First Look: US Open Eats
Arthur Bovino — August 23, 2010
From left: Moon ‘n Doggies Shrimp Hot Dog, Char-grilled Ahi Tuna with Pickled Ginger and Mango Salsa, and Prime Rib Sandwich with White Cheddar and Horseradish Cream.
The US Open qualifying starts tomorrow through Friday, August 27th, before the main draw on Sunday. Courtesy of a tasting preview earlier today we have a first look at the food in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center that will be served through September 12th.
Michael Lockard has returned for a fourth year as the Open’s executive chef. But, several other well-known chefs are participating. Masaharu Morimoto’s sushi will be being served, and the new South Plaza Master Chef Café will feature food by: Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia), Susan Feniger (Street), Carmen Gonzalez, Rick Moonen (RM Seafood), and Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto).
Included for your pre, post, rain delay, and inter-match eating, is a preview of the café and restaurant dishes as well as the menus of for the kiosks in the Food Village. For more food details from the US Open check out the official venue descriptions.
AlwaysPartying: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Maryse Chevrière — July 04, 2010
Winner Joey Chestnut raises his fist in victory.
Well, folks, it’s official. Joey Chestnut has eaten more hot dogs than any other one person will this 4th of July. 54 in ten minutes, to be exact.
At the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this afternoon, the American favorite clinched his fourth consecutive win, edging out Tim “Eater X” Janus and Pat Bertoletti, who took second and third respectively. The result wasn’t quite near the record-breaking 70 hot dogs Chestnut had hoped to eat (he consumed 68 last year)— blame perhaps the beating sun and 95 degree heat for that.
More from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest >>
AlwaysPartying: Happy 4th of July!
Maryse Chevrière — July 02, 2010
Patriotic Cupcake Flag from Baked by Melissa.
Freedom! Fireworks! Independence! Sure the 4th of July is all about celebrating our soverignty, but it’s also about spending time with friends and family with lots of good food. Consider, according to the Census, 76 million Americans said they took part in a barbecue in 2009. And supposedly, in this week leading up to July 4th we’ll have bought 700 million pounds of chicken, 190 million pounds of red meat and pork, and about 63.5 million cases of beer. Head swimming yet? We figure to eat 150 million hot dogs this holiday, a few of them at the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
From left: Pork Ribs from Checkered Pig at the 2010 BABBP, Melone cocktail from A Voce, Cheeseburger from All-American.
If you’re still strategizing your holiday weekend food plans, here are a few things to consider:
- To get you in the grilling spirit, review Always Hungry’s regional hot dog and BBQ primers. And if you need an extra helping of ‘cue, revisit Always Hungry’s coverage of the 2010 and 2009 Big Apple Barbecue Block Party events. You can also check out some burger porn, and if you’re near Massapequa and feeling like a real patriot, visit All-American for a cheeseburger.
- Because a good backyard barbecue is nothing without refreshments, try Always Hungry’s fantastic Secret Sangria recipe or A Voce’s recipes for vodka infusion cocktails at your party this year. Of course, you could also draw inspiration from Pulino’s appropriately named Limoncello Sparkler or Pocha 32’s Watermelon Soju.
- Don’t forget, as suggested last year, you’ll have to order your Baked by Melissa Cupcake Flag (pictured above) by Saturday if you want to show off your patriotism with one of their epic Red Velvet, Vanilla, and Blueberry cupcake displays (150 to 630 cupcakes, $105.00-$409.50).
AlwaysTraveling: Haute Dog at Umami Burger (Los Angeles)
Arthur Bovino — June 08, 2010
The Umami Dog at Umami Burger on La Brea in Los Angeles, California.
Restaurant: Umami Burger
Address: 850 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00am-10:00pm; Sun, 11:00am-9:00pm.
Contact: (323)931-3000
Grade: B
Recommended Dishes: Umami Burger, Tempura Onion Rings.
You don’t go usually go to a burger joint for a hot dog, but when the staff says something has only been on the menu for two days you know the move: get both. That’s what happened recently in Los Angeles at the Umami Burger on LaBrea, where a visit meant an obligatory Umami Burger was eaten with the joint’s special, their Umami Dog.
If you haven’t heard about Umami Burger, it’s a chic, but comfortable, high-brow burger concept by Adam Fleischman— four joints that focus on making burgers that emphasize umami. Supposedly, Fleischman’s goal was to recreate the “craving he gets for his two favorite burgers: the In-N-Out Double Double, and The Father’s Office burger.” (Read for a full treatise.).
AlwaysTraveling: Pink’s Hot Dogs (Los Angeles, CA)
Arthur Bovino — June 01, 2010
Clockwise from top: a Bacon Chili Cheese Dog at Pink’s, corner of Melrose and La Brea in Los Angeles.
Restaurant: Pink’s Hot Dogs
Address: 709 North La Brea Ave., LA, CA 90038
Hours: Sun-Thur, 9:30am-2am; Fri-Sat, 9:30am-3:00am.
