One of the must do things when visiting New York City, especially for foodie travelers, is to taste NYC style pizza.
But, why? What is so special about New York City pizzas?
Johor Kaki Adventurous Foodie Traveler with 77 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Washington Square Park NYC - New York City on Sunday
Washington Square Park is a small park at the centre of Manhattan's Greenwich Village. It surprised me that New York City has nearly 2,000 of such small, neighbourhood parks across the Big Apple. These little parks provide NYC's residents with idyllic oases to relax in the concrete jungle that New York City is. I found that neighbourhood parks are good places to meet and mingle with New Yorkers.
(Before coming to NYC, the only park that I heard about is the giant Central Park which is full of tourists. Central Park in Manhattan, New York City's green lung, is nearly 3 times the size of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore.)
Residents come to Washington Square Park to be inspired, to create. Illustrious literary legends like Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain, once walked this park. For artistes that come here today, the spirits of literary giants that once haunted the park still inspire. My mind relived the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson and the novels of Mark Twain, which I read during my school days.
Everyday, people sing and dance spontaneously to the music of buskers.
Rock and Roll legend, and one of my loved singers, Buddy Holly also used to play and mingle here at the park as he lived nearby. (Sadly, Buddy Holly's career was cut short by a plane crash, less than 2 years after it was launched.)
Children catch rainbows with nets of soap bubbles that blow in the wind. (The Empire State building looms in the background behind the Washington Arch.)
Others, picnic or just roll and tumble in a pile on the lush greenery, shrieking with joy and laughter. Watching these children made me wished that I am a child again.
Best friends spend blissful, quiet, quality time together here.
Washington Square Park is bordered on all sides by modern and heritage buildings, most belonging to New York University (NYU). NYU students add youthful energy to the buzz in this quiet nook of Manhattan.
The 10-acre Washington Square Park was once marshland and tobacco field of American Indians before it was occupied by Dutch settlers in the 17th Century. The Dutch later allowed Black slaves to settle on it and it became known as "The Land of the Blacks". The land was later bought over by the City which used it as a graveyard for unknown persons whose bodies no one claimed. The remains of 20,000 people still laid under the green lawns and grey pavements of Washington Square Park. The land was also used for deadly duels to settle private scores and for public executions.
Park users may not suspect that hangmen once conducted public hangings from this giant elm tree, known as Hangman's Elm. The twisted, outstretched, flaying branches looming high in the sky gave me goose pimples.
Photo credit: New York Public Library
The land then became a military parade ground. In 1849, work began to turn the area into a public park.
The imposing Washington Square Arch stood at the park's northern entrance.
Completed in 1892, made of marble, the Washington Square Arch was built to commemorate 100 years of George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States of America.
The Washington Square Arch was modelled after the larger and older, majestic Arc de Triomphe of Paris.
Photo credit: NYC Parks Department
The large fountain built in 1852 in the middle of the park used to double up as a public swimming pool, up till the 1950s.
Cars used to drive under the Washington Square Arch and around the fountain in a traffic circle, until the park was closed to all vehicular traffic in 1971.
The fountain is no longer filled with water. Nowadays, it serves as an amphitheatre.
There is a popular mobile food stand serving doss (thosai) at the southern entrance to the park. This is the only food stand at Washington Square Park.
This tiny food stand is run by Mr. Thiru who is originally from Sri Lanka. Mr. Thiru serves vegan dosa - a kind of crispy crepe from the Indian sub-Continent which is made with rice and lentil.
Mr. Thiru makes many kinds of dosa, all vegan, fresh at the stand on a flat griddle. The crispy crepe is folded over shredded fresh vegetables and curried potatoes, making a delicious healthful meal. Crispy, crunchy, mushy, sweet and spicy, I liked this Pondicherry Dosa, Mr. Thiru's specialty.
Mr. Thiru's story is the classic tale of the immigrant's American Dream come true. Mr. Thiru brought his family to New York City from Sri Lanka in the 1990s. Today, Mr. Thiru runs his internationally acclaimed dosa stall - newspaper cuttings in English, Chinese and Japanese adorned his humble food cart.
With eyes twinkling, Mr. Thiru proudly told me that his daughter is studying in Ivy League Columbia University in NYC. As a father with a daughter in university too, I can appreciate a fellow father's pride.
Me enjoying Mr. Thiru's dosa like a local, on a park bench. I didn't know that I was joined by other locals.
Curious park residents came out to see what the visitors were doing.
Washington Square Park is a stone's throw to the west from Broadway Avenue between West 4th and 6th Street. The park is a tranquil oasis to cool your heels from all the day's hectic shopping. Clean, well maintained public toilets are available too. The park is easily accessible from West 4th Street subway station (5 minutes walk) and 8th Street NYU station (10 minutes walk).
