Dining in Dallas.com

Given the immigrant history of New York City, it’s not surprising that it is an amazingly diverse city — not just in terms of people and culture, but (you guessed it) in terms of food as well. We recently visited NYC for a short 3-day trip and experienced just a little bit of what the Big Apple had to offer.

The Times Square/42nd St. subway station. We took the subway to China Town, which was the first stop of our trip.

This was a street vendor selling chicken sticks, eggrolls, fried rice, and noodles. He smiled a lot and really wanted us to buy something, so we bought a chicken stick from him. This was him preparing our order.

Our first full meal in New York City — beef noodle soup and dumplings. Very delicious.

All the restaurants in China Town serve hot tea instead of water (probably because of the cold weather).

Another meal in China Town. The food was quite authentic and the prices were decent (maybe slightly cheaper than what you would pay here in Dallas).

Beef tendon noodle soup with some gigantic wontons

We never knew there was more than one kind of egg custard until we saw this place called Egg Custard King Cafe which offered 5-6 different types. We ate several of them the first night and came back a second time near the end of our trip.

This was also the first time we tried a bubble tea drink that was hot. It was not too bad but I think I still prefer it cold.

We were told Tai Pan is probably one of the best bakeries in the city, and having been there we can understand why. Definitely a good place to visit if you’re ever in New York City (it’s right in the middle of Canal Street so you can’t miss it).

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory was another recommended place that we’re glad we visited. They have a lot of exotic flavors, including durian which we wanted to try but were too scared to. And yes it was quite cold that night, but as the saying goes… there’s always room for ice cream.

Times Square is really not a good place to eat unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money. The food is expensive and the quality is mediocre at best. The slice of Famiglia pizza you see above cost $5 but it tasted bland and stale. The teriyaki beef bowl we got at another place was also a waste of money. The only place we went to that wasn’t super overpriced was the McDonald’s on Broadway (it was actually a very nice McDonald’s).

Another reason not to eat at Times Square — some of the restaurants lock the bathrooms and make you pay a quarter to get in. Even if you’re a customer there you still have to go up to the cashier and ask for a coin to use the bathroom — which we did. Kind of awkward in my opinion (it’s like when you were in elementary school and had to ask the teacher for a pass to go to the bathroom).

This is a Duane Reade store right across the street from the Port Authority bus terminal. There are a lot of locations throughout the city (it’s basically the NYC version of Walgreen’s or CVS Pharmacy). Good place to buy snacks, drinks, etc.

To get the really good food, you have to go to the neighborhoods where the locals actually live. The pictures above are from the Greenwich Village area and there are some really fantastic restaurants around there. The competition is pretty heavy and word-of-mouth travels quickly, so the restaurants have to consistently deliver high quality food at a decent price or they won’t survive for long.

One of the restaurants in the Greenwich Village we tried was called Palma. It was probably the best pasta (and Italian food) we’ve ever had. The food took awhile to prepare but our server explained that everything was homemade from scratch, including the pasta. Fortunately, while we were waiting they served some complimentary bread and olives that were excellent. I normally don’t like olives but these were mild and sweet — and very tasty. Prices were between $9 - $13 for an entree.

This was a famous cheese store we visited as part of a dining tour. We sampled a couple types of cheese and some olives. We also tried an interesting pepper that was both spicy and sweet at the same time.

A thin crust New York Style pizza we tried at John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker Street. It was a bit pricey at $22 for a large but definitely worth trying at least once.

We did a lot of walking and that was the perfect opportunity to try a few of the many food stalls on the side of the road. You can get everything from hot dogs and fresh roasted nuts to lamb gyros and rice platters. Not all of the food stands are good though — look for the most crowded ones with people standing in line. They’re probably waiting in line for a reason.

And last but not least, this was one of the Cuban eateries we tried. The place didn’t look too clean but it was literally packed to the point where you couldn’t fit another person inside. We had to wait in line for awhile to get our food. It was pretty good, but if only it didn’t have the bananas…

So that’s about it. We wish we could have tried more places but we just didn’t have the time (or stomach capacity). The next time we go on a trip we need to learn how to expand our stomachs beforehand… so perhaps we can get some more meals in. Or maybe it would be easier just to stay a few days longer.

