majorette's Profile
What is your favorite CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP kitchen gadget
Seconding one-piece spatulas, especially ones that can withstand high temperatures.
Best Fried Chicken in Queens?
A Popeyes recently opened on 82nd Street, just south of Roosevelt Ave.
ISO Columbia bakeries in Jackson Heights/Elmhurst area
E Eto, where is the pan de bono bakery on 82nd? North or south of Roosevelt? TIA.
Thai Delivery Eastern Jackson Heights?
I just called my local place, Arunee Thai and they deliver to 92nd street. Their food is good. ph. 718-205-5559
Ezekiel Bread
I'm late to this thread, but wanted to say that IMHO its taste improves if you toast it . Same with Baker's brand pumpernickel bread (the flat, square kind).
fantastic empanadas.. Jackson hts.
Try the empanadas at La Nueva Bakery, located at 86-10 37th Avenue b/w 86th and 87th. The chicken and the spinach are my favorites. The ground beef are good, too. Those three flavors are baked. They also have fried empanadas in other flavors, but I haven't tried those yet. I also like their breaded chicken cutlet sandwiches (sometimes a bit on the dry side) and their multi-layer club sandwiches called olimpicos.
Nice bakery items, too. When the pan de bono, churros and bunuelos are fresh out of the oven, they're wonderful. And decent cafe con leche, although I have a friend who thinks it's too weak. She prefers their capuccino.
I found some photos here:
http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/queens/jacksonheights/lanuevabakery/index.htm
Boerum Hill Food Company closed
Try the wings at Hanley's on Court and 4th Place. I like their "original" wings which are breaded, served dry and crispy. I'm pretty sure they have wings with different sauces, too.
So many roast chickens recipes, but do you have a favorite?
I second Keller's method. When I'm up for a little more work, I like the recipe for Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme on Epicurious:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roast-Chicken-with-Lemon-and-Thyme-102159
Question about ordering fried eggs ...
Ever hear of "dippy eggs"? I have friends from the Philly area who order them that way (with a side of scrapple of course!). I'm a strictly soft-scrambled girl myself, so I'm no expert, but I think it's the same as sunny side up.
Best Successor to Stick to Your Ribs/Pearson's Texas BBQ?
I'm not exactly sure of the history here, but there's a Legends Bar and Grill serving BBQ, located on 35th Ave and 71st St in Jackson Heights. According to online reviews, same owners as Pearson's/Legends.
I had a very good pulled pork sandwich with onion rings for lunch recently. Good prices, good food, nice bartender.
Finally, Great Jackson Heights Pizza
My friend Glenn, now in his late 40s, grew up here and also recommends Pizza Sam on Northern. I haven't tried it yet bc it's a bit out of the way to walk there for a slice (I live on 86th close to Roosevelt).
I'm a plain slice girl and have yet to find great pizza in JH. From reading these boards, it seems I'm not alone.
I like the 24 hour bakery on Roosevelt & 82nd. My ex liked their Mexican slice (I think JH Jill has posted positive reviews about this place and their Mexican slice).
I also like Pizza Boy on 74th and 37th. Right now I'm into their baby pizza. It's a good size for two people. Thick crust, almost sicilian-style. Yes, the sauce is a bit too sweet, but I think most every sauce in this nabe is too sweet.
Sunnyside - The Fruitless Search For A Decent Slice of Pizza
Sigh. I remember Leonardos on Court St. That was good pizza!
Best Sandwich in Slope/Carroll Gardens?
Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street.
I always ask for an Italian, then he asks me to tell him exactly what I want, then I ask him what comes on an Italian. Then we agree that it's ham, salami, and capicola. I opt for fresh mozzerella (there's provolone if you prefer), onions, tomatoes, oil and vinegar, S&P and oregano. There are other toppings, too: lettuce, peppers, maybe others. The bread is the best.
Try all 3 varieties of rice balls, too: 1. rice and cheese (my favorite), 2. prosciutto, and 3. beef with peas. And coke or diet coke in glass bottles.
Great German food in Mountainhome, PA
Great pictures! I completely agree. I grew up a few miles from the Jagermeister and love their food. The spaetzle with gravy is my favorite.
I second Callie's Candy Kitchen, about a mile or less north of the Jagermeister. Nice family-run business with good homemade candy, in particular the Pocono Crunch. If you're lucky, Mr. Callie will be doing a candy-making demonstration when you're there.
