AlwaysInformed: August’s Best RUB Burger

Arthur Bovino — September 01, 2010

The Donut Burger, a special Monday night burger at RUB BBQ (August 2nd).

Those who know, eat RUB BBQ’s special Monday night burger. Those who don’t, rhapsodize about Five Guys. Seriously, don’t take our word for it, as weekly Monday night burger regulars, Jonathan Burr and Andrew “Goose” Gussman will tell you, Scott Smith and Andrew Fischel’s weekly special is more than a shtick. The afternoon announcement is a great what’s-the-special-gonna-be-today moment almost powerful enough to make you think Monday’s closer to Friday than it is. Rather than a weekly update, here’s a month’s roundup of the Monday burgers, including our pick for August’s blue ribbon winner.

More Monday night burgers at RUB BBQ >>

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

HungryHamptons: Best of Long Island and the Hamptons

June 04, 2010

Food pit-stops for your drive out to the Hamptons, and what to eat once you arrive.

Summer is here, and with it begins the weekly Friday trips to the Hamptons. If you’re driving, and looking for culinary distractions from traffic, there are plenty of pit-stops to make along the way. So we’ve created a map of all the delicious things you find on Long Island, and a guide to the best food in the Hamptons for when you finally arrive.

HUNGRYHAMPTONS: WHERE TO EAT ON THE DRIVE
Some of the places to hit along the LIE on the way out, including some that are off the beaten path if you’re in the mood for adventuring.

HUNGRYHAMPTONS: BEST OF THE HAMPTONS 2010
From jelly doughnuts, to soft shell crab sandwiches, skillet fried chicken and ribs to lobster rolls— where to go and what to get when you’re out there.

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

HungryHamptons: Where to Eat on the Drive

Jeff Zalaznick — May 26, 2010

Always Hungry’s guide to where to stop along the LIE for good food on your way to the Hamptons.

Summer is finally here, and with it comes the weekly Friday trips out East to the Hamptons. As we will all find ourselves sitting in perturbing amounts of traffic on the Long Island Expressway (LIE/495) over the next few months, we thought that it would be kind to put together a map of all of the delicious things along the way where you can stop to satisfy your hunger and to break up the trip. All of these locations are also accessible if you take the GCP/Northern State, but that you will have to map for yourself. The conclusion: there is actually some great food that is worth eating on Long Island—you just have to know where to find it. You’re Welcome.

Always Hungry's Hamptons Drive Guide >>

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: 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: Best of February

Jeff Zalaznick — March 03, 2010

Clockwise from top: Sushi Zen’s Uni Chawan Mushi, Suenos’ Tortilla Soup, Hakkasan’s Honey Roast Pork, Good Stuff Eatery’s Farmhouse Burger.

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 February.

The Results:

Best Dishes:

New York

Babbo: Nonna Menu: Salumi & Pumpkin, Rigatoni Sugo, Chicken Thigh, Pork Rib, and Meatball.
BLT Fish: Cheddar Biscuit, Garlic Bread, Buffalo Rock Shrimp, Belgian Dover Sole.
Cipriani Dolce: Prosciutto & Mozzarella di Bufala, Carpaccio alla Cipriani, Tagliardi with Veal Ragu.
Da Umberto: Spaghetti with Clams, Pancetta and Hot Chilies.
Del Posto: Vacca Rosso Risotto, Veal Chop For Two, Ribeye For Two, Label Rouge Roast Chicken.
EN Japanese Brasserie: Sushi Omakase Lunch.
Faustina: Spot Prawn Crudo, Burrata Cannelloni, Uni Tajarin, Truffle Risotto, Lardo Prawns, Pork Chop.
JFK’s Terminal 5: Boar’s Head Sandwich: Turkey, Ham, Tomato, Pickles, Jalapeño, Mayo, Mustard.
Maialino: Breakfast: Amatriciana al Forno, Black Pepper Pancetta.
Mari Vanna: Borscht with Pampushka, Sunflower Salad, Blini & Caviar, Sturgeon Kebab.
Minetta Tavern: Meatballs & Oysters, Black Label Burger, Choucroute, Côte de Boeuf, Pommes Anna.
Morimoto: Yellowtail Pastrami, Kobe Buri Bop, Spicy Rolls: Salmon & Yellowtail.
Suenos: Tortilla Soup.
Sushi Zen: Uni Chawan Mushi, Sushi Omakase.
This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef: Roast Beef Sandwich “This Way”, Pastrami & Coleslaw Sandwich.
Yerba Buena Perry: Brunch: Serrano Ham & Suckling Pig Cubano Sandwich

