gibberisimo's Profile
Starving Student in NYC
Get her a monthly subway pass and have her go to THE dumpling house in Chinatown (Vanessa's) and she can get super full with a drink for less than 5 dollars =)....and it's only slightly unhealthy, or she can hit up and Gray's Papaya, for 3.50, two juicy dogs and a shake, it's legendary.
I'm not sure Chelsea has "hole-inthe-wall" places for cheap =/, but if anyone knows, I'm all ears as well =)
Are There Any Brewpubs with Good Food?
I think someone mentioned once - try BOSTON BEAH WORKS, there's three, but two in the city. one across from Fenway, and one across for the Garden, both have affordable delicious food, and the brew their own delicious beers, people go crazy for the pumkin ale, watermelon ale, blueberry ale...they have special seasonal brews. I actually used to work there like 7 years ago and haven't visited in several years so the menu might have changed, but when i worked there, i'd always eat the food and everything was really good, and working in the kitchen, i know they use a lot of fresh ingredients and homemade stuff.
also, someone mentioned cambridge commons...amazing food i think, also try Grafton st in havahd sq, not a brewery but they have loads of great beers and even better food! brunch there is off the hizzle.
What's your favorite Jackson Heights Street Cart?
I'm sure someone started this post already, but my favorite used to be one at 83rd and Roosevelt because the Carnitas were the best, and shredded and salted, unlike some carts that give you the gross chewy stuff. But then the one outside of the 74th station (on the right next to the corner) is my fav cuz they do everything, not just tacos! I can get a taco, and a quesadilla, and a torta, and like 6 other types of authentic mexican street cart food.
What would your Chinese Grandma cook?
it's funny cuz my non asian friends are scared to s*** of fermented soy bean. i also add it to friend egg sandwiches and shredded dry pork between toasted english muffins...and it's one of those things like spicy food, you could eat only a little at first, but then you develop resistance, so you have to eat more and more. i used to be only able to eat half a cube of fermented soy bean with porridge, not i practically need half the jar =P
Matcha-Iri-Genmaicha vs. Genmaicha, and best one/place to get it? (Brown rice tea)
Hojicha is unbelievable, a good one is smoky, then leaves a long lasting sweetness in the throat and mouth. the best part that it's really cheap.
If you want to do some digging, and have the time, you can your own hojicha roaster! basically take bancha or Kukicha (japanese green tea stems) and then you can roast them to turn into you very own Hojicha, never tried it but it seems like it would be amazing =).
buy if you guys ever have the chance, it can be pricey but at some point, a SHINCHA (new spring flush of japanese tea) or a high grade GYOKURO, those are green teas to die for!
Thai groceries in Manhattan
Anyone know how they make that tasty thai ice teas?? and why some are better than others and is there like authentic thai ice tea recipes and where i can get the ingredients??
Matcha-Iri-Genmaicha vs. Genmaicha, and best one/place to get it? (Brown rice tea)
Okay, there are many different grades of Matcha, ranging from $12 for small pack (usually 20g which means 20 bowls, 1 serving is 1 gram of powder) to 50 for high grade match and some extremely rare matcha that can be 100+ for 20 grams.
Matcha only means the powdered green tea from japan usually from tencha leaves (not sencha as most believe).
You can easily tell just by the color of the match which one is high grade. Example, the lowest grade match is "restuarant grade" because it's used in cooking, in flavoring. You would not really drink it, it's too bitter, not much body, no sweetness, just not very good. The color is usually darker green. Basically the brighter the green the higher the quality. Some of the best matcha i've even had was almost like neon green. it was soo smooth, fresh, sweet, complex, frothy (as you can ruin great match by no making it right, thats a whole other topic).
Genmaicha only means toasted rice with japanese green tea. (its a totally different tea), it's loose not powdered.
Genmaicha is often blended with matcha, and the matcha adds a nice sweetness to it and give it more body. It's a much higher grade rather than just regular genmaicha. Basically if you just like the roasted rice flavor, get the cheapest you can find.
Genmaicha is cheap, because the point is, in japan it's drank with lunch or throughout the day but it's meant to go with food, as the roasted rice helps digestions and helps protect the stomach. The nutty toasty flavor goes perfect with sushi or other light savory and sweet foods.
