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sushiburger

Josh Ozersky Can't See the Burgers for the Stars

I use to really despise J.O.'s arrogant, "my taste buds are better than yours", "I can tell you what good food is" attitude...

but then I realized... this guy really isn't that smart of a guy... his ability to be self-aware and comprehend the world around him is extremely limited.. especially when trying to comprehend the business side of the industry... I can't hate him for his intellectual shortcomings... we shouldn't blame people for not being able to view the world past a single scope... most of the times, they just aren't able to...

Motorino in Manhattan

In Manhattan? Hmm.... I like Patsy's, Artichoke, Totonno, Pizza 33... and while this is less conventional of a pizza.. i really like Nina's on the UES... it's not a New York style pizza... but the pipping hot cheese.. and the oddly pizza-hut like crust... i don't know.. it's really good...

But with Motorino.. 3 of my friends asked me how it was today.. and I cannot recommend Motorino's to anybody I know..... Maybe because I didn't order more than just one pizza? Maybe bad night? in any case... i was disappointed... I would try Motorino's again.. as long as I'm not buying.. :)

Motorino in Manhattan

@nithya at hungrydesi: It's awesome... Next weekend: Burger from song 7.2, ramen @ ippudo (if the line is short enough, otherwise setagaya), slice @ artichoke and dessert @ milk bar.... can't wait...

I also second the soggy crust... my sauce / cheese was dropping everywhere...

How's your Bulgogi?

I generally don't order bulgogi from restaurants (since I make the bulgogi I eat at home, and if u'r up for it, I would advise you to do the same) but my favorite places for meat (quality) are Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar and Madangsui. I go there for non-marinated kalbi and pork belly... but I wouldn't be surprised if their bulgogi was good...

Also, in Korea the bulgogi at Woo Lae Oak is friggin amazing, but I'm not sure if that translates to the Woo Lae Oak in Manhattan.

Other worthy Korean-food locations

Mad for Chicken
Korean BBQ (non-marinated is the best kind) - Madangsui and Don's Bogam (also NY Gomtang is the only place in K-town I know that uses charcoal... and that adds a whole new dimension to BBQ, so while the meat quality might not be as good, it still worth it to try).
Soon-doo-boo @ BCD
Sullungtang @ Gahm Mi Oak

Motorino in Manhattan

I definitely won't be going back. Maybe the Brooklyn location if I ever make it there, but definitely not the 12th street. Nothing here has convinced me that I should go for a second shot.

Thanks for your comments.

Tipping on Alcohol

Storing the wine in a cellar, having the right temp, etc... is all part of the markup on the actual wine. This has nothing to do with tipping on the wine.

And with any service industry, you have to deal with people that are retarded and rude. That's just a part of the industry. The guy at Best Buy that gets no tip still deals with insanely rude people. That should not factor into the tip at all.

I generally tip on the total bill. 18% as a standard. 15% if I was a little unsatisfied and 20% if the service was good. I tip on the total bill (post tax which is kind of retarded) but if the service was horrible, I will definitely leave a tip less than 15% (more along 10%).

My point I think is that if I were to ever order $1,000 (or more) bottle of wine, I don't think any argument can convince me that the server bringing me the bottle and opening it could justify a $200 tip. I might be forced to at restaurants like Per Se, but I still wont think it's deserved.

Tipping on Alcohol

Actually, according to the U.S. Department of Labor the following is the case:

"An employer may pay a tipped employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equal at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference."

For New York City (where I live), the minimum they must meet is $7.25 an hour. That means that even if the server does a horrible job and receives no tips, the restaurant must make up the difference so he/she will be entitled to a federal minimum wage no matter what. That means that the tip you give will contribute to that, but also increase his wage. Why would I want to increase a person's wage that does a horrible job? If the person is putting forth minimum wage type of work, that is what he/she deserves (not an extra pat on the back).

So while you may be right in that the tip is part of their pay, they will receive the minimum wage no matter what. If they want to make anything above that, they should obviously be good at what they do.

Tipping on Alcohol

I disagree. When you pay a tip (to anyone in the service industry) it's not something the person should assume to get. My paying for the food and drinks pays for the food and the service. You don't have the option of bringing the food to the table yourself. If it's mandatory to use the service, the cost of the mandatory service is always baked into the price of the product. This is true for everything. When you buy a DVD from Best Buy, you are paying not only for the product but the guy behind the counter and other operational costs that go into bringing the product to you. My point being that the tip you give on top of the purchased product / service (cab ride, server, hair dresser, food, etc...) is paid for how well the service was in delivering what you bought. If a server is rude and not attentive and horrible at his/her job... there's no way that person will receive a 15% tip.

Tipping on Alcohol

@yayfood: If the waiters rely on their tips, shouldn't they work that much harder to make sure they get a good tip? Don't you think that if they put no effort into their job then they should be paid accordingly? The same way as any job. If i don't perform at my job, they don't give me a raise or I get fired. It should be the same way for everyone... I'm not giving them a 15% - 20% tip or any tip to enhance their lives if they are unable to perform their job well.

