Sammy's Noodle Shop & Grill - Chinese, Dim Sum, Barbecue

Sammy's Noodle Shop & Grill
434-461 6th Avenue (bet. 11th & 10th street)
New York, NY  
212-924-6688 

website:  sammysnoodleshop.com/

Hours:

Monday                    12:00 noon - 10:30 pm
Tuesday                    12:00 noon - 10:30 pm
Wednesday              12:00 noon - 10:30 pm
Thursday                  12:00 noon - 10:30 pm
Friday                       12:00 noon - 11:30 pm 
Saturday                  12:00 noon - 11:30 pm
Sunday                     12:30 noon-  10:30 pm

Shreddred chicken & brown rice - $15.75

One thing I must say is that the food is consistently good.  I have been here several times and have never been disappointed.  The flavor of the chicken is a little spicy, full of flavor and with the addition of the string beans goes so well.  The brown rice is always cooked to perfection.  

The service is on point from the front desk to your wait staff.  The restaurant is always clean, usually crowded especially on the weekends.  

So stop on by if you are in the village and would like to eat at a restaurant that doesn't make you feel like you are rushed when you finish your meal.  

#sammysnoodleshop  #newyork  #village  #chinesefood  #panasian  #dimsum  #noodles  #goodfood  #affordable  #familystyle  #consistent  #sizzlingplatters  #food  #goodeats  

    

Matto Espresso - everything $2

Matto Espresso
530 Columbus Avenue (85-86th street)
New York, NY 10024
212-244-4281

www.matto.com

Hours:

Monday           6:00 a.m - 7:00 pm
Tuesday          6:00 a.m - 7:00 pm
Wednesday    6:00 a.m - 7:00 pm
Thursday        6:00 a.m - 7:00 pm
Friday             6:00 a.m - 7:00 pm
Saturday        7:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday           7:00 am - 5:30 pm 


Early one bright and sunny weekday afternoon.

Almond croissant - $2.00

Too good to be true for the price.  Walking down the street with my co-worker Altagracia who tells me that she heard of a place called Matto on Columbus avenue that sells everything for $2.  Not only that a friend brought her some hot chocolate when they were downtown and she stated that this was the best she had ever tasted.  That's all I needed to hear, so off we went and found Matto Espresso between 85-86th street & Columbus Avenue.  Sure enough the sign outside said $2.

It is small inside with no tables serving Italian espresso bar serving coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, snacks and baked goods to go.

Wonderful service, quick and several varieties of baked goods to choose from.  I  selected the almond croissant.  For $2 not a bad deal in taste.  As I bit into the croissant, I could taste the thinly sliced almonds on top, soft in the middle with a bit of almond cream.    

If I am in the area again, I would try something else along with the almond croissant.

#matto  #newyork  #upperwestside  #freshbaked     #coffee     #espresso     #inexpensive    #sandwiches     #snacks   #lattes   #pastries   #food   #cool   #like   #freshbaked  #eat

Le Monde - classic french food

Le Monde

2885 Broadway (113-114th street)
New York, NY  10025
212-531-3934

website:  lemondenyc.com

Hours: 

Monday             11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Tuesday             11:00 am - 10:00 pm 
Wednesday       11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thursday           11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Friday                11:00 am - 11:30 pm
Saturday            9:00 am - 11:30 pm
Sunday               9:00 am - 10:00 pm

   

Belgian Waffles with caramelized bananas, walnuts, creme fraiche - $15.00

Huevos Rancheros - bean stew served with eggs (any style), lamb sausage and guacamole  - $17.00

On a summer day in the early afternoon, it was decided that my friend Randie & I would meet for lunch and choose Le Monde for the second time around.  As we sat down and viewed the menu, our waiter Sheldon who is so observant took our order and return later to keep us abreast of our order.  It wasn't long before our food was brought to our table.

I enjoyed the waffles that were crisp yet soft and the bananas along with the fresh creme fraiche is a meal that you do not rush.  Every bite was good.  

Randie stated that her Huevos Rancheros was one of the best she has had and would order it again.  
   
I'll be back.

