Brisket bulgogi sliders; hwe dup-bop (spicy hamachi salad over sushi rice)
Korean tapas? I had no idea what that meant, but I couldn’t wait to find out at Danji, a newish 36-seat restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen. FYI, Korean tapas turn out to be absolutely delicious, so delish that I can’t decide which dish was my favorite. I’m obsessed with this whole place, from the spoon door handles, to the modern decor, to the little table drawers that hold the menus. If you like vibrant food at affordable prices, served in a stylish, discreet location, you will love Danji. Can’t wait to return, although not ordering what I had last time will be a challenge.
Mooncake is my new favorite restaurant in my work neighborhood. The cafe is bright and minimalist, the prices are cheap, and the Asian comfort food is delicious. It’s all made from scratch and is as healthy as possible; there are no woks, fryers, or microwaves in the restaurant—a true feat for a diner. Lucky for me, there’s also a Mooncake in my Soho neighborhood, and one in Chelsea.
From top: Pulled pork sandwich with curry lime BBQ sauce, seared tuna and arugula salad with soy lime vinaigrette, spicy roasted pine nut hoisin fish tacos.
**This post is dedicated to Miss Meggie, who first introduced me to the amazingness that is Mooncake.
Food truly is an art form. Ancho-crusted tuna and yucca cakes in smoky peanut sauce.
Sadly, my meal at Hell’s Kitchen, a tiny Nouvelle Mexican restaurant, was super rushed (all thanks to me). But it’s a great spot for pre- or post-theater dining, just be sure to make reservations several days in advance.
Simple al fresco Mediterranean food from Zanzibar. Easy enough to recreate at home, but the restaurant’s a fun patio option pre-theatre.
Tomato and Feta Flatbread: farmer greens, oregano and red wine vinaigrette.
Spanakotyropita: spinach and feta in a fried phyllo shell.
Just under a year old, this Latin-fusion restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen is a great summer respite. The décor is airy and sunlit, and immediately transported me to Havana (well, since I’ve never been, Miami).
The food was decent. I had grilled snapper tacos and yuca fries. Although light and refreshing summer fare, it could have been more flavorful. However, my uncle had a sublime torched salmon (served over bok choy and sweet and spicy coconut crumble) that was absolutely delicious. There’s a great $15 lunch special which includes two courses and a beverage.
I can’t wait to return for happy hour to try some of the innovative cocktails.
I walked by 5 Napkin a few weekends ago and the smell nearly knocked me out. Sweet, sweet greasy food heaven. So when I found myself back in the area Friday nite, I knew there was one place and one place only where I was going to chow down later.
I ordered the Original 5 Napkin Burger, 10 ounces of ground chuck with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, and rosemary aioli. Yes, that’s right. That big dollop of white is not cheese. It’s a straight up mayo mixture on top of cheese. The gourmet burger originated at uptown French restaurant Nice Matin, where it quickly became the joint’s top seller. Two years ago, the chef decided to create an entire restaurant based around it, and voila, 5 Napkin Burger was born.
The verdict? Granted I only eat about four burgers a year so I’m no expert, but I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon to waste one of those precious patties here. The burger was extremely juicy, but there was just no special flavor to it (same with the fries). I’d much rather have a Shake Shack burger for a fraction of that price (5 Napkin Burger: $15). My favorite part of the meal was my frozen strawberry mojito. It was one of the most refreshing drinks I’ve ever had, and it never got watery like most frozen drinks. All in all it was a fun experience, but not one I’ll be dying to repeat regularly.
