Seoul Garden

After an evening of shopping, it was actually just a couple of hours but it was getting closer to 8pm so J and I need food. We were suppose to either go to Food Gallery or Woorijip but ended up at Seoul Garden. It took us a while to find it because we were on the wrong side of the street, no wonder we couldn't find it! Then we have to walk up 2 flights of stairs which felt like 4, and when we got up there we saw the elevator working...

We got seated right away. The restaurant is extremely spacious. Their menu was like any typical Korean restaurant, but J wanted the Samchi Gui, Korean grilled fish. And I wanted something barbeque, mostly I wanted the banchan.

After our order was taken, our banchan came out in no time.

Six plates of yummy banchan. I'm starting to like kimchi a lot more than I use to. Love the spicy crunchy cabbage. One interesting banchan of the night which neither of us had before was the gelatinous plate of, well, jello. Literally smacked right int he middle of the photo was that dish, kind of gives you that skeptical feeling but it was delicious. The sauce brought it together because the jelly looking thing was just bland.

In this photo you see the lettuce also. Comes with the barbeque dish so you can do your wrap-thang. It's exactly what I wanted plus I get my favorite miso paste sauce along with it. That stuff can get really addicting.

The Samchi Gui came with the Seafood Soon Tofu ($19.95). Grilled king fish was bland which was why they give you a lemon that burned the crap out of my fingers. It is true, all you needed was the lemon because the fish already had a taste to it and you don't really need anything else to mask that.

Our favorite part of getting the tofu stew now is breaking the egg into it. I'm sure J feels the same as I, though I do wish they gave us 2 eggs. J accidentally ordered it "medium" when we were actually thinking of "spicy". So the dish came out as not spicy at all to us, bummer indeed but it was still good. Lots of tofu pieces in there which is a plus.

And finally, my Duk Galbi ($25.95) which is said to be prime beef. Come to think of it, it's quite a hefty price for that portion but then I factor in the banchan that supposedly free and my oh so awesome miso paste!

Seoul Garden was good, but not great. It's a solid place for Korean food and I wouldn't mind coming again. But next time, I'm taking the elevator.

Seoul Garden
34 W 32nd St, 2nd Fl
New York, NY 10001
(212) 736-9002

Dinner For One @ Joy Curry & Tandorri

It's one of those nights again where I have to stay late at work. The only good thing that comes out of that is the free dinner that I get. Tonight is Indian night and I haven't had Indian food in a long time, makes me realize how much I missed it.

I got a platter because it was the cheapest (not like it matter since the company is paying) and I can get 2 sides with it. It'll also be easier to spot in the kitchen since I know it'll probably be like World War II in there when food arrives.

It was indeed easy to spot. I was also grateful for the fact that they wrong on the cover what was what. I had gotten the Joy Platter ($7.95), I chose the chicken korma and sauteed okra, I love me some okra. It also came with naan and some sort of chutney. The naan were all packed together so I just took 2 sufficient pieces.

There was the plain ones and the garlic ones. The garlic naans were extremely pungent. Omg if there was ever a vampire, I would sooo turn it off. The naan were ok, until it started to get hard...but it was good when it was still warm, tasted great with the chicken korma.

Looked so beautiful. I was looking forward to the basmati rice. Having the usual jasmine rice at home all the time can be boring, so when given the chance to eat other types of rices, I'm so thrilled.

Chicken korma, it was a safe bet for me because I had this before and the description was something along the lines of cream sauce which means it wouldn't be too spicy because the cream usually balances that out. There were a lot of chunky tender chicken pieces.

I love okra. I got introduced to this when I first had my Sour Soup that my mum makes and I loved it. Then I had it had a Malaysian restaurant where they sauteed it with shrimp paste, delicious! So, here's the chance where I can try the Indian version. They sauteed it with tomatoes and spices. It was great, so glad that it wasn't mushy. Definitely had a little spicy kick to it.

I couldn't finish this that night so it was my lunch the next day. Because I couldn't put the tin container in the microwave, I placed everything on a plate. I was curious and started mixing all three things together and it was the best thing I've ever had. All the flavors combined and formed a really fragrant aroma and was so appetizing. I will totally get this combo again just so I can do that.

Joy Curry & Tandorri
148 E 46th St
New York, NY 10017
(212) 490-1277

Pio Pio

After much deliberation and an hour of decision, we initially wanted to stop by a Thai place for dinner. But because Pio Pio was literally next door to our favorite Thai place, J made the final decision and Pio Pio it was.

Surprisingly "empty" on a Friday night, it wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. Pio Pio serve Peruvian food, specifically their Peruvian chicken. That's basically what the restaurant is known for and if you're a vegetarian, don't even bother to read on.

