Ed Levine’s Profile
Recent Comments
Sunday Brunch: Cheese and Chive Hash Brown Potato Cakes
I'm so glad you liked it.
'Wichcraft For Dinner: Trying To Go Beyond Sandwiches
I'll make sure to try it next time.
David Sax's Top Five Deli Dishes In New York
What about the corned beef hash or the drenched in schmaltz, mondo-sized potato knishes at the Carnegie Deli? Or the brisket Reuben at Artie's? Or even the hot dog with pastrami bits topping at Lansky's?
See more comments by Ed Levine »
Recent Posts
Win Tickets To A Pre-Thanksgiving Feast For A Great Cause This Monday
Posted by Ed Levine, November 6, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 92: What Happened to Caffeine-Free Diet Coke?
Posted by Ed Levine, November 6, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Amazing 66: A Truly Amazing Menu in Manhattan's Chinatown
Posted by Ed Levine, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 91: Diet Armageddon or Hell Week
Posted by Ed Levine, October 30, 2009 at 8:45 AM
See more posts by Ed Levine »
Recent Favorites
Ed Levine hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
Ed Levine hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
Ed Levine hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
I saw Alan Richman's review. I don't think he understands the potential appeal of a thin, crisp, smashed burger. Clearly the burgers he ate at Bill's were not juicy at all. One problem at Bill's that perhaps I should have written about is that nobody at the restaurant wants to tell you that when you order a burger you can ask for it extra juicy. When I asked the chef, Paul Sale, about that he explained that the difference between extra juicy and regular at Bill's is about 10 seconds on its super-hot griddle. Extra juicy just means there will be some visibly pink meat in the burger. Maybe I will see if Alan will go with me to Bill's and have an extra juicy burger.
Sunday Brunch: Cheese and Chive Hash Brown Potato Cakes
I'm so glad you liked it.
'Wichcraft For Dinner: Trying To Go Beyond Sandwiches
I'll make sure to try it next time.
David Sax's Top Five Deli Dishes In New York
What about the corned beef hash or the drenched in schmaltz, mondo-sized potato knishes at the Carnegie Deli? Or the brisket Reuben at Artie's? Or even the hot dog with pastrami bits topping at Lansky's?
The Nasty Bits: Crisp Fried Pig's Ears
I don't care much for pig's ears myself, but I really enjoy Chichi's Nasty Bits posts. They are entertaining, informative, and downright fun. And they don't make me feel like any less of a foodie. And offal in particular and trends in general are by no means the only things we champion here at Serious Eats.
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
I did keep a straight face, rebeccadiamond. But I still can't believe I didn't say anything to the woman who did the extraneous slicing, whereintheworldisben. It's not like me. I usually would squawk. I should have said, "Have you no shame, gentlewoman?" That would have been appropriate for the neighborhood.
Need Off The Radar Dining Suggestions
Here's a good one: $50 White Truffle Dinner every Tuesday night through December 1st at Sapori d’Ischia in Woodside. There's no deal like it in the city.
Top 10 Sandwiches in Brooklyn
two excellent roast beef, mozzarella and brown gravy hero spots:
Monte's
156 Avenue O,
718-259-1500;
Clemente's
138 Avenue T,
1-800-427-0556.
Impressive Lunch in NYC this Friday
Jean-Georges is a great choice, as is Alto. The Inoteca side of Del Posto is also really good value at lunch or dinner.
The Dessert Files: SWEET at the New York Wine and Food Festival
Those chocolate and olive oil bastoncino sound incredible. I want one now.
Lamb Burgers from Eleven Madison Park
They're available at the bar and in the lounge area at both lunch and dinner. We had them at lunch.
Lamb Burgers from Eleven Madison Park
Good question, gustoct. You certainly could argue that these are meatballs, except they don't have any breadcrumbs in them. Doesn't a meatball have to have some breadcrumbs in it to be considered a meatball?
Hot Doug's in Chicago: Good Hot Dogs and Good Neighbors in Line
Thanks, Teachertalk. You're absolutely right. I've made the correction.
