Sloth's Profile
El Maguey Y La Tuna, 321 East Houston Street
We had al pastor and carnitas tacos there before the Cavestomp at Parkside Saturday and thought they were among the best we've had in a long while. With a summer full of more Cavestomp events I expect we'll be back for more. Funny thing was that we didn't even look at a menu, just sat at the bar and ordered. When we looked at the menu online the next day it seemed obvious that anything listed as "made in house" is what you should order.
Bronxville Castle
I feel bad we haven't been around since the last visit. I know one customer can't make a business succeed, but I do want to throw more business his way. At least I've been recommending the Castle to a bunch of people.
No Reservations: Croatia
I gotta say I couldn't stop laughing for about 5 minutes when he fell over.
I still watch every episode, some more than once. I will certainly watch the repeat of this episode for the food as well as the antics. As for Tony phoning it in, I prefer to think that he's found his groove (some would say "rut").
Casa Cubana in Fleetwood is open
The wait is over. Casa Cubana had a soft opening yesterday. I picked up a take-out menu around 4:30 when they were setting up for dinner. When I placed my order around 7:00, it sounded busy. When I went to pick up my order at 7:30 it was jam-packed. I was expecting more of a take-out joint with a few seats, but it actually seats 22 and every chair was taken.
I ordered an appetizer of cod fritters ($5), a cubano sandwich ($6) and an entree of roast pork (lechon asado - $13) for the two of us. Looking at what was on the tables, it seemed like the most popular dish was the ropa vieja. Oh well. The staff was handling the crowd alright and we got to watch for a few minutes because our food wasn't quite ready. BYOB is allowed, several tables had open bottles. Everything we saw looked, and smelled, right. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood.
When we got home, the cod fritters were still hot and crisp. They came with a cilantro tartar sauce and were delicious.
The cubano bread was light but chewy. The meats and pickles good but not great. Not a disappointment, but room for improvement.
The roasted pork came with black beans and rice cooked together (arroz congri) and yucca with garlic sauce (yuca con mojo). The sides were very good and half of the pork was tender, moist and good. Unfortunately, the other half was too dry and tough, over-caramelized. Not in a good cracklings way either.Fortunately, the portion size was big enough that the good half was plenty of food.
Next time, and there will be a next time, I'm going for the ropa vieja.
Daily specials look interesting, especially pigs feet with chickpeas (Patas con garbanzo) on Tuesdays and pork chop stew (chuletas en salsa) on Saturdays.
There is a website listed on the menu ( www.lacasacubanarestaurant.com ) but it does not appear to be working.
Looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu and am still excited to have a new cuisine in town.
Casa Cubana
9 W. Grand St.
914-668-9570
Cuban takeout coming to Fleetwood.
Sign in the window says "Casa Cubana - Coming Soon - Authentic Cuban Food". Can see 3 small tables with chairs. Hope I'm not getting my hopes too high, but anything new and different in this area is welcome.
Looking for Flageolet beans for Easter!
I have seen them at the Fairway in Pelham, NY.
Cuban takeout coming to Fleetwood.
On W. Grand St. where the Mini Meateria was. The sign says "Casa Cubano Restaurant". Trying hard not to get my hopes up, but if it is good I will be a happy Sloth.
Hot & Sour Soup
I seem to recall that Lee How Fouk (11th and Spring) had an excellent hot & sour. It's been a few years, can anyone else confirm?
Mark Twain's love of American foods
I recommend the book Twain's Feast.
http://web.mac.com/apbeahrs/Andrew_Beahrs/Twains_Feast.html
Bronxville Castle
We walked from Fleetwood. Hate driving thru Bronxville, but window shopping is fun.
Bronxville Castle
Agree with jcmods about the falafel. Would add that there are 3 small tables for eating in. There is a bit of a schizophrenic vibe as there is a typical cold cut deli case and a steam table with Italian fare as well as the Middle Eastern offerings which are kept mostly out of view. Prices are low for the amount and quality of food. I had to show Vic how to find the Patch "article" on his new smartphone and his face lit up when he saw the picture of himself. Really nice guy, I hope he succeeds.
Bronxville Castle
http://bronxville.patch.com/articles/about-town-middle-eastern-on-the-west-side
I'm planning on checking out the hummus and falafel at this new place this week-end. But if you've already been there and have a better suggestion, I'm listening.
Top Chef to Expand Even More
Right, but you didn't answer the question. What lingo would you use instead?