A short 10 minutes walk heading north from Washington Square Park takes you to the Flatiron District and Union Square Park, another popular place to shop, eat and relax. Many people enjoy al fresco dining under the iconic Flatiron Building, whenever the weather allows. I took this picture on a Winter day in December 2014 when the weather unexpectedly warmed up briefly.
If you are game to stretch your heels a little further, continue walking for another 10 minutes heading north will take you to the famed Empire State Building.
We went up to the Empire State Building's viewing deck during our first visit in 1989, though we did not go up this time ;-D
If you are visiting New York City, a visit to Central Park is of course, a Must. But, the smaller neighbourhood parks like Washington Square Park should not be missed if you want to enjoy a taste of New York City like a local.
Map: http://bit.ly/NYDosas
Date visited: Jan 2015
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The Best Ramen in NYC - New York City on Sunday
Ramen wasn't at the top of my mind when I was visiting New York City. I was making my rounds of pizzas, bagels, hotdogs, donuts, cheesecakes and pastrami until Johor Kaki blog follower Mogan brought me for a late night, after work ramen supper at Takashi.
That was the ramen awakening for me ;-D
New York City being New York City, doesramen things with it's own stamp and distinction. From then on, I embarked on my own discovery trail of NYC's ramen.
I've tried a quite a few ramen shops in NYC and from that experience have conjured up, what in my mind would be the ideal ramen for me.
There is a great deal of diversity in styles and types of ramen. This is just the ideal ramen of my imagination. I am sure everyone have their own ideas about what is the best ramen as taste is a very personal thing.
That was the ramen awakening for me ;-D
New York City being New York City, does
I've tried a quite a few ramen shops in NYC and from that experience have conjured up, what in my mind would be the ideal ramen for me.
There is a great deal of diversity in styles and types of ramen. This is just the ideal ramen of my imagination. I am sure everyone have their own ideas about what is the best ramen as taste is a very personal thing.
Best Ramen in NYC New York
No not really the top 10 best ramen in New York City, just my personal favourites after trying numerous ramen shops during my 10 week stay in NYC ;-D
All these ramen shops are excellent though not in every department; so here I am just highlighting each shop's best points and let you read the full review by clicking on the links. The shops are not listed in any particular order or ranking.
All these ramen shops are excellent though not in every department; so here I am just highlighting each shop's best points and let you read the full review by clicking on the links. The shops are not listed in any particular order or ranking.
Lupe's East LA Kitchen in NYC New York
While in New York City, I took the opportunity to try the popular East LA Mexican restaurant Lupe's in SOHO (south of Houston Street).
As I have not tried East LA Mexican before, I have no idea what good East LA Mexican food tastes like.
Still, I enjoyed the food at Lupe's (which I visited twice during my short stay in New York City).
The simple, tiny, casual restaurant was extremely popular. It was full house during lunch. The people were all very relaxed and were enjoying cheerful banter with their party. It was noisy, actually more noisy than a Chinese dim sum hall ;-p
There was a bar serving Mexican style drinks like cocktails, cervezas, and tequila,
Quesadilla USD6.25.
The appetiser was melted cheese and jalapeno salsa folded in a grilled flour tortilla.
The paper thin flour tortilla was grilled to a crisp. It was a soft kind of crisp that crumbled easily.
Eaten with a spicy, tangy sauce and chopped vegetables, the quesadilla was a nice light appetiser.
Beef burrito Colorado USD11.25 (before tax and tip).
The entrees come with lightly flavoured fluffy rice and a salad of chopped fresh lettuce and tomatoes.
The burrito was loaded with savoury sweet juice wrapped inside a sleeve of soft flour crepe.
The shredded beefy savoury sweet stewed beef was melty creamy soft. I love it a lot.
Roast pork burrito USD11.95 (before tax and tip).
The soft flour wrap was filled with roast pork, black beans, cheese and red chili sauce.
I like the mushy soft black beans in the creamy cheese and chili sauce. The pork were cubed and slightly fibrous with a slight porcine flavour.
There were several fascinating colourful bottled sauces on the table.
I tried all of them and especially liked this bright glowing green sauce the most. It had a nice hot sting and a pleasant vinegary tangy flavour.
There may be better Mexican food in LA and Mexico, but in New York City, I had good experiences at Lupe's.
Next time, Lupe's chicken enchiladas mole poblano which is shredded chicken in a traditional rich dark brown chili sauce of 20 ingredients. I shall also try some Mexican style beverages.
Restaurant name: Lupe's (East LA Kitchen)
Address: 110 Avenue of the Americas, NYC New York (junction of 6th Ave and Watts Street)
Map: http://bit.ly/LupesMex
Hours: 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Date visited: 16 Jan 2015
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
As I have not tried East LA Mexican before, I have no idea what good East LA Mexican food tastes like.
