Smallwares - Happy Hour with a Punch

In the mood to try another fun happy hour in our neighborhood, Dan and I recently visited Smallwares, a modern Asian fusion restaurant in the NE Fremont area.  Attracted to their creative menu, offering street style Asian dishes, we knew we'd be in for a treat.

Atmosphere:
Set in the lovely, residential NE Fremont strip of shops and restaurants, Smallwares is located in the center of this commercial area, which makes it easy to find.  Known for its red and white modern motif, the inside reminds me of a cheery Ikea catalog, as the space feels sleek, breathable and attractive.

Dan and I happened to sit outside since it was such a beautiful night, so we didn't really experience the vibe of the interior but we'll have to come back for that.  The outdoor tables are great and provide for some good people watching - and I must say that the alfresco service doesn't suffer at all.

Food:
The happy hour menu, offered from 5-7 p.m. each day isn't extensive, but it's fun and creative and definitely piqued our interest.  There's also a number of cleverly named drinks that made the happy hour menu truly complete.

Chicken Pot Pie Bao - The "gold standard" of the night, the bao provided something inventive and different and I couldn't get enough.  Presented on a fluffy, almost pretzel-like roll, it was stuffed with a savory filling of shredded chicken, peas, carrots and a hearty stew that tied it all together.  My only complaint was that it was so tiny, and I would've loved if the portion included two rolls instead of just one.

Pork Skin Ragu - Intrigued by the description of this dish, it also delivered and instead of being served with pasta, it was was accompanied by sticky rice cakes on the bottom of the bowl.  The latter was my favorite aspect of the dish, as it soaked up the hearty ragu beautifully.  While the ragu was lovely and bright, and speckled with tons of fresh ingredients, it was a tad too salty for my taste.

Shrimp Meatballs - Non traditional in appearance and flavor, the shrimp meatballs looked more like flat patties, which was OK.  Also small in size, the flavor was interesting and included lots of Asian spices, resting on a bed of sweet soy sauce.  Once again, a pretty dish but a tad too salty.

Oysters - The oysters too, were on special for happy hour, so Dan decided to indulge.  Accompanied by natural accouterments such as seaweed, fresh cilantro and lemon juice, it had a flavor-of-the-sea essence, which evoked freshness.

Service and Cost:
From the beginning to the end, our waitress was nothing but attentive and helpful.  As I already mentioned, she made sure we were well taken care of at our outdoor table and always refilled our water glasses, brought us new chopsticks when I dropped mine and had an overall lovely disposition.

Costs are decent but a little high for happy hour, given the modest portions.  We paid about $30 including tip and a specialty cocktail as well.

2 Mmmms

Smallwares - 4605 NE Fremont Street, Portland OR 97213
971.229.0995
smallwarespdx.com

Pye Boat Noodle Makes Waves in Astoria

It's always exciting when a new restaurant opens in Astoria, especially because of the high standards we've come to expect.  With the coming of Pye Boat Noodle, a new Thai noodle restaurant in the Broadway neighborhood, that standard has definitely been upheld - and then some.

Dan and I along with friends, Jennifer and Nuno tried it last week and were impressed with the offering, the service and the ambiance.  The whole shebang was something to write home about, and we'll definitely be going back for some more tangled noodle goodness.

Atmosphere:
Intrigued by Pye Boat's unique white and blue clapboard exterior and a sign that appears to be written backwards, it's clear that this is no ordinary Thai restaurant.  In fact, when you walk in, the place very much embodies something you'd find in a Thai seaside locale with fresh, whimsical elements infused into it.  The walls are decked in rustic wood paneling and accented by blue and teal embellishments such as the posts by the bar, the cabinet doors and such.  I especially liked the vintage art such as an old Coca Cola sign near the bar and other decor that looks like Thai pop art.

Despite the lovely interior, it was a mild night so we decided to eat in their expansive back garden, which comfortably seats about 25-30 people.  I love the little rectangular pool that's the focal point of the space and brings with it a classic simplicity and calmness.