Miami

Burger & Beer Joint: Frickles, Chicken Wings, Mushroom Fries, Onion Rings, Thunder Road Burger.
Casa Tua: Prosciutto, Burrata, Lobster Farrotto, Branzino.
Joe’s Stone Crab: Chopped Salad, Jumbo Claws, Mustard Sauce, Hash Browns, Key Lime Pie.
Hakkasan: Dim Sum Brunch: Dumplings (Mushroom, Chive, Chicken, Shrimp), Hakka Congee, Mixed BBQ, Hot & Sour Soup.
La Sandwicherie: Sliced Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Salad Croissant, Roast Beef & Prosciutto Baguette, Extra Dressing.
Macaluso’s: Salad, Meatballs, Sinatra Shrimp.
Prime 112: Deviled Eggs, Shrimp Cocktail, Chopped Salad, Porterhouse, Veal Chop, Mac & Cheese.
Prime Italian: Kobe Meatball & Bufala Ricotta, Prime 112 Chopped Salad.

Paris

Brasserie Lipp: Steak Tartare, Choucroute Garni.
Café du Ruc: Cheeseburger.
Comptoir: Lobster Salad, Pluma de Porc Iberico, Cochon du Lait, Mustard Potatoes, Tarte Tatin.
Michel Rostang: Black Truffle Sandwich, Foie Gras-Stuffed Pigeon.
Table de Joël Robuchon: Truffle Potato Salad, Pan Tomate, Lamb Chops.

Restaurant Picks: BLT Fish, Burger & Beer Joint (Miami), Cabrito, Comptoir (Paris), EN Japanese Brasserie, Faustina, Hakkasan (Miami), La Sandwicherie (Miami), Maialino, Mari Vanna, Michel Rostang (Paris), Minetta Tavern, Suenos, Sushi Zen, This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef.

Biggest Letdowns: Colicchio & Sons, Crema, Helene Darroze (Paris), Mr. Chow (Miami), Rye House.

SoBe Wine & Food Festival

Burger Bash: Good Stuff Eatery’s Farmhouse Bacon Cheeseburger, B Spot’s Fat Doug Burger.
BubbleQ: Lonesome Dove Western Bistro’s Lamb Belly BLT with Warm Potato Salad, Restaurant August’s Vietnamese Po’ Boy with Roast Suckling Pig.
Best of the Best: Morimoto’s Glazed Pork Kakuni with Congee, Beast’s Foie Gras Bon-Bon with Quince-Champagne Gelée and Cracked Pepper Shortbread.
Dim Sum & Disco: o ya’s Sushi, Tropical Chinese Restaurant’s Pan-Fried Leek Dumpling and Taro Shrimp Patty, The Setai’s Crisp Fried Kurabuto Pork Belly.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 77
Number of restaurants: 56
Number of dishes: 472

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

Always Hungry: Best of January

Jeff Zalaznick — February 03, 2010

Clockwise from top: Mile End’s Smoked Meat Sandwich, Maialino’s Amatriciana al Forno, Cochon’s Fried Oyster and Bacon Sandwich, Café du Monde’s Beignets.

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 January.

