New York Eats

Takin' a bite outta the Big Apple!

Tai Fun Taiwanese Noodle with BBQ Pork. $6.50. Sammy's Noodle Shop.

Delicious! Fuggetaboutit!

Hot dog with mustard. $2. Corner of Broadway and 40th.

A New York classic! The guy had a big sign that said Polish Sausage, Hot Italian, Italian, Bratwurst, blah, blah, blah, and finally "Hot Dog". Well, you quickly realize he only sells hot dogs. Maybe that was a wish list, not a menu. Anyway, I felt like a hot dog so ordered the Hot Italian. Nice.

Linguini with clams in a white sauce. $12.95. La Mela Ristorante.

A great linguini. Clams were fresh. Pasta was wonderfully al dente. The sauce was not too rich at all, which is definitely a danger when you stray from the reds.

They had this "lamp" made of duct tape attached to the ceiling. When the cord is pulled the lamp raises to the ceiling and lights up. The waiters were going crazy with this thing! Nothing like some 6th grade humour with your meal! Oh, I also liked that if you order some house wine (I got white) they bring you like a litre and a half bottle. Oh I took the hint thank you and starting pounding it back. After about a litre, I admitted defeat to the waiter and he's like, "oh man, we only charge you for what you drink!" I like this, it works out to be a lot cheaper than ordering glass by glass. Apparently this is what they do in Italy. Although, I never saw that. Anyway, the guy says well, if you really want the rest I'll give it to you for 5 bucks. So that's how I ended up wandering around New York with a half empty bottle of wine.

New York Eats without a Deli? Impossible!

Corned beef on rye (half) with pickles and Matzo Ball soup. $11.05.

Katz's Delicatessen.

The soup was pretty good. The sandwich was adequate. But I had honestly hoped for more. Schwartz's in Montreal is in a whole other league compared to this place. Well, at least in terms of smoked meat. But they seemed to have a pretty good menu - maybe the tongue sandwiches are their specialty.

The atmosphere was good. The walls are covered with pictures of the owner (Katz maybe?) with tons of famous people (with a definite New York theme). Lots of de Niro, Pat Riley, Guiliani, Bloomberg, firefighters, etc.

The staff wear these shirts that say "Send a salami to your boy in the army!". I admit I was tempted. If I was hanging out in Fallujah I would be so unbelievably grateful if a salami from Katz's Deli showed up. If anyone is feeling generous, you can order online.

Peruvian roast chicken with fried sweet plantain. $7.50. Flor de Mayo.

Riquisimo!! This was my kind of place. The staff are Chinese but they all speak Spanish. The menu is half Latin half Chinese, which pretty much matches the clientele. Very good prices. Reminded me of the Phoenix Restaurant in Toronto (Colombian and Chinese), except I didn't see anyone here cleaning the stove and walls with a mop.