Rice

REVIEW

February 17, 2010


CUISINE: Asian, Indian, Thai
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, Fort Greene, Nolita

 

 

Nolita: 292 Elizabeth St. at Bleecker St.

Dumbo: 81 Washington St. at Front St.

Fort Greene: 166 DeKalb Ave at Washington Park

 

Rice is the UN of restaurants; the food is a smorgasbord of international flavors. The staple of the democratic menu is, intuitively, rice.  Though it boasts all of the normal kinds (brown, basmati, Japanese), there are special varieties as well.  You will enter a world of rice that you never knew existed.  For example, one can opt to have Thai black rice steamed in coconut milk, or alternatively, sautéed in garlic and mixed with edamame.  In essence, the menu invites you to curate your entire meal in such a manner.  Condiments are served in test tubes placed on every table, but those who want to go crazy can order sauces such as alepo yogurt, or chipotle mayonnaise. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 17, 2010 9:20am by Rachel Hochhauser | 1 comment





KI SUSHI

REVIEW

March 18, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO

122 Smith Street Between Dean and Pacific 

(p) 718-935-0575

 

Ki Sushi serves fresh fish and interesting rolls with a fair price tag.  An impressive list of appetizers, all in the $5-7 range, goes beyond your average sushi spot with dishes like sauteed broccoli with garlic and toasted pine nuts, and fried eggplant with miso.  The sushi rolls also will not disappoint, particularly the special rolls.  We tried the seared tuna roll with asparagus, caviar, and wasabi sauce which, for only $1 more, took the standard spicy tuna roll to a whole new level.  The Ki sushi roll was massive and artfully crafted.  The rectangular pieces of sushi were layered with tuna, salmon, and yellowtail inside, and topped with spicy, crunchy crab, avocado, caviar, and finally, a gold (edible) leaf.  This roll was so pretty, I almost felt bad eating it.   Though the special rolls do come with special prices, when mixed with some of the standard rolls, the experience will be satisfying, both in your mouth and on your wallet.  


Posted in FOOD on March 18, 2009 9:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





MOMOFUKU BAKERY AND MILK BAR

REVIEW

March 4, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Desserts & Bakeries, Japanese
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village

 

207 Second Avenue at 13th St

(p) 212-254-3500

 

The cookies are decent, the ice creams are highly questionable (watch out for Cereal Milk!), and the Chocolate Chip Cake is inedible.  Regardless, people love this spot, and somehow rave about the desserts therein.  We're not so confident with David Chang's proficiency with sweets, but we give this place a thumbs up because they sell the steamed pork buns to-go, and those are so tasty, we'll gladly eat them for dessert instead. 

 


Posted in FOOD on March 4, 2009 12:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





MOONCAKE FOODS

REVIEW

February 20, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Health Food, Sandwiches, Soups
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

 

28 Watts St at 6th Ave

(p) 212- 219- 8888

 

Mooncake Foods may very well serve the least expensive food in all of Soho.  You can choose from a variety of snacks, salads, sandwiches, and platters all for under ten dollars.  Wonton soups like the Snow Pea Greens and Roasted Garlic arrive in oversized bowls.  Steaming hot and full of flavor, they are the perfect cure for a mild cold.  Miso glazed salmon is the most generous portion of fish I've seen at a restaurant, if a bit overcooked. The whitefish tacos with hoisin sauce are just as a tasty as meat ones, and won't make you feel terrible afterwards.  The options are plentiful, and the quality of food is high, making Mooncake Foods the ideal spot for the budgeted, health inclined. 

 


Posted in FOOD on February 20, 2009 12:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





BLUE RIBBON SUSHI

REVIEW

February 20, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Chicken, Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

 

119 Sullivan Street between Prince and Spring

(p) 212-343-0404

 

The sushi at Blue Ribbon is expensive, and whether or not it's worth it is questionable.  The fried chicken, however, is a unanimous favorite, and the only item we’re willing to drop some serious cash for.  What makes the birds so delectable is a rather simple breading that includes matzo meal and flour, seasoned with togarashi peppers, paprika, cayenne, and sea salt.  The wings are served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce made with fresh wasabi and Mexican-imported honey. Blue Ribbon stays open really late, making it the perfect place for sophisticated late night munchies.

 


Posted in FOOD on February 20, 2009 12:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments