Profile
Laura Togut
I've been a New Yorker all my life -- it just took me 22 years to move here. Only then did I discover what it means to have a food scene, and the joys of delicious food-hunting. My excel spreadsheet of restaurants has been steadily growing ever since.
- Location: East Village, NY
- Favorite foods: I have something of a mad obsession with ice cream. It's totally under control. Really.
- Last bite on earth: Thai iced tea ice cream. Good lord that stuff is mind-blowing.
Matzoh-Crusted General Gau's Tofu
I MUST make this during Passover!
Scenes from the Brooklyn Chili Takedown
Glad to hear you survived all that chili!
The Vegetarian Option: Ngam
It is, but it's a specialty dish, and you have to admit that papaya is more expensive than noodles. The regular pad thai is $12, or $10 at lunch.
That said it's still a bit more expensive than your typical thai place, but the menu is more creative and (at least I think) the execution is better as well, so I think it's still worth it if you're in the mood for something different.
If you just need to sate a pad thai craving, there are cheaper places that will do the job just fine. I'd save this for a more special meal.
A Look at Dekalb Market in Brooklyn
@Jessica and Garrett: Thanks!
Yea, I kind of have the hearts for that doughnut machine :)
Ladurée Now Open on Manhattan's Upper East Side
Yes, waiting patiently for Pierre Hermé!
The Vegetarian Option: Caracas Arepa Bar
**That was said significant other accidentally commenting under my login. But yes, Kenji, if you read this -- my boyfriend would very much appreciate it if you uncovered the secrets of that sauce!
The Vegetarian Option: Caracas Arepa Bar
Yeah! Why the HECK hasn't Kenji reverse-engineered that sauce yet? :D
The Vegetarian Option: Persepolis
@gargupie: The eggplant appetizer wasn't garlicky at all, just very flavorful. I will probably try at least one of the other rices next time, but I'm going to need more of that sour cherry rice first!
@korovka & SkinnyFatty: I definitely heard good things about Ravagh as well, but unfortunately they didn't have as many vegetarian entrées. Still on my radar though--I'll have to check out the midtown location!
A Sandwich A Day: Le Languedoc at Financier Patisserie
Personally I love melted brie, and I gotta say I think it worked pretty darn well in this sandwich, geography aside. But that's me. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think!
The Vegetarian Option: El Cobre
@aim208: They do indeed serve dessert, but I figured a few $14 cocktails was indulgence enough :) As for the rums, ran your question by a cocktails-expert friend of mine (who knows far too much about these things), and he replied:
"(1) the Improved Heming-Way used the St. James as a flavorful whiskey substitute for a cocktail very similar to a classic old fashioned, (2) the Flor De Cana was used in the December Morn because its dryness and pallate would both counteract the sweetness and "play nice" with the Apple Brandy, and (3) the Honeysuckle cocktail used the Santa Theresa rum because it was likely "a perfect match" when mixed with a very specific ratio of honey."
He also mentioned that the "Improved Hemming-way" name was a reference to prohibition-era cocktails, where "improved" signaled the inclusion of absinthe. Nothing like a little cocktail history with your drink :)
History aside, I can definitely vouch for its deliciousness!
Scooped: Rosemary, Olive Oil, and Pine Honey Ice Cream
Ahh, get out of my brain, guys! You've had similar flavor ideas to me before, but now you've discovered my secret weapon!! Actually I'll take that as an indirect compliment. Everyone: rosemary olive oil ice cream is the shiz. Now if you'll excuse me, there's some in my freezer calling out to me.
Best Oxtail Dish in NYC?
I second Kanger, they're very tasty!
The Vegetarian Option: Tea & Sympathy
@mumurthigal: Off the cuff I know that the Welsh rarebit and the treacle pudding would both have eggs (and the egg salad finger sandwiches, of course, but they can leave those out for you), otherwise I would say just give it a try and check with with the staff, they're very helpful with dietary restrictions and will make sure you and your friends find something yummy to order!
@kjules: Sounds like I'll just have to make the trip to London and try the real thing!
What's Your Favorite Ice Cream In New York?
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory!
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Hey guys! We didn't officially post the recipe since we weren't able to test it first, but another blogger posted it here (it's the first of the two recipes):
http://luxuryexperience.com/chefs_recipes/united_states_recipes/chef_mark_ladner_recipes_at_the_new_york_culinary_experience_at_the_international_culinary_center.html
Let me know if you try it!