NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: KUMA INN

Last week I went with my fam to Kuma Inn, a Lower East Side Asian tapas spot I had been to before, and loved. I was excited to go again. Kuma Inn is definitely a foodie destination for those in the know, for it's not too easy too find, situated on the second floor of an old building, above the Bulgarian bar Mehanata. Definitely a hidden treasure!

Once you find the place you will be in for a real treat of some great Asian tapas that are really well priced, with nothing above $12.50, making this a true great bang for your buck!

It's definitely better to go with more people so you can try more dishes, and another aspect to note it that it's BYOB which is not only awesome, but keeps your check low by the end of the meal! (Of course, when your mom pays for your meals, the check is always low--thanks mom!!)

My family likes to share (perfect for a tapas restaurant) and we got a bunch of great dishes.

A special of shrimp shumai was probably the best shumai I've ever had! I loved the chewy texture, the freshness of the shrimp, and the sauce.

Pan roasted ocean scallops with bacon, kalamansi and sake ($11) was absolutely delicious, and sat in very soothing sauce.

A special of calamari with a sesame sauce was really tasty and addictive.

Yellowfin tuna tartare with a rice noodle crisp ($10.50) was simple and refreshing.

Steamed P.E.I. mussels in kaffir lime coconut curry ($11) was also a very addictive dish. (I had the most empty shells on my plate!)

The Washington state, Willapa Bay oyster omelet ($9.50) I loved. It was unique and delicious!

We also got two sides of rice; the garlic rice ($2.50) and the coconut rice ($2.50), which were great, and I would recommend getting to complement the tapas.

Kuma Inn is one of the great hidden treasures in NYC. Not only is the food great, but the low prices will keep you wanting more. In this economy, sometimes it pays to search low and high for the perfect spot.

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St., 2nd Fl, (bet. Delance and Rivington)
New York, NY 10002
212-353-8866
www.kumainn.com

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: BANN

Last week I grabbed dinner with my fam at the Hell's Kitchen Korean restaurant Bann. Bann is the sister restauarant to the more popular Soho Korean hot spot Woo Lae Oak.

I've been to Bann a bunch of times and have always enjoyed my meals here. It's a large space with a great Asian decor and vibe. Surprisingly, I've never seen Bann crowded, maybe because I've gone before the rush, but, it is definitely worth a trip if you are looking for satisfying gourmet Korean cuisine.

Our first appetizer was Dungeness crab and leek rolled in spinach crepes with a light mustard sauce ($14). This dish was representative of most of the dishes at Bann; beautiful to look at and delicious! The presentation really adds to the dishes at Bann, each dish is almost like a work of art.

We also got an appetizer of Jap Chae ($12), stir fried glass noodles with assorted vegetables. This is a popular Korean dish and Bann's did not disappoint. It was great.

Our third appetizer was minced sea scallops and Korean pine mushrooms baked in a shrimp mousse ($13). Again, the presentation was beautiful and I enjoyed the combination of the scallops and the shrimp mousse.

A special scallop entree with three plump and juicy scallops, in a orange sauce, was unique, beautiful, and very enjoyable.

A fish dish of red snapper in rice paper braised in a spicy black bean sauce with soy beans, Ginkgo, and bamboo shoots, was again, unique, and quite wonderful.

We also tried a made to order tofu dish with black sesames and a chili sauce, which was different, but you really need to be a lover of tofu to enjoy the dish.

Our Pear Crumble ($8) for dessert was the perfect finale for a satisfying and beautiful meal. It came with spiced asian pear topped with buttery crumble and vanilla ice cream. It was simple, yet great.

So for a unique and beautiful Korean inspired experience, Bann is a great spot!

Bann
350 W. 50th St. (bet. 8th and 9th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
212-582-4446

www.bannrestaurant.com

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: FUSIA ASIAN CUISINE

Friday late afternoon I had a spontanteous meal with my good friend and fellow food enthusiast Allison Hagendorf at Fusia Asian Cuisine. I probably would never have gone there, but it is one of Allison's "go-to" spots and I was game. 

It was around 4:30, that time in between lunch and dinner, (I guess you could call it Linner or Lupper), and the place was nearly empty. We just ordered two dishes, and well, check it out--

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: PAM REAL THAI

Last night I had dinner at Pam Real Thai, my favorite Thai restaurant in NYC. I’ve been dining at and taking out from Pam Real for years, and I believe it’s one of the best and most authentic Thai restaurants in NYC. Ninth avenue between 42nd and 57th (Hells Kitchen) is lined with an abundant amount of Thai spots, and Pam Real stands out from the others. The flavors of all the dishes are great and it is a great bang for your buck!