Food:
Expecting to see a large, all-encompassing menu as in other Asian fusion restaurants in the vicinity, we were surprised by how concise and focused it was.  It's clear that Pye Boat has its specialties and this is exactly what the clientele will know them for - the noodles!

Fried Pork Strips - I spied this appetizer in Meg's Pye Boat write-up and knew I had to try it.  Reminding me almost of a thin jerky-like texture, the pork strips were crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.  Accompanied by a fiery chili sauce, it elevated the flavor of the pork to the next level.  Needless to say, this appetizer disappeared quickly.

Salted Wings - Dan and I are big wing people and can sometimes be harsh critics when it comes to this savory snack.  Although Pye Boat's version didn't look to be particularly meaty, the wings were very delicious, with a crispy, salted skin and a wonderfully moist inside.  This too came with a spicy chili oil vinaigrette, but it wasn't even needed.

Boat Noodle with Pork - There were two ways you can order your noodles, either dry or in a soup broth, and I chose the latter.  I also appreciated that you can have a choice of rice, wide ribbon, egg or vermicelli noodles.  My gluten free diet dictated my noodle choice, as I immediately decided on the rice and wasn't disappointed.  The pork came in three varieties including an anise pork meatball, fresh slices of lean pork as well as fried pork skin, which was my favorite.  I also must praise the soup broth, which was deeply flavored by the anise, which added an almost Middle Eastern quality to this dish - so unique!

Lychee Smoothie - Originally thinking this was an adult cocktail, it turned out to be a non alcoholic frozen juice, which was A-OK.  I enjoyed the tropical lychee flavors I got both in the pureed and whole form, with an entire lychee placed on top of the slushie.

Service and Cost:
We were greeted by Pye Boat's friendly staff and throughout the entire experience felt well taken care of.  It was nice to see that outdoor dining service didn't fall by the wayside, as can sometimes happen and the overall pacing of the meal remained good.

Costs are affordable and on point with other comparable Thai/Asian fusion restaurants in the nabe.

Appetizers - $4.95 - $7
Noodles - $8.95 - $11.95
Rice Dishes - $8.95 - $12.50

3 Mmmms

Pye Boat Noodle - 35-13 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.685.2329
N/Q Train to Broadway or R/M Train to Steinway 

East Side King Paints the Town Yummy!

A week out of SXSW now feels like ancient history, but my delicious food memories remain.  Here, I wanted to shine a light on yet another awesome food truck experience I had at Paul Qui's and Moto Utsunomiya's East Side King, which came highly recommended.  In addition to the high praises sang by Austinites, I was also lucky to sit in on one of Paul's SX panels, further inspiring me to get a bite out of his cooking.

About East Side King:
For those of you not familiar with Chef Paul Qui, who's something of a local celebrity in Austin, the fact that he's also a Top Chef winner alum during season 9 may ring a bell.  Known for his adventurous cooking style, including winning a quickfire by incorporating the hottest ghost chili pepper there is, Chef Paul is always up for mixing things up and keeping it interesting.

While he owns a few upscale restaurants in Austin such as Uchi, Uchiko and Qui, Chef Paul puts just as much emphasis and attention into his street style mobile restaurant, East Side King.  Boasting a unique spin on Asian street food, East Side King's 5 locations deliver a funky Japanese street vibe in Austin's hippest neighborhoods.  Lucky enough to experience his pop-up locale downtown, especially positioned for SXSW, I got to see what the fuss is all about.

Food:
Admiring the many vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, East Side King is a great choice if you're specific about the way you eat, but still want to enjoy great flavor.  Dan would be in heaven to see all that gluten free menu items, and I'm going to have to take him there next time we're in town.

Brussels Sprouts Salad - This dish came highly recommended, and wasn't a tough sell for me, as I always love to eat Brussels Sprouts.  It helped that most of the week was spent eating really rich foods, so some hearty veggies were certainly in order.  

While I can't say this salad was light, given the fried preparation of the Brussels Sprouts, it was flavorful as hell!  Coated in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce, each bite gave your tastebuds a run for their money.  A sprinkling of fragrant herbs such as basil, cilantro and mint helped to freshen things up in the midst of all that fried deliciousness, including pieces of a deep fried bun.  When in Austin...

