http://chopsticksandmarrow.com New York City Food Adventures with Joe DiStefano Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:17:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/persian-meatball-surprise-eats-like-a-tajine-sandwich/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/persian-meatball-surprise-eats-like-a-tajine-sandwich/#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:22:05 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=925
As a kid I hated surprises. Presents were okay, but surprises that blindsided me? Not cool! Some 40 years later my waking hours are filled with culinary surprises. And I love them. That’s because they’re not really surprises: I seek them out as part of my insatiable thirst for new flavors. So when I met Anne Marie Cruz of Sandwich Surprise at a panel discussion on a social media and the food business I was intrigued. Since February she’s been surprising people—friends, strangers, former co-workers—with  lovingly homemade sandwiches everything from a Cronut Benedict to steak sliders with fennel apple slaw, all documented with photos and recipes on her blog.  A couple of months after meeting Anne Marie it was time for my surprise sandwich. “It’s based on one of the best meals I’ve ever had, and the cuisine seems kinda under-represented in NYC,” Anne Marie wrote in an e-mail. We’d… Read More]]>
Persian meatball surprise with homemade ghee and cherries. As a kid I hated surprises. Presents were okay, but surprises that blindsided me? Not cool! Some 40 years later my waking hours are filled with culinary surprises. And I love them. That’s because they’re not really surprises: I seek them out as part of my insatiable thirst for new flavors. So when I met Anne Marie Cruz of Sandwich Surprise at a panel discussion on a social media and the food business I was intrigued. Since February she’s been surprising people—friends, strangers, former co-workers—with  lovingly homemade sandwiches everything from a Cronut Benedict to steak sliders with fennel apple slaw, all documented with photos and recipes on her blog.  A couple of months after meeting Anne Marie it was time for my surprise sandwich. “It’s based on one of the best meals I’ve ever had, and the cuisine seems kinda under-represented in NYC,” Anne… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/persian-meatball-surprise-eats-like-a-tajine-sandwich/feed/ 3 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pancit-and-puto-at-papas-kitchen/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pancit-and-puto-at-papas-kitchen/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:47:24 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=920
I’ve been meaning to try Papa’s Kitchen for quite some time. So the other evening I stopped by the cozy spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Roosevelt Avenue’s Little Manila. Papa wasn’t in the house that night but his daughter, Mabie was. As I perused the menu she eyed a microphone on the table and asked me if I liked to sing. Like many Filipino spots Papa’s functions as something of a karaoke clubhouse. After dodging the karaoke bullet I settled on pancit palabok ($8.95), a classic Filipino noodle dish. I also got an order of the steamed cakes known as puto ($3.50 for 10). The only other pancit palabok I’d had was at the fast-food joint Jollibee. Mabie feigned shock and chuckled when I told her. I was looking forward to a home-cooked version. It soon arrived at the table smelling of smoky fish and topped… Read More]]>
Papa’s Kitchen uses recipes from the family patriarch. I’ve been meaning to try Papa’s Kitchen for quite some time. So the other evening I stopped by the cozy spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Roosevelt Avenue’s Little Manila. Papa wasn’t in the house that night but his daughter, Mabie was. As I perused the menu she eyed a microphone on the table and asked me if I liked to sing. Like many Filipino spots Papa’s functions as something of a karaoke clubhouse. A generous serving of pancit palabok. After dodging the karaoke bullet I settled on pancit palabok ($8.95), a classic Filipino noodle dish. I also got an order of the steamed cakes known as puto ($3.50 for 10). The only other pancit palabok I’d had was at the fast-food joint Jollibee. Mabie feigned shock and chuckled when I told her. I was looking forward to a home-cooked version. It… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pancit-and-puto-at-papas-kitchen/feed/ 2 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/scenes-from-opening-weekend-at-lic-flea-and-food/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/scenes-from-opening-weekend-at-lic-flea-and-food/#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:45:18 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=906
