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Announcements

Announcements, Midtown, Restaurants
Sophie’s Cuban on 40th St Closed - NYC
11.17.08 | Permalink | Comment?

Had the Masitas de Puerco (Fried Pork) sandwich last week at Sophie’s Cuban on 40th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue), and although it was dry and I didn’t experience “sandwich bliss,” I decided to give them another shot and try a rice dish today. Unfortunately, when I got there, the store was empty, and there was a sign on the door stating they were closed. No other explanation was given. I guess even the NY Times review couldn’t save them. Oh well, I tried. I guess I’ll have to keep going to Margon or El Sabroso when a Latin craving hits.

UPDATE: Sophie’s Cuban emailed Midtown Lunch to explain the reason for their closing. They blamed depressing scaffolding and the lack of customers from the new NY Times building.
Announcements, Restaurants
OpenTable Appetite Stimulus Plan - NYC
11.10.08 | Permalink | Comment?

My friend Catalin just emailed me about this. The OpenTable Appetite Stimulus Plan seems to be a variation on Restaurant Week with fewer restaurants participating. Here is the info from OpenTable:

“$35 Dinners, $24 Lunches (prices are per person and do not include beverage, tax or gratuity)
November 17-21, 2008
200 OpenTable Dining Rewards Points”

Restaurant Week is usually a gamble. I’ve had some really great experiences (David Burke & Donatella, Cafe Boulud), and some very mediocre ones (Brasserie 8 1/2, Steak Frites, Butter). Usually if a restaurant is good during Restaurant Week, I know they care about the quality of their food and their reputation to serve more than just decent fare regardless of price. If a restaurant serves crap during restaurant week, I won’t go back. I find it demeaning when restaurants make you feel like you should be privileged just to be in their restaurant all the whilst serving you substandard food. That’s my opinion at least. So take a look at the list. No matter what you do though, don’t pick Hawaiian Tropic Zone. I doubt they care about their food or their reputation.
Announcements, Midtown
Possible Price Hike @ Ying Du - NYC
10.16.08 | Permalink | 1 Comment

So many of you know that Ying Du is back in business since they were closed by the DOH two weeks ago. If you didn’t, they’re open. So today I went to get my weekly duck fix, and when I went to pay, a strange thing happened. The woman at the register said my order was $5.50 instead of the usual $5 because I got a leg. Mind you, I didn’t order a leg, the woman just filled the container with leg, thigh, and breast meat like they normally do. I asked if the price went up, but she said it didn’t and that it’s always an extra fifty cents for legs. Now I’ve been going to Ying Du for more than a year and this is news to me. It seems to me every time they close and then reopen the prices go up. Before they renovated, duck over rice was $4.50. After the numbering system, it went up to $5. Now it’s $5.50. I really shouldn’t be complaining, considering they have the best roast meats in Midtown and the ridiculous amount they give you for the price. But, hey, sometimes I’m a cheap bastard and I get cranky when I’m hungry. In any case, be forewarned, you may or may not be charged an extra fifty cents.
Announcements, Midtown
Ying Du Closed by DOH - NYC
09.25.08 | Permalink | Comment?

Seems Ying Du has been closed by the DOH temporarily for a few infractions. Is that going to stop me from going back when they reopen? HELL NO! In fact, I’ll be the first one on line. I ate there once four times in one week, and I never saw anything to be worried about. In fact, I’m living proof Ying Du can’t be all that bad. Keep a stiff upper lip, Ying Du, I’ll be hungrily waiting. Damn, now what am I going to eat tomorrow?
Announcements, Chinatown, Restaurants
New Posts Are a Comin….
09.18.08 | Permalink | 2 Comments

I have a big project at work these days so I haven’t had time to blog or even sit down to a meal for more than fifteen minutes. As a result, I’ve been eating a lot of Korean ramyun and Chinese lamian (hand-pulled noodles). Tonight I ate Hand-Pulled Noodles with Beef in Hot & Spicy Soup at Super Taste on the way home. It was spicier than usual today, which I don’t mind, but the broth was somewhat less meaty tasting; not as satisfying as usual. Also, they don’t have the little container of snow cabbage on the tables anymore!!! OH GOD, WHY??!!! OK, I think I need some sleep. I’ll have a real post up this weekend.

Super Taste
26N Eldridge St. (nr. Canal St.)
New York, NY 10002