Back in the day (probably three years ago), you could get food at Bar Reis. It was pretty good bar food, mostly Tex-Mex: nachos, quesadillas, etc. Last year a friend asked the bartender for the menu and he denied that they had EVER served food there. Strange, but not the end of the world. Recently the owners expanded into the space next door where they do, definitely, serve food.

The sandwiches are pretty small, so I ordered two. They’re normally $3.50 each, though they have a lunch special before 3pm – get any two sandwiches and a drink for $6. I couldn’t resist the thought of a tofu banh mi, and I also got a sandwich with artichoke spread, fresh ricotta, and pesto. The bread was the best part of both sandwiches – crusty and warm and chewy. The banh mi was disappointing with its cold tofu, pickled jalapenos. The other sandwich was quite tasty, though the ricotta and the pesto overpowered any trace of artichoke. Luckily the ricotta and pesto was good enough to make the sandwich worthwhile. With literally 100 sandwiches on the menu I’m sure they have something for everyone. Next time I think I’ll try the torta and the brie/apple sandwich.

Reis 100 Sandwich factory — 375 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn

Look at those GRILLED MARKS!
After a long walk at The High Line, Steph and I decided to walk around Chelsea. We walked into the Chelsea Market just for the heck of it. We window shopped a bit and finally we walked into The Lobster Place. I’ve been to the Chelsea Market many times but never once did I step foot into The Lobster Place. The Lobster Place sells more than just lobster. They sell all kinds of seafood, sushi and ready made food. I saw couple people standing near the window, in the back, ordering sandwiches. Steph and I were kind of hungry so we decided to share a crab club. For $10 you get a sandwich, cole slaw and chips. We waited for a few minutes for the crab club. After paying for it we found a table right outside. Hmmmm crab meat. I usually don’t like crab because I’m too lazy to do all that work for so little meat but since there was no cracking involved this was deeelicious. Seriously this was quite good. Really fresh tasting crab meat. But maybe it wasn’t really worth $10 but heck we were in Chelsea.

- The Lobster Place 75 9th Ave New York (Inside the Chelsea Market)

So here’s all of the stuff I’ve been cooking during the summer season, with produce from the Farmer’s Market.

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There’s no denying it, summer is over. The weather has turned and the kids are back in school. Luckily this all means that pears have arrived — bosc, anjou, and these tiny seckels; juicy, sweet, and crisp. I can only eat so many on their own, I’m considering a tart of some kind. Any recipe suggestions?

For whatever reason, I’d never been to a tapas restaurant until this year. You may recall that my first tapas experience wasn’t great, but then again it was in Wisconsin. So when my friend Jess suggested meeting for lunch at Boqueria I agreed, despite my reservations.

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I remember having frogs for dinner a lot when I was a kid growing up in Hong Kong. Seriously it was one of the dishes that I really looked forward having. Having frog seem such a norm to me. They may be ugly and slimy but once they’re cleaned and chopped and cooked…oh so good. I prefer the dark meat of a frog over the white meat. Can I say that about frogs? Dark and white meat? But ever since I moved to the States I haven’t had frogs at all. Now after 24 years of frogless meals I finally ordered some at Bia Garden. Bia Garden is the brainchild of Michael “Bao” Huynh. I have never been to any of his restaurants nor tasted any food from him. Howard had informed me of this new beergarden and was keeping track of when it was going to open. After much delays it finally opened and we gave it try.
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