Manhattan Banh Mi Smackdown!

Banh Mi So 1 369 Broome btw Mott & Elizabeth

Saigon Banh Mi 138 Mott btw Grand & Hester

Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches 150 E 2nd @ Ave A

The only thing I am comparing between these 3 shops is your classic Vietnamese sandwich: pate, shredded pork, cilantro, carrots, cucumbers, hot peppers/sauce on a toasted and lightly buttered light french baguette. The key is having the flavors blend with each other yet remain distinct: the crunch of the pickled veggies, a burst of meat goodness and the distinct punches thrown by the chilis and cilantro. Banh Mi So 1 takes the crown for me and thankfully, is within walking distance for lunch – Saigon is a strong contender but seems a little less fresh/heavier on the meat than the Banh Mi So 1 entry. Nicky’s is solid, but costs more and is flatter, flavor-wise, than the Chinatown entries. Of course, if Nicky’s was in my neighborhood, I’d probably eat there twice a week. And all that said, calling something the “Best Banh Mi” is irrelevant because it’s hard to make a bad Banh Mi. Grab a Banh Mi and an iced Vietnamese coffee for a total of about $5 on a sunny day, and enjoy one of the best meals possible while thanking god you live somewhere you can get one of these. [E.M.]

Swizz

53rd Street @ 8th Avenue

I went here one night before a play, totally fired up thinking I would get fondue for one as part of the pre-theater prix fixe on their website: salad, fondue, sorbet for $24.95 – so my perfect dinner! Alas, it was false advertising. Disappointed, I stayed anyway and had the raclette (essentially, cheese melted in a dish with potatoes and gherkins on the side) and a Caesar salad, both very mediocre. They had a crap wine list to boot. Yellowtail for $8 a glass does not a wine list make. The whole place had a cheap, reaching-but-missing-the-mark quality to it. This restaurant also hit on two of my pet peeves – 1) I get more and more annoyed with places that serve dishes “for 2”. If I want fondue by myself, I shouldn’t have to pay 34 bucks. And why do I have to be TWO to eat something? (see: trying to get grilled-at-the-table meats at the Korean BBQ joints on 32nd) 2) Asking me if I want fresh pepper while carting around a GIANT pepper grinder. Hasn’t cusine come far enough now that every table can be trusted to have it’s own grinder? I don’t need an oversolicitous waiter doling out my pepper, dammit. [E.M.]

Ezzy Mae's roundup

PRIME BURGER (5 E. 51st btw 5/Madison): hands down, my all-time favorite diner. They have individual tables that swing out, like a grade school desk, decor that hasn't changed since the early 60s, homemade pie, excellent burgers (make sure you ask for any extras beyond meat, bun and cheese) PLUS grilled cheese and tomato soup are always on the menu. Home of the nicest staff ever, who always remember me and say "Where have you been?" when I don't show up for awhile. Gene Shalit once harrassed me here and a waiter sang "Wichita Lineman" to me while I ate.........

ZAIYA (18 E 41st btw 5/Madison): Almost solely responsible for the weight gain I've experienced since my job moved near here in March. Japanese pastries (cod roe gratin, tuna melt, cheese dome), take-out sushi, bento boxes, crustless tea sandwiches, aloe vera juice and Beard Papa's creme puffs. Very cheap, always insanely crowded. Half price late in the day..........AKDENIZ (19 W. 46th btw 5/6): Mediterranean Turkish cuisine, good cold appetizers like taramasolata and babaganoush, plus traditional turkish entrees like shish kababs, gyros and lots of other things made with lamb..........

BERGER'S (44 W. 47th btw 5/6): basic Jewish deli, a little pricey but perfect when you must have whitefish salad on a bagel or a pastrami sandwich..........

CARVE (8th avenue/corner of 47th): Unique and amazing sandwiches, again a bit expensive, but the half and half (soup + sandwich) is a deal. Try the Fourth of July picnic (fried chicken, corn slaw on Tom Cat baguette) or the Far East Tuna (Crusted tuna with tempura flakes and wasabi alioli served on a big lettuce leaf..........

SAPPORO (152 W.49th btw 6/7): Japanese ramen noodle place, good all the time but serving in the summer only, Hiyashi Chuka, which is a bowl of cold noodles in a slightly sweet broth, topped with ham, chicken, egg, fish cake, green onion, shredded ginger, cucumber, and corn. Awesome.........

KWIK MEAL CART (Southwest corner of 45/6th Ave): The chef here apparently used to work at the Russian Tea Room, if that matters to making some really good kababs out of a cart. Chicken, or for a couple bucks more, a damn good lamb kabab.........

MONSTER SUSHI (46th btw 5/6): Home of the yellow tail special roll, which includes salmon roe. Good, solid sushi place..........And of course, my old standby,

AU BON PAIN (located damn near everywhere). Ham & cheese croissants, salads, gay sandwiches, and half price pastries after 4pm.

A few others: Red Flame Coffee Shop, Virgils (mainly for the Hush Puppies with maple butter), Trin-Paki Boyz cart on 43/6th, Citarella for takeout, Amy's Bread on 9th Avenue, Grand Central Food Court and Pret a Manger. [E.M.]

AQ Cafe

58 Park Avenue at 38th Street Open M-Sat, 10-5

Located inside Scandinavia House and operated by parent restaurant Aquavit, this open, bright, and sparsely-designed cafe has become one of my favorite places for lunch. Specializing in Swedish cuisine, lunch options range from a Grilled Scandinavian Shrimp sandwich ($8.75) to Swedish Meatballs ($9.50) to several salmon-based options. The Smorgasbord plate ($9.00) offers an assortment of 6 to 8 Scandinavian dishes that includes herring, gravlax and meatballs. All entrees and grilled sandwiches are served with a side of salad, bread and/or potato chips with a pungently memorable mayonnaise-based dip. Working my way through the menu over the past few months, I have yet to hit on a bad dish. Although the wait to get your food can sometimes be up to 15 minutes (plates are made to order) it's great place to sit for an hour, read the paper and enjoy a unique yet not-too-expensive lunch. [E.M.]

Black Pearl

Back of Julep, 14 Ave A btw 1/2

Remember this: For $14.95, you can get a whole 1 1/4 pound lobster and perfectly crispy french fries. On Tuesdays only. Black Pearl is a fish-shack style restaurant in the back of the divey bar Julep, on Ave A near the corner of Houston. Serving pan roasts, lobster rolls, ceviche, fried oysters, lobster pot pie, plus a variety of other fried-seafood-on-a-roll type entrees, the only thing I had eyes for the lobster special. It was just about perfect. Sit on the back patio on a warm day, get there in time for the 2 for 1 beer before 7:30, and think about how Montauk has nothing on the East Village. [E.M.]

Quercy

242 Court St, Brooklyn

Sister restaurant to the always reliable La Lunchonette in Chelsea, we showed up here (the former Harvest East space) to try the $19.95 "Brooklyn Restaurant Week" special . While eating a three-course prix-fixe on a Saturday afternoon was a little ambitious, the food was solid French bistro. I started my meal with a light Cream of Asparagus soup surprisingly not cream-based as I had assumed it would be. Excellent chewy lamb sausages with cooked apples served alongside haricots vertes, and a watery potato gratin were next. I finished up with a dense, gorgeous chocolate cake served with a fudge sauce and marinated fruit. Our closing cup of coffee was intense, thick rocket fuel, the way coffee should be. Quercy sets itself up as a reliable and delicious neighborhood favorite, and it's worth your money if you want a well-prepared French meal. The decor is simple, immediately cluing diners in to the rustic french fare they specialize in. The raised frog-embossed tiles lining the bathroom walls were a great, silly touch. [E.M.]

Next Door Nobu

Corner of Franklin/Hudson, Manhattan

Since this restaurant opened six years ago, as a "no reservations accepted" alternative to the schmancy big-time Nobu, I've been wanting to go. So when Mr. Cranky suggested one Saturday night "Let's go. I'll pay", you never saw me drive into the city faster, trying to get there before the wait become interminable. No luck - by the time we arrived at 7:30, the wait was already up to an hour and a half. I can honestly say: the wait is worth it. I don't need to be the 200th person to rave about the Black Cod with Miso sauce, although it derves every single bit of praise. Slighly crisp on the outside, perfectly moist on the inside and bathed in a miso sauce with a perfect touch of sweetness, this is a dish i'll crave at unopportune and cash-poor times. We were seated at the sushi bar, and the service was spotty at times, but no matter. I wish I could eat this way every night. The shrimp tempure in spicy creamy sauce was promptly added to a perfect trifecta of fried asian foods in my brain that include New Pasteur's salt & pepper squid, and Noodletown's salt-baked softshell crab. [E.M.]

Lamb & Jaffey

Manhattan Ave/Eagle St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn

An American bistro FINALLY opened on on the far Northern reaches of Manhattan ave., i've heard this place is packed for dinner. We tried it for brunch, and while it's a much needed addition for Greenpoint where the only thing you can get it Thai or Polish, the meal was mediocre. 1) learn to keep coffee hot. the silver creamers are cute, but don't work to hold heat 2) Hollandaise sauce is a staple. It shouldn't be runny with a consistency of water. 3) an artichoke heart is not a substitute for the base bread item in eggs benedict. Creative, but a bad idea. Service was nice, if a bit annoying and twitchy. The interior is simple with a huge kitchen in the back for their catering business (the original business of the two chefs) with lots of sun and wood. Although their entrees seem a little pricey for the neighborhood ($18 for Scallops?) I'm definitely going to go again and give them a chance at cooking a real meal during dinner. They also deliver. But do I need Coriander Crusted Salmon brought to my door?? Jury's still out [E.M.]

new empanada joint

Right next to the International Bar on 1st Ave and 7th street in Manhattan

I sure love empanadas, which is why it's pretty surprizing to even me that I haven't checked this place out yet. For crying out loud I don't even know the frigging name of the place...but this is what I heard: It's a chain (well, sort of, there's a few more of 'em owned by the same guy around the city), and it's around $2.95 for an empanada. Seems a little steep to me. But evidently it's good stuff. I'll let you know when I find out, but it seems to me you might get more bang for your buck at the Vietnamese sandwich place.

