Katz’s Deli Review (NEW YORK CITY, USA)
Posted: April 12, 2012 Filed under: Food, Travel | Tags: Deli, food, Katz's, New York, sandwich, travel, USA Leave a commentWHAT: Restaurant (Delicatessen)
ADDRESS: 205 East Houston Street (corner of Ludlow St), New York City, 10002
PHONE: 212.254.2246
WEBSITE: katzsdelicatessen.com
HOW MANY TOBIES LICKED HIS LIPS IN HAPPINESS (out of 5):
(Yes, 6. The sixth Toby heard about Katz’s and insisted on gatecrashing the party.)
MY STORY IN A NUTSHELL:
- Simply that Katz’s pastrami sandwich is pretty much the best thing I have ever had the pleasure to shove into my mouth. This is what 125 of experience tastes like – heaven.
This is how Perfection looks. Photo by Gwen Pew, Apr 2012.
MY FULL STORY: When you think of sandwiches I’m willing to bet that you’re not going to be leaping to the moon in excitement. They’re good quick and filling, of course, but they’re hardly the first thing that comes to mind when you want a brilliant lunch.
Or are they? Because one trip to New York’s famous Katz’s Deli later, I am now officially in love with their world-renowned delis.
I first heard of Katz’s from America’s Travel Channel. Anthony Bourdain said he wouldn’t change a thing about the place, Adam Richman said that ‘if you don’t like it something is wrong with your mouth’, and seeing those two pretty much uphold the definitive pillars of good food on this side of the Pond, I took their word for it and decided to give it a go.
The slightly terrifying chaos that is Katz's at lunch hour. Photo by Gwen Pew, Apr 2012.
Looking back, it was a silly idea to go there during lunch hour, but hindsight’s 20/20 and we were starving. The queue stretched half way down the street when we got there, but luckily it moved fast and five minutes later we were in. In true New York style, the place was packed and so chaotic that even a city girl like me was slightly intimidated. Think City trading floor. After a lot of jostling, however, we finally reached the counter.
‘A pastrami sandwich, please.’
The cutter reached for his carving fork, went to the back wall where a large silver box keeps their meats hot and steamy, and speared a block of delicious goodness from its depths. He expertly sliced the beef, giving us a piece to sample. My taste buds swooned as the meat melted in my mouth, and my eyes widened as I watched the cutter pile on a whole pound’s worth of cut pastrami on to rye bread.
And then I sank my teeth right into what I can only define as the ultimate culinary masterpiece. No hyperbole could do this baby justice. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what almost 125 years of experience tastes like. No wonder every celebrity whose photo adorns Katz’s walls look so blissfully happy.
A cutter holding up the prized pastrami loaf. Photo by Gwen Pew, Apr 2012.
The pastrami was cooked to perfection, its flavour was rich without being overbearing, and the hint of mustard spread on the top layer of the bread added the final touch. It was an emotional moment. Never have I eaten anything that came this close to bringing me to tears.
In fact, it was so good that we decided to go back for more the very next day. It’s the first time that we have made such a desperate move but as we probably won’t be in New York again for a while, we agreed that the decision was justified. And I can assure you that the second visit was just as fresh and just as juicy.
All I can say is that if you happen to be in the Concrete Jungle, make sure you hit Katz’s up. Or else you’ll be regretting it for the rest of your life. The sandwich is worth every cent of the 16 bucks it costs.
Chinese New Year Special – ‘The Fortune Cookie Chronicles’ Review (USA)
Posted: February 3, 2012 Filed under: Books | Tags: America, book, Chinese, Chronicles, food, Fortune Cookie, Jennifer 8 Lee, review, travel Leave a commentAUTHOR: Jennifer 8. Lee
PUBLISHER: Twelve
YEAR: 2008 (Reprint 2009)
WEBSITE: www.fortunecookiechronicles.com
HOW MANY TOBIES WOULD CURL UP WITH THIS BOOK (out of 5)
Warning: it will get you hungry. Very hungry...
MY STORY: The problem with doing a degree in English, for me at least, is that I have now become allergic to most books. I apologise to those of you whose feelings just got hurt by my confession – I know, it’s like being stabbed in the heart by a blunt pencil. I used to get that too, but after almost three years of analysing many very depressing texts, it’s like a part of me has died. That is, until Jennifer 8. Lee’s amazing neon-orange-covered book resurrected my soul.
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, which is about Chinese food in America and beyond, was destined to be a book after my own heart as it combines three of my favourite things – good food, good travels and good writing. Having lived in England for most of my life, I am intrinsically fascinated by anything American, but at the same time I was intrigued that there was so much I didn’t know about my own Chinese culture. I never knew that fortune cookies have such a fascinating non-Chinese story behind it, or considered where takeaway menus originated, or thought about how large a part Chinese cuisine plays within the Jewish community. I therefore felt very enlightened by the time I reluctantly reached the back cover, as if I had just discovered a whole new world of possibilities.
