New York City, New York

Yes.. Chef Eats is back in the the Big Apple! And what better way to start it off? Carnegie Deli.. one of New York’s finest and most popular delis! Yeah you’ve seen it on the Food Network and the Travel Channel.. but now see it like never before.. From a real live normal person! haha The lines were long and the whole place was packed. But once inside.. the service is honest and the food is plentiful!

Outside Carnegie Deli (yes that’s a line)

Pickles

Chicken Broth Soup with Giant Matzoh balls

Potato Salad

Big Pickles, Chicken Soup with Giant Matzohs, and uber sweet Potato Salad. The Chicken Broth soup with Matzoh balls was pretty good but just like most things here.. you will get overwhelmed with the portion sizes! The Potato Salad was very sweet, on it’s own it may not be something you’ll shovel into your mouth.. but with the Pastrami and Corned Beef, it’s sweetness can be an ally!

The Woody Allen (Corned beef and Pastrami)

The Woody Allen with ”Lotsa Corned Beef and lotsa Pastrami”.. No kidding! This monsterous sandwich comes fully loaded with beef and MORE BEEF! And this was the smaller version! There’s a crazier double stacked version that’s just laughable! I split this with the girlfriend (which means she took a quarter of it…) And I still couldn’t finish it! Flavor-wise, it’s DELICIOUS! The meat couldn’t be seasoned any better.. and it was cooked perfectly.. it ate like brisket! Order the Potato Salad to avoid getting tired of the sandwich.. the sweetness helps with the large serving of savory!

Strawberry Cheesecake

And for real deal New York cheesecake… I would have to say that this is one of the best places in the city to get it. It’s creamy and smooth texture goes very nicely with it’s decadent flavor! And the strawberry topping is sooo good. This was much needed after wrestling with the enormous sandwich. The service was great.. very witty and funny. And when one of my friends tried to order more than he can chew.. the waitress actually stopped him from ordering it! I thought that was funny.. (he eventually made the order, and no he didnt finish any of it)

Overall Rating:  1/2 (out of 7 )

www.carnegiedeli.com

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Anywhere, World

It’s a new year.. So what are you gonna eat? What’s the first thing you’re going to put into your mouth?? Does it really matter? I think it does.. it’s like a foreshadow of how your year in food will be! So if you open up with Spam, then the year will be filled with Spam! (not that anything is wrong with Spam.. haha)

I’ve been thinking… I think I’ll start it with some Seared Diver Scallops.. mmmmMmm

Seared Diver Scallops

I’m still debating on what kind of sauce I’ll make for it.. maybe a Saffron and wild mushroom cream sauce! yes.. that will be ideal! Scallops are fresh, plum, and juicy.. that’s how my year will be! lol

What about you? What’s on the New Year’s menu? =)

New Orleans, LA

Brigtsen’s is located just a few steps across the street from Dante’s Kitchen. It’s funny how people who hangout a lot start to take on the habits of the other person.. these two restaurants seem to have done just that. Both have very cozy “home-like” interiors and the food has an upscale southern style flair to it.. that Upperline feel.. It’s a very comfortable setting when you eat at either restaurant. Brigtsen’s has won numerous awards.. so why not give it a little love on Chef Eats?

Sautéed Sweetbreads

We started off with the Sweetbreads.. Sautéed Sweetbreads with Potato Leek Cake, Shiitakes, Capers, & Lemon Roasted Garlic Sauce! It was delicious! The sweetbreads were cooked perfectly. Tender and moist on the inside and browned & crisped on the outside.. It was seasoned nicely and the sauce along with the mushrooms were a very nice touch!

Roasted Duck

Brigtsen’s Seafood Platter

For the entrees?
Roast Duck with Cornbread Dressing & Honey Pecan Gravy (served with Mashed Potatoes and a veg stirfry) The duck was meltingly tender and the cornbread dressing was very good.. I didn’t care much for the veg stirfry. But overall, very good in moderation!