The Results:

Best Dishes:

Al Di Là: Farro Salad, Zucca Tortelli.
Babbo: Black Spaghetti, Grilled Pork Chop.
Benihana: Clear Soup, House Salad, Shrimp Appetizer, Hibachi Chateaubriand.
Charlie Mom: Vegetable Dumplings, Young Chow Fried Rice, Ginger Scallion Lobster.
Double Crown: Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup, Endive and Stilton Salad.
Le Caprice: Roast Rib of Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Corned Beef Hash with Double Fried Egg.
Ling Kee: Spicy Pork Jerky.
Ma Pêche: Three Terrine Banh Mi, Rice Noodles and Pork Sausage.
Maialino: Salumi Platter, Cotechino & Pigs Feet, Stracciatella Soup, Fried Artichokes, Veal T-bone, Oxtails, Chicken Diavola, Braised Lamb.
Marea: Crudos, Bone Marrow and Octopus Fusilli, Veal Agnolotti, John Dory.
Mile End: Smoked Meat Sandwich, Ruth Wilensky.
Momofuku Ssäm Bar: Hamachi, Spicy Rice Cakes, BBQ Rib Sandwich, Ribeye.
Prime Meats: Housemade Pretzel, German Brown Trout, Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye, Spaetzle.
Roman’s: Bacon-wrapped Rabbit, Sausage, Parsnips.
Sau Voi: BBQ Pork Banh Mi.
Second Avenue Deli: Roast Beef, Cole Slaw.
Shabu Tatsu: Munchie Salad, Prime Rib Shabu.
Wallse: Duck Breast with Red Cabbage, Creamed Spinach, Potato-Cucumber Salad.
Xi’an Famous Foods: Cumin Lamb Burger.

New Orleans

August: Stuffed Flounder, Trout “Pontchartrain”, Duck and Foie Gras.
Café du Monde: Chickory Coffee, Beignets.
Central Grocery: Original Muffuletta.
Cochon: Oyster & Bacon Sandwich, Mushroom Salad, Oyster Roast, Fried Boudin, Pork Gumbo, Oven Roasted Gulf Fish, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Banana Cream Pie.
Emeril’s: BBQ Shrimp, Warm Mississippi Rabbit Remoulade, Black Spaghetti & Crawfish Meatballs, Gumbo, Homemade Andouille & Boudin Sausages.
Galatoire’s: Oysters Brochette, Trout Amandine.
Saints Superdome: Jambalaya.

Restaurant Picks: Benihana, Charlie Mom, Ma Pêche, Maialino, Marea, Mile End, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Second Avenue Deli, Shabu Tatsu, The Smile, Wallse, Xi’an Famous Foods.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 75
Number of restaurants: 61
Number of dishes: 431

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

Always Hungry: Best of December

Jeff Zalaznick — January 12, 2010

Clockwise, top left: Dim Sum from Hakkasan Miami, Tocqueville’s Uni Carbonara, Blini with Caviar from Mari Vanna, Second Avenue Deli’s Mushroom Barley Soup.

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 December.

The Results:

Best Dishes:

15 East: Sushi & Sashimi Omakase, Uni & Ikura Soba, Homemade Ankimo, Uni Carbonara.
Georgia’s Eastside BBQ: Signature Slow-Cooked Ribs, Fried Chicken Dinner.
Second Avenue Deli: Matzoh Ball Soup, Mushroom Barley Soup, Gribenes.
Locanda Verde: Fritto Misto, Steak Tartare Piedmontese, Ribeye Steak for Two.
Barney Greengrass: N.E.O. on Toasted Everything w/ Sturgeon & Nova.
Del Posto: Carne Cruda with White Truffles.
Bohemian: Ice Bucket of Oysters, Steak.
Momofuku Noodle Bar: Pork Bun, Fried Clam Bun, Momofuku Ramen.
Chinatown Brasserie: Shrimp Dumplings, Sautéed Whole Lobster with Ginger, Roast Pork Tenderloin.
Doughnut Plant: Creme Brûlée, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Coconut Creme Doughnuts.
Town Hall Deli (Millburn, NJ): Turkey & Ham Sloppy Joe, Ham & Roast Beef Sloppy Joe.
Tandoor (Rego Park): Beef Kebab.
Mari Vanna: Veal Dumplings, Borscht with Pampushka, Beef Stroganoff with Buckwheat Kasha.

