Last night's dinner: La Superior

All of the Cheap Eat articles seemed to come out this month and I couldn't escape reading about La Superior, a new, cheap,  street style Mexican restaurant in Williamsburg.  When I read any positive review, with the words cheap and Williamsburg in it, I have to try it out!

Yesterday, Femi, Jen, and I decided to give this place a try.  Since we just wanted tacos, I thought it would be a great place to go because Femi had to be to work in an hour.  I thought it was on 2nd and Berry, which is pretty close to the bar.  I guess there is no such thing and 2nd and Berry because we passed 4th St and then hit Metropolitan.  I was thought to myself, where did 2nd Street go?  Then we passed Grand St and I was getting worried that we weren't going to be able to get tacos because the walk was taking so long.  Finally, we realized it was on South 2nd.  We were already there so we decided to risk Femi being late to work.

This restaurant is very cute and is nicely decorated with pretty wallpaper and decorative napkin holders.  I like the bold red color of the walls.  I also especially enjoyed the music that was being played and was able to really do the "happy food dance" while I ate.  I also enjoyed that the staff seemed to be friends and enjoy working with each other.  They were laughing, goofin around, and having a good time.

We were sat and given menus immediately, contradicting what all you naysayers have been posting on menupages and the like.  We didn't get any bad service at all, in fact our order was taken and food was delivered in great time.  Femi was only 15 minutes late to work!

Jen and Femi were brave and decided to try the agua fresca without knowing what it was.  Femi got Watermelon and Jen got Pineapple.  These drinks are amazing!  I looked up the recipe on my phone and it is 3 cups of pureed fruit, a cup of water, and sugar and lime to taste.  The drink tastes like the fruit.  The watermelon agua fresca literally tasted like drinking a watermelon.  I especially like the foam at the top. 

Femi and I are on a budget these days, so this time we only ordered tacos.  The tacos here are $2.50 each and are served tapas style.  We got four each.  At first, you think wow these are small tacos but after eating them, the filling is so rich with flavor, that the size is perfect.  They are very satisfying.

We both got the Tinga de pollo, which is shredded chicken in a VERY SPICY chipotle tomato sauce.  The chicken is moist and the sauce is really hot but it is delicious.  I recommend if you order this one, you save it for last.  You wouldn't want to screw up your palate, because there is many more flavors to taste!

We also both got the Camaron al chipotle, which in our opinions was the best one.  This taco is also spicy but not as spicy as the chicken.  The shrimps are juicy and plump.  They also give you a decent amount of shrimps in a small taco.

In addition, I got the Pescado zarandeado.  I love me a fish taco and this one is up there with the best.  I like that the fish is not fried.  This taco has good, refreshing flavors.

I also got the Cochinita pibil, which is slow cooked pork in banana leaves.  When Jen saw this taco, she asked how I would be able to eat it.  Imagine a tortilla that is only 3 inches wide with a mound of pork on top.  If you folded this taco, the pork would fall out of the front and the back.  This taco took two hands and three napkins to eat.  It was delicious though and had a bbq/mesquite type of flavor.

Femi, got the Carne Asada (grilled skirt steak) and Carnitas (pork confit) tacos.  He said they were great but I didn't try them so I will have to take his word for it.

Both Jen and Femi said that they would come back again despite the distance from Greenpoint.  Femi actually said he wanted to come 4 times per month.  I agree, I will definitely come back again.  I want to try the quesadillas and entrees.  Last night, they had a squid cooked in ink special for $10.  I was tempted to try it but I wanted to stick the tacos this time.  Maybe next time I will try the squid if they have it.

It is really refreshing to find good food in Williamsburg.  Usually the restaurants are talked up and the food is subpar.  La Superior is indeed true to its name!  I will most definitely be back!

Ichiran Ramen opening soon!?

I have always been hearing rumors of a ramen restaurant from Japan opening up on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint.  I never took the time to explore it for myself.

Yesterday, I was looking up cheap restaurants to go to for dinner and I came across a few review sites that mentioned this ramen place called Ichiran Ramen.

After doing some research, I found out that they are only opening up the restaurant to people who register and live within walking distance of the spot.  Below are some of the quotes that I found.