Delightful and genuine, this book’s brilliance lies in the way that Lee managed to capture historical facts accurately with a quirky sense of humour, but without losing the human touch. It’s funny, sensitive and informative in all the right places. Her talents as a previous journalist for the New York Times shone through in her ability to translate thorough research into insightful and captivating prose. The language she used is profoundly simple in an almost Orwellian way (never, he said, use a long word when a simple one will do), and yet no meaning or intention seems to have been lost.
Chronicles is simply the best and most delicious thing I’ve read in a very long time. I got so into it, actually, that the book even came with me to class, to dinner, and to bed. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has a strong sense of curiosity, who loves food, or just needs a quick pick-me-up. Dear University of Leeds, please consider adding this to your syllabus.
My interview with Jennifer will be coming soon so be sure to keep an eye out!
Chinese New Year Special – Red Chilli Review (LEEDS, UK)
Posted: January 31, 2012 Filed under: Food | Tags: Beijing, Chinese, food, leeds, Red Chilli, restaurant, Sichuan Leave a commentAs promised, here is Part 2 of 3 of a series of Chinese New Year related article. Just a little review to tingle your taste buds…
WHAT: Restaurant (Chinese)
ADDRESS: 6 Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3DW
PHONE: 0113 242 9688
WEBSITE: redchillirestaurant.co.uk
HOW MANY TOBIES WOULD EAT HERE (out of 5)
MY STORY: Apart from family and friends, the thing that I missed most when I left China was without a doubt the food. Those of you who have been or lived there would know how much joy there is to be found in each glistening bite. I had largely given up hope on being able to find any proper zhongguo cai (Chinese food) in Leeds when I first got here, seeing as the city’s Chinese population is not as prominent as that of London or Manchester, and my own cooking is by no means ‘proper’. I have tried a few places around the Vicar Lane area, which were passable but nothing special.
But Red Chilli belongs in an entire different league altogether. It is, out of all the Chinese restaurants I’ve tried in England, by far the most authentic in taste, and impressive in menu choices. I’m yet to find a place outside China that does better ‘poached belly pork with garlic and chilli sauce’ than here. Plus you know a place is really good when a lot of Chinese people go dine there. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to impress your date, your friend from out of town, or even – as in my case – your mother. (I may not be able to cook amazing Chinese food, Ma, but I do know where to find it. And that’s got to count for something.)
Your eyes will get as much of a feast as your stomach with Red Chilli's almost psychedelic interior.
Specialising in Beijingese and Sichuanese food, their dishes are quite expensive if you were to compare it to the diddlysquat you’ll have to pay in Beijing or Sichuan, but of course, this is England. The portions are very generous, however, and everything is delicious. Expect to spend around £15 per person and walk out feeling like you need a few more pairs of legs to support your bloated stomach. Most of the waiters here speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin, which is a comfort when the occasional bout of homesickness attacks.
Do make sure you get there early though, as there is almost always a queue crowding round the door. Aside from that, it’s thumbs up all the way!
Amsterdam Adventures (II) – Places to Eat
Posted: December 30, 2011 Filed under: Food, Travel | Tags: Amsterdam, cafe, food, restaurant Leave a commentA compilation of my experience at all the places we grabbed some grub from during our trip to A’dam – enjoy!
B&B lunchroom (Sandwiches)
ADDRESS: Leidsestraat 44 (map)
PHONE: 020 6381542
WEBSITE: www.onzecatering.nl (Dutch)
The best breakfast I've had in a while.
MY STORY: After spending our first night in Amsterdam hungry because we couldn’t find any eateries near our hotel, we were desperate to scoff back some proper breakfast. We weren’t sure how good B&B lunchroom was, but went in regardless as it was the first place we came across – it turned out to be a very lucky guess. I ordered a hot chocolate and a chicken and avocado sandwich. The former was more whipped cream than hot chocolate, but the sandwich was phenomenal. It’s decently priced, and I definitely felt like I got my money’s worth. Ingredients were fresh, tasty, and everything was very well presented. It was clearly a rather popular hotspot, as there was a good mix of both locals and tourists. A great way to start the day.
Genroku Sushi & Grill (Japanese)
ADDRESS: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 115 (map)
PHONE: 020 4288809
WEBSITE: www.genroku.nl (Dutch)
A tasty corner of Japan near Dam Square.
MY STORY: As I’ve mentioned before in a subdued understatement, I love sushi. A lot. And so when the sign for ‘all you can eat’ floated into my frozen view, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Costing €17 per person, it’s marginally cheaper than places in London like Sushi Ga Ga, especially with the current exchange rate, but the choice of food was very impressive. The quality of the food is alright although, as its manager Fai admitted, not as good as their a la carte stuff. ‘So the grilled chicken for the all you can eat buffet, for example, would be fried and then grilled for a couple minutes right before it’s served,’ said Fai. ‘While the ones on the a la carte menu would actually be grilled properly. You get what you pay for, basically.’ That said, I still very much enjoyed lunch there. Just bear in mind that the green tea is non-refillable, so ration thyself.
