A New Taste of China

Most of us have had Chinese takeout at some point in our lives. If we are alike, you also associate Chinese food with Fried Rice, Lowmein, Wontons and Egg Rolls. However, there are many kinds of Chinese food that come from the North to South and East to West. For this review we decided to eat our way through North China.

On a bright, sunny Saturday we ventured out to Flushing Queens to see what China had to offer. Passing by many restaurants, one in particular caught our eyes.  Fu Run on 40-09 Prince Street, Flushing NY was the choice this time. It wasn't any special sign or decor that did it but a simple sign that said we could expect Dongbei Cai which simply means comfort food from Northeastern China. We were very eager to find out for ourselves just what this new cuisine was all about.

The menu was pretty extensive so it took us a while to make our selections. We ordered the Lamb Meat Soup (serves 2-4) for starters and for our entrees Spicy Sliced Pork, Scallops with Hot Garlic Sauce, Chicken Lowmein, Sauteed Fried Fillet of Fish and Pork Fried Rice.

Thankfully there were four of us for this tasting as we were forced to entertain ourselves while we waited about 35 minutes for our food. There wasn't much to look at except a small tv and people watching out the large ceiling to floor windows. The decor was basic; boasting wooden lacquered tables, chairs and the necessary utensils.

Our food came but it did not start with the soup. Our entrees were served first then the  Lamb Soup made it's debut about 10 minutes later.

The flavors were quite different than anything we've had so far in the USA. Most of the dishes were quite savory and heavily spiced with cumin and herbs like cilantro. Many of us associate that combination with Latin food but somehow the balance worked well. Strong notes of oyster and soy sauce, ginger and garlic were heard loud and clear as well. We liked it. This different taste was welcomed in our mouths.

The only two dishes that weren't such hits were the Sauteed Fried Fillet of Fish and the Lamb Soup. The batter for the fish was chewy and quite salt to the taste, while the lamb was almost impossible to chew and the broth was overpowered by the too many large pieces of cilantro that covered the top.
All things considered this was a good, refreshing experience that expanded the way we think of Chinese. We are now excited to taste even more of China.

For this Fu Run gets a solid B+ and we happily recommend it to couples out for dinner or families seeking a hearty lunch.

Bann Thai with Friends

I know we've reviewed Thai food already but this story is a bit different. It's a tale of the strength and endurance of real friendship.

I moved to the United States from Guyana, South America when I was 14. Since then a large number of my childhood friend have themselves migrated to various places across the globe. As a result I haven't seen many of them in over 15 years. Last weekend the time had finally come for a reunion with two great people (Ron driving to NY from Canada for this) who I was blessed to have reconnected with via facebook.

Ron and Marcia came to get me last Friday. We exchanged hugs, got in Ron's car, started our journey and shared stories of where we are now. So many things to share, so many years to cover but only one night to do it. With GPS on blackberries and in the car, we attempted to find an Asian Fusion spot in Long Island City to no avail. After driving in circles on the Grand Central Expressway, hunger over took our sense of adventure and we settled for a well known foodie street...Austin Street.
The destination was Bann Thai located at 69-12 Austin Street Forest Hills, NY. It's a quaint little restaurant that's wonderfully decorated in traditional Thailand memorabilia.  We took a look at the menu and choose Calamari fried in Chick Pea Flour as our appetizer and for entrees Thai Sliced Beef and Basil, Sweet and Sour Duck with Pineapples and BBQ Chicken Breast with Jasmine Rice.

The plating of the dishes was absolutely beautiful. Purple orchids were used as little gems on the plate and Ron and I dared to eat he petals. They tasted a bit tangy and slimy but weren't bad at all.

The Calamari was a huge disappointment. It was bland and rubbery and we were not impressed. Our entrees got mixed reviews however with Ron having the best dish of us all. Ron's BBQ Chicken shined in flavor and texture. It was seasoned and grilled to perfection.  Marcia's Duck had a good flavor but lacked that crispy skin but moist flesh she craved. My beef was a happy marriage of sweet, savory and spicy. The flavor was spot on, however I was served ground beef with green beans and was a bit disappointed that the Thai Sliced Beef and Basil was not sliced at all. Well it gave us a few more things to laugh about and we ate and enjoyed each other's company.

