Love the Lovely Ramen

Posted by Sarah DiGregorio at 1:22 PM, April 4, 2008

Rainy, chilly days are made for ramen, so for lunch I finally made it over to Hakata Ippudo, the newest contender for the East Village ramen crown. While Setagaya, a fellow Japanese import, is known for its salt-based broth, Ippudo traffics in tonkotsu, a long-simmered pork broth.

I got the basic bowl, the Shiromaru ramen original recipe ($13). This is a serious, substantial broth. It's the color of milky tea, and it tastes deeply of pork. The ramen is thin, like angel hair, and delicately wheaty. It's topped with slices of stewed pork, green cabbage, a tangle of black mushrooms and scallions. It's a contender, that's for sure.

But what's up with the pickles?

I can never stop myself from getting the pickles at Momofuku—they are just so freaking good, always. And since Momofuku and Ippudo are totally different spins on the ramen joint, it's really not fair to compare their pickles. But!

I ordered Ippudo's "special chef's pickes" and received a bowl full of seasoned rice vinegar with a few batons of daikon, carrot, bell pepper, cucumber and a lemon slice floating in it. It was pleasant-tasting enough, but nothing I couldn't have quick-pickled myself at home. And for seven dollars, it was pretty much a disgrace.

Also, the waitstaff are a little over excited for my taste. One waiter came over to ask me if everything was alright before I had gotten any food—which made me wonder if he was asking if I was okay in general. Then, when the waitress brought my check, she literally kneeled down at my feet and went over the bill with me, which I found alarming. Do they always do that?

But really, this place is all about the ramen, and it's so good that everything else fades away. And Ippudo is bigger than the other ramen spots in the neighborhood, which means shorter wait times and more ramen for all.

Hakata Ippudo
64 4th Ave
212-388-0088

Endless Summer: Cheap Mexican in WBurg That's Actually Good

Posted by Sarah DiGregorio at 12:07 PM, April 4, 2008

Today, guest blogger Araceli Cruz, an editor here at VV, tells you all about Endless Summer, a taco truck near her apartment in Williamsburg. Araceli happens to be from LA, land of taco trucks, so she knows of which she speaks. Take it away:

As a native of California, I’ve inhaled as much Mexican food as smog, but in New York it’s a different story, especially in my neighborhood––Williamsburg. Mexican food is scarce, at least in the vicinity between Metropolitan and North 12h Street.
Aside from their cheap margaritas, San Loco is an utter disappointment. Vera Cruz, which sits on Bedford Avenue, was actually really good, especially their chicken flautas and cheese enchiladas, but after they recently reopened, the flavors are dull.
Though recently, there’s no denying the carne asada aroma that’s been coming from the corner of North Sixth and Bedford.

The enticing scent leads to Endless Summer, a taco truck owned by two dudes (seriously they’re dudes) named Jeff and Curtis. The joint venture is almost a year old, though has only been making waves on Bedford Avenue for a couple of months.
I finally got to experience Endless Summer and was extremely surprised. My friends and I ordered a pork taco ($2.50), a chicken burrito ($5), a Mexican corn ($2.50), and a side of beans and rice ($2.50). They also sell vegetarian tacos and burritos.
The first thing that stood out was the tenderness of the pork and it wasn’t greasy at all. The use of light sour cream and queso fresco in the taco really enhanced the pork’s flavor. The (big) burrito was a bit bland, but their salsa gave it that extra kick. And even though I’m not a fan of Mexican rice, this rice was superbly plump and the pinto beans were juicy (just the way my mom makes them). The corn was also yummy, although it wasn’t grilled which I don’t mind at all because the steam preserves the corn’s flavor and juices, they did overload it with chile powder but the side of lemon cools it off.
Hopefully Endless Summer (without the brotherly bickering inside) will still be around this hot season.

Where to Eat off the Jersey Turnpike

Posted by Sarah DiGregorio at 9:46 AM, March 28, 2008

The New York Times opened up a readers comments thread devoted to places to eat (other than fast food) off the Jersey Turnpike. We ourselves have been so hungry while stuck in traffic on the turnpike, that we have resorted to Sbarro's pizza, which is almost better than starving, but not by much.

Predictably, there are a few winners who didn't understand the question ("Taco Bell!) or who would like to remind you that you should always pack a brown bag lunch instead.

But there are some good tips in the bunch—one points us to Newark's Portuguese and Brazilian neighborhoods, and one mentions a dive bar called Jay's Elbow Room, off the exit to Philly, where great Swiss patty melts can be had.

What's Irish? Reubens and Boozy Ice Cream

Posted by Sarah DiGregorio at 11:41 AM, March 14, 2008

Monday is Saint Patrick's Day—start planning your debauchery now.

Gridskipper has a round-up of places along the parade route to get reuben sandwiches (including a blasphemous vegetarian version) to soak up all the beer:

Irish-ish Heart Attack

Plus, for "agoraphobics," Serious Eats provides a delicious way to get Irishly drunk at home. And I think I will, thanks.

Irish Ice Cream Soda