Artichoke Basille

Is a tiny (and I do mean tiny) little pizzeria located in NYC's East Village at 348 East 14th Street. There is only space for about 3 people to perch on a miniature counter inside to eat. Everyone else knows that their order is "to go".

I had the signature artichoke slice ($4.50) and tried the new crab slice ($4.50). Both were very good, but slightly greasy.

Peels

...is located in NYC's East Village at 325 Bowery and serves comfort food.

I tried the shrimp and grits ($13) with fried egg and tasso ham - yum! And one of their famous biscuits ($3) - very light and fluffy. I washed it all down with freshly squeezed orange juice ($3.50).

Momofuku Milk Bar

"M" and I stopped by this East Village sugar haven at 207 2nd Avenue for a little dessert.

"M" had the Crack Pie ($5.50) and chocolate cake balls (3 for $3) and I had the Candy Bar Pie ($5.50) and applie pie balls (3 for $3). Sugar overload!

Hung Ry

...is a new restaurant locateded at 55 Bond Street in NYC's East Village that specializes in homemade/handmade noodle soups.

"M" had a Laos beer and I had a ginger Bionade (German all natural soda).

"M" and shared two appetizers: the short rib with daikon and shiso ($6.50) which was enveloped in foam and the squid, guajillo and pumpkin seeds ($6.50).

For soups we both opted for the thin noodles:

"M" had the smoked pork belly with tongue, brussel sprouts and roasted radishes ($16). The pork belly just melted away when you took a bite.

I had the duck breast, gizzard and roasted peppers ($16). The duck was served medium and very good.

And we had to try the dairy/gluten free chocolate and coconut ice cream. It had the same cream flavor and texture as regular ice cream!

Well worth another visit to try some other dishes.

Xi'an Famous Foods

"M" and I went to this famous little restaurant in NYC's East Village at 81 St. Mark's Place to try their noodles. There were only enough seats for about 8 people and most customers took their orders to go.

"M" had the lamb noodles ($7.50) and I tried the Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles ($4.50) and Savory Cumin Lamb Burger ($3).

"M" wished there was more lamb in her noodles, but the sauce was rich.

My noodles were cool, but not cold, but tender. The Lamb burger was spicy and large enough to be a small meal by itself. It was served on a breadlike bun.

Dessert Truck

I finally caught up with the Dessert Truck in NYC's East Village on Third Avenue near Astor Place.

I tried the chocolate bread pudding with bacon custard sauce ($6) which won in the Food Network's "Bobby Flay Throwdown". It was yummy and moist, more like a cake than bread pudding.

The bacon sauce was not as flavorful as I expected.

Appetite

Tonight "J" and I went to the opening of this new exhibit at Cooper Union in NYC's East Village. The exhibit was small and didn't take long to see the entire thing. But the best part was the reception - a huge pile of loaves of bread stacked Jenga-style next to a platter of butter letters which spelled out a caption for the exhibit. Yum.

There was also an open bar with beer and wine.

DOB 11.1

...is located at 115 St. Mark's Place in NYC's East Village.

"M" and I had a great dinner and saw the chef/owner overseeing the front of the house.

We shared the following dishes:

Seared Sea Scallops with warm cauliflower almond coulis, xo, chinese bacon, green curry ($11)

Duck fried rice side - duck confit, foie gras, duck bacon and egg ($11)

Curry Shrimp with ear mushrooms, chinese celery, spicy coconut sauce ($13)

Spicy Oxtail Stew with curry parsnip puree, lotus root vegetable, horseradish cream ($16)
Crispy Pork Belly, taro sausage mash, pickled vegetables, caramel sauce ($17)

The restaurant is BYOB and doesn't offer any other beverages (even non-alcholic) so unless you do take along something you have to settle for plain old tap water!

But the wonderful food more than makes up for their lack of beverage options. All of the dishes we tried were wonderful, flavorful and delicious.

We want to return to try other dishes on the menu, but are afraid we will end up ordering the same foods because everything was so good during this visit.