How Do You Slip the Waiter Extra Tip Money?
This is indeed is a tough one, Adam. Most of my friends look to me to tell them how much to leave as a tip. I don't know what I would do in the situation you laid out.
"Date night" lunch on Friday
Mookie has a great idea. I reviewed eleven madison park's lunch deal a couple of weeks ago. jean-georges also has the same lunch deal as well. In Brooklyn I really like Char No. 4's Friday-only lunch menu. My review of it is going up tonight.
Critic-Turned-Cook Finds Her Dream Job at a Frat House Kitchen
A frat house with good food. That's a man-bites-dog story, for sure. Great post, Leslie.
Serious Beer: Tasting Oktoberfest Brews
Great post, Maggie. We're thrilled to have you as our beer bureau chief. A toast, then, to Maggie Hoffman, Serious Eats' first beer bureau chief.
Recreating the Adult Brownies from Andronico's
Tam brought these brownies into Serious Eats World HQ. They are amazing, the best brownies I have ever eaten, sweet, salty, and amazingly intense. I made her write this post. All serious eaters will be happy I did.
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 86: Is 200 Pounds Out of My Reach?
I play squash three times a week and ride my bike to work another 2 or 3 times a week.
Bar Americain Fried Chicken
No, I didn't even know about Bar Americaine's fried chicken Mondays. We will check it out for sure. Thanks for the heads up. Ed
Shacktober Fest: A Frank Appraisal
My bad on the invention front. I will say, and I know this may be painful to hear for present or past St. Louis residents, when we did a straight comparative blind taste test between Shake Shack and Ted Drewes frozen custard, Shake Shack won handily. Of course it must be said that the Ted Drewes custard was shipped and the Shake Shack custard was fresh.
The Great New York Fancy-Pants Fried Chicken Roundup
The value thing is tricky, but I do think we were reasonably consistent. You get a whole chicken, vegetables, and pancakes at monofuku for $50, which is a very good deal. It feeds four people with leftovers At Brooklyn Bowl, the half-chicken and two not special sides for $18 probably feeds 1 1/2 people,is not nearly as good, deliciousness-wise. And you're in a bowling alley (albeit, a really cool bowling alley).
The Great New York Fancy-Pants Fried Chicken Roundup
There was one other criteria I thought about throwing into the mix:
Is it better than Popeye's and if so by how much?
Lunch at Eleven Madison Park: Four-Star Food at Neighborhood Restaurant Prices?
Kathryn, I called JG to check to make sure the price was still $14 a course, and they answered in the affirmative.
Seriously Italian: Punctuating Flavors with Ricotta Salata
Fantastic post, Gina. A perfect ricotta salata primer, written with love and passion and soul. I may have to buy some today.
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
Perhaps it would have been okay if you had just asked her not to slice it. Then done it yourself.
That is really bizarre. I suppose they eat the extra slivers themselves. I can't imagine what else they might do. Maybe collect enough slivers to start making full slices? Yeah right.
22 Sandwiches That Will Change Your Life
My hometown Cuban sandwich can't get no love? Awww....
The Serious Eats Doughnut Glossary
Growing up in Minnesota, we didn't actually have a ton of local doughnut shops at the time, so we had to get them from grocery bakeries.
My local grocery store had both long john's AND eclairs - the key difference being the filling. Long Johns had none and sometimes had sprinkles or coconut topping - where as eclairs were filled evil.
22 Sandwiches That Will Change Your Life
The godmother from Bay Cities in Santa Monica needs to be on here too! Or any sandwich from them, really. It's all about the bread...and giardiniera mmm.
22 Sandwiches That Will Change Your Life
BIGELOWS!! i grew up in rvc and this is truly a classic spot. i had my last family meal here with both my parents and my brother a few years back. brings back great memories. so happy to see it on the list.
22 Sandwiches That Will Change Your Life
Boccalone in SF is fantastic....Collest thing I have had to an Italian panini in the US....
