Serious Eats: Mr. K's Profile

Nelson,
I eat octopus in all its forms (grilled, braised, Galitian, sushi, etc...), but never tried cooking it myself. The frozen one I bought looked pretty pathetic after defrosting. It's possible that I bought a wrong kind or just a bad one, so that led me to believe that starting from fresh may be a better idea. I want to simmer it until tender and then use it in a salad (per recipe that I have).

Mr. K at 4:08PM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

Carlos' is my goto fish place, the owner is great, and we have a really good relationship. But otherwise, Staten Island is like a dead zone for anything more exotic than your standard seafood choices. I will check out all the other suggestions though. Thanks S.E. readers !

Mr. K at 12:52PM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

italiagirl84, thanks for the suggestions, but I visited every store in S.I. (where I live) and never saw fresh octopus there. I suppose Chinatown is the most logical choice. I'll go there on a weekend.

Mr. K at 11:29AM on 08/10/09

From Talk

First time in New York

Go to menupages.com and pick midtown (or any other neighborhood).
Many reviews there are spot-on and by regular diners, not just magazine food critics. You can also view their menus and plan for your budget.

Mr. K at 9:41AM on 07/10/08

From Talk

pickled watermelon

Pickled watermelon, as well as pickled cherry tomatoes, is a staple in Russian cuisine. You can find it in a jar or by a pound if you go to an authentic Russian food store. There is an abundance of them in NYC, although smaller stores may not carry it. Basically you would serve this kind of pickled watermelon as you would serve sour pickles.

Mr. K at 3:55PM on 10/02/07

From Talk

Has Anyone Eaten at Ferran Adrià's El Bulli?

I have heard they take reservations up to a year in advance. And to think
Per Se with a two month waiting list was bad enough.

Mr. K at 1:53PM on 07/26/07

From Talk

Fried brain sandwich

On a recent visit to Enoteca Barbone (in the east village) they had lamb brains as an entree. I didn't order it, and not sure of how it was prepared,
but hey, it's a start.

Mr. K at 3:01PM on 07/10/07

From Serious Eats

The 100 Calorie Solution: The Answer to Our Prayers?

Ed,
as far as most foods go in your article, you would probably need a magnifying glass just to see what you're eating in a 100 cal portion.
I'll skip on other food for the rest of the day, but give me this heart-stopping artery-clogging stuff served right.

Mr. K at 9:13AM on 07/09/07

From Talk

Ever been to brunch at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon?

Go to menupages.com, they have their menu (although no mention of brunch there) and also reviews from diners.

Mr. K at 4:55PM on 06/19/07

From Talk

Favorite pots and pans

I love my Swiss Diamond cookware as well. Its non-stick, but still gives a nice sear. It is pretty pricey, so may not be in a yard sale, but worth the money. Another nice thing about it is the oven-safe plastic handles. You can take a skillet out of a 500 degree oven and not get a nasty burn if you accidentally touch the handle.

Mr. K at 1:45PM on 06/07/07

From Serious Eats

Death by Veganism

What if the mother can't breast feed ? Then what ? To me, any parent willingly denying their child required nutrition to promote their political views is a mental case. I am not picking on vegans in particular, I firmly believe that your lifestyle is your own business, but that should apply to you as an adult, and not to a helpless child who depends on you for its very survival.

Mr. K at 1:46PM on 05/21/07

From Talk

Question of the Day: What's Your Favorite Type of Cake?

My absolute favorite is Italian frutti di bosca. It's more of a fruit tart than a cake, but it's just divine. A pefect balance of tangy ripe berries atop a sweet lemon filling and a crumbly crust. I will drive for miles to get one.

Mr. K at 9:45AM on 04/26/07

From Talk

Good lebanese in NYC?

Tanoreen
7704 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11209

The lamb shank (as expected) is fantastic. The place is authentic and unpretentious.

Mr. K at 4:34PM on 03/13/07

From Talk

Looking for the pressure cooker advice.

