Free Food @ Xi'an Famous Foods!

Do you remember our last visit to Flushing for some lamb burgers and handmade noodles?
Apparently, while I wasn't paying attention, that specific restaurant has been expanding. There is one location in Chinatown now, 2nd location in Flushing, and a new one is opening in East Village.

And on their opening day of one in East Village, they are giving out their free burgers.

Go check out Xi'an Famous Foods' new location on July 3rd! You must RSVP!

Opening on July 3rd:

81 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10003

Taverna Kyclades

I still keep in touch with a few ladies that I used to work with from my airline days. I can't believe that I left there almost 4 years ago. I still travel, but am definitely paying a lot for it these days.

This time we went to Taverna Kyclades in Astoria. A few friends told me about this place for a long time, and this time I was determined.

It definitely lived up to its hype. Greek salad (as shown above) was great. We also had grilled octopus, sea bass, and stuffed shrimp, and they were all really good and fresh.
But then what's there not to like!!! Fresh seafood, good weather, and great friends!!!
This time Chris joined as well.

Make sure to get there early. We were there by 6PM and got a table right away.
They don't take reservations, because they don't have to. If you don't get there early, be prepared to wait for an hour or more.


Taverna Kyclades

www.tavernakyclades.com
33-07 Ditmars Blvd
Queens, New York 11105

Kababish

We used to look for a place to live in Jackson Heights, Queens for 2 years straight. That's why we know so much about Jackson Heights. During winter, we don't get out too much, especially to Queens, but we had to be in Queens for some reason.

We couldn't go to Queens without stopping at a restaurant or two.
I have been to Kababish before, but apparently, this is where Chris picks up his 40 kebabs to put them in our freezer. It's not a restaurant. Kababish specializes in catering, but has a few stools if you want to stay, which we did.

While they were preparing 40 kebabs for Chris, we ordered Naan (as shown above) with veggies and spices. It was very good. I can eat this everyday.

Kababish
7064 Broadway
Jackson Heights, NY 11372

(718) 565-5131

No Reservations

Those of you know Chris and myself well enough know that there is nothing more we love than traveling. When we have a few days off, you know we are off to another country.

So, you know it's hard for me to say that you don't have to leave the country to have good food. But I will say it. "You don't have to leave the country to have good food," because it's all here.

So there... I said it. You don't have any excuse not to try these restaurants, because it's only a few subway stops away. What are you waiting for? I am making my list!!!

No Reservations - New York Outer Boroughs, Part 1 of 5

No Reservations - New York Outer Boroughs, Part 2 of 5

Here is the restaurant list from this episode.
And I have already been to the Golden Shopping Mall in Flushing.

Ramadan is here...

Ramadan started on September 1. Some of us have to fast, but for us, it's time to hit Astoria, Queens.

For example, Eastern Nights has Ramadan special buffet:

25-35 Steinway St
Astoria, NY
718-204-7608

We'll try next Friday!

Graffiti Building

After looking down at this building from #7 train for 6 and half years, we finally made it to the building today. It's in Long Island City and you can reach it by #7 train - get out at 45 Rd / Court House Sq Stop.

This one is for you, Eddie!

I don't need to explain - pictures will explain everything:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=195dyqb1.7fqoyl0d&x=0&y=yj72ke&localeid=en_US

Taste of Eucador in Woodside

We were in Queens today again as usual looking for a place to live. We ended up in Woodside, Queens. After the viewing, we accidentally found this Ecuadorean restaurant / store. It was a nice break from our usual Jackson Heights or Elmhurst stops.

Shrimp cocktail
Corn was very good - very crunch...

Chicken & rice - it actually reminded me of Costa Rica

Even my Coke was from Ecuador

El Chasqui International
50-18 Roosevelt Ave.

CASH ONLY

Elmhurst

We are looking for a place again and this time we are obsessed with Elmhurst. Elmhurst right below Jackson Heights, but it definitely has a different feel to it. For about a month and half, we have been going to Elmhurst every Sunday, and we are trying out different restaurants and checking out different stores every time.

While Jackson Heights is represented by Central & South America and South Asia, Elmhurst is represented mostly by East & Southeast Asia.

By accident, we found this store. It sells Thai goodies - snacks, drinks, and stuff that's made by Sea Restaurant (appetizers & pastes).

Sugar Club
81-20 Broadway

At the above store, I found my TEA!!! There was only one store that had this tea in Woodside, but last few times I went there, there was none. But at Sugar Club, I found it.
My friends that tried this tea weren't that impressed, but this has to be my favorite! It's made by Japanese company, but it's made in Thailand.
I had this tea for the first time in Cambodia and fell in love with it. Maybe I was in the moment - right outside of Angkor Wat, it saved me from steamy weather...
Whatever the reason is, I am just glad that I found the store that carries it!

