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…..

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!

• 352 Bedford Ave, New York 1121 (Btwn S 3rd & S 4th St)
• (718) 782-0910

Brunch

Available Everyday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Egg Dishes Served With Roasted Potatoes & Side Salad.

You might think, “How can a breakfast sandwich as simple as this be unique”.  Well let me tell you it is!  The flavor combination tickles my appetite every time.  The wilted arugula, caramelized onions and cheddar mornay sauce blend together causing my taste buds to send a message to my cerebellum creating harmony and bliss.  Don’t think I forgot about the rosemary roasted potatoes.  They look plain, but looks are deceiving.  Acting as a Trojan horse they relinquish an army of flavor.  Finally the homemade scone is great too! (saving an array of metaphors and adjectives for when I talk about their specialty scones!)

Blueberry scone with a lemon glaze

Raspberry scone with a lemon glaze

Oh how I love them so!  The lemon glaze is swirled around the moist blueberry biscuit  creating synergy between my mouth and my heart

I haven’t had it but doesn’t it look good?!

A hip outdoor dining area available.

They also serve lunch and dinner.

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

5 Napkin Burger

630 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036-4754
(212) 757-2277

Original 5 Napkin Burger $14.95

10oz. fresh ground chuck, comte cheese, caramelized onions, rosemary aioli, soft white roll

In my opinion this is the best burger in NYC!  The tender meat which is smothered by comte cheese, caramelized onions, and rosemary aioli stimulates my taste buds every single time.  The 5 Napkin Burger has never disappointed me and always leaves me wanting more.  There is something about the flavor and texture that makes this my favorite burger.  This burger has no need for ketchup as it speaks for itself!  Every time I go back the first bite is the same.  When the burger touches my lips that flavor combinations leaves me speechless!

 Please try this burger!

 -It is best medium rare

-You can get the 5 Napkin Burger as a turkey burger (but the beef is my favorite)

If you have questions, would like to give your opinion, or just want to say hey please do so.

Hope to hear from everybody soon!

129 RIVINGTON STREET
212.982.1690

Tiny’s Gigantic Sandwich Shop

This Lower East Side restaurant located at 127 Rivington steet at Norfolk street (F to Delancey and V to 2nd ave) has great food and fast service!  You must go and dig into the ham and cheddar club ($8.25) at Tiny’s (pictures above).  It tastes extra fresh and you will feel great after you have finished this big sandwich.  The chips add a salty taste that compliments this earthy sandwich.  Also, you can’t beat the fact that the bread is toasted to perfection.  The other clubs are delicious as well, but I just love the taste and color of this one!! Another sandwhich I would recommend is the Spicy Rizzak ($7.50), but try them all bacause you can’t go wrong at this place.  Like the club sandwich the Tiny’s Tasty Happy Salad ($6.50, picture above) is extra fresh tasting as well.  So now you know what I think, form your own impressions.

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.

I just wanted to write you to announce the relaunch of GurwinPhotography.com.  Over the last few months I have completely refreshed the site with some great new features including a new portfolio, web store, and blog.

If you go to check out my portfolio, you will see it has been updated with my best and most recent work in a variety of categories.  What is exciting about the new portfolio is now you can purchase photos directly from it.  Just click on a photo, choose the size you want, add it to your shopping cart, and you will have an original Jeff Gurwin photo on its way.  They can make great gifts or an inexpensive way to spice up the artwork in your apartment or home.

Starting this fall, I will be launching my restaurant blog called RestaurantStud which will be a part of the GurwinPhotography network.  It will give you the inside scoop on the restaurant scene in NYC.  Our mission is to uncover the best, most affordable restaurants NYC has to offer.  I am currently looking for an aspiring writer/blogger to help with the site.  If you or any of your friends are interested, please email me.

So, please come check out the new GurwinPhotography.com.

Best,

Jeff