After hearing about the famous cheese fries at Snuffer’s, we decided to give the place a try to see what all the fuss was about. The restaurant was pretty packed when we visited, and we had to wait a few minutes before we got a table. The menu is a simple two-sided piece of laminated paper, which was fine except for the fact that all of the menus seemed oddly greasy (we would shortly discover the reason why). We didn’t think too much of it at the time and proceeded to place our order. We ended up getting a large cheddar fries with bacon/chives/jalapenos, an order of nachos, a mushroom swiss chicken platter, and a bacon cheeseburger platter.

The cheddar fries were served about two minutes later, and initially the plate looked like a pretty good value with extremely generous helpings of toppings heaped on top of the fries and a cup of ranch dipping sauce on the side. The only problem was that the fries had absorbed so much grease that they were about twice as heavy as they should have been. It tasted ok for maybe the first bite, but after that the overwhelming amount of grease made each successive bite increasingly difficult to swallow (I guess if you’re used to eating this kind of stuff it might not be a problem — we saw some of the people sitting around us happily devouring the fries like they were stir-fried noodles).

Unable to finish the fries, we decided to set it aside and wait for the entrees to arrive, hoping that they would at least be a little better. Much to our dismay, we got more of the same fat-laden, ridiculously greasy “food” that was served earlier. The nachos were coated with a thick, oily layer of cheese, and the cheese was pretty much the only thing you could taste. These weren’t your typical nachos where you have tortilla chips with cheese on top; these were more like cheese globs with some tortilla chips inside.

As far as the platters we ordered, the grilled chicken tasted decent at least, but only in comparison to the other dishes. It didn’t taste like lard, but it was still smothered in an excessive amount of cheese. Even the toast that came with the entrees was quite heavily buttered. We ordered corn and black-eyed peas for the side dishes, and those were the only things that we could finish (sort of). The mashed potatoes were ok as well — nothing special but at least edible.

In the end, we took about half the food home simply because we couldn’t manage to eat any more of it. The food here makes a Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Jack In The Box look like a veggie sandwich. The food was so unhealthy that we decided to add a new rating category for our reviews — the healthiness of the food. We think this is an important factor to consider when eating out, and so we will be including it for all of our future restaurant reviews.

One thing to note: we certainly understand that a sports bar type restaurant can’t be expected to serve carrots and brussel sprouts, and that you don’t exactly go to this type of restaurant if you’re looking to help your diet. But the thing is, we’ve been to plenty of sports bars that have been able to serve up a decent plate of nachos or fries that didn’t taste like pure grease. We’ll leave it at that, whether you agree or disagree, but suffice it to say that Snuffer’s is now on our official list of “banned” restaurants.

Snuffer’s Restaurant and Bar

Ambiance: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cleaniness: 4
Value: 4
Health: 2

Overall: 4.4

Tags: Snuffer’s, cheddar fries, greasy food

At a wedding reception the food and atmosphere are obviously very important aspects and are usually what make a great (or terrible) lasting impression for guests. But at the same time, the quality of service is just as critical, and in my opinion is probably the most difficult to get right. The food and decorations can be prepared beforehand (i.e., before the hordes of hungry guests arrive). But to achieve the kind of service expected at such an event — the type that is unobtrusive yet somehow omnipresent — requires not only preparedness but a certain degree of endurance and stamina. Let me explain. Imagine carrying a small plate of food with maybe 15 small one-bite servings, and walking into a throng of 350 ravenous Chinese folks crowded in a narrow hallway impatiently waiting to be seated for dinner. Imagine doing that not once or twice, but multiple times throughout the evening. I felt kind of sorry for the servers charged with this harrowing task. The people working behind the bar serving 50 drinks a minute certainly didn’t have an easy task either.

All in all though, I must say the wait staff did a commendable job. They managed to keep all the guests happy, and despite the rather long wait in the reception hall, the overall mood of the crowd actually seemed to improve as time passed. Some of the more “crafty” guests started learning where the servers would come out from and they would lie in ambush to get to the food first. But the servers caught on and started entering from different locations so that other guests could be served. Empty glasses and used napkins were removed quickly and without much interference, and the area was kept clean at all times. Overall, I was actually quite surprised by their efficiency.