Contact: (323) 931-4223
Grade: A-
Recommended Dishes: You can’t really lose, whether you start basic (Chili Cheese Dog) or go big (Three Dog Night).
Is there anything about Pink’s that hasn’t been said? Hard to imagine. After all, there’s a perpetual line, the walls are covered with autographed photos of celebrities, and it has been serving customers since Paul Pink started his pushcart in 1939. It has been lauded by no less than Johnny Apple and Ruth Reichl. Describing Pink’s is like explaining a bagel to a New Yorker— you don’t do it. But, Pink’s is a pilgrimage, so this is more celebration than revelation.
Featured Brunch: Braeburn
Maryse Chevrière — April 30, 2010
Clockwise from top: Braeburn’s Chicken Fried Steak with Eggs, Gravy and Biscuit. Perry Street Punch.
It’s Sunday, you’re in the West Village looking for a nice neighborhood spot for brunch. Ideally, someplace relaxed, home-style— no reservations required. You’re with a group of your best girlfriends? They can join a few tables together. With kids? Not a problem. Such is the welcoming, laid-back vibe of brunch at Braeburn, chef Brian Bistrong’s contemporary American bistro.
Several options sound compelling: Lobster Knuckle Sandwich, Bourbon French Toast, Grilled Cheddar Sandwich and Tomato Soup. Order the Perry Street Punch to drink as you consider the menu. Made with light and dark rums, and homemade punch, it’s more interesting than your standard Mimosa or Bloody Mary— stronger too. Just make sure to mix it up.
AlwaysTraveling: Dilly’s Corner (Bucks County, PA)
GutterGourmet — April 12, 2010
The Dilly Dog: a 1/4b Hot Dog with Fried Peppers, Onions, and Potatoes on a Toasted Torpedo Roll.
Restaurant: Dilly’s Corner
Address: 2998 River Road, New Hope, PA
Hours: Tue-Sun, 11:00am-6:00pm.
Contact: (215) 862-5333
Grade: B+
Recommended Dishes: Dilly Dog, Curly Cheese Fries, Chocolate Malted.
Dilly’s Corner is on River Road in the heart of Bucks County, not too far from where the father of our country crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve, and surprised some partying Hessians in what was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The Dilly’s Corner sign may not have the same historic significance as Washington’s Crossing, but once you try a Dilly Dog, all other hot dogs will be history.
AlwaysInformed: Lunch at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats
Maryse Chevrière — March 16, 2010
Salt and Pepper Sausage on a Roll.
Those in the environs of Chelsea Market during lunch certainly don’t want for good dining options, the new offerings at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats included among them. The butcher shop, which has been serving lunch for three or four weeks, offers about five sandwiches that change daily (check their site).
A representative noted that every day they try to have two sandwiches and two sausages on the offer (the Beef Chili is a staple). The star of today’s menu? It was a deceptively simple-sounding Salt and Pepper Sausage on a Roll ($9.00). The loose, juicy sausage has a snappy casing, and comes drenched in richly-flavored, sweetish, baked beans with burnt ends. The chewy baguette holds up nicely, and the runny whole grain mustard under the sausage adds a spicy kick. Say hello to the new gourmet chili dog. Toss that tie over your shoulder, hunch over the tray, and get ready to chow down. This is going to get messy.
AlwaysStrong: Bonanza’s (Oyster Bay, Long Island)
Arthur Bovino — March 12, 2010
Bonanza Fries at Bonanza’s in Oyster Bay on Long Island.
Location: Bonanza’s
Address: 25 Shore Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Contact: (516) 922-7796
Hours: Winter, daily, 11:00am-4:00pm; Summer, 11:00am-close (usually around 8:00pm).
Grade: A-
Always Hungry Recommends: Bonanza Dog, Bonanza Fries, and Raspberry and Peach Ices Combined.
Long before the Western, the name Bonanza on Long Island has been associated with homemade Italian ices. Given that Bonanza’s was started by John “Chick” Bonanza 115 years ago, this family-run business almost stretches back to a time when the Old West existed. These days, their little red shack is just as associated with dogs and fries doused with great, messy, piles of dripping chili and cheese. They’re made the way you would have made them for yourself when you were a kid if someone had let you.
Always Hungry: Queens Hot Dog Trucks
GutterGourmet — January 08, 2010
Top, D’Angelos Italian Sausage with peppers and onions. Left, D’Angelos. Right, Angel Bonilla.
Long before the advent of trucks selling gourmet desserts, mini-cupcakes, waffles and even schnitzel, the D’Angelo family was selling life-affirming hot dogs in two very different regional styles alongside St. John’s Cemetery on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. The styles are miles apart in taste profile, but the two different trucks selling them are separated by only several hundred yards. Both were owned by the D’Angelo family, who have been doing this for about 40 years, but the Dominick’s truck was recently sold to a family friend.