There were options on the menu where they already had a set meal which included the chicken and sides. J and I on the other hand chose to mix and match our own meals and ended up paying a bit less than the set priced meal.

I was shocked at how quick the food came out. The Peruvian Chicken ($16) was so delicious and tender. It was seasoned perfectly and roasted to perfection. I would come back just for the chicken, this is what I call a good roast chicken.

We also had Salchipapa ($5) which was just basically fried hotdog and yuca fries. I mean, I think it was hotdogs because it definitely tasted like it. Whatever kind of sausage it was, it was pretty good, oily good.

A side of Saffron Rice ($4) to go along with the entire meal. The rice was ok, there were parts that were a bit hard. I wished it was a bit more softer and fluffier but the saffron made it really fragrantful.

Last but not least, we had their Mixto Ceviche ($16) for appetizer but it came out with everything else. The seafood was like swimming in vinegar which can get really sour and tart. There were calamari, octopus, shrimp, fish, and some vegetables in there. I really liked the calamari the best because it didn't soak up too much of the vinegar sauce, all the seafood tasted fresh and had a nice "bite" to it like seafood should have when cooked just right.

Pio Pio is one of the places I would recommend to go at least once because their chicken is something worth trying. They also have lunch deals which is great for a solo meal if you don't want to come here for dinner and fork out the $16 for a whole chicken. Whatever the case might be, it's still a must try.

Pio Pio
210 E 34th St
New York, NY 10016
(212) 481-0034

Lunchin' @ Sophie's Cuban Cuisine - Cod Fish Stew

As you can see, I've been to Sophie's quite often lately (which can also explain the weight gain I'm seeing - not good!) because it's literally across from my building. The convenience of its location made it a lot easier and also more tempting to go there. They also have different dishes each day from Monday through Friday to spice up your taste buds.

I saw they had Cod Fish Stew on Friday and knew I had to try it. I love cod, it's one of the fishes that I can eat every day. When it's cooked just right, the meat of the fish would just flake off and it's of a milky white color.

At Sophie's, you get 2 sides with their meals. I refuse to ever order beans with it because I despise beans. Rather, I've gotten my Cod Fish Stew with Yellow Rice and Salad ($9.00).

Yes, it's pretty pricey for lunch but the portions are huge and can easily be two meal. I was so greedy and fat that I wanted it all in one sitting.

I was afraid the salad would be too soft because they might've left it in the fridge for a couple of days and that the dressing was too watered down. Boy was I wrong. The lettuce was still fresh and crunchy, same goes for the cucumber and tomato. The dressing was a strong vinaigrette which was very appetizing.

Onto my beloved stew. I have to say that Sophie's make really good stew, any kind of stew for that matter. I always get rice with it because I love the way the sauce seeps around the rice and covers it in every way. So dam good.

There was a lot of cod fish pieces which I appreciate. Stewed with onions and bell peppers, the taste was so aromatic. The fish was a bit tough but it's because it had been stewed for so long. Fish doesn't get softer when you stew it for a long time, meat does. The meal was still delicious and I would definitely get it again.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine
Lower Atrium
805 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 308-1024

Breakfast @ Ess-A-Bagel

This bagel shop is right near my workplace which is insanely convenient. They have the array of different spreads from tofu lox cream cheese to chicken salad. They also have your cold cut meats if you prefer.

Breakfast in the morning is chaotic here. Upon entering, you would be completely confused because of the long lines and crazy zig zag to get to the end of the line. Lucky for me, there was only 2-3 people in front of me that morning. I was so relieved.

You have to know what you want here because once you're being called up, you tell them what you want and how you want it. They don't have the patience to be waiting for you while they have a long line to cater to.

I was craving for a bagel with cream cheese, but the usual cream cheese sounded boring...

Decided on an Everything Bagel with Lox Cream Cheese ($3.95). Don't know what I was thinking but I find myself not being a fan of an everything bagel. I totally forgot about the garlic bagel, and this one was so pungent. I'll stick to a plain or sesame, anything but garlic.

The lox was really good. Creamy and had bites of cured salmon in it. I think I enjoyed it more because it was pink...

Had a Small Coffee ($1.40) along with my bagel since I'm sure I needed something to wash it down with. I had no sugar in my coffee this time and surprisingly, it was bearable and tasted great with the lox bagel.

A simple spot for sandwiches, there are endless combinations you can get here. Next time, I'll be getting the tofu lox... yum.

Ess-A-Bagel
831 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 980-1010

Kasadela

Kasadela was definitely quite a walk for J and I. He wanted to take me here because he heard that their wings are pretty good.