 
Beet Home Fries - I've never had deep fried beets before, but when I saw these babies included virtually in everyone's order, I knew I had to try them.  Happy to see I chose wisely, I enjoyed the beets' crispy exterior, which was fun to dunk into a creamy Kewpie Mayo (a popular Japanese mayo) further seasoned with spicy shichimi.  I've never had beets prepared in this way, which made the experience that much more unique and memorable.  

Service and Cost:
Due to the popularity of this truck, there's a bit of a wait (about 15-20 minutes), but I promise it's worth it.  The ladies who worked the truck were pleasant and totally accommodating, especially when it came to splitting up our payment into thirds.  It was also great that they accepted credit cards in addition to cash.

Lunch for two people, including drinks and a shared app set us back about $24 in total.

3 Mmmms

East Side King - 4 mobile locations and 1 brick-and-mortar location
Austin, TX
eskaustin.com

Enthaice – Modern Thai Food with a Hint of Kitsch

Last Friday was all sorts of productive for me, as my We Heart Astoria colleague, Emily and I took a spin class at the new Simply Cycle Astoria.  Enjoying ourselves and working hard to boot deserved a tasty reward, so we headed to Enthaice for a warm, comforting Thai dinner.  It was a first time for both of us, but the experience proved fruitful and satisfying, so we’ll surely be back.

Atmosphere:
Boasting a great location on 31^st Avenue, across the street from the original BareBurger, Enthaice enjoys good foot traffic.  We were surprised to find it especially crowded last week, no doubt as a result of BareBurger’s recent renovations, which found Emily and me waiting for about 20 minutes to be seated.  While this was less than ideal, we made the best of the situation by waiting in their outdoor (but protected) space.

Once we stepped inside, we were welcomed by a bustling yet very cozy dining room, which was full of young patrons.  We even happened to spot some friends from the neighborhood, which was a lovely surprise.

Despite its small size, Enthaice’s dining room offers some great eye candy.  The inventive chandeliers, made of vintage forks, spoons and teacups are especially endearing, and made us both stop and observe.  While BareBurger’s version of these is similar, I found the ones at Enthaice even more intricate and creative.

Food:
As is usually the case in Thai restaurants, the menu at Enthaice was extensive but well organized.  My gluten free diet limited my options for sure, but there was still a lot to choose from, including their half a dozen varieties of curry.

Chicken Satay – Emily and I shared this simple but tasty appetizer, which boasted generous chunks of meat as well as a creamy peanut sauce for dipping.  The chicken was anything but dry and the sauces enhanced this already flavorful dish.  It’s a great option for my celiac friends, and comes highly recommended.

Red Curry – I love me some Thai curry and went with the medium spicy rendition of the Red, which was loaded with beef, bell peppers, eggplant and basil.  The beef was juicy and tender, and I loved the hint of sweetness from the peppers, and the lemony zing from the basil.  What a perfect way to nourish my body after that strenuous cycle class – it did just enough to fill me up but didn’t leave me feeling like a puffball.

Service and Cost:
On a busy Friday evening, you’d expect there to be a few hiccups in the service, but our evening went off without a hitch.  Enthaice’s waitstaff was helpful, friendly and always made sure we were comfortable. 

Costs are comparable to any good Thai restaurant in the neighborhood and set us back about $28 including tax and tip for a shared app, personal entrée and a glass of vino each.

3 Mmmms

Enthaice – 33-20 31^st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106 
718.932.1111 
N/Q Train to Broadway

Arharn Thai - Another Fun (and new-to-me) Thai Option

Last week when dining at Cafe Triskell with Meg and Mackenzi, I noticed a nice-looking Thai restaurant called Arharn Thai on 32nd Street and 36th Avenue.  Its awning looked new but the inside looked comfortable and lived in so I inquired a bit more, finding out that the place has been around for quite a while - I guess I just haven't noticed it.  Grabbing a menu, I was overwhelmed and excited by its many delicious-sounding options.  I'm giving you a sample of it here to whet your appetite.  If you haven't checked it out yet, it might be worth a shot, especially since it's nice and inexpensive.

