Tong Sam Gyup Gui

...is a Korean Pork BBQ restaurant located at 162-34 Depot Road. in Queens. This small restaurant can easily be spotted by the cartoon pigs on the outside windows.

We were all given complimentary bean sprout broth soup.

"M", "R", "S" and I had the Samgyupsal ($19.99/pp) which is thin sliced pork belly barbequed along with bean sprouts, garlic and kimchi tableside on giant convex grills. This is served with lettuce (to act as wraps), onions, pickled jalepeno peppers, peppercorns and two types of sauces.

Each diner is given an apron to protect their clothing. Once you wrap all the ingredients in the still damp lettuce the water and sauces drip down your hands and usually onto your laps. Several napkins are also required.

And to soak up any leftover pork fat we had Bibimbap ($1.99/pp) - rice with vegetables in a spicy sauce. This was placed on the same grill along with seaweed. The bottom layer of rice becomes slightly crispy.

The menu is very focused and there is no dessert. But "M" and "R" had beers. The only other beverage offered was water.

Bouchon Bakery

...is located at 10 Columbus Circle inside the Shops at Columbus Circle. The restaurant is nice and casual, but there is usually a line.

The bakery section is great for fast service and quick bites. I had a slow roasted pork sandwich ($10.25) - it was served on a flaky roll (a cross between a croissant and a baguette) with cheese and pickles. The pork was very tender. And a Gus' Ginger Ale ($2.25). And you can not visit without buying a baked treat. I tried a TKO - which is Bouchon's take on an orea cookie - dark chocolate cookies sandwich a white chocolate ganache creamy filling ($3).

And you can sit at one of the bar tables or counters for a nice view of Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Fatty Cue

There are many great restaurants in Brooklyn and this Williamsburg bbq spot is one of the. Located close to the bridge at 91 S. 6th Street you can smell the smokey goodness as you approach the restaurant.

"M" and I went there on a Sunday for their Whole Pig - they smoke whole pigs only on Sundays.

"M" started with a Dark & Storm Cocktail ($12) and I had a Ginger Beer ($6) made with Bermudian ginger ale (who knew?).

We shared the Nam Prik - eggplant, raw veggies and shrimp chips ($12), a serving of whole pig ($18), pork spare ribs ($14) and Pullman Toast with Master Fat ($4).

The eggplant, green beans, and shrimp chips were good, but I was not crazy about the raw bok choy, green mango and radishes.

The whole pig was tasty and served with steamed buns (we could have used two more buns). I know the skin would not be edible since it was smoked for several hours, but I missed that part of the pig. = (

The ribs were excellent - very tender and succulent. Great with the fish sauce.

And the toast was...well, the name says it all - Master Fat! It was similar to Texas Toast and served with clarified fat! Delish!

And we squeezed in dessert - S'mores pie ($6) which was a little disapointing. It was more chocolate pie and not enough marshmallow. And they served it with a heavy cream which might be overkill.

I loved the kitchy plastic chinese plates everything was served on.

We were jealous that the party of 4 next to us ordered the Half Pig's Head. We vow to return with 2 more in our party so that we can order the head as well.

Meatopia

"M" and I had the pleasure of attending the first ever Meatopia: BBQ NYC event on Governor's Island (a small island located between lower Manhattan and Brooklyn) on Sunday, July 11th.

We bought a "choice" tasting ticket for $45 (less 30% Blackboard Eats discount) for 6 tastes.

There were 30 chefs/restaurants serving up wonderful food, cooking and butchering demos and musicians.

It was well worth the trip and cost. And the servings were generous so 6* was enough for us.

Here are the foods we tried:

1) Suenos Restaurant: Smoked Duck Tacos, Canela Tortilla

2) Waterfront Ale House/Fuhgeddaboutit BBQ: House cured and Smoked Brisket Pastrami, Stout Mustard, Pretzel Roll

3) Smokin' Joe's True Blue Texas Barbecue: La Caja China Roasted Pig

4) Abe & Arthur's: Country style Pork Ribs with Tomatilla Salsa

* freebie - Aureole: Marinated Skirt Steak with asian slaw

5) The Hurricane Club: Honey glazed Baby Back Ribs with thai basil & mint

6) La Esquina: Roasted Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder, Marinated with Leche Condensada, Eqazote, Ajo Y Naranja

#4 and 6 were our favorites.

I was disappointed that Porter House New York ran out of their Grilled Skirt Steak Hoagies, Chimichurri & Roasted Corn around 3:30. But Chef Michael Lomonaco broke the bad news to the crowd.