Good things come to those who eat LATE! This spot is usually jampacked during regular or post-drinking hours alike, but a small crew of hungry eaters came here to munch around 1 am on a Tues night, and were treated to meatball magnificence. Dim-sum style menu instructions. Choose: meatball / sauce / bread or salad / cheese. Hear specials, re-evaluate choices and order even more. Our fiesta de carnage consisted of a well-rounded assortment of flagship standards and envelope pushers, including: Beef meatball/tomato/mozzarella/roll + “chicken cordon blueball” special/parmesan cream/naked/add an egg on it + beef/spicymeatsauce/mozz/whole wheat roll + assorted slider combos. Also added some totally unnecessary but good sides such as butternut squash daily veggie special + risotto special. With a few wines and beers, came out to $20 a head. Sharing dessert.

Don’t save room, but make some space for the ice cream cookie sandwiches. They are like Oh My Gawd. Hit the gym the next day. Hard.

mega meatball smorgasbord.

oh lonely special chikn cordon blueball slider a la parmesan creme, let me put mine lips to thee...

OUTSTANDWICHES! snickerdoodle/pumpkin special ice cream + mocha latte special cookie/vanilla ice cream

dry-erase markers. B-I-N-G-Oh

Calexico
645 Manhattan Ave
(between Bedford Ave & Norman Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
(347) 763-2129
www.calexicocart.com
Menu

This place is kinda awesome. It’s not traditional $2-truck hole-in-the-wall Mexican or fancy Mexican. It’s just spot on good. Really creative flavor combos, chill vibe, good location. Wasn’t too crowded on a Sunday late brunch. Def recommended.

i think this beef burrito is how it all got started

crunch w slaw good combo. usually prefer not battered but these are just as good.

something like a crazy 7-layer torta. goodness

cant go wrong with melty cheese and peppers

There’s just so much amazing food in Korea and not enough time to cover as much as I wanted, but here are just some of the notables from my recent Korea trip. When I go back I’ll be sure to do much more thorough documentation, and possibly some experimental cooking projects. Korea has more than a lifetime’s worth of culinary adventures lying in store, and the best part is that most of the best food is SUPER CHEAP!

NOODLES. There is a Korean word called “jjolgit” (쫄깃), similar to the Italians’ “al dente”, describing the texture of a perfect noodle – it’s something akin to chewy, springy, soft and firm at the same time. This is the only way to describe all the noodles that have been consumed in these photos. The noodles in Korea are almost always prepared in this fashion, everywhere you go.

DUMPLINGS. Unlike in Chinese cuisine, there aren’t a gazillion different kinds of fillings in Korean dumplings, for the most part, but there is a ton of diversity in shape, size, and skin. Some of these are humongous yet still tasty inside, and the skin on fresh dumplings is perfect every time.

BIBIMBAP. There are many variations on the mixed rice bowl theme, but one standout was the raw seasoned beef (like a carpaccio) on rice with mixed greens – “yook hwe bibimbap” (육희 비빔밥).

GRILLED MEATS. You can’t mention Korean food without using the words “Korean BBQ”. For most that means Kalbi, the famous marinated beef ribs, but the majority grilling time usually goes to pig. Bacon. With three layers of fat it’s called “Samgyupsahl”, but with five layers it’s called “Ohgyupsahl”, which is at least two layers of more fatty amazingness. This is usually washed down with alcohol anyway, so that should nullify all the unhealthy bits, right? There are many other dishes for grilling, such as chicken, duck and seafood, and each spot specializes in a particular dish with their own grilling method, from gas to charcoal.

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Take Out
Cuisine: Japanese Snack Food
Favorite Dish(es): Okonomiyaki ($6), Takoyaki ($5)

This is real Japanese street food. This tiny food stand on the original Japantown (9th St), nestled between the Cloister Cafe’s outdoor areas, serves two drunkfood faves.

1) Okonomiyaki (oh-ko-no-mee-yah-kee) – a battered pancake made with veggies and protein of your choice, either squid, chicken, or beef.

