Always Hungry: Best of July

Jeff Zalaznick — August 09, 2010

Clockwise from top: Margherita slice at South Brooklyn Pizza (East Village), Cumin Lamb Burger at Xi’an Famous Foods (St Marks), Char Polish at The Weiners Circle (Chicago, IL), Italian Beef & Sausage Combo (“Hot & Dry”) at Mr. Beef (Chicago, IL).

If you follow Always Hungry’s Twitter Feed, you’ve witnessed the epic eating that goes down on a daily basis. It would be difficult to find someone who eats as much, as often, or at as many places as I do, which is why you love and trust Always Hungry. Every time I eat, I tweet, so that our readers know what is going on in the world of Always Hungry in real time.

Use this as a timely guide to what you should be eating now. Here is the Best of July.

The Results:

New York

ABC Kitchen: Tomato Toast, Scallop Crudo, Mackerel Sashimi, Arctic Char, Popcorn Sundae
Blue Ribbon Sushi: Mackerel Sashimi & Fried Bones, Soft Shell Crab Tempura
Brooklyn Fare: Caviar Parfait, Mushroom & Chicken Dashi
BZ Grill: Pork Gyro, Chicken Gyro, Eggplant Salad, Greek Fries
Casa Mono: Sepia, Razor Clams, Bone Marrow, Pulpo, Duck Hearts Pintxos, Duck Breast, Meatballs
Commodore: Fried Chicken Thighs, Green Chili Hominy, Biscuits
Pietro’s: Caesar Salad, Veal Parmigiana, Chicken Pietro, Shells a la Nat
South Brooklyn Pizza: Margherita Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, Pepperoni Calzone
Tarry Lodge (Port Chester, NY): Shrimp & Mint Fregola, Nancy’s Chopped Salumi Salad, Clam Pizza
The Spotted Pig: Deviled Eggs, Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi, Pork Rinds
Torrisi: Warm Mozzarella, Garlic Bread, Clam Pizza, Pork Fried Rice, Fusilli & Dirty Duck Ragu, Trout
Walter’s Hot Dog Stand (Mamaroneck, NY): Double Dog
WD-50: Shrimp Spaghetti, Peekytoe Crab Roll, Eggs Benedict, Iberico Pork Neck
Xi’an Famous Foods: Cumin Lamb Burger, Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Noodles

New England

Cove Fish Market (Mystic, CT): , Cold Lobster Roll, Fried Cod Sandwich, Cole Slaw
Johnny Ad’s Drive-In (Old Saybrook, CT): Hot Lobster Roll
Rawley’s Drive-In (Fairfield, CT): Bacon Dog, Chihuahua Dog
Del’s Lemonade (Newport, RI): Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade
The Liberty Elm Diner (Providence, RI): Turkey & Pea Sprout Sandwich
Neptune Oyster (Boston, MA): Blue Crab Salad, Fried Clams, Steamed Clams, Shrimp Cocktail, ‘Whole’ Bronzini

Nantucket

Black-Eyed Susan’s: Portuguese Scramble, Omelet, Corned Beef Hash, Hash Browns, Black-eyed Peas
Provisions: Turkey Terrific Sandwich, BLT
Straight Wharf Restaurant: Swordfish Sandwich
Toppers at Wauwinet: Lobster Roll, Wooly Pig Prosciutto, Bay Scallops

Chicago

Alinea: ‘Cocktails,’ Lobster Tempura, Yuba Stick & Shrimp, Tomatoes & Powders, Pork Belly Summer Roll, Lamb & Elysian Fields Terroir, Sweet & Salty Corn, Black Truffle Explosion, Escoffier Beef & Fried Bananas, Malt Ice Cream & Toffee
Big Star: Chips & Guacamole, Tacos De Panza, Tostada De Pollo
Hot Doug’s: The Dog, The Elvis
Hot Chocolate: Chocolate #1, Warm Brioche Doughnuts
Mr. Beef: Italian Beef & Sausage Combo (“Hot & Dry”)
Pierrot Gourmet at The Peninsula: Peanut Butter & Jelly Macarons
The Publican: Spicy Pork Rinds, Provencal Fish Stew, Charcuterie Plate, Country Ribs, Egg Frites, Waffle
Schwa: Elotes, Veal Heart & Huckleberry Tagliatelle, Beef Mole S’mores & Campfire
The Wieners Circle: Char Dog, Char Polish
Urban Belly: Wrinkle Beans, Dumplings: Chicken & Mushroom, Pork & Cilantro

