Zach Brooks’s Profile
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Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
There's a difference between watching an animal die, and watching an animal be tortured. I have no problem with knowing where my food came from, and even watching an animal be killed in a humane way for the purposes of eating. But that video is not right... I could only watch about 10 seconds of it.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
If you do try St. Viateur, make sure it's the original location. We went to their cafe on Mont Royal and were treated to a pretty mediocre bagel (they had to slice the bagel and toast it because it wasn't fresh out of the oven.)
Why Mario's Closing the Enoteca at Del Posto
I've only eaten at the enoteca, so I can't compare it to the main dining room- but it sounded to me like it was about the kitchen, not the critics. The enoteca was a different menu, which also changed pretty often (daily?)... so my guess is they're getting rid of it so the chefs can devote more of their time and energy to the food on the regular menu.
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Recent Posts
Fancy Restaurants Should Implement an Early 'Baby Seating'
Posted by Zach Brooks, March 23, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Can We Retire the Word 'Toothsome' Already?
Posted by Zach Brooks, January 22, 2009 at 4:04 PM
News Spread: Thanksgiving Blog; Kosher Hung; Buttermilk Channel
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 26, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Week in Reviews: Best Bites
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM
See more posts by Zach Brooks »
Recent Favorites
In Defense of Chef Chris Cosentino's Foie Gras
Posted by Erin Zimmer, March 9, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Food T-Shirts at Brooklyn Kitchen
Posted by Erin Zimmer, December 18, 2008 at 1:00 PM
See more favorites by Zach Brooks »
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
What Do You Think Of Sam Sifton?
I'm a big fan, probably for the same reason that people like this don't like him. No pretentiousness, or coming up with a million new adjectives for describing the same freakin' thing. He's like Conan on the Tonight Show... maybe he won't get the same ratings, or have the same influence, but he's the only chance they have of staying relevant with the next generation.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
There's a difference between watching an animal die, and watching an animal be tortured. I have no problem with knowing where my food came from, and even watching an animal be killed in a humane way for the purposes of eating. But that video is not right... I could only watch about 10 seconds of it.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
If you do try St. Viateur, make sure it's the original location. We went to their cafe on Mont Royal and were treated to a pretty mediocre bagel (they had to slice the bagel and toast it because it wasn't fresh out of the oven.)
Why Mario's Closing the Enoteca at Del Posto
I've only eaten at the enoteca, so I can't compare it to the main dining room- but it sounded to me like it was about the kitchen, not the critics. The enoteca was a different menu, which also changed pretty often (daily?)... so my guess is they're getting rid of it so the chefs can devote more of their time and energy to the food on the regular menu.
Save Prime Burger, A Burger Shop With Real Character
Hey Nick... don't forget to mention you hated the french fried onions too!
Serious Eats Finds New York's Best Bagel
So basically the conclusion of this post should be "the best bagel in NYC is the one around the corner from your apartment."
Which is my case is the H&H Factory on 46th and the West Side Highway... every fresh/warm bagel I've ever had from that place has been beyond amazing.
Three Chinese Dishes, Five Dollars, One Lunch at Sushi Osaka
Don't get too excited Joe. These places are for those of us who can't travel out to Flushing (or even NYC Chinatown) for lunch on a weekday. I don't think I would travel *into* Midtown from Queens for this stuff...
When Is It Socially Acceptable to Share Food?
I can't for the life of me understand couples who order the same dish at a restaurant.
On TV Tonight: 'Nightline' Takes a Look at Rockstar Butchers
Any report on "Rockstar Butchers" that features Josh Ozersky, but leaves out Tom Mylan is a joke!
All You Need to Know About Di Fara, 2009
One more question (he asks as he imagines Adam's head exploding)...
Is there any place around there where, say, your wife and kid could go hang out for an hour or two near DiFara's while you wait in line, push your way to the counter, hold off locals, and snag your pizza...?
Snapshots from Greece: Loukoumades from Krinos in Athens
omg, those look amazing. so jealous of your entire trip!