The second entree was Brigtsen’s Seafood Platter.. Grilled Drum Fish with Shrimp & Pistachio Lime Sauce, Shrimp Cornbread with Smoked Corn Butter, Baked Oyster with Lemon Artichoke Sauce, Baked Oyster LeRuth with Shrimp & Crabmeat, Grilled Shrimp & Crab Cake with Smoked Paprika Aïoli Sauce, Shrimp Ratatouille… sound like a lot? Yes it was! lol Every item was good.. a few stood out more than others. But ultimately.. the food was very rich and very plentiful.. either come hungry or share a plate! (chefs hate that btw.. haha)

Strawberries with Trés Leches Cake

And for dessert..
Strawberries with Trés Leches Cake.. it was a good way to end the meal. It’s funny how the thing you want the most.. you get smallest portion. lol If I had to compare Brigtsen’s to Dante’s Kitchen just after one visit.. I would have to give the edge to Dante’s. The service was fine.. the ambiance was good.. a bit pricey but it’s a very nice date restaurant.

Average check for 2 people $110 (tip and wine included)

Overall Rating:

 
(out of 7 )

www.brigtsens.com

remember they have large portions! order accordingly..

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New Orleans, LA

My apologies.. life has been rather busy. With Thanksgiving and my birthday last week.. I couldn’t even find the time to read my subscriptions much less write an entry. But it feels good to be back! =) Ok.. So when you’re in New Orleans you go to all of the fancy and cliche places to eat (i..e. Commanders Palace, Brennans, Galatoire’s, K-Pauls..etc..) nothing wrong with these restaurants.. But sometimes you need a change up, especially if you eat at a lot of places like I do..

Today’s change up?? Dante’s Kitchen, A small restaurant off Carrollton Aveune where the river bends. There’s nothing flashy about this place.. none of that overthetop service, the food isn’t disgustingly fluffed up, and the dining room isn’t all too fancy. It’s place with good comfortable service, great food executed solidly, and a very quaint cozy home-like setting.

Blue Crab Trio

Spoonbread

For appetizer.. we ordered one of the specials they were running, the Louisiana Blue Crab Trio, which is composed of a mini grilled crabcake with pickled watermelon tartar sauce, herb marinated crab fingers, and jumbo lump crabmeat over avocado with Key Lime vinaigrette. It wasn’t spectacular but enjoyable.. Well done and very simple. The spoonbread on the otherhand had me salivating for more. If you’ve never had spoonbread before, go here just to try it! It’s like extra moist and buttery cornbread. Very much worth it!

Seared Diver Scallops

Caramelized Wahoo

For the entrees? Seared Diver Scallop and Caramelized Wahoo. The Seared Diver Scallops were served with cauliflower and brie sauce over sunflower shoots, arugula, shaved red onion, and Bucharon anchovies, and toasted pinenuts. (this is what it said on the menu, but I think a few elements were changed) Well you can’t really go wrong with Seared Scallops.. perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked.. the salad was a nice compliment. The Caramelized Wahoo with mirliton slaw and soy butter sauce was quite refreshing. The fish was very fresh and seasoned to my liking (the picture doesn’t do it justice) This item was also off their specials menu.

 
Trio of Ice Creams/Sorbets

Trio of Creme Brulee

And for the desserts? Trios.. I love trios! So much variety.. its glutton’s dream! =)  Trio of Ice Creams and Sorbets.. Cantalope, Persimmon Bread Pudding, and Spiced Pear. All very good, but I think I enjoyed the Persimmon Bread pudding the most. And Trio of Creme Brulee.. Nutmeg, Vanilla, and Absinthe Cherry. Out of the 3 Vanilla stood out. yeah it sounds very “vanilla” but it actually had some depth in flavor. Regardless.. all desserts were wiped out! haha

