2009 Leftovers

These are the odds and ends from the year:

Chung King holds the title of one of the spiciest restaurants in LA. It’s a numbing kind of spice, quite different than Thai or Mexican food brings.

Sanuki No Sato’s soba brought us to Torrance twice.

I don’t think I ever posted about New York back in July, so:

Aldea serves modern, sophisticated Portuguese food with expert execution.

Chef George Mendes has set up a six seat chef’s counter (think a sushi bar but with more than just raw fish) in his Manhattan restaurant where diners have a front row view of the kitchen. The Knoll Crest Farm egg hollowed to provide a stunning, delicate display, contains a simple mixture of rich bacalao (salt cod), olive and potato.

The sea urchin toast was another highlight.

A mid day platter of oysters and caviar at White Slab Palace, because that’s what you do on vacation.

In Brooklyn we hit the Red Hook Ball Fields for pupusas and fusion hot dogs.

It’s becoming the norm to not only get Latin, but also Asian flavors in messy, hand held snacks in America.

Il laboratorio del gelato takes gelato very seriously. Hand making small batches in their lower Manhattan lab, they offer flavors like lemon basil, prune armagnac, tarragon with pink pepper, avocado, Guinness and just straight buttermilk.

Van Leeuven’s organic artisan ice cream is crafted with care in New York. They have three ice cream trucks and are committed to the environment. Their Peppermint and Chip features ultra thin chocolate chips because cold temperatures mute the flavor of chocolate. By using thin chips they melt in your mouth and you get the full flavor spectrum.

And how can I talk about New York without mentioning Momofuku. I have to say, I wasn’t blown away by the desserts at Milk Bar. The pork buns are really the note-worthy draw.

Last but not least from New York was Ramen Setagaya to go. BBQ pork shio ramen and fresh gyoza with a Weigenstephaner from the liquor store.

The two food marathons I really thought I’d run this year were the health food marathon and food truck food marathon. I guess you’ll see both soon…

Happy New Year