Best Bites: RUB BBQ Burnt Ends
"Of course if you're fat-phobic you probably wouldn't have walked into RUB or any other barbecue joint in the first place."
It's actually shocking how many people say they "love" BBQ, only to cut the fat off their brisket. (It's shameful, I know!)
Recommendation for Conference Lunch in Midtown NYC Needed
Todai still exists, but it's called Ichi Umi now. It's a giant sushi buffet, and could probably easily accommodate your party if you book in advance.
Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecote: A Parisian Steakhouse Makes Its U.S. Debut
wtf. that looks *amazing*. definitely breaking the Midtown Lunch $10 price cap for this one...
Table 8: Inconsistent and Overpriced
haha... nice. well, if I held every restaurant to the standard of a Midtown Lunch- I would hate Momofuku for being wildly overpriced! (And you know that is not the case.) It's all about expectations...
but yeah, as far as Table 8 goes it's pretty clear we just got super lucky with what we ordered. i don't doubt that most of the dishes you ate might have been overpriced or too small for the price, or just not tasty. RG echoed much of what you said, although it sounded like Platt hated it more because of the *type* of place it was rather than specific dishes being bad. but all this just proves how visceral eating out is. We were there on a Saturday night, prime time, and the place was loud and hopping. (And possibly firing on all cylinders?)
we started with two items from the salt bar that were both excellent, and downright cheap for the portion. (the foie gras and lamb terrine) i haven't read anything bad about either. so in our minds, the meal not only started off great- but it seemed like a bargain.
we also ordered two of their cocktails, which were really awesome (something that RG and I did agree with.) One was a gin mojito that I really liked, and the other was a basil infused vodka drink that was awesome (if you like basil.)
we followed that with the asparagus soup, which was delicious- and I've seen good things written about.
then we each had a half order of pasta, both under $10 (a complete bargain for the portion). my wife didn't love the linguine as much as I did, but she liked the sweetbread pasta with the morels (as did I.) Personally I love citrus the way it was used in the linguine- so I really enjoyed that pasta. But maybe it's not for everybody?
By the time we got the filet (which we split) we were both pretty full- and felt that for $29 it was incredibly reasonable. We rarely (if ever) order a filet- so I don't know how many ounces it was, but I'm guessing it is in line with what other similar restaurants charge for their filet. It was super tasty. We both enjoyed it.
We also partook in the side dishes- which only complemented the main course. The $4 portion of hen of the woods mushrooms were tasty, and also a bargain (compared to how much you'll pay at a place like Craft.)
We ended the meal with the coffee parfait- which we both agree was delicious. So you can see how our experience could differ so much from the one described above.
Lke I said, I consider myself really lucky!
Table 8: Inconsistent and Overpriced
Then again, maybe I should just stick to eating gross food off of carts! :-)
Table 8: Inconsistent and Overpriced
Nick... you should stick with burgers! :-)
My wife and I ate there last week and loved it. Although admittedly we only ordered one main course (the filet, which at $29 we thought was a complete bargain.) I guess we got lucky, avoiding the stingy and not so tasty other main courses? My hunch is if you stick with half orders of the pastas (only $7 and $9), and the salt bar you can make an amazing meal on the cheap. Did you try the lamb terrine? Or the foie gras with cacao nibs? Both delicious! And for $6 each we got much more than we expected. Also loved the white asparagus soup.
Sure it's trendy, bordering on annoying, but we loved the food. Can't believe it's getting panned by everyone (Restaurant Girl agrees with you!)... but especially by Serious Eats, which gives every restaurant a B or higher.
All-Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge, Mass.
Those sandwiches look awwwesome... although I can't see why anybody would get the beef on weck, when Kelly's Roast Beef is right up Route 1!
http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/07/serious-sandwiches-kellys-roast_beef_revere_massachusetts.html
Oh Kelly's how I miss you...
