jamon Iberico bellota - best in the world?

It can be found at Despana (408 Broome St) - love that place.

mtc9680 in General Chowhounding Topics

jamon Iberico bellota - best in the world?

So i decided to give a go to the best (def most expensive) ham in the world...
Iberico Bellota (around $160 / lb). I bought a couple of slices and had a little tasting between decent Itailan Procuitto ($25/lb) and the so called best of the best.

For those of you not familar Iberico jamon is made from free range Black Pigs that are allowed to roam the forest and eat nothing but acorns for the last months of their lives. This is supposed to give the meat its distict nutty flavor.

So the verdict in my house was that while the ham was superior to the anything else I have bought, their has to be a middle ground that is more affordable somewhat comparable... Bottomline it was tasty especially topped with a touch of spanish olive oil, but didn't taste 6x better to reflect the price.

Thoughts? Other experiences?

Also i ordered 1/4 lb at Despana and before i could say anything he had it on the electric slicer which i heard was a no-no. But then i was told it was like $30 more an lb to have it hand sliced. Just wondering if anyone has had it hand sliced.....

mtc9680 in General Chowhounding Topics

what to order at Babbo?

Paparadelle w/ Wild Boar Ragu... so good.
Also the Love Letters are good and i've had the brains ravioli which i liked but didn't stand out.

mtc9680 in Manhattan

crabs - dungoness / king / soft-shelled

So I have had serious craving for "LIVE" Alaskan or Russian or whatever RED KING CRAB (not frozen or not frozen then thawed) .. I have heard stories of this occuring in Asian Restaraunts on the west coast and even some stories on the east coast (probably mis-informed info)... Could we put these mysteries to bed??

Has anyone ever seen a lve Red/Blue King Crab anywhere aroudn the NYC area?
Markets / Restaraunts / Fultons?

In the meantime i have been substituting the craving with Dungoness crabs from Chinatown ($8 lb) and homemade tempura soft shell crabs ($9 for half dozen). Not bad at all.

mtc9680 in The Best

Good restaurants and diners in NJ-Parsippany area

Best pizza and italian in the area:
Resevior Tavern, Boonton, NJ - Good stuff.
No nonsense good italian eats and ridiculous pizza.

mtc9680 in Mid-Atlantic