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Eating Globally, Travelling Locally
Friday, June 05, 2009
Mark Hokoda, editor and writer at Chow.com, edits Chow's New York newsletter, goes around the world through food found in the boroughs.
Share your favorite local global food find! Comment below.
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Comments
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What is Mark's favorite Middle Eastern restaurant?
Hi Gabrielle - This is Mark. Mainly I edit and summarize opinions from other users of the site, but one place folks have talked up recently is Asmak Taama, an Egyptian fishmonger and restaurant in Bay Ridge ... http://www.chow.com/places/47266, http://www.chow.com/outer_boroughs_digest/7338.
I've also heard consistent good reports on Tanoreen (http://www.chow.com/places/5903) and the Family Store (http://www.chow.com/places/16348), also in Bay Ridge.
What places do you like?
I really enjoy local/global Ethiopian food, such as Queen of Sheba in midtown. Great vegetarian options.
I really like Cafe Steinhof in Park Slope - good Austria food and really nice Austrian and German beers on tap that can be hard to find!
The best Korean BBQ (Kalube) in NJ is So Moon Nan Jib in 238 Palisades Park NJ. Lunch is the best deal
My wife and I are vegetarians, and she's Korean. So I wanted to mention Cho Dan Gol on 35th st, away from the center of Koreatown.
Best Sichuan is in Bensonhurst! Bamboo Pavilion, 6920 18th Ave, N Train to 18th Ave
La Villita - Mexican food, btw 182nd & 183rd on St. Nicholas. Excellent basic food, nothing fancy, everything delicious.
Q train to Ave J - then to di fara pizza (1424 Ave J) for authentic Italian pizza. Yeah, you heard me - go there and tell me different
afghan kebab house on 52nd and 9th.
all the korean places in ktown are pretty similar. one restaurant doesnt stand above the rest. as for korean places in queens, it all depends on what you want. good korean restuarants usually have one or two things they specialize so you go there when you are in the mood for it (spicy tofu soup, for example). those are usually found in flushing or new jersey.
The best Roti Wraps in New York are at Roomali on 27th and Lex. Unbelievably good and they deliver).
Kyclades Taverna Restaurant.
Great authentic Greek cuisine.
Last stop on the N train in Astoria, Ditmars Blvd and 32nd street.
Also, Mi Ranchito - El Salvadorian food, Broadway btw 174th & 175th St. Excellent home cooking - have a pupusa w/ loroco
Vegetarians will love Hangawi on 32 st nyc - from the new Second Edition of "Healthy Highways: the Traveler's Guide to Healthy Eating"
David Goldbeck
co-author
HealthyHighways.com
hey guys,
check out little syria in brooklyn.
f train to kings highway brooklyn.
amazing middle eastern salads, olives,
baked goods, delicacies, chocolates etc...
it's well worth the trip.
the "kaak" (syrian biscuits) the borekas (filo dough stuffed savory pastries).
check out seuda near ocean parkway if you want prepared full meals. i think there menu is posted online. they make wonderful meat "pizza"
the best "kibbe" bulgar wheat stuffed "torpedoes"
very ethnic 6 block area and it;s all kosher and many vegetarian choices!
Zenkichi in Williamsburg is a real find. Unmarked entrance but once you get in it's really authentic Japanese. It's got these cool semi-private booths and you push a button for service. Just great service and an unusual selection of sake.
Number 1 line, 125 & Broadway - La Floridita. Excellent Cuban/Caribbean food. The Mofungo is great but my favorite is the Cuban breakfast with steamed plantains, eggs and fried cheese.
Right under the subway, NW corner of 125 & B'Way.
My boyfriend, who grew up in Queens has been taking me on a food tour of the borough, a few of my favorite haunts include:
UFC- which stands for Unidentified Flying Chicken, it is Korean Fried Chicken and it is so addicting, sweet and crunchy. It is a wonderful comfort food.
Lemon Ice King of Corona is another favorite, I absolutely love the lemon, pistachio, and cantaloupe flavors. The service of high school boys with braces working their first summer job is very endearing plus it is cheap, cold, and delicious
The best fried chicken in New York is at the Redhead on 13th and 1st near the L train. They also have bacon peanut brittle and the most authentic shrimp and grits north of the mason dixon line.
subway stop - A train to 207th. Right there on Broadway is a great Moroccan restaurant, of all things - Bistro Marrakesh. The Moroccan chef and his wife live in the neighborhood and it's been a welcome addition to the dining scene uptown.
Any wheat and gluten free recommendations?
Not an obscure gem, but a great place: Zum Schneider in Alphabet City has great Bavarian beer and a true Kneipe feel.
Is there a map of the city showing the different ethnic composition the buroughs so that we can explore and eat well?
Bed-Stuy, Fulton St west of Bedford - multiple Halal West African buffet restaurants with great, very cheap [self-service by the pound] mainly Senegalese food - e.g. lamb, chicken with peanut sauce or lemon-onion sauce - and lots of vegetables.