While their efficiency is certainly to be praised, some of the servers seemed a bit lost though when it came to explaining the food (I don’t think they were too familiar with the menu). Not a big deal though. The food was good and it was served quickly, so everyone was happy. Maybe the next time they are hosting a crowd of Chinese people they can teach them a couple of games — like how to bob for apples with chopsticks. That should keep the crowd entertained for awhile.

I got a chance to taste test the lamb before the wedding reception, and it was just as good at the reception as it was at the tasting. The lamb meat was tender and it didn’t taste gamey at all. The red “sauce” on top was sweet mint tomato chutney, and I’m a big fan of sweet/salty combinations, so the pairing of the lamb and chutney was good. Served on the side were mashed bean and eggplant which tasted like a less starchy version of mashed potatoes, grilled quarter of a pita used to scoop up the mashed concoction, a rather bland corn tamale. The one thing I didn’t like about this dish was that the lamb portion was too small! At the tasting I got two pieces, and it was like an appetizer to me. Also missing were the fried plantain chips that I really liked from the tasting but didn’t make it to the final version.

The seafood and the vegetables were a nice surprise because they weren’t offered at the tasting. The seafood plate had a small sampling of shrimp, scallops, crab claws, and mussels. These were probably boiled in lightly salted water, then chilled before serving. Aside from the seafood cocktail sauce, no other flavoring was added to mask the delicate flavors of these tiny morsels. Drizzled on with a bit of lemon and lime juice, the seafood tasted refreshing after the rich lamb meat.

The vegetables came in their own plate, too. I think we were the only table to have all the food brought to us. Other tables had to stand in line for their vegetables and turkey. The vegetables were probably quickly steamed, then sauteed and served as is with a very faint hint of salt. I thought they were perfect because the broccoli, cauliflower, and the asparagus still had a crunchiness to them. The mushrooms and the tomato bursted with flavor. There was also a turkey dish that I didn’t take a picture of. Actually it was more like a turkey sandwich, and I nearly laughed when I saw it. It seemed so out of place after the previous three dishes. The turkey was dry, the bread was dry, so I didn’t particularly like the dish.

In keeping with the theme of small portions, the fruits were served in a martini glass. There was just enough to taste. If I remembered correctly, my glass had strawberry, blackberry, kiwi, star fruit, watermelon, and jicama. This fruit martini was somewhat exotic, and it looked colorful, but because this assortment of fruits do not all peak in flavor at the same time, it fails in the taste category.

Last but not certainly not least, who can forget the dessert portion of the wedding? Interestingly, the assortment of asian goodies were actually homemade and provided by close friends & family of the bride. Rather than going out to a local bakery to purchase these goodies, the bride & groom saved a lot of money by requesting homemade desserts as “wedding favors” instead of the customary gifts or money from these mommy chefs. Moving onto our dessert selection of the evening, first, there were the red bean (correction*) puffs - a crispy breading on the outside filled with red bean paste on the inside. Then we had the sweet biscuits and a special soft almond cookies treat made by one of the bride’s very own small group girls. The biscuits tasted similar to a very well-reknown Chinese delicacy, “Tai-Yang-Bing.” Perhaps both desserts share some of the same ingredients or have a similar “filling” inside but in any case, they were delectable. Finally, we had homemade spice cake. And needless to say, it was a big treat for everyone there. The outcome of the dessert portion that evening came to show that sometimes even the simplest foods, when they’re homemade, can be comparable if not better than catered or store-bought goodies.

Tags: wedding, dma

I’m a fan of Shui Wah not because of how their food tastes (better than average but not great), not because they have the best service or ambiance (it’s average at best), and certainly not because of cleanliness (permanent table cloth stains, sloppy job of cleaning dishes and silverware, the carpet). No, the one reason I’m a fan of Shui Wah is because they’re the only place that has all you can eat dim-sum. I’m not talking about just a few items of dim sum. Their buffet selection is nearly all dim sum, and half of them are in the traditional metal steam trays/baskets. Starting just a few weeks ago, I now have a 2nd reason to like Shui Wah. Catered dim sum!

There’s enough food here to feed a small army.

We started off with the basics (clockwise from top left): pork shumai, jellyfish salad, pork wrapped in tofu skin, and shrimp dumplings. These went fast because, well, you can’t have just one. They’re meant to be eaten individually at a time but people tend to lay claim to larger portions so naturally it disappears quickly.