Why St. Johns Cemetery? Angel Bonilla, one of the family members who runs the D’Angelos cart, laughed and said, “My uncle started it here many years ago, for no particular reason. He thought it was a good location. It seems to have worked out well for us though.” They’re hoping for similar fortune with their new Huntington location (918 E. Jericho Turnpike), which opened about a year ago.
Continue Reading About Dominick's and D'Angelos Hot Dogs and Sausages >>
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.
AlwaysInformed: Cabrito’s Border Dogs
The Gluttoness — October 23, 2009
From top left, clockwise, Cabrito’s Border Dogs: Sonora Dog, Danger Dog and Lucha Libre Dog.
Cabrito (view) really knows how to use the flat-screen TVs they recently installed. No NY1 on these bad boys— they’re reserved for specialty events like Mexican Lucha Libre, the World Cup, and for now, football. Given Chef David Schuttenberg’s new promotional menu for his football parties, the combination of food and flat-screens may make this your new favorite Sunday hangout, especially if you enjoy eating while watching the game, but are tired of snacking on junk while surrounded by drunken frat boys at sports bars. Schuttenberg’s line of “Border Dogs” coincides with the ongoing hot dog craze, but it was his time in Tucson, Arizona (and a recent NPR article, The Sonoran Hotdog Crosses The Border), which inspired him to recreate the “Mexicanized” Sonora-style dogs.
Schuttenberg balances the Cabrito/Fatty profile (read: spicy/funky) with the regional flavors of Mexico. As per Sonoran custom, the dogs are wrapped in bacon. At Cabrito, Nathan’s (“because they’re New York”) are wrapped in bacon, Fatty ‘Cue’s smoked coriander bacon. Then they’re deep-fried. Rather than the dense, traditional bolio, Schuttenberg uses Martin’s Long Potato Rolls, which he coats in lardo then griddles. Each of the three border dogs ($8.00/each) are distinct. For him, the “Sonora Dog” represents home, the “Danger Dog” is about being a badass, and “Lucha Libre” is pure, artery-clogging gluttony.
AlwaysInformed: Cabrito & Fatty Crab at Mad. Sq. Mark’t
The Hungry Goat — October 15, 2009
Chorizo Tacos by Cabrito and Fatty Crab’s ‘Fatty Dog.’
As Grub Street reported, Madison Square Park has upped its food game with a slew of pop-up vendors. Participants in Mad. Sq. Mark’t (view) include Hill Country, Wafels & Dinges and Ben & Jerry’s, but the real story is the stand shared by Fatty Crab (view) and Cabrito (view).
The Fatty Sliders and Fatty Dog were just as enjoyable as when we had them at the Upper West Side location when Fatty Crab opened, and the chorizo and al carbon tacos will certainly hit the spot if you have a craving (especially since going to Calexico in SoHo is a real time commitment). The stands will be up until November 1st, so if you’re a Flatiron luncher, it’s a must-visit, and surely a faster line situation than Shake Shack. Some pictures follow for your enjoyment.
OnlyLook: Mother Burger
Arthur Bovino — September 30, 2009
Mother Burger’s Bacon Cheeseburger w/Applegate Farms’ Organic Sunday Bacon $8.50.
You know you should be suspicious when servers at a restaurant with ‘burger’ in the name suggest everything except the burger. That happened at Mother Burger (view site) in the plaza behind One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown when we were recently invited for dinner.
The large, open courtyard should be an ideal setting for drawing office coworkers when the whistle blows. Blockheads Burritos co-owners (and brothers), Don and Ken Sofer, must have had a similar thought when they recently signed their 10-year lease. With outdoor seating, $2.00 beer specials, blue skies, recession-friendly prices and hormone-free and organic meats, there’s reason to be hopeful, albeit skeptical when sitting down to the free peanuts.
AlwaysPartying: Food from Brazilian Day Festival 2009
Arthur Bovino — September 08, 2009
How many people attended. Check newspaper article.
The two-day Brazilian Day Festival 2009 celebration this weekend featured a lot of action in Midtown, and Brazilian food was no small part of it. Festivities started on 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas and stretched all the way up to 56th Street. The usual street food fair-vendor suspects were there, the arepas, zeppoles, and gyros. But there was also a solid block on 46th Street between Madison and Sixth Avenue that was almost completely Brazilian food.
Green and yellow, flag-as-cape wearing Brasileiros and festival-goers got a chance to eat some of their favorites from feijoada and açai na tigela to coxinha, acarajé and of course, pão de queijo. AlwaysHungryNY.com attended, hungry and ready to eat, drink and photograph it all.
Pão de queijo, $1/3.
Coxinha, $3.
Kibe ($3/1) a Brazilian-Lebanese street snack consisting of deep-fried meat and bulgur wheat.
Crêpe with Goiaba (Guava) and Pastel de Queijo.
Click Here for more pictures of food from Brazilian Day 2009 >>
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