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Food, NYC Area

Beef Tartare and More at Locanda Verde

April 18, 2023 tremendousblog 1 Comment

As I slid through the boisterous crowd, my mind was completely focused. Only one thing mattered: beef tartare.

This is Locanda Verde, an Italian restaurant in Tribeca, New York City.

Locanda verde means “green inn” in Italian. The name is apt — there’s an inviting rear garden.

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“Have you been here before?” I asked the lady next to me.

“Never.”

“Try the beef tartare.”

“I see.”

Okay, I guess she wasn’t as excited as I was. More for your old buddy Francis.

Soon, the mythical dish hit our table. There was only one question — if I grab for it instantly, will I seem gauche?

Caution to the wind!

I gobbled one of the little beef toasts, delighting in the savory flesh dressed with fine olive oil. The bread is an airy sourdough, a perfect complement.

Eyes akimbo. Will anyone notice if I grab a second?

It seems not. Perhaps my dinner companions were a bit put off by raw meat.

Oh, there were other dishes. And they were superb.

I particularly loved the pillowy ricotta, surely one of the house’s most popular plates.

Nor is the mushroom pasta to be missed. The chef uses a mix of mushrooms, always the best way to show these fungi at their finest.

And never forget cake!

I contemplated a second piece of the chocolate tart, but even I couldn’t do it. I’ve failed you, I know.

The tart is rich and permeated by the flavors of cocoa and espresso. There’s even a slight crust of powdered sugar, carmelized by torch.

Locanda Verde takes the small things seriously.

Why serve a tart when you can serve a bruleed tart? Why use one kind of mushroom when you can use three, each with a distinct flavor?

It’s those little details that add up to a fine meal. My hat is off to Locanda Verde for doing honor to this food I love so much.

What’s your favorite Italian spot? Leave a comment and let us know!

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BBQ Stingray at Urban Hawker

The Pizza Princes of Grimaldi’s

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Food, NYC Area

BBQ Stingray at Urban Hawker

April 17, 2023 tremendousblog 3 Comments

“We should try the barbecue stingray,” she exclaimed.

“Are you serious?”

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Oh, she was. So on a recent New York evening, my friend and I found ourselves digging into something we never knew existed.

This is Mr. Fried Rice at Urban Hawker. Urban Hawker is an outstanding Singaporean food hall in midtown Manhattan that was one of Anthony Bourdain’s last projects.

Hawker centers are a tradition in Singapore, as well as Hong Kong and Malaysia. They serve simple, delicious food to people from all walks of life in a fun, homey setting.

The food is so good that these tiny stands have won Michelin stars, normally reserved for fine dining restaurants. In 2020, UNESCO even listed the humble hawker center as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Urban Hawker is the only Singaporean hawker center outside Southeast Asia.

Our little hockey puck erupted with lights and vibration — our food was ready! In life, there is no moment more exciting than this.

I gingerly carried the clamshell containers back to our table. Drop them and lose a friend forever.

“When is she going to get back from the bathroom — and can I wait that long?”

Her timing was impeccable. She slid into the booth and we popped open our containers, unleashing the smell of fresh fish and fragrant rice.

The sauce was a wonderful surprise — redolent of hot chili and deeply flavorful. I was rather unsure how to eat the fish, so I started with the massive mound of rice.

Each grain shined with crackly unctuousness. I crudely shoveled rice into my mouth like a bulldog at dinner.

Okay, let’s figure out this fish.

Stingray has a lot of bones. For Americans like me who are less accustomed to fish with bones, it can be a bit of a puzzle.

But as I plunged my fork into its depths, it soon rewarded me. The flesh is delicate and toothsome with a slight whiff of the sea.

My friend’s childhood in China seemed to have given her a distinct advantage. She surgically dissected the flesh with her fork, scraping the tines through the bones like a comb.

“Ah, that’s how you do it.”

It reminded me of when I took a Korean friend out for calzones. I neatly sliced mine and gobbled it down, smile on my face.

After a few minutes, I looked over at my dinner companion.

She had taken the calzone apart, turning it back into something resembling a pizza. Nothing had been consumed.

“How do you eat this?”

I guess she felt a little like I felt with that stingray. But for both of us, once an old hand showed us the way, we never looked back.

For all its problems, this is why I love New York. People from every culture come together and eat good food and are happy.

I hope we can do it for a hundred years. Cent’anni.

What are your favorite restaurants? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Food, NYC Area

The Pizza Princes of Grimaldi’s

April 4, 2023 tremendousblog 3 Comments

Pizza is a religion in New Jersey, ranking just below the Catholic Church. So I observed a moment of silence as I entered the inner sanctum.