We were very impressed with Pacific Supermarket (Broadway / 75th Street). We walked in thinking that it was going to be a Chinese grocery market, but we were shocked to find everything - Korean, Japanese, Southeast Asian...

I grew up eating this melon - Cham Wei in Korean. I never saw this in San Francisco, but found it in New York Chinatown and Pacific Supermarket also had it.

This is what inside of Cham Wei looks like.

A Day in Flushing

After reading the below New York Times article, we were off to Flushing today.
With a map in our hand, we got on #7 train. Flushing was crowded as ever - it seemed more crowded than I had remembered.

Our first stop was Xi'An Small Delights in Shi Hong Mall. Right away, there was a problem. There was no Shi Hong Mall. By accident, we found another mall that had a food court, and there it was! A small corner shop that was surrounded by a bunch of white people. Until today, I didn't know the power of New York Times. All these people came out to Flushing, after reading the article - just as we did. Everyone had the actual newspaper or the printout. I was one of them.

Christoff liked the lamb sandwich. I wasn't really a fan, but I liked the cold noodle (Liangpi cold noodle). It was just like being in Beijing. As New York (or San Francisco for that matter) is saturated with Cantonese cuisine, it was a nice change to be eating Northern cuisine.

The entrance to the mall's food court

This is what happens. New York Times publish the restaurant, people want to try, and there is a long line. I know, I know, we were just one of them... I don't think this food court had ever seen this many white people in one sitting.

Christoff was happy to find his lamb sandwich.

And I was happy with my Liangpi cold noodle.

Spicy handmade noodle was good, but we were way full!

After this meal, we were off to find S & C Shaved Ice Stall in Flushing Mall. However, after a long walk to the mall and a long walk inside the mall, we were told by the dumpling ladies that S & C Shaved Ice Stall doesn't exist anymore. I was very upset - upset at New York Times.

Then on the way to the train station, we accidentally ran into Sentosa - Malaysian restaurant that was recommended to me. After picking up a few items to take home, I fell better all of a sudden...


Golden Mall Food Court
41-28 Main Street
Entrance to the basement food court is in the corner of Main St / 41st Rd.
Xi'An Small Delights can be found at all the way at the end / your left hand side

Sentosa
39-07 Prince Street
Flushing, NY 11354
718-886-6331
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/sentosa/

Let's go to Flushing

New York Times had an article about Flushing.
We are planning to hit Flushing this month! We haven't been in about 2 years...
It's about time!

New York Times Article

Interactive Map

Sripraphai

As Thai food lovers, we were just hating New York for a long time until we found Sripraphai. It has the best Thai food in New York by far! You have to eat here to appreciate it!

Thai-style omelette

Ground pork with basil & Tom Yum Kung

Whole fish - Before

Whole fish - After

Sripraphai
62-13 39th Ave
Woodside, NY
718-899-9599

Bring enough cash!
No credit cards accepted.

Seba-Seba

Ever since we started our apt search, we have been finding great restaurants in Jackson Heights. This is our latest find: Seba-Seba.
Mainly Columbian, but they have some other South American as well.

Fried pork skin and guacamole on plantain

Steak... eggs are the best part

Soda... people next to us were drinking it, so of course, Christoff had to order

Seba-Seba
79-28 37th Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718 478-4691

Kabab Cafe

We finally made it to Kebab Cafe in Astoria.
Of course, Anthony Bourdain said everything much better than I could ever describe.
We didn't have crazy stuff, Miyuki, Eddie, Christoff, and I had beef shortribs, lamb, chicken.... they were so good.

Enjoy what Anthony Bourdain has to say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBFDvyi6p64

PS. I think we walked by the chef's brother's restaurant... I think I saw the brother outside of his restaurant...
PPS. The chef was claiming that he was drunk when Anthony Bourdain was in his restaurant, so he didn't remember much.... HAHA, true or not, that's funny.

Jackson Heights

We are finally but slowly ready to move out of Manhattan.
We don't like Brooklyn, Staten Island, or the Bronx, so only option that we have left is Queens.

Queens has lots of interesting neighborhoods with characters.
So far we like Jackson Heights the best!
WHY???
What else???? FOOD!!!

Every weekend (for about a month now), our house hunting seems to always end at different restaurants or taco stands in Jackson Heights. Jackson Heights has everything. You name it, they have it - Colombian, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese... yum...

Pio Pio

Our regular take out restaurant...

Order whole or half chicken with beans & rice.
Their secret sauce will never let you eat chicken without it again...
(full chicken with combo of rice & beans - $13.00: feeds two people plus leftover)

Pio Pio

1746 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10128
(212)426-5800

8415 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11372
(718)426-1010

Pot Bing Soo (Shaved Ice with Red Beans)

Korean bakery sells shaved ice with red beans
You can either eat there or get it as take out (take out is much cheaper, $5.99)

Koryodang

31 W. 32nd Street @ Broadway
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-9661


39-02 Union Street
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-0369


156-19 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-0104