For the sweet taste of home, I take my Grandmother to Rispoli's Pastry Shop on Broad Ave in Ridgefield, NJ (just over the GW). Mrs Rispoli's authentic family pastries are a trip to Italy when you need an escape. Run by her grandson Francis, keeping the tradition alive.
For the best grilled octopus in NYC, the place is PYLOS (Greek food) 7th street between 1st ave and avenue A. You also have to try the moussaka...
Africa Kine on 116th at Fredrick Douglas in Harlem. West African & Senagalese restaurant with delicious dishes of Maffe (peanut sauce) with chicken or beef over rice. Senegalese national dish of Tiébou Dienn (pronounced "cheb-oo-jen") which is vegetables, meats, savory and served with rice. Actually, West 116th Street is known as little West Africa with many stores and restaurant.
Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/dining/30flushing.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=flushing%20chinese%20restaurant%20july&st=cse
This link is the essential road map to Chinese eating in Flushing. Don't miss the liangpi cold noodles and lamb sandwiches in the Golden Mall and the Peking Duck buns at Corner 28.
where can i find some fabulous and cost friendly paella?
White Bear in Flushing for dumplings (after a foot massage at Hong Ya on 39th Avenue).
Tuck Shop on 1st Street, near the corner of First Avenue in the East Village has really authentic Australian Meat Pies - the defacto national food from Down Under. Also try the sausage rolls and for dessert the Lamingtons are not to be missed!!
Second the suggestion of "Tea & Sympathy." I haven't been there in years, but the food was surprisingly tasty ;-), with good ingredients and healthy vegetarian options. They had a lentil stew that was different and delicious.
Near my place in LIC, there's Five-Star Punjab. Jim the Chowhound recommended it years ago. Great, hidden place for Indian food for very cheap (of course). Just off 21st Street at 43rd Ave or so. The interior is not so scary as it used to be, they updated the dining room a bit, including the former Taxi-Driver fluorescent lighting.
Daniel, you should warn that Zum lists their bathrooms with "herr" and "fraulein." ive seen so many women walk into the room labelled 'herr.' lol.
I love the Afghan restaurant Khyber Pass between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. They have very authentic food with large portions. My favorite dish there is the Lowand Chalow, but they are known for their excellent kababs and yogurt. The best part is that they will bring a hookah to your table for a little after dinner smoking and digesting. I would recommend this place to anyone.
the place in bayridge is Chef with Sole.
great place fresh fish
For Indian Food ... 72nd street stop on the 7 train between Roosevelt and 37th Avenue
Korean food ... Broad Ave in Palisades Park, NJ, or Northern Blvd driving from Flushing up to Bay side.
Greek food, Astoria area
But I think the best place to explore food is to go to the Ethnic Supermarkets .. for Korean food if you go to the Han Ah Reum or Han Yang markets, they often have a food court where you can sample all types of Korean dishes. You can also
In Korea, eating establishments are specialized. So you'll have a place that serves just BBQ (Kalbi, Bulgogi), a place for Cold Noodle soup (Neng Myun) a place for "street cart food" like Kimbob or Dukpukee, a place for "chinese" Korean food like Jajamyun or Jam bbong etc
A new place that's my favorite is Braii - South African Restaurant that is fabulous. The food is so good and they take the lowly chicken wing and elevate to greatness. Located on 51 St. near 8th Ave.
Most exceptional - they're cocktails!!!!!! My favorite - The Howling Southeaster named after the winds on the West Coast.
Sister place is Wine Bar - Xia Xia couple doors down from them.
FABULOUS!!!!
SATAY - Great Malaysian - Hoboken PATH Station - mango noodles are a unique dish & curries are tasty.
>where can i find some fabulous and cost friendly paella?
If it's still there, Spain on West 11th (?) near 5th Avee used to be good for cheap paella (and only the paella). Old joint with lots of character (read: not pristine surfaces). Great atmo, huge skylight, weird lighting, funky banquette on all 4 walls of the large dining room. Basically everything I'm looking for in cheap eats.
To Mireille Liong from Brooklyn,NY: >Any wheat and gluten free recommendations?< The chain Rice, in Dumbo and Fort Greene [DeKalb right at the corner of Ft Greene Park]; Viva Pizzeria on Second Ave. betw. 11th & 12th Sts - spelt pizza crust and some gluten-free entrees; Whole Foods salad bar.
I hear they were talking about our shop "chef with sole" in bay ridge.....come on down for great cooking and super fresh fish. good fish ain't cheap and cheap fish ain't good!!! www.chefwithsole.com
Adding to Carola's suggestions for Mireille (Manhattan only, sorry): Galaxy Global Eatery on Irving Pl. (btwn. Park & 3rd Avs.) at 15th (I think--might be 16th) St. I asked on behalf of a friend, & they said they have some gluten-free items. Zen Palate, 663 9th Av. at 46th St. or 104 John St. at Cliff St. (financial district) also has some gluten-free choices.
I also want to second David Goldbeck's endorsement of Hangawi (32nd St. btwn. 5th & Madison). It's gotten more expensive, unfortunately, but some dishes are still reasonably priced, esp. the lunch specials & takeout. Their pumpkin noodle w/veggies & the mushroom dishes are my favorites.
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