You read that right. I allowed pecans in my dessert. And not just that, I immensely enjoyed it.
I could eat desserts for main course, and then desserts for desserts. But this fierce love makes me just as picky. Over the years, I've come a long way from eating only vanilla pound cake to almost anything confectionary and sweet. But fruits - no.
Jack’s Stir Brew’s West Village location is on W 10th Street and Greenwich Avenue
So exams might have kept me from blogging, but never from feasting.
While I was busy pumping caffeine into my system (good excuse to wander from the library in search of good coffee and high-sugar desserts), I did in fact come across some pretty darn amazing coffee bars.
Fair trade and organic
Three words: Jack’s Stir Brew.
The only place that I visited two times within a week’s span because to put it simply (and without exaggeration), this award-winning West Village coffee bar has the best mocha I’ve ever tried.
It’s rich, well-frothed and full of fresh ingredients that give incredible life and body to the drink. It’s not too sweet and even the smallest comes in a generous sized mug.
The rich and full-bodied mocha
The other drink I had was the “Dirty Harry” – a vanilla infused soy latte (with a beautifully done latte art) which would give any chain’s vanilla latte a run for their money.
My rule with coffee is – always accompany it with dessert. Many coffee experts have in fact pointed out the importance of combining the two to get the most out of…well…both. And I agree.
So my friend and I decided to go with the much talked about home-made oreo and the chocolate chunk cookie.
There were tears. Of happiness. For having (at last) found an oreo that tasted as good if not better than the packaged brand we all love to overdose on. It was not overdone with cream or sugar and I could taste the freshness right off it.
The Happy Trio! Chocolate chunk and oreo cake, mocha (top) and “Dirty Harry” (lower)
On my second visit, a very friendly barista (did I mention they are awfully friendly, nice and fun?) suggested the “Happy Jack” a honey and cinnamon latte “for the ones with a slightly sweet tooth” (that’s me! that’s me!) Once again, I got my dark espresso in a lovely mug and a beautiful art.
To go with it, my friend and I decided to order the “Devin” – a granola cookie sandwich with cherry pieces (believe me I’m not a fan but they’re so tiny, you wouldn’t even notice them) and cream cheese filling. So darn good! I don’t know what these guys do with their desserts but they’ve a classy collection. Just FYI, they also keep Balthazar’s croissants and pastries.
“Happy Jack” – a honey and cinnamon infused latte with “Devin” – a granola and cherry cookie sandwich with cream cheese filling
If I haven’t given enough reasons to visit the place already – it is a remarkable neighborhood (West Village, of course). It’s a total coffee lover’s spot – calm, soothing, pretty close to the NYU campus and a savior on rainy days (not too much of a seating space – so might want to keep that in mind). The funky vintage photos on the brick walls add to the humble decor. A perfect catch-up or read-a-good-book place.
Some pretty amazing photo works on the wall
My suggestion when you visit – take suggestions from the baristas. They are awfully nice and will give you all details about their drinks – espresso or not.
Some interesting facts:
* It got the “Best Cup of Coffee” award by New York Magazine in 2005.
* It’s Fair Trade and organic
* It was the first certified organic coffee shop in Manhattan
* It is “never bitter, strong, smooth, oxygenated, low acidity.”
* It serves milk exclusively from local cows (they’re top notch about their quality and it shows)
* It was, in fact, started by Jack Mazzola, a prior struggling actor from New Jersey who did us all a great favor by instead deciding to make great coffee.
Yep, they have a sense of humor too
Next time, you’re hangin’ around in the West Village, do yourself a favor. Do swing by.
Creamy, scrumptious, soft, syrupy and absolutely gorgeous – words that do not even begin to describe my latest adventure on the plate : peanut butter and jelly stuffed french toast at Duo Restaurant NYC on 27th and Madison.
