Earlier last week, I went to BCD Tofu with my mom for lunch. She craved Korean food and I asked my best friend, Helen for suggestions a few days earlier (she’s Korean, so she knows what’s good), this ended up as the destination of choice. Admittedly, BCD is sort of on the hype end of the Koreatown spectrum besides the soon-to-be-opening Kyochon Chicken but at least I found some respite of not seeing cameras compared to Baohaus.
Interior
When we entered this restaurant, we’re greeted with a hostess in Korean and asked for seating for two. After sitting down at table, I noticed it’s not as bustling as I was thinking for lunch hour. It’s about quarter full and most of the patrons are college kids or around my age. The interior isn’t a huge departure from any other K-town restaurant. It’s cleaner, a bit brighter, and everyone’s seated in banquettes that has its own copper hood with the exception of a few two-tops along one wall of the restaurant.
Banchan
Mom and I looked at the Lunch Special menu and end up choosing what we wanted. After the orders were taken, out came the banchan. Two types of kimchi, one was sweet and spicy (Mom approved) and the smaller plate was salty and spicy, a fried fish (admittedly, a bit on the dry side but still palatable), some pickles, pasta and ham salad, and seaweed. Continue reading “Lunch at BCD Tofu” »
Two weeks ago, Helen and I had a chicken craving. Since Helen’s quite knowledgeable in the realm of Korean food (she’s of Korean descent, in case you’re wondering), she recommended either Bon Chon Chicken or Baden Baden. She told me she hasn’t tried the latter and was curious about it, Restaurant Forte Baden Baden (that’s whole name) was our dinner spot for the evening.
It’s a bar
It seems popular with the Korean restaurants that serves good chicken dish, at least from what Helen describes them to me, are bars and it gets louder as the night goes on. The good thing was the fact that we arrived at 5:30, that the place was relatively quiet since there weren’t many diners here and the hip-hop/pop music playing from the speakers weren’t jacked up to the maximum volume (but did happen at the end of our dinner). Continue reading “An Evening of Food with Helen: Restaurant Forte Baden Baden, Koryodang, and Shake Shack” »
This is one of the rare posts that is SHORT. Yes, I know I usually write Bible-length posts but for once I’m keeping it short because my mind’s getting a bit burnt from writing the articles for Gotham Digest. I’m not complaining. I’m just tired. Also the time lapse from eating here was three weeks so my memory’s dissipating about the food. I just hope you’ll tolerate with this very short post.
Whenever I’m at work, I usually chat online with Kathy and Robyn talking about various things about our lives and most of the time about food. Since Kathy (back nearly three or so weeks ago) was finally free from her former, hellish client and wanted to have lunch. All three of us talked back and forth what the heck we want to eat. Since Kathy’s had a major craving for fried chicken and Robyn didn’t want to trek out far from her office at Serious Eats, we decided on going to BBQ Chicken. I brought Helen along since she can do lunch with me from her internship at Cornell Hospital.
Note: I had other food stuff to write beforehand but this post is waay more interesting. I’ll rewind later on this week, if I have the chance.
Yesterday was arguably the best day I’ve ever had in a while, besides my birthday lunch/celebration. What made it memorable is the fact that since I’m going to face finals next week(!) and my indecisive phase of life contemplating about my career. I don’t know if I want to do paralegal work or flirt with the idea of immersing myself to the food writing/photography world. The latter is quite tempting to go for but since I’m considered a newbie to food writing (and I’m just a blogger, for goodness sake), my chances are almost zilch. I’m freakin’ screwed…. As I’ve rambled a few seconds ago, my nerves are strained, stress is high, and I’m still sick. This day is and was my only highlight from any other day that has passed or coming upon my pending days of doom. Doom.
