100 Memorable Meals WeCouldAte
May 18, 2010 — wecouldeatIn honor of our 100th post, the researchers at WeCouldEat have scoured the archives and compiled the 100 most memorable meals WeCouldAte. 93% are good to fantastic, 4% are poor, and 3% just plain wacky…
Enjoy, I certainly did,
Scott
The Masked Mexican Mystery
April 19, 2010 — wecouldeatCascabel Taqueria
1542 2nd Ave (80/81 st), Upper East Side
Simply stated, I really want to like Cascabel, there’s nothing really wrong with it, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on why I wasn’t happier there… Cascabel is a little storefront taco place on 2nd Ave that opened a few months ago. The food is good, the signature tacos are quite flavorful and tasty. We tried two standard ones: the camaron and the carnitas. Both the shrimp and the pork were cooked well and the tacos were well-dressed with high quality versions of the standard taco fillings. We tried the rich cheese slathered corn on the cob, and the quinoa and beans – an upscale, healthier version of the standard rice & beans. The fresh squeezed lime aqua fresca was delicious and refreshing. So the food isn’t the problem here. It’s not cheap ($7.50 for 2 tacos), but certainly a good value for the neighborhood. The patron orders at the counter, and the food is delivered at the table, and drinks are refreshed by a server, all of whom are helpful. I even really liked the decor of the Mexican wrestlers, which provided a unique Mexican vibe. The seating was one problem, because it’s a tiny place with only a few tables, so I felt a little cramped and rushed, plus people waiting for tables are standing over you. But I guess overall, I think my main gripe is that it’s just too contrived. It’s not authentic. It’s just a little too well-executed for a “taco stand”. But I guess it’s an Upper East Side version, so while it isn’t my favorite, I’m sure most people in the area will love it. And if my arm is twisted, I’m sure I’d return for a few tacos and cervezas.
Our Top 10 of 2009
January 27, 2010 — wecouldeat2009 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
Gourmet Spring Pizza
April 27, 2009 — wecouldeatWe usually limit our blog posts to food we’ve consumed outside our home, but we’ve made an exception to thank the generous people at Ile de France Cheese. They recently sent us a beautiful hunk of their versatile Camembert cheese. We decided that we’d make a gourmet pizza using the rich and creamy Camembert instead of mozzarella. We sauteed a pile of onions in some olive oil and balsamic dressing, portioned it over 6 large pitas, added cooked chicken breast, sliced fresh pears, and the Camembert. We baked them at 350 degrees until browned and melty. Then we topped with some diced green onions. It was a delicious springtime dinner. Thanks Ile de France!
Check out our previous Camembert recipe!
Our Top 10 of 2008
January 22, 2009 — wecouldeat2008 was a good year for us in the GrubHub. Having a blog was a new dimension for us when we ate away from home. We had to constantly remember our camera and not be afraid to take multiple shots in uptight dining rooms. We were somewhat successful in venturing out to different neighborhoods (Red Hook, Woodside), investigating new cuisines (Vietnamese, Egyptian, Vegetarian, Czech) and even trying scary places in our hood (Roti Boti, Istria Sports Club). We generally have found that the more adventurous we were, the richer the rewards.
In 2009 we would like to further investigate the plethora of ethnic delights that is Queens, particularly Jackson Heights and Flushing. We would like to try some of the old New York historic landmarks that have escaped us so far. There will be more eating tours, more new cuisines, and hopefully special reports on the best in street vendors and the worst in diner cakes. Stay tuned!
Here is our list of the 10 best and most memorable dishes we ate in New York City in 2008.
The list is in no particular order. The links are to our reviews. Enjoy.