#lemonde    #newyork    #upperwestside    #frenchfood    #food    #goodfood    #latenight  #lunch    #brunch    #dinner    #moringsideheights    #columbiauniversity    #foodblog    #outdoordining    #charmingdecor   #causaldress  #istagood    #relax    #goodtoeat     

Mighty Quinn's Barbeque

Mighty Quinn's Barbeque
103 2nd Avenue 
New York, NY  
212-677-3733

www.mightyquinnsbbq.com

Hours:   

Monday              11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Tuesday              11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Wednesday        11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Thursday            11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Friday                 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday            11:30 am - 12:00 pm 
Sunday               11:30 am - 11:00 pm

10 BBQ chicken ($10.95) + brisket ($9.95) + small mac n cheese ($3.45) & cole slaw.

Met the most wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly, observant and patient waitstaff, Latrice, Taisha, Dajuha and Carmen.

Since this was my first time here, I decided that due to the service that I received and the tasty wings, I should make a trip back.

Mighty Quinn's uses the old fashion way of cooking their ribs, smoked with wood and slow.   

The wings were not overly coated with sauce, you could taste the seasonings other than the salt and pepper.  The cole slaw was crunchy with a hint of vinegar.  

Nevertheless I enjoyed my visit as it was a take out, but I did munch on a wing or two in the car.

#mightyquinnsbbq  #newyork  #village  #bbq  #food  #brisket  #burntends #chicken  #brontosaurusribs  #dessert #friendlyservice  #tasty  #quickservice  #cannedsugarsodas

Mama's Too! Pizza

Mama's TOO!
2570 Broadway 
New York, NY 10025
212-510-7256

Hours: 

Monday - Saturday - 12:oo pm  - 11:00 pm

$3.50 a slice

 Picture of Frank Sinatra tossing spaghetti

It was around 4:30 pm in the late afternoon, moderate rain, 56 degrees with humidity of 94 degrees.  Dew point 55, UV index - 0 low, and!!  wind, 47 mph with sunset around 4:36 pm.  What to do, what to do.  Wait for it - I just had a aha moment.  Go and try Mama's Too!  since whenever I passed there I always see a line. I walked in at just the right time because there was only 1 other person ordering.  I ordered the House Pie which consist of aged mozzarella, with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil and fresh tomato sauce.  The crust was crispy but the pizza was charred both on top and  bottom.  I was surprised since the pizza's are not baked in a brick oven which can produce a charred pizza.  Maybe charred is part of their signature because I saw it on every pizza.  The pizza was okay.  Maybe I need to try a different one, but I'm in no hurry.

I did not feel welcome because the gentleman that served me was curt and rude. I was told that they only had the pizza's that was on display and the only beverages they had was Pellegrino water.  Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired.  Yet, I still see lines, so maybe the day I went was an off day.  To be determined if I will go back.  Stay tune.

I

#mamatoos  #newyork  #upperwestside  #pizza  #overrated  #terribleservice  #mediocre  

Somtum Der Thai Restaurant - Northeastern Thai

Somtum Der Tjao Restaurant

85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 

212-260-8570

website:  somtumdertogo.com

 | 

Hours:

Monday               12:00 pm - 4:00 pm     6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Tuesday               12:00 pm - 4:00 pm     6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wednesday         12:00 pm - 4:00 pm     6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Thursday             12:00 pm - 4:00 pm     6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Friday                  12:00 pm - 4:00 pm     6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Saturday              12:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Sunday                 12:00 pm - 10:10 pm

Break Hours - Monday - Thursday - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Break Hour -  Friday - 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Let's have a bit of history here.  Isaan Providence is in the northeast region of Thailand, surrounded by Laos to the East and North, Thailand to the West and Cambodia to the South with Mekong River bordering it's Northern boundary.  The flavors and some of the ingredients that are prevalent are lime, chili peppers, cilantro, sticky rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, sticky rice, mint, peanuts and other fresh herbs.  

Beef Ping Kati Sod

Grilled coconut milk marinated beef skewers with boiled rice noodles

$13.00

Two of my friends, sisters Jen & Michelle recommended this place as this was our first time visiting and it was such a pleasant experience.  This was a wonderful treat for me because Jen & Michelle were on their way to Brazil for an 9 months internship.    

