Dos Caminos
Of all my restaurant week reservations, I expected Dos Caminos to be the least remarkable. Not that I do not believe in Steve Hanson and the BR Guest team, but just understand that there is a lot about this place outside of the food. Well, I was wrong. The entire experience was beyond my expectations. The guacamole with a touch of spice and ground to just right texture, was the best I remember in the City. Following that, we had the butternut squash empanada with goat cheese which was a unique and intelligent. The Kobe beef soft tacos were tender, smokey and nicely salted. The accompanying sauce was well spiced. Niman Ranch Pork Ribs were fantastic. I was just a Blue Smoke a few days earlier, and these ribs rose well above those. In the middle of all this, we had a visit from the Tequila Sommelier who helped pick out Corazón de Agave Añejo, which was wonderfuly smooth yet robust.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Chicken Kebob
Prince Deli
There are many delis in the city and even more establishments that offer a Chicken Kebob sandwich. The number of places that offers these equals the number of different interpretation of the dish. I have been both fortunate and unfortunate enough to try some of the best and worst. Due to that fact, I am going to give a gauge for all of us who enjoy Chicken Kebob. Bereket on Houston is renown for their Turkish cuisine including some of the best tasting Kebob in NYC. But, I will say, recently I had a Chicken Kebob from Prince Deli on 43rd and 3rd avenue and it was surprisingly impressive. First, the chicken is marinated in Middle Eastern spices and char grilled on a skewer. Then instead of a pita, it is packaged in a wrap with everything on it, which is how I recommend it, (hummus, babagenush, hot sauce, salad, pickled cabbage, tabouli, tzasiki, pickles, etc. then wrapped, pressed in a sandwich press and cut and re-wrapped top on bottom. Sounds like a lot, but the passionate staff is careful to include the perfect balance of flavors and not to saturate the sandwich.
There are many delis in the city and even more establishments that offer a Chicken Kebob sandwich. The number of places that offers these equals the number of different interpretation of the dish. I have been both fortunate and unfortunate enough to try some of the best and worst. Due to that fact, I am going to give a gauge for all of us who enjoy Chicken Kebob. Bereket on Houston is renown for their Turkish cuisine including some of the best tasting Kebob in NYC. But, I will say, recently I had a Chicken Kebob from Prince Deli on 43rd and 3rd avenue and it was surprisingly impressive. First, the chicken is marinated in Middle Eastern spices and char grilled on a skewer. Then instead of a pita, it is packaged in a wrap with everything on it, which is how I recommend it, (hummus, babagenush, hot sauce, salad, pickled cabbage, tabouli, tzasiki, pickles, etc. then wrapped, pressed in a sandwich press and cut and re-wrapped top on bottom. Sounds like a lot, but the passionate staff is careful to include the perfect balance of flavors and not to saturate the sandwich.
Cipriani
Cipriani
42nd Street may be one of the furthest places one would think of Italy, but, I tell you, a fifteen minute stop in Cipriani Speciatilia is a quick serve Italian refuge for those who need their fix. Overall, the gourmet offers a fantastic variety of pastas, sandwiches and salads, but for me, when I am craving for an Italian fix, I go for their brilliant Prosciutto Crudo and Mozzarella de buffalo sandwich. The combination of salty Prosciutto and fresh Mozzarella on a crusty baguette is perfect . Add some rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil and you have a masterpiece through simplicity. Even the wax paper take out bag gives one a feeling of thoughtful care. A great example of the when intangible subtleties and secondary flavors permeate each other to make the whole greater then the sum of its parts.
42nd Street may be one of the furthest places one would think of Italy, but, I tell you, a fifteen minute stop in Cipriani Speciatilia is a quick serve Italian refuge for those who need their fix. Overall, the gourmet offers a fantastic variety of pastas, sandwiches and salads, but for me, when I am craving for an Italian fix, I go for their brilliant Prosciutto Crudo and Mozzarella de buffalo sandwich. The combination of salty Prosciutto and fresh Mozzarella on a crusty baguette is perfect . Add some rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil and you have a masterpiece through simplicity. Even the wax paper take out bag gives one a feeling of thoughtful care. A great example of the when intangible subtleties and secondary flavors permeate each other to make the whole greater then the sum of its parts.
Late night slice on upper east
Three J’s
The late night crawl near 79th and 2nd leaves a well indulged partier with few options when it comes to feeding their face…a must at 3am. One recent evening, I found myself in a panic with hunger due to the fact that the all the diners including, the infamous Jackson Hole burger joint were closed and every other known food establishment were also dark. That is when I stumbled, unfortunately that is meant literally, on Three J’s Pizza on 83rd and 2nd. As usual, I over ordered getting three slices to go and one for the two block walk home. My first bite was met with warm oil, a nice coating of cheese and an al fresco tomato sauce. This was a literal eye opener being it was after 3am. When I arrived home, I ate the three remaining pieces and even though I was fading, the slices lived up to the balance of flavor I remembered just a few short minutes earlier. Over all, Three J’s reminds me of a combination of Joe’s on Bleecker and Eat at Joes on Second Avenue…two very good pies. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
The late night crawl near 79th and 2nd leaves a well indulged partier with few options when it comes to feeding their face…a must at 3am. One recent evening, I found myself in a panic with hunger due to the fact that the all the diners including, the infamous Jackson Hole burger joint were closed and every other known food establishment were also dark. That is when I stumbled, unfortunately that is meant literally, on Three J’s Pizza on 83rd and 2nd. As usual, I over ordered getting three slices to go and one for the two block walk home. My first bite was met with warm oil, a nice coating of cheese and an al fresco tomato sauce. This was a literal eye opener being it was after 3am. When I arrived home, I ate the three remaining pieces and even though I was fading, the slices lived up to the balance of flavor I remembered just a few short minutes earlier. Over all, Three J’s reminds me of a combination of Joe’s on Bleecker and Eat at Joes on Second Avenue…two very good pies. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
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