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 100
Number of restaurants: 84
Number of dishes: 470

CLICK HERE to See All of the Meals and Follow Always Hungry’s Twitter

Always Hungry: Best of June

Jeff Zalaznick — July 09, 2010

Clockwise from top: Wildwood’s Pork Steak Sandwich at the 2010 BABBP, Carne Asada Burrito from the ESPN Match Truck, Brussels Sprout Pizza at Motorino, American Caviar Cone at Bazaar.

If you follow Always Hungry’s Twitter Feed, you’ve witnessed the epic eating that goes down on a daily basis. It would be difficult to find someone who eats as much, as often, or at as many places as I do, which is why you love and trust Always Hungry. Every time I eat, I tweet, so that our readers know what is going on in the world of Always Hungry in real time.

Use this as a timely guide to what you should be eating now. Here is the Best of June.

The Results:

Best Food:

New York

Balthazar: Chicken Paillard, Steak Tartare, Pommes Frites.
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party: Wildwood’s Pork Steak Sandwich, Ed Mitchell’s Whole Hog, Jim ‘N Nick’s Sausage, Moonlite’s Mutton.
Canal Café (Hampton Bays): Seafood Salad, Crab Cakes, Ribs.
dell’anima: Assorted Bruschette, Charred Octopus, Fegatini “alla Toscana,” Chicken Diavolo.
ESPN Match Truck: Carne Asada Burrito.
Kyo Ya: Seafood & Poached Egg, Sweet Potato Tempura, Chawanmushi, Crab & Ikura Rice Bowl.
Locanda Verde: Blue Crab Crostini, Lamb Meatball Sliders, Steak Tartara, Garlic Chicken for Two.
Maialino: Fried Artichokes, Pesce Spada.
Masa: Anago Cucumber Salad, Toro Tartare Caviar, Sizzling Icefish, Omakase Sushi.
Milos: Fried Zucchini, Fried Haloumi, Lobster Salad.
Momofuku Ko: Lean & Fatty Crudo, Mushroom Salad, Lamb Rib, Uni & Bacon Dashi, XO String Beans, Shaved Foie Gras.
Motorino: Fire Roasted Mortadella, Pizze: Brussels Sprout, Thai Chili.
Mr. Chow Tribeca: Wonton Soup, Fiery Buffalo, Dungeness Crab with Egg.
Painkiller: Frozen Dark & Stormy.
Upstairs at Bouley: Poached Shrimp, Orecchiette, Spicy Tuna Roll.

Los Angeles, CA

Animal: Chicken Liver Toast, Pig Ear, Rabbit Loin & Spetzle, Pork Belly Sliders, Melted Petit Basque, Quail Fry, Foie Gras Loco Moco.
Bazaar: Jicama-Wrapped Guacamole, Norwegian Lobster, Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks, Cones: American Caviar, Californian, Bagel & Lox.
Kogi Truck: Blackjack Quesadilla, Kimchi Quesadilla.
Umami Burger: Manly Burger.

Aspen, CO

Il Mulino: Endive Salad, Scampi Fra Diavola, Chicken & Sausage Diavola.
Matsuhisa: King Salmon New Style, “Adam” Roll.
Montagna: Soft Shell Crab and Crispy Pork Belly BLT.

28th Annual Food and Wine Classic (Aspen, CO)

Spaghetti Western: Endive Salad, Lasagna, Tomahawk Rib Eye.
Moto-fuku: Pork Buns, Foie Gras Chawanmushi, Yellowtail Pastrami Bagel, Tuna Pizza.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 47
Number of restaurants: 41
Number of dishes: 359

CLICK HERE to See All of the Meals and Follow Always Hungry’s Twitter

AlwaysPartying: Big Apple Barbecue Block Party 2010

GutterGourmet — June 14, 2010

Left, BBQ Pork Steak Sandwich from Wildwood Barbecue. Right, top down, whole hog from Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s Pork Shoulder, Smoked Sausage from Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q.