Miami:

Prime Italian: Prime 112 Chopped Salad, Ricotta and Sausage Stuffed Meatball.
Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant: Coconut Spinach, Goat Stew.
Asia de Cuba: Banana Split.
Joe’s Stone Crab: Chopped Salad, Jumbo Claws, Hashed Browns, Key Lime Pie.
Hakkasan: Dim Sum, Ribs, Grilled Dumplings,Hot & Sour Soup, Stir-Fry Lobster.

Grand Cayman:

Blue by Eric Ripert: Shrimp Salad, Conch Ceviche, Tuna Tartare, Salt Cod, Cobia.
Ray Ray’s Jerk Stand: Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Ribs.

Bownsville, Texas:

Rudolph’s BBQ: Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, Chicken.

Aspen:

Montagna (Aspen): Tortilla Soup, Cobb Salad, Avalanche Grilled Cheese
Ajax Tavern: “Double Double” Cheeseburger.
Matsuhisa: Adam Roll, Scallop & Jalapeño Salsa, Shrimp & Caviar, Toro Toban, Sea Bass & Truffle.
Il Mulino (Aspen): Spaghettini alla Vongole, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lamb Chops.
Tsar Nicolai Select Estate Caviar, Smoked Salmon, Potato Pancakes.

Restaurant Picks: Georgia’s Eastside BBQ, Locanda Verde, Momofuku Noodle Bar, Mari Vanna, Koronet Pizzeria, Bohemian, Second Avenue Deli.

AlwaysTraveling:

• Miami: Versailles, Hakkasan, Joe’s Stone Crab, Scarpetta, Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant.
• Grand Cayman Islands: Blue by Eric Ripert, Ray Ray.
• Aspen: Montagna, Ajax Tavern, Il Mulino, Matsuhisa, Piñons.

The Numbers:

Number of meals: 91
Number of restaurants: 62
Number of dishes: 483

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

Always Hungry: The Restaurant List

Jeff Zalaznick — January 05, 2010

Dishes from The Always Hungry Restaurant List.

If I had to choose, what restaurants would I take with me into 2010? Off the top of my head, what places do I know that I will choose to return to in the coming year? These are the questions that I asked myself as I thought about this year’s restaurant list. As I made the list, I have made sure that it not only reflects what restaurants to go to, but that it also lets you know exactly what to eat when you get there. As always, our goal is to arm readers with the information that they will need in order to have the best eating experiences possible. This list is a guide to a slice of the Always Hungry life. It is a roundup that will help you unleash your inner fat kid to the fullest in the New Year. If you have not tasted all of the dishes mentioned below, then you have a lot of work to do, but if you start now, you have a whole year to make it happen. So, without further ado, I present The Always Hungry Restaurant List: A Strategic Guide To New York Eating. Keep this close in 2010, and it will ensure that you Never Eat An Insignificant Meal Again.

Click Here For The Always Hungry Restaurant List >>

Best of 2009: Trends and 2010 Predictions

Jeff Zalaznick — December 23, 2009

It’s that time of year again. Time for reflection and prediction. As we leave the aughts behind, we look back at the trends that changed New York City’s food landscape in 2009 and ponder what’s in store for 2010. We are going to take a positive spin: those that we hope will remain and those we eagerly anticipate.

TRENDS 2009

1. Best Steaks, Not From a Steakhouse New York has always been known for our steakhouses, but this year the best meat was ripped from the house’s hands and put into the control of some of the city’s best restaurants. Much of this loosened grip has to do with the all-star quality and distribution ability of Pat LaFrieda (watch video). Though I love me a Porterhouse at Peter Luger’s, a Rib-eye at Strip House and a Double Eagle Strip at Del Frisco’s, they have been surpassed by the Côte de Boeuf at Minetta Tavern, the Rib-eye for Two at Locanda Verde, the Strip at Marea. The list goes on and on. It was also the year that the bone in rib-eye finally rose up to overtake the porterhouse as King of all Steaks. It was only a matter of time. This is a major advancement across the board.

2. Haute Dogs The hot dog went gourmet and I am not complaining. Crif Dogs has been doing impressive things with the genre for a while now (though their new usage of “everything bagel spice” is very exciting), but restaurants like DBGB, Fatty Crab UWS and Cabrito are jumping into the mix with some seriously delicious contenders. This is one that I think will continue to grow in the next year.

