J, L, and I dragged ourselves out to NYC for KP's birthday party. To gear up for the party, we stopped by Momofuku, saw the wait, and retraced our steps back to Soba-ya where the wait was...just as long (and worst of all-- longer than promised).

By the time we sat down, we were ready to eat a horse but settled for some soba instead. Amongst us we got Tororo Soba (cold soba with grated raw sweet potato, shown), two Kinoko Soba (hot soba with a sliver of duck), and a Tem Don (shrimp & vegetable tempura rice bowl). The noodles themselves had a great bite and chew. On the other hand, Tororo is not something I've had before, and it's probably not something I'll have again unless very persuasively persuaded. Also on the same hand, there were a few muttered breaths about the stinginess of the duck meat in the Kinoko Soba. Back onto that other hand we were on before the other hand (this is getting confusing), I'd still go back for other soba (or udon) fixes...if I'm ever in the neighborhood again.


soba-ya: Japanese Noodle Restaurant
229 East 9th Street
b/t 3rd & 2nd Avenues

Veniero's (with Pictures)

We've posted about Veniero's before, but this time, we provide pictures. And, a different point of view. Strangely enough, not too different. This is similarly the third stop of the night, but we decided to take out all the stops and put our metaphoric dessert car in full gear. Between KM, P, & I, we tried the Tortoni, Italian Cheesecake, and Chocolate Banana Strawberry Cake. The menu is so extensive (if a little ghetto), it's hard to pick out just one (or three). But, of course, we're not complaining! I'll be honest, it's not the most amazing Italian dessert I've had in NYC, but the place has got something for everyone. On every occasion.

When I said we pulled out all the stops, I meant it. We got some Rainbow Cookies for take-away too! Again, not the best we've had. The cake layers were a smidgen dry for our trained Rainbow Cake palates.


Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffé
342 E 11th Street
nr 1st Avenue

Luzzo's

Tartufata Pizza: tomato sauce, mozzarella, truffle pate, basil

The yearly (?) reunion with P (and KM) involved one request from yours truly. Something CHEAP. But again, it's NYC, so "cheap" is hard to come by, and I can't say this meal satisfied the sole request made. OK, so my gripe with NYC food prices has obviously continued to increase (who knew that even was possible?). On the brighter side, that was some damn good pizza. Basil, fresh sauce, mozzarella, and TRUFFLE? I'd be more surprised if it wasn't tasty goodness.

Oh yeah, we also tried the Special, Pappardelle Funghi w/ Speak (pronounced 'speck'; homemade pasta with mushrooms and smoked prosciutto), and Carciofi Gratinati (artichokes in breadcrumbs in lemon & garlic dressing). Personally, I found the Speak to be a little too smoked and overpowering. However, 2 of 3 in the party disagreed. Perhaps my palate is just that much more refined... To each his own! But don't even try to skip the Tartufata Pizza. That's just bananas!

Luzzo's Restaurant
211-213 First Ave
b/t 12th & 13th Streets

Butter Lane

See that vanilla buttercream-frosted, banana bread cupcake on top? Classic yumminess with a slight twist - ingenious! See that shine in the top right corner? Yeeeeah, that's honey glistening on top of the creamy BIG RED (aka cinnamon, for those of you who aren't familiar - you should be ashamed of yourselves!) frosting cupcake. See that stuff on the bottom right that looks like popcorn on top of a burnt caramel-frosted, chocolate cupcake? That's exactly what it is (what a notion!?). And see those mini-marshmallows on the left atop a peanut butter cream, banana bread cupcake? That right there is the most delicious thing ever.

For this post, we must thank L (THANK YOU L!) for donating a dozen cupcakes C's way, who in turn donated these 4 yummy cupcakes our way (THANK YOU C!). And we must thank C again (THANK YOU C!) for allowing us to enjoy these cakes in the comfort of our own home, on our most comfy couch. Everyone else will have to enjoy their's here:

Butter Lane
123 E 7th Street

or if they're lucky, on their own couch :)

sushi w/simon

Okay, technically this isn't a place to go, but rather a sushi-making class that I attended with C+D. It was pretty informative and fun! This isn't really something you'd take more than once, so this was our one shot to become sushi experts. J/K (but not kidding about not taking it more than once!)

Simon gave us an intro on the basics of sushi, explaining the ingredients with some cultural history thrown in. He did most of the cutting, but we each made our own rolls of tuna, salmon, cucumber, and/or avocado. Of course, I opted to make mine vegetarian so I could actually eat 'em, but the concept was the same. I thought we all did a pretty good job of it too :)

The only not-so-great thing about this class is the drinks they offer with it. I don't even remember what they were anymore, but some odd concoctions that weren't all that tasty. Not all that strong either.