When I got my Fast Pass for the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, I became as giddy as a six-year old cutting the line to ride Dumbo at Disneyland. The first ride at the Block Party is always Ed Mitchell’s The Pit. Fire, brimstone, smoke, chopping blades, decapitated whole hogs, and gluttons. If this is hell, I’ve died and gone to heaven.

More Photographs of the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party 2010 >>

Always Hungry: Big Apple Barbecue Block Party 2010

Arthur Bovino — June 11, 2010

St. Louis Style Ribs and Beans from Pappy’s Smokehouse.

It’s here. The 8th annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party happens this weekend.

The crowds, lines, and fast passes. The mess, the barbecue pits, the smell of slow-cooked meat in Madison Square Park, it’s all back in the City for two glorious days. As such, it’s time to cram— to prepare for all the glories that come with one of New York’s best food events. So we’ve put together a Big Apple BBQ Block Party Primer. Everything you need to know before you go.

BABBQ 2009: THE VIDEO: Three pitmasters. Two days. One epic event. We interviewed three renowned pitmasters, Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que, Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s, and BABBP’s co-founder, Ken Callaghan of Blue Smoke as they showcased three regional preparations of meats.
CLICK HERE for The Glories of BBQ: Three Styles of an American Tradition

BABBQ 2009: THE FOOD: Among our favorite tastes from last year’s event were Big Bob Gibson’s Pulled Pork Shoulder with White Sauce, the St. Louis Style Ribs and Beans from Pappy’s Smokehouse, and The Salt Lick BBQ’s Beef Brisket and Sausage. But there was so much more.
CLICK HERE for BBQ photographs and GutterGourmet’s write-up

BABBQ: BBQ PRIMER: From Alabama to Virginia, information about the varied types of BBQ found across the country— cuts and traits, typical sauces, sides, serving styles, and cooking methods. There’s even information about New York restaurants where you can find many of these different styles.
CLICK HERE for a Regional BBQ Primer

Always Hungry: Best of May

Jeff Zalaznick — June 03, 2010

Clockwise from top: Chimbori Jalwa at Tamarind Tribeca, Chorizo Sopes at Hecho en Dumbo, Roasted Pork Chop at Má Pêche, Clams with ‘Cue Bacon at Fatty ‘Cue.

If you follow Always Hungry’s Twitter Feed, you’ve witnessed the epic eating that goes down on a daily basis. It would be difficult to find someone who eats as much, as often, or at as many places as I do, which is why you love and trust Always Hungry. Every time I eat, I tweet, so that our readers know what is going on in the world of Always Hungry in real time.

Use this as a timely guide to what you should be eating now. Here is the Best of May.

The Results:

Best Food:

New York

2nd Avenue Deli: Chopped Liver, Gribenes, Pastrami, Roast Beef.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns: Sesame Asparagus, Pork Terrine & Chocolate, The Bone, Chicken Oysters.
Breadzilla: Squishy Bread Sandwiches: Shrimp Salad, Soft Shell Crab, Turkey & Brie.
Brooklyn Fare: Veal Brain Beignet, Caviars & Maple Cream.
Cascabel: Tacos: Carne Asada, Chorizo, Pollo, Camaron.
dell’anima: Sweetbreads “Picatta,” Charred Octopus & Rice Beans, Chicken Diavola.
Fatty ‘Cue: Celery Salad, Bowl of Noodles, Clams, Lamb Ribs, Pork Spare Ribs, Red Curry Duck.
Hecho en Dumbo: Sopes de Chorizo, Tacos de Conchinita Pibil, Crab Tostadas.
Keste Pizza & Vino: Margherita Pizza.
Locanda Verde: Garlic Chicken for Two, Leg of Lamb for Two, Steak for Two.
Má Pêche: Pork Ribs, Roasted Pork Chop.
Matsugen: Chicken Meatballs, Salmon & Skin Roll.
Momofuku Ko: Assorted Sashimi, Mushroom Salad, Lamb Rib & Kohlrabi Rice, Shaved Foie Gras.
Momofuku Ssam: Broadbent Ham, XO Scallops, Corned Beef Terrine, Whole Boneless Porgy.
Pulino’s: Carrot Salad, Roasted Mussels, Porchetta Pizza.
Sushi Seki: Salmon & Tomato, Hot Piper & Whitefish, “San Diego” Sushi.
Tamarind Tribeca: Chimbori Jalwa, Zafrani Murgh Tikka, Subz Saag.
The Breslin: Seafood Sausage with Beurre Blanc.

