Hungry Panda: July 2018

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Brunch at The Wren in NYC

We had book club at the Wren - a british style place in the Bowery area. Their bacon was so thick and delicious. First tried it in Nicole's bloody mary and it was so delicious I had to go the BLT. It didn't actually seem that unhealthy because of all the greens and because I barely at the bread. At least that's what I'm telling myself haha.

Breakfast BLT - thick cut bacon, arugula, heirloom tomato, fried egg, valentina mayo on sourdough, plus side of avocado.

Brunch at John's Pizzeria in Jersey City, NJ

Took my parents to lunch at John's. It was pretty empty when we came in but filled up soon after we arrived. I LOVEEE their garlic rolls. The best I've had and so perfect when you dine in. Made it hard to eat too much of my actual entre, but honestly if I just ate those rolls, I'd be fine.

John's Garlic Rolls - Fresh garlic, olive oil, and mozzarella cheese wrapped in our homemade dough. Served with marinara sauce.

another beautiful shot of the rolls

I got the Italiano Panini - Grilled chicken, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, and pesto sauce. I didn't love the bread. Kind of tasted like crust but very flour-y and heavy. Not good for pressing

My mom got the Margherita Pizza - Fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and basil.

My dad got the Soho Panini - Grilled lemon chicken, zucchini, mushrooms, fresh baby spinach, fresh mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers with an olive spread. He also didn't love the bread

Dinner at Fette Sau in Brooklyn, NY

For years have been wanting to try Fette Sau in BK for bbq. We managed to drag out another couple with us in the pouring rain. Perhaps because of the weather we were able to get seats on a Saturday night. The brisket was good as was the pork belly and sausage but not sure if I would take the trip to come back. Still love Hill Country too much to hand over the bbq title to anywhere else in the city.

Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, german potato salad, buns, and baked beans

Our plate of german potato salad, buns, watermelon salad, pork belly, brisket and sausage

Lunch from Dig Inn in NYC

I ordered lunch from Dig Inn, and it was insanely good. I got the charred chicken, which is different from the herbed. Much more flavorful b/c it's dark meat. This time I chose awesome sides too - all super filling and full of great flavors. The bowl was packed so I made it last for two lunches, so it was actually cheap for $5 per meal. I'm posting a second lunch I order from there a week later. It was so good had to order again!

Charred chicken bowl over quinoa with preserved lemon and lime leaf, cashew kale caesar (surprisingly spicy), jasper mac and cheese, and a lemon wedge instead of dressing

Classic Dig bowl - charred chicken, sauteed broccoli with lemon (huge pieces of broc), roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice w/parsley and garlic aioli. All wonderful esp with that garlic aioli. Again made it last for two meals :)

Dinner from Pizza Pie La Cantina in Jersey City, NJ

I finally got pizza using the Slice app, which is supposedly more helpful to small business owners. Sadly the pizza place I ordered from was terrible. Pizza similar to public school style pizza womp womp. It looked horrible upon arrival but even worse the next day. Will never order from this particular spot again.

A la Prosciutto & Rustica pizza. Sounded good but very underwhelming

Cheese pizza. Worse than frozen

Lunch from Domo Taco in Brooklyn, NY

I ordered to-go from Domo Toco - an asian fusion spot, again similar to Chipotle. Unfortunately tacos take-out doesn't travel so well. The tacos kind of got steamed so the tortillas were falling apart by the time I got to eat, which was only a few minutes later because the place was so close. I think eating it there or getting a different type of food would've been better. The meats were all tasty but I ended up using a knife and fork to basically eat the filling b/c the tortillas were DOA.

Three different tacos

Lemongrass Chicken was my fav

Braised Five Spice Pork - good but a little heavy on the spice

Teriyaki Steak had some mild flavor. Chicken was def the best

Dinner at Seamore's in NYC

Karem and I went to the Chelsea location of Seamore's. We got there in time for happy hour and were able to avail ourselves of happy hour drink deals - $6 for wells, drafts, wines. I didn't get oysters but they have a $1 oyster happy hour as well. I finally got to try the daily catch, which was wonderful, fresh, and healthy. We shared the lobster mac and cheese for an appetizer which was super rich and tasty, though a tad filling.

