On the second night in the snowy city, we stumbled upon the outpost of St. Marks’ Sichuan Mountain House in Hell’s Kitchen. Chinese Consulate is seriously pulling good restaurants into Midtown.

Right at the door:
— Kitchen is closing in 15 minutes.

The host managed to say this not in a rude or obnoxious way but quite friendly and light.

Honestly, we were grateful — it was the only place opened in the neighborhood in this blizzard.

Finally, after all the trips to various Sichuan restaurants, I got my favorite Chongqing chicken. I first tried it in Chengdu, made it a few times at home. But every time we go out here, my companions pick something else.

I know, I know — you’re not supposed to eat these peppers. But they are my favorite part: spicy, salty, crunchy, tasty after rubbing backs with chicken pieces in hot fat, numbing mixed up with Sichuan peppercorns. The best!

Nice garlicky eggplant, perfect wontons in chili oil. And tea, tea, tea! Amazing tea in a teapot to warm up the hands after a walk in the cold!

Our check arrived with two after dinner mints. So good they were, I asked for a couple of more and got a handful for the road. Nice! Thank you!

#food #diningout #outinnyc #newyorkrestaurant #hellskitchen #manhattan #blizzard #snowinnewyork #sichuanrestaurant #chinesefood

Ploughing through the streets on a snowy evening. Not much is open.

A lonely light of E.A.K. Izakaya on 46th drew us in. Barely anyone there — outside the snow is blowing full speed and only a few dog walkers are out.

Inside is warm, welcoming, and delicious.

A few bites of wasabi marinated raw octopus with nori, grilled edamame with garlic aioli and anchovy paste, chicken karaage with ponzu and spicy garlic, and butakaku, pork belly braised in a soy based sauce Yokohama style.

Matcha beer and a glass of Sapporo.

And a cherry on top. In the process of the dinner, our bartender introduced me to the best sake ever! — unfiltered cloudy nigori. Milky from the rice sediment it is so creamy, smooth, and lightly sweet.

Let it snow…

#food #eatingout #izakaya #japanesefood #sake #newyorkrestaurant #outinnyc #hellskitchen

Dining only at the best establishments. That’s us.

Back in Flushing for the US Open, our first stop is quick snack at The White Bear window that Pete Wells included in his NYT 100 Best Restaurants in NYC.

Our usual is #6, Wonton in Hot Oil No Soup. The bowl is stuffed with a dozen dumplings. Nice touch to the hot oil is an addition of fresh scallions, fried onions, and pickled mustard greens. So many years — no change, always hits the spot.

Off to the courts through the back streets to watch a few games. Then a walk to meet a friend at a Malaysian Place.

Too late for Beef Rendang — they are out of beef. Their chicken one is equally good because it’s all about the sauce — thick, gingery, spicy — and dark meat stands up to it well. Belacan beans with shrimp — the shrimp paste sambal is thick, funky, tasty. Curry with roti canai is good, too.

And a slow walk through evening Chinatown that is bright and hopping with colorful signs, street carts, and action filled windows.

#food #outinNYC #flushing #chinatown #chinesefood #dumplings #malaysianfood #roticanai #rendang #newyorkstreets