Season’s Eatings,
-WeCouldEat and Spud
Spud
* Spicy Chicken Nachos – Noche Mexicano, Upper West Side
* Chicken Mofongo – El Malecon, Upper West Side
* Lobster Roll – Pearl Oyster Bar, West Village (no review)
* Lamb Brains and Cheeks – Kebab Cafe, Astoria
* Chocolate Cake – The Chocolate Room, Park Slope (no review)
* Pupusas – Red Hook Ball Fields, Red Hook
* Fries with War Sauce – Pomme Frites, East Village
* Whoopie Pies – Baked, Red Hook
* French Onion Soup – Florent, Meatpacking Dsitrict
* Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich – Bao Noodles, Gramercy Park
WeCouldEat
* Tres Leches Cake – El Malecon, Upper West Side
* Grilled Octopus – Philoxenia, Astoria
* Fries with War Sauce – Pomme Frites, East Village
* Lamb Brains and Cheeks – Kebab Cafe, Astoria
* Whoopie Pies – Baked, Red Hook
* Roast Beef, Mozzarella & Fried Eggplant Hero – Defonte’s, Red Hook
* Chocolate Cake – The Chocolate Room, Park Slope (no review)
* Pupusas – Red Hook Ball Fields, Red Hook
* Garlic Duck – Sweet Basil, Woodside
* Lobster Roll - Pearl Oyster Bar, West Village (no review)
Spontaneous East Village Tour
October 21, 2008 — wecouldeatIt was a beautiful Friday afternoon and we found ourselves in the East Village surrounded by many tantalizing grub-tastic options. Why should we go to a single eatery and have another moderately priced sit-down dinner, when we could eat at 5 or 6 fun funky joints? We should not. We did not. We created an on-the-spot tour and enjoyed grub from Belgium, Vietnam, Mexico, and Israel – for the price of a standard boring meal.
1st stop:
Pomme Frites
123 Second Ave (7th/St Marks), NYC
This well-known counter/tiny storefront has arguably the best fries on the planet. They are slightly less thick than steak fries and perfectly crispy and salty. They are scrumptious on their own, but the creative plethora of sauces puts them on an even higher level. We had the Vietnamese Pineapple Mayo, Wasabi Mayo and War Sauce (Frite Sauce, Peanut Satay and Raw Onion). All were incredible. Of course my lady, Spud, was in potato heaven. This is a craving we’d have daily if we lived in the hood. There are only maybe 12 seats, but the place has faux Belgian feel. The fries come in a paper cone and all the tables have little holes that fit the cone. It’s a nice touch. And all for $7.
2nd stop:
Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches
150 2nd St (A/B), NYC
I had heard about Nicky’s awhile back, but never got there until now. The facade is a regular awning and the inside is nothing special either. There are 3 small tables and looking around you might think you were in a pizza place or coffee spot. The Simpsons DVD was playing in a loop on the flat-screen TV. The vibe is a low key neighborhood feel that caters to a lot of regulars. Spud and I split a Classic Vietnamese Sandwich: Pâté, Vietnamese ham, roasted ground pork, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and mayo on a toasted French baguette. The melange of ingredients yielded complex interesting flavors and textures – it was tasty. The ground pork and pickles carrots stood out to me more than the other ingredients. While I did enjoy it, I don’t think it will be a destination for us. Although I would definitely eat it again and try some of the other sandwiches: Chicken, Sardine and Pork Chop. It certainly makes for a better lunch than a standard grilled chicken or deli sandwich. $5.
3rd stop:
Snack Dragon Taco Shack
199 East 3rd Street (Ave B), NYC
I found this place on Menupages and its name makes for a decent description. It’s a window with one employee and a few chairs outside. As small as it is, it definitely has a funky Avenue B attitude. It is directly across from Mama’s Food Shop – one of our all-time favorites. There are Christmas lights up and an eclectic mix of info and kitsch. We ordered a carne asada taco and it was delicious and beautiful looking. The blue corn tortilla contrasted with the red salsa and bright green herbs. The meat was tender and spices were authentic. This is not a typical fast food taco. My only regret is that we did not order several. They are really good and really difficult to share with another person. If you are in alphabet city, Snack Dragon makes an awesome meal or snack. $5 ($4 during happy hour 4-6p).