The Daily Bread bakeshop across the road from Callie's has delicious bread and rolls. I especially like their country loaf (or rustic loaf, I forget the exact name). I also like their cookie bars and coffee cake. If they have cream puffs, get some. The bottoms are sometimes a little soggy, but the filling more than makes up for it.
I like the Mountainhome Diner for my scrapple fix. And they re-opened the ice cream stand next door this summer.
If you see any local churches advertising chicken and dumplings or pork and sauerkraut dinners, I like those too. It's not haute cuisine by any means, but a nice way to experience the non-touristy side of the Poconos. If they're serving kielbasa soup on the menu, get it.
There's also a well-stocked gourmet cooking store in Mountainhome, called A Cook's Tour. The deli at Lewis' Market makes good sandwiches. I recommend the roast beef club on lightly toasted rye.
The stretch of 390 that passes through Mountainhome is a hidden treasure. Mountainhome is about 4 miles north of 940. Don't blink or you'll miss it!
Sorry for the long post, but I'm proud of my hometown!
Great VV Review of Delhi Heights in JH
A friend and I stumbled across Delhi Heights late one Friday night, looking for a nice place to have a glass of wine and undisturbed conversation.
We were the only customers other than a large party who were finishing up a celebratory dinner/birthday cake. It seemed the staff was waiting for them to leave so they could close, so we were worried they would rush us out the door. To the contrary, they treated us like queens!
We ended up staying well past closing, meeting the owner and staff, chatting with them about their families, culture, food, the business, etc. It was lovely! They even invited us to join them in their end-of-the-night staff meal. And wouldn't let us pay! They were complete gentlemen and treated us like we were guests in their home.
The decor is beautiful, the food and wine were great, but the kindness, warmth and hospitality of the owner and staff overwhelmed us. I highly recommend Delhi Heights.
Onion Rings
I can't rave about the rest of their menu, but Heartland Brewery -- at least the one by me in Midtown/Rockefeller Center -- has great onion rings: batter-dipped, big and crispy. The dipping sauce is good, too.
In search of Brooklyns best Osso Bucco.
I second the vote for Queen's Osso Bucco. With their panna cotta and a glass of prosecco for dessert!
REVIEW: Wu Liang Ye (Rockefeller Center branch)
I work nearby and WLY is one of my favorites. The prices are a bit expensive, but par for the course for good food in midtown. Try the appetizer of pork dumplings in spicy chili oil -- very tasty, great amount of spice, dumpling is not too thick, not too thin with a nice chew. And never in my life have I craved string beans the way I crave their Yibin City string beans: savory, salty, with bits of pork and some kind of pickle (I think).
I can't wait to try the ma la chicken. I'm so hung up on the dumplings and string beans, I'm usually at a lose for an entree. Thanks for the tip!
Sapori di Ischia?
Update: one of my co-workers just informed me that the Wednesday 3 course dinner is now $30.
TOP 5 RESTAURANTS WITHIN TEN BLOCKS
I moved from Carroll Gardens almost 5 years ago and still miss it! My "old school" CG favorites are:
rice balls and Italian sandwiches from Joe's Superette on Smith
panelle special from Vinnie's Pizzeria on Court
fresh mozzerella from Good Food or the Italian specialty store across the street from Vinnie's
soft, chewy almond macaroon cookies from Caputo's Bakery on Court
plain (dry) wings from Hanley's on Court
Seeking Tang Pavilion style hot & spicy beef in Jackson Hts.
I couldn't resist the possibility of a contender so close to home (I'm on 86th), so I walked over to Empire tonight for dinner.
While it was tasty, Empire's Hot Spiced Shredded Beef wasn't a close version. The beef was soft as opposed to the dry/crispy/chewy texture, which I think is key. And instead of carrots and celery, it had onions, green peppers, slivered bamboo shoots, snow peas, water chestnuts, baby corn, scallions, and straw mushrooms. (I took notes, the only way I could have remembered all those vegetables.)
While I was eating, two people came in and ordered roast chicken to go. I think I'll try that next. But not before I try Jade Bamboo's dry shredded crispy beef.
Another note on Tang Pavilion: their food really is out of this world. They serve complimentary appetizer (salty peanuts and fresh, lightly-pickled cucumbers) and dessert (a slice each of orange, honeydew and cantaloupe). I've always had great service there. I like ordering the moo shu pork, not only for the taste but they bring everything to the table and wrap up the moo shu in the pancakes table-side. Top it all off with generous seating/spacing between tables and white tablecloths to dress it up a bit. Now if I could only tear myself away from the Hot & Spicy Beef to try other dishes on their menu!
