In The Loop On The Outer Boroughs

Hello hello, my hungry friends!

Last night, I learnt an important lesson. Well, a couple of important lessons.

1.) French fries dipped in ice-cream are not a good snack past midnight.

2.) The outer boroughs have INCREDIBLE food.

Now, I always suspected/knew this. I just needed... Affirmation. And it got me wondering...

What else is out there?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The name conjures up images of skinny jeans, lensless glasses and hole-in-the-wall bars with obscure names like "Kaleidoscope" or "The Village Bicycle". But what you SHOULD be thinking of?

Stk. Would you like to buy a vowel?

Peter Luger's is a legendary steakhouse. I don't use that adjective freely but "legendary" just about sums it up. If you haven't heard about it, you're either a social outcast, uninterested in food or a vegan. Either way, I don't want to talk to you.

Perfectly marbled, grilled to order and sizzlingly gorgeous, the cash-only cathedral of cow serves the Bentley of steaks. Big, beautiful and you can't help but wonder in amazement. Seriously, go try it and tell me you've tasted something better.

So, I've covered the American side. How 'bout something... Exotic?

A little while ago, I went with some friends to Astoria, Queens and tried a lovely little Greek joint called Taverna Kyclades. Heard about it? Didn't think so, despite the fact that their seafood merit their own Greek myths and legends. Broiled scallops. Grilled octopus. Succulent fish. Fried calamari. Just about any fish, shellfish or mollusk that could be cooked was a phenomenal culinary experience. I don't know how to speak Greek but the taste of delicious food is the same in any language.

Next up was the appropriately named Little Lamb in Flushing, Queens. This is a whole different species of Chinese food: you BOIL everything you eat. Now, I can see how the thought of boiled meat might not be so appealing but it was in-cre-di-ble. Trust me. The broth was sensational and they give you the option of spicy of mild (or both) and the menu, while almost entirely in Chinese, offers some delicious goodies (beef and lamb and chicken) and some more... Exotic options (tripe, intestines, grossness). Trust me though: the Little Lamb is big time flavor.

That's my update for now. Till next time!

Good eatin',

Your Hungry Asian.

The Uptake On The Cupcake

Hello everybody!

The cupcake. A wondrous invention. It's better than a muffin (I'm willing to throw down on that), not nearly as heavy as a pound cake (or at least it shouldn't be) and it's everything from its own meal to a dessert to an affectionate nickname. The New York obsession with cupcakes arguably started brewing from Magnolia bakery in the West Village. Yes, we all know about their legendary status but is it THAT good anymore? I would like to throw my hat into the ring and say, defiantly, no.

I've had quite a number of cupcakes in the last couple of months. People who've wondered where my posts have disappeared to need not look any further than my ballooning waistline and smile. Cupcakes. The word itself makes you smile. As if Willie Wonka himself got his little team of Oompa Loompas together and tried to come up with a name for this delectable little goodie. And what a job they did. Cup. Cake. Mmmmm.

So, here's the Uptake on the Cupcake. What are your favorite flavors? Both cake and frosting mind you. Merely picking one is being a novice. Is it a peanut butter cupcake with french chocolate icing? Maybe a luscious and unique carrot cake topped with a toupee of vanilla butter cream? Or are you a true New Yorker at heart and you're going for the local Red Velvet and Cream Cheese frosting combo? The variations are endless and delicious.

Where do you like to go? Is it the famed Magnolia bakery? Maybe the diminutive Baked by Melissa in Soho and Union Square or perhaps an unknown hole-in-the-wall bakery in Brooklyn that you don't feel like sharing? Let me know what you combo and location you think is best.

As for me? Right now, I've got a soft spot in my heart (and stomach) for the Banana cupcake with French Vanilla frosting from Butter Lane at 7th and 1st avenue. But the good thing about cupcakes is you don't have to have only one....

Good eatin',

Your Hungry Asian