Close Enough to Home

T-Kettle

It's hard to find "home" when you are studying in a foreign country. But then again, America isn't quite so "foreign" for us Canadians up in the north. Regardless, the search for authentic and good Taiwanese cuisine remains difficult in most places outside of Asia. T-Kettle does a decent job of it. While I have not tried many of its main dishes, they do offer a good selection of bubble tea flavors and it's the first place I've encountered that sells the traditional 雞蛋糕. Worth checking out if you are ever in St. Marks

雞蛋糕! A sugary sweet pastry 

Val and I's bubble tea :)

Don't hate!

McDonalds

Now before all you healthy proponents hate on my food choice let me just say that McDonalds has its place and time. ONCE in a while we get these cravings... and what else can we afford other than to satisfy them? Hot 'n Spicy McChicken... while I'm not quite sure if the chicken in there was actually chicken, it did fulfill the urge. Although I was saddened to find out that in America, there's no such thing as a "Junior Chicken" like we have it up in Canada. Best deal you can get at McDonalds if you are in Canada: order two Junior Chicken and ask for an extra "patty" on both. If memory serves, it will be around $5 total and will definitely fill up that craving, stomach and other important artery/blood vessels that keep your heart pumping.

McChicken goodness

Harro!

Sorry for my absence but despite the busier workload, val and I still managed to continue our food adventure so look forward to many more posts to come (post-dated of course!)

Chipotle

I cannot believe I have not tried this place until only a month ago and I'm so thankful that I did. The entire experience from ordering to consuming the food at this Mexican grill joint is an experience itself. Ingredients are exposed past a clear glass division where you can watch and choose the preparation of your food whether it is just a "simple" burrito (not simple at all) or have it in their specialty and leave the burrito in a bowl. The kitchen design is meant to convey an open atmosphere (it really does), and apparently I just found out after a little background digging, it's the first American Platinum LEED certified restaurant! For those who care about the Earth and all :)

Burrito Bowl!

Initiation Process

Located in East Village, Udon West is one of my favorite restaurants in New York where. It's almost like coming here is an initiation process to be friends with me (val!). My usual dish is chicken katsu curry with extra radish pickle on the side. Most of the time we visit this small bar counter style restaurant, we spend some time waiting to be seated, but it's always worth waiting for delicious curry and udon with loved ones.

val's ~usual~ 

Our (official) first date meal (val) 

11 St Marks Pl

New York, NY 10003

How Insulting But Damn

Black Brick

A quiet hipster coffee shop, it is located in no other place than Williamsburg of course. The antique rusty decor matches with its simple motto: "we strive to serve good coffee". No, there is no motto. I simply paraphrased what the barista snobbishly said to me as I asked if any of their drinks were "sweet". He replied "I'll be honest with you, you came to the wrong coffee shop". Indeed, it is no Starbucks and thank god for that. Although I was insulted, being a former barista of a reputable coffee chain myself, I soon realized the fine barista quite lived up to his attitude with likely the most balanced and rich tasting Americano I've had since coming to Brooklyn. Likewise, Val's Macchiato is not some cheap imitation coffee drinks either. If only I lived in Williamsburg.

Val's Macchiato

A Meaty Day Indeed

Peter Luger

Yes it is a place I've wanted to try but the high price range has always deterred me. Nonetheless, Peter Luger is one of those steak houses that you have heard just too much about to not go and see for yourself. Piggybacking on the excuse of my girlfriend's friend's likely own excuse of "school work assignment", we went and tasted quite the most exquisite taste of cow I have never thought possible. Not to also mention their refillable bread choices (you can also ask for refill to take away!) really put most other restaurants to shame. Do be careful when ordering though because a "medium rare" might just come across as a bit too bloody for some others and my only complaint was given the price, at least the butter should have been heated! I won't be crying over that, although my wallet will definitely be.

Now THAT is a bread basket

Steak for two with cream of spinach 

You win some gold coins for being a good customer

When you got the time

Paris Baguette + Kungfu

So what do you get when you mix a French inspired Korean bakery with Kungfu?

Nothing. 

Unless you are talking about Kungfu bubbletea then we are in business. Although on the heavier side of combinations, these two places are right next to each other, connected by a doorway. Paris Baguette offers a wide range of pastries that ranges from delicate cakes you only want to take pictures of and never eat to savory pastries that brings you a taste of en francais. Kungfu bubbletea offers exactly that: authentically tasting bubbletea flavors. Be sure to try out their Taro milk tea, although I cannot confirm if its made from just another powder jar or not, you wouldn't care either if you tried it. Their red bean "wow" tea is also worth exploring.

Cakes cakes cakes

How's the bubbletea? It's "noice". So it's nice? No, there's no ice. HAR!

When Sisters Meet

Baidu Shabu Shabu

Hotpot traditionally has always been eaten with the idea of family as its core value. The act of sharing is best demonstrated with communal pots (although in this case, we got individual ones) and on-the-spot cooking. Baidu is usually packed with loyal customers that come for quality over quantity. Although your wallet will feel lighter after the meal, your stomach definitely will not. 

P.S. Always a good idea to bring your girlfriend's sister here :)

 A watched pot never boils

Bonus picture: the sisters!

 

A Hearty Shopper's Meal

Desert Moon Fresh Mexican Grille

What to do after spending a whole day at a premium outlet, shopping over dozens of stores, hunting for that final sale to make the coupon cut and carrying proud bags of your accomplishments? Eat a delicious Mexican food at the local food court! Putting the cherry on top of this one: there is also a coupon for 10% at this place. Do be careful to not order more than you can handle, this place tends to have that effect on its customers :)

 Chipotle chicken flatbread

Grilled steak fajita quesadilla

 Taco salad with grilled chicken

 Bonus picture of me shopping at J.Crew ($40 shirts HELLO?!) with Val taking photo credits

Where unlikely organic animals gather

Bareburger - Just about everything in this burger house is organic and natural. Even the furnishings are from recycled materials! Aside from its eco-friendly commitments, the food tastes like ur saving humanity as well. Burgers feature exotic animals from bison to ostriches to wild boars. Mixed in with some delicious mystery dipping sauces, this burger resto is definitely worth visiting. Even if you aren't all hyped about saving the environment or animals' well being. 

Fries with three mystery sauce

Val's portabella burger

Jeff's supreme burger

Where home is

Woorijip - a near perfect combination of Val and I's current social status and food preferences. We are both students, neither of us earn much above minimum wage (I'm not even employed), and we both love Korean food. Woorijip is located in Korea Town, is cheap (6.99 per pound), is buffet styled and above all else, the food tastes great. 

 Jeff's Portion

Val's Portion

from val

~new blog~

udon west_ our first date

Mitsuwa

magnolia_banana pudding

Baidu Hot Pot

Go Go Curry

Baidu Hot Pot

Ikea

Dough

Shanghai Cuisine

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwich

Halal _MoMA

Georgetown Cupcakes

Mitsuwa

Shanghai Tide Hot Pot

Max Brenner

Num Pang

Sakura Tokyo II

2013 02 15

S T A R T

Dippings

We ruv food. Yeh yeh yeh.