Next items were the main entrees (clockwise from top left): string beans with beef, rice noodles with shrimp, celery with mushrooms, bok choy with tofu, and seafood with bamboo. Just these 5 trays would’ve been enough to feed the party, so at the end we still had about 5 tray-fulls left.

Finally, everyone’s favorite corner, the dessert and drinks (clockwise from top left): baked pastry with curry beef, assorted drinks, fruits and sushi, and egg tart custards. Though these were placed at the end of the line, some people helped themselves to a few treats before getting in line. The egg tart custards in particular were quite excellent. The filling had just the right amount of sweetness, and the flaky crust was fabulous. Luckily we had two trays of them because some people were getting three or four of them at once (in some cases more). We should hold an egg tart custard eating contest one of these days. As for the drinks, the soybean milk was definitely the best choice (none of that super sugary soft drink stuff that causes obesity). Come to think of it, soybean milk is an extremely versatile beverage — a great alternative to milk especially if you’re lactose intolerant. You can drink it plain, eat it with cereal, add it to a cup of coffee/tea… and now we know that it goes great with dim sum too!

Looks pretty nice, huh? Everything except for the roses in the glass jar were either paper or plastic. Simple but matching pattern makes for a perfect, down-to-earth presentation.

Tags: Shui Wah, dim sum, rehearsal

From secondhand experience, I’ve heard that California is probably one of the best states to be in if you seek authentic Asian food. Since I’m the unofficial Asian food lover, that’d be a great place for my taste buds to seek if I do take a dining adventure one of these days. But sometimes, short vacations will not give you enough time to try out everything they have to offer. That’s why a lot of my friends and colleagues have ventured there on a more long-term basis. For those who seek permanent moves, getting in touch with experienced real estate connections there is crucial. You don’t want to get caught in a buying frenzy without exploring your options thoroughly and intelligently.

There’s a great site at http://www.laststophomes.com where they have an experienced realtor that has a proven track record in the California area. Nathan Cleaver is a dedicated professional who offers his expertise to clients by helping them make the best decisions for their family and for future resale. Whether you are buying or selling, he’s on the cutting edge of the real estate industry and makes excellent use of the latest technology. You don’t want to be caught unawares if you get screwed on a property purchase only to find out that you could’ve gotten a better deal down the street. Nathan Cleaver is with Keller Williams Realty located in Roseville, California. They cover a wide spectrum of properties in the California area though including real estate in Rockland, Sacramento, Citrus Heights, etc…

Moving to a new city is tough I know. One of my colleagues here at DiningInDallas.com worked in California for a while and had to settle with food within the immediate vicinity of his residence for a good month or so. Imagine the mundane and stagnant experience in culinary culture if you have to try the same food almost every day. Finding places to live makes your culinary adventures more flexible. You can find dining-rich areas within the California borders and seek professional realtors like Nathan Cleaver with http://www.laststophomes.com to help you find living options near those areas. It’s definitely a resource you want to tap when you’re making the big move. Purchasing a home is a pretty big investment and as such, must be handled with precision and care. This site is definitely worth taking a look at if that is a decision you plan on making.

http://www.laststophomes.com

Tags: california, laststophomes, realty

One thing about Schlotzsky’s Deli is their signature bread. It doesn’t really matter what the fillings are, but if they’re in between anything other than the “full of air pockets” buns, it ain’t a Schlotzsky’s sandwich.

The buns are hard on the outside so you have something stable to hold onto as you eat your sandwich. Sandwiches are served warm which makes them more of a meal than a quick lunch.

The chips are also unique to the Schlotzsky’s brand. Granted barbeque and jalepeno flavored potato chips aren’t anything new, but it’s nice to know that even the chips they stick to their own brand. For a flavor kick, try their vinegar flavored chips.

Schlotzsky’s Deli
2408 Preston Road, Ste. 704-B
Plano, TX
Tel: (972) 964-2830
Website: http://www.schlotzskys.com

Tags: Schlotzsky’s Deli, sandwiches, chips

Yahoo! just launched it’s new Food section earlier this week with thousands of recipes, cooking videos, food blogs, and a lot more. Looks like a pretty useful resource, especially if you enjoy cooking. The recipe database is quite extensive and you can search by ingredient, cooking method, taste, texture, etc. According to a Reuters story, this is one of the first new Yahoo media properties launched in five years.

Link: http://food.yahoo.com

Tags: yahoo, food