Washington D.C.

Central Michel Richard: Tartare of Filet Mignon, Lobster Burger.
Jaleo: Rusa Salad & Roe, Tortilla, Ajo Blanco, Rice & Eggs, Butifarra.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 64
Number of restaurants: 52
Number of dishes: 425

CLICK HERE to See All of the Meals and Follow Always Hungry’s Twitter

Always Hungry: Best of April

Jeff Zalaznick — May 05, 2010

Clockwise from top: Glazed Berkshire Pork Chop at Faustina, Mozzarella and Ramp Bruschetta at Babbo, Watermelon Pickle & Crispy Pork at Fatty Crab (UWS), Hamachi Belly & Uni at o ya.

If you follow Always Hungry’s Twitter Feed, you’ve witnessed the epic eating that goes down on a daily basis. It would be difficult to find someone who eats as much, as often, or at as many places as I do, which is why you love and trust Always Hungry. Every time I eat, I tweet, so that our readers know what is going on in the world of Always Hungry in real time.

Use this as a timely guide to what you should be eating now. Here is the Best of April.

The Results:

Best Dishes:

New York

15 East: Ankimo & Ikura, Ivory & Cherry Salmon, Live Uni.
Babbo: Mozzarella & Ramp Bruschetta, Grilled Ramps.
Fatty Crab: Watermelon Pickle & Crispy Pork, Black Pepper Mussels, Chicken Rice.
Faustina: Pink Snapper Crudo, Strozzapreti & Suckling Pig Ragu, Glazed Berkshire Pork Chop.
Locanda Verde: Steak Tartara, Garlic Chicken for Two, Roasted Leg of Lamb.
Maialino: Black Pepper Bacon, Coffee, Assorted Salumi, Fried Artichokes, Pollo Diavola.
Marea: Assorted Crudo, Uni & Lardo Crostini, Octopus & Bone Marrow Fusilli.
Minetta Tavern: Black Label Burger, Côte de Boeuf, Pommes: Anna, Aligot.
Otto: Ramps & Fried Egg Salad.
Patroon: Fried Chicken Friday: 3-Piece Fried Chicken, Candied Yams, Collard Greens.
Per Se: “Oysters & Pearls,” Gulf Coast Cobia “Pastrami.”
Pulino’s: Smoked Sablefish, Porchetta Pizza, Roasted Mussels, Roasted Pork Leg.
Rao’s: Baked Clams, Seafood Salad, Salad, Meatballs, Cheesecake.
Sasabune: Uni & Ikura Sushi, Salmon Skin Hand Roll.
Strip House: Tomato & Onion Salad, Rib Eye Steak, Truffled Creamed Spinach, Goose Fat Potatoes.
Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles: Steamed Pork Dumplings, Seaweed Noodles.
Terroir Tribeca: Bone Marrow Bruschetta, Meatball Sandwich.
Torrisi: Eggplant Parm, Warm Mozz, Osso Bucco Bruschetta, Caruso Ravioli, Pork Chop.