Top Chef to Expand Even More
I knew someone was gonna say that. What words would you use to describe the difference between actors reading lines written by someone else and non-actors having their words edited into a storyline centered on a fabricated situation? Last I saw, scripted and non-scripted were still the industry standard lingo.
Top Chef to Expand Even More
A season is meant more for scripted shows that have a certain number of episodes in a storyline per year. Reality TV usually has two cycles per year, often with completely different casts.
Bistro Latino in Tuckahoe
From the Patch
http://bronxville.patch.com/articles/bedford-chef-debuts-new-restaurant-in-tuckahoe
BBQ in CT
Good to know since I go to Westerly a few times a year to visit family. Thanks.
Fabada at Fairway Pelham
Morcilla is a blood sausage usually made with rice and onions. I love it when I get it in Spain, but have never found one I like in USA.
Julia Child's Kitchen Exhibit at Smithsonian
I wish it would go on tour. I'd like to see it in NY at the Museum of the Moving Image.
Fleetwood Diner Coming Soon! Here we go again.
Grand Opening was on Friday and it was perfect timing since my sister and her kids were coming for a visit. After the train show at Botanical Garden on Saturday we went to the Fleetwood Diner for an early dinner. Same furniture, same carpet but the staff were friendlier and more eager to please than I remember at Windmill or Athena. We thought it was a bit odd that they were playing the dance station on the radio, but it wasn't too loud.
Kids got a cheeseburger and a plate of fish & chips. There was almost a meltdown when one nephew was told that milkshakes aren't available yet, but the chocolate milk did the trick. I got a pizza burger, SO got the brisket sandwich, sis got french toast and bro-in-law got pastrami.
There were service issues. SO was served the lox instead of brisket and it took a few minutes to determine the mistake was the kitchen's fault but the brisket came quickly. Water was never re-filled and the wait for plate clearing and check seemed interminable. Pastrami was served with a side of watery brown gravy which just seemed odd.
On the plus side, the pizza burger was good and cooked medium rare as requested. Sis really like her french toast and the cod fish fillet was better than it looked. Fries and sandwiches were okay.
Overall, a big improvement over the Windmill but a way to go to get back to Athena-level (which really is not that high a goal). And for the time being it is cash only so be prepared.
Julia Child's Kitchen Exhibit at Smithsonian
The bad news is that the Julia Child's Kitchen exhibit closes this week-end. The good news is that a larger exhibit for American food culture since the 1940's is planned for this summer.
http://tinyurl.com/6o4ngxf
Layover Amsterdam
It was almost comforting in it's predictibility; coffeeshop, bar, FEBO automat, herring, rice table, canal boat tour. Even a dismissive nod to the Anne Frank House. My last visit there was 10 years ago and, judging by this episode, I'm not missing anything new.
Where did chains start?
Harvey House restaurants pre-date the Automat by 30 years. They had standardized menus with consistent quality, staff uniforms and fast food (an entire passenger train could be fed in 30 minutes). I don't know of any other qualification for a chain.
Any foodie book gift ideas?
I enjoyed "Season to Taste" by Molly Birnbaum. True story of how devastating it is for a chef to lose her sense of smell and how she fought back to regain it. Educational and inspirational.
Fleetwood Diner Coming Soon! Here we go again.
I would be so happy to have decent Mexican take out within walking distance.
BTW - I noticed yesterday that the sign is up for Fleetwood Diner and they have painted the bottoms of the windows blue. At least it's a sign of progress.
Bourdain's anal obsession
I always thought it was just a battle with his editors to try and naughtily get away with slangy poop references. But after watching the new holiday special last night which included an extended bit on the "pooping log", I have to think it's all just part of the fun and a reason to keep the "objectionable content" disclaimers. I admit it, I laugh at these scatalogical asides.
Under construction taco place in mount vernon?
If you are still interested, the name of the Jamaican place is The Matrix. Menu looks intriguing and it is always crowded when I pass by. Counter seating, mostly take-out, smells good. The only reason I haven't tried it is because I'm only in that neighborhood for dentist visits and the last thing I want with a mouthful of novocaine is spicy food.
Fleetwood Diner Coming Soon! Here we go again.
At least they disposed of the ketchup bottles that had been sitting on the tables for months.
The Layover - Singapore
I was thinking of the Ecco deal since it seemed pretty open-ended. The original concept of books by other authors with the Bourdain stamp of approval may have morphed a bit.
