Blue Smoke was another one of my other favorites from the plate by plate event

The dish sounded bizarre and even I was skeptical, but it was enjoyable despite its weirdness!  I was advised by the chef, “don’t bash it, before you try it” when someone voiced sarcastically ”peanut butter and pork belly”.  So I had to try it!  (lets get real, do I really need enforcement to eat something?)  When the PBJ+PB (as I call it) was placed in my mouth, I expected the worst.  I was hoping for the best as I love finding new pleasant interesting combination.  To my surprise it was interestingly tasty.  First, I tasted the fatty pork belly and then taking over was a flavor of jelly, but essentially nutty peanut butter.  The dish was quite good and I would recommend trying it!

Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs dry-rubbed and full of smoky flavor     Half Rack $14.95 / Full Rack $22.95  (picture below)

The ribs were full of flavor and apparently had no added sauce (menu description: no sauce necessary), which I still can’t believe! The tender meat fell right off the bone and into my mouth. Tasting a smokey, intense peppery, and bbq sauce flavor left me satisfied and wanting more…..

Joe’s Shanghai

Appetizer:

I was hooked the first time I tasted that fatty and hot broth enclosed in a doughy capsule!  After my first encounter, all I could think about were those doughy envelopes of pork and steaming, fatty broth.  My first introduction to Joe’s Shanghai (the Chinatown one) was when I photographed a Time Out New York, BYOB story (another thumbs up for BYOB).  When I heard they had soup dumplings I started to salivate!  

I placed the dumpling into a large soup spoon via chop sticks and drizzled some brown liquid sauce over it (excellent complimentary flavor).  The moment I place my lips on the moist, doughy shell I knew I was about to be pleasured.  When I bit into the soft outer layer, a hot fatty broth rushed into my mouth, only to be cooled by the complimentary flavor of the brown liquid sauce.  After the initial slurp, I consumed the rest of the dumpling in one bite.  The numerous flavors and textures I tasted were hot, sticky, doughy, salty and fatty.  How lucky was I that I could go through this experience again with the next dumpling!

One day I decided to go to the Flushing Joe’s Shanghai and the soup dumplings were somehow better!  Not to say that the others were bad in any shape or form, but the Flushing soup dumplings were fattier and the soup was hotter.  There is nothing better than to get a little burn from the soup!  I enjoyed that immensely! But if you can’t make it to Flushing, go to the other locations for some presents in the form of dumplings!

Ippudo NY

• 65 4th Ave, New York 10003 (Btwn 9th & 10th St)
• (212) 388-0088

Appetizer:

Hirata Buns:  steamed buns, filled with your choice of pork or ground chicken, served with lppudo original spicy buns sauce $8 (2 pieces)

Ramen:

Akamaru Modern:  ‘the original tonkotsu’ soup noodles with Ippudo’s special sauce, miso paste and fragrant garlic oil, slices of simmered berkshire pork, cabbage, onions, kikurage & scallions $13

You must try this Japanese ramen house!  After photographing at this restaurant for Time Out NY & Time Out NY Kids a few times, I fell in love with this place!  Now I cannot stay away despite the obstacle of the long waits (I have heard up to 2 hours), but it is well worth it.  Especially my favorite, the Akamaru Modern (picture above) is infused with so much flavor in the decadent, fatty & thick broth, it has brought me to a calm state after consuming it.  The combination of fatty pork & vegetables only add to the greatness which is called the Akamaru Modern.  Time after time I go to Ippudo NY and enjoy the ramen with the same passion & delight as I did the time before (I swear when I went there last night I moaned in delight after finishing it).  If you are not getting it from my description, GO THERE!  

Back in April 2009 I went to Ippudo NY for my birthday.  It was the 1 year anniversary and they had a special soup. We were strongly recommended to try the special ramen.  Wow!  It was outstanding, it knocked my socks off.  The fatty flavor was so complex leaving me in awe!  I really hope they bring that ramen back.  One time after they stopped serving the soup, I asked our waiter when it was coming back.  He did not know but then replied, “I was not working here when that ramen was being served, but people talk about it all the time.”  Please come back 1st anniversary ramen, the soup, the legend!

How can I talk about Ippudo NY and not talk about there Hirata Buns, which are filled with pork.  Hands down the best pork buns I have ever tasted.  I have been on a pork bun mission and have not yet found a better one.  The fatty & meaty pork (leaning towards fatty), lettuce, & a perfect amount of mayo is encapsulated in a cushiony edible pillow.  You must try this! 

-Other great appetizers I have tried are the:

Renkon Hasamiage deep fried lotus root with minced shrimp, served with tempura dipping sauce and green tea salt $8

Yamitsuki Goma Kyuri japanese cucumber mixed with sesame oil dressing $7

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Georgia’s Eastside BBQ:

192 Orchard St New York, NY 10002 Phone: (212) 253-6280

Fried chicken dinner: $14, includes two sides (some special sides are an extra $1, $2, or sometimes $3).  You must try this moist chicken with a crispy, seasoned, slightly oiled, delicious outer shell.  Don’t get me wrong, it is probably not the healthiest thing but boy is it worth it!!  The photo speaks for itself!  Georgia’s prices are reasonable and will not break the bank, and you will feel satisfied after this meal.   Try out all the delicious food and post your comments.