4th stop:
Sundaes and Cones
95 East 10th Street (3rd), NYC
After this food, we needed a cool treat. S & C is an ultra-modern spotless ice cream shop. It is the opposite of the old fashioned ice cream shop. The staff is Asian and efficient and you come here for the frozen treats, not for the atmosphere or experience. The ice cream is quite good though and the Asian inspired flavors are unique. Not sure that I have ever seen flavors like Wasabi, Ginger, Sesame Seed and Black Bean. I had the Lychee which was interesting, but not really good or bad, and the maple walnut which was good. The wifesters had pumpkin which was amazing. All the ice creams were thick and dense with a rich creamy texture. This is “real” ice cream with a high fat content, which makes it tasty of course. Maybe next time we will try a sundae or 3. $8.
After, we took a few hours off and saw a good movie at the Sunshine. Man on Wire is a great documentary. Phillipe Petit performed the most amazing/crazy feat I have ever seen in my life. Down the block from the theater we found a Chickpea for some fast Middle-Eastern grub.
5th stop:
Chickpea
147 East Houston (2nd Ave/Chrystie)
This place is tasty and reliable, although it has too much of a chain feel for me. We had platters of baked falafel and hummus and chicken shwarma with salad and pita. Some good healthy food to round out the day. Doesn’t their chickpea logo look like something else? A vagina or butt, perhaps? Maybe they should re-think it. The platters were fine, but next time I’ll have the shwafal sandwich, their specialty of falafel and shwarma, and skip the thick plastic packaging. The menu is slightly confusing and could use some deals instead of the mix-n-match structure. $19.
So this was an exciting afternoon and evening of eating and wandering around the EV. We ate lunch and dinner at 5 joints representing 5 different cuisines. All for $39 for both of us. This city can actually be quite cheap if maneuvered properly. Either way, it certainly is fun.
Ile De France is the delicheesiest!
October 14, 2008 — spudOne of the coolest perks about writing this blog has to have been the fact that we received an amazing free gift of Ile De France Camembert cheese in exchange for an honest blog post. We are definitely not the type to pretend to like just anything when it comes to food, so we won’t hold back our feelings about this. I am a cheese addict…..I really cannot get enough, and I have a tremendous range of quality. I can easily enjoy processed cheese food (just ask my college roommate for stories about melted Velveeta on bagels for breakfast, lunch and dinner) just as much as the cheese plate from PerSe where they tell you that the cheese comes from Betsy the cow on a small organic milk farm in Vermont. Okay, so maybe this does not make me a cheese expert, but it does make me a true fan of the tangy, creamy food.
So, knowing my cheese-tastic background, I must say that this cheese was spectacular! It honestly was more delicious than most…..it had a mild, creamy, earthy flavor. The rind was spectacular…..it added the perfect amount of contrast to the smooth center of the cheese. We snacked on the cheese plain to appreciate its flavor and then we ate it with slices of fresh apple and pear. It melded perfectly with the fresh fruit. Really, Camembert is like a mild Brie, and Ile de France is a brilliant brand of cheese.
Then, just because, we decided to make grilled cheese. We took apples, pears and onions and sauteed them with butter and olive oil. When they all caramelized to a golden brown, we layered generous slabs of the Camembert cheese on onion rolls, topped it with the fruit and onion mixture and then grilled them on a buttered pan. I suppose that we will never be able to describe the full extent of enjoyment we experienced that fine evening. The cheese melted beautifully into a buttery, creamy spread and blended with the sweet fruit and onions.
Overall, we cannot rave anymore about this cheese! They have all different types that need to be bought by all of you cheeseheads out there!
Devouring the Spring
March 14, 2008 — wecouldeatAfter more than a month of uninspired eating, the WeCouldEaters are back!! Spring is one of the best times of year for feeding frenzies, and the GrubHub has all kinds of plans. Last spring, was a BBQ bonanza, which was quite enjoyable. This year, we are going to concentrate on outer-borough ethnic eateries. Who needs to cross the globe? Pho, Pirogies, Arepas… We’ve got the genuine Grub in our backyard. We will have some new eating tours around NYC, and we may even take WeCouldEat on the road! Eat your heart out…
A big shout-out to Mr. Headphones for keeping the Inside Dishes flowing…