Arharn Thai - Sample Menu

Appetizers:

Sate - Sliced beef or chicken marinated in curry powder and coconut milk, served with peanut sauce...$6.95
Thai Rolls - Steamed rolls wrapped with Chinese sausage, crabmeat, cucumber, bean sprouts with sauce...$6.95
Mee Grob (my favorite!) - Crispy rice noodles with shrimp and tamarind sauce...$5.95
Som Tum - Papaya salad...$6.95

Entrees: Served with jasmine rice

Gaeng Ped - Red curry, coconut milk, bamboo shoot and chili pepper with choice of beef or chicken...$9.95
Kra Prow - Choice of beef, chicken, or pork sauteed with basil, chili pepper and onion...$9.95

Paneng - Beef with paneng paste and coconut milk...$9.95

Seafood Dishes: Served with jasmine rice
Pla Lard Pick - Fried whole fish with spicy hot chili sauce...$18.95

Koong Pad Pak - Shrimp sauteed with mixed vegetables...$10.95
Pla Jean - Fried whole fish topped with ginger, mushrooms and scallions...$18.95

Frog Legs (Gob): Served with jasmine rice

Gob Kra Prow - Fried frog's legs with basil, chili peppers, and onions...$11.95
Gob Panaeng - Fried frog's legs in panaeng paste and coconut milk...$11.95
Gob Ka Tiem - Fried frog's legs with salt, pepper and garlic...$11.95

Chef's Specialties: Served with jasmine rice

Po-Tak - Seafood steamed with Thai spices in a clay pot...$12.95
Pla Duk Pad Ped - Large cuts of catfish, fried and sauteed with chili peppers, red curry and coconut milk...$12.95
Gai Yang - BBQ chicken marinated in Thai spices served with Thai sweet and sour sauce...$10.95
Moo Kum Wan - Grilled pork topped with fresh chili, garlic, chopped cilantro and lime juice...$9.95

Dessert:

Pumpkin Custard - Pumpkin, egg, palm sugar, salt and coconut cream...$4.50
Buad Chee - Warm banana in coconut milk...$3.50
Bua Louy - Warm taro in coconut milk...$4.50

There's also a $6.95 lunch special on weekdays til 3:00 p.m.

Arharn Thai - 32-05 36th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.5563
N/W Train to 36th Avenue

www.thaiastoria.com

My Birthday at SHI - Chic and Fabulous

I celebrated my birthday last Saturday, with a small family and close friends dinner at SHI. It was the perfect way to ring in the end of my 20's, and while I've eaten here on several occasions, below are some of the new dishes that I tried:

Homestyle Steamed Bao - These are the pot sticker-looking things pictured on top and they were delicious. The portion was large, with six sizeable pieces filled with meat, served with a side of soy dipping sauce. I liked how light they were and how silky the exterior felt - overall, a great starter.

Lychee Calamari - Another interesting appetizer, it included fried calamari with pieces of fried lychees, which were super sweet. Paired with a sweet and sour sauce and sprinkled with fresh scallions and peppers, I think it was a step up from traditional fried calamari.

Salmon Teriyaki - This was Vicky's entree and I loved it. The teriyaki sauce is what made it awesome - tangy, slightly sweet yet still savory. The fish was cooked nicely and was on the medium side, which I like. Vicky seemed to enjoy it too and finished her portion.

Spicy Basil Beef - Leave it up to the Texan, Kimberly, to choose something fiery. She loved it and went as far as to say that she'd get it again. I tried it and agreed with her--very yummy and not too spicy. The basil flavoring was nice, rounding out the dish with freshness and nice aroma. It was also great that veggies such as red onions, carrots and peppers were incorporated.

Sweet and Sour Chicken - Fiana chose this traditional Chinese entree and she wasn't disappointed. I tried it too and loved the crunchy batter and the soft, juicy white-meat interior. The sauce was nice and not too thick - again interspersed with veggies such as peppers, onions and carrots, adding freshness and zing.