Thank you all for your input. Both Fagor & Kuhn Rikon look like good choices. I like that Fagor has a glass lid so you can check on what's happening inside without popping the lid. And I also do like the quality of the Swiss-made product. I just recently discovered the Swiss Diamond cookware, and am so impressed by it, that I am replacing all my pans by it (albeit slowly since it is pricey stuff).

Mr. K at 9:18AM on 03/09/07

From Talk

What can't you cook after, trying over and over again?

For me - it's calamari. I tried every approach from every recipe I could find, and there is just no way I can get them melt-in-your-mouth tender the way a restaurant chef can (and in my experience there are very few of those who can either). Flash frying for a minute in a very hot oil comes out ok, but still not close enough.

Mr. K at 9:06AM on 03/09/07

From Talk

Restaurant in NYC that serves sushi on little floating boats?

We take our 6yr old daughter to sushi restaurants all the time. We don't let her eat raw fish, but she loves the cooked stuff like eel, shrimp, calif rolls, etc... And we always sit at the counter, so she can watch the chef work. This way we all enjoy the experience without anyone making a sacrifice.

Mr. K at 10:18AM on 03/08/07

From Talk

budget eating in Italy

When we traveled thru Italy (a while back though), it cost less to eat or drink coffee standing at the counter rather than sitting down at a table in the small food cafes that are everywhere. The difference was not large, but you still save some.

Mr. K at 1:02PM on 02/26/07

From Serious Eats

Ganso Iberico, The Ethical Foie Gras?

I read someplace that French are the world's largest consumers of the stuff. Or was it producers ?
Anyway, I wonder what is the reaction to this ethical brand in Chicago & LA where foie gras banned as well.

Mr. K at 12:57PM on 02/26/07

From Talk

what does gourmet mean to you ?

I'm with JerzeeTomato on this one, "gourmet" has totally lost its meaning. You can say "gourmet shoes" and people will not raise an eyebrow.

Mr. K at 9:52AM on 02/23/07

From Talk

What are your favorite foodblogs?

www.ruhlman.com

Not for the thin-skinned. Bare knuckles and bloody noses, but the posts by Tony Bourdain (himself) are priceless.

Mr. K at 1:38PM on 02/22/07

From Serious Eats

You Win Some, You... Get Really, Really Mad At Some?

Frankly, I find critics reviews pretty worthless. They are often recognized when visiting a restaurant, and are treated differently from the rest of us. It's human nature, and I don't blame the chefs for doing it. When you read reviews from regular diners, you often get a true picture of what your dining experience will turn out to be.

Mr. K at 11:47AM on 02/22/07

From Talk

SHOULD I BLOG ABOUT THIS?

That is brilliant!

CatBoy at 12:12AM on 11/20/09

From Talk

Pomegranate Molasses

I bought mine at Whole Foods. The price wasn't bad either

sallee at 10:04PM on 11/19/09

From Talk

SHOULD I BLOG ABOUT THIS?

how about Saving Scratch?
you've got a double meaning there with saving money and saving scratch cooking. it's not particularly a 'pretty name' though, i admit...

andshewas at 9:55PM on 11/19/09

From Talk

SHOULD I BLOG ABOUT THIS?

You really should stay away from anything with the word frugal in it-- not only did a well-known cook have a show with that in the title, but he was later arrested for lewd conduct with minors. It's not a good association.

CatBoy at 3:52PM on 11/19/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Burger Joint!
118 W 57th St
New York, NY 10019-3318
(212) 708-7414

Took my little cousin there and he loved it, although the juxtaposition, high class and dive, went over his head.

alastor at 8:16AM on 10/07/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

I also vote for Alice's Tea Cup - it's got a wonderful, fun and welcoming ambience for kids, and the food is good too. I highly recommend it for lunch, but they do serve tea all day (and they have the biggest variety of teas I've ever seen), so if you don't make it before the show, stop by for a treat afterwards, and don't miss the scones.

