Lunch Box
by Celia Cheng
February 19th, 2008
SURA
105 E 9th St
(3rd & 4th Ave)
212-982-6390
$
The Korean lunch boxes at Sura are a great deal. I’m a beef fan, so I usually go for the bulgogi (thinly sliced sirloin beef marinated in sweet soy sauce) or the kalbi (marinated rib eye beef grilled on charcoal). In addition to the main, the lunch box is served with a salad, (over)dressed in carrot miso dressing, two small pieces of mung bean pancake, two pieces of California roll, white or multigrain rice (go for multigrain as you can get white anywhere), spinach miso soup, and a roll of kimchi. It’s a copious, well-balanced meal, all for just around $10. Who wouldn’t crave that?
Posted in Beef , East Village , Korean , Lunch
Hot Dog Nuggets
by Celia Cheng
October 26th, 2007
NATHAN’S
See website for nationwide locations
$
Nathan’s is famous not only for its hot dogs, but also the annual hot dog-eating contest — what an event! But, despite its fame, other than the occasional barbeque or baseball game, I don’t often eat Nathan’s hot dogs. The hot dog nuggets, however, are dangerously addictive and delicious! These mini corn dogs, bite-size all-beef hot dogs dipped and deep-fried in slightly sweet cornmeal batter, are better than regular corndogs because the proportion of cornmeal to hot dog is perfect. It’s just a thin layer of batter over the mini dog, which makes them slightly less filling at first, so you can keep popping these suckers in, kind of like pigs in blankets, and who doesn’t love those?! They taste great by themselves or dipped in sauce: barbeque, sweet and sour, or honey mustard.
Posted in American , Beef , East Village , Snack
Beef Salad
by Celia Cheng
November 27th, 2006
SOBA NIPPON
19 W 52nd St
(5th & 6th Ave)
212-489-2525
$$$
Soba Nippon created this star item on its menu, beef salad. The salad is a regular iceberg lettuce, shredded red cabbage and carrot salad with a ponzu-based dressing. What’s remarkable are the thin slices of seared beef prime rib that sit on top of the salad. Dressed with sesame seeds, the slices of beef are still slightly warm, and upon first bite are so tender that they almost melt in your mouth. The cut of the meat is so scrumptious and juicy, laced with just the right amount of fat. It’s one of those things that I eat with my eyes closed in disbelief, while savoring every bite. As the Japanese say, “Umai!” (“Excellent!”)
Posted in Beef , Japanese , Salad
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Tongue & Egg Sandwich
by Celia Cheng
September 18th, 2006
BLUE RIBBON BAKERY MARKET
14 Bedford St
(Downing St & 6th Ave)
212-647-0408
$$
Small rectangular slices of pickled and braised beef tongue with hard-boiled egg, whole-grain mustard, mayo, sweet pickled onions, spicy pickled jalapeño and Holland peppers, Dijon vinaigrette and Perfect Roast — kosher salt, black pepper, oregano and thyme — on your choice of BRB bread. It’s as much fun to watch this open-face sandwich being made as it is to eat. Come on and join the T&E club!
Posted in American , Beef , Sandwich
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Strogonoff de Carne (Beef Stroganoff)
by Celia Cheng
September 1st, 2006
CASA
72 Bedford St
@ Commerce St
Manhattan
212-366-9410
$$
I love Brazilian beef stroganoff because it’s a mixture of beef, mushrooms, cream and red sauce — there’s cream in addition to the tomato base — and is accompanied by rice instead of noodles. The thin potato strips, like shoestring fries, that accompany it makes the dish a bit more light-hearted and fun. At Casa, don’t forget to add some homemade hot sauce (my favorite, a green sauce made with jalapenos, cilantro, oil, vinegar, garlic and salt) to spice things up. After a couple of caipirinhas and a stroganoff at this charming West Village restaurant, I’m happy as a clam!
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