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches

(150 East 2nd St.at Ave A, in Manhattan)

Have you tried one of these things yet?? They call these sandwiches Banh Mi... I'm not sure what they do to these things, and I don't really care...they're mighty good...and only $3.95 for a huge sandwhich. You have a choice of pork, chicken or sardines...we tried the pork and the chicken and were quite pleased with both. Try it, you'll love it. I'm sure there's fancy New Yorker types out there that know of more Banh Mi joints either better and or cheaper...whatevs...I like this one.

Dok Suni

(1st Ave at 7th St, in Manhattan)

I've been hearing my fancier friends talk about this Korean place for eons, and finally I had my chance to dine here. I must say, DO believe the hype. It was FANTABULOUS...really excellent. We had some of that sweet potato vodka (was it called Soju?) and some ribs and curried chicken and some amazing appetizers I couldn't tell you what they were if I tried. All in all a really great meal... small and cozy place, pleasant and efficient service, delightful. Two factual things I can tell you: one, it's a cash-only place, and two, Dok Suni means little kiss. 

Maryann's Mexican Food

(2nd Ave near 5th St. in Manhattan)

Note to self, STOP eating here. It sucks. Even the margaritas, which seemed like the only thing that could save us the last time we went, were mediocre at best. WHY I've even been here more than once is beyond me. I tell you one thing though, NEVER AGAIN!

The Donut Plant

(Grand St. btwn Essex at Suffolk or something like that.... who cares, right? LES)

Two bucks a donut?? This place is totally overrated. I don't care if they use organic milk and no eggs.... it's a frigging donut.

Crif Dog

(St Mark's Place, between 1st Ave A, Manhattan)

Apparently the Village Voice just reviewed this place a few weeks ago (among other hot dog places.) So I almost left this review out, however, then I thought to myself, "Now really, who READS the Village Voice anyhow??!" I'll just outline the highlights of Crif Dog for you and you can decide for yourself what you think:

1. Their logo is a sexy girl riding a giant hot dog that says, "eat me."
2. They have an unbelievably large collection of Homies on the ledge around the room.
3. They have a table video game of Ms Pac Man AND Galaga all in one.
4. They serve Budweiser in cans and ask you, "Would you like this to go?"
5. Lastly, BACON WRAPPED, DEEP FRIED HOT DOGS!!!

Bonita

(Bedford Ave, between S. 2nd and S. 3rd, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

It turns out, besides delicious sangria, this place also has excellent fish tacos, and even more excellent Mexican corn (rivals even the corn from Café Habana.) They deep fry their corn chips there too, so they're so nice and warm and greasy...mmm...A relatively small restaurant where if you eat at the bar, you can watch the cooks make all the food in their collection of 52 small skillets... and witness lots of crashing around and high flames... A friendly staff, reasonable prices, small menu, and pretty matchbooks that say Bonita. This place is sure to be a summertime fave for me.

Little Frankie's

(1st Ave at 1st street in Manhattan)

This place is super cozy (I don't think they could possibly cram any more tables or chairs in there.) The prices are reasonable, with an extensive wine list and a 4-cheese pizza to kill for. The staff is incredibly friendly (and cute,) and even though you'll probably have to wait for a table, they'll take your cell phone # so if you want to go down the street for a cocktail while you wait, they'll give you a call when your table's ready. Nice.

Sparky's Hot Dog Joint

(N.5th and Bedford, Williamsburg, NYC)

I can't believe it took me all this time to finally eat here. Besides being a little more expensive than you'd expect for a hot dog place, it sure is yummy. You have your choice of beef or tofu dogs, the buns are bakery fresh rolls, and the ketchup is homemade. It's not the hot dog you'd get from a street vendor, but it's not exactly gourmet either. They have burgers too but I haven't tried those yet. I smell a lot of summer time days at Sparkys.

 Sparky's Hot Dog Joint

(in Williamsburg)

This review was from last summer, and I made it sound like I actually like the place. On the contrary, I just like hotdogs. I think Sparky's is overpriced, their buns are too bready and take over the dog, and the homemade ketchup is for the birds.

Cheers

(Metropolitan Ave down by Lorimer Ave, Williamsburg, NYC)

Amarin

(Manhattan Ave, past Driggs, Greenpoint, NYC)

My two favorite foods to order to be delivered (on those nights that you're just too damned lazy to do anything but get food delivered) are Pad Thai, and Fried Calamari. Here lies the problem in my neighborhood delivery zone... If one wants to order BOTH fried Calamari AND Pad Thai, then you're pretty much forced to half ass your order, or you have to get two separate deliveries. Essentially my review is this: Cheers makes excellent Pad Thai and horrible fried Calamari. Amarin makes horrible Pad Thai, and excellent fried Calamari. Hmmm.... Nothing is ever perfect.

The Empanada Stand

(Grand St. and Humboldt, Williamsburg, NYC)

One dollar for the tastiest piece of deep fried heaven this side of the East River. Need I say more?