3. Omnipresent Octopus Seriously, think about every restaurant you’ve visited lately and ask yourself if there was octopus on the menu. I guarantee that more often than not, no matter the cuisine or price-range, this cephalopod was probably present. And why not? It’s economical to serve, and recently, the average rendition is fabulous. I am so happy that chefs have finally learned how to prepare it so well, leaving the chewy childhood memories behind. Also, keep an eye out for sweetbreads, I think that they are starting to fall into the same category.

PREDICTIONS 2010

1. Artisanal Italian beer everywhere.
2. Large-format alternative (not steak or chicken) proteins for two.
3. Lamb belly becomes the new pork belly.
4. Italian Small Plate (aka “Stuzzichini”) Restaurants
5. Brain is the hot new Offal
6. Mexican Infusion: Fusion Cuisine and Sandwich Revolution.

Best of 2009: Cocktails

December 23, 2009

The Mint Julep at Back Forty.

As we remember this roller coaster year, it is important to note the bevy of cocktails that helped celebrate the highs and forget about the lows. There is no question that many of the best are being made in some of our favorite restaurants. Marea made a delicious “Diplomat” that involved the classiest of barside pyrotechnics and the perfect touch of Amaro. Amaro was everywhere, in cocktails out of cocktails, on the rocks, after dinner. Gin became the new vodka, and a Negroni was the thing to drink. The cocktail programs at barMasa, Stone Barns, Yerba Buena, Fatty Crab and Minetta Tavern were consistently impressive. The pineapple flavored vodka at Mari Vanna was a revelation. Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka changed lives.

We have nominated the AlwaysHungry Cocktail of 2009: Remember the Maine. It is the poignant revival of a historic cocktail named for a phrase, “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!” which was popularized after the 1898 sinking of the USS Maine, an event that precipitated the Spanish–American War. The cocktail is the perfect balance of strong, bitter and sweet. It revived our passion for mixology. We would like to make a toast to Remember the Maine! This is a fabulous cocktail (right) to make on New Year’s Eve night to help you battle the cold and help you forget whatever bad decisions you end up making. The ingredients and the straightforward recipe: 2 oz. Rittenhouse Rye or Wild Turkey Rye, ¾ oz. Punt y Mes, ¼ oz. Cherry Heering, Absinthe. Chill, strain and stir in an absinthe-rinsed (½ tsp) glass.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, here is a slideshow of some of our best sips of 2009 (memorable enough to make it through the haze of our drink-induced stupors—so they must be really good).

Best of 2009: New Restaurants

December 21, 2009

By row, left to right: Locanda Verde’s Chicken for Two, Marea’s Spaghetti with Crab & Uni, and The Breslin’s Thrice Cooked Chips. 2nd Row: The Standard Grill’s Rock Shrimp & Iberico Hash, Minetta Tavern’s Côte de Boeuf, and DBGB’s Yankee Burger. 3rd Row: Kesté‘s Pomodorini e Provola Pizza, Fatty Crab’s Fatty Sliders, and Vinegar Hill House’s Red Wattle Pork Chop.

Here are our picks for the nine best new restaurants to enter the New York food landscape in 2009. If you want to know what to eat when you get there, go to the restaurant pages for AlwaysHungry’s recommended dishes.

BEST NEW RESTAURANTS OF 2009

1. Marea. Michael White is king. The Octopus & Bone Marrow Pasta says it all.

2. Locanda Verde. The valiant return of Andrew Carmellini. Incredible vibe for any occasion.

3. Minetta Tavern. McNally’s greatest hit. Proving supercool can taste good too.

4. The Breslin Bar & Dining Room. A new scene for the food scene. French Fries. Late nights.

5. DBGB Kitchen & Bar. Something for everyone. Great space. Great sausages.

6. Vinegar Hill House. Re-invinegarated a neighborhood with the Red Wattle Pork Chop.

7. Kesté Pizza & Vino. The best of the new artisanal pizza contenders.

8. Fatty Crab UWS. Taking a risk with heat, spice and fat on the UWS.

9. The Standard Grill. Without a doubt, the best party in town.