Mom and Pop Sushi & Other Adventures

52nd Sushi (52-21 Roosevelt in Woodside) is one of our favorite quick take out places in the neighborhood. A Korean-run sushi spot, it serves up cheap but impeccable sushi rolls and a few Korean dishes like Hwe Dup Bab and Bulgoki. A hidden gem located on a lonely, sometimes sketchy stretch under the elevated 7 train tracks, it's wedged among bodegas, dollar stores, and a liquor store (that conveniently carries a great selection of Korean soju and sake). From the beginning for us, it took on the nickname of "Mom and Pop," as it's a tiny family-owned place run by, well, a mom, a pop . . . and a son. Although the whole family is extremely friendly, the son, in his early '20's, is the only one who speaks English well and is usually the one to make the sushi. He always does an excellent job. (As a sidenote, the language barrier is a frequent dilemma around here when ordering on the phone for delivery or take out at many places in the 'hood). If we call and get mom, a comical conversation ensues that Margaret Cho would be proud of. The other day we called to compliment Mom and Pop on the sushi we ordered (the special 52nd Roll, which is a tempura shrimp and crab salad roll, and Rainbow Roll, both pictured above) and it went something like this:

Mom: Hey-aayyye?

RR: Yes, we just ordered some sushi from you . . .

Mom: No, no closed

RR:  No, we just ordered . . .

Mom: No mo' sushi, we close

RR:  No, we already ate sushi that we ordered there tonight and wanted to tell you we really   liked it - it was very fresh and good

Mom: Wha-a order?

RR:  52nd and Rainbow - they were very good

Mom: Ah! ok

I guess it's been a Korean (or Korean-Japanese fusion?) kind of week, because after ordering the sushi rolls several nights ago, last night we ended up going back to Mom and Pop for some Bulgoki and short ribs, (both pictured below). I was somewhat disappointed with the Bulgoki this time. It was a bit dry and wasn't as rich in garlic and spices as usual, but it still delivered a satisfying last-minute meal. The bento box version comes with salad, assorted pickled veggies, shumai, dumplings, California rolls, unagi (eel) sushi, seaweed salad, rice and miso soup. All this for only $12! What a steal. If only it were completed by Kimchi, then I would be in heaven. Maybe I'll suggest that to them - it's that type of place where they would probably throw it in upon request. The non-bento box version comes with rice, salad and soup and I believe is only about $8.

Beef short ribs from Mom and Pop

Mom and Pop's Bulgoki Box

As an aside, it's unfortunate that in a neighborhood with a sizable Korean population, there aren't more decent Korean options. For my Korean fix, I prefer to go to Midtown for restaurants in Koreatown (or Little Korea) where I'm never disappointed.

To continue the Korean (and Asian) theme, we also recently went to one of our absolute all-time favorite places anywhere - Spa Castle, a resort-like 5-story Korean spa located in College Point, Queens. You take the 7 subway line to the end (Flushing) and then a quick, free shuttle bus ride to get there. I was so mad that we forgot to bring the camera to capture the tasty Korean food we ate there in between sauna visits -- RR got the hot beef stew and I got the cold buckwheat noodles. As always, we ordered a bottle of Korean soju (a usually rice-based beverage similar to vodka and served neat) to compliment the meal. For dessert, we both went "green" - I had a honeydew bubble tea and RR, pistachio ice cream. Usually the Korean restaurant option is dominated by Koreans, with the rest of the spa crowd choosing the more typical hamburgers and french fries type of fare. For the life of me, I don't understand why, when you have the choice, you wouldn't go for the full experience. Korean food when done well is so comforting and satisfying and lends itself well to a spa atmosphere, especially the fortifying comfort food options. I love all the different small dishes of odds and ends you get as a starter, which is fun.

