La Portena

Gaucho country in Jackson Heights at the La Portena Restaurant. The decoration of leather and horse paraphanelia remind you of the cowboy mystique that is Argentina though the name Portena means a person from Buenos Aires. Having spent a month there in 2000 this restaurant is an authentic interpretation of the gorgeous carne plus lots of pasta and pizza options common in restaurants throughout the country. There is bread and sort of a chimichurri salsa on the table when you walk in with lots of red wines available. I ordered the skirt steak with potato salad for $18.95. The steak was a huge buttery cut cooked to perfection rating very high on the yum factor. My accompanying potato salad was merely servicable and the darkly cooked french fries are the better option. Here meat is the star and the green sauce worked quite well with the juicy steak. Bathrooms are ordinary.
Go!

La Fonda Antioquena

La Fonda Antioquena has been around for many years and with good reason. Top of it's game in Columbian cuisine this little spot sits on Steinway near Broadwy down the block from El Mundo Department store(cheap and sometimes good). Recently renovated with guacho gear on the walls, if you want hearty fare and to practice your Spanish this is the place. I was here for lunch Friday and ordered the soup of the day which was vegetable in a cup for $5.95. The rustic soup arrived loaded with veggies and a piece of corn from the cobb and surprise a piece of flank steak in a brown broth. The side dish that accompanies the soup is a fresh cabbage slaw, limes and white rice. Those are meant to put in the soup and it was filling and delish. A passion fruit shake(batido) with milk made for a satisfying meal. Lots of meats, chickens, a few salads, daily soups and some little plates called hungry killers round out the menu. A plain stinky bathroom downstairs could use some updating.
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Cambodian Cuisine

Exotic Cambodian Cuisine cooked fresh to order by the owner of the restaurant of the same name that was beloved in Fort Greene for many years. The only question is why the Upper East Side. A large space with exposed brick and otherwise everyday Asian restaurant decor, this spot does not visually stand out. The food though is quite tasty and felt like a mix of Vietnamese and Thai. My spring rolls with shrimp were delicate with real pieces of shrimp and crunchy lettuce, bean sprouts served with peanut sauce for $4.95. For a main, I ordered the s.f.(seafood) fried noodle in a slightly spicy tamarind sauce for $13.95. The dish was full of fresh seafood and delicious. The wait staff here could't be more accomodating, and the spot is spacious, though a downtown location would have been preferable.
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Off to Montreal

With lots of French flair and some North American influences, the food can range from fair to outstanding. I opted for mainly French or European fare with a morning dose of the Fairmont bagel pictured above. Hence, the North American influence as the Montrealers love their bagels. Some of the breads and pastries were as good as France and others had long way to go. There are lots of international restaurants here, but for my brief trip French was the way to go.

Northeast Kingdom

Located in the hinterlands of Bushwick close to the Jefferson Street stop, this corner outpost serves American comfort and bistro fare to the hipster locals. The restaurant is on a corner and designed with a rugged comfortable feel with no less than 5 booths. Seated at the one by the window watching the post-industrial wastland gradually developing, it was an interesting spot to open this restaurant. The food was overall, dissapointing. The escargot in a creamy, brandy, herby sauce ordered by my dining companion was the star of the show. How could you go wrong with cream and brandy? A salad of asparagus and parmesan with lemon was also tasty though croutons were unnecessary. My entree of mac and cheese was the biggest flop, of overcooked pasta, tasteless with a breadcrumb topping. The dessert of banana cream pie tasted like some generic dessert out of a local so called gourmet store.
The lovely bathroom looked like something out of the 30's old big old sink and all.
SLOW GO!

