Back to Bon Chon

I couldn't resist going back to the new NYC Garment District location at 207 West 38th Street to try the drumsticks.

I ordered a small lunch which is 3 drumsticks, fries and container of white radish chunks ($7), but was delighted when I opened my Bon Chon box and found 4 drumsticks. Was this a grand opening bonus along with my Bon Chon combination logo refrigerator magnet/clip/bottle opener which was also packed along with my wet nap?

The drumsticks were very crispy even with the soy garlic glaze, but the crust seemed a little heavy. The fries were just as crispy as the first time and the radish is a good palette cleanser (is this the Korean answer to cole slaw?).

Of course I will go back to try the wings the next time. They will also offer some other Korean dishes in a few weeks when the kitchen is up to speed.

Num Pang Sandwich Shop

...is a tiny little place located in Greenwich Village close to Union Square at 21 East 12th Street.

Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches are one of my favorite types of food. The offerings here a little more eclectic than your standard banh mi.

I tried one of the daily specials: 5 spice pork belly - which was a thick cut of tender pork belly with shaved carrots, celentro, cucumber and spicy mayo (probably mixed with srirachi hot sauce) on a warm french baguette ($7.50).

It was a little messy, but upstairs in the claustrophic "dining area" there are plenty of napkins and moist towelettes.

Too bad the cashier is so unpleasant...not even a smile or thank you when I placed my order.

Cafe Arbat

...is located in NYC's Brooklyn neighborhood called "Little Russia" at 306 Brighton Beach Blvd.

The restaurant decor was a little gaudy and the waiter was not very friendly. They only had 4 English menus which had to be shared among my group of 12. Obviously they are not used to non-Russian speaking customers.

They did serve our table baskets of warm bread and butter - very good.

I had the potato pierogies ($7.90) which were very small and delicate - very different from the Polish style pierogies I was used to. These were very good and covered in cooked onions.

Everyone else was happy with their meals as well.

Vintage Irving

...is located at 120 E. 15th Street in NYC's Union Square area.

"A" and I both had a bottle of Lindeman's Pomme beer ($16/each) - it tasted like cider. Yummy.

Bittersweet

...is a tiny cafe located at 180 DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.

I went there for the Jamaican Grapenut ice cream (it's my 2nd favorite flavor). I had a medium cup ($4.50). It was very good - the grapenuts still had a slight crunch to them.

Tal Bagels

is located in NYC's midtown at 977 First Avenue.

I stopped by for a whole wheat bagel with lox cream cheese spread ($3.95). Although the sweets looked very tempting. My bagel had a nice "schmear" of cream cheese.

Pietrasanta

is located in NYC's Hell's Kitchen/Theatre District at 683 Ninth Avenue. It is a good spot for pre-theatre dining. It's one of my favorite standbys in the area.

Even though our waitress was Hungarian the food is your standard Italian fare. We were given a basket of bread and roasted pepper tapenade and sweet creamy butter.

"J" and I shared the (fried) Calamari Romana appetizer ($9).

"J" had the Spaghettini Pomodo ($13) and I had the Trenette Scampi - black pasta with shrimp, asparagus and whole cherry tomatoes ($17).

Then we shared 3 mini cannolis for dessert ($9).

As always, the food was good and dependable.