Featured Restaurant: Five Leaves

Arthur Bovino — March 15, 2010

Grilled Sardines with Caramelized Cauliflower, Eggplant, Pine nuts, and Curried Date Dressing, and Affogato with an Intelligentsia Organic Espresso Shot at Five Leaves in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

There was a time not long ago, when those walking from the Bedford L toward McGuinness had already filled their bellies, or well knew the contents of their fridge. It was a hike past the Turkey’s Nest, the concrete baseball field, and the benches near the Automotive High School, to their vinyl-sided homes. Unless they planned to eat Polish, Thai, or at Wasabi, passing N 12th without having eaten was a no-no. But change comes fast in Williamsburg, and this energy has spread to Greenpoint. So it is that Five Leaves, a neighborhood joint, provides this hipster trail of tears a place to feast on the way.

More About Five Leaves >>

AlwaysHungry: Best of Sunburnt Cow & Bondi Road

Arthur Bovino — March 02, 2010

Bondi Road’s Fried Calamri and The Sunburnt Cow’s Kangaroo Shepherd’s Pie.

Plans seem to be on target for the April 1st opening of The Sunburnt Calf (W. 79th St), Heath St. Claire’s third Australian-themed restaurant in New York. We hear the menu is going to be a combination of dishes from The Sunburnt Cow and Bondi Road. Having been invited recently to eat at both places, here are the dishes that we most enjoyed, a diverse, but representative grouping that we’re hoping to see on the new menu uptown. If you’re looking to do your own survey, the best way is to visit for the Monday night special at either place: all you can eat and drink for two hours at $20.00/per person.

Favorite Dishes from The Sunburnt Cow and Bondi Road >>

AlwaysPartying: National Australia Day

Arthur Bovino — January 26, 2010

Tuck Shop’s Thai Green Chook Curry Pie.

Today, January 26th, is National Australia Day. Why should that matter to Americans? Because no matter where they are in the world Aussies always seem to be having a good time. So if they’re celebrating, chances are you’re going to want to get in on the festivities. National Australia Day refers to First Landing Day in 1788, when eleven convict ships from Great Britain arrived at Sydney Cove.

Two Always Hungry approved restaurants, Bondi Road and Sunburnt Cow, will be celebrating. They will be serving steak sandwiches and burgers, including their signature Burger with the Lot (egg, bacon, beets, fried onion, pineapple, lettuce and tomato) for $3 each. You can also pony up $20 for unlimited drinks during a three-hour period. If you’re not into partying on a Tuesday night (you’re getting old), but still want to get in the spirit, it’s worth stopping for a quick meat pie at Tuck Shop, the Australian pie shop with two locations (St. Mark’s, and 1st St).

For $12 you can get what’s called a Tucker Box, any pie plus two sides for $12. There’s the traditional ground beef pie, the ‘Chook Pie’ with chicken, ham and leeks in white gravy; a Guinness Steak and Mushroom Pie; and even a Mac ‘N Cheese Pie. Our favorite is the Thai Green Chook Curry Pie ($5.00). It’s made with Kaffir lime leaves, galangal, coconut milk, Thai basil and chilis. The buttery pastry is thin and delicate, tearing easily to let the curry fall out.

Address: 115 St Mark’s Place (b/n 1st Ave & Ave A)
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11:30am-2am; Fri-Sat, 11:30am-5am; Sun 11:30am-10pm
Address: 68 East 1st Street (b/n 1st & 2nd Aves)
Hours: Mon-Thur, 8am-2am; Fri-Sat, 8am-5am; Sun 12pm-10pm

FirstLook: SHO Shaun Hergatt

The Gluttoness — June 08, 2009

It’s rare that I’m speechless, but last Thursday night’s preview dinner at SHO Shaun Hergatt stunned me into my first satisfied oblivion of 2009. Executive Chef Sean Hergatt has spent two years turning the concrete canvas within The Setai New York into a modern Asian masterpiece with simple elegance and ruby red accents. An expansive glass wall separates diners from the theatrics of the grand kitchen and many of the tables face Hergatt’s “stage” where he commands his dutiful “players.” You witness meticulousness then taste it.

The striking décor is matched by the drama of SHO’s impeccable food, which the chef described as “Asian-accented, modern French cuisine.” Hergatt is a brawny Australian with a sweet smile—the unexpected artist behind brilliantly feminine dishes that are as artistically inclined as they are sophisticated in flavor. There’s a continual dance between delicacy and decadence. Riveting taste always wins, but it’s the manner in which it’s achieved that is so interesting.

Duo of Canapes: Crêpe w/ Tobiko & Sour Cream over Lime & Sesame Seed Tuille w/ Whitefish Tartare

Two velvety crêpes were filled with tobiko and sour cream, then tied in purses, served over thin slices of lime and topped with gold leaf. Two sesame seed tuilles were rolled like cigars and stuffed with whitefish tartare. There was an impressive equilibrium between the rich insides and the subtle exteriors.

Click here for AlwaysHungry's full First Look at Sho Shaun Hergatt >>

The Round-Up: Marathon Route Dining

October 30, 2008

Just because participants in Sunday’s NYC Marathon have to endure a grueling 26.2 mile race, doesn’t mean you have to suffer starving on the sidelines. The New York Times has compiled a list of 26.2 noteworthy places (one is a truck) along the marathon route where hungry supporters can stop in and get a delicious bite. With cuisines ranging from classic American to Vietnamese, Polish, Honduran, and Senegalese, the eateries on this list are as international and eclectic as the runners competing in the race. (10/29)

Bay Street Lunchonette American Diner (Staten Island)

Plaka Taverna Greek (Bay Ridge)

Tanoreen Palestinian (Bay Ridge)

Thanh Dai Vietnamese (Sunset Park)

Yun Nan Flavour Snack Chinese (Sunset Park)

El Tesoro Ecuadorean (Sunset Park)

Milan’s Slovakian (Greenwood Heights)

Chip Shop British (Park Slope)

Sheep Station Australian (Park Slope)

Madiba South African (Park Slope)

Click Here for the Full List >>