GaijinGirl

Yes, we should!! :)

Ooooh, great info, Anzu! Yes, I plan to run through each and every country in Southeast Asia (and the SARs) - I'd try all of Asia, but it's just too vast and way beyond my abilities (at least at this point.) So far, I've delved deeply into Malaysian, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and some of Burma. Next on the agenda are Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia and Japan. Then I'm hitting the harder areas like Cambodia, Laos then Brunei and Macau.... WOW am I going to be busy for awhile!!!!!

Anzu, Thanks for the link - it does sound good - don't know if there's much else out there for Brunei cuisine, but kek batik at least seems worthwhile! (I'm researching and trying to sample all the southeast asian cuisines - it looks like the hardest to find is going to Brunei and Macao....!)

Does anyone know if there are any local dishes/regional cuisine distinctive to Brunei? Or is it all just a variation on Malaysian? (I've been researching Southeast Asian food, and haven't seen anything specific to Brunei.) Thanks for any info! Best, Janet C. (Gaijin Girl)

Second day that I was told they were out. May have to order it mailorder.

Well, I just called all the restaurants. Roy's has Poke. But *nobody* has Poi. *Sob* --Janet (GG)

I was down in Deluxe Food this evening - they'd run out, but I confirmed that they *do* sell it there regularly...will post as soon as I hit it lucky...!

Mistinguett, Thanks a million - I know *exactly* where that is!!! Got to go tomorrow.... I promise to report back - at least relatively soon....

Quick question - anyone know where to find Dragon's Beard candy in Chinatown? It's now on my *to try* list....! Thanks! GG

Oooo...I'm intregued! (Taro balls are one of my favorite dim sum, for instance...)

:)))) It just looks interesting - and I *do* like taro in other forms.....! --Janet (GG)

My intended response (one of these days) is simply to collect them for awhile, and dump them back at the restaurant when I have enough....

You know, I'd love to know the answer to this thread as well. So far, I have only eaten at dim sum at Jing Fong in Manhattan. But I would eventually like to try dim sum somewhere else. According to some past threads on Chowhound, Gum Fung and East Manor are good in Flushing.... --Janet (GG)

Yep, and that's what this one was named after. It's part of a series of restaurant/pubs owned by the same company that does the theme restaurant Jekyll and Hyde. They used to have one called Night Gallery, too, but I believe that closed. My husband originally liked the Slaughtered Lamb (in the Village) when he was first getting into beer, because they have a slightly better selection than your average bar. Since then, he's discovered beer bars with much more depth. But - used to be Slaughtered Lamb at least was a cute night out. Now it's a nasty, overexpensive dive. (Or am I being too critical?)

Just *in case* anyone was tempted - just recently got dragged to the Slaughtered Lamb (which I have mildly liked years ago) and it's gone seriously downhill. Sticky tables, very slow service, no glass with the beer, watered down cocktail, and music so loud it made my teeth ache. Just so it's on record...! My husband (the brewer) made me go, and he didn't like it, either. --Janet (GG)

Thanks Miulang - not sure I want 2lbs of poi when I haven't tried it yet, but at least I have the option. It's a shame - you'd think NYC would have at least one authentic restaurant of everything....! --Janet (GG)

Anyone know where to find Poi in NYC? I know Waikiki Wally's won't have it, but would love to try.....! --Janet (GG)

Prasantrin, I do appreciate the concern, and will look into it - and (of course) I'll definitely be avoiding Hebo from now on. And bees in general. I tend to think it was the bee larva and not the preservatives, because I imagine that whatever preservatives were used I've already had somewhere before. All that said - the reaction is finally subsided, and I'm glad to have tried it (if not the experience itself.) Thanks. --Janet (GG)

I appreciate the concern - but I think I will be fine. (Day three, and it's fading.) But I had been wondering if such a reaction had been known to happen in Japan (where people are much more likely to be eating Hebo.) Mind you, I've never been diagnosed as being particularly allergic to bees. So--Torakris, I *definitely* would stay away from Hebo, given your childhood history! And now I'm hesitant to try out Inago (although there's no venom there...!)

Was wondering if anyone else ever had this problem. I live in NYC, and finally found, and tasted Hebo two days ago. Not bad, though pricey. An enjoyable experience. What was perhaps not surprising in hindsight: I've had a slight allergic reaction to the bees. Two days later, and my lips are still puffy. (I don't think there's any need to see a doctor - breathing is just fine) BUT - do they not remove the venom sacs in Hebo? ARE there venom sacs in baby honeybees? It's a shame - the Hebo experience itself was rather fun...! --Janet (GG)

I have to say - the staff at Chikubu is very nice, gracious and stylish, the experience has me wanting to try them for a more normal dish, like sushi...

(Actually, more like stupid GG alert for not thinking of the possible implications of eating bees - not that I'm overly allergic to them.) They must remove the stingers - also, they were baby bees, so maybe they don't have them yet? I didn't chew on anything that felt like a stinger. BUT - as my husband pointed out last night - the venom sacs are probably in the body itself, and they probably don't remove that. But yes, I'm happy to have tried them. They tasted just fine, but both because of the allergic reaction and the cost (and that they weren't AMAZING) - one time is enough. --Janet (GG)

Yes, I have now tried baby honey bee in sweet soy sauce. And it wasn't bad. It's at Chikubu on 44th (they seem very nice, authentic and stylish - I'm impressed at first glance.) The dish was expensive, and very small - but I'm glad to have tried it. I got about 30 in a small cup, and they tasted like cooked chickpea with a sweet honey glaze. If you look REAL close, you can see the legs, but otherwise they weren't recognizable. Now, where the heck is that Inago...? --Janet (GG) Note (two hours later) - slight warning - I have *actually* come down with a bit of an allergic reaction to the hebo - which I suppose is not surprising. So - if you're at all allergic, be careful. (Here's to hoping the sudafed does its job.)

PS: For Di Fara's, I got two slices - one with garlic, the other with onions and extra cheese (they didn't have any artichokes available.)

The appeal for each was different: Manettas (although it was awhile ago), had small slices with crisp crusts, with very fresh toppings - I vaguely remember a thick mozzarella topping on one, and a few "gourmet" options that were different but tasty (can't remember specifically what they were, unfortunately!) Nicky's on the other hand - I would rate higher than Manettas - there's an "everything" slice with chicken, peppers and onions that's just enormous, and filling, and just delicious with every bite. It's NOT a traditional thin crust, but when faced with that wonderful slice, it really doesn't matter! (One slice will also fill you for hours...!) The plain slice is okay, but it's nothing compared to the everything slice. Not at all. FYI: I've also tried Pinch, and been pretty unimpressed there, too.