On Chowhound, hungry_united said "FYI, greenpointers: there's a new sign posted in front of the ramen shop (actually two -- one in japanese and the other in very cute poorly translated english) saying that the restaurant is due to open at an "indeterminate date" as "ichiran ltd. membership shop." they will ultimately be a regular restaurant, but they will first open for a small group of "members" who are invited to share their "severe opinion and frank comment" while the restaurant perfects its menu... there was a little box full of registration forms which you're invited to fill out and then leave in a little mailbox and the sign said that they would contact interested parties once they had decided on serving dates... it also said that membership would be for people who live within walking distance of the restaurant...

not sure what exactly any of this means, but i signed up and i'm excited to find out!"  

On Yelp, Hideki K. said "I've been trying to land a reservation here.  Based on my sources, you need to physically go to ramen shop to pick up a neighborhood membership application to have special privileges to dine there during this soft opening period at Ichiran." and Isabel L. said "Apparently they are still going through that " neighborhood members only" system. You basically need a Brooklyn address to become a member to enjoy the privilege of tasting their ramen. So I wrote down my home address ( not brooklyn) and added this :

* I work in this area and I walk by your store every day !* "

I also read on Eater, that " Grub Street notices that the highly anticipated Ichiran Ramen is getting closer to opening, a year and a half late. Right now, they're open for friends and family, kind of: "Now a sign has been posted indicating that it will open its doors, at first, as a 'limited membership shop' accessible only to 'those living in the distance which walks from this shop,' provided they fill out an application form." [GS]"

After reading all of this information, I decided to take a short walk and do some investigating myself.  I walked 3 blocks to Manhattan and Green (the restaurant is right next to Cafecito Bogota) and read some of the verbiage that they posted on their window.  I filled out a card with my name and address.  So we will see what comes of it.  I am really anxious to try this place because I love country Japanese food.  I will keep all of you in the loop when I get any more information.

Cottage cheese salad with cucumbers and strawberries

During the week, I am on a diet.  No carbs and no sweets.  Sometimes I succeed, other times I cheat.  I am on a mission though to stay dedicated!  That is why, when I am cooking for myself I go to Weight Watchers for guidance.  This week, I found a page dedicated to strawberries, which I love and are in season.

I made the salad with strawberries, cucumber, pineapple cottage cheese (instead of plain), lettuce, and lemon juice.  I added some cured meat on the side.  I didn't put the lemon rind or spring onions on because I am not a huge fan of either.

I was skeptical because it sounded too healthy and usually healthy sounding food tastes bad.  I was wrong.  It was delicious!  

Bowling!!!

Femi and I met up with Maddy at Brooklyn Bowl last Wednesday. Maddy was running late, so Femi and I decided to check out the restaurant.  I was not impressed.  I will cut them some slack though because it had only been open for 2 nights.  

 

We shared the Cajun Shrimp Cocktail with Spicy Mayo which was $12.  The dish came out and I laughed.  The shrimps were super tiny.  I could have made this from the frozen shrimp they sell at C Town.  There was no cajun seasoning on the shrimp.  They were cooked and chilled.  They were served on a bed of lettuce.  The "spicy mayo" was mayo with some old bay and ground up chile pepper on top.  

I got the plate of Iceberg, Blue Cheese, and Bacon salad which was $8.  I also laughed when this came out.  It was a wedge of iceberg, blue cheese dressing all over it, and bacon bits.  There were some tomato slices on the side too.  The dressing was good because it wasn't strong like other blue cheese can be.  But seriously!? Bacon bits?  C'mon give me a thick, crispy slice of bacon or two?  And can't you chop the iceberg?  Again, I could have totally made this at home for half the price.  Not impressed.

Femi got the "Really" Sloppy Joe which was $8 bucks.  Finally, something worth the money!  This was a damn good sandwich.  The sloppy joe was sweet and spicy.  It came with a bed of lettuce (a choice of fries would have been nice, especially for Femi).  This is definitely what you should get if you come to eat at Brooklyn Bowl.  Don't even attempt to be healthy here.  Just go straight for the good stuff.  The other stuff is a waste of time

Now to the goods, the bowling!  $40 for an hour and 4 bucks for shoes.  Not bad.  You can have a max of 8 people to a lane and they knock $10 off during happy hour.  The lanes are great and they have all new technology.  The selection of balls was mediocre.  I couldn't find a small 8 lb ball anywhere but I found a medium and that worked out.