Don’t let the decadent name fool you. It wasn’t one of the over-the-top things restaurants make at brunch, making you rather stick to your good ol’ eggs Benedict or pancake towers. Believe me, I almost did that.Duo’s french toasts were claimed to be one of the top three in the city by NBC New York,so I decided to go with the flow. (Just in case things went wrong I could always steal my friend’s cookies and creme french toast – the other attraction on the brunch menu. After all, one never goes wrong with oreos.)
Peanut butter and jelly stuffed french toast at Duo NYC
Boy, was I wrong.
The cookies and creme french toast which too was pretty good. I would still be biased towards the peanut butter however.
The peanut butter and jelly stuffed french toast was out of this world. Thick brioche slices, dipped well enough in eggs (I could tell because it was so soft and moist), covered in tiny crunchy cornflake shreds and stuffed with creamy peanut butter and jelly (which balanced out so well with the butter and the flakes that I could barely tell the overload of ingredients) and served with Vermont maple syrup. To say the least, mind-blowing. Within ten minutes of ooh-aahing and praising each bite, I had abandoned all my plans for the other french toast.
The ambience is not to be discounted for either. Chic in its own way, it is done up in shades of black, white and silver, with vibrant pink, blue and red pop up bulbs. The bar definitely stands out with its wide collection and funky lamps. A massive chandelier hangs from the center of the ceiling, dramatically upscaling the rich feel of the restaurant.
A good portion - just right.
If you are a peanut butter fan like me, you will love this one. It’s a total treat and the portion size isn’t too large. We could actually walk straight into the Union Square flea market right after and indulge in $1 thai food, crepes and what have you within two hours’ time. For foodies like us who are always looking to eat more, it was the best thing.
By no means, however, would eating here be a cheap deal. I still highly recommend it for those warm spring Sundays when indulging in dollars or calories could never seem sinful. As for the next sunny Sunday, I am gearing up for my next french toast destination downtown.
Psst…It might just be the vanilla bean flavored, creme brulee dipped heaven from Thompson and Houston.
The tree embraced untold stories of many before me. Grandparents, parents, cousins, aunts,even neighbors who still lived in the vicinity of our ancient mansion, grew reminiscing eyes when they looked at the empty spot where the tree once stood. Majestic, tall and generous to all, it had earned a reputation around the small, mystifying city of Patna in India. “Dr. Chinta Haran Prasad’s mango tree,” everyone called it.
Jean Antheme Brillat-Savarin, the famous French gastronome, once said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are.” The idea of food as a representation of cultural identity has always been promoted. Doing a story on dumplings, especially when marketed and promoted internationally as it was in the Dumpling Festival last year made me realize how times have changed. I learnt that though dumplings are always considered to be an East-Asian dish, countries like Italy, France, India, even Africa make similar if not same dishes and call them by different names. Raviolis could be dumplings and so could mandus. In fact, by definition, they are. This rather unconventional way of presenting these “international” dumplings to New Yorkers as part of a festival was a remarkable idea that not only introduced people to various new dumplings but also enlightened them about the concept and technique of dumpling making. Clearly, Downtown Manhattan’s food festivals can be a fun experience, but they never go waste in terms of learning something new as well.
The heat of excitement shimmers over Sara D. Roosevelt Park, offsetting the gnawing drizzle and the dull September sky. The moment is tense. All eyes are fixed and bets are on.
Who will be the winner of the Dumpling Eating Contest 2011?
A small but enthusiastic crowd of New Yorkers and tourists cheered as ten brave contestants participated in the 8th Annual Chef One’s Dumpling Eating Contest to devour dumplings by the dozen.
Contests devoured dumplings by the dozen at the NYC Dumpling Fest 2011
The event was part of the 3rd Annual Tang’s Natural NYC Dumpling Festival sponsored by the TMI Group, a company specializing in the trade of Asian food, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side last month.
The five-hour long fest was organized in a small space amidst restaurant stalls that presented their own versions of dumplings while competitors entertained dumpling epicureans.