Boston

Craigie on Main: Grass-Fed Burger with Cheddar.
Hungry Mother: Boiled Virginia Peanuts, Headcheese & Pork Rinds, Cornmeal Catfish, Cornbread.
o ya: Hamachi & Banana Pepper Mousse, Warm Eel & Thai Basil, Salmon & Wheat Soy, Scallop & Sage Tempura, Hamachi Belly & Uni, Ankimo, Chicken Wing Ballotine, House-Smoked Wagyu.
Uni: Sayori & Sancho Bones, Scallop with Ramps & Asparagus, Salmon & Spicy Peppers.

Restaurant Picks: 15 East, Fatty Crab, Hungry Mother (Boston, MA), o ya (Boston), Pulino’s, Rao’s, Sasabune, Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, Terroir Tribeca, Torrisi Italian Specialties, Uni (Boston).

Biggest Letdowns: B & G Oysters (Boston), Travertine.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 58
Number of restaurants: 50
Number of dishes: 391

CLICK HERE to See All of the Meals and Follow Always Hungry’s Twitter

Always Hungry: James Beard Award Winners

May 04, 2010

The 2010 James Beard Awards are in…

Congratulations to all of 2010’s James Beard Award winners and the nominees! Much praise goes out to our friends at Serious Eats for their two James Beard Awards for Best Food Blog and Best Video Webcast. It was such an honor to have been nominated for the Video Webcast award with them and Liza de Guia of Food.Curated.

If you’ve missed Always Hungry’s previous coverage it may be time to check out the write-ups, videos, and photographs below to learn more about some of the winners, and their restaurants.

Always Hungry Coverage of James Beard Award Winners >>

Always Hungry: A Taste of New Orleans

April 28, 2010

A sampling of great New Orleans food.

In today’s Dining Section, Sam Sifton’s Critic’s Notebook was a peripatetic tour of New Orleans’ post-Katrina dining scene. Sifton hit the biggies, Cochon, August, and Emeril’s, among others. It’s nice to see a great food city getting some more attention.

If you’ve been reading, you know that Always Hungry did its own tour of New Orleans’ culinary scene just a few months ago. If you happened to miss Jeff’s write-ups of his meals at Emeril’s, Cafe du Monde/Central Grocery, August, and Cochon, this is a great opportunity to check them out. And if you did read them already, you might want to revisit them for the photographs.

Always Hungry: NY Food Film Festival Selection

April 19, 2010

Just a Drizzle of Oil and Lemon is an official 2010 NYC Food Film Festival selection.

In the wake of our 2010 James Beard Foundation nomination, we are honored and excited to announce that our video, Just a Drizzle of Oil and Lemon: Michael White is an official selection of the 2010 NYC Food Film Festival.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to have been selected to be in such great company. If you haven’t already watched it, our video profiling Michael White is a unique glimpse into the genius that makes Marea the exceptional restaurant that it is. The fourth annual festival runs from June 23rd to the 27th, with screenings at multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, so be sure to attend! A very exciting Food Truck Drive-In Movie has already been announced!

And if you’ve missed any of Always Hungry’s great videos, just click here to enjoy!

Always Hungry: Mo’s New York Grill (New Rochelle)

Arthur Bovino — April 13, 2010

20 oz. Rib Eye Steak with Au Gratin Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach, Crispy Onions at Mo’s New York Grill.

Restaurant: Mo’s New York Grill
Address: 14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle, NY
Hours: Tues-Fri, 11:00am-10:00pm; Sat, 12:00pm-10:00pm; Sun, 12:00pm-9:00pm; Closed Mon.
Contact: (914) 632-1442
Grade: B-
Recommended Dishes: Panama Special, Pork Osso Bucco, Rib Eye Steak.

Even after all these years, when number 42 leaves the bullpen at Yankee Stadium and jogs across center field to the mound, you know that barring an extraordinary bloop single, things will be fine. At Mo’s New York Grill, Mariano Rivera’s restaurant in New Rochelle, the servers sport his number too— it’s a nice detail. While the food is decent, and the idea behind the menu is sound— a few Latin touches that reflect Mo’s Panamanian heritage— seeing that 42 as the food is served won’t inspire the same supremely high level of confidence.