MMinNYC at 3:57PM on 10/01/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Alice's Tea Cup is charming ~ Shake Shack is down-to-earth: hamburgers, hot dogs, fries & frozen custard and it's across the street from the American Museum of Natural History, NW corner of 77th St & Columbus Ave

petitesoeur at 11:09PM on 09/30/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Seconding Alice's if your niece likes fairies and things. Also, you can't go wrong with pizza and Rigoletto's on 69th and Columbus is pretty good and right by Magnolia Bakery for a little dessert treat.

lethargarian at 12:41AM on 09/30/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Alice's Tea Cup on 102 W.73 St. corner of Columbus Ave. is a unique experience. www.alicesteacup.com scones, sandwiches, salads...and charming decor. It isn't that far a walk from Lincoln Center, about 10 minutes or less. I don't know if they take reservations but if they do, make sure you arrange it. It's a very popular place, so if they don't take reservations try to give yourself lots of time.

joannabar at 8:35PM on 09/28/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

We love the Brooklyn Diner on w.57th also. Something for everyone.

bessfour at 3:24PM on 09/26/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

I would suggest Rosa Mexicana which is just across the road. It has a children's menu with things like quesadillas and chicken fingers, and the waitstaff is very accomodating. My kids love it!

saynice at 11:03AM on 09/25/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Thanks everyone!

tonisan9 at 8:59AM on 09/25/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

Nick and Toni's on 67th and Amsterdam. It's close by and they have pizzas and the like. Since she is 10 it's not like she needs a high chair or will be running around, so I think it would be pretty nice, and pretty New York. Or go to Fiorello's across the street from Lincoln Center. There is also a PJ Clarke's right in front of Lincoln Center by the Empire Hotel.

Carioca at 7:45PM on 09/24/09

From Talk

Any kid-friendly restaurant suggestions around Lincoln Center?

popover cafe is a little further up but is great for kids.
cafe fiorello, trattoria dell arte, or gabriel's for italian
the brooklyn diner

sustarz at 6:01PM on 09/24/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

Mr. K Yes but you want the water salted with one large onion chopped in half, parley stems, whole peppercorns. Cooking time depends on the size of the octopus

nelson5757 at 12:12PM on 08/11/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

Mr. K buy it frozen, I get mine in Newark in the ironbound portuguese section. Use Portuguese eat alot of octopus. These Octupus are flash frozen at sea for optimal freshness. I wouldn't eat fresh octupus unless I caught it in the Meditterean Sea. So unless frozen I would not know how long its been dead. Newark fish markets have fresh octopus as well if that is really what you are looking for. But I always buy frozen and cook/defrost at the same time.

nelson5757 at 4:29PM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

Mr. K what are you trying to cook. I buy frozen all the time and cook/defrost it seasoned water and it tastes great. If you are worried about aesthetics then Octopus is definitely not the seafood for you. The trick to octopus is cooking it properly so that it is not tough.

nelson5757 at 3:31PM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

In Manhattan, the place I go to for octopus, adult and babies, is Agata and Valentina. The babies are imported from Africa, the adult is local, I think.

Ortolan at 1:16PM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

Wow, that's interesting. I grew up in Staten Island and always got my octopus at either the Top Tomato on Amboy, or Carlos' fish market on Richmond Ave (across from Pastosa). But, I generally buy it on Christmas eve...I've only purchased it once or twice when it wasn't Christmas eve, but that was a few years ago. (nice to meet a fellow Staten Islander here! I was born and raised in Oakwood; I moved to DC two years ago and basically hate it--except for my spouse, whom I do love. We do get up to Staten Island about once a month though, so I can visit my family and eat pizza!)

italiagirl84 at 11:47AM on 08/10/09

From Talk

Where to buy fresh octopus in NYC ?

whole foods...dean and deluca....that fancy fish market on bleecker

camdon at 11:29AM on 08/10/09

From Talk

pickled watermelon

My grandmother made it all the time when I was a kid. It was always made using the rind, skin and flesh. It was one of those things that we always looked forward to. Unfortunately the recipe was kept in her head and she took it with her when she passes away. I've been looking for this recipe for about 10 years with now luck. Maybe one day!! :)

Jblack at 11:21PM on 03/19/09

From Serious Eats