Corfu Grill

In the beautiful borough of Queens is one of the cheapest and best lunch specials in town. On the outdoor terrace of the Corfu Grill is where I ate lunch and where they offer a $6 lunch special with a huge amount of fresh Greek fare for the price. For the unbelievable price you get a choice of greek or ceasar salads, a soup, tzatziki, pita, choice of fresh cut fries, rice or lemon potatoes and choice of about 15 mains including gyro, chicken kebab, cheese burger, mousaka, pastichio etc. The chicken soup was a little greasy, peppery and tasty. My gyro was on a packed plate with a fresh greek salad, delish lemon potatoes, tasty lamb gyro, greasy grilled pita and yummy tzatziki. A more bangin' bargain you could not find in any borough, a little old school, but CHEAP!
MUST GO!

Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream

Located in the afternoon on the corner of Greene and Prince Streets, this brightly colored ice-cream truck serves fresh frozen treats to the masses in Soho. Creamy, dreamy hormone free ingredients are used in the ice-cream. The treats are expensive at $3.95 a scoop for truck treats. I had the currants and cream and gianduja on a sugar cone for $5.75 The currants and cream an unusual flavor though very popular in jolly ole' England was top of the scoop and the gianduja was also good though not of the Grom quality. The sugar cone was not so fresh and not homemade. I am so spoiled by the Odeon ice-cream cart. Homemade hot fudge was bangin' and I would opt for it on future visits.
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Miranda

This spot in Williamsburg intrigued me because of the combination of cuisines- Latin/Italian. Curiousa? Went for brunch today after dropping off some duds at Beacon's Closet. The corner location at Berry and North 9th affords lots of light and air from it's muy bonita/bella interior. The space is painted in a warm yellow with lots of cleverly placed exposed brick and warm wooden tables and chairs. I ordered the cemitas a sandwich/torta of grilled chicken, oaxacan cheese, avocado and tomatoey sauce. Freshly grilled chicken went well with the other ingredients and an actual salad with greens and grape tomatoes for $9. My side of mangu for $3 was tdf which is smashed sweet plaintains(maduros) with parmigiano and grilled red onions-delicouso. To drink, the owner offere a tamarind soda which he made sparkly with selzer and that was a refreshing liquid against the bold flavors of the food. A pretty john with a window to a little dining nook is a super clever design detail.
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Pinche Taqueria

Nolita nook, Pinche or little taqueria serves up fast fresh Mexican comida in their charming space. With seats around a little square with exposed brick and an open window with additional stools, Pinche seats about 20 people comfortably. The menu is cheap for the hood with entrees maxing out at $11.75 with a soda. Their signature fish taco with guac., cabbage, cilantro cream on a soft corn tortilla was sabroso and piccante with the added salsas they provide. It is made from lighly battered mahi mahi and at $3.75 was filling. A green tomatillo and a rich red semi spicy salsa add heat to the dish. I ordered a side of Mexican rice which was pleasantly tomatoey and extra tasty with the salsas. No visible john.
Must Go!

NYC ICY

Don't even think about asking for two scoops in a small serving. Only one scoop in a small cup here on Church Ave in the Brooklyn incarnation of the former Ave B fave. My black cherry icy was authentically delish with real flavor and pieces of black cherry in an icy cup. On a hot day it was refreshing and cheap at $2. Lot's of cool flavors like passion fruit and fire engine cherry. All ices and sherberts are made in the back of the shop. The store is large and bright with a couple of chairs outside if you want to finish your icy on lovely Church Ave. Another outpost on 10th Ave. in Manhattan is also open.
Must Go!

Edith Machinist

Edie of Edith the Machinist is the queen of the LES vintage store, having been at her current site on Rivington near Economy Candy for over 7 years. Her vast selection of vintage shoes, bags, jewelry and gear is unmatched. As well as sporting pieces from her own collection. Like a kid in a candy store I have perused and purchased many favorite items here over the years. She picks the creme de la creme of vintage and many models and stylists come here for pieces as well as inspiration. From Chanel to Ferragamo, Edie has pieces that rock and will standout in your wardrobe. Classic European and American pieces as well as the funkier finds. A big summer sale is coming in August. I will post the details.
MUST GO!