We did end up taking some pictures (below) on RR's Blackberry of our traditional pre-spa stop, Paris Baguette in Flushing, where we nourish ourselves with coffee and pastries before we embark on the taxing day ahead. This time, the red bean sugar donut was so fresh, I wanted to eat ten more. It's hard to restrain myself from taking one of each different kind of pastry just to try them out. Sometimes it's hit or miss. I ended up with two more choices beyond the donut - a somewhat mediocre tapioca stick donut and a soft and flavorful mango roll. RR chose a pineapple pastry and a walnut danish sprinkled with black sesame.

top left: red bean donut; top right: mango roll; bottom front: pineapple pastry

Paris Baguette pastry line-up

More pictures of Paris Baguette - it's a serve-yourself set-up. Those are cheescakes in the front.

To top off the experience, post-spa, before we jumped back on the 7 train, we were so thirsty we grabbed a few tapioca bubble tea slushies from the conveniently-located chain Quickly the "New Generation Asian Fusion Cafe." Lychee was the best, mango a close second, but green apple was too artificial. They sure hit the spot.

Edible Souvenirs

This recent article in the NY Times about edible souvenirs and the lengths people go to bring them back (and how it's just not the same thing ordering them online) got me thinking about all of the foods and beverages specific to a place that you can't get elsewhere and wish you could. So I came up with a list of some of my top faves from over the years:

1. Zhivchik (Живчик) Apple Soda from Ukraine: I was surprised to discover there's a Facebook group devoted to this apparently popular Ukrainian beverage. Although I haven't been to Ukraine for several years now, during one period, I was spending an inordinate amount of time there for work and developed a liking to this unique soda, which although marketed to children, Ukrainian friends told me is good for hangovers (which you need after consuming too much honey pepper vodka!). It's also supposed to strengthen the immune system, because it has echinacea and vitamin C in it. I would always bring several cans of this back with me, and beg my Ukrainian friends to bring it when they would visit. I have never been able to find it in the States, but it's stuck with me. It's a very refreshing carbonated natural apple juice.
2. Dick's Drive-In Cheeseburgers from Seattle: This is one of the classic Seattle establishments that has stayed true since 1954. Every time I fly to Seattle to visit my parents, right after or en route to the airport, it's a tradition to stop off and get our Dick's fix in the form of a Deluxe, cheeseburger, fries with tartar sauce and sometimes a chocolate shake. Well, the fries and shake obviously would not travel well, but you can definitely pick up some cheeseburgers and stick them in your freezer.
3. Beignets and Coffee from Café du Monde in New Orleans: Although you can now widely buy the Café du Monde products outside of New Orleans, somehow they just taste better bought there. Of course the ideal experience is savoring them al fresco in the French Quarter.
4. Lebanese Sweets and Wine: Lebanese cuisine in general is some of the best in the world in my opinion! Although you can buy Middle Eastern sweets in our neighborhood (including at our absolute favorite pastry shop, Laziza in Astoria), they don't taste nearly as good and there isn't as much of a selection. You can't beat these sweets (any kind and there are so many kinds) and can conveniently pick them up very fresh (although a bit more expensive) in the Beirut airport to take home with you (and for your friends if they make it!) Wine is one of my souvenir standbys anywhere I travel and I've perfected wrapping and burying the bottles in my checked luggage in a way in which I've never had any break (knock on wood!) If you're in Lebanon, make sure to visit the wineries. I've been to Chateau Ksara and it was a lovely experience. Of course, I ended up bringing a few bottles back to enjoy at home.
5. Halva Roll Torte (торт с xалвой) from Moldova: This is one of those desserts I've never been able to find anywhere else and it is a fav of RR's. Every time he goes to visit his family and friends in Moldova, he has to bring one of these back. There's something delectable about the combination of creamy sunflower seed paste halva (different from most halva you can get here, which is made from tahini - sesame paste), rolled up in spongy cake. Maybe some day I'll attempt to make one. Here's one recipe I found online.
6. Canadian Candy Bars: Why is it that candy bars from Canada have always seemed better and more interesting than their American counterparts? Whenever I'm in Canada, I go to a drugstore or grocery store and load up on ridiculous amounts of Nestle Coffee Crisp, assorted Cadbury goodies, and Macintosh's Toffee. On my last trip to Vancouver several years ago, I was so upset when I realized that I had left my big bag o'Canadian candy and candy bars in the airport.

