Mitarashi Dango in Kyoto

We ate our way through Japan, and Kyoto was no exception. I hope I get to posting all the amazing meals and foods we had along the way, but for now I will share with you a subtly sweet snack we had while in Kyoto. It is called mitarashi dango. They are essentially solid mochi (chewy glutinous rice) dumplings grilled and covered with a salty-sweet soy-based mitarashi syrup. Why doesn't NYC have these on every corner?

My Emotional Restaurant List (subject to change)

1) Blue Hill
2) The Spotted Pig
3) Blue Ribbon / Blue Ribbon Bakery
4) Brown Cafe
5) Souen
6) Raoul's
7) Omen
8) Totto Yakitori
9) Five Points
10) Sripraphai
11) Kuma Inn
12) Eleven Madison
13) Bao 111
14) Shorty's 32
15) Mermaid Inn
16) Palacinka
17) Market Table
18) 9th St. Market
19) Prune
20) 'inoteca
21) Minca
22) Soba Koh
23) Hummus Place
24) Una Pizza Napoletana

Eat In Don't Drive Through

It's easy to forget how pervasive the drive-thru culture of LA is: In & Out, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco (my most recent visit, I drove through a Starbucks!) However, on this particular evening, J and I chose to dine in at one of those 'high quality' fast food chains called Chick-Fil-A. Strangely, I had never been. Growing up in SoCal, there was one planted across the Banana Republic at my local mall, but the small pieces speared by toothpicks on a tray for anonymous sampling never enticed me. This evening was different. It was a good first time. J (probably Chick-Fil-A's oldest fan) and I ordered the original Chick-Fil-A Sandwich, waffle fries and chicken nuggets. Simple: a layer of mayo, dill pickle chips, chicken and the fluffy bun. The outside of the chicken was crisp, the meat was juicy and hearty, the mayo cut the spicy seasoning and the zesty pickles and the bun completed the intensity of flavors and textures with a neutral taste and softness to the bite. The nuggests were of the same nature, just bite-sized. The waffle fries were delicately crisp. The clientele was odd - but I like odd - the atmosphere was immaculate and the extra service was a pleasant surprise. One of the employees (who also happened to be our cashier) walked around the tables asking each if they would like refills on their drinks. You don't get that if you drive-thru.

Ramen in 90 Degrees

I met N for lunch at Ramen Setagaya in the East Village. It was 90 degrees in the shade and the ac was broken. N said it reminds her of eating soup outside in Asia during the summertime while sweating out all the heat. Yes, but we were inside and not in Asia. If we were in Asia and inside, during the summer they would have the ac blasting. N is a fearless ramen fiend and was loving every bite right down to the yummy Setagaya egg. Nothing comes between her and bowl of ramen. I, on the other hand, was exhausted from fanning myself with a menu.





Ramen Setagaya
141 1st Ave
(btwn 9th St & St Marks Pl)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 529-2740