spaetzle_maker

And I will gladly interrupt the regularly scheduled programming: Many pages back, but only a few days ago, I mentioned that I got the artichokes and they were too pointy and sharp. On the recommendations of others from this site, I gave the artichokes another chance and the tips of the artichokes were trimmed much better. Still, out of the vegetables, I find the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and the asparagus much more tasty and interesting. I also tried the new rice cake dish. I'd agree that the rice cakes are cut a little bit too large - it would be nice if they were maybe a third or quarter the size - small enough to fit on the spoon along with some broth and a clam. Even so, I really loved this dish. I removed the clams from their shells right away, so with the exception of dealing with the rice cakes, this dish didn't involve too much effort. The broth was great especially with the added sweetness from the bacon/sausage.

And... If say they don't know, why can't they just go, figure out that they aren't getting brussel sprouts at 1pm and just say, "Oh - okay, I'll make a point to come back some day after 5" ? In the mean time, they can just get a nice little rice bowl, or walk a few blocks to Noodle Bar if they are looking for a little bit more polish. Like, what's the big deal?

In the rice bowl, you can examine and taste the individual ingredients. The rice bowl is what I've always gotten and the edamame and tofu were always a perfect texture, the kimchi puree was always tasty, the onions crunchy. I don't understand her "characterless" "steamed table food" comments. She certainly is allowed her opinion, but her experience is not in line with what I have experienced many times over. (And this isn't to say that I think the lunch menu is comparable to the dinner menu - but the lunch menu doesn't suck for 10 bucks)

Yes - it sucks if she got a bad apple... It's been a while since I've gotten one of the rice bowls, but the edamame were always crunchy, the onions were nice, the kimchi and tofu tasty. Ahh... poor mimi. What are "table foods"?

That's true of many restaurants. ← To clarify my point: the cooks executing the dinner service are not the same cooks that are assembling burritos.

Identical name and head chef, yes. The kitchen is the same physical kitchen, but it is staffed differently at night verses the daytime. The dining room: again, the same physical location, except at night, the dining room is staffed with servers. Another night/day difference is what I spend. I'll easily drop 75 bucks for dinner (tax and tip included) but only spend 12 dollars for lunch. But it's true: The roof is the same regardless of the time of day or night. I think she's just admitting to not doing her homework.

Beebs - The best time to go to avoid a lineup is probably when it first opens (for the dinner menu) at 5pm, which it does on a daily basis. Have fun!

Thanks Jesikka, Megan and Nathan - I'm looking forward to giving the artichokes another shot.

So Nathan, the artichokes weren't sharp and pointy for you? Am I giving them another try? Anyone else find them kind of pointy?

<edited to indicate that I'm responding to Meghan's post> In general - I understand your point. But, specific to Mimi's post on eater, she questions why Ssam Bar is open at all during the day after eating one burrito. But if *all* you want to say is that you don't like the burrito, yes, you only need to eat it once... For instance, I ate the burrito once and it wasn't the best I've ever had. But I think the bibb lettuce rice bowls are nicer - more in line with the way I like to eat. And I agree somewhat with your post (Meghan's) about quality. The quality in the daytime is lower, but I do believe that is factored into the price. The daytime food is not prepared to order. Meaning it's delivered to the customer at a lower cost and it may not satisfy to the same degree as the dinner time menu

Everytime I get ready to post, I see someone has written something so similar to what I was going to say 1. Mimi (I've decided to be on a first name basis with her) clearly did not understand the hours of the restaurant. It doesn't even seem like she understands Noodle Bar. Towards the top of her complaint she indicates that nightime is where it's at for both restaurants, falsely implying that there is something different about Noodle Bar in the evening. I'm not a critic, I'm not even in the industry, but I know when to go when I want a banh-mi and chawan mushi and so should Mimi. I've heard the "it's really two restaurants in one" line so many time, I'm almost bored with it. You can't pick up a local magazine or visit a food blog without reading about this restaurant's evolution. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but someone with her credentials should have done more research and have had more first hand experience (gone to Ssam Bar more than once for instance - and it does seem like she went only once during the day, and she should have gone at night time too) before complaining on Eater. 2. You get what you pay for. Lunch is not transcendent, but neither is 10 bucks. For 10 bucks, there may be foods that I like more, but I'm not thinking too hard about this. It's only 10 bucks. (And there are definitely foods that I'll like less for 10 bucks). 3. Two restaurants in one, where one of the restaurants is serving burritos with kimchi is the kind of oddball eccentricity that makes these restaurants so damn charming. Go. Be confused once. And then figure it out (it's not sooo hard) and go again. On a different note, I've noticed that a lot of people have posted that they are really into the new artichoke dish. I got it and I thought that the artichokes were too pointy, kind of prickly and sharp in my mouth. Has anyone noticed this? I'm wondering if this was just that one time that I had them and if I should give the artichokes another try?

