Maialino. A new Italian restaurant owned by Danny Mayer in Gramercy Hotel. Totally renovated from Wakiya, dark and sexy Chinese restaurant.
I went there for lunch time around 1pm during a week day, and I didn't even have a reservation. It was easy to get in.
But food was very good. Sauce of Rigatoni all’Amatriciana was a bit too salty, but tasty. It has Guanciale inside of the sauce... I think that makes sauce a bit salty... but you don't want to waste it.. I had to eat 2 extra breads to finish up that sauce.. yummy.
Maialino 2 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10010 (212) 777-2410
Mareais Italian seafood restaurant located just below Central park. This is my second time, and came here for lunch. You can choose primo (first course) and secondo (main dish) for $34.
This is grilled octopus with cous cous. Octopus was very tender and tasty.
I tried this last time, and I really enjoyed it. Nova scotia lobster, burrata, eggplant al funghetto, basil. Handmade burrata is perfectly matched with lobster and tomato. You don't really see eggplant much, but this cured eggplant gives a slight acidity taste to this dish.
Everyone ordered this fresh cut semolina pasta, crab, santa barbara sea urchin, basil. There were tons of sea urchin last time I had.. but I did not see or taste so much of sea urchin this time.. hmmm. is that because of lunch time?? did they run out of sea urchin?
We actually told our waiter that we were expecting more sea urchin flavor, and they took our dishes back to the kitchen, and brought new ones. This time, we could taste a little better than last time, but not as much as last time.
I really want to try this past again at dinner time, and see if there are any difference between lunch time and dinner time.
Of course it was still delicious, but we got more tomato flavors than sea urchin.
Overall, I like this place, so I will definitely come back and try some other food!!
Marea 240 Central Park South New York, NY 10019-1457 (212) 582-5100
This Flushing Korean BBQ joint looks a very ordinary place from outside. Most customers are Korean, so it has to be good.
One of our friends suggested to eat "Sam Gyup Sal", pork belly BBQ. This thick, beautiful pork belly is something I could eat every day... seriously.
Pork belly with grilled Kimchee and garlic, wrapped with sesame leaf. Great way to enjoy this.
Also, try "Kanjan Kejan" and "Kejan". Kejan is spicy cured crab. Kanjan kejan is marinated crab with soy sauce. Both of them are so tasty, and great match with Soju.
I am in heaven. We say "Korean Orgasm".
You can't miss this if you live in NY.
Hahm Ji Bach 4108 149th Pl, Flushing (718) 460-9289
A giant Japanese restaurant in West Village (is it West Village?)
There are several En restaurants in Tokyo, Japan. And they came to NY a few years ago. Since open, there have been serving descent Japanese foods, and it became a neighborhood gem.
A popular dish here is Tofu and Yuba.
What is Yuba? During the boiling of soy milk, a film or skin composed primarily of a soy protein lipid complex forms on the liquid surface. The films are collected and dried into yellowish sheets known as tofu skin or soy milk skin. That is Yuba.
Anyway, En Brasserie also serves fresh Sashimi. I tried Horse Mackerel and Needle Fish this time.
After Sashimi, they even fry their fish bone, and serve you as Fish Bone Fry Dish. Yummy!
Please try Japanese "shochu" with their food. Shochu is Japanese vodka? made with Potato, Rice, Sesame, Barley, and others.
SOUEN has been offering natural organic food in Soho and Union Square location since 1971, and they just added a new location specializes for RAMEN.
Mucho Vege Ramen (Miso Base)
Stamina Ramen (Shoyu Base)
Stamina Ramen contains lots of garlic and ginger, and it was quite tasty even though they don't have animal protein at all.
Mucho Vegetable Ramen is Miso base, and it was a little bit too sweet for me. I believe Miso itself is sweet. But vegetables on top were all fresh and yummy.
I might want to go back and try their organic Gyoza Dumpling made with Seitan (which is soy protein). They say that is the most popular dish.