After dinner we took a stroll over to Martha's Country Kitchen and enjoyed a slice of Strawberry Cheesecake and a very light version of Tiramisu. It was a great evening full of fun, lots of laughs and decent eats. It was amazing that after so many years our bond of friendship was still stronger than time and distance.

Here's to you Ron and Marcia! May we forever keep the candle of friendship lit. Love you guys :)

Classic American fare at Pop's Diner

There was very little that was classic about this adventure. My sister Shannice and I left our house last Tuesday with a groupon coupon we purchased for Pop's Diner. Boasting classic American cuisine, we thought this would be a perfect place to sample the food of our host country. What's more American than a Diner?

First thing adventurous about this day was finding the place. The address on the website did not register on google earth or my GPS, so we ended up walking for about .8 of a mile searching for the doorway that would lead to food. Needless to say we worked up an appetite and were quite anxious to sample the grub.

We arrived and were pleased with the appearance. Bright reds, vibrant oranges and stainless steel were everywhere. Booths with leather seats and personal jukeboxes completed the feel that we were back in an episode of Happy Days. We liked it a lot.

 

Since I was craving a pastrami sandwich all day, I knew that would be one of the orders for dinner but what should we start with? An avid potato fan, I ordered the Stuffed Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon and Shannice went with the Boston Clam Chowder. The soup arrived really, really quickly which scared us a bit but I knew my sister was hungry so I let her go ahead while I waited for the potato skins.

The soup had an odd consistency. Almost like curdled milk. It didn't smell or taste spoiled but the look of the separated cream and oil was a bit disturbing. Shannice is only 13 but immediately realized that it was indeed made of canned clams. This was definitely not a hit with us. Almost 10 minutes later the Potato Skins arrived and were not worth the wait. They appeared to be boiled, frozen then deep fried when ordered. There were large pieces of bacon under a melted cheddar cheese slice. The potatoes were grainy and the bacon chewy. Yuck! A real disappointment. I love potatoes, so this was a let down.

We chose a Pastrami Sandwich with Sauerkraut, Mustard, Swiss cheese and French Fries and a Beef Burger called The Godfather. It was served with roasted red peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese and waffle fries. The open-faced Pastrami Sandwich was interesting. Too much wet cabbage on a thin slice of rye bread then possibly put in the broiler to melt the cheese that was put over everything. The resulted was a soggy sandwich. We used our fork to extract the Pastrami and feasted on it. The meat was delicious! The Burger was fresh, lacking a bit of seasoning but the roasted pepper added a nice touch of sweetness. It was well received.

Choking a bit on our food, we decided to ask the waiter for a glass of water, which was not offered at any time during the meal.

Needless to say we chose to bypass desert and pay the bill which took almost eighteen minutes because of an issue with the coupon redemption. This was not a great food experience to say the least and rather in the words my sister, Shannice, it was an "EPIC FAIL!"

We ended the evening at McDonald's with a strawberry sundae and a vanilla milkshake. Now that's American! Lol. For this not so classic American fare, we give Pop's Diner a C-. Points were given for the pleasing decor.

Thai Style Fried Rice

Ingredients:
Seafood

1/3 cup Shrimp
1/4 cup Crab
1/4 cup Octopus
1/8 cup Cuttlefish
1/4 cup Scallops
1/8 cup Mussels

Other Ingredients
1/4 cup Mushroom
2tbs Scallion
1/2 medium Red Bell Pepper
1/4 of a Scotch Bonnet Pepper
4 cloves Garlic
3tbs Basil
1/2 cup Baby Bok Choy

2 cups cooked white Rice
1/4 tbs Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Sugar
2tbs Vegetable Oil
1 tbs Sesame Oil
1 tbs Soy Sauce

The Process:
Prep:
Wash produce. Chop scotch bonnet pepper, onion and garlic (not together lol). Slice mushroos and red bell pepper. Chop basil, scallion and baby bok choy and set aside. *Keep everything separate. They will be cooked in stages.