Febo de lekkerste (Fast Food)
ADDRESS: Leidsestraat 94 (map)
PHONE: 020 6208615
WEBSITE: www.febodelekkerste.nl/eng/ (Eng – but just the Homepage, everything else is in Dutch)
Be confronted by a wall of food. Literally.
MY STORY: I’ve heard about Febo from some documentary a while back, so it was very exciting actually trying it out. The concept was revolutionary – it works like a manned vending machine which gets filled with freshly made fast food from the kitchen behind. There is a wall filled with columns of mini hot boxes as you enter, and after you insert the money you can open a flap and retrieve your food. Be warned that the sides of the box is very, very hot (I learnt the hard way for your convenience). They even have a free change machine on the wall opposite in case you don’t have coins. The actual food, however, wasn’t that great. Despite ‘de lekkerste’ apparently translating as ‘the tasty’ according to the waiter, it didn’t live up to its name. Worth going if you get easily fascinated by things like opening little doors, or if you’re in need of some late night drunken/high munchies, but if you’re looking for a good lunch then I wouldn’t recommend this place. There is more food that you can order behind the counter if you’re paranoid that the machine will swallow your money and not regurgitate your food, but the quality is unfortunately equally average.
Rembrandt Corner (Western)
ADDRESS: Jodenbreestraat 2 (map)
PHONE: 020 6274463
WEBSITE: N/A
If only the food was as nice the interior design.
MY STORY: From the outside, Rembrandt Corner looked inviting, and yet maybe the fact that it was completely empty should have set off some alarm bells in our heads. We went in regardless, and it was very disappointing. The food wasn’t great, and neither was the service (Mr. Waiter obviously found the TV more alluring than his customers). Its only redeeming factors were its location and perhaps its decor, but it would need a hell lot more than that to make up for its flaws.We ordered a rack of spare ribs and a salmon pasta, and the bill came to something like €30. We should’ve gone to a sex show instead.
Nieuw Albina (‘Surinamese’/Chinese)
ADDRESS: Albert Cuypstraat 47-49 (map)
PHONE: 020 3790223
WEBSITE: N/A
The place to go for very average Chinese food.
MY STORY: Having heard that Surinamese food is supposed to be quite renowned in Amsterdam, we decided to give this place a go. It turned out, however, that we underestimated what they meant by a restaurant ‘with a Chinese twist’. What they meant was that it’s essentially a Chinese restaurant with an identity crisis, and thus operates under a false pretense that it is Surinamese. We ordered a meat dish which was under the ‘Surinamese Specialties’ section, having already avoided the ‘Chinese’ bit, and the result was a small plate containing a few pieces of traditional Cantonese ‘roast meat’ like char siu. And it wasn’t particularly good Chinese food either. Not much to recommend here unfortunately, although the owners – an old couple from Hong Kong, which explains a lot I guess – are very nice.
20/11/11 – Sushi Ga Ga Review (LONDON, UK)
Posted: November 21, 2011 Filed under: Food | Tags: Chinatown, food, Japanese, Korean, london, restaurant, sashimi, sushi Leave a commentWHAT: Restaurant (Japanese)
WHERE: Sushi Ga Ga
HOW MANY TOBIES WOULD EAT HERE (out of 5)
Yes, they were showing Family Guy in the background. Win.
Spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, California roll.
Tampura prawns, fried squid rings, marinated Korean beef, Korean pancake
MY STORY: I was going to get pub food for lunch, but then the word ‘SUSHI’ dangling from a sign in Chinatown caught my eye and dragged my soul towards it. It is a universally acknowledged truth that I am a bitch for sushi, and so that was that. Interestingly Sushi Ga Ga is more than just a Japanese place – they do Korean cuisine too. The a la carte menu looked delicious and, compared with other places serving similar food in the area, relatively affordable. After not very much thought, however, I opted for the buffet instead. In return for £17.95 I got a healthy food baby – money well spent. I was especially impressed with their salmon sashimi, which was fresh as fresh can be, but the California rolls and fried squid rings were very nice too. Their Korean food provided an original twist to things, although I think their Japanese stuff was better done. Personal preference. The food selection was varied, and overall it was nice dining experience. I won’t say it blew my brains off and the wait can sometimes be a bit long (understandably), but it’s still worth a second visit. Walking out, I felt like an overflowing glass of champagne: full to the brim but giddy with happiness.
FUN FACTS: Most of Sushi Ga Ga’s customers are either tourists or students, so if you want to beat the crowd go during term time. Also, the staff all speak Chinese (mostly Mandarin, though some do speak Canto) and the Manager speaks Korean too.
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INSIGHT
Park, Manager of Sushi Ga Ga
Click here to hear about what it’s like for a Chinese/Korean lady to be in big bad London!
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DRESS CODE: Casual
ADDRESS: 16 Lisle Street, Chinatown, London, WC2H 7BE (map)
PHONE: 020 7287 6606
WEBSITE: http://www.sushigaga.com/
The City I See 