Three cheese lobster mad and cheese

Karem got the Blackened Shrimp tacos - w/guacamole, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and chipotle aioli

I got the daily catch with bluefish w/miso brown butter sauce, kale and avocado salad, sweet potato fries, and tomato, corn and cucumber salad. Loved everything on the plate

Lunch at Steve's Prince of Steaks in Langhorne, PA

The best cheesesteaks Dan and I have had around Philly has always been at Steve's. The bun is perfect - soft but with enough firmness as well, a little bit buttery. Meat well cooked and whole (I'm not a fan of chopped up little pieces). Plus they have provolone as a cheese option - my fav. Also easy ordering - American with for Dan, Provolone without for me.

Dan's American with

My provolone without

Lunch at Jianbing Company in Brooklyn, NY

I hit up Dekalb Market for lunch and finally got to try Jianbing. I've been wanting to for awhile but there's so many options in the past I've gotten distracted. It was cool watching my crepe being freshly made an the food itself was awesome, though a tad spicier than "mild" suggested. It's the same chili sauce, they just put less on for the mild it seems.

Jianbing - Four grain crepe, egg, scallion, cilantro, 13 sauce, chili, cracker with lemon-garlic chicken. I had court after so felt like chicken was the safest protein. Next time I went to try the jidan bing which is the scallion pancake

Lunch from PokeGreen in NYC

After my underwhelming lunch at Sons of Thunder, I ordered poke later that week from PokeGreen. Lots more options in terms of toppings, just a little more pricy. The sauce was a little spicy for me - next time should just get a regular shoyu.

Poke Bowl with two proteins: White Rice, Ahi Tuna, Salmon, Hawaiian Shoyu (Spicy), Cucumber, Edamame, Hijiki Seaweed, Sweet Corn, Beet, crab Salad, Masago, Pickled Radish, Seaweed Salad, Onion Crisps, Wonton Crisps and Garlic Crisps

My bowl all mixed up. Can see there are a TON of toppings

Lunch at Sons of Thunder in NYC

Nicole and I went to try Sons of Thunder for lunch. I've been wanting to try it for awhile but they used to only have a location in Murray Hill, where I never am. They opened a new branch in FiDi and we got a discount for ordering for the first time. It was okay but not the best poke I've had in the city. I still will come back though once they have malasadas, which I hope is soon!

Regular bowl - half tako (octopus) and half salmon. Came with greens, cucumber, and seaweed salad. Got it with a tostada on the side. I didn't love the dressing, which was a little too much acid for me

Dinner at Jollibee in Jersey City, NJ

Again, after watching a food show, we both had a craving to go to Jollibee. Tried some new things and concluded that their entire menu is awesome. Jollibee's filipino spaghetti is really solid - the second best I've had after my mother's. Their burger steak is delicious too, very loco moco-y but more of a hamburger sear. They also had a new side - adobo fried rice, which was incredible. I hope they put that on the menu full time.

1 piece chicken joy with jolly spaghetti

Burger steak w/white rice

2 piece spicy chicken with adobo fried rice. Dan didn't love the spicy chicken as it seemed to just be regular chicken with spice powder all over

All our food

Spaghetti all mixed up. Signature hot dogs visible haha

Lunch at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia, PA

Dan and I made plans to go to John's Roast Pork after seeing it featured on some food show. The inside to order was a little crazy, but luckily we knew there were two separate lines and we knew how to order, so it wasn't quite as overwhelming as it could've been. We grabbed a seat outside, and enjoyed the sandwiches but I don't think I like roast pork sandwiches as much as cheesesteaks. And their cheesesteak was solid but not as good as Steve's, which I think legit is the best.

Roast Pork with provolone and spinach

American without cheesesteak

Dinner at Ai Pho and Vermicelli in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I wanted to sit outside as it was a beautiful summer night out. We went to Ai Pho for dinner, and it was super hot inside but beautiful on their sidewalk seating. Food was delicious, large portions, and super cheap, plus it was BYOB so one the best value meals in JC you can get. Very solid Vietnamese option in the downtown JC area.

Summer Roll - Shrimp, lettuce and vermicelli noodle wrapped in rice paper, served with dipping peanut sauce. Loved their peanut sauce

Triple Meat Pho - Well done eye round steak, tendon and omosa with rice noodle soup. Beef broth rice noodle, topped with scallion, onion, cilantro, served with bean sprouts, basil leaves and lemon on the side.