Seeking Tang Pavilion style hot & spicy beef in Jackson Hts.
Mike, thanks for posting. I just called and confirmed that Jade Bamboo delivers to 86th Street. I'll order it this week and post a review.
Salty Caramel Ice Cream
I recently had salty caramel gelato at Otto's at One 5th Ave off 8th Street in Manhattan. Their gelato is wonderful.
Seeking Tang Pavilion style hot & spicy beef in Jackson Hts.
KRS, thanks for your post.
Have you ever had Tang's Hot & Spicy Beef? It's definitely saucy -- I would say of medium viscosity (not a thick sauce like Gen. Tso's and not runny) with flecks of red pepper. But it's not that spicy, at least not to me. And I don't think it's any saltier than most other dishes. Also, I believe Tang Pavilion specializes in Shanghai dishes. I wonder what your opinion would be.
I've ordered dishes called Crispy Beef, Szechuan Beef, etc. here in Jackson Heights. So far, the beef has been soft with rather thin, wet sauces. Nothing close to the wonderful crispy/chewy texture and rich savory sauce at Tang's. My search continues!
My mother's side of the family is from Bay Ridge and I used to live on 98th Street off Marine Ave. Are you talking about the Grand Sichuan at 87th and 5th Avenue? I visit Bay Ridge frequently to visit my aunt (and Tanoreen). I'll try the Dry Sauteed Crispy Beef there on my next visit.
Meals while I'm back in New York
JFores, where on 82 St for the pan de bono? I'm somewhat obsessed with pan de bono -- I've tried it from La Nueva bakery on 37th b/w 86th and 87th, a small bakery on the north side of 37th at the corner of I think 88th, the Mexican restaurant by the 74th St train station on Roosevelt, and Cositas Ricas. I'd love to try other versions. Thanks!
Seeking Tang Pavilion style hot & spicy beef in Jackson Hts.
Tang Pavilion on 55th in Manhattan serves a great hot & spicy beef -- smallish strips of beef that are fried and chewy, slightly sweet/spicy reddish sauce, with carrots and celery. It's addictive. I'm trying to find this same dish via take-out/delivery in Jackson Hts. Any ideas? I may be confusing my dishes, but is this similar to shredded beef Szechuan style? Thanks!
Fave recipes for Jackson Heights
Also, it's hardly a recipe, but Met Food carries natural casing Boar's Head hot dogs. Can't find them everywhere.
Fave recipes for Jackson Heights
If you like lentil soup, try my Scottish mother-in-law's recipe:
3 Knorr or Goya ham or lamb bouillion cubes
9 cups water
red lentils (Trade Fair) 1/3 bag
2 leeks, sliced
2 large carrots, grated
salt and pepper
Boil water, add cubes, dissolve, add lentils, bring back to boil, add leeks and carrots, simmer for 30 or 40 mins. Easy and delicious!
GODFATHER style Italian restaurant
Among all the upscale newcomers, you can find good old-school Italian in Carroll Gardens. I spent 8 wonderful years living there; it's one of my all-time favorite neighborhoods. I would still be there if the rising rent didn't price me out. (I'm in Jackson Hts now, so I'm not complaining!)
Try Casa Rosa on Court Street and I think 1st Place. I like the linguine Casa Rosa. Or head down Court Street toward downtown Brooklyn and try Queen, on Court and Livingston. Their panna cotta is out of this world. There's also Red Rose on Smith and Union. I had a champagne shrimp dish there years ago that I still remember.
For snacking, try the rice balls at Joe's Superette on Smith Street and 1st Place. There are 3 kinds: rice with mozzerella, chopped meat, and proscuitto with ricotta. He also does potato croquettes. If you Google Joe's Superette, you'll find an NYT article that leads with them. They also make fantastic cold cut sandwiches on hero rolls. I just ask for an Italian hero and let whoever is behind the counter make it his way. The last time I ordered it, it came with pepper ham, fresh mozzerella, proscuitto, salami, provolone, lettuce and tomatos, salt and pepper, and oil. No vinegar, no onions, no peppers?! I was prepared to be disappointed. I wasn't.
Try Caputo's on Court and 3rd Place for their fresh mozzerella. I used to buy other cheeses there. Their breads and foccacia are good. Other items like olives, oil, etc.
I love JH, but I miss Brooklyn!