Hell's Kitchen Food Festival
It's this weekend... May 16th & 17th
Delivery Showdown: Goodburger Versus Stand
I have to commend you... not just on a great head to head review- but also on the fact that you ordered these burgers and paid for them yourself, rather than having them delivered by a Midtown steakhouse.
:-)
Mario Batali Launches a Children's Foundation
Wait a second... am I to understand that I could bring my baby to Babbo!?! :-)
What Do You Think Of Sam Sifton?
I disagree, I really like him (Full disclosure, he's good friends with the art director at the magazine I work for, but I've never met him.) I like his style -- like @Zach Brooks said, there's very little pretentiousness, and I like that he seems so enthusiastic. I'm a huge Bruni fan, so I was nervous when he took over, but I've been pleasantly surprised.
What Do You Think Of Sam Sifton?
He has a tenuous relationship with grammatical rules. His diction is terrible. His metaphors often don't make any sense. And he is frequently wrong or incurious about the food itself.
What he says of Bill's applies to his own writing style: There's no there there.
What Do You Think Of Sam Sifton?
I had my doubts until I read the review of Bill's Burger Bar this morning. I'm happy he can keep it short, to the point and honest. I thought in his first reviews you could feel a little too much of his own excitement about starting the position seeping into the review, and that was overpowering the food related commentary. Excited to see what he gets up to next year.
The Only Six-Foot Super Bowl Hero a New Yorker Needs
the pizza bianca is great. i had it straight from the oven one day and it was heaven. the other pizza's are good too, the potato is the best
In New Orleans, It's the Monday Muffuletta Conundrum
I too believed the Progress Market's muffuletta to be better than Central's. I wasn't impressed with Serio's. Current favorite is Napolean House, preferable warmed.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
Awesome. You know that is a fresh fish! My mouth is watering.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
I have to agree that the comparison to animals in the wild isn't totally sound. For one thing, animals in the wild have adapted evolutionarily to kill their food as fast as possible, so that it doesn't get away--thus increasing chances of a full meal and another generation.
That someone would choose to use an inefficient method seems a different story all together. And yes, commercial farming of animals sometimes has less than savoury kill practices, but for those of you equating the two, don't assume that everyone, particularly Serious Eaters, either condone those practices or purchase meat from factory farms.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
@Lorenzo: That thing about eating monkey brains is true, though I've never seen a news article on it and I kind of doubt it's still happening. When I was growing up my weirdo brothers used to obessively rent this series over and over again from a local video store. It was called "Faces of Death" and just featured really horrible, creepy footage of people and animals dying in unusual ways. They'd force me to watch it and I'd cry and have nightmares.
Some of the stuff really stuck with me, like the segment where these Americans in Vietnam (I believe) watch as a live monkey gets held down by a head vice and then gets it head cracked open. Everyone begins eating the brains. It was disturbing, to say the least.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
The consumption of a still-living animal by humans, and the same thing being done by other species is not comparable, since there is no evidence that other species have an equivalent comprehension of the 'wrong', 'cruel', or 'suffering'.
To be human is to have an understanding of these concepts (or in the case of very young children, to have the potential for this), and to act accordingly.
Conflating the suffering caused by humans and other species by saying that 'Mother nature is cruel' makes no sense, since 'nature' is impartial; things occur in nature that we may interpret as cruel, but that's anthropomorphising.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
Agreed. This is cruel, without any justification. Really? The extra minutes of suffering added that much savor to your meal? Honestly, if I was out with someone who ate this, I would wonder about their character. It's on par seeing children torture dogs - you know something's wrong there.
This is not the same as foie gras or veal or other controversial food - the animal is killed quickly (one hopes) in those cases. This is just causing suffering because you can. Truly disgusting.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
The bottom line is treat everything with respect.
Your fellow man, your food too.
