Monday, July 5, 2010

NYC: Xi'an Famous Foods...

...finally opened up in my neighborhood!

I've been trekking out to Flushing since 2007 to satisfy certain cravings that only Xi'an Famous Foods could fulfill. See past posts here and here. But I have no intention of going to Flushing anymore (especially in this summer heat, haha), because they finally opened a location in the East Village.
Stopped by this afternoon to pick up a late lunch. This new location is so much cleaner than all their others. Air conditioning too! And enough space to seat about eight people - four along the counter, and four at tables. I got my two favourite dishes, one of which was the Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles ($4.50). By the time I got home the takeout box had leaked all over the place, so I had to transfer it to another dish. Lesson: make sure not to tip the bag when you carry this home or ask them to pack the sauce separately. No worries - still tasted just as wonderful. The noodles, are made from wheat starch, very slippery, and slightly bouncy. It's mixed with bean sprouts and chunks of wheat gluten, the entire concoction is tossed in a fire-y, garlic-laced sauce. The wheat gluten is the most awesome part of this dish, it functions as a sponge soaking up all the sauce. Serve chilled.

Here's a shot of the same dish from the Flushing location if you must compare :)

I also got the Cumin Lamb Burger ($2.50)...

...and a photo from the Flushing location. There was actually a pretty noticeable difference in quantity (not taste) when comparing the lamb burgers between the two locations. But I'm not complaining, this is still one of the best deals in the neighborhood. Not as easy to find reliable cheap eats in the EV anymore!

Hope everyone is staying cool today! :)

Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10003

Sunday, July 4, 2010

San Francisco X: Nopa

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! Am staying in town this weekend...lots of life admin to take care of plus a super birthday/cocktail party at Kathryn and Dan's. Had dinner at ABC Kitchen the other night and brunch at Hundred Acres and Otto over the weekend...too hot to go anywhere, so am mainly trying to stay near LOTS air conditioning!!

We have today, just a few shots from a lovely dinner at Nopa with Monsieur P. We had a late meal here after spending the day in Sausalito :)

Amuse: Radish, Mint, and Maldon Salt

King Salmon Carpaccio, Lemon, Fennel and Wild Arugula

French Fries and Roasted Garlic Aioli

Moroccan Vegetable Tagine, Toasted Almonds, and Lemon Yogurt

Housemade Fettuccine, Fresh Ham, English Peas, and Mint

P.S.
Thanks to Steph for pointing out the link on the The Boston Sandwich Register post from Grub Street! The post was in regards to the Bacon and Egg Fancy from Mike and Patty's in Boston. And thank you Carey for first telling me about the sandwich! :)

Nopa
560 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 864-8643

Friday, July 2, 2010

Sugar Rushed...

...for the week at Serious Eats New York. Plus Lunch for One at Hiroko's Place and Salumè, and cheese sandwiches from Saxelby Cheese. Hope you have a great holiday weekend :)

Lunch for One: Hiroko's Place

Sugar Rush: Saint's Alps, Reopened

Sugar Rush: Maple Hill Creamery's Maple Yogurt

Lunch for One: Salumè

Sugar Rush: Strawberry Pudding at Billy's Bakery

Sugar Rush: Fig Milkshake at Il Laboratorio del Gelato

A Sandwich A Day: Cheese Sandwiches at Saxelby Cheese

Sugar Rush: Wafels and Dinges