I’ve had almost everything on the menu, and last night (accompanied with my friend Allison Du Val, the owner of the event space the Foundry in Long Island city) I ordered for us the steamed chicken dumplings ($4.95), fried tofu (3.95) , seafood green curry ($9.95), and a special noodle dish ($8.95).

The steamed chicken dumplings are stuffed with ground chicken and shitake mushrooms, and served with a dumpling sauce. They are also topped with some crispy garlic, which give them a nice little crunch, and the sauce is the perfect balance between sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness. It’s a great appetizer and they are the best Thai dumplings I’ve ever had!

The fried tofu, served with crushed peanuts and a sweet chili sauce, is really good too. The batter on the tofu is not too heavy, and it's the perfect appetizer for all you vegetarians out there!

The seafood green curry comes with shrimp, squid, mussels, bamboo shoots, chili, basil, and lime leaves. It is truly a soothing dish with the perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness. They don’t skimp on the seafood either; there are plenty of those “goodies” from the sea floating around!

​The special noodle dish I ordered was one dish I had never tried before. It was rice noodles sautéed with scallions, bean sprouts, egg, a special spicy sauce, and I added shrimp to the dish too. And I have to tell you, it was quite phenomenal! The dish blew my mind. It was basically a take on pad thai, but with a little more heat. I really loved the dish and will be ordering it on a consistent basis!

So for one of NYC’s best Thai restaurants, Pam Real Thai is the place to be. I should mention that the décor is pretty much non-existent, but they do have a sister restaurant, Pam Real Encore, two blocks away on 47th and 9th with a sleeker look. But when you are eating food this flavorful, for these prices, you most likely aren’t going to be paying much attention to your surroundings. 

Josh Beckerman, the NYC FOODIE, dines at Pam Real Thai with special guest Allison Du Val.

Pam Real Thai

404 W. 49th St. (bet. 9th and 10th)

New York, NY 10019

212-333-7500

www.pamrealthai.com

Pam Real Thai Encore
402 W. 47th St. (bet. 9th and 10th)
New York, NY 10036
212-315-4441

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: FREEFOODS

I have many ”go to” lunch spots in my Midtown 'hood. One of my favorites is FreeFoods on 45th between 5th and 6th. They just opened a new location on 52nd between Lex and 3rd with the same menu, and I went to check it out last week.

When I get lunch at FreeFoods I always eat from the buffet, which I believe is the freshest, healthiest, and of the highest quality of any lunch buffet in NYC. After each meal I always feel better about myself. The price is a tad higher ($7.00 for 1/2lb), but you get what you pay for, and in this case it is “full-flavored, nutritious, creative foods for a busy lifestyle” created by chef Matthew Kenney.

Another reason I love the buffet option is that I am a fan of trying a little bit of everything. For last week's lunch I had the spicy tuna inside out roll (with toasted sesame cucumber, and avocado), faro grain (with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and fresh parsely), lime and honey glazed free range chicken (with bok choy, avocado, tomato, and cilantro), Scottish salmon (with shiitake, pomegranate glaze, and rosemary), Portobello “Piccata” (with an almond crust, arugula, pomegranate, and parmesan), and roasted beets (with walnut oil, fourme d’ambert, and orange zest).

Everything was truly excellent, fresh, and delicious! This is definitely not your normal lunch spot. The quality of the food is on a higher level. With everyone talking about living a healthier lifestyle these days, FreeFoods is the perfect place to grab a bite.

FREEFOODS
18 W.45th St. (bet. 5th and 6th)
New York, NY 10036
212-302-7195
www.freefoodsnyc.com

150 E. 52nd St. (bet. Lex and 3rd)
New York, NY 10022

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: MOMOFUKU SSAM BAR

On January 1st I decided to start the year off right and went to my favorite NYC restaurant Momofuku Ssam Bar. I brought along my good friend, the “Lifestyle Artist” (and the voice of the Oxygen network) Allison Hagendorf. She had never been to Momofuku Ssam, and I was excited to show her why I love this place so much!

We started off with the steamed pork buns, which is probably the most popular dish at Momofuku Ssam (as well as Momofuku Noodle Bar), and I believe the dish that put chef/owner David Chang on the map. They come with pork belly, hoisin, cucumber, and scallions, and they are quite orgasmic. The pork is always perfectly cooked, juicy, tender, and succulent. 