Honor everything on this earth. Especially the food you eat. It is your sustenance. Treat is with respect.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
I was disturbed by the video too (saw it in my rss). Yes, I understand that animals are killed all the time for human consumption, and it could have been a mistake (horrible, horrible mistake) for the fish to have been boiled almost to the point of death, but did they have to keep poking chopsticks into its mouth?? That was the truly cruel part - PUT IT OUT OF ITS MISERY! I didn't think it was funny at all, and I'm glad that SE had the decency to remove it.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
I'm with Foodie: it's just plain wrong not to mention creepy.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
The previous comment is the best: that in the animal world, many predators begin eating their prey while it is still alive. Especially fish. Of course, they don't let it sit on the table thrashing about, half-dead from having been tossed in hot oil, before eating it.
People can be beyond cruel to their food. There have been reports (not well documented it seems, though) of live monkeys having their skulls hacked open to people can eat the brains while the monkey is still alive. It's not clear from the news reports whether this is true or the stuff of Indiana Jones fiction, but it would not surprise me.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
Have you ever watched a live fish eat another live fish? Mother Nature is very cruel. I'll continue to enjoy my fried fish,meat, chicken etc.You are welcome to do what makes you feel good.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
@zach. agree with you about the difference. It's a critical difference.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
How awful! Using parsley and the gari 'rose' technique as garnish is soooo outdated. The chef could use a lesson in restraint when it comes to plating.
Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive
In Japan, we have this savage way of presenting sashimi called ikezukuri (=live sashimi).
Live fish is filleted and made into sashimi, which is then put back onto a still-twitching fish. That's just to show off how "fresh" the fish is and how good the chef is. But most of the time fish kept in a tank are starved, so they are not any better than fresh fish killed on/near the ocean.
Thankfully people have realized that it looks super cruel by people from other countries and it's not even that good, and I think less chefs do that these days.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
My vote for Fairmount, the best bagel bakery in the world.
Important advice for bagel smugglers: NEVER put hot Fairmount bagels in those plastic bags. Keep them in paper bags until they cool and then transfer to plastic. If you do put hot bagels in plastic, PLEASE do not blog about it. Spare me the anguish.
In a wood-fired brick oven, sesame comes out best, natch. But be sure to try kimmel (caraway seed), too. Never found a kimmel bagel in New York. Only place outside of Montreal I've seen one is at Happening Bagel, the best bagel bakery in London. That's not saying much: I don't even mind much if you put a hot Happening bagel in plastic.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
The half-life of a fresh bagel is less than six hours. I am skeptical how a six-day old bagel would taste, or worse yet, one stored in the refrigerator for 10 days.
A fresh bagel that is sliced and immediately frozen, then toasted, is OK, but not as good as a fresh-baked bagel.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
I like both, I was so blown away by my first Montreal bagel, that the next was better than the last. I didn't even realize I was eating Canada's best bagels.
St. Viateur gets my vote due to the fact that they also have a Cafe on Mont Royal that sells beers and great food put between two halves of your favourite bagel.
How Do You Eat Your Bagel?
I come from Brooklyn, where one of my fondest childhood memories is the daily walk I took with my father and uncle to the neighborhood bagel bakery (in Boro Park).
I now live in California, after living 20 years in Massachusetts. I have never been able to find a Brooklyn-style bagel, and I wonder if they still exist.
My childhood bagels were hard and chewy, there was no way to make a sandwich from them. I ate them radially, schmearing the exposed end with cream cheese and eating my way around.
At the company cafeteria today, everyone was talking about bagels, and all but one person laughed at me for eating bagels the way I did. The one person who concurred with me, was a Bulgarian. He was a true Bagel maven.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
I'm definitely on the St-Viateur side of the bagel divide and I miss scarfing down a couple of hot bagels as a treat (!!!) before my morning swim when I lived in Mile End. I hardly eat bagels here in NY/NJ because they're just bread in a doughnut shape. Schwartz's smoked meat is the best!
Does Anyone Really Love Pumpkin Pie?