Now to go buy all the materials and practice on the guinea pigs at home... XP

This particular class took place at:
Central Bar
109 E 9th St.
(b/t 3rd & 4th Ave)

Veniero's Bakery

Why didn't anyone tell me about this bakery sooner?! It's not in an area I frequent, but still... Since this was our third stop of the night, I was a bit full. But not too full to miss out on two pieces of rainbow cookie and a mini raspberry fruit tart. I definitely have to go back and try their other varieties :)

(And next time I'll try to capture a photo or two before devouring).

Veniero's Italian Bakery
342 East 11th Street & 1st Ave.

Angel's Share

A hidden little bar sitting behind an unmarked door. It's not the type of place you can bring a crowd, but your hot date or two best friends would be perfect! Aside from the random weirdo that tried to join our threesome, this was quite the happy find. I don't remember what we all drank, but mine came with a lychee in a fancy shot glass - it's the little things that wow me. :) Oh, and the waiters here were friendlier than I expected - they knew we wanted a table and though we (kind of) settled for the bar, they pointed us to one as soon as one was available. Sweet.

Angel's Share
8 Stuyvesant St., 2nd fl
(at 9th)

Klong

The first time I was here, we came as a group, and they sat us in a dark corner on non-chairs. Short people + low bench + high table + high drink glasses = very uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, there were only three of us this time, and we were seated on regular chairs, by the window - a much better experience! As for the food, it's not the most excellent, but it's still quite good. We ordered the Mussaman Curry (w/chicken), Klong Pad Thai (seafood), and Pomegranite Duck. All three were YUMMY, and I loved that they wrapped their pad thai in the egg - what an awesomely smart idea :)


ps. Their bathroom is really spaceous! =P

Klong
7 St Marks Place
(b/t 2nd & 3rd)

The Smith

French toast avec caramelized bananas. It was indeed YUMMY.


And if I can recall correctly, the coffee was pretty good too.

The perfect morning meal before heading across the street to catch a movie :)

The Smith
55 3rd Ave

Max Brenner(s)

This is coming to you almost a few years (yes, YEARS!) late, but Max Brenner's is definitely worth the mention. Since I've exhausted my trips there by going 4+ times in the same year with the same people, it might be a while before this place is recycled and re-posted. So, ENJOY! the Max Brenner Story.

Dark Chocolate Cocoa in Hug Mug, Singapore

It all started in the summer of 2006, on a day where no cloud could be found in the sky. The breeze. The Thai food. The surrounding architecture. All was perfection. What better way to end an afternoon of perfection than with... a perfect dessert? Four years ago (Wow! Has it really been that long?), I was first introduced to Max Brenner (the fictitious Bald Man), tucked into the corner of The Esplanade in Singapore. Never will I forget this first experience of fluffy insides and crunchy outsides, an excess of bananas and milk chocolate drizzle, dark hot chocolate, hug mugs, and, of course, the COCONUT ICE CREAM (with that hint of almond). I dream of this ice cream. I hear "Singapore" and my third thought is, "COCONUT ICE CREEAAAM".

Banana Split Waffle w/ Coconut Ice Cream, Singapore

So, it was with great pleasure that my friends and I heard, Max Brenner would be coming to NYC! When it first opened near Union Square, we went to MB. On the first day of summer, we went to MB in the East Village. Two weeks later, we went to MB. When our Hawaiian came in the winter, we went to MB. Yet, after having had the COCONUT ICE CREAM in Singapore, MB in NYC is just... Vanilla (pun intended). Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing experience centered around great chocolate, particularly in Union Square. (It's a huge tourist trap, but you just want to eat up the lobby and get seated for your meal.) Also there aren't many places where it is completely normal to choose dessert items in place of dinner... As you may see, MB can dazzle at first, but in the next few visits, our enthusiasm for the place coincided with the diminishing plate portions and the proliferating prices. Plus, I still daydream about that COCONUT ICE CREAM in Singapore. Hopefully, when I go back, it won't disappoint. Fingers crossed! Check it out, and judge for yourself. Unless, you already have. In that case, what are your thoughts?

Chocolate Mess, NYC

PS. Forgive the strange white glob above, but it is dark in MB. The Chocolate Mess. It is (really "was", since it shrunk the next time we ordered it) a full size 9" chocolate cake, with chocolate cereal crunchies and caramel sauce sidekicks, and topped with frosting, whipped cream, sprinkles, and fudge sauce. Complete with a spatula to assist gluttony.

PPS. It's been so long since I went here, that the (quieter) location of choice in the East Village (where the Chocolate Mess picture was taken) is now closed. Plus, the menu seems to have changed, and the Chocolate Mess cannot be found. So really, what it all comes down to is that: the image is moot. Boooo but maybe Yay. We'll have to check out the new dishes in the [far] future.


Max Brenner
841 Broadway
(between 13th and 14th Streets)

8 Raffles Avenue, #01-06/08
Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802