Pineapple Fried Rice - Peter's choice of entree was surprising but he seemed happy with it, adding chicken as the protein. It was a good summer dish, including fruits and veggies such as juicy pineapple chunks, scallions, carrots and even dried cranberries.

Dan Ang Vermicelli - Eric's dish, which I didn't try included various seafood such as shrimp, scallops, mussels and squid with crispy vermicelli noodles. I'm assuming that he liked it because he finished it, also mentioning that his mom got it before and loved it.

Service and Cost:
The service was good with a couple of minor hiccups with the drinks. It wasn't anything to complain about, and it was especially lovely that SHI was accommodating to us bringing in outside dessert. They didn't charge us for it and were gracious by serving it with a birthday candle. They also sang Happy Birthday to me, which made the vibe more festive.

This group dinner including drinks (in some cases two per person), 4 appetizers and 8 entrees set people back $49 per person with tax and tip (it would've been $43 but my guests treated me - thank you!)

A really funny thing to check out are the peepholes in the bathrooms. Located under the mirrors in both the guys and girls bathrooms, you'll encounter a very comical surprise if you look into them. I won't reveal the secret, so you'll have to go there personally and check it out.

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-2448
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

SHI - Insider Scoop from Bartender Sue

What a lovely surprise it was this week when I found out that my co-worker Sue bartends at my new favorite Asian Fusion restaurant, SHI. I was excited to get some insider scoop from her, not only about the drinks but also about the food. Take a look at Sue's favorites below--they're already whetting my appetite.

Sue's SHI Must-List

First Course

Lychee Calamari
Crab Rangoon
Dumplings are always good - I prefer fried
Mixed Ceviche

Tom Yum Soup - fantastic but spicy

Second Course
Steak Cubes - they melt in your mouth
Sake Infused Cod - it's like butter
Lemongrass Chicken - I prefer it with shrimp and their seafood is pretty fresh
Pineapple and Raisin Fried Rice

Dessert
Green tea crème brulee
This new banana dessert - it's served warm with vanilla ice cream

Drinks
Our warm sake is pretty good and cheap
Lychee Martini
Ginger Mojitos are pretty good too

Thanks Sue -- these recommendations are great and I personally cannot wait to try the Sake Infused Cod and the Pineapple and Raisin rice. YUM!

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-24487
Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

SHI - Once Again, A Crowd Pleaser

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-2448
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

Recently discovering SHI on Vicky's good word, we went there once again this past weekend, bringing our friends, Lisa and Jay with us. Being true Manhattanites, I don't think that Lisa and Jay expected the hotness that LIC brought but at the end of the night, I think we got them convinced (at least I hope so). And the fact that we got a primo table near a window, overlooking the entire NYC skyline didn't hurt either.

Here are some of the new things that we tried:

Fried Shrimp Wontons - What can be bad about a fried dumpling stuffed with shrimp? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It had a wonderfully crunchy shell and the shrimp inside tasted fresh. The sweet and sour sauce that came alongside it was a nice complement, as we all took turns dipping our wontons into it. This dish was gone in seconds and I'm guessing that we'll order it again.

Mango Chicken and Shrimp - What I really wanted to order was the popcorn beef (again) but I resisted and tried something new. And while I liked the combination of the sweet chicken and shrimp--the long slices of mango were especially tasty--I did not love it as much as the beef. Dan put it the best way, "I prefer to have crispy and fried Chinese food instead of gooey, messy Chinese food." And that's the truth--it's not that I didn't like the flavors in this dish, it was just that the texture wasn't appealing. I'm back to ordering my beloved beef next time.

Various Sushi - Lisa tried three different sushi rolls including salmon avocado, crunchy spicy salmon and the spicy tuna. I didn't try any of them but she seemed to enjoy everything and commented about the freshness of the rolls. She's sort of a sushi connoisseur so I took her word for it. Her favorite was the crunchy spicy salmon--it was a bit different from the norm.