When we got there, the place was pretty empty. Afterall, it was a Wednesday evening in the middle of practically nowhere. I wanted a glass of Lychee Sake but they were out, bummer. Instead I decided on something else and started ordering our food for the night.

The interior looked small but it can definitely fit a lot of people. On the other side was the bar and the bathroom. The restaurant is suppose to be Japanese based but the atmosphere doesn't give me that feeling. Felt more like a southern Asia place, like Thai or Cambodia or even the Philippines.

Ordered the Yuzu Chu Hai ($4.00) because it was still Happy Hour. Tasted really fruity with the slightest alcohol. Wasn't really impress with the drink cause it tasted like Japanese soda.

I saw Agedashi Tofu ($6.50) on the menu and suddenly felt a craving taking over. The tofu was nicely fried and the dashi soy was seasoned well. A great dish to start the meal with and also very refreshing.

Ah...the infamous wings which they are known for. The Tebasaki Wings ($10 - Happy Hour w/ drink) was really different. Fried and then covered in a teriyaki/soy sauce glaze and some freshly ground black pepper on top. Very flavorful. But I do find that with our second order, the pieces of chicken were getting a bit dryer and harder, probably been in the fryer too long.

The Salmon Tartar ($10.00) was a great disappointment. Definitely not worth the price that it was at because the chips were getting stale and the tartar was lacking in flavor. Nothing out of the ordinary and nothing special. I just tasted mayo and wasabi which is such a weak combination when it comes to making tartar.

I swear, the night has been a roller coaster ride with these dishes. Takoyaki ($8.50) was up next and surprisingly, it was really good. Perfectly cooked with the perfect amount of sauce. I think I might just like this more because they don't have that extra mayo on top.

Last but not least, an order of Grilled Squid ($10.00) to munch on with our Sake Sangria ($4.25). The squid didn't have any seasoning on it whatsoever, no salt no pepper. But, I like that because the freshness of the seafood came out. It was boiled and then placed on the grilled for the nice charred appearance and aroma. Very meaty as well.

So, the experience was just on the so-so side until the bill came. We got charge an extra $7 for something we didn't order. I personally didn't remember too well so asked the waitress to explain to us and even clarify it. Apparently they admit that they made a mistake and offered to pay us back the $7 in cash since they "apparently" can't void the previous transaction.

Besides that incident. Kasadela has 20% for students from Monday through Wednesday. I admit that it was our fault for not showing them our student ID before they printed out the bill but first of all a) why did you need to see both our IDs and b) you couldn't void the previous transaction and make a new one. It was funny because the waitress said we both have to be NYS resident in order to get the 20% off and when I whipped mine out, she says she can't run the bill again. Really? The service was really unacceptable and I don't know if I would want to come back again. Food was just mediocre and the service wasn't so great.

A good one-time only visit but do be careful of your bill towards the end for some "extra miscellaneous" charges.

Kasadela
647 E 11th St
New York, NY 10009
(212) 777-1582

Lunchin' @ Pho Hoai Restaurant

Came here with my mum on Labor Day for a quick lunch and then some grocery shopping. My mum comes here all the time but I don't frequent here often. The last time was probably some time last year...

Whenever I go with my mum to a Vietnamese restaurant, we usually order the same thing. I definitely didn't mind because it's actually pretty good and close to what we make at home.

I've been on a coffee binge lately. Gosh, I love some good coffee especially if it's Vietnamese Coffee ($2.75) with some kick-ass sweetened condensed milk. I remember when I was a kid and see my dad order Viet coffee, it would always come in those drip filters, brings back memories.

I love how I get to mix the cup of coffee with the condensed milk and slowly watch the color change to milk chocolate. Iced coffee is the bomb in the summer!

Mum ordered the Sour Soup w/ Salmon ($10.95) which came with rice on the side. We usually make this at home because it's a really simple Viet soup. There's a lot of ingredients within the soup and you can use the straight up fish sauce as dip. So good!

Vietnamese Sour Soup consist of anything from celery, pineapple, bean sprouts, okra, tomato, and bac ha (some type of Viet vegetable which I can't find the English correspondence to). The base of the soup is tamarind. Deliciousness!

I ordered an extra Crispy Squid in Garlic Sauce ($10.95) because for some reason I really like how they make this at the Viet restaurants. Caramelized onions on top of the squid with a bed of lettuce and pickled carrots and daikon on the bottom. A great sidedish when you're having rice.

Any meal with my mum is good. So, I definitely will be back. Plus service was quick and pronto.

Pho Hoai Restaurant
1906 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 616-1233