“I was doing my Whole Foods shopping across the street when I noticed the crowd,” said NYU sophomore Poorvi Iyer, who is from India. “The sight of the steam and the spicy smell pulled me right in.”
The contest began as an annual celebration in Chinatown in 2003. Its growing popularity caught TMI Group’s attention in 2008.
“The participants and the audience just grew and grew,” said Lis Malone, the Group’s senior marketing manager. “So three years ago we asked ourselves, ‘why not make it a festival?’”
While the competition was successful in appealing the crowd, its uniqueness lay in the innovative twist added by the Group to kick-start an international turnout.
“We encouraged chefs specializing in Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and Korean cuisines to come up with what dumplings would mean to their homeland,” Malone said. “The idea was to market and promote dumplings as an international entity.”
Since dumplings are defined as dough layers with fillings inside, Malone said people often forget that raviolis of Italy or mandus of Korea are essentially based on the same cooking concept.
The idea was a crowd pleaser.
“Taking a localized dish and fusing Italian, French, Mediterranean, Indian and American flavors into it was a great idea,” said Jake Lee, a tourist from Seoul, Korea. “It definitely had a zing which makes it different from regular food tasting festivals.”
Rohit Sharma, a contestant originally from Singapore and currently working in New York City, agreed. A fan of both East Asian and Indian cuisines, Sharma said he could barely wait to try the Chinese Mirch stall.
Chinese Mirch’s chicken momo dumplings in hot curry sauce
“The steaming chicken dumplings dipped in hot red Indian curry is the climax buzz that today needs,” he said.
His wife, Archita, on the other hand, had her eyes pinned on Ivy Bakery’s exclusive dessert dumpling.
“Spiced apple dumplings spiced with whipped cream!” exclaimed Sharma. “Now who would have though of that?”
Ivy Bakery’s spiced apple dumplings with whipped cream was an exclusive delicacy
The chefs enjoyed the challenge no less.
Morgon Johnson, chef at Elsewhere restaurant, thought the task was unusual at first but she came out feeling “rather gratified” by the end of it.
“My creative side as a chef was challenged, but most importantly I was reminded of the adventurous spirit of New Yorkers.”
As someone who has been in the cooking business for 30 years and opened restaurants in many countries, Johnson said it was only in New York that she found food fanatics that were willing to try just anything and make it their own.
“Dumplings are no longer just an East Asian craze,” Johnson said.
The event also hosted another competition for the Guiness Book World Records. However, it was Chef One’s winner Joseph Menchetti from Philadelphia who stole the show by devouring a shocking total of 69 dumplings as compared to the winner of Guinness World Records, Seth Grudberg, who guzzled 18 steamed pork dumplings.
“It is the first time I’ve ever eaten a dumpling,” said Menchetti, much to the amusement of onlookers.
Nicknamed “Tiger Wings” for his unbeaten record at similar eating contests back home, Menchetti admitted that he would probably never have ventured from his “regular diet of taco bells, meat and burgers” had it not been for the competition.
Joseph Menchetti, winner of the Chef One Dumpling Eating Contest 2011, with his $1,000 cheque. Menchetti ate 69 dumplings
“Honestly, it was amazing,” he said, grinning. “Now all I need is to grab me some dessert.”
As a child,
I had this dream
Of high hills and docks
Where goodness streamed
Two years later,
When I was four,
I had learnt too much
The dreams turned sore
Santa Claus did not exist
I overheard Mother, tell my new old friend
Fairies and elves
They were make-believes
Nowadays, toddlers lived with thieves
Disappointed, but optimistic,
I was still full of hope…
Crooked teeth and giggling curls
Chortling loud
When you saw the bird
Gurgling beams on cupcake cheeks
Devouring nosh
That was to keep
Tiny trots and running short
Footsteps tender
Like Angel’s wings
Ringing laughter
Screams came after
Chiding sheen
A voice like singing melody
In case you wonder
About the broken blunder
It was only a fairy
And her planned mischief…
To begin with, I love my chicken and any meal without meat…is well, not really a meal.