When it comes to food Queens has Brooklyn beat. After all, the diversity and quality of the grub in Queens is simply mind-blowing. Plus, we have M. Wells Dinette. And as of this past weekend Queens is giving Smorgasburg a run for its money with the newly opened LIC Flea & Food. Here’s a look at some of the market’s food offerings. On Saturday morning I was actually at Smorgasburg performing a Thai chicken skin mitzvah for my friends over at Scharf & Zoyer. They also turned me on to a sandwich and I sampled some wonderful couscous from NYSHUK. And then, I had some ice cream from nearby Oddfellows. So, by the time I got to Long Island City the old food tank was pretty full. Good as it looked there was no way I would have been able to take down Alobar’s Big Dog ($12) a frankfurter topped… Read More]]>
Hungry hordes gathered to eat and shop. When it comes to food Queens has Brooklyn beat. After all, the diversity and quality of the grub in Queens is simply mind-blowing. Plus, we have M. Wells Dinette. And as of this past weekend Queens is giving Smorgasburg a run for its money with the newly opened LIC Flea & Food. Here’s a look at some of the market’s food offerings. Alobar’s big dog topped with ginger pulled pork and carrot slaw. On Saturday morning I was actually at Smorgasburg performing a Thai chicken skin mitzvah for my friends over at Scharf & Zoyer. They also turned me on to a sandwich and I sampled some wonderful couscous from NYSHUK. And then, I had some ice cream from nearby Oddfellows. So, by the time I got to Long Island City the old food tank was pretty full. Good as it looked there was no way… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/scenes-from-opening-weekend-at-lic-flea-and-food/feed/ 2 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/let-us-now-praise-un-famous-condiments/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/let-us-now-praise-un-famous-condiments/#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:57:56 +0000 Anne Noyes Saini http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=894
Condiments are the spice of life, and every food culture has its own particular favorites. Many of these—Mexican salsa verde, Indian mango chutney, Korean chili paste (aka, gochujang)—have found a place in American kitchens. But others are still hovering in the wings, awaiting their big mealtime breakthrough. These (as yet) lesser-known condiments from throughout the world are a few of my favorites. 1. Ajvar (pronounced “EE-vaar”) This mash of sweet roasted red peppers, earthy roasted eggplant, garlic, and varying amounts of spicy chilies is eaten throughout the Balkan countries. It can be served as a dip, eaten with meats or fish, tossed with pasta, or simply smeared on sandwiches. In Astoria and other New York neighborhoods with large Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian communities, mass-produced ajvars are easy to find in any grocery store—or try making it at home. 2. Guasacaca There are many different ways to make Venezuela’s creamier, tangier… Read More]]>
Condiments are the spice of life, and every food culture has its own particular favorites. Many of these—Mexican salsa verde, Indian mango chutney, Korean chili paste (aka, gochujang)—have found a place in American kitchens. But others are still hovering in the wings, awaiting their big mealtime breakthrough. These (as yet) lesser-known condiments from throughout the world are a few of my favorites. Photo: Simple Comfort Food/Dax Phillips. 1. Ajvar (pronounced “EE-vaar”) This mash of sweet roasted red peppers, earthy roasted eggplant, garlic, and varying amounts of spicy chilies is eaten throughout the Balkan countries. It can be served as a dip, eaten with meats or fish, tossed with pasta, or simply smeared on sandwiches. In Astoria and other New York neighborhoods with large Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian communities, mass-produced ajvars are easy to find in any grocery store—or try making it at home. Photo: Serious Eats/Joshua Bousel. 2. Guasacaca There are many different ways to make Venezuela’s… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/let-us-now-praise-un-famous-condiments/feed/ 1 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/tasty-links-from-the-gastronomic-blogosphere-7/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/tasty-links-from-the-gastronomic-blogosphere-7/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:53:01 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=891 Read More]]>