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This is Grimaldi’s in Hoboken, NJ. Founded in 2010, Grimaldi’s serves outstanding Neapolitan and New York style pizzas from its 1000 degree coal oven.

After perusing the extensive menu, I decided to order the original: a margherita.

I tried to pay attention to how my friend’s week had gone, but I kept getting distracted. Just feet away, pizzaiolos were shaping dough with the skill of Michelangelo.

Whenever a pizza came out, I eyed it like a hungry dog. Shoot, not mine!

Then, the moment of truth. Our waitress placed my steaming pie in front of me, and I beamed.

Hoisting the first slice, I could tell the crust was crispy but not singed. Perfection.

Time for a bite….

I could almost see the garden where the tomatoes were planted. Fresh basil perfumed the luscious fruits.

This was the best pizza sauce I’ve ever had.

The mozzarella was soft and unctuous. The crust: airy and crisp.

You won’t find a better margherita. I made just one mistake: not ordering the larger size, like my friend did!

Perhaps the reason Grimaldi’s is so good is its attention to detail.

Every pizza is carefully formed. Every drink comes in a frosted glass.

That’s what it takes to be the best.

Grimaldi’s also has mouth-watering entrees like eggplant parm. I have to try it some day — if I can ever turn down the pizza!

Grimaldi’s is conveniently located on Hoboken’s Washington Street. It’s open from 11:30am to 11:00pm, seven days a week, and even delivers.

Stop in for the pie of your life!

What are you favorite pizzerias? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Chocolate Almond Croissant Paradise

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Food, NYC Area

Chocolate Almond Croissant Paradise

April 3, 2023 tremendousblog 6 Comments

Strolling down a side street in North Jersey, I popped into a small storefront. Inside: the best almond chocolate croissant I’ve ever had.

This is Petite B French Bakery in West New York, NJ.

In a town that’s historically Cuban, Petite B brings a different flavor. The owners, originally from France, opened in late 2020 to rave reviews.

I feasted my eyes on baguettes, lemon tarts, and madeleines. But I was here for one reason, and one reason only.

A chocolate almond croissant.

This is the granddaddy of French pastry. You get everything wonderful at once: buttery layers of pastry, smooth almond cream, and rich chocolate.

I ordered, paid, and scampered off like a mouse with a treat. Standing on the sidewalk, I gingerly removed the pastry from the bag, not wanting to lose a single almond.

I bit down through crunchy layers of pastry and nuts into the gooey interior. Perfection.

A good almond croissant is moist without being soggy. Its outside is crisp, its inside yielding.

Petite B does it better than anywhere I’ve ever been, even in France.

Petite B also has excellent prices. A cannelé is just 50 cents, the lowest I’ve ever seen.

This sunny bakery offers a lot more than pastry. Savory dishes like quiche and croque monsieur round out the menu, along with a wide assortment of La Colombe coffees.

There’s even a spacious outdoor seating area in the warmer months!

I used to have to go to New York City to get some of my favorite French foods. Not anymore!

Petite B is open every day but Monday. Closing time varies throughout the week, so be sure to check the hours before your visit.

I hope you enjoy this taste of France as much as I did!

What are your favorite bakeries? Leave a comment and let us know!

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More on food:

From Fries to Pastry, Lafayette Shines

The Meatball of the Gods at Pasta by Hudson

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Food, NYC Area

From Fries to Pastry, Lafayette Shines

March 29, 2023 tremendousblog 1 Comment

It was ice cold and the pancakes in front of me were driving me nuts. Why can’t I eat them?

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The first time I went to Lafayette, I was only pretending to have brunch.

I was an extra on the Netflix show Kaleidoscope, filming on the patio in November. Why did they have to pick a restaurant with food so hard to resist!

As the scene finished, I asked a Production Assistant if I could finally eat the pancakes. She took mercy on me and looked the other way. 😁

Even stone cold, they were delicious.

So I had to come back and try Lafayette for real!

On a recent Wednesday, I wound my way down the stairs to the private dining room. I’d barely sat down when first rate bread and butter hit the table.

When you try the bread, you know how good a restaurant will be. At an excellent place, bread is never an afterthought.

Next: an inventive frisee salad with bacon and poached egg. If you hate salad, this is the one for you!

The smoothness of the egg white and oozing yolk tantalize. The crispy greens and unctuous lardons bring it home.

Think shrimp cocktails are over? Then you haven’t tried Lafayette’s!

I have never seen shrimp steamed so perfectly. Every time I come, they’re just right — neither underdone nor turgid.

Out comes a rich mushroom risotto. The mushrooms’ earthly flavor suffuses the rice.

To think we were only halfway through! Now, the main event.

