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Kamui Den on Ave A between 12th and 13 --Its a super casual and unassuming Japanese restaurant with great ultra-fresh food, presented beautifully, yet in a casual atmosphere with mismatched chairs and tables and spare, bohemian charm. Love this spot.

Me me me!!!!

REGULATE. LEGISLATE. PROTECT. BAN AND TAX. LIMIT PERSONAL FREEDOMS. STOP EVERYTHING.

SHAKE SHACK IN MADISON PARK MUST CLOSE!!!! Its only a few short blocks from our babies at 5 NY Public Schools!!!! If it reopens elsewhere, it needs to be in a remote area of the city zoned for warehouses, heavy industry or PORN! It MUST TAX its customer's purchases HEAVILY plus give 20% of its overall profits back to the babies!!! Save our babies!!!

@Full On-- I Agree with you 100% .

All of these folks seem like good chefs, but none great. Carla's heart and passion wins in my book and if they were to all open restaurants, her's would be top on my list. And, while Stefan may have had the best technical skill, he showed no soul and his smugness was ridiculous since he definitely didn't demonstrate genius or that he was a truly gifted chefs on par with the greats.

Hopefuly future seasons will turn-out some truly great folks & until then, I want to eat at Carla's house!!!

Cant wait to try the Chong Qing (chicken)
I agree the cucumbers are great and here are some other awesome items from Grand Sichuan:

Soup Dumplings
Hot Oil Wontons
Dan Dan Noodle
Ghou Zhiu chicken

The hot chocolate is here. I really liked it and it seems to be somewhere between the thick City Bakery style and a more traditional cocoa. Still very rich, but not so much of a throat coater. I personallylike the heavy kind, but this one is a nice medium.

Rogue Creamery - Crater Lake Blue Cheese

REGARDING TOBY:

http://gawker.com/5126273/mean-british-bully-toby-young-is-overwrought-and-underseasoned?autoplay=true?skyline=true&s=i

JudgeFudge: Check this article

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/dining/13coffee.html

Come on y'all. I am a fan of Joe, but it wouldnt exist if it weren't for the likes of Stumptown. The artisanal coffee revolution just began in NY and its been going on in Portland and Seattle for years. Check out 9th Street Espresso in the East Village on 9th and B (or C?) --They use Stumptown and, yes, you should give it another try. It sounds like you prefer your coffee brewed strong, which is how Peet's brews it. Thats a matter of preference and not a matter of the quality of the beans. To not appreciate Stumptown is to not recognize that they approach coffee from a craftsman's perspective and have been true innovators. Portland has this whole outrageous coffee culture with people who geek out on roasts and roasting processes, travel the world and bring coffee back to the NW and discuss and drink it like wine. Stumptown has been a leader in that arena and has a cool shop there where they do tastings.

Respect is due.

And I am with Hummus and Carrots in the comment that about getting a good cup of coffee at Starbucks or Peets and many other places. Just like wine, it depends on your particular preferences. Maybe the coffee they are serving isnt your preference, maybe it is. Maybe its better in a cappucino, iced whatever you like!

Oh, and Blue Bottle from San Francisco are true innovators too. I was there a few months ago and loved their store down south of Market. Major coffee geeks there too!

flourless chocolate cake!

I just went here and the cupcakes were phenomenal. Between me and my friend, we sampled several styles. Their perfectly crisp tops certainly distinguish them from Magnolia and Billy's and, in my opinion, give them the upper hand. In addition, the ability to taste frostings and to choose between the French and American style is a nice addition.

Super cute spot on a 2 block stretch of E 7th Street that includes other favorites such as Abraco, Porchetta, Chocolate Bar, Pylos and Caracas. A great place to stop at after a great meal or to grab something sweet with an Abraco coffee. Oh, and the peanut butter frosting was out of this world.

Definitely the best cupcakes I have had in NYC.