We also had a half-dozen of the Beau Soleil oysters with kimchi consommé, as well as the cured hamachi with edamame, horseradish, and pea leaves. The oysters were refreshing and delicious. The hamachi was also wonderful. I loved the play on texture with the crunchiness of the edamame and pea leaves and the softness of the hamachi. The horseradish gave the dish the perfect little kick. It was a fantastic way to start a meal.

Next we had the poached chatham cod with matsutake dashi, pinenut, and black garlic. It was a really nice dish. Again, the textures were beautifully paired; the crispiness of the pinenuts to the tenderness of the cod. I enjoyed the flavor combination that the black garlic and dashi added as well. 

Then came dessert. And if you want to end dinner with a bang, this is the place to do it. We had the pb &j and the pear sorbet. And I must say, these are two of the best desserts I’ve ever had, if not the absolute best! The pb & j came with Heritage Station Concord grapes, and saltine panna cotta. The saltiness and sweetness complemented each other so perfectly; after the first bite I thought I was in heaven! The pear sorbet came with pumpkin ganache and gorgonzola dolce. The sweetness of the pumpkin combined with the gorgonzola dolce was such a harmonious balance with the tartness of the pear sorbet, it brought a tear to my eye!

Momofuku Ssam Bar is my favorite restaurant in NYC. All the dishes have amazing flavors and textures. The dishes are unique, different, refreshing, and I must say quite orgasmic! In fact, I used the word “orgasm” quite a few times during the meal, it was that good (Oh, and I also had 7 OB beers that loosened me up a bit)! So for one of NYC’s best restaurants, Momofuku Ssam Bar is a place you must go to. Don’t be surprised if you have an orgasm, or multiple ones.

Josh Beckerman, the NYC FOODIE dines at Momofuku Ssam with special guest Allison Hagendorf.

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave (at 13th St.)
New York, NY 10003
www.momofuku.com 

 

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: KOBE CLUB (closed)

Wednesday night I went to Kobe Club in Midtown for drinks. In typical NYC FOODIE style I ended up getting a little tasting of the food too, which was great because I had never been to Kobe Club before.

It's an interesting space with an automatic door that lets you into the narrow bar area up front with the dining room in back. From the ceiling hangs an abundant amount of samurai swords, and the booths are black leather. It feels like you are in the underground lair/lounge of a Japanese warrior (a warrior that enjoys steak).

I had the Diver Scallop and Braised American "Kobe" Short Rib ($26), the American "Kobe" Beef Cheek Ravioli ($24), and the Kobe Beef Sliders ($27).

The short rib dish, which came with roasted chanterelle mushrooms, was perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, well-seasoned, decadent, and delicious. I didn't even need the diver scallop on top, which was an added bonus.

The beef cheek ravioli came in a truffle broth and had a black truffle on top of each ravioli. It was a very rich and decadent dish. I had never tasted a dish where the flavor of truffles was so strong. It was new and enjoyable.

The kobe beef sliders were juicy and perfect. They came with onion, tomato, gruyere cheese, shitake mushroom, and a miso mayo. Delicious!

There was also a basket of cheesy bread that was really tasty and addictive.

Kobe Club is a great place to go to indulge in decadence. With delicious and addictive food, I say screw the economy, go for it! If you are on a budget though, they are running a winter $35 prix fixe menu, where you get an appetizer, entree, and dessert (a $125 value).

Kobe Club
68 W. 58th St. (between 5th and 6th)
New York, NY 10019
212-644-5623

http://www.chinagrillmgt.com/kobeClub/

PURE FOOD AND WINE

Last week the NYC FOODETTE (my younger sister) and I went to Pure Food and Wine, the popular raw/vegan restaurant in Gramercy. Now, I’m a huge fan of my meat, but sometimes I get inspired to eat healthy, and this was one of those times. The term “raw” refers to keeping all of the ingredients under 118 degrees. This was the perfect spot for my sister, who you can call a “Seagan” (she eats mainly vegetables and some seafood). 

The place is really sexy, with walls and chairs of red. They also have the most amazing patio in NYC, great for dining alfresco in spring and summer.

We decided to get the five-course tasting menu ($69) so we could truly explore this different way of eating. All the dishes were beautiful and looked like works of art.

One standout included the Winter Salad of Mache, Frisee and Wild Arugula in Walnut Birch Vinaigrette which came with Long Island apples, candied walnuts, and tea smoked cashew cheese. This was a great salad because not only did everything complement each other perfectly, but that tea smoked cashew cheese was absolutely mind-blowing. There is no use of dairy in vegan cooking, and this cashew cheese really tasted like cheese, yet it was made of cashews. Also, I’m normally not a fan of walnuts, but the candied walnuts tasted great and gave the salad a delicious crunch.

