DavidJS

Torakris, I shudder the thought of your hands massaging the insides of a cow carcasses. That's enough for my spine to tingle kinda reminds me a midnight screening of "Texas chainsaw massacre".

Anyone tried Persian rice with sum berries it's quite tasty. Second favorite it goes really well with kabobs.

Be sure to un-do that belt buckle and remind yourself in Outlook to hit the gym the next day. Cuz March serves ALOT of food. Enough to feed a dozen supermodels! Lissome, is that a Britney Spears avatar?!?

I personally prefer organic short grain brown rice it's healthier for you. Not for everyone of course.

Lemme put it this way growing up as a kid in O'ahu if my father saw me pick up my rice bowl I'll get a hard slap in my head. 'Nuff said! Try to resume eating with a throbbing head. You occasionally eat rice with your spoon if jigae is part of the picture. This way the tool kills two birds with one stone. Korean, Japanese and Chinese table matters are quite different at times. Particuarly the Chinese which would easily offend the average Korean. Rapid rice grabbing (eating) with a chopstick while holding the rice bowl is a big no no at a korean dinner table. Although I was told from a Chinese that they find it odd to see a spoon in a Korean dinner table. Interesting contrast while she was observing a mutual Japanese friend and myself eating. She noticed we never lift our rice bowl nor add food compliments since we placed it on a separate side dish. Unlike her rice bowl which had all sorts of meat/ veggie compliments on it.

I represent the younger generation and personally I usually look away when I see someone order 'yuke'. My mind races of slaughterhouse with their santitation not exactly being clean. But I agree with Pariah when it comes to sushi/ sashimi it's more for me if my date isn't fond of raw fish.

I usually like the cucumber kimchee but most Korean restaurant don't often serve it. So the best place is the Korean grocery market.

Wow. This is hardcore stuff that I'm surprised the average gai-jin eats even I don't touch it (and I'm a native)! I'll stick to raw fish for now like Hwe do bop - spicer version of Chirashi.

So Stephen going back to the supermodels at the W Hotel are you talking about the bar lounge staff or the hotel staff. Any phone numbers? Okey, I'll be expecting hate mails from all the female viewers. If you want good coffee/ espresso try Cafe Gitane and ask for it strong. It's in the SoHo area.

I'm kinda wary when it comes to most Ctown fishery market. But the one La Nina mentioned is where I get my shrimps too and the occasional mussels/ scallops (to make paella of course). Especially with the shrimp head on since it retains more freshness. But I did get really sick from their lobster one night. Maybe I got a bad batch.

NJ isn't my usual turf when eating out unless I'm making a trip to IKEA, Jay. ;-) But usually when I do its often in the Ft. Lee/ Palisades Park area for either Japanese (chirashi or teishoku meal) and Korean (not bbq - too spendy). I'm fairly familar with the Japanese temporary residence there was a time when Ft. Lee was predominantly Japanese. Now it's mostly Koreans. Usually the Japanese eatery aren't advertised in most local papers with the exception of Japanese community newspapers. Many of the waitresses don't speak much english but their menu is printed in non-Japanese. So pointing helps especially if it has pictures (illustration). They're quite good and I haven't got any problems from the eatery without speaking a word of Japanese. I'll have to get back to you via PM the names of the place I tried. Since it's been awhile. In most Korean/ Japanese restaurant you start with rolls as appetizer then on to the main entree or both especially with jigaes. And Koreans are known to be picky when it comes to sushi. So quality is always maintained. Mitsuwa was brought out by Koreans before it was formerly called Yaohan (Japanese owned). True it is a tad pricer than Han Ah Reum. But you can't beat their fish selections which you can use to make sashimi. Japanese are known to be more fish eaters than Koreans. But you're get good bargains for filet mignon in bulk at Han Ah Reum since Koreans love beef. The younger generation of Japanese are fairly easy going but it's the old school traditionist Japanese that needs to change their timid ways.

I agree Jason I've had sum of the best sushi from a korean owned management/ sensei since they share a similar sushi dish - kimbab (Korean style). So the craft involved in making Japanese style sushi especially nigiri (Tokyo based) or gaijin special rolls makes a good meal. I've had sum bad sushi experience from a East Village joint (between 1st/ 2nd ave) made from non-trained sushi sensei's. Whom many of them were Chinese and one Mexican. Judging from their lack of crafting a riceball for nigiri sushi at the sushi bar I should have walked out. HINT: You don't build a nigiri sushi two at a time! I'd rather choose to eat sushi from a Korean establishment than a Chinese but that's just me. I'm surprised to hear about your unwelcome treatment among Japanese sushi restaurants, Jay. Try Yamaguichi East in midtown Manhattan and sit at the bar with Wamasan (sushi sensei) for great sushi experience. Especially his special rolls which may need some translation in their Japanese written menu. Just ask for the 'Wamasan roll'. Majority of their cliente is Japanese and their unbias treatment to non-Japanese is welcome. Even Brandon loved it!