Cook:

In a large skillet (at least 12 inches) add 3 tbs of vegetable oil, and then add the scallops. Sear scallops for 2 minutes on medium high heat on both sides. Once done, place in a clean, medium sized bowl. Next, add the shrimp and mussels and sear them for 2 minutes on each side. When finished, add them to the bowl of scallops. Add remainder of seafood to the skillet: the crab, cuttlefish and octopus. Cook these for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. When finished, also add these to the bowl with the other seafood. *If the skillet becomes too dry feel free to add a bit more oil.

Turn the fire down to medium heat and add about 2 tsp of oil. Add the onions. Cook for about 2 minutes or until they are translucent. Add red bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper, scallion and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes then add basil. Heat through for 1 minute then place in a clean bowl. Lightly wipe any excess ingredients from the skillet and add sesame oil. Add mushrooms and baby bok choy to the oil and sauté for 2-3 minutes, then remove skillet from the burner.

Add rice to pot with 2tbs of heated oil. Sprinkle salt, black pepper and sugar over rice and add soy sauce. Stir, then add seafood. Cook for 3 minutes until everything is incorporated. Your Thai Style Fried Rice is ready to be served. We garnished ours with a sprig of basil, a few strips of the scotch bonnet pepper and some chopped roasted peanuts. Enjoy. We did. ^_^

The Challenge

"In Love" means to be infused with, or to feel deep affection or passion. Therefore I think it's safe to say that I am in love with food. When dining out the anticipation of the appetizer is almost too much to bear. I walk into the restaurant taking in all the lingering aromas from the kitchen while scoping out the coziest corner to dine. Then the moment of truth arrives and it's time to partake of the offerings of the establishment and I open my mind before my mouth as it guarantees a better experience. I dig in aggressively, taking a big first bite instead of one of those dainty nibbles as I am intent on getting a true experience of the dish. If my mouth and mind approves I sit back and chew really slowly, daring the flavors to linger on my tongue. A variety of the best dishes usually end up on my plate at home. My personal dare is to recreate the masterpiece in the take away bowl in the fridge. I have been challenging my sense of smell and taste for years in this way and it has helped me master many dishes I use regularly in my catering service.

This blog was born after I read an article about the diversity of my borough Queens. It has been reported to be the most diverse place in the U.S. That got my brain and belly going immediately as I realized how many different cuisines there must be out there that I haven't tried. It is a life long dream of mine to taste food from as many countries as I can. Imagine my excitement to find that just about half of those countries were represented in my own backyard. The quest now is to find a restaurant serving authentic ethnic cuisine and savor the city that I now love so much more.

The Challenge:
1)Locate an establishment that serves up the most authentic food from a country or region on my list and taste as much on the menu as I can.
2)Write a review that includes pictures and all, telling the story of my total experience.
3)This is where you come in. For every four (4) reviews posted, I will ask you the readers to select one menu you would like to have me recreate. It will be my challenge to diligently and carefully cook the dish that you've chosen that best mirrors the experience.

Come with me on a fantastic and fun journey of cultures and flavors as I taste my way through countries and regions all represented in the best city on earth...Queens.

The German Rescue

The plan for the evening was to dine at a Polish restaurant. The plan didn’t quite go as planned. Shauna and I scoured Glendale for almost 2 hours in search of our next meal to no avail. Then, just when we were about to give up hope, we came across Zum Stammtisch. We were rescued from our hunger.

Located at 69-46 Myrtle Avenue, Zum Stammtisch is convenient as it's right in front of a bus stop. This will make things much easier when we’re too stuffed to even dream of walking. As we entered the German restaurant an attendant quickly found us seats and presented us with our menus. We really felt as though we were in Germany. The lighting created a nice ambiance and the décor was cohesive, with architecturally ornate fixtures and an assortment of animal heads, hung to add a rugged lodge feel. Soon after we were greeted by our lovely waitress, Nerina, who we thought added to the authentic charm of the restaurant. We explained to her who we were and what we were doing and she happily assisted us by making some very good suggestions on our meal and beverages.

We started off with the beer. Yes, this is definitely a manly kind of restaurant. We had the Warsteiner Pilsner and the House Special. Neither Shauna nor myself are beer drinkers but we were pleasantly surprised at the suggested glassed selections. The House Special was mild and refreshing. The Warsteiner Pilsner was a bit more potent and a tad sweeter.