But if you want a genmaicha that has a nice robust, sweet and nutty flavor that is delicious you can get genmaicha laced with matcha, which is a stand alone tea, meaning you can drink it alone, or rather, it will taste awesome alone. I live in NY so dunno about LA, and the only place I've had Genmaicha with matcha, (i don't choose to drink regular genmaicha, too much toasted rice, too plain) in nyc is Radiance Tea House in midtown, i don't think they sell tea unfortunately, but i tried it at a tea tasting and it was really nice (i usually drink gyokuro, but they had it at the tasting so i wasn't going to refuse, and to my delight, it was very good, thats actually where i learned all about genmaicha and other japanese teas, haha, sorry i like tea but can't take ALL the credit for the knowledge), you can try to call them i guess to see if they mail it?? anyways, hope this post helped about tea, and good luck finding it!
Boston's Best Authentic Mexican/Tex Mex
actually i would say felipes is slightly better because they have more meat options and your own topping bar, can't get enough of those that onion/cilantro/jalapeno dressing
What would your Chinese Grandma cook?
i love all those things, especially fermented bean curd and greens, they go best with crispy hallow greens i think, yum.
I would add:
-egg, scallions and tomato
-"kafu" (marinated gluten??)
-bitter melon and pork strips
-stewed pork shoulder with fat
-any time of steamed fish and ginger with soy oil drizzle
-homemade scallion pancakes filled with pork
Five-borough dumpling tour
Holly cow, I'm so glad someone mentioned this place! It's pretty new still I think. It's a tea house but they have the most amazing dumplings ever.
The pork ones are naturally juicy, and of good quality! I mean the cheap ones in Chinatown are good, but I always spit out a piece of pork or two, and...I know many of you has experience...the "dumpling farts"...yep those are brutal. I have to say...not only do I not get "dumpling farts" from this place...but the pork is very tender and never had to spit out a fatty or chewy piece.
The highlight are the veggie dumps for sure. I've never had a good homemade veggie dumpling before...until now. Usually they're always too dry or salty. These have bok choy, unbelievable.
Anyways, I'm glad they're still pretty new which means it's not totally packed and I can always getta a seat =)
Help finding a bakery that won't break my bank.
What is that bakery on cambridge st. in east cambridge between the train tracks and what used to be the old harrington school. It was soo good, and when i moved i used to take the 69 down just to get some of them eclairs and napoleans, i seriuosly thought it was a hidden jewel. hope its still in businness, oh yea, it's right next to the bread place!
Recommendations for pre-Symphony dinner?
If you like spikes, then it sounds like Brasserie and some of the other sit-down places might not be the most appealing. Don't go to Pho and I, a few doors down from Spikes is Pad Thai, much better thai food, same pricing. Pho and I uses, no joke, the same cheap color coded dishes at my cafeteria (northeastern), not that presentation is everything, but the food is just worse than Pad Thai.
But if a giant tasty hot dog is your thing, seriously the best sub shop place is on huntington across from the YMCA is Cappy's (there's two of them, this one is better) Their Chicken Ceaser wraps is best on the east coast no joke, i've had everything Chicken ceaser wrap around there, lived in the area for 6 years.
Then down the street from Symphony hall is ...New YOrk PIZZA, best pizza in the city, (i live in ny now, the pizza isn't worse, and cheaper than NYC) great subs (but chx ceaser wrap isn't better than cappys)
Symphony sushi is best sushi place in the area, good and affordable sushi, nice atmosphere, and close to SH.
That noodle place on the corner, never been to, but never had an interest in going.
and if you want some decent food that won't break the bank, CHEESECAKE factory, i know people knock it, but after everything is said and done, i've had many more enjoyable and satisfying experiences there than most other places around the area.
oh almost forgot! TIGER LILYS! its not just where underagers go to drink, but greatttt food there, never had a meal i didnt like (was wasted most of the time, but i've gotten things from there sober, and really good haha, and right next door is another thai place, good atmosphere, OKAY food, TIger's is much better (is literally acroos from the HALL) and across from Tiger's is..BOSTON MARKET...don't sleep, afordable, good comfort food.
21st birthday in boston!
jeez, let's start with, are you male or female? are you looking to get wasted cheap? or spend some quality time with these two people....