2) Takoyaki (tah-ko-yah-kee) – small round balls using the same batter with bits of octopus, commonly referred to as “octopus balls”, although they are not actual octopus testicles (sorry Andrew Zimmern, keep lookin!).

Both are topped with healthy squeezings of Japanese sweet mayo (Kewpie) and a sweet and tangy dark sauce that is similar to tonkatsu or plum sauce, and then covered in bonito flakes, which are sweet, dried, smoky fish flakes. Notice the sweet theme. They’re made hot, fresh to order, and are perfect as a mid-day anti-starvation treat while wandering the St Marks area, or even better as a hold-me-over till the next bar mini-meal. Either way, totally worth the 5 minute wait, and if there’s a long line, hold out and come back later.

Don't fear the fish flakes! Takoyaki Octopus Balls waiting underneath...

Tehuitzingo Mexican Deli
695 10th Ave (btw 47th & 48th Sts)
(212) 397-5956

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Take Out / Sit Down
Cuisine: Mexican
Favorite Dish(es): Bisteck (beef) Taco $2.50

Everyone north of the border knows that the best, most authentic Mexican food is found in the cheapest, most unassuming of places, be it from a truck or a hole in the wall. Well, if “hole in the wall” means knocking out the back of a bodega, adding a few stools and a walk-up counter, then this is the quintessential Mexican food find, at least in Manhattan. Tehuitzingo is simply a typical NYC deli/convenience store that serves tacos, tortas, and other typical Mexican fast food in the back. Think of it as a taco truck upgraded with seating, a bathroom, and access to all the soda and beer you want from the front bodega. At $2.50 as pop, the tacos are mighty fine – of course not quite as good as LA or the motherland, but sure tastes like somebody’s aunt put some extra special loving in the seasoning. I’m gonna hit this spot up anytime I venture into Hell’s Kitchen for a quick taco fix.

follow the white rabbit...

be nice to the lady and she'll treat you right.

one of these is tongue, and i assure you it's good in the mouth as well.

Online Menu

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Italian, Sandwiches
Favorite Dish(es): Soppressata panini w hot peppers, asiago, and basil pesto $9

This place has by far the tastiest paninis i’ve ever eaten. Crispy toasted bread with high quality ingredients in amazing combinations. We got delivery this time around, but If you’re ever in Astoria, you’ve got to check this cool little place out for brunch or lunch.

the spread...

Tomato fresca, rosemary ricotta and black olive oil Crostini (appetizer)

Soppressata, hot peppers, asiago, and basil pesto. Winner.

Online Menu

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Take-Out
Cuisine: American, Italian (Pizza)
Favorite Dish(es): Margarita Slice ($3.50)

Artichoke Pizza is a fairly recent newcomer to the NY gourmet pizza scene.  They offer two signature pizzas that you won’t find anywhere else – Artichoke (of course) and, of all things, Crab.  But for our first visit, we opted for the traditional Margarita slice: mozzarella, fresh basil, and fresh tomato sauce. One word describes this pizza that makes it stand out from the rest of NYC’s many gourmet slices – “CRISPY.” This crust is super crispy, almost cracker-like and crunchy like melba toast, with very little bending or doughiness. It’s not the kind of pizza you can just fold in half and walk around with. It deserves your full attention, from tip to crust. They use quality ingredients, and don’t skimp on the cheese. We’re anxiously waiting to try the Artichoke and Crab slices next time. The Artichoke slice is a white pizza without tomato sauce, with a bit thicker, softer crust embedded with bits of artichoke and spinach.  Can’t wait to go back and test them out.

The famed Artichoke slice.

Margarita slice, as they call it. I think it's actually spelled "Margherita".