Shi Sunday - We still had room for dessert and ordered the Shi Sunday, which was just vanilla ice cream topped with cognac and some sort of coffee liqueor. The ice cream was delicious but I did not care for the liqueor at all. It was too bitter and took away from the goodness of the ice cream. Call me a simpleton, but I would've preferred some good ol' fashioned chocolate sauce. Pass the Hershey's please? Lisa agreed with me but the guys didn't--they loved it.

Shi Sangria - This was my drink and it was pretty good. Not great but good. It's hard for me to drink sangria in the States now, coming from our Spanish vacation where all the sangria and tapas were so top-notch. Anyway, not to be a sangria snob but this one needed more sugar. The fresh fruit such as the apples, plums and oranges were very good though.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was friendly and quite knowledgeable about the menu. We asked her to explain what a couple of the dishes were and she definitely eased our worries. All dishes came out of the kitchen in speed time and we never felt that we had to wait long for anything.

In terms of cost, it was an expensive dinner. Not because of the food but because of the alcohol. Note to self, if you want to keep the cost of the bill down, order beer and skip the hard liquor. For 3 appetizers, 4 entrees, dessert and 6 drinks our bill was about $168, not including tip.

2 Mmmms

SHI - My Take on LIC's Chic Asian Fusion

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-2448
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

You might remember my cousin Vicky's helpful heads-up about SHI. I thought that her description was so enticing that I had to try it for myself--that same night. What can I say, I'm a woman on a mission. My dining companions and I loved it because you get great food and exceptional value.

Atmosphere:

Long Island City never ceases to amaze me! How an industrial, warehouse neighborhood transformed itself so quickly into a chic paradise is beyond me--but I must say, I'm into it.

SHI is located on one such trendy LIC road--right on Center Boulevard on the waterfront. The actual restaurant is found on the ground floor of a luxury high-rise apartment building. And although this could sometimes be a drawback--housing complex restaurants tend to be devoid of character--SHI doesn't fall into this trap. On the contrary, it has so much spark and individuality that it pleasantly surprised me.

The doors are heavy and made of dark, carved wood. They're mysterious and make you wonder what's in store beyond them. The interior is modern and not over-designed--the artwork is sparse and there's a cool-looking chandelier in the back of the dining room. SHI's best features are its floor to ceiling windows that showcase a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline.

Food:

We were for the most part impressed by SHI's cuisine. Although our dining companions, Lauren and Marty weren't completely satiated, they agreed that the food was of good quality. Here's what we tried:

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - This was an appetizer that I split with Dan and it just immediately spoke to me. Aside from the seafood-bacon combo, which I love, the outside of it was fried. I know that this is complete gluttony but it was just so damn good. The tart vinegar sauce that was served on the side of it was also nice--very flavorful and refreshing.

Popcorn Beef - Immediately intrigued by its name, I was again drawn to it like with the bacon shrimp. I was expecting the beef to be small and perhaps round but when it came out, I just couldn't understand why they called it "popcorn." Regardless of my confusion, the beef tasted amazing. It was super crispy on the outside and so tangy from the sweet and sour sauce. The heartiness of this dish was diffused by fresh veggies such as carrots and peppers. I'd get this again without a doubt and Dan would too--he really enjoyed the couple of bites that I gave him.

General Tso's Chicken - Dan ordered this and was very satisfied with it. I tasted it too and recognized it to be a good version of its kind--a simple sweet and spicy fried chicken served with steamed broccoli. In Dan's own words "it was just a solid, well done General Tso's."

Sushi - Lauren and Martin both ordered sushi. While I didn't try it because there wasn't too much on their plates, they seemed to enjoy it--their only complaint was about the small portion. I'd suggest getting a small side if you decide to go with a sushi entree.

The Chocolate Molt - Since not everyone was completely full at the end of our meal, we decided to get dessert. The chocolate molt promised a gooey, flourless chocolate cake, which we were all psyched to try. Although what we received was delicious, it was by no means molten--there was no silky chocolate oozing from its middle, which was a little disappointing.

