Dale Talde on Vice's Munchies and mini-review of Talde

I hit up Talde in Park Slope last night.  In a word - delicious.  Food was amazing...so much so that our table got another order of chicken for dessert.  And another order of pork sausage buns (slider-like) b/c there would be a wait for the chicken.  Both of the rib entrees were dy-no-mite.  (I had a vegetarian dinner tonight so I'm kinda drooling over them ribs in my mind right now.)  The only miss for me was the crepes, but really there was nothing wrong with it.  It just didn't float my boat.  Two bucks a pop for dumprings may be pricey, but they were pretty dang good and I was on my way to getting drunk so I didn't really care.  All in all, I'll definitely be back whenever I make plans to be in Park Slope again.  Also, be on the lookout for a new venture by the Talde team opening up in August.  It's called Pork Slope and seems like their master plan is to provide delicious affordable food and drinks.  If they bust out this concept with the same quality-control and attention to service as Talde, it's gonna be a win, fo sho. 

Here's Dale rolling with the rest of the Talde team (David Massoni and John Bush) for Vice Magazine's Munchies video series:

No. 7 Sub - Review

I enjoy a good sandwich as much as I enjoy a tasty burger. Yesterday, I was in the K-town area during lunch and had a chance to stop by No. 7 Sub for some sandwich action.



With no obvious signage, it wouldn't be unusual if you walked right by the place as one of my friends can attest to.

Note that each individual sandwich is handmade, and can take up to 7-8 minutes to assemble...so keep that in mind if you're going to stop by during your lunch hour.

For this particular lunch, I copped two sandwiches to split and share with my old man. We got the 'lamb meatloaf' that has strawberry Pico de Gallo, curried crema, cheddar cheese, and pappadam and an 'olive oil poached tuna' intermingled with haricots verts, fried shallots, and cilantro.



Here are some sexy shots of the 'lamb meatloaf':



And here's the tuna:




The lamb meatloaf was distinctly lamb flavored, but didn't strike a chord with me. It was unmemorable. However, the tuna was a platinum hit. Super tasty and filling, the haricots verts were a perfect complement to the tuna, as was the mayo-based sauce. For those adverse to cilantro, I didn't really taste any (but you could always ask to have your sandwich without it). In any case, if I had more hands, I would give it 4 thumbs up.

So if you're in the hood and looking for something that's not your usual fare, give No. 7 Sub a shot. And of course, if you're in the Fort Greene hood, stop by their restaurant No. 7.

No. 7 Sub
1188 Broadway
between 28/29 St
New York, NY 10001
tel 212.532.1680
info@no7sub.com

Breakfast: Mon - Fri 8:00 till 10:30 am
Lunch/Dinner: 11:30 am till 5 pm
Or till we run out of bread

The Master Burger List Review Bonanza - Pt. 7 - Recipe (Upper West Side)

An "intimate neighborhood restaurant featuring rustic new American cuisine inspired by fresh, local ingredients", Recipe, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, serves up a lunch menu that's really easy on the pockets, and big on flavor and value. Small restaurant, small overhead...right? Quaint is definitely a word that comes to mind when describing the place. Also, they must have one of the most complicated faucets in their restroom. Seriously...you need directions. Thankfully, they provide it.




Recipe's burger has been on my radar for a while (which my sister can attest to) and I finally made my way to the UWS during lunch hours last Friday. For starters, I had the pumpkin gnocchi with short ribs and garden root vegetables($2 supplement), and I've got to say...it was tasty. I love short ribs...and the gnocchis were delectable. It was crisped up on the outside, and still chewy on the inside. I would definitely order it again.

As for the burger, here it is in all its glory:



Here's a sexy cross-cut:



Ordered medium-rare, it definitely was more rare than medium-rare. I didn't mind, as I like a rare burger once in awhile...but for those that are averse to blood, I'd make sure to have it the way you want it. The meat itself was super flavorful, but the grill marks were too prominent, creating too much char where the burger rested on the grill. I love char, but it was too much.

The accompanying house made potato chips were just aight. As the meal was for lunch, it's probably better I didn't get fries. It's also most likely a reason as to how the lunch deal is so affordable, considering chips utilize significantly less potatoes than fries (of course depending on how many chips or fries the restaurant portions). You know what I'm trying to say...