I know there are tons more, but these were the ones that popped into my head first. What are some of your memorable edible souvenirs from places you've visited over the years?

Btw, here is another related article on bringing back food from the San Francisco Chronicle. And here is a list of what you can and can't bring back to the US.

No Mo' Bacon Bar

I'm the type of person who sees something unusual and is dying to try it, even often if it's just once. Pick the most off-kilter item on the menu, and that will inevitably be what I choose. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at least my curiosity is sated (until the next thing comes along). The Vosges Mo's Bacon Bar is a recent example. It's milk chocolate with bits of applewood smoked bacon and Alderwood smoked salt. In recent years, among foodies and chefs, bacon seems to be the 'it' thing (the so-called "bacon craze" which several sources such as this declare has "jumped the shark.") For example, bacon donuts like the ones at Voodoo Donut in Portland. But I am a big fan of bacon, especially D'Artagnan uncured heirloom and wild boar bacon, which I was thrilled to find a couple times in our local grocery store.

So yesterday while at Whole Foods, I finally decided to try a pint-sized Bacon Bar after having seen it several times. I was intrigued. Plus, it was strategically placed in the "impulse buy" section (fair play to you, WFs!), I was jonesing for something sweet, and it was on sale for $1.99. What did I have to lose? Well, definitely I will not be purchasing one of these again. The combination of the milk chocolate with the bacon was too sickeningly sweet and for some reason reminded me of bad Easter candy. A lot of times this sweet/savory combination works, especially with bacon. Think: waffles or pancakes with maple syrup served w/a side of bacon. (Actually this was cited as inspiration for this creation). In this case, it just didn't do it for me. The first several bites, I was wondering where the bacon was, as I just tasted salty milk chocolate, and then the chewy bacon bits began to emerge and come on too strong, not really melding well with the chocolate. Texturally, it was pretty gross. So after this, I am starting to believe that creative bacon use may have indeed jumped the shark.

For something similar that does actually work (but does not include bacon), I have to give a shout out to Seattle-based Theo Chocolates Bread & Chocolate Bar, which pairs dark chocolate with artisan bread crumbs and salt.

Restaurant Review: Basmati Table

So tonight we decided to give the newish Indian restaurant on the block, Basmati Table, a go. We've been talking about trying it out for a while, and finally tonight just seemed like a good night to get delivery from some place other than our usual trusty neighborhood Thai place (I Am Thai). Plus, I couldn't bear cooking - it's just too goshdarn muggy. We always thought it strange with all the diverse food options in the 'hood that there wasn't an Indian restaurant close by. For a plethora of South Asian options, you have to go to Jackson Heights (a.k.a. "Little India"), which is close enough, but out of delivery range for us. I could go on about my favorites there, but that's a different post!

After a look at the menu, we decided on the Chicken Biryani, Sag Paneer (which comes with Basmati rice on the side), Garlic Naan, and Vegetable Samosas. Thumbs up all around. Food was really delicious, fresh, and well-seasoned. The litmus test is often the samosa, and these weren't greasy, although they were a bit heavy on the potato, but it worked. A plus was the very friendly person taking the order on the phone and food delivered quickly.

Prices are really reasonable - the whole meal only came to less than $22 (before tip), even though according to Sunnyside Post it's billed as: "a high-end Indian restaurant in the neighborhood." Also interesting to note - I didn't realize that the place is co-owned by the owner of Bliss Restaurant, the neighborhood French Bistro that is right across the street. According to the Sunnyside Post, he decided to start Basmati Table, as "Sunnyside lacked a classy Indian restaurant."