Overall Rating:   1/2   (out of 7 )

www.danteskitchen.com

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Austin, Texas

Salt Lick 360 is a pretty nice BBQ place in Austin.. They rival the famous Rudy’s (also located in Austin). So what’s their claim to fame? I would have to narrow it down to 3 things. They have a BYOB policy, yes “bring your own beer”! (from what it seems only at the other location. sadly, the one I went to didn’t.. is that strange?) #2 is the unique sweet then tangy not quite ketchup based bbq sauce.. It’s a welcome change to the generic sauces! And lastly, you can order their ALL YOU CAN EAT FAMILY STYLE! Yes you heard right.. for one price you get unlimited everything! Keep reading and you’ll see what I’m talking about.. =)

In front of Salt Lick

Salt Lick’s BBQ Sauce

The sides.. Mashed Taters, Reb Beans, and Slaw (The Family Style Portion)

The Meats: Sausage, Ribs and Brisket (The Family Style Portion)

So as I was saying earlier.. Salt Lick has all you can eat  bbq. Delicious briskets, tasty ribs, and some very flavorful sausage! They also give you some potato sald, coleslaw, and red beans.. All which are nothing more than fillers. Save your stomach for the meats.. The bbq sauce is interesting. It’s sweet and slightly tangy, I like their spicier version better.. you gotta ask for it.

Their composed one serving plate.

Peace Cobbler! mmmm…

If you don’t want the family style.. you can get a composed plate (pictured above) which gives you a taste of everything that would normally come with the “all you can eat” option. The ladies in the group went with that. And for dessert? The peach cobbler is a must order! If my mom made peach cobbler this is how it would taste… Ice cream just makes everything better, don’t you agree? =) Try out Salt Lick 360 if you’re ever in the Austin area. you won’t be disappointed.

Overall Rating:     (out of 7 )

www.saltlickthreesixty.com

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Englewood, NJ



So I was up late one night watching ESPN.. I was starting to get a little hungry so I went through my pantry (nutrigrain bars, cereals, wheat thins..etc..) Nothing appealed to me.. Then I ran across a popcorn commercial. The tagline?? “FREE POPCORN, Just pay for shipping!” I figured what the hell.. I’ll try out this “gourmet popcorn”..


Dale and Thomas Popcorn



Bag of Cinnamon Creme Drizzlecorn



Cinnamon Creme Drizzlecorn upclose!


I’m not the biggest fan of popcorn… My theory? It’s the biggest tease! It smells like heaven.. but the flavor never matches up to the scent. Like a beautiful girl with no substance (wit, humor.. etc..) Why try right? Well this popcorn will convert you into a believer. The flavors all just pop in your mouth.. it’s almost like eating gourmet candies with the texture of popcorn. It’s a unique experience.. Pay a few bucls for shipping and try it out for yourself!

Overall Rating:     (out of 7 )

FREE DELICIOUS POPCORN (just pay shipping!)

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Metairie, LA


When you think New Orleans you expect rich cajun and creole food traditions.. you also expect a very good showing of French cuisine and because of the large Vietnamese population, you’ll see a lot of good Viet places to eat.. But when you think of good authentic Chinese food, this ain’t usually the place where you’ll find it.. But I think I’ve found just the place. It’s called China Rose and it’s located near “Fat City” in Metairie’s CBD…



Out in front of China Rose

This is a new location for them… that explains the lack of signage… but you can’t miss it, it’s right off 14th St. @ 3501 N Arnoult Rd, Metairie LA…. 



Fried pork intestines



Fried Tofu Balls


If you want the Americanized stuff like egg drop soup and boneless chicken, they serve that stuff too… but if you want to good stuff, make sure you ask for the “Asian Menu”. I ordered some Fried Pork Intestines and Fried Tofu Balls to start it off. The Pork Instestines are very flavorful and are crispy and salty.. It’s like eating soft pork cracklins to all you Southern folk. haha  And the Fried Tofu Balls are a mixture of tofu and shrimp formed into the shape of an egg and covered with a rich sweet glaze.. Everything in moderation right? it’s pretty damn good..


