Archive | July, 2009

Quick and Average Italian

12 Jul

A random night in the East Village left us with only an hour to eat but craving something filling.  We stumbled upon Three of Cups on 1st Ave and 5th Street and it seemed to have a good menu.  We sat outside but upon going through the restaurant, Mike and I both realized we had been to the bar at some point in the past.  Mike ordered some classic spaghetti and meatballs while I had an artichoke, chicken, and mozarella calzone.  Overall it was decent, and quick, but everything needed a bit more flavor.  I’m not sure where the garlic was in this Italian cuisine, and I’d venture to guess that they do not use fresh ingredients.    While they didn’t do anything wrong, they really didn’t do anything right either.  Overall, however, it probably wasn’t worth what we paid for it.



Total Nom Points: 5 out of 10

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Pongsri Thai

7 Jul

One of my best friends (and fellow food blogger) Lori and I have a good old standby Thai place that is always good… and cheap.  Pongsri Thai’s menu is famous between Lori and I for laughs with dishes named “Prince Kermit” (frog’s legs) and “Big Bird’s Love Nets” (hard noodle nest with chicken, pineapple, and veggies inside).  The teenage boys inside of us also get a kick out of reading the spice list that mentions the “erect” nature of the plants and some terrible English translations.  As a person allergic to peppers, I have to be careful with Thai food (although I love it), so I usually go with the Pad Thai or Pad See Ewe.  This time I went with Pad Thai and it didn’t dissapoint. 

Lori went more creative and ordered The Big Bird Love Nest (which she had eaten and enjoyed before).  She found it very enjoyable (no comment from yours truly due to the peppers).

We managed to save room for dessert and Lori got the pumpkin coconut custard while I went for my old standby favorite, mango and sticky rice.  The pumpkin coconut custard had great flavor (and even texture! which was concerning upon first glance).  My mango and sticky rice could have had riper fruit and stickier rice, but I still enjoyed.


Reliable and cheap.

Total Nom Points: 6.5 out of 10

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Popover Dreams and BLT Steak

6 Jul

I absolutely love the popovers at BLT Steak.  In fact, they are so good that I often dream about them.  They are perfectly warm, fluffy, and crispy with that amazing crackly gruyere top.  With a bit of butter and salt, they are absolutely sinful.  And huge.  When my mom wanted to come into NYC for a special birthday lunch (including a good NYC burger), I thought BLT was a great chance for me to show her a place I loved.  (I had sent her to my favorite steakhouse, Keens, earlier this year.)  It did not dissapoint.  The popovers were as delicious as ever (I am craving another one now just talking about them!)

Last time I was at BLT Steak with a publisher, the thick cut bacon was ordered and it was heavenly.  We made this our appetizer and it was absolutely delicious.  More like a really delicious, smoky piece of ham than what I would normally consider “bacon,” which is probably why I like it so much.

Then the burgers were had.  Not the best I’ve ever tasted, but juicy and meaty and the gruyere was a nice touch.  The fries were especially sensational.

Total Nom Points: 8 out of 10

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