Photo: Max Falkowitz / Serious Eats Over on Serious Eats New York Max Falkowitz waxes nostalgic for boyhood dinners at red sauce mecca Park Side extolling its glitzy virtue as “one of the few remaining sources of red sauce fine dining in New York City.” Ligaya Mishan files on Los Perros Locos, a Lower East Side Colombian hot dog emporium that features such wieners as the Pablo Escobar, which the menu says come with a dusting of Perico. There is, of course, no cocaine on the hot dog. The white stuff is cotija cheese. Real Cheap Eats give this old Flushing hand a lesson in Chinese breakfast. There’s more to Oriental express Food Court than Tianjin breakfast wraps, like “tofu brains,” a savory northern Chinese take on douhua teeming with mushrooms, ginger, garlic and star anise. Yes, please. Over on Bon Appétit’s blog Jenny Miller gives a thoughtful examination of the state of street… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/tasty-links-from-the-gastronomic-blogosphere-7/feed/ 0 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/arepa-de-queso-the-crown-jewel-of-colombian-street-food/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/arepa-de-queso-the-crown-jewel-of-colombian-street-food/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:39:57 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=887
These days Roosevelt Avenue is lined with scores of carts selling street food from all over the globe—Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, even Tibet. One of the oldest, the O.G.—which in this case stands for original grandma—is the Arepa Lady as Maria Piedad Cano has come to be known among her legions of fans. Cano has been selling the griddled corn cakes under the 7 train for almost 30 years. She rose to popularity after Chowhound founder Jim Leff, wrote  a piece in the NY Press headlined “The Sainted Arepa Lady” touting her corn cakes as “snacks from heaven,” and extolling her beatific presence. Back in the day it was something of a quest to find the Arepa Lady. I never knew whether she’d be out or not and was never sure which night club to find her in front of. In this age of social media her operating hours are a… Read More]]>
An arepa de queso in all its griddled glory. These days Roosevelt Avenue is lined with scores of carts selling street food from all over the globe—Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, even Tibet. One of the oldest, the O.G.—which in this case stands for original grandma—is the Arepa Lady as Maria Piedad Cano has come to be known among her legions of fans. Cano has been selling the griddled corn cakes under the 7 train for almost 30 years. She rose to popularity after Chowhound founder Jim Leff, wrote  a piece in the NY Press headlined “The Sainted Arepa Lady” touting her corn cakes as “snacks from heaven,” and extolling her beatific presence. The Arepa Lady at the Viva La Comida! festival. Back in the day it was something of a quest to find the Arepa Lady. I never knew whether she’d be out or not and was never sure which night club to find… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/arepa-de-queso-the-crown-jewel-of-colombian-street-food/feed/ 1 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/three-little-piggy-sandwiches-at-the-big-apple-barbecue-block-party/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/three-little-piggy-sandwiches-at-the-big-apple-barbecue-block-party/#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:41:39 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=882
The 11th Big Apple Barbecue Block Party filled Madison Square Park with smoke, meat,and revelry this past weekend as pitmasters from all over the country gathered to show us Yankees how it’s done. Back when I first started attending the annual smokefest Danny Meyer spoke at a panel and said something to the effect of  “One day barbecue will be a dining option. The same way people say,  ‘Let’s go eat Chinese, or Mexican, or Italian.’”  This carnivore is proud to say that day is most certainly here. After all there are four barbecue joints in Queens alone. I have been staying away from the block party in recent years, partly because I find waiting in line bad for the digestion, but mostly because the’ cue in New York City is now so good I see no need to attend. My recent whole hog epiphany spurred to me to check… Read More]]>
A sumptuous whole hog Bar-B-Q sandwich from Ed Mitchell. The 11th Big Apple Barbecue Block Party filled Madison Square Park with smoke, meat,and revelry this past weekend as pitmasters from all over the country gathered to show us Yankees how it’s done. Back when I first started attending the annual smokefest Danny Meyer spoke at a panel and said something to the effect of  “One day barbecue will be a dining option. The same way people say,  ‘Let’s go eat Chinese, or Mexican, or Italian.’”  This carnivore is proud to say that day is most certainly here. After all there are four barbecue joints in Queens alone. I have been staying away from the block party in recent years, partly because I find waiting in line bad for the digestion, but mostly because the’ cue in New York City is now so good I see no need to attend. My recent whole… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/three-little-piggy-sandwiches-at-the-big-apple-barbecue-block-party/feed/ 0 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/greek-souvlaki-on-a-stick-and-a-giant-turkish-baklava-cookie/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/greek-souvlaki-on-a-stick-and-a-giant-turkish-baklava-cookie/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:23:50 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=875