Has anyone tried BASTA PASTA in the Flatiron district it's good Italian cuisine prepared by Japanese chefs and run by Japanese. I mean seriously folks it doesn't take a genius to make pizza or Italian food. But when it comes to sushi I'm sorry but my sushi sensei must be Japanese. Due to the training involved and craft. Ever tried sushi from a Chinese chef - 'nuff said!

Can anyone recommend which fishmarket in C-town carries Wild Alaskan salmon and not farmed. Usually, I get my wild salmon at Agata & Valentina. They carry a good selection of fish but with a price.

Thanks guys I'll look into it.

Soba you need to start finding a hobby besides venting out. It's disturbing that you find such comments enough to be in 'defence' mode. Lighten up. We're commenting on our culinary delight and sharing it with everyone. Btw, I tried to reply to your PM about some misunderstanding but apparently you fail to be courtesy about this matter. Pick your fight carefully my friend.

My posting was never to offend Soba nor did I try to educate YOU about the chinese style cooking. But more about my self awareness about the cuisine. Try to lighten up this isn't meant to dog your country. Plus 'Mandarin' style food wasn't my words but my Taiwanese friends so if you have a beef with anyone its your own peers. As far as my experience with too much oil in chinese food. Perhaps you haven't had that experience but I did on too numerous ocassion. Where I would ALWAYS ask for very little oil. Even my Taiwanese associates agreed that oil plays a big role in Chinese food. Maybe when I was in my early 20's I had an iron stomach but now I've reached 31 that isn't the case. All in all Happy Buddha is worth trying out for everyone even for the carnivores.

I recently tried a Chinese Mandarin style vegetarian place with some Taiwanese friends in Flushing. Although I was never a big chinese culinary lover this place rocks (even better than Zen Palatte at times). One of my biggest problems with Chinese cuisine was my lack of education of the various styles (Shanghai, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Mandarin, etc,), the hardcore taste buds that's more suited for hardcore Chinese and too much oil in their cooking. I figured after my numerous 'westernized' Chinese dishes such as sesame chicken and chicken & brocolli didn't sit too well with my Taiwanese date. She went on a rampage to how un-advertureous I was in her native country cuisine. If she only knew my track record of stomach problems with Chinese food in China town. Her knowing full well that I'm fairly heath conscious and very particular with food she invited me to Happy Buddha. Although the decor is nothing to write about which seems to be fairly common among Chinese restaurants in Flushing (unlike Korean restaurants with nicer decor). Their food was creative, inventive and delicious! Oddly enough I was told to ask for a 'photo' menu since some items aren't listed in the regular menu. Go figure. For appetizers I had what looked like cooked california roll look a like (its in the photo menu) - very tasty. Couldn't get enough of it. Here are some items we got. Fried Large Veggie Shrimps -- they taste like shrimp reminds me of Japanese tempera Assorted Dishes Deluxe -- addictive Shredded Buddha delight -- good Veggie Sesame chicken -- better than beef ... and soup which I don't remember the name except it was tasty I'll admit I was the only non-Chinese in the restaurant but the waitress seems very courtesy and helpful with her limited english. They have a website to review the item and prices. http://www.happybuddha.com/content/menu.html

Korean restaurants are known to be abit on the spendy side especially for kalbi and bulgogi bbq (probably out of my budget). Do they offer any prix fixe lunches or dinners. What's the price range? Just somewhere good where I don't have to blow my wallet like some Korean restaurants in NYC.

I'm planning to make a visit to the L.A. area fairly soon (West L.A.) from NY although this isn't my first trip. I have never tried Korean food in Southern California compared to NYC/ NJ. Can anyone make any recommendation I'm not too keen on the BBQ scene (unless its wood grilled). But rather their traditional dishes and good panchan.

He compared LE BERNADIN when someone else is sporting his meal but outta his pocket it's LES HALLES. I took him to FLEA MARKET on E.Village one night he enjoyed it. Another affordable french eatery try the duck breast its fabulous.

Lavagna is one of my fave Italian restaurant since it's not the typical Italian pasta fare. Took a friend from out of town here for dinner one night. Superb. Yes, their artichoke appetizer is as good as they say. But the ahi tuna dish was one of the best cooked tuna I've had for a long time. The special of the day - fig appetizer is another winner. Although I consider Lavagna one of my secret haunts I'm surprised its catching on. Guess, I'll have to make reserveration the next time I make a visit.

I'm waiting to visit Gascogne when the weather gets warmer to sit in the garden. One of my former student is originally from Paris and he refers Gascogne one of his fave restaurant. Next to LE BERNARDIN and LES HALLES.

I'll agree with Brandon (one of his friends who attended) that DIWAN has one of the better Indian buffet for lunch. For the price of buffet it's usually higher than most Indian restaurant I've been to but its midtown. And for the 'suits' this is a bargain. Although I don't share Brandon opinion about the pickle tandoori chicken being 'awesome' the creamy tandoori chicken was very delicious. You may want to unbulk that belt when you attend DIWAN lunch buffet. Cuz you're most likely going to go back for seconds and skip dinner (maybe a light salad). Oh yeah, it's a nice setting 'nuff to impress a date.

Hey Stone, Mind if I ask how the prices were on the wallet usually Greek restaurants are often spendy especially in that neck of the area.