I love pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and I will eat butternut squash right out of the rind once it's roasted. I bake pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie in autumn, not really for the holidays so much. I generally love squash. I once made pies from a squash in Peru just because it was a novelty. These squashes/gourds are so big it takes two people to carry one. It's important to remember that pies aren't just a desert - they are often the main course, filled with meats, vegetables, and spices. My family usually has pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we also get tired of traditional holiday foods. Frequently, for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we will decide to have something different at the table. Last year we had an incredible Italian dish that my father prepared for Christmas, and I smoked chicken and baby back ribs for Thanksgiving. It didn't change the spirit of the holidays at all for us. So, I guess the important thing is that you enjoy what you cook and eat during the holidays.
Montreal Bagels: St-Viateur vs. Fairmount
I'm a bigger fan of the Montreal-style bagels than the NYC ones. I dunno, the NYC ones always tasted much more doughy to me.
Recent Posts
Fancy Restaurants Should Implement an Early 'Baby Seating'
Posted by Zach Brooks, March 23, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Can We Retire the Word 'Toothsome' Already?
Posted by Zach Brooks, January 22, 2009 at 4:04 PM
News Spread: Thanksgiving Blog; Kosher Hung; Buttermilk Channel
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 26, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Week in Reviews: Best Bites
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM
News Spread: The Palm Smells; Free Coffee; Free Soup
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 25, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Smörgåsboard: Kuma Inn; Huitlacoche, Ravioli
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 25, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: Allen & Delancey; SLA; Setagaya
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 24, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Smörgåsboard: Cupcakes; Majarete; Tortelli
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 24, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: Fish Tacos; Ago; Thanksgiving
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 21, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Smörgåsboard: Rouge Tomate; Belcourt; Diner
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: Gael Greene; Kyotofu to Go; Jive Turkey
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 20, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Smörgåsboard: Mitzy's Macarons; Hot Chocolate; Cafe Select
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 20, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Sugar Rush: Mudslide Cookie from Jacques Torres
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 19, 2008 at 6:00 PM
News Spread: Kurve; Benoit; Bouchon Bakery
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 19, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Week in Reviews: Best Bites
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM
News Spread: Vendy Catering; Creme Brulee Dougnut; Pizza Happy Hour
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 18, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Jamie Oliver Will Come to Your Thanksgiving
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 18, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Smörgåsboard: Baked Eggs; Dirty Candy; Chinese Thanksgiving
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: John Dory; One if By Land; Atomic Wings
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Momofuku Bakery and Milk Bar Madness
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 17, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Smörgåsboard: Kalbi bones; Pizza; Strudel
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 17, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: Table 8; Village Pourhouse; Del Frisco's
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Everything Ed Levine Ate This Week
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 14, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Smörgåsboard: Irving Mill; Bún; Frankie's
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 14, 2008 at 9:00 AM
News Spread: Momofuku Bakery; Txikito; Enoteca DiPalo
Posted by Zach Brooks, November 13, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Recent Favorites
In Defense of Chef Chris Cosentino's Foie Gras
Posted by Erin Zimmer, March 9, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Food T-Shirts at Brooklyn Kitchen
Posted by Erin Zimmer, December 18, 2008 at 1:00 PM
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About Zach Brooks
Website: http://www.midtownlunch.com
Location: New York, NY
About: "Fat man, likes food" sums it up. You can find me eating lunch in Midtown Manahattan and posting about it on my site midtownlunch.com.
Favorite foods: I discriminate against no food. Although I am partial to the Asian cusines... and pork. Combine the two, and I'm in heaven (which explains my obsession with the Momofuku restaurants here in NYC.)
Last bite on earth: A pill that makes you keep living? Barring that, I would probably want to eat at some sort of Asian all you can eat buffet- but if you are literally talking about one last bite, it would probably be a perfectly cooked piece of crispy pork skin

I'm a big fan, probably for the same reason that people like this don't like him. No pretentiousness, or coming up with a million new adjectives for describing the same freakin' thing. He's like Conan on the Tonight Show... maybe he won't get the same ratings, or have the same influence, but he's the only chance they have of staying relevant with the next generation.