Top 10 Sandwiches in Brooklyn
Also the BBQ Chicken Pattie at Little Miss Muffin...best pattie in the area IMO. Christie's does better beef fillings, but LMM does better chicken.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Ed, you need to get somewhere to try a Smashburger. I would love, love, love to know how they compare in the field of smashed burgers.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Shake Shack is super yummy non-haute burgers. It's like fast food burgers on speed. I feel like no one has the right to degrade OR elevate them. They are what they are, but they serve a purpose and are MIGHTY satisfying, much more so than McDonald's ( ok, I've never had a McDonald's burger)....
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
To my the Shake Shack hamburger is TOTALLY overated. If it had been good the long line was worth it - but to me it was a simple nothing special hamburger. It didn't break my tooth but I also say never again.
Thank you for your excellent write ups anyhow.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
wnet to Shake Shack for the first time and promptly bit into a bone that almost broke my molar. NEVER AGAIN!
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
just finished my burger at bill's and boy was it disappointing- the burger as dry as the majority of my fries- I had to constantly quench my thirst with their fine "cold ass" which was delightfully light.
and what's up with the over crowded kitchen?
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
I can't wait to try RUB's burger. I'm not a fan of bbq, but I do love a good burger.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
"My waiter refused?" How does that work?
"Can I order it juicy?"
"Yeah, but I won't put the order in for you."
Seriously? That kind of stuff sets me off, big time.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Nice write up. I love the shake shack burger. I have yet to have a burger at Rub though and I've never been to Bill's... on the list now!
'Wichcraft For Dinner: Trying To Go Beyond Sandwiches
Silly. In this economy, it's ALL old school as in sandwiches. And in my view, this is a disastrous move on 'wichcraft's part. They have branded themselves as THE sandwich place. The PREMIERE SANDWICH plance. Now all of a sudden they serve regular food? Huh? That's like a pizza joint, albeit a nice one, starts putting tablecloths and candlelight at night and serving a full on meal. Doesn't make sense. And they are diluting their branding. Let's watch to see how long this will last.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Ed, when I had dinner there this weekend, I was already instructed by Nick Solares to order the burger juicy. However, my waiter refused my request to cook the burger that way, and I ended up with a dried-out patty. When I then ordered the Sunset and Vine, I insisted that the burger be cooked juicy this time. The waiter eventually relented, and the resulting burger was properly cooked. That's the difference between Shake Shack and Bill's Bar and Burger: Shake Shack does it right without it being requested.
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Ed, you bring up a great point. Had I known that I could request my burger "extra juicy" I would have easily ordered it that way...perhaps they should consider serving all burgers like that, or even just take them off the griddle 5 seconds earlier. It would likely appeal to more folks than it does now.
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
(Actually, looks more like 5%, if the pic is accurate!!)
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
As perfect as we'd all like our food to look, in the end, it is for EATING, not for SEEING, unless your eyes are inside your BELLY.
I would have estimated how much it was she took off (2%?) then reduced my payment by exactly that much.
"Well, looks like you took away about 2% there, so I'll only be paying 98% of the agreed upon amount. Have a great day, and I'd advise you that what you did there was not only illegal, but rude."
On another matter, PLEASE describe that crepe cake! Is it, as I imagine, stacked sugared crepes?? Sounds like that could be amazing.
Cakespy: CupShake, a Cupcake Milkshake
Actually, Sonic (the chain restaurant) made a "birthday cake shake" for their 50th birthday in 2003. Theirs was pretty good, though a bit too sweet for me.
Serious Beer: Tasting Oktoberfest Brews
seconded on paulaner's oktoberfest, I'm kind of surprised to see a bigger brewery like beck's reviewed though. I haven't had it in probably a year or so but I remember Harpoon's oktoberfest to be pretty tasty and (like all harpoon's beers) very modestly priced for the quality, Pennichuck's Big O was also quite good as I remember.
'Wichcraft For Dinner: Trying To Go Beyond Sandwiches
Give me a good sandwich over any of this shit anyday.
