GaijinGirl

Dear Pan, Didn't like Patsy's either. I actually volunteer at the CACC Animal Shelter on weekends, which is very close to Patsy's. Maybe it was only because I ordered a slice rather than a pie, but I found Patsy's kind of droopy and plain. I definitely like Di Fara's over Patsy's - but neither rocked my world. Haven't tried Grimaldi's, Lombardis or John's yet, so there's some hope out there....

Got to DiFara's this afternoon: Let me say, I have the utmost respect for Dominic's craftsmanship, and to be fair, the flavors were both subtle and complex. (More so than most if not all pizza's I've had). But was it worth the 1.5 train ride from the Bronx, and the higher than average price? For me, I'm afraid not. I'm glad to have tasted it - but this is not a slice that I'll dream about. There are only two slices that have yet affected me in that manner - Manetta's in Queens, and Nicky's (the Bronx, my neighborhood - specifically, the chicken and onions slice.) Sorry. --Janet (GG)

Hey - why did no-body tell me that Krystal's was near Sriprathai, as well as a great Filipino grocery called Phil Am at 40-03 70th Street??? (I arrived too early to Sri, and walked around. Great discoveries!) But back on topic - had the laarb. Wonderful - although I've now discovered that I can't eat Thai peppers whole - my delicate little stomach has apparently lost some of its imperviousness over the years....!

I second the disagreement! LOVED my Sago drink and Snow Frog Jelly Tong Shui at Sweet N' Tart cafe when I went....!

Thanks - (probably taking a trip today) As a separate aside, I have to say that it's the refrigerator section with desserts that's made ME love Sripraphai so much. The rest of the Thai restaurants I've seen offer one or two items (like fried banana or ice cream), and then you've got Sripraphai with not only a million different authentic offerings, but with the names on them for the Thai impaired, as well! It's due to that refrigerated section that I'm actually willing to travel from the Bronx to eat there....!

Ah ha! The search for Roti Jala is addictive! Yes, it's my understanding (haven't never seen it except in pictures) that Roti Jala is lacy and "fancier" than Roti Canai, and is also served with curry for dipping. Got to find it somewhere....!

Ah yes - Sanur, and I do like it. The service is slightly gruff, but that's fine. Sanur also has an amazingly cheap $3.00 'economical breakfast'. But I *do* like the Kueh better at Curry Leaves in Flushing. No Onde Onde or Jala there, though. I've also heard so-so things about the following three - any comments? Brodobur New Malaysia Singapore Cafe (they're the last three in Manhattan I've not yet tried...) --Janet (GG)

Thanks - it *definitely* does...!

Thanks for the warning! Now...if only I can find that Onde Onde...!

Thought I'd drop a line and mention two really good Korean finds I found recently - must tries, actually: 1) Hwe Dup Bop (Sashimi with spicy red sauce and veggies) - in of all places, a deli called Old Bridge - 373 Lexington Avenue (39th Cross). Veeerrrry tasty. 2) A particularly good and soft Mochi at Koryodang - 31 west 32nd street - it's usually at the counter, large, asymmetrical and white. Best mochi I've ever had. FYI to all! --Janet (GG)

Need a translation (as I don't read Thai) - What menu numbers (if any) on Spriphathai's menu are the chicken larb, and the mee grob? Thanks for any help! --Janet (GG)

What are the primary differences between Malaysian, Indonesian food? From my experience, Malaysian seems more spicy, but I'm sure there's more to it than that (that might also be due to my available Indonesian restaurant choices, as opposed to the number of Malaysian restaurants I can sample from.) Thanks for any info! --Janet

I've tried pretty much everywhere, and still have them on my "to do" list - any ideas where they could be found? Thanks! (Also, anyone have any opinions of Proto Saga on Allen Street? Came back from Bali Nusa last night, and was quite underwhelmed. Don't want to repeat that error....!) --Janet (GG)

(Pan, thanks for the support - it means alot!) Seriously, Finker, if you tell me what your sister's specific tastes are, I can at the very least offer some suggestions as to where would be good to go. (Pan also knows Chinatown and has very good taste in food! ) Believe me, she will love Chinatown. It's a treasure trove in so many ways. Best, Janet (Gaijin Girl)

Wanted to mention that Gaijin Girl just turned one year old - and I absolutely could not have made it into what it's becoming without the help of everyone on Egullet! At: http://pitchblack70.tripod.com/gaijingirl/gaijingirl.html (Feel free to critique...) Thanks! --Janet (GG)

I think that's it! It looked just like bing tang hu lou, each fruit was about half the size of a golf ball, and had seeds. Were those apples or haw fruit???

Was hoping someone could help me out with this one - just picked up a candied apple type treat in Chinatown, and would like to put a name to it. It's about 5 little fruits, skewered on a stick and covered in a hard coated candy. The lady couldn't tell me the English name for it, but I'd love to know. Thanks in advance for any info, --Janet

Re: Defending my "piled to the sky" comment...! After reading the subsequent posts, I felt I had to justify/clarify my earlier post about Nicky's in my neighborhood: I will say that I haven't yet had authentic, traditional pizza (such as Patsy's, DiFara's?) So I don't have a basis of comparison. I can say that my taste has always run to ultra-thin and crispy, which I'm assuming based on these posts is what 'real' pizza should be (granted, my experience for that has been mainly Pizza Hut back in the mid-west!) But as for Nicky's, which is not thin - it's still an amazing experience. There's a chicken, green pepper and onion slice that's a meal unto itself. Not a thin crust, and yes, it is 'piled to the sky', and it's a wonderful experience. My husband and I shared a slice, and it filled us both up and tasted great. Might not be traditional, but it sure is good.

My only problem with Pomme Frites is that they don't always cook their fries long enough. I think they're double-cooked, though. The thirty (or so) toppings are a big plus. Order the big helping and go around the corner to Burp Castle for Belgian beers.

For your consideration as to REALLY good pizza - a new entry: Nicky's Pizza - 280 E 204th St # A, Bronx (Perry and 205th cross) Last night, I had a chicken and veggie slice that was piled up to the SKY - and huge slice - and delicious? Don't get me started!!!! Amazingly good. Anyone tried them before? They're worth it! (Of course, the fact I'd just finished a martial arts belt test only helped with the appetite...but still, very, very good.)

Hey spaghetti - thanks for trying...! I only wish the staff at Curry Leaves and I could communicate better - then I could have gotten the name. On a different topic, that last pic looked delish!

Ummmm.. Saw pics of Talam on the web - doesn't look like it. Darn. Would be nice to know the name, but as I wasn't overly fond of it, not a *big* loss. Now, if ONLY I could find Onde Onde in NYC, I would be EXTREMELY happy! :)

Two picks from me: Taipan Bakery on Canal Street (yes, Chinatown!) Try their ice cream platters. Cold Stone Creamery in midtown (have only actually been to one in NJ, but the chain is FANTASTIC!)

Not to interject, but has anyone gone to Curry Leaves (40th Road, Queens?) I can't speak for the entrees there (haven't had them yet), but the Keuh is heads and tails over what I had elsewhere (at Sanur on Doyers Street.) The Keuh Dadar, particularly, was great! My only objection - you never know what they'll have available for the day - they're not consistent on what they put out.

And - just found a *tiny* little Korea in the Bronx, FYI. It's a 204th and Grand Concourse East - it's got a market, and a restaurant...but it's something....!