Our Top 10 of 2009

January 27, 2010 — wecouldeat

2009 was another phenomenal eating year as we sampled all qualities of grub from all over Gotham – we even made it to Staten Island! While we may not have lived up to all of our predictions from last year’s post, we did some mighty fine eatin’, considering how many awful Diner Cakes we consumed as well. Here is our list of the best things WeCouldEat ate in 2009. Yes, there are a few gourmet additions that are beyond our usual scope, but they are transcendent experiences. So enjoy! We certainly did!
(Click on the links and read our reviews, when available)

Most Creative Sandwich: Knishwich – Lansky’s, Upper West Side

Best Sandwich for $5: Baoquette (Classic or Chicken) – Baoquette, Murray Hill

Best Chicken: Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Redhead, East Village

Best Fish: Miso Black Cod – Nobu Next Door, Tribeca

Best Beef: Beef Wellington – One If By Land, Two If By Sea, West Village

Most Creative Pizzas: Wisconsin, New York and New Mexico Pizza – Sage General Store, Long Island City

Best Comfort Plate: Anything Really But My Fav is Pork Shoulder, Mac & Cheese, Brussel Sprouts – Mama’s Food Shop, East Village

Best Tacos: Fish Tacos – Taqueria Downtown, Jersey City

Best Fancy Dessert: Raspberry Napoleon – La Bergamonte, Hell’s Kitchen

Best Non-Fancy Dessert: Crumb Cake – B & W Bakery, Hackensack

Bonus! Our Favorite New Neighborhood Restaurant: Vesta, Astoria

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Holiday Bonus: Good Eatin’ Down South

January 12, 2010 — wecouldeat

Sometimes its nice to just jump in the car and get away from home. Spud and I did this for a week and had a blast. We drove from New York City to Georgia and back and feasted on some of the best grub this country has to offer.

Here is a sampler platter of the highlights in chronological order:

Best Crumb Cake Ever from B & W Bakery in Hacksensack, NJ

Real North Carolina BBQ from Parker's in Wilson, NC

Fried Green Tomatoes from Jestine's Kitchen in Charleston, SC

Shrimp & Grits, Butter Beans, Spoonbread, and Okra Casserole from Jestine's

Nanner Pudding from Jestine's

Edisto Island Potato Casserole and Sweet Potato Biscuit from Charleston's Cafe

Lowcountry Boil from Red's Ice House in Charleston

Jalepino Hush Puppies from Red's Ice House

The Big Nasty from Hominy Grill in Charlston

BBQ Ribs and Brisket Plates from Blowin' Smoke BBQ in Savannah, GA

Chili Cheese Cole Slaw Dogs from Nu-Way Weiners in Macon, GA

Seafood Plate from Fiddler's Crab House in Savannah

A Huge Lunch at Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House in Savannah

Key Lime Cake and Peach Cobbler from Marandy's in Savannah

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My Favorite Dessert of 2009

January 12, 2010 — wecouldeat

La Bergamonte Patisserie
515 West 52nd Street (10/11 Ave), Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown West

While it has been in the top 3 dessert listing in Zagat for years, I had never given must thought to La Bergamonte. I always wrote it off as some snobby place where the pastries would look great but taste like cardboard. Luckily, I was partially wrong all these years. Yes, the pastries look great, but they actually taste even better! And while I don’t know if it’s snobby, because we were the only customers, the staff was friendly, and who really cares when the sweets are this good?? The mousse mouse was rich and chocolaty, but the raspberry Napoleon was unbelievable! It was easily the best Napoleon I have ever had. The cream was rich with a thick texture, the filo layers were not too stiff and not too soggy, and the ripe whole raspberries put it over the top. It was one of those special food items, where every bite I took was a high because it was so delicious, but simultaneously a low, because I knew it was one bite closer to coming to an end.

The one downside of the Hell’s Kitchen location is that it’s on a boring side street and is easily overlooked. The facade looks like it’s a Midtown deli, but the inside is more sleek and modern. The Chelsea branch is more inviting, more like a traditional cafe. Either way, go for the pastries, they are quite remarkable.

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I Love You Mama!!

January 8, 2010 — wecouldeat

Mama’s Food Shop
200 East 3rd Street (A/B), East Village

goldenbonzone
Yes, I love my Mama, but her cooking certainly does not compare with my beloved Mama’s Food Shop in the East Village. It’s been serving heaping plates of delicious down-home comfort food since 1995, and I’ve been an obedient, loyal customer since the beginning. Mama’s is set up like a traditional Southern cafeteria where the customer lines up at the counter, is served food straight from the abundant tray table, pays, grabs a table, and stuffs his/her face. The proteins include fried and baked chicken, meatloaf, and the new tilapia and pork shoulder offerings. They are all good, although the pork is my current fav. Unlike most menus, the carbs and veggies are just as important here. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes are done in the ultra-comforting classic way. The brussel sprouts, braised kale, and German potato salad are other favorites- hell, all 14 choices are my favorites. They cook everything with love – just as Mama should. The exceedingly casual East Village vibe is always a plus when gnawing on chicken bones and stuffing one’s face with mac & cheese. While I recommend the ginger-mint iced tea, I can’t recommend the desserts because I’ve never tried them. After tackling the enormous main dish mounds, I’ve never had room. Mama’s not only gets a big fat Golden Bonzone, it also gets a coveted Hall of Fame selection. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that you get 1 meat and 2 sides for $13 – and that includes tax and tip! Plus it’s BYOB. So now you know why I love Mama…

Posted in GOLDEN BONZONE, american, down home, east village. 1 Comment »

No Bull Here

January 6, 2010 — wecouldeat

Dos Toros
137 4th Avenue (12th St)

Think of Dos Toros as a fresher, greener, local version of Chipotle and Qdoba. This small eatery serves large San Francisco Mission-style burritos. The menu is very basic: pork, chicken or steak in a burrito, taco, quesadilla or on a plate. There’s also guacamole and chips. Everything is made to order right in front or you and all the meats are top quality and other ingredients are organic. Even the plates and plastic ware are sustainable. I enjoyed the large, flavorful pork burrito. I hope the quality food and sustainable practices of small California eateries moving east becomes a trend here.

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