Where to get Bammies on White Plains Road?

[GaijinGirl]

I've been eating my way through Jamaican cuisine, and have one thing I've yet to find - Bammies! I'm close to White Plains Road, north of Gunhill in the Bronx, and that whole Jamaican area - but I can't find Bammies! Anyone know where they're served? Thanks!

--Janet

[Pan]

I wish I could help you, Janet. Don't we have any members who live or work in the Bronx? What ever happened to MRX?

[GaijinGirl]

Dear Pan,

Thanks, as always! I eventually did find Bammies - it took five different stops (surprising for a supposedly ubiquitous item) - at Rock a Tone Seafood around 219th.

Now, if only I could find that darned Inago! (Although, stinky tofu has also made my wish list radar recently, which I figure I could find something in Queens Chinatown.)

- Janet

[Pan]

Bad Smell Tofu is available at Spicy & Tasty, among other restaurants in Flushing, but also at the St. Marks branch of Grand Sichuan (and perhaps some of the others?).

By the way, what are bammies?

[petite tête de chou]

In two words...cassava cakes.

[Pan]

I had a Filipino cassava cake a few days ago. I don't think I've ever had a bammie (bammy?).

[GaijinGirl]

Wasn't really impressed with the Bammie I had - it's got a hard, chewy texture - soaked in coconut milk and then fried. I won't be repeating it.

Smell Bad Tofu, however....can't wait! That, and Sri Lankan food, and sea cucumber at Kenka... How's that for an agenda?

[Pan]

Janet, please tell us about Kenka. That's a new one on me.

[GaijinGirl]

Happy to, Pan!

It's a "mod" Japanese restaurant in St. Mark's Place. (There's a huge raccoon statue outside of it.) It's on the north side of the street, relatively close to the 2nd avenue side. I've heard tell that it's impossible to get into on the weekends, but I've only been there on Tuesday nights, when it's easy to get a seat.

Kenka (which isn't in city search, for some reason), has a ton of exotic dishes, and at reasonable prices, too. (The sea cucumber is only about $5.00). For instance, they have turkey testicles, "gellidium jelly", etc. etc. (I'm really looking forward to the turkey testicles....mmmm!) Also, decent Shoju drinks and sake.

I haven't eaten through the menu there yet, but I'm very fond of the place.

[Pan]

Thanks, Janet. I've passed by that racoon statue loads of times but haven't gone in.