Online Menu

Kefi
(*new bigger location*)
505 Columbus Ave, between 84th and 85th Sts
(212) 873-0200

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Greek
Favorite Dish(es): Spreads selection – Yogurt, Caviar, Eggplant, Chickpea ($9.95 appetizer), Grilled Octopus and Bean Salad ($9.95 appetizer), Meatballs ($6.25 appetizer)

You might totally miss this little place on 79th, but inside is some awesome Greek food. It’s cramped and not good for groups, but still totally worth checking out. UPDATE 8/09: Kefi has moved into a larger location, and also expanded their menu a bit. The food is super flavorful, the ingredients are fresh, and portions are just right. There are so many menu selections that we can’t wait to come back and try every single one. You’ll be surprisingly full just dining on the appetizers, tapas-style.

*new pics!*

Man cannot live by bread and water alone. But at least they give you a full bottle of water.

Crispy tender calamari with tzatziki yogurt dip.

Adult Material Warning! Sea creatures including giant octopus tentacles may not be suitable for small children, but are full of flavor and fork-tender.

Pasta in a Greek restaurant? With olives and feta, of course. Zesty with loads of zing.

Spread of Appetizers: meatballs, assorted dips, grilled octopus, fava bean soup. Garlic reigns supreme throughout.

Online Menu

Pricing:Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Chinese, Dim Sum
Favorite Dish(es): Steamed shrimp rolls, Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, BBQ Pork Buns

Lately we’ve been on a dim sum streak. It’s the ultimate recession meal plan.  As mentioned in our previous dim sum posts, we’re usually too lazy (and hungry) to get up and make it all the way down to Chinatown before the big rush on the weekends. However, this one time we had early afternoon plans in the area and Dim Sum fit perfectly into the schedule, so we set out to check out Chatham Sq Restaurant, at the corner of Mott and Chatham Square (across from Dim Sum Go Go).  It’s a much smaller place than the main Dim Sum bastions (Jing Fong and Golden Unicorn), but is just as busy as the larger restaurants with equally high turnover, making it good for small groups and impatient (redundant) New Yorkers.

THE GOOD

The star of the show. Steamed shrimp rice crepe/rolls. Nothing fancy here, just a great crepe skin and fresh shrimp.

Fresh, perfectly steamed crystal shrimp dumplings. Some of the best we've had in Chinatown.

Steamed Char Siu Bao, or BBQ Pork Buns. Sure, you can get these almost anywhere in Chinatown, but these were served fresh and hot, with a very tasty BBQ pork filling. We saved one for the road as dessert.

THE NOT SO GOOD

We were in a rush and didn’t feel very adventurous, so we made a few bad judgment calls trying to play it safe.  Next time, we’re just going to order what the old grannies at the other tables are ordering.

Here are some of the other less notable dishes we encountered:

These are supposed to be Shao Long Bao, but were small, wrinkled, and overcooked with no soup.

Some sort of firm, flavorless fishcake. Not horrible, but a waste of space.

They looked nice, but were super doughey on the inside, like they were filled with extra dumpling skin. All dump, no ling.

All in all, the bill for two (very stuffed) people came out to less than $22.  Well worth waking up a little early on the weekend to do brunch the Chinatown way.

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Chinese, Dim Sum
Favorite Dish(es): Steamed Rice Rolls w/ Shrimp $4.95, Steamed Chive & Shrimp Dumplings $4.95, Turnip Cakes $4.95

Jing Fong is a huge restaurant with a flagship restaurant in China, with a full course menu catering to large groups and wedding banquets. This is one of the biggest and most well-known dim sum establishments in Chinatown that pretty much defines the weekend dim sum experience. But we’re too lazy to get downtown on the weekend before noon, so we opted to check out their “Dim Sum On-Demand” during the week after work. It may sound like a new service from your local cable tv provider, but it’s basically just a few of their favorite most popular dim sum dishes available any time. It’s definitely worth your while to wake up early one weekend to sample their entire selection at their peak freshness, and experience NYC Chinatown dim sum at its best. For convenience, you definitely sacrifice freshness, but it’s still good enough for those midweek cravings of shrimp rice rolls. Worth a visit.

Dim Sum On-Demand, order by picture.

Classy banquet style decor, karaoke performers during special events.