Photographs of the Food at Mo's >>

Always Hungry: Best of March

Jeff Zalaznick — April 05, 2010

Clockwise from top: Beef Brisket at Fatty ‘Cue, Chicken Biscuit at Pies ‘n’ Thighs, Guacamole at minibar, Gulf Redfish at Cochon.

If you follow Always Hungry’s Twitter Feed, you’ve witnessed the epic eating that goes down on a daily basis. It would be difficult to find someone who eats as much, as often, or at as many places as I do, which is why you love and trust Always Hungry. Every time I eat, I tweet, so that our readers know what is going on in the world of Always Hungry in real time.

Use this as a timely guide to what you should be eating now. Here is the Best of March.

The Results:

Best Dishes:

New York

Antica Venezia: Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Chicken Parmigiana.
Babbo: Goat Cheese Tortelloni, Malloreddus with Artichoke & Sausage, Grilled Pork Chop.
barMasa: Grilled Eel.
Brooklyn Bowl: Potato & Onion Knish, Pork Rinds, Belly Buster Sandwich, Assorted Pizze.
Casa Mono: Sepia, Pulpo, Razor Clams, Pan con Tomate, Bone Marrow with Radishes.
En Japanese Brasserie: Blue Caledonian Shrimp Sushi, Crab Chawan Mushi.
Fatty ‘Cue: Bowl of Noodles, Clams with ‘Cue Bacon, Lamb Ribs, Slow-cooked Deckle.
Ippudo: Chicken Hirata Buns, Akamaru Modern Ramen with Bakudan.
Led Zeppole: Cannoli, Zeppole, Funnel Cake.
Maialino: Assorted Salumi, Bufala Mozzarella, Fried Artichokes, Pollo alla Diavola.
Marea: Assorted Crudo, Octopus & Bone Marrow Fusilli, Spider Crab Spaghetti, Scallops.
Mas: Yellowfin Tuna l’Occidental, Pork and Sauerkraut Sausages.
Minetta Tavern: Black Label Burger, Côte de Boeuf, Pommes: Anna, Aligot.
Park Avenue Winter: Hamachi Sashimi Cones, John Dory & Poached Egg.
Pies ‘n’ Thighs: Biscuit, Chicken Biscuit, Fried Chicken Biscuit.
Prime Meats: Pretzel, Celery Salad, Roasted Bone Marrow, Sürkrüt Garnie, Bone-In Ribeye.
Pulino’s: Broccoli Bruschetta, Smoked Sablefish, NY Strip, Pizze: Porchetta, Rock Shrimp & Speck.
Vinegar Hill House: Chicken Liver Mousse, Lentil & Foie Gras Presse, Red Wattle Country Pork Chop.

Las Vegas

American Fish: Shrimp Cocktail Crudo, Mackerel, Prime Rib.
Carnevino: The Burger with Cheddar, BBL Bone-In NY Strip.
In-N-Out Burger: Double-Double Animal Style.
Society Café Encore: Frosted Flake French Toast, “XL” Sticky Bun, Kurobuta Ham, Sweet Potato Fries.
SW Steakhouse: Kobe Beef Carpaccio, Tomahawk Ribeye, Crisp Potato Tots, Creamed Corn.

New Orleans

Central Grocery: Original Muffuletta.
Cochon: Oysters, Mushroom Salad, Oyster & Bacon Sandwich, Fried Boudin, Gulf Redfish, Catfish.
Johnny’s Po-Boys: Big Egg Biscuit, Johnny’s Special Po-Boy.
Mother’s Restaurant: Jerry’s Jambalaya.

Philadelphia

Amada: Revuelto, Green Salad with Shrimp, Amada Burger, Plancha: Squid, Setas, Lamb Chops.
Zahav: Salatim & Hummus, Crispy Haloumi, Grilled Duck Hearts.

Washington, D.C.

Citronelle: Lobster Burger, Lobster “Begula” Pasta.
minibar by José Andrès: Hot & Cold Pisco Sour, “Ferrero Rocher,” “Mojito,” Cotton Candy Eel, Organic Carrots & Coconut, Guacamole.
Zaytinya: Htipiti, Ottoman Pilaf, Knisa Lamb Chops.