I agree with presenttense. There's a problem with the industry and I also agree that its not the server's fault. However, I don't see how anyone can say that paying $200 to open a bottle of wine (if it were a $1,000 bottle) or even pour a bottle of wine is reasonable.

When I go to a bar, I definitely tip the bartender and I'm not against the idea of tipping on a bottle. But just as you generally set a $1 per drink standard at a bar (weather it's a $7 drink or $18 drink), a same method should be applied to wine or any expensive bottle of alcohol that you might purchase at a restaurant.

Tipping on Alcohol

@ericjpdx - The reason waiters should be careful when uncorking is so that they don't have to give you a new bottle. if they did that with even a $40 bottle, I would expect them to accommodate for that.. for $1,000 bottle, i would ask for a new bottle. That's for the restaurants benefit, not the customer.

@hungrychristel - I would say 15%-20%... If it was horrible service, I will literally leave a 1% tip. There is no way I'm paying a standard tipping rate for horrible service. There's a reason they call it a tip. It should be completely dependent on service, not a standard.

@PrettyNicola - Generally(not always, but most of the time) there is a reason why the salads are cheaper than a more complicated entree. The tip value will follow accordingly (maybe not the %)

I'm with grampart... there is no way a person deserves $200 for opening a bottle of wine... that's just absolutely ridiculous.

@FierceGreekChick - I don't think the argument is about being able to afford it... it's the principle behind it.

Tipping on Alcohol

I don't know.... I'd like to think that the hike in price for a bottle of wine (as opposed to getting the same bottle at a liquor store) at a restaurant includes the fee for the service on the wine... The price of the food obviously includes the ingredients along with the chef's abilities, but the wine is something they bought and put absolutely no additional input into. So therefore, not tipping on the wine, or adding a smaller tip on the wine is justifiable by the increase in price of the bottle (although I realize that the extra charge on the bottle doesn't go to the server and that part sucks...)

Seolleongtang, Ox Bone Broth, from Gahm Mi Oak

As an FYI.. my friends says that there are some places in Flushing and Pal Park Jersey that have kimchi almost exactly like Gahm Mi Ok, and those places actually sell you the kimchi. Not sure how trustworthy it is, but i guess it could be worth a shot. I never asked gahm mi ok, but i guess it couldn't hurt to just ask...

Seolleongtang, Ox Bone Broth, from Gahm Mi Oak

@missneedle - hahaha i actually got it from a friend of mine... his mom is apparently friends with the owner or something along those lines.. and he gave me a bag... not sure what other way there might be to get it.. i guess "i bought" was the wrong term to use... "i got" is more like it... i apologize for the confusion..

but in any case... honestly.. ended up throwing out half of it.. I just can't have it that often.. you get sick of it fast...

Seolleongtang, Ox Bone Broth, from Gahm Mi Oak

@missneedle - I use to think that too... until I bought a big bag of Gahm Mi Ok Kimchi.... I have Kimchi in almost all my meals... and eating Gahm Mi Ok kimchi for all your meals is not a smart thing to do.. the sweetness is overwhelming after 3 or 4 straight meals w/ it..... also, i agree with you on BCD.. their kimchi is very sweet as well, and Gahm Mi Ok is much more balanced, but I guess my point was that it is sweeter than traditional kimchi you have in Korea..

Also, the way you sweeten kimchi makes the outcome different.. and i'm not skilled enough to know / taste exactly how.. but i'm sure that has something to do with one being preferable to another despite both being on the sweeter end..

Seolleongtang, Ox Bone Broth, from Gahm Mi Oak

someone once told me that they asked the manager and they said they use a Korean cider to sweeten up the kimchi...

i've heard someone else say they think they put a lot of shredded Korean pear into it to sweeten it...

in any case, the kimchi there is definitely sweeter than the kimchi you'll find in other places and that's probably the biggest difference..

Win a $1,200 Street Food Dinner for Two to the Citymeals-on-Wheels Fundraiser

dduk bokki carts
The spicy korean rice cakes... (too bad they don't have any of these carts in the states)

Snapshots from South Korea: Hotteok, Two Ways

You can get it in Flushing.. one of the Korean markets.. i forget which one.. but they make it fresh.. it's good..

Snapshots from South Korea: Kalguksu from Myeongdong Gyoja

i actually once attempted to partner up a business to open a Myeondong Gyoja here... there were two issues... one was obviously the rent.. second... the kimchi is one of the highlights of Myeongdong Gyoja.. and apparently with the ingredients you get in New York, you can't make it taste the same... (not exactly sure why...)

Myeongdong Gyoja is probably my favorite place to go in Seoul...

I friggin LOVE the kimchi... but i can see how it can be a bit much for some.. damn i miss this place..

Budae Jjigae from Pocha 32 in Koreatown

ah.. i always ask for it w/o cheese... it tastes better that way...
Although, you did miss out on Nolboo Budae Jjigae when you were in Korea...