First, a giant platter of fries…err, frites. Then, a steak bigger than your head, a poivre.

And just to make us look respectable, we also got some lovely cod.

The fries were the highlight for me. How do potatoes always manage to steal the show?

These taters were crisp and heavily seasoned, the way I like them. You can’t make a good fry without a pound of salt.

“Who was the first guy who’s like ’That was a good meal we just had. I’m full. Are you full? You wanna eat a cake?’”
Jim Gaffigan

No one needs dessert. But what’s life without it?

So I cracked the shell of a beautiful torte and watched the chocolate ooze out. Awesome.

I needed all my concentration to construct the perfect bite. A little cake, a little ice cream, scoop up some of the chocolate — chef’s kiss.

But perhaps the best thing I ate that night was the almond pastry. It was flaky, nutty and moist.

Lafayette is above all a bakery. And though they turn out a lovely dinner spread, pastry is where they truly shine.

Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery is located in NoHo just east of Washington Square Park. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, Lafayette also has a lovely outdoor patio.

Give it a shot!

What are you favorite restaurants in New York? Leave a comment and let us know!

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The Meatball of the Gods at Pasta by Hudson

Whole Fish and Banku, Ghanaian Style

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I’ve used Misfits for years, and it never disappoints! Every fruit and vegetable is organic, super fresh, and packed with flavor!

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Food, NYC Area

The Kosher Kings of Reserve Cut

March 1, 2023 tremendousblog Leave a comment

Tiny tacos hit the table, oozing with juices of unctuous brisket. Good thing I got here early!

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Reserve Cut is a kosher steakhouse in the Financial District. Despite the emphasis on beef, Reserve Cut has something for everyone, from vegans to sushi lovers.

It was time for another taco. How can I grab one without anyone noticing?

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Next from the kitchen was a form of sushi I’d never seen. Rice was compacted and crisped to form a substrate for immaculate salmon.

Oh and there’s green stuff too! Scrumptious salad in fact — but no one else at the table seemed to notice. 🙂

The table grew tense with anticipation as the hour of reckoning approached. Entree time!

I had to be that guy. I ordered fish at a steakhouse.

No shame in my game — the Chilean sea bass was cooked to perfection. The chef knew exactly when to kill the heat, yielding a flesh flaky, tender and juicy.

The sauce was a silky smooth lemongrass citrus concoction. Acid is always a good pair with fish.

Feeling all healthy, I took the natural next step. I ordered a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream.

As I cracked open the cake with my spoon, a river of fudge cascaded across the plate. Carefully, I scooped it up, grabbed a bit of cake, and surgically topped it with ice cream.

The perfect bite.

Reserve Cut is just off Wall Street and everything on the menu is kosher. But even for us Gentiles, it’s a heck of a meal.

What are your favorite steakhouses? Leave a comment and let me know!

More on food:

The Meatball of the Gods at Pasta by Hudson

Whole Fish and Banku, Ghanaian Style

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This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 with great returns.

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If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get $100 in free bonus shares!

Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $15 on your first order.

I’ve used Misfits for years, and it never disappoints! Every fruit and vegetable is organic, super fresh, and packed with flavor!

I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.

Food, NYC Area

The Meatball of the Gods at Pasta by Hudson

February 23, 2023 tremendousblog 3 Comments

The steaming pastas arrived, creatively nestled in Chinese takeout containers. I thanked my personal God as I dove into the best meatball in New York.

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Pasta by Hudson is an outstanding little Italian restaurant in Chelsea.

Inside, there are just two tables. It’s always the holes in the wall that have the best food!

Pasta by Hudson does everything themselves. They even make their own dry pasta, which I have never seen anywhere else.

You can taste the difference. In my classic bucatini with meatball and tomato sauce, I could practically see the garden where the tomatoes and basil were grown.

The meatball was rich, juicy, and deeply flavorful.

And putting cheese inside? Genius.

My friend tucked into her shrimp scampi. Naturally, I had to beg for a bite.

The pasta was spicy, oily, delicious. The shrimp were still tender — a rarity in restaurants.

And by the way, the portions are huge. When she couldn’t finish hers, I selflessly offered the lady my assistance.

I love Italian food, but I hate most Italian restaurants. They’re long on ambience and short on actual food quality.

Some have degenerated so far that they simply reheat premade food! This is an insult to our ancestors.

At Pasta by Hudson, they really care. That’s where I want to be.

And it doesn’t hurt that the owner, Brandon Fay, has a big smile and a hearty welcome for everyone who comes through the door. This man is doing what he was born to do.

Pasta by Hudson offers a wide variety of pastas from carbonara to bolognese. I particularly love the salmon and tomato pastas.