Unless, it is some chickpeas or paneer (Indian dish similar to cubes of cottage cheese) sauteed in high voltage red chilli paste, garlic, ginger or any secret spicy magical ingredients. Trust me, with those, you cannot go wrong.
So I got down to business and researched some of the best vegetarian Indian restaurants around Manhattan. Obviously, there were more than many. But there was only one that managed to come up with an innovative menu that went beyond the monotonous paneer tikka, aloo matar and aloo gobi.
Bhojan, on Lexington Avenue boasts of a variety of parathas, entrees, breads, drinks and Indian sweets all at a reasonable price! The restaurant itself has been decorated with taste – dark walls, bright yellow lights, ceiling full of kadhais (something like woks used for Indian cooking) – all lending to a lively and cheerful ambience. The menu has been prepared with utmost care that seeks to satisfy your taste buds. Even if you are a hardcore meat-eating enthusiast like me, you will probably not be disappointed.
The kadhai ceiling
I ordered the chhole Punjabi - spicy chickpeas cooked with lime and coriander (lethal combination, I can vouch for that!) with a gigantic puri (puffed, cripsy whole wheat bread), paneer jalfrezi (spicy tangy cottage cheese cubes cooked in tangy sauce and bell peppers) and mango lassi (mango milkshake – do yourself a favor if you haven’t already tried this increasingly popular drink!)
Mango lassi in jar-like cup
Apart from that, I did manage to get a very good look at the neighboring tables – an odd habit I am trying hard to kill. There were divine paneer chilli parathas (spicy whole wheat pancakes stuffed with paneer), dal makhani (very similar to lentil soup, only much thicker and creamier) and bhel puri (puffed rice with tangy coriander paste, boiled potatoes and tamarind). Note to self : try those next time.
Chhole, puri and paneer jalfrezi
As for the bill, now let’s see – a total of $30 (tax and tip included) split between two persons that comes to $15. With that much food and generous servings, you would agree that’s a blessing in disguise for students in New York City, wouldn’t you?
It’s winter and New York isn’t kind about it.
But I’m my grandmother’s granddaughter who firmly believes that carefully picked spices, rubbed onto the right food with secret ingredients and a whole lotta love can kill any gloom and lift the mood.
I found my anti-depressant – as always – close to the NYU campus. It’s tiny, it’s dingy, it’s homely. It’s perfect.
Baburchi (or Chef in Hindi) is an Indian restaurant barely visible in the cluster of bistros, cafes,pubs and pizzerias on W 3rd Street. What pulled me in was the 50% off lunch special offer. When I walked in, I connected with the decor instantly. Earthenware display, pretty little antique pots and pans essential for Indian cooking, colorful curtains against dull walls and typical draperies that my grandmother would be proud of – I felt like I had walked right into her kitchen.
I have always praised New York’s diverse and expert food culture but I had yet to discover an Indian restaurant that gave the right naan (and not an excuse for it replaced usually by pita bread.) Until now. The garlic naan I ordered, was not only generous and hearty in size, but had the right softness, the right sturdiness and the perfect warm taste of being fresh out of the oven. The chana paneer (an unusual combination – but absolutely terrific!) was spicy (on special request for making it “Indian very spicy, not American very spicy) and the chicken vindaloo and chicken keema matar were out of this world. For a lost soul away from home – this seemed the perfect food shelter!
Chana paneer and garlic naan
Chicken keema matar with pea pulao
But what Indian meal ever goes complete without mango lassi? That is a grand statement coming from someone who has detested the drink all her life and could never understand why Americans loved it so much! Baburchi made me change my mind about that.
Thus, if ever in need of a pair of arms to wrap around you and make the winter a better place to be, walk straight into this little comfy kitchen, dig into the sizzling zesty food and walk out smiling once again. For surviving the terrible winters here, you deserve it!