In short, the burger at Recipe didn't disappoint. If I lived in the hood, I could definitely imagine having a few meals here, and they do deliver, so I'd probably take advantage of that too. As a side note, my dining companion had the crispy duck leg confit which I thought was really good...which makes me want to try their other offerings. So all in all, I'd say to definitely check out the spot, especially during lunch. I've heard the wait can get rather long for dinner and brunch, as they can only seat 26 at one time.

452 Amsterdam Ave
(between 81st St & 82nd St)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 501-7755

Previti Pizza - Good Midtown Pizza (Finally!)

By way of Midtown Lunch, I just discovered a newly opened pizza joint in my hood. You can read the post here.

A few months ago, Golosi, a pizzeria that serves Sicilian style pizza by the inch, opened with much fanfare; however, in my opinion, it didn't live up to the hype.

Well, after reading about this new place, I went to go check out this new jammy jam. Called Previti Pizza, it delivers (not sure if they actually deliver yet). I only tried the regular slice this time around. It was really flavorful and I loved the crusty crust. Not too cheesy, and not overly-sauced...it's definitely one of, if not the best, pizza in the area.

Definitely looking foward to trying their other products.

Previti Pizza
122 East 41st (btw. Lex+Park)
212-557-4992

Momofuku Ko

Through those doors lies 12 seats along a counter that faces into an open kitchen...where a handful of cooks are preparing lunch and dinner for people who are logging onto the Momofuku Ko webpage and clicking away at exactly 10 a.m. I've realized that my work computer server is god-awful slow, so I'd never managed to snag a reservation during the weekdays. Finally, I managed to get my ass in front of my home cpu on a weekend morning. Last Saturday, I was able to get a reservation for Friday, September 12 for the 10 p.m. seating...but unfortunately I had a commitment that night...so I made sure to park my keister in front of my desktop at home the following morning at a few minutes before 10...and lo behold, I copped another reservation. So, I canceled my first reservation and readied my visit to Ko for the whole fucking week.




If you haven't seen the pics by now, that's what it looks like inside. The stool I sat on is fifth from the back...








Anyhow, the place has been reviewed ad nauseum in the few months it's been opened, but I guess I'll add my two cents since I promised to write more often.

With the meal, I had the $85 wine pairing option. Honestly, every pairing was spot on...like dick and pussy...each complementing one another...drawing flavors out...making other flavors linger. I wouldn't say any of the drinks were bold...rather, they were crisp and clear and none were overpowering.

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...the 2nd song we heard that emanated from the speakers, as our amuse were being placed before us, was "Let Down" by Radiohead (one of my favorite songs)...so that was an auspicious beginning to the 2 hour trek my friend and I were going to endure and bask in.

Honestly, it'll be too tedious and I'm not in the mood to write about every course I had...so I'll stick to the standouts. The second amuse bouche were two mini-biscuits...and coincidentally, I had been fiending for a proper biscuit for quite some time. Sometimes, the world and I are on the same page.

Another standout was the pasta course...which were raviolis (I think it was a ricotta filling) with sweet corn and a whole bunch of other awesome stuff that I can't remember, as I got pretty hammered and didn't feel like writing down everything I was consuming. I did manage to get a list of the drinks I had, and next to each listing is the dish that accompanies it. It goes a little something like this:

Dish - Pairing
Bouche - Cleto Chialie, Brut Rose, NV
Fluke - Marco Cecchini, "Tove", 2006
Soup - Masumi Okuden Junmai Sake
Egg - Vina Godeval, 2007
Pasta - Jaboulet, Crozes-Hermitage, 2004
Halibut - Domaine du Poujuls, 2004
Foie Gras - Marco Cecchini, "Verlit", 2004
Duck - Ramirez de la Piscina, Reserva, 2001
Pre-Dessert - Reymos, NV
Strawberries - Alvear, Solera 1927


I have to say, the soup was the the most underwhelming stop in the meal, though the sake that was paired with it couldn't have been more spot on as a complement. My only other complaint is that I could've gone with one more savory dish...preferably the famous short ribs that had been on the menu for awhile...but alas, I was at the whim of the chefs...and it's not like I didn't walk out the door full.

Other than that, truthfully, every course was exceptional, barring the soup. Truly exceptional. The foie gras was otherworldly...no joke. I've never had anything like it. It was something fit for a king. Believe all the good things you've read about it...