Grilled Pork Chop over Rice Plate - Served with sliced cucumber, tomato, scallion oil and fish sauce on the side. I paid extra for fried rice, which wasn't necessary but very delicious

Dinner at Pr&ince in Jersey City, NJ

Nicole, Tracy and I went to Pr&ince, a new-ish spot in JC from a guy who used to have this in place in the Heights. The reviews made me worried that the service would be super slow and that we've never get seated, but fortunately we were one of the few people in there so the food came out fast. It's also still BYOB which is great on the wallet. The food was delicious and fresh but the menu limited. There weren't any appetizer options so we each just got an entree, and with no booze, it was a very cheap and delicious meal. I was mildly hungry after, but if they had apps on the menu I think I would've been okay.

Nicole got Pad Thai with pork belly - angel hair rice noodle (diff than typical pad thai noodles) with tamarind, coconut oil, mayo, fish flake, and dry shrimp

Tracy got the ramen with pork belly

I got the Signature Rice Berry w/pork belly

My food all mixed up. Super tasty and light

Lunch at Korilla in Brooklyn, NY

Had lunch in Brooklyn at Korilla, which is right by the courthouse. I love that it's Chipotle-style aka build your own bowl. I felt like I had a super flavorful, healthy, and not too expensive lunch that didn't make me feel aggressively heavy.

Rice bowl with bulgogi, roasted corn, baby bok choy and cucumber kim chi with the korilla (mild and smokey) sauce. So yummy

Lunch at Bareburger in NYC

I took my mentee to Bareburger for lunch. This particular one on Fulton Street is mroe fast casual - order at the cashier and then sit down. They've changed their menu a lot to be less exotic meat (got rid of a bunch of different meats like the wild boar and elk) and have multiple non meaty options like the beyond burger and impossible burgerr. They're also gluten-free friendly, which is not a concern for me but I honestly love their collard green wraps so I forgo the regular bun.

Side order of rings and fries

Sweeeeet Bird - buttermilk fried chicken, bourbon pear jam, green leaf, sticky sauce, stone ground mustard on a collard green map rather than brioche bun

Brunch at Buddy Who's in Jersey City, NJ

Took the 'rents to Buddy Who's for brunch. We got there at just the right time, as right after we got seated the place got insanely packed. I ordered one of their crazier dishes, and it was delish and super filling. I love the variety of their brunch menu but also that you get can order from their lunch/dinner menu anytime.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict - Toasted English Muffin and Hollandaise Sauce for my mother

I got the Pancake Sandwich - Buddy's Burger Blend, Bacon, 1 Egg Over Easy & Maple Syrup. Burger is delicious and the sweet salty mix with the pancakes was awesom3

Brunch Burrito - Eggs, Pico de Gallo, Jalapenos, Hash Browns, Avocado & Cheddar

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Lunch from Hale and Hearty Soups in NYC

I went to Hale and Hearty for the first time ever, deliberately deciding not to get any soup. I did the Perfect Pair, which reminded me of Panera's you-pick-two. The sandwich I got was really flavorful but quite small, which ended up being fine because the salad I got felt pretty big. Overall a good lunch and worth the price imo.

Picnic Fried Chicken - Crunchy, breaded chicken breast topped with house-made sweet pickle slaw, McClure's sweet & spicy pickles and Mike's Hot Honey. Served on a sesame seed brioche.

Chicken, Avocado, Cranberries & Walnut Salad - Grilled Chicken, avocado, dried cranberries, walnuts and tomatoes, mixed greens, with HH Vinaigrette

Home-made scallop pasta

My parents bought some scallops from 99 ranch. Dan sauteed them for me in butter and olive oil, and I made spaghetti with some peas and tomatoes for a light-ish meal. I ended up making a ton of pasta so I only ate about half. It was tasty just way too much food.

Dinner at Blue Ribbon Kanpai Garden in NYC

Debbie and I went to Blue Ribbon Kanpai Garden for happy hour/dinner. Super cute rooftop bar above a hotel. They have summer specials on monday with taco deals and alternating drink deals. Unfortunately the drink deal was beer so we just got some frose, which was refreshing but not that cheap. The tacos were inexpensive though on the small side. Very tasty but could've been bigger.