Some other things to try at Pocha 32..
JaeYook Bokkeum (not sure if that's how they spell it).. it's pork belly stir-fried in a gochujang based sauce with different veggies.. it's pretty greasy... but delicious...
Kimchi Jung-Gol... if you like Kimchi Jjigae... this is practically the same thing... but with some added ingredients...
Hong-hahb Tang.. bool dak... dak ddong jjib....oh dohl bbyuh.. these are all Korea's version of bar food...

Snapshots from South Korea: Fried Things on Sticks

I don't actually like bundaegi, but I've had it on numerous occasions. It's definitely a taste that needs to be acquired, but... honestly. imo, you're not missing out on much....

Although, if you were at Myungdeong.. and didn't try the Myungdeong Kalgooksoo at Myungdeong Gyo Jah.... you definitely missed out.....

In Videos: Elyse Sewell Eating Live Octopus in Seoul

i love live octopus.. but like janough... i only like the cut up pieces.. put it in some vinegar hot pepper paste.... and u'r set to go... i think they might serve this at places in Flushing....

My birthday is saturday. Thoughts on where to eat, please?

el parador cafe
the little owl
the cub room

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Two Peter Luger Steaks

rib eye

The crème de la crème of Crème Brûlée in NYC?

I like the creamier type of crème brûlée, but everywhere I have it seems to be quite generic. My friend has never tried crème brûlée before and I'd like her first experience to be a good one, so I was curious as to where they might have some solid good crème brûlée.

Thanks again everyone

Ziggiz: Jack of All Trades, Master of Bun?

I had my first Ziggiz experience last night...

The burger was actually satisfying.. but there is just way too much grease over everything. I ran for a coke immediately after I finished my burger.

How are the wings?

Motorino in Manhattan

So yesterday my gf and i had some errands to run in St. Marks area so we decided to eat small bits here and there.

First off was Baoguette... I was reminded why i loved that place so much. Then the Pork Buns at Momofuku... haven't had one in awhile so just went to Milk Bar to get that, some cookies and a crack pie for later.

Then we went to Motorino's on 12th street. After hearing all the rave on SE / Slice (for the one in Brooklyn) I decided to try it... we ordered the Margherita. Since we had already eaten a pork bun and half a sandwich, we ordered just one pie (plus it was like 5:00 pm so no one was there), but the guy working there gave us a weird look and said in the back "they just want one... no, that's it... just give them one.." in a tone that made me feel like I was doing something wrong... then the pizza was not as good as I expected. The 5 cheese blops we had (i counted) was delicious but the sauce was under-seasoned. The crust was good, and all in all the pizza was definitely above average but nowhere near the reviews. For $14 for 4 slices, I expect a little more (at least in taste).

In any case, maybe this was a bad night? Maybe the one in Manhattan is just not as good as the one in Brooklyn? Anyone else have a similar experience?

Tipping on Alcohol

After seeing the $47,000 bill entry, it reminded me of a question I've always had.

The reason his bill was that high was mainly due to the drinks he ordered (and therefore the tip was that high).

I read an article once (I think Food and Wine, but I don't really remember) where a writer went to celebrate and bought two expensive bottles of wine. The bottles of wine were more expensive than the food ordered. However, the waiter, after bringing over the bottles and opening it, never really did anything (i.e. pour the wine, change the ice bucket, etc...) When the guy was leaving, he tipped 20% for the food, but didn't tip on the wine. When the waiter followed him out to ask him if there was anything wrong, the man replied no. The waiter continued and asked, then why did he tipped so little, and an argument ensued over the tip on the wine. The man was pissed off and crossed off the tip on the credit card bill and replaced it with 0%.

Is there a rule for this? Do you just tip on the wine no matter what? For $40 bottles, this is not that big of a deal, but at several hundred.... it is.. so i was just wondering if there was some sort of rule for tipping on alcohol...

Blue crab in Manhattan?

So, I'm trying to make a blue crab dish, but they don't sell blue crab at the local super market. (I live in the Murray Hill area).

Does anyone know where I can get blue crab (hopefully fresh) in manhattan? Someone mentioned chinatown to me, but where in chinatown would i go? anywhere else?

Thanks in advance.

Top 10 Dessert places in the city

I have a friend that dreams of being a pastry chef one day. If I could give her a list of top 10 places to go in the city for a good solid experience, where would you suggest? I want her to experience various angles to desserts / pastries.

Thanks in advance.

Great Mexican in the city

I love love love Mexican food, and besides In-N-Out, that's probably what I miss the most from LA.

Any ideas on where to get great Mexican food in Manhattan?

El Parador Cafe is very good. I recommend to anyone that likes Mexican.

Where to get good meats in Murray Hill area

I'm looking to cook myself a steak this weekend, and ever since I've joined Serious Eats, I can no longer be happy buying my meats from Gristedes or D’Agostino.

Does anybody know of any good places to buy meat in the Murray Hill area (or its vicinity)? One friend recommended going to Whole Foods, but I have never bought meat from Whole Foods. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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