Oh, and instead of the halibut, it was a scallop course (straight up, I had been in the mood for biscuits and scallops for quite some time...and it was baam baam that I had both in this meal) that was superb. For reals...damn good.

And for my posterity, the Glenlivet was awesome as well.

All in all, I wish I had more hands because I'd give Momofuku Ko 4-thumbs up. Good times...good memories.

Yakiniku West

A dope spot to get your grill on in the East Village.

218 E 9th St b/t 2nd & 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 979-9238

Check out this guy's review of the joint: Review

possibly my favorite korean restaurant in queens...

The joint is called Hahm Ji Bak...and I just got back home from a seriously diesel meal of unmarinated and deliciously salted pork belly with a plethora of side dishes (panchan). Funny story about Korean side dishes - there was this guy who went to a Korean restaurant for the first time...and it is customary for the restaurant to provide several side dishes for patrons. These side dishes usually consist of kimchi and various vegetables and meats. Anyfuckingway...so this guy who goes to the Korean joint for the first time...he sits at the table and the waitress begins to bring all these side dishes out...and the dude's like, "I didn't order this...I don't think it's for me". Yeah...that was a horrible story...

No joke though...this place has got it going on. It's got a sushi/sashimi bar as well but that's pretty moot in my book. The pork belly, called "sam gyup sal", is fairly priced for one order at $18.99 for two thick (though they label it as thin) slices of unadulterated pork belly. With the panchan that total around 12-14, you also get a bowl of rice, marinated scallions, a healthy bowl of not-too-spicy broth and several dipping options for the meat. I'm kinda getting hungry again. This is bad.

Here are some pics that I found that was from my first excursion to the restaurant in May of last year (it's pretty much the same thing now, as it should be, because you don't fuck with something that's working):







The restaurant has two locations, but I've only been to the one in Bayside. The addresses are:

Ham Ji Bak [Bayside]
210-22 Northern Blvd, between 210th and 211th Sts
Bayside, Queens, NY 11361

Ham Ji Bak [Flushing ]41-08 149th Pl, at 41st Ave
Flushing, Queens, NY 11355

I've embedded a map for their Bayside location for you because I'm cool like that:



View Larger Map

Cafe Gray

I don't really know what to say, as I'm quite ambivalent about the whole dining experience. This could be because I was completely wasted when I arrived at the restaurant, but I doubt it...but possibly maybe. I do have to say that the first three courses of our tasting menu were exceptionally phenomenal...but the restaurant's signature braised short ribs had much more left to be desired, as the mustard sauce we had was truly overbearing. The whole experience was greatly anticipated, as I had been wanting to dine at Cafe Gray for quite some time - about six months...probably longer. But even though I had built up the moment in my head, it did meet my expectations, specifically food-wise, whereas the service was barely par for the course. My only regret is having tossed the contents of our dessert course and petits-fours, which we were given to take home in several containers, into the middle of the street somewhere around Union Square. I don't even know why we were in that vicinity, let alone how I remember that we were...but yeah...it's been about two weeks since then and I think I'm finally letting it go.

So, would I suggest someone to check out Cafe Gray? Depends on who's asking. (edit: Actually, yeah...if you can afford to go, I would say give it a shot.)

On a relevant sidenote, Chef Gray Kunz, recently opened Grayz. The interior is beautiful and elegant and pure class. The menu is abbreviated, but there are enough dishes to whet appetites. All I've got to say is that they should have a live jazz band play. Here's the Brunski's review of the joint (Link).

Actually, here's a mini review I wrote up on November 30, 2007:

"was at grayz last night.

had a few drinks and grayz oyster rockefeller. the oysters were kush oysters, from washington. unbelievably fresh...melted like butter in my mouth.

the place is smashing.

the drinks were mucho dinero (which i guess is obvious).

chef kunz was in the house.

i was there primarily for drinks...but wanted to get at least one food item.

they had a white truffle pizza ($185) that i was contemplating, but thought better of it.

they had jazz playing on the house speakers. imo, they should get a live jazz ensemble that'll play for food and booze...so then at least the establishment can justify jamesons for $14 and $15 cocktails and have that true speakeasy vibe.

all in all, i'd much rather go to cafe gray if i'm going to get food...but if you're in the hood and feel sophisticated, yet laid-back...grayz is a nice and quaint little joint to grab a few drinks and hit your next spot for the night."

One other thing I should've mentioned in the above review, which Bruni had mentioned, is the inconsistency in chair and table height.