And if you’re low carb, I don’t know a better salad in New York! Sauteed mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, balsamic — chef’s kiss.

It’s telling that the same level of care goes into a humble salad as the most complex dish on the menu.

Pasta by Hudson even has pizza! I can never resist the macaroni, but I really must try the pies some day.

If you want to eat some of the best Italian food in New York City at an incredible price, Pasta by Hudson is for you. Bring your appetite!

What’s your favorite Italian in New York? Leave a comment and let me know!

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This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 with great returns.

More on Fundrise in this post.

If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get $100 in free bonus shares!

Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $15 on your first order.

I’ve used Misfits for years, and it never disappoints! Every fruit and vegetable is organic, super fresh, and packed with flavor!

I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.

Food, NYC Area

The Noodles Anthony Bourdain Dreamed Of

January 17, 2023 tremendousblog 4 Comments

I stepped off the icy street into a bustling food hall. This is Urban Hawker — a Singaporean market that was one of Anthony Bourdain’s last projects.

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Hawker centers are everywhere in Singapore. The descendant of street stands, these food courts bring together people from all walks of life to enjoy dishes like chicken rice and pork noodles.

Singaporean hawkers were the first street food ever to win a Michelin star.

These humble stands selling some of the best food on earth captured the imagination of Anthony Bourdain. The chef and travel show host worked to bring hawker centers to his home, New York City.

The original plan called for a massive complex on Pier 57 in Chelsea. But negotiating the lease proved impossible, and the plan was abandoned.

Sadly, Bourdain committed suicide a few months later. It looked like his dream for a Singaporean market in America might never be realized.

But one of Bourdain’s partners, KF Seetoh, refused to give up.

In September of 2022, he opened Urban Hawker, the first Singaporean hawker’s market in the United States. While smaller than the original plan, it contains 17 stalls offering a wide variety of Southeast Asian specialties.

My friend and I circumnavigated the market, mesmerized. Everything looked so good!

“Let’s not get distracted,” I told her. “We have to make the right decision.” 🙂

We landed at Prawnaholic. Prawnaholic specializes in seafood noodle dishes, one of my favorites.

I ordered Singapore Char Kway Teow. The chef kindly substituted fish cakes for the pork, a thoughtful touch.

The dark noodles and glossy sauce had a deep, rich flavor. They reminded me a little of squid ink pasta, an Italian specialty.

The shrimp were perfectly tender, the fish cakes light and delectable.

My friend ordered an oyster omelette. She offered me a bite, and I couldn’t resist.

I thought I didn’t like oysters, but I was wrong! They were tender and delicious, not overcooked and chewy like so many others.

Next to our table were the beautiful cakes of Lady Wong. I only wished I had room — next time!

This is a market Anthony Bourdain would’ve been proud of. I only wish he could’ve sat there with us, eating and laughing.

What are your favorite restaurants in New York? Leave a comment at the bottom and let me know!

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Food, NYC Area

Puerto Rico’s Finest at La Casa

January 11, 2023 tremendousblog 1 Comment

We filed into the dim, narrow space full of expectation. I didn’t even know what Puerto Rican food was — but I was about to find out.

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La Casa in Hoboken offers Puerto Rican classics in a cozy atmosphere. Each dish is deeply flavorful and cooked just right.

For starters, we ordered a papa relleno. It’s essentially mashed potatoes stuffed with meat and deep fried.

Just what the doctor ordered! And as delicious as it sounds.

Next, I ordered the camarones al ajillo — garlic shrimp — with yellow rice and black beans. I’ve had gambas al ajillo in Spain, but Puerto Rico’s take is richer and more mild.

Spain’s heavily fragrant, oily sauce is replaced by a creamy one with a more subtle flavor. Even after I finished the shrimp, I lapped up the sauce like a hungry dog!

Unlike many restaurants, the shrimp are properly cooked. No tough little stones at La Casa!

The fluffy rice perfectly complemented the black beans with their deep cumin flavor.

I normally don’t like chicken breast — too dry. But my friend John urged me to try his, and it was moist and juicy.

Overcooked food is a common problem at restaurants. But at La Casa, they do things right.

On our way out, I swung by the kitchen to thank the cooks. They smiled broadly and one gave me a fist-bump.

When people take pride in what they do like the cooks at La Casa, the results are worth writing home about.

La Casa is open every day and in addition to the fine dinner we had, I’m told they serve a delicious breakfast!

There can be a wait on weekend nights. Given the small number of tables, they don’t take reservations.

On weekends, your best shot at getting a table right away is to arrive at 8:30pm or later.

What’s your favorite Latin dish? Leave a comment at the bottom and let me know!

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