In perusing the menu, we noticed there wasn't a huge selection, which is either a downside or an upside depending on how you look at it. I know Gordon Ramsay is always advising restaurants to simplify their menus on his BBC show Kitchen Nightmares, so maybe it's a smart move on their part. But I didn't like that the Tandoori Mixed Grill was only a combo of chicken and shrimp - usually it's the whole gamut and would've been nice to have some lamb too.

All in all, nice to know that we now have another good dining option in the area - most likely for delivery since dining out with a toddler is not exactly a relaxing experience!

Oh yeah, and finished off with a Trader Joe's Mango and Cream Bar, which is just like a mango lassi! Yum.

Cooking Channel: tagline "For Food People By Food People"

I just discovered this new food channel, which is such a good alternative to the very tired, plastic Food Network. I was so excited to turn on the TV last night and find the show, "Two Fat Ladies," which I understand has kind of a cult following. I hadn't seen it in ages. My mom and I used to love to watch these two unconventional British motor-cycling smoking heavy-drinking outrageous women with crazy-long fingernails cook. Kind of like more unrefined and completely unselfconscious caricatures of Julia Child. When I saw some other shows in The Cooking Channel's line-up, I started feeling nostalgic, reminiscing about watching all the oldies but goodies like cute little Jamie Oliver way back before anyone really knew who he was or associated him with the mainstream show he recently did that seemed to create quite a buzz. And who could forget Graham Kerr (aka "The Galloping Gourmet")? I still have a cooking tool - an indispensable scraper I picked up secondhand ages ago from his line. Of course he was a lot more fun before he quit drinking and got all healthy. :-) One of the first real meals I made for my family when I was growing up in the '80's  - Spinach/Ricotta Stuffed Shells - was inspired by another cooking show from the same vintage. I used to watch "The Frugal Gourmet" on PBS and then record shows on our VCR to cook later. The host, Jeff Smith, who was from Seattle, I recall turned out to be an alleged pedophile (yikes!), which goes without saying kind of put a damper on his career. But the recipe still stands today as one of my favorites. Although I couldn't find the exact one, and I just ad lib when I make it, for a fairly close version you can go here or here. The key is to use A LOT of garlic. I just made a version last night in the form of a pasta with sauce, not baked. Too bad we don't have any pictures to share - it was delizioso!

Viva La Cubano

At the park earlier today, (hubby) RR and I were feeling hungry and as often happens, we were both in the mood for the same thing - we agreed it was a panini kind of day. So I suggested a Cuban. It had been a long time since we last had one, (usually at some Cuban place in mid-town), or made one at home. We quickly looked up a few recipes on the Blackberry for a reminder/inspiration and then RR left to buy the missing ingredients at the corner store: thinly sliced ham, salami, turkey and Swiss cheese from the deli; dill pickles (only instruction: w/out HFCS); and a freshly-baked baguette from our wonderful local French bakery La Marjolaine. When he returned, I set to work cutting tomatoes and onions from the CSA (this addition was a bit of a departure from the more "authentico" version, but it was suggested in this recipe here) and compiling the sandwiches. I used Kosciusko spicy brown mustard and Trader Joe's mayo. There was a bit of a process trying out different pans to see which was the best fit for the job. I decided on the grill pan (hence the cool grill marks) and weighting down the Cubanos with a heavy cast iron pan -- this is key in making these. A copious spray of olive oil, turn once, and voila! They were delicious, esp. accompanied by leftover white wine to make spritzers, a quintessential summer drink. Usually I would add some side like kettle chips, but they sandwiches were pretty heavy. You know the best part? The little bits of grilled cheese left over in the pan.

the finished result

Welcome!

I like to cook when I have time and am in the mood. And I like to eat and try out new kinds of food. I rarely make the same recipe twice (with a few notable exceptions). I also have a husband who loves to eat and try new food, and who appreciates having a "personal chef." For ages now, every time we discover some new kind of food, restaurant in the 'hood, or try out a recipe, we've thought about posting pictures with descriptions. So finally we decided to have place to share a chronicle, if you will, our little world of food adventures.