Biggest Letdowns: Acme Oyster House (New Orleans), Osteria (Philadelphia), West End Bistro (Washington, D.C.).

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 81
Number of restaurants: 71
Number of dishes: 481

CLICK HERE to See All of the Meals and Follow Always Hungry’s Twitter

Always Hungry: Opening Day at Citi Field

Maryse Chevrière — April 05, 2010

Inside Citi Field.

Last year, the buzz surrounding the fare from the likes of Shake Shack and Blue Smoke at the Mets’ new Citi Field practically outshone the games being played there. With all the misfortune they faced last year, fans could definitely justify waiting on the Shack lines away from the action on the field. With first pitch of the new season at 1:10pm this afternoon, it is once again time to start thinking about the best food the stadium has to offer.

Though the Rabbi Dog is reportedly no longer available, there is still plenty to choose from. If you’re heading over to the stadium check out Always Hungry’s food rundown from 2009 to get ready. There’s a dish by dish at the swanky Acela Club, and a breakdown of the food from all the top-notch vendors.

Hopefully Jason Bay, and a healthy Mets team will send the Mets to the World Series this year to face the Yanks, for a rematch of 2000. Let’s go Mets!

Always Hungry: James Beard Award Nominee

Jeff Zalaznick — March 26, 2010

Always Hungry is nominated for a James Beard—wish us luck!

We are so excited to announce that Always Hungry has been nominated for a James Beard Award! It is an honor to have been chosen, along with Food.Curated and Serious Eats, in the category of Video Webcast. We are definitely in some great company.

From behind the scenes at Katz’s with Eddie, to an exclusive look at how the magic happens at LaFrieda Meats, Always Hungry Video is your window into all facets of the New York culinary landscape.

If you have not had a chance to watch our life-changing videos, now would be a good time to give them a try! The awards are on May 2, so wish us luck!

Click here to see them all.

Always Hungry: K-Town “Sushi” at E-Mo

Maryse Chevrière — March 10, 2010

Kimbab spread from E-Mo Kim Bab in Koreatown.

Kyochon finally, officially opened its doors last night with all the impatient waiting, disorganized chaos, and mass crowd-forming at a rock concert’s backstage door. But the holding pattern continues for lunch-goers. A representative outside Kyochon this afternoon said that lunch starts tomorrow, but a call to Kyochon put the actual start date for lunch at March 13th. Par for the course— don’t hold your breath.

Denied a shiny, new fried chicken experience, and having already sampled the portable pizza next door at K! Pizzacone, we ventured through Koreatown for a quick fix. With the clutter of restaurants on 32nd Street, the shoe box-sized E-Mo Kim Bab could be easily overlooked. E-Mo specializes in made-to-order Kimbab, a popular Korean snack, which typically consists of pickled radish, sautéed spinach, and carrots, omelet, shredded burdock root, and another ingredient wrapped in white rice and nori. Essentially, it’s Korean sushi.

More Photographs of E-Mo Kim Bab >>

Always Hungry: Strip House

March 10, 2010

Roasted Bacon with Boston Lettuce & Russian Dressing, Sliced Rib Eye Steak, Black Truffle Creamed Spinach, and the Strip House Chocolate Cake.

In today’s review, Sam Sifton gets seduced by Strip House’s “generally marvelous” food and “often superb steak,” awarding the restaurant two stars. Well-deserved. In fact, we recently named it New York’s best steakhouse in Always Hungry’s Restaurant List: A Strategic Guide to New York Eating:

“The best steakhouse in New York. Not only is the steak great, but the appetizers, sides and desserts are next level as well. It is so rare to find a Steakhouse that performs from beginning to end. Order as follows. To start: a dozen Oysters, followed by a Tomato & Onion Salad, a Shrimp Cocktail, and an order of thick-cut Bacon. Consume all in combination. For steak, get the 22 Oz. Bone In Rib Eye. For sides, the Black Truffle Creamed Spinach and Crisp Goose Fat Potatoes. For dessert, the world famous multi-layered Strip House Chocolate Cake.”