The waitstaff was very welcoming, knowledgeable about the items on the menu with recommendations.   The beef was so tender, spicy and so well seasoned, you can tell that it was marinated.  I liked the idea of it being on skewers which is one of the arts of eating.  The boiled rice noodles had a lot of  flavor and unfortunately it went fast.  

Stop by and treat yourself to a part of NY Thailand that is tasty, well seasoned and take a journey without getting on the plane.   

#somtumdertogo  #newyork  #lowereastside  #thaifood   #isan  #northereasternthaifood  #food  #goodfood  #fierypapayasalads  #isanstlye  #welcoming  #flavorable  #ambience 

Sweet Chick - lower east side with a bit of a southern accent

Sweet Chick
178 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002
646-657-0233

website:  sweetchick.com

Hours:

Monday                  11:00 am - 2:00 a.m.
Tuesday                  11:00 am - 2:00 a.m.
Wednesday            11:00 am - 2:00 a.m.
Thursday                11:00 am - 2:00 a.m.
Friday                     11:00 am - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday                10:00 am - 4:00 p.m
Sunday                   10:00 am - 4:00 p.m.

They currently do not take reservations.

Last seating is at 1:30 am.

Nashville Hot! Chicken & Waffle - $21.00

As my friend Roz and I were venturing on the lower east side, we decided that we were hungry and stopped in to Sweet Chick's as we had heard about this restaurant for awhile.  

I order the chicken and waffles.  The chicken was extra crispy with a mild season but not juicy.  The waffles were a bit hard but the butter was good and the syrup enhanced the flavor of the waffles.  

The service was moderate but she did come and check to see how our food was.  

I have yet to taste what the big hype is about, but I will venture again to see if maybe Sweet Chick's will live up to its reputation the second time around.  

#sweetchick  #newyork   #lowereastside  #soulfood   #chicken #waffles  #pancakes #frittatas  #southern   #shrimpandgrits   #casualdining  #socialatmosphere  #music  #fullbar  #sliders

Antika - family style pizzeria for sure!

Antika Pizza - permanently closed
3924 Broadway
New York, NY 10032
212-718-9100

36-08 30th Avenue
Astoria, NY  11301
718-545-0555
www.antikapizzaiaastoria.com

Hours:

Monday             4:00 - 10:45 pm
Tuesday            4:00 - 10:45 pm
Wednesday      4:00 - 10:45 pm
Thursday          4:00 - 10:45 pm 
Friday               4:00 - 10:45 pm   
Saturday          11:00 am - 11:45 pm
Sunday             1:00 am - 10:45 pm

Old Fashioned Grandma Style square Pizza - $21.00

Antika red and business cards states Antika, Family Style Pizzeria.  So true, so true!  I could not make up my mind on what to order so I choose the Old Fashioned Grandma Style Square Pizza.  Now can I tell you about this pizza?  The pizza is square shaped with a thin crust, charred in a brick oven, topped with san marzano tomatoes, yummy, fresh mozzarella, grande mozzarella (who knew!), pecorino cheese (yes!), grana padano with extra virgin olive oil and oregano.  This pizza was not created for one person to eat, slices, umm 12, which I was determined to eat as many as I could especially after the first few bites.  It is a family style pizza. 

You might just ask yourself, what is grande mozzarella, because I did. What I found out was that is has a rich, soft, creamy and buttery flavor. 

While dining with my co-workers Erica and Leilani,  after I slowly could only eat 3 slices,  savoring the flavors of this pizza, I had to bring the rest home thankfully.  I reheated 3 slices in the oven later on in the evening and it still held the flavors and tasted just as good as when I was sitting in Antika.

The atmosphere is very laid back and comfortable.   I didn’t feel rush and the wait staff was very knowledgeable, friendly and efficient.  Love the high back red crisscross cushion seats and the brick walls with ceiling to floor windows.  Looking forward to my next visit and wonder what my next choice will be from the menu.

#antikapizzaiaastoria  #astoria  #queens #newyork   #pizza  #italian   #food    #comfortfood   friendly    #desserts    #lunch     #dinner    #greatatmosphere    #instalike    #flavorablepizza