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

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

AlwaysTraveling: Acme Oyster House (New Orleans, LA)

Jeff Zalaznick — May 28, 2010

In honor of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience we are sharing a little more Big Easy love from our archives…

Crawfish Boil at Acme Oyster House in New Orleans.

Restaurant: Acme Oyster House
Address: 724 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Contact: (504) 522-5973
Hours: Sun-Thur, 11:00am-10:00pm; Fri-Sat, 11:00am-11:00pm.
Grade: C
Recommended Dishes: Oysters, Chargrilled Oysters

Founded in 1910, as Acme Café on Royal Street in the French Quarter, Acme Oyster House relocated nearby to its current location on Iberville after a fire destroyed the saloon in 1924. It has weathered the natural ups and downs you’d expect of a local institution. One of those down periods is actually responsible for Acme’s famous “Waitress available sometimes” neon sign. In the early 80’s, Acme closed at 4:00pm and had just one waitress on staff.

More About Acme Oyster House >>

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 >>

AlwaysTraveling: Johnny’s Po-Boys (New Olreans, LA)

Jeff Zalaznick — May 26, 2010

In honor of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience we are sharing a little more Big Easy love from our archives…

Clockwise from top: Johnny’s Special Po-Boy, Surf and Turf Po-Boy, Big Egg Biscuit.

Restaurant: Johnny’s Po-Boys
Address: 511 Saint Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Contact: (504) 524-8129
Hours: Mon-Thur, 8:30am-3:00pm; Fri-Sun, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Grade: A
Note: Cash only.
Recommended Dishes: Big Egg and Sausage Biscuit, Johnny’s Special Po’ Boy, Surf and Turf Po-Boy.

I have eaten my fair share of Po’ Boys, both in and out of New Orleans, and the ones at Johnny’s are the first that have ever really excited me. They are perfectly proportioned, expertly dressed, and conveniently located in the French Quarter, which is the icing on the cake. The best Po’ Boys that I tasted were the Johnny’s Special (Ham, Roast Beef, American and Swiss Cheeses), and the Surf and Turf (Roast beef and Fried Shrimp). The Big Egg Biscuits are also worth noting as they provide a fabulous breakfast option and a top-notch hangover cure.

More About Johnny's Po-Boys >>

AlwaysTraveling: Mother’s Restaurant (New Orleans, LA)

Jeff Zalaznick — May 26, 2010

In honor of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience we are sharing a little more Big Easy love from our archives…

Famous Ferdi Special Po’Boy at Mother’s Restaurant in New Orleans.

Restaurant: Mother’s Restaurant
Address: 401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
Contact: (504)523-9656
Hours: Mon-Sat, 6:30am-10:00pm; Sun, 7am-10pm
Grade: B-
Recommended Dishes: Famous Ferdi Special Po’Boy, Jerry’s Jambalaya, Black Ham.

Mother’s Restaurant is one of those places whose name actually refers to someone. In this case it’s Mary Landry, who along with her husband, Simon, opened Mother’s to feed longshoremen and laborers in 1938. The Landry’s sons sold the business in 1986 to Jerry and John Amato, and the restaurant is a little tattered with love, but the tradition of the Famous Ferdi Special and its lexicon lives on.

Click for More at Mother's >>

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: 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.

Featured Dish: Ikura & Ankimo at 15 East

Jeff Zalaznick — April 20, 2010

A special dish of Ankimo & Ikura at 15 East.

Everytime I eat at 15 East, Masato Shimizu has the power to blow me away with the freshness of his fish, and the way he straddles the traditional, and the creative in such an elegant fashion. On my last visit he changed the game. He married two of my all-time favorite sushi ingredients, Ankimo (Monkfish Liver) and Ikura (Salmon Roe). Both were perfect examples of the ingredients, and the flavors melded to create a very exciting flavor explosion. How could it be that both Ankimo and Ikura had been in my sushi repertoire for so long and never met? Life-changing.

Continue Reading >>

Trendspotting: Beluga Lentils

Jeff Zalaznick — April 20, 2010

Aromatica Organics’ Black Beluga Lentils, available at Whole Foods.

A Whole Foods employee said they’ve been selling Black Beluga Lentils for years, (a bag of turmeric-smelling dry Black Beluga Lentils goes for $5.39), so they’re not exactly a secret, but they there is no doubt that they are having a moment on the New York restaurant scene.

Vinegar Hill House makes a Beluga Lentil and Foie Gras Presse, Recette is serving them with Branzino and Roasted Parsnip Purée, and they’re at the very top of the menu at Anita Lo’s newly-reopened Annisa. Beluga Lentils have also been showing up regularly in recent restaurant reviews, recipes, and at events. Be on the look out and you too will find the path of Beluga Lentils.

More About Beluga Lentils >>

AlwaysTraveling: minibar (Washington, DC)

Jeff Zalaznick — April 15, 2010

Guacamole at José Andrés’ Minibar in Washington, DC.

Location: Minibar
Address: 405 8th St (2nd floor) NW, Washington, DC
Contact: (202) 393-0812
Hours: There are two seating per night, Tuesday through Saturday, one at 6:00pm, and one at 8:30pm. Closed Sun-Mon.
Grade: A+
Recommended Dishes: Pisco Sour, “Mojito,” Cotton Candy Eel, Zucchini in Textures, Guacamole, Philly Cheesesteak, and S’mores (not that you have a choice).

There is no question that this seat may be the most sought after of any restaurant in America. Then again, there are only six seats, and at the insanely reasonable price of $120 for 30 courses, it is not exactly an even playing field. It is fitting that this gem of creativity is located in DC. The nation’s seat of power is José Andrés’ seat of creativity. After having feasted at Bazaar, it was thrilling to sit at the test kitchen from which all of Andrés’ wonderful creations came. As I previously coined it before, “El Bulli Americana,” there is nothing else like it in the country.

The experience is incredibly special. You sit at a six-seat bar, one chef for every two diners— they are happy to share their knowledge. If you want it to be, the experience can be as educational as it is delicious. It is a sushi bar for experimental cooking, and your itamae speaks perfect English. Of the setting, it is also important to note that you are not set apart from the restaurant. You sit right in the upstairs dining room at Café Atlántico while the rest of the dining room jealously watches you. It is a situation that you do not want to be on the other side of.

Dish by Dish Photos & More at minibar >>

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

Top 5: Matzoh Balls

Jeff Zalaznick — March 29, 2010

An unexpected contender, and a forgotten favorite have finally established a Top 5 Matzoh Ball list.

Last year’s Top 5 quest to find New York’s best matzoh balls, uncovered an amazing and disturbing discovery: some of the City’s supposed best Balls were no longer living up to their reputation. New York had only three contenders. A host of issues sunk classics like Barney Greengrass, Blue Ribbon Bakery, Bubby’s, Carnegie Deli (the worst in class), and 5 Napkin Burger. Most were plagued by underseasoning, and/or bad texture. It was a sad state of affairs for both the City and the Jewish culinary community.

But, the clouds have parted, and in the last year, the addition of an unexpected contender, and the reminder of a forgotten favorite, have finally rounded out a list worthy of exalting this Passover. We have a Matzoh Ball Minion!

Happy Passover! Now go do like the Persians do and smack each other with some scallions!

Click here to find out Always Hungry’s Top 5 Matzoh Ball Soup

Have an idea for a Top 5? We’d love to hear from you. Go to the bottom of a Top 5 page and enter your suggestion into the “Suggest a Top 5” field along with your rankings and your email address.

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.