Service and Cost:

I sometimes find that because of a language barrier at Asian restaurants, the service isn't always what you want it to be. However, at SHI it is. Our waiter was friendly and not afraid to give suggestions. He made a couple of jokes and definitely relaxed us. The food came out on-time, which is always a plus--especially when dining late at night.

The prices are fair and comparable to other Asian restaurants in the neighborhood. Appetizers range between $2-8, entrees between $7.50-$19 and desserts are somewhere in the $5-$7 range.

3 Mmmms

Guest Foodista Vicky on LIC's Excep-SHI-nally Good Food

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101

Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-2448

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

Impromptu guest post to give you the good word on some good food. This past weekend, I (Vicky, cousin of Judista the Foodista) found myself in Long Island City. I've been keeping an eye on the opening of a new Asian restaurant in town, SHI, and this weekend I was finally able to try it out. Here's a quick synopsis of/commentary on my meal.

Note: I ordered in, so I don't have full details on ambiance, service, etc. Sorry kids.

Double note: I am not as skilled as the Foodista in the art of foodie-ing.

Seafood tom yum soup w/ noodles ($9): I'm usually a non-liker of all things spicy, but things seem to have changed. This soup is an awesome combination of spice, fire, and flavor. And it comes with a really good ratio of seafood drowned inside, which really balanced out the heat. The vermicelli noodles, which were given in a separate plastic tin, also served as a good soaker-up-er of the spice.

I think why I was able to eat/enjoy this soup as much as I did, despite its heat, was best described by my co-eater at the time (whatup Eric): "the heat doesn't linger." Mm, so true.

Heads up if ordering in: This portion is gynormous. Share share share. Or don't, whatever.

Mango chicken w/ jumbo shrimp ($16): This dish is on the complete other end of the flavor spectrum (in relation to the tom yum). The sauce was sweet and light, the chicken and shrimp were perfectly cooked. And they totally didn't skimp on the shrimp, like I've experienced at other restaurants. What I enjoyed most were the thinly shredded pieces of cooked mango and pepper strewn throughout the dish. In the words of renaissance woman, Rachael Ray (whom I prefer watching on mute), "yum-O."

The truth is, SHI's menu is packed with lots of good stuff, and I am not the most decisive of people. Choosing my dinner was not an easy task, but I was, and still am very happy with the choices I made. I'll be back there for sure.

2 Mmmms

Bany - Asian Fusion in LIC

Bany - 10-57 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.383.2388

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

On my way to the Slovak-Czech Variety Store last week, I discovered a new Asian fusion restaurant right next door called Bany.

With the many luxury high-rise buildings that are sprouting like weeds, this side of town is also flourishing with new restaurants. Bany looks like a good one to try--the interior is modern and the menu boasts a variety of Asian specialties such as seafood, duck, sushi and sashimi. The prices are inexpensive to moderate and are comparable to its LIC restaurant neighbors. A sampling of Bany's menu is below:

Appetizers:

Indian Pancake - Malaysia Indian pancake, served with chicken curry sauce...$3.50

Bany Summer Roll - Fresh mixed greens in a crispy roll with plum sauce on the side...$5

Rock Shrimp - Served with spicy mayo sauce...$8

Specialty Rolls:

Caterpillar - Crunchy spicy tuna inside, topped with avocado and spicy mayo...$8

Spicy Bad Girl - Spicy salmon, spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, basil, topped with shrimp, avocado and jalapeno...$12

Fancy Dragon - Shrimp tempura, cucumber, caviar and eel topped with avocado and mango...$11

Entrees:

Mango Chicken or Jumbo Shrimp - Tropical mango, bell pepper, onion, jicama with mango chili sauce...$15-$17

Atlantic Ocean - Jumbo shrimp, scallops, fish, bell pepper, sweet beans, asparagus and onions in a butter cream sauce...$19

Duck Curry - 1/2 boneless duck, eggplant, potato, bell pepper and basil leaf...$17

Lunch specials are also available and include Bento boxes, stir-fry and sushi bar options.