Next, were the appetizers. Shauna had the Goulash Soup and I had the Herring in Cream Sauce. The Goulash Soup was wonderful. It was a rich, hearty seasoned tomato based stew-like soup with chucks of beef that left you more than satisfied. The Herring in Cream Sauce was equally great. The herring was steamed to perfection, drowned in a dressing that tasted like it was sour cream based and garnished with lettuce, parsley, cucumbers and onions. It makes for quite the treat for the taste buds.

It was time for the entrées. After a bit of a wait we were served with our main course. Shauna had the Breaded Pork Chops and I had the Sauerbraten. The Breaded Pork looked amazing. It was browned to perfection, garnished with lemons, parsley and apple sauce and also came with fried potato pancakes and red cabbages. The Sauerbraten was beef covered in a sweet and sour sauce accompanied by dumplings. Everything was pretty ok. Both meats were a bit bland in taste and the Sauerbraten beef was a bit to tender for my taste. Also, the dumplings tasted as if the were made with mashed potatoes of the powered variety.

The evening ended on a good note, however. For dessert we treated ourselves to the Strudel ala Mode, an apple strudel served with vanilla ice cream. We were stuffed but we made room for this delicious treat; a great way to end the night.

Despite a few mishaps with the entrées, our evening at Zum Stammtisch went very well. Our server, the beers, appetizers and dessert were great, and everything was very well presented. The pricing isn’t bad either. The grade for this location is a B. Zum Stammtisch is definitely worth the visit.

The Curry Leaf

Our food quest took us on a tasting tour of Malaysia. A quaint, no frills place simply named, The Curry Leaf was our hub grub this time. Located at 135-31 40th Rd. in Flushing, Queens this small restaurant sits in the heart of this town but is easy to miss. 

The special diners this trip were my father, nephew and little sister who came along as a reward for doing well at the NYS High School placement test. We were greeted immediately by a very friendly little woman who spoke very little english but led us straight away to a small table in the middle of the restaurant. This is by no means a date spot, as the ambiance is quite lacking. There are no pretty colored walls or paintings here, just tables, chairs, cutlery and a television that was showing a modern day kung fu flick. 

For our starters we chose two orders of Roti Canai (Malaysian version of roti, an Indian flat bread and chicken curry), Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and a Sesame Oil Chicken Soup. The roti was thin, crisp and quite large. The chicken curry sauce was absolutely delicious. A perfect blend of savory, spicy and sweet from the coconut milk. Oh what a treat that was. Chicken satay was well cooked and seemed to be marinated in sugar as it was quite sweet. We didn't care so much for the peanut sauce so we put it aside after a small taste. Mmmm... The soup was glorious. The vegetables were perfectly cooked, slightly crunchy and full of flavor. The sesame oil gave the dish its smooth smoky taste and we loved every drop.

Our waiter was personable and spoke more english than the host so we took the opportunity to ask for her suggestions of entrees that would best represent her homeland. Sizzling from the kitchen came a large plate of Thai Style Fried Rice, Pipa Duck (Roast duck in a sweet sesame brown sauce) and Sizzling Tofu Japanese Style. Everything looked and smelled delicious. Like usual, we didn't skip a beat and with spoons and forks in hand we gladly accepted the challenge of emptying the plates set before us. The rice was oh so good. Definitely a seafood lover's dream. Loaded with crab, shrimp, scallops and squid this dish hit the spot. No one at the table (with the exception of my dad) was a tofu lover but boy were we converts after the first bite of the Tofu platter. This homemade soybean concoction was wonderfully cooked and rested in one of the most perfect sauces I've ever tasted. Wow! That was indeed a winner. Now for the duck. No disappointments here. Crispy on the outside but moist and succulent on the inside, it was served with what tasted like a hoisin and sesame sauce. The only complaint was that the sauce was just a bit salty for our pallets. Over all it was good.

Tried though we did, we were unsuccessful in clearing our plates and a doggy bag was requested. There was no way that dessert was possible. There may always be room at the cross but that's not the case for our stomachs :-). Ahhh... The Curry Leaf did not disappoint. Simple name but big bold flavors are to be expected from this little hole in the wall restaurant. So for a clean, quiet restaurant, friendly staff and food that was outstanding from start to finish we gladly give The Curry Leaf our first A-. Good job guys. We shall indeed return.