What is weird, is they have you pay for your bowling and shoes at the end, along with drinks and whatever you order.  I am used to paying for bowling and shoes in the beginning and then at the end settling whatever drinks/food I ordered.  I wonder if this is so they can get a bigger tip when drunk people don't notice the bowling and shoes and just tip on everything.  Hmmmm.

The drink menu is muy expensive!!!  They don't have a very good selection of beers.  It is all Brooklyn beer and other local brands.  The cheapest beer is 5 bucks.  They should have a beer and a shot special or a 3 dollar beer or something.  I had a Strawberry Maragarita which was yummy but was also $9 bucks and not much strawberry.

On a positive note, the atmostphere is COOL!  They have a huge stage for possible shows.  The place is ginourmous.  I think they should add in some pool tables somewhere as well.

My suggestion is come here for the bowling.  Skip the dinner and if you must eat go straight for the unhealthy snack foods.  I hope that they improve the menu and drink prices with time.

De Lorenzo's!

I have been going to De Lorenzo's Pizza in Trenton since I was a little girl.  My dad has been going there since he was in high school!  This is the best pizza I have ever had.

I remember, as a little girl, being asked if I had to use the

 bathroom before we left.  De Lorenzo's did not have a bathroom.  I would always say no and then as soon as we got to the restaurant, I would have to go.  My Dad would have to take me to a rough bar down the street to use the bathroom.

Now, De Lorenzo's has added a new location in Hamilton that has a bathroom and is very fancy.

           

Before, at the old location in Trenton, one would have to wait in line for an hour to get a table.  Now, I am sure there is still a long wait, but it is very spacious.

One of my favorite things about De Lorenzo's is the crushed ice and birch beer.  I remember that they didn't have free refills so we would all order our own sodas with ice and then my Dad would order a cup of soda without ice and pour it in all of our cups.  This way we all didn't have to get separate sodas. 

 

This time we just ordered a pitcher because I wanted a lot of birch beer.

We got two pies.  One with mushrooms and the other with sausage.  Nanny (my grandmother) 

even came with us!  I didn't know that she liked pizza but she said that really loved De Lorenzo's.

The best thing about the pizza is the sauce and the thin crust.  My dad said that the secret to the sauce is crushed tomatoes.  Shhh!

The new location is on Route 33 in Robbinsville, NJ.  You can get their easily from NY by taking the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Line to Hamilton.  The restaurant is right by the train station.

It is well worth the journey because this is the best pizza you will ever have!

Pio Pio Riko

Thursday night, Femi and I ordered from Pio Pio Riko.  This is also right near my apartment and they deliver.  Pio Pio Riko is located on Huron and Manhattan in Greenpoint.

We both got quarter chickens.  Femi got his with french fries and salad, and I got mine with just salad.  Femi also got sweet plantains.  They didn't have orange soda, so I got a diet coke and Femi got a Sprite.  I love orange soda and I wish they would sell    Photo courtesy of greenpointcity.com           that.

The dressing that they put on their salad is sooo good.  I don't know what it is but I love it.  They also give you the spicy green dipping sauce for your chicken, but I put it on my salad because it is so good!

Pio Pio Riko does the whole rotisserie chicken thing and it is sooo good.  It falls right off the bone and you don't even need to use a knife.  I love that!

They also have other Peruvian specials on their menu but I find the chicken specials are the best bang for your buck.  Two quarter chickens, plaintains, and sodas set us back about only $16 bucks.  Not too bad. 

Pio Pio Riko is the best for when you want something greasy and unhealthy, that isn't that bad for you.

Last Night's Dinner: OTT

Last night and Wednesday night, I ordered OTT, a Thai restaurant right on the corner of my street.  They are located on Manhattan Ave and India St in Greenpoint.

I like this place because it is consistently good and fast.  They deliver but they are also a half a block away so it is very convenient.

Photo by Gavin Thomas - Courtesy of nymag.com

Last night, I got chicken pad thai medium spicy.  Wednesday night, I got chili beef medium spicy and Femi got pad see ew with extra beef and regular broccoli (they usually put chinese broccoli in it and he doesn't like that).   We also got chicken satay with peanut sauce.  Both times I got thai iced coffee.  I love it!

This place is a little pricey.  Last night, it was 12 bucks for pad thai and an iced coffee.  Wednesday it was about $30 bucks for two entrees, an appetizer, and a coffee.  It is just very convenient and delicious!