Still, I enjoyed the food at Lupe's (which I visited twice during my short stay in New York City).
The simple, tiny, casual restaurant was extremely popular. It was full house during lunch. The people were all very relaxed and were enjoying cheerful banter with their party. It was noisy, actually more noisy than a Chinese dim sum hall ;-p
There was a bar serving Mexican style drinks like cocktails, cervezas, and tequila,
Quesadilla USD6.25.
The appetiser was melted cheese and jalapeno salsa folded in a grilled flour tortilla.
The paper thin flour tortilla was grilled to a crisp. It was a soft kind of crisp that crumbled easily.
Eaten with a spicy, tangy sauce and chopped vegetables, the quesadilla was a nice light appetiser.
Beef burrito Colorado USD11.25 (before tax and tip).
The entrees come with lightly flavoured fluffy rice and a salad of chopped fresh lettuce and tomatoes.
The burrito was loaded with savoury sweet juice wrapped inside a sleeve of soft flour crepe.
The shredded beefy savoury sweet stewed beef was melty creamy soft. I love it a lot.
Roast pork burrito USD11.95 (before tax and tip).
The soft flour wrap was filled with roast pork, black beans, cheese and red chili sauce.
I like the mushy soft black beans in the creamy cheese and chili sauce. The pork were cubed and slightly fibrous with a slight porcine flavour.
There were several fascinating colourful bottled sauces on the table.
I tried all of them and especially liked this bright glowing green sauce the most. It had a nice hot sting and a pleasant vinegary tangy flavour.
There may be better Mexican food in LA and Mexico, but in New York City, I had good experiences at Lupe's.
Next time, Lupe's chicken enchiladas mole poblano which is shredded chicken in a traditional rich dark brown chili sauce of 20 ingredients. I shall also try some Mexican style beverages.
Restaurant name: Lupe's (East LA Kitchen)
Address: 110 Avenue of the Americas, NYC New York (junction of 6th Ave and Watts Street)
Map: http://bit.ly/LupesMex
Hours: 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Date visited: 16 Jan 2015
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
Bassanova Ramen in NYC New York
Bassanova Ramen, originally from Tokyo, is on many listicles of New York City's best ramen.
Totto Ramen in NYC New York
Totto Ramen, a basement level, dingy noodle shop is on every list of New York City's best ramen.
Stepping inside, Totto Ramen was a very compact and intimate ramen shop. This bar was half the ramen joint's seating capacity ;-D Everyone was sitting elbow to elbow.
Stepping inside, Totto Ramen was a very compact and intimate ramen shop. This bar was half the ramen joint's seating capacity ;-D Everyone was sitting elbow to elbow.
Ippudo Ramen in NYC New York
Ippudo is one of the most popular ramen joints in New York City.
I chose to come in here only after lunch time in order to avoid the infamous line at Ippudo.
Though there wasn't the usual peak hour queue outside, there were people waiting at the bar/ holding area.
I chose to come in here only after lunch time in order to avoid the infamous line at Ippudo.
Though there wasn't the usual peak hour queue outside, there were people waiting at the bar/ holding area.
Nom Wah Tea Parlour in NYC New York
Nom Wah Tea Parlour is listed in almost every tourist guide book and website. It's a New York City tourist destination that needs no introduction.
Established in 1920, Nom Wah Tea Parlour is the oldest dim sum joint in New York City. It is located on Doyers Street, one of the tiny backstreets that was the cradle of New York City's Chinatown.
Nom Wah is located at the notorious "Bloody Angle" of Doyers Street where in the heydays of the Chinatown triads, rival tongs 黨 (gangs) ambushed each other at the blind corner around the bend. Nom Wah, the only original Doyers Street establishment that survived till today, was witness to the storied street's much more colourful but violent past.
Inside Nom Wah, it was quite small for a dim sum hall. It was bright and clean, and wasn't too crowded at lunch on a cold, raining January Monday. On weekends, lines form outside the restaurant.
There were still reminders of Nom Wah's pedigree and heritage including the original patterned mosaic flooring, yellowed by age.
There were no dim sum trolleys and customers check off their choices on a menu slip.
There was a row of booths like a diner. The walls were decked with framed photographs of celebrities that visited Nom Wah.
There was a row of bar stools.
There were also window seats at the corners for those who like to watch the goings on on Doyers Street while they dine.
I ordered a small selection for tasting.
The rice rolls with shrimp at USD4.50.
The rice rolls were clean tasting, smooth but a little thick. The shrimps were fresh and had a nice soft spring. The rice rolls were doused with a mildly savoury brown sauce that tasted a little flat as it lacked layers.