The appetizer of Asparagus Sushi Rolls with Mirin Soaked Forest Mushrooms with avocado, red pepper, sweet basil, and pepper gastrique was excellent. I have had this dish before and it is always great. After finishing the rolls you completely forget that there was no fish in them.

The White Corn Tamales with Raw Cacao Mole came with marinated mushrooms, salsa verde and avocado. I’m not a huge tamale eater, but it is safe to say this was the best I’ve ever had. All the flavors were delicious and it was an addictive dish.

One dish that blew my mind was the Winter Vegatable Tagine with Ceylon Cinnamon Date Cous-Cous with preserved cucumbers, olive flatbreads, and cheese stuffed picholine olives. This was probably the least attractive of the dishes, but the flavor combinations were superb. It was very unique and tasty.

Probably the most popular dish at Pure Food and Wine, and one I had enjoyed in the past, is the Zucchini and Local Hothouse Tomato Lasagna with basil pistachio pesto, sun-dried tomato sauce, and pinoli ricotta. Thinly cut pieces of zucchini take the place of pasta, a unique vegetarian take on this Italian staple. This dish is refreshing, a work of art, and ingenious.

You don’t want to miss out on dessert at Pure Food and Wine either. The Trio of Dark Chocolate Coated Indian Spiced Ice Cream Treats, which came with a chocolate cardamom coconut ice cream cone, pistachio gelato ice cream sandwich, and a chai tea creamsicle, was amazing! Like most of the food here, it was addictive and mind-blowing! (They don’t use dairy- the ice cream is made of coconut- I still cannot believe it!)

Pure Food and Wine is just like the Zucchini Lasagna dish: ingenious and refreshing. After every meal I eat here I feel rejuvenated, energized, refreshed, and healthy. The food here is superb and it is obvious much time and care goes into preparing each dish. The front of the menu states “Organic ingredients and handcrafted flavors that rejuvenate the body, mind and planet” and I couldn’t agree more. Dining at Pure Food and Wine can be a life-changing experience, and what better time for a change than now?

Pure Food and Wine
54 Irving Place (at 17th St.)
New York, NY 10003
212-477-1010

www.purefoodandwine.com

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: SOCARRAT PAELLA BAR

Wednesday night I went to Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea, a restaurant that specializes in--(drum roll please) paella! I like paella a lot, but don't really eat it often, and never had any memorable paella in my life. So I was hoping this restaurant would do this Spanish dish justice.

I actually first went by myself to Socarrat last Saturday, but the host said that the paella is meant for two people, so I decided to come back with a friend. It is a narrow space with one long black communal bar for dining. 

We decided to order one of the tapas they had, for we were told the paella takes 35 minutes to make. We went with the fried artichokes ($9). I really enjoyed the flaky texture and the lightness to them, although I wished the flavor of the artichokes came out more.

We decided to get the seafood paella ($23 a person), which came with chunks of fish, shrimp, cuttlefish, mussels, clams, squid, and scallops. I thought the seafood and the rice were well cooked and had a nice juiciness. Unfortunately the entire dish was extremely bland. Both my dining companion and myself thought the dish needed a lot of salt and some sort of kick to it. We were disappointed.

​Will I give this place another chance? Maybe. I would consider trying another one of their paellas, maybe one with chorizo, that would give the dish the needed kick. But for $23 a person, it had better not be bland. I want a good bang for my buck!

Socarrat Paella Bar

259 W. 19th St. (bet. 7th and 8th)

New York, NY 10011

212-462-1000

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: BAR BAO (closed)

A friend of mine took me out to Bar Bao, the new restaurant on the Upper West Side, formerly Rain. The redesigned space looks great; it's very large and very comfortable. The Vietnamese menu helmed by Michael Huynh (Bao 111, Bao Noodles) looks great... on paper. We ordered Daikon Duck Hash ($12), Chili Garlic Tiger Shrimp ($12), Berkshire Pork Belly ($22), Crispy Whole Red Snapper ($27) and Vermicelli Noodles ($14). Also, two desserts, not even worth mentioning.

None of the dishes impressed me. The whole time during our dinner I could not help but think about all those Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown with better, more flavorful food, for half the price! This is not a good bang for your buck. 

My recommendation is you can come for a drink or two if you live in the neighborhood, but then head to Chinatown to fill your Vietnamese food cravings.

Bar Bao
100 W. 82nd St. (at Columbus Ave)
New York, NY 10024