Anyways, going back to the happier times of yesterday. I got a call from Ariel while I was in my school campus taking care of last minute stuff near 1 PM. Here’s the general idea of our conversation:
Ariel: “Hey. What’s up? Are you in the city by any chance?” Me: “Uh…nothing much. I’m in the Upper West Side. Why?” Ariel: “Well, I’m in the city since I was locked out by [something, I don't recall since he's rambling quite fast]. I’m in the East Village right now and I want to check out this coffee shop that New York Magazine just written about…” Me: “Oh, you mean Abraço. Yeah, I’ve been there before [Note to you people, I've forgotten to write about it but I've posted photos of that visit on my Flickr page back on October 30th.] Ariel: “You wanna go there again?” Me: “Yeah. Sure.” Ariel: “When will I meet you?” Me: [looking at my watch] “Um…I’ll meet you at 1:30.” Ariel: “Cool.” Me: “Alright. See you then.”
After taking care of my school stuff, I hauled my ass downtown to the East Village. Once I arrived there, Abraço‘s packed with too many bodies, I mean people. I called Ariel since I don’t see him outside the place nor inside but he’s not picking up. Eventually, a few people left that place and I managed to squeeze myself into this tiny coffee bar with at least ten other people, since I don’t want to escalate my cold to pneumonia.
Eventually I saw Ariel appeared outside and called me which, I picked up and he asked me, “Where are you?” I just reached for the door and opened it for him, giving him my answer. Anyways, I never felt so claustrophobic before. I mean, I’ve ridden in packed subway cars where you’re standing elbow-to-elbow with everyone, but that’s typical; in a coffee shop it’s almost unforeseen for me. Some, like Ariel, would say this is cozy but I like to have some space.
Ever since the party, Kathy have been urging me that I MUST go to Pinisi. She mentions it frequently on her blog and as much as I love that girl, I had the odd feeling that she went through hypnosis to actually to be that enamored with a bakery. I mean, I love bakeries but I don’t really have a favorite. The main reason why I go to Bouchon Bakery (and write a TON about it) is because it’s tasty; the food’s pretty; and it’s the biggest reason of all: it’s the closest thing to my campus besides Whole Foods. Yeah, I’m lazy…
Anyways, I finally went to Pinisi and find out what the heck she’s raving about.
I have about an hour to write this post for you before I go to class. Since this lunch I’m writing about now took place last Friday, I might as well tell you about this meal in K-town that I had with my aunt and her son who are visiting from Hong Kong.
The reason why I’m in the city on a Friday afternoon, which normally never happens since I don’t have classes on Friday and it’s my (so called) Spring Break, it’s because my aunt wanted to see the Macy’s Flower Show in Herald Square. No, I’m not going to put up anymore flower pictures, since most of them didn’t come out too well so you’re not going to suffer anymore of that.
Back to the food. My cousin was dying for some food since it’s 1:30. My mother also accompanied us and wanted to get some decent food around here since it’s cold that Friday afternoon. I suggested if they wanted Korean food since I don’t like any sandwiches around here and I’m not in a sandwich mood. My aunt agreed with that suggestion and I took all of them over to K-town which is just three blocks away.
Today was a bit unusual for me to go fooding with someone since it’s a Monday. That someone was Robyn. She e-mailed me over on Sunday regarding to a favor that I’ve asked for when she went to her food and fun excursion to Paris for her Spring Break (Lucky girl), which is getting me some Pierre Herme’s stuff! I’m getting a little ahead of myself. I’ll just start from the beginning…
We’ve exchanged e-mails wondering where the heck do we eat, meet, and get my PH goodies; eventually we agreed on Korean food at NY Kom Tang Soot Bul Kai Bi. We’ve met during lunchtime (around 12:40 PM) and proceeded to enter the restaurant. It looked somewhat empty and when we asked for seating, the employees pointed upstairs. When we got up and asked for a table for two, we were seated near the windows for a table for six. How odd.
We perused the menu and Robyn decided on ordering a pork stone bowl ($8.95) and I ordered a beef bento box from the lunch special ($8.95).
After waiting a couple of minutes, the waitress gave our banchan, which means Korean appetizers.
Interior
Group (food) photo! 