Steamed Pork Buns



Real Potstickers


 I usually make trips to NYC’s Joe’s Shanghai to fulfill my “Soup Dumpling” needs but I think I’ve finally found some dumplings that can actually save me a trip! I prefer driving 20 minutes to Metairie rather than driving 40 minutes to the airport then taking a 3 hour flight to NYC.. it just makes more sense.. lol

Back to the subject.. I ordered some Steam Pork Buns (aka Steam Pork Purses or Steamed Pork Dumplings) and it was delicious.. Nothing is ever going to be as good as the first.. but if it’s good, it’s good right? And I guess you can call me a dumpling fanatic because I also ordered the Potstickers.. The photo above is how it’s actually presented, in it’s potstuck form! You have to break through the caramelized crust but that crunchy bottom makes it all worth it! Don’t forget to glaze it with the sweet dumpling sauce! Compliments to the Chef! =)

Overall Rating:   1/2  (out of 7 )

Good service and unexpected great food! Give it a try..

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**Edit**: Those are indeed “Turnip Cakes”… I remember now, because that day I asked for Taro Cakes and the only thing comparable to ‘em were the Turnip Cakes.. It wasn’t bad! Thanks for the many corrections and yes I do need to get some dim sum outside of the U.S. and that giant dumpling was great! haha

New York City, NY

Go go gadget? Go go dim sum… lol

While in New York City, you’ve got to hit up Chinatown and get some good dim sum! (another reason for visiting Chinatown would have to be Joe’s Shanghai and their famous “soup dumplings”) Go Go Dim Sum does sound kinda funny but don’t let the name turn you off… they have pretty darn good dim sum aka chinese tapas! Usually when I go to an Asian restaurant, I look around and see if other Asians are dining there.. I didn’t see many of them at Go Go, so I was a bit weary.. But I trusted my friend’s opinion and stuck with it. This was my journey… haha

Outside near Go Go..

Go Go Dim Sum if you couldn’t tell.. haha

Giant “soup dumpling”

Steam Flour Roll with Shrimp

Braised Chicken Feet

Pan-fried Taro Cakes Turnip Cakes

Shui Mai aka Pork Dumplings

Sorry for the blurry pictures.. the food is better than the picture.

Har Gow aka Shrimp Dumplings

Deep-fried Sesame Seed Balls

So there you have it.. Shui Mai.. Har Gow.. Steam Flour Rolls.. Taro Cakes Turnip Cakes.. Chicken Feet.. Sesame Seed Balls and many other items that aren’t pictured. Essentially, Dim Sum is a lower scale version of a multi-course Tasting menu where you get to choose exactly what you want. The dim sum here was above average and since I am coming from a city deprived of good dim sum, my opinion could be slightly skewed. Take that into account but take nothing away from Go Go. The service was ok for a Chinese restaurant and the large tables made it feel almost as if we were not at a NYC restaurant. (which are usually small and crowded)

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New York City, NY

Isle Thai is located at 282 Bleeker Street in Manhattan. It’s a small, trendy little thai restaurant that boasts some serious “Thai Home Cooking”. I was there celebrating a friend’s birthday and the meal was a pretty good compliment to great night out. We loaded up on sake before we headed out to the club and bars… yes it was fun.. =)

Pad Thai

Yellow Curry

Tamarind Whole Fish

So we start off with some Pad Thai, Stir-fried rice noodle with egg, peanuts, scallions and bean sprouts.. It was good, maybe a little wetter than I’m use to but the flavors were all there. It’s really hard to mess something like that up. As you can see, when you go to a Thai place.. you want to get the staples and see how they measure up. The Yellow Curry, mild curry with chicken, potatoes and onions in coconut broth was flavorful but the chicken was a touch too dry. Still a decent serving..

And lastly we had the Tamarind Whole Fried Fish, Crispy fish fillet with tamarind sauce…It wasn’t bad, nothing spectacular but I think it was a lot to do the lack of meat on the fish. Regardless, I love fried fish.. it kind of sparks a childhood memory of my mom’s cooking. If you’re in Manhattan and craving Thai, give this place a shot..

Overall Rating:  1/2 (out of 7 )

www.IsleThai.com