With the exception of Chinese skewers and anticuchos the last time I had meat on a stick was more than a decade ago. The details are hazy, but I’m certain the meat in question was of the souvlaki variety, essentially a kebab with a hunk of bread impaled on the end. Lately I’ve been passing by Souvlaki King an Astorian purveyor of sandwiches—and you guessed it—meat on a stick. Yesterday I finally succumbed to the siren call of smoke and meat at the stand on the corner of 31st Ave. and 31st St. A red siren sits atop the stand, silently flashing. As it spins it conjures up images of brothers George and Kostas Tsampas as souvlaki EMTs, or better still super heroes. Finding superior souvlaki underneath the elevated train for $2.75 was a bright spot on a rainy day. The tender chunks of lamb had just the right amount… Read More]]>
For some reason Souvlaki King has a siren on top. With the exception of Chinese skewers and anticuchos the last time I had meat on a stick was more than a decade ago. The details are hazy, but I’m certain the meat in question was of the souvlaki variety, essentially a kebab with a hunk of bread impaled on the end. Lately I’ve been passing by Souvlaki King an Astorian purveyor of sandwiches—and you guessed it—meat on a stick. Yesterday I finally succumbed to the siren call of smoke and meat at the stand on the corner of 31st Ave. and 31st St. A red siren sits atop the stand, silently flashing. As it spins it conjures up images of brothers George and Kostas Tsampas as souvlaki EMTs, or better still super heroes. A perfectly charred stick of lamb souvlaki dusted with oregano. Finding superior souvlaki underneath the elevated train for $2.75 was… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/greek-souvlaki-on-a-stick-and-a-giant-turkish-baklava-cookie/feed/ 1 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pok-poks-andy-ricker-digs-mission-chinese-ant-larvae/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pok-poks-andy-ricker-digs-mission-chinese-ant-larvae/#comments Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:22:00 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=872
Whenever I ball up sticky rice and dip it into the liquid pooled in the bottom of my papaya salad, the waitress usually asks whether I’ve been to Thailand. My response: “No, just Queens.” Unlike me Andy Ricker, the Portland-based chef behind the Pok Pok empire has been to both. He first got into Thai food by traveling Thailand in the 1980s. His Pok Pok Ny is one of the few reasons that I will trek to Brooklyn. He was kind enough to answer Seven Questions. How often do you eat Thai food? Every day when I am at work, every day when I am in Thailand and seldom otherwise. Have you ever eaten Thai silkworms? I found them to be terrible, mealy and musty! Yeah, I have tasted most of the grubs and insects that Thais eat. Those things are subsistence foods that some people have gotten used to… Read More]]>
Andy Ricker, the driving force behind the Pok Pok empire. Whenever I ball up sticky rice and dip it into the liquid pooled in the bottom of my papaya salad, the waitress usually asks whether I’ve been to Thailand. My response: “No, just Queens.” Unlike me Andy Ricker, the Portland-based chef behind the Pok Pok empire has been to both. He first got into Thai food by traveling Thailand in the 1980s. His Pok Pok Ny is one of the few reasons that I will trek to Brooklyn. He was kind enough to answer Seven Questions. How often do you eat Thai food? Every day when I am at work, every day when I am in Thailand and seldom otherwise. Have you ever eaten Thai silkworms? I found them to be terrible, mealy and musty! Yeah, I have tasted most of the grubs and insects that Thais eat. Those things are subsistence foods that… Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/pok-poks-andy-ricker-digs-mission-chinese-ant-larvae/feed/ 6 http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/culinary-agenda-for-the-weekend/ http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/culinary-agenda-for-the-weekend/#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:30:08 +0000 Joe DiStefano http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/?p=870 Read More]]> Read More]]> http://chopsticksandmarrow.com/2013/06/culinary-agenda-for-the-weekend/feed/ 3