The shrimp dumplings at USD4.50.
Fresh shrimp and fish paste wrapped in a snowy rice shell. Same fresh, slightly springy shrimps while the tender rice shells were thick and a little stiff.
I was wowed by Nom Wah's "Original Egg Roll" at USD7.00.
The egg rolls had very interesting textures.
The golden hued, light and brittle crispy outer shell wrapped a soft egg roll which was stuffed with warm, mushy soft, juicy fillings. The textures were a joy to bite. I also like it that the egg roll was not greasy at all.
The egg roll was a blend of egginess, very mild savouriness from the chicken, preserved vegetable and marinade, and sweetness from the braised turnips.
Nom Wah's Original Egg Roll is a Must Try.
Each table had a dolly of condiments.
The oyster sauce tasted flat. Probably commercially bottled.
The "duck sauce" had a delicate tart and sweet flavour and it went well with Nom Wah's Original Egg Rolls.
Even though Nom Wah is a tourist trap, I still recommend a visit for it's history and also because the dim sum is among the better ones in New York City's Chinatown. The service is pleasant and friendly too.
(If you like to experience dim sum in Manhattan Chinatown closer to what it is like in Asia with giant dining halls, crushing crowds, loud noisy banter, steaming dim sum squeezing between tables on hand pushed trolleys and rushed, frenetic,slightly scruffy service, you can check out Jing Fong on Bowery Street.
Read more about the legendary Doyers Street here. The short bendy backstreet has lots of amazing twists and surprising turns in it's long colourful history.
Restaurant name: Nom Wah Tea Parlour
Address: 13 Doyers Street, NYC New York
Map: http://bit.ly/NomWahTea
Hours: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Date visited: 12 Jan 2015
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
Established in 1920, Nom Wah Tea Parlour is the oldest dim sum joint in New York City. It is located on Doyers Street, one of the tiny backstreets that was the cradle of New York City's Chinatown.
Nom Wah is located at the notorious "Bloody Angle" of Doyers Street where in the heydays of the Chinatown triads, rival tongs 黨 (gangs) ambushed each other at the blind corner around the bend. Nom Wah, the only original Doyers Street establishment that survived till today, was witness to the storied street's much more colourful but violent past.
Inside Nom Wah, it was quite small for a dim sum hall. It was bright and clean, and wasn't too crowded at lunch on a cold, raining January Monday. On weekends, lines form outside the restaurant.
There were still reminders of Nom Wah's pedigree and heritage including the original patterned mosaic flooring, yellowed by age.
There were no dim sum trolleys and customers check off their choices on a menu slip.
There was a row of booths like a diner. The walls were decked with framed photographs of celebrities that visited Nom Wah.
There was a row of bar stools.
There were also window seats at the corners for those who like to watch the goings on on Doyers Street while they dine.
I ordered a small selection for tasting.
The rice rolls with shrimp at USD4.50.
The rice rolls were clean tasting, smooth but a little thick. The shrimps were fresh and had a nice soft spring. The rice rolls were doused with a mildly savoury brown sauce that tasted a little flat as it lacked layers.
The shrimp dumplings at USD4.50.
Fresh shrimp and fish paste wrapped in a snowy rice shell. Same fresh, slightly springy shrimps while the tender rice shells were thick and a little stiff.
I was wowed by Nom Wah's "Original Egg Roll" at USD7.00.
The egg rolls had very interesting textures.
The golden hued, light and brittle crispy outer shell wrapped a soft egg roll which was stuffed with warm, mushy soft, juicy fillings. The textures were a joy to bite. I also like it that the egg roll was not greasy at all.
The egg roll was a blend of egginess, very mild savouriness from the chicken, preserved vegetable and marinade, and sweetness from the braised turnips.
Nom Wah's Original Egg Roll is a Must Try.
Each table had a dolly of condiments.
The oyster sauce tasted flat. Probably commercially bottled.
The "duck sauce" had a delicate tart and sweet flavour and it went well with Nom Wah's Original Egg Rolls.
Even though Nom Wah is a tourist trap, I still recommend a visit for it's history and also because the dim sum is among the better ones in New York City's Chinatown. The service is pleasant and friendly too.
(If you like to experience dim sum in Manhattan Chinatown closer to what it is like in Asia with giant dining halls, crushing crowds, loud noisy banter, steaming dim sum squeezing between tables on hand pushed trolleys and rushed, frenetic,
Read more about the legendary Doyers Street here. The short bendy backstreet has lots of amazing twists and surprising turns in it's long colourful history.
Restaurant name: Nom Wah Tea Parlour
Address: 13 Doyers Street, NYC New York
Map: http://bit.ly/NomWahTea
Hours: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Date visited: 12 Jan 2015
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
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