The hours are changing. Ssam Bar is going to close at 12am, and I think open at 5pm.

What does 2xinfinity equal? ← infinity.

Wow! Sneakeater - I ordered the same exact way over the weekend! That's pretty funny... The uni, asparagus and veal head terrine were all perfect and the service was great, as always!

Agreed, the oyster/kimchee consomme was the biggest disappointment on the menu for me. I'm glad to hear it's no longer on the menu. ← Shengcai - your photos and descriptions are lovely! Thanks for sharing... Re: oysters with kimchi consomme - I love them and had them last night (April 1st). For me, the spicy kimchi is perfect with the briny oysters. To each, his own

I saw this asparagus at Ssam Bar earlier in the week - it looked like the same dish that was at Noodle Bar last spring. If it is the same dish, then it is a miso butter that is underneath the asparagus.

Chawan mushi and I are going steady. But I still have some very important feelings for the banh mi.

Daisy17 - Have you tried the hamachi at ssam bar yet? I recommend it. I think it's better than noodle bar's hamachi (which I also do love). I don't think it's basphemous to say you like one more than the other... Both places are great but they don't completely overlap each other in terms of cuisine and setup. I find that there are certain things that I like better about ssam bar (having a glass of riesling with a nice spicy dish, or getting to have the banh mi, chawan mushi, hamachi and any other dish specific to ssam bar) and things that I like better about noodle bar (uber casual, sitting infront of a toasty open kitchen on a cold winter's day, kimchi stew, root vegetables, etc...). I'll choose one place over another depending on what specific dish and environment I'm craving. I eat out at both places so often, that ultimately, I never end up feeling like I like one better than the other - they just satisfy different eating out experiences. If one type of experience ends up being ultimately preferable for me, than that restaurant will win, but so far I'm having fun at both. Blasphemous would be to dislike both ssam bar and noodle bar. That would be something I couldn't get past....

I think Ssam bar is perfect for a first date. If he'll sit on a hard stool, wait for an hour, deal with loud music, all so he can share with me some sea urchin, chawan mushi, brussel sprouts, banh mi, clay pots, hamachi and anything else, then he's for me.

For back to back tastings, can do the brussel sprouts (if they are still on the menus - it's so late in the season) and the hamachi. My 2 cents: brussel sprouts are uniquely and equally delicious at both places. At noodle bar, the sprouts are a little bit heavier, more filling, but still yummy. Hamachi is great at both places, but I prefer it at ssam bar - the fried seaweed and the spicyness of the edamame puree (are they using wasabi?) really elevate that dish. That said, I do enjoy the hamachi at noodle bar - love the use of olive oil and blood oranges. At noodle bar there is a dish that is at the ssam bar level: the kampachi. I haven't seen it on the menu for a while though. From frequently enjoying dinners at both spots, I've noticed two cooks who split their time in both kitchens. I've seen both cooks manage the kitchen at noodle bar and the food has been consistent and yummy. I think there also used to be a woman who was in both kitchens, but I haven't seen her for maybe a month or two.

If you're employed, it's all to easy to eat dinner very late. ← Exactly - work until 8 or 9, go to the gym, chawan mushi by 10:45. At first I felt a little deprived when it was the late night menu, but now I've got it worked out....

I have just resigned myself to waiting. Go super early or super late to minimize wait and then just suck it up. It's good food and worth it...

Fat Guy, you just named my 3 favorite dishes in town. I think the banh mi is the best too.

I was surprised that Bruni thought the clay pot dishes were weak. I really enjoyed the ox tongue and beef claypot. A plate like that could get boring after a few bites, but the sweet but meaty combination of flavors caused this dish to remain tasty and interesting until I finished it. I'd like the tongue cut into smaller pieces though... Glad the uni got highlighted as well as the brussel sprouts, but it's true - he should have just mentioned 70 percent of the menu! The new mushroom dish is killer good!!! I'm so glad this place got such an amazing rating!

Just let me know when! ← Me too