The Nasty Bits: Crisp Fried Pig's Ears
Scape a bit of dirt from a pig's knuckle and throw that in too will ya. Jeez!
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
I go to school right by there, and once I stopped in out of curiosity. I ordered a slice of something or other, and after it was cut, on it's way to being transferred to a place, it fell on its side rather than staying upright. The woman behind the counter actually threw the slice away and tried again to be sure I would be presented with a slice standing up!! Seriously. So I don't know that we can blame the people behind the counter. I think it must be policy, and it's not their fault if they have to follow it.
Recent Posts
Win Tickets To A Pre-Thanksgiving Feast For A Great Cause This Monday
Posted by Ed Levine, November 6, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 92: What Happened to Caffeine-Free Diet Coke?
Posted by Ed Levine, November 6, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Amazing 66: A Truly Amazing Menu in Manhattan's Chinatown
Posted by Ed Levine, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 91: Diet Armageddon or Hell Week
Posted by Ed Levine, October 30, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Yankees vs. Phillies: The Serious Eats World Series
Posted by Ed Levine, October 28, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Shake Shack, Bill's, and RUB: It's Rainin' Smashed Burgers In This Burg
Posted by Ed Levine, October 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Book Giveaway: Mike Colameco's Food Lover's Guide to NYC
Posted by Ed Levine, October 24, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 90: The Return of Thinner
Posted by Ed Levine, October 23, 2009 at 8:40 AM
'Wichcraft For Dinner: Trying To Go Beyond Sandwiches
Posted by Ed Levine, October 20, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Lady M Cake Boutique Cheesecake: The Last Cut Is The Deepest
Posted by Ed Levine, October 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Is Locavorism For Rich Folks Only?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 89: Will No Thinner Make Me Fatter?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 16, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Save Prime Burger, A Burger Shop With Real Character
Posted by Ed Levine, October 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM
The Sam Sifton Era Begins: He's A Serious Eater, All Right
Posted by Ed Levine, October 14, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Joseph Leonard for Lunch: Next Stop, Yummyville?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 13, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Lamb Burgers from Eleven Madison Park
Posted by Ed Levine, October 12, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 88: Are Bananas Helping or Hurting My Weight?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 9, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Did the Internet Kill 'Gourmet' Magazine?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 8, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Bouchon Bakery's Fluffernutter Sandwich
Posted by Ed Levine, October 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Hot Doug's in Chicago: Good Hot Dogs and Good Neighbors in Line
Posted by Ed Levine, October 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Char No. 4: Bourbon, Barbecue, And Pork In Cobble Hill
Posted by Ed Levine, October 6, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 87: Do Weights Help You Lose Weight?
Posted by Ed Levine, October 2, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Chanterelle Has Closed: It Will Be Missed
Posted by Ed Levine, October 1, 2009 at 10:00 PM
A New Food Truck To Try: El Paluche
Posted by Ed Levine, October 1, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Recent Favorites
Ed Levine hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
Ed Levine hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
Ed Levine hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
About Ed Levine
Website: http://www.edlevineeats.com
Location: NYC
About: I am the Serious Eats overlord. Launching the site has been the greatest experience of my life, and it continues to be that to this day.
Favorite foods: fried chicken, pizza, barbecue, pie, ice cream
Last bite on earth: Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken, some awesome fries, a few hush puppies, and some piping hot biscuits
I saw Alan Richman's review. I don't think he understands the potential appeal of a thin, crisp, smashed burger. Clearly the burgers he ate at Bill's were not juicy at all. One problem at Bill's that perhaps I should have written about is that nobody at the restaurant wants to tell you that when you order a burger you can ask for it extra juicy. When I asked the chef, Paul Sale, about that he explained that the difference between extra juicy and regular at Bill's is about 10 seconds on its super-hot griddle. Extra juicy just means there will be some visibly pink meat in the burger. Maybe I will see if Alan will go with me to Bill's and have an extra juicy burger.