Lay the S'mac Down

What is there not to love about mac ‘n cheese?! And, more importantly, what is there not to love about a mac ‘n cheese restaurant?!?! Unless you’re lactose intolerant, you have no excuse! Many of you may know the goodness that I am talking about…S’mac. I had heard about this restaurant for years since it opened, but for some reason, never made it there. With my friend in from out of town, we decided to venture down to S’mac in the East Village to meet another friend for lunch.

For whatever reason, mac ‘n cheese is very popular in NYC and is easy to find on menus all around town, whether it’s as a side item or an entire entrée. Most of the time, they are pretty straightforward recipes, varying in the levels of cheesiness and crustiness. But S’mac takes it to an entirely different level. Sure, the basics are there…elbow macaroni and cheese, but that is about where the similarities stop.

The menu features 10 versions of mac ‘n cheese that literally take you around the globe, ranging from Parisienne to Alpine to Mediterranean to good ol’ American. Three sizes are available: Nosh, Major Munch, and Mongo. Let me tell you that this stuff is RICH…so unless you have a very hearty appetite, don’t be fooled by the seemingly small size of the Nosh.

Since I am literally the most indecisive person when it comes to ordering anything at a restaurant, especially one that has multiple varieties of the same thing, I quickly asked my friend if he was interested in sharing anything. We both wanted to be adventurous and try some of the creative mac ‘n cheese varieties, but felt like we couldn’t miss out on the All-American, the more typical version. It's said to be “just the way you remember it as a kid! Nostalgia at its finest.”

We decided to go with our own Nosh and then would split an All-American Nosh. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Mac, with cheddar & American cheeses, boneless chicken pieces, and buffalo wing sauce, with the option to have it topped it off with crumbled blue cheese. It was so good, so rich, so cheesy, so spicy, and really tasted just like buffalo chicken…but with noodles! My friend got the Alpine, with gruyere and slab bacon, and really enjoyed the flavor. The All-American was phenomenal. It tasted how you expect mac ‘n cheese should taste, but turned up a few notches! And so fresh, right out of the oven with a nice crust on top. Our other friend got the La Mancha, but in the Major Munch size. She ate maybe 1/3rd of it! We helped her out a little, mainly because I wanted to be able to sample 4 varieties. This was probably the biggest departure from the traditional mac ‘n cheese, using manchego cheese with fennel and shallots.

If you’re thinking “holy crap” at this point, I’m right there with you! There was no way we were finishing all of this. Good news, we clearly weren't the only ones to have this problem. They have take-out containers sitting out so you can bring home the leftovers. And, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it reheated. For the health-conscious (although I'm not sure why these people would even be going to S'mac!), there are multi-grain and gluten-free pasta options available for every dish.

This is definitely not the type of restaurant I could dine at on a regular basis (way too rich!), but for a special treat, it is definitely worth getting a little s'mac-ed around!

S'mac
345 East 12th Street
b/t 1st & 2nd Avenue
website
Menu Pages listing

One Strike for Moonstruck

I’ve mentioned in the past how there are two types of brunch restaurants…the greasy spoon and the fancier, and usually healthier, spot. Long overdue, I finally made it to a greasy spoon. It was the morning after my birthday celebration, and suffice it to say, the grease was much needed…as was a lot of water and a Diet Coke!

After trying to go to another place in the East Village that turned out to be Indian (not the most appetizing at this hour…if ever), we ended up at Moonstruck on 2nd. I have been to all of the other Moonstruck Diners, most of them located in Murray Hill. So, this one was a nice compromise…I knew exactly what to expect, but it was also a change of scenery.

Despite a usual Sunday brunch rush, the restaurant wasn’t too packed, and we were seated right away…next to floor-to-ceiling windows, which was as a great treat since it was such a nice day. Waters arrived very quickly, as did our waiter. I usually am not a creature of habit, but for some reason, when I’m at Moonstruck, I always order the same thing. And, this time was no different. I got a feta omelette with French fries and whole wheat toast. My friend ordered eggs benedict, plus spinach, minus Canadian bacon.

Unfortunately, our waiter goofed, so the food took a really long time to come out. He was very apologetic, so I let it slide…this time! The omelette hit the spot, but I was disappointed by the fries. They were very hot, so at least they hadn’t been sitting around too long. But, they were extremely undercooked and borderline soggy. I usually really like Moonstruck’s fries, but after waiting for so long for our food, I didn’t want to bother sending them back. My friend really liked the eggs benedict, and was happy that they were accommodating with the substitutions.

Moonstruck serves its purpose well, but doesn’t go above and beyond by any means. If you’re looking for a great atmosphere and interesting dishes, skip this place. But, if you’re looking for a straightforward breakfast/brunch meal with a very extensive menu, then definitely give Moonstruck a shot.


Moonstruck on 2nd
88 2nd Avenue
@ 5th Street
Menu Pages listing

See Clearly at the Blind Pig

There are almost as many sports bars in NYC as there are restaurants. Almost. So, when it came time to pick a bar to watch the first few days/nights of the NCAA tournament, my friends and I had plenty of options. We wanted to find a bar that had a ton of TVs, big tables where we could camp out to watch the games, and order food and drinks.

We decided on Blind Pig on 14th Street, and it was a great pick. It felt like I was back at a college bar, and to watch college basketball games, it made a really fun, lively atmosphere. We got a table that seated 8 pretty comfortably. There were probably 8 big screen TVs, so all of the games were in easy view.

I was there around dinner time, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try Blind Pig's food. The menu was surprisingly extensive for a bar. It had all of the expected bar foods...wings, nachos, burgers, etc. But, they also had things like chili, ribs, and filet of sole. I wasn't feeling that daring. I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap, which came with waffle fries and a pickle. The flavor of the buffalo sauce was really good...had a good kick, but not too hot. It didn't have tomatoes in it, which I loved. The blue cheese came on the side, so it was nice that the wrap wasn't doused in it. And to round it out, the waffle fries were seasoned and crispy. I love all fries, but I definitely think waffle fries are my favorite variety.

Even though my alma mater lost in the first round that night, it was still a really fun night...made even better by good friends, good food, and good beer.

Blind Pig
233 East 14th Street
b/t 2nd & 3rd Avenue
website
Menu Pages listing

East Village Food Adventure - Part 5

Our last stop on the tour was Cecel Crepe Café, and despite the fact that I was well past the point of “full,” I can always find a little extra room for anything crepe or Nutella-related. These two items, especially when served together, hold a very special place in my heart…and my stomach.

It wasn’t until I spent a semester in Paris during college that I discovered the heaven-sent chocolate hazelnut spread known as Nutella. I’m embarrassed (or maybe proud) to admit that I had at least one Nutella crepe each week, sometimes for a snack, sometimes late-night, and always delicious.

So, I like to consider myself a true, knowledgeable crepe connoisseur. This is not to say I could make them on my own (I wish!) because it definitely takes a large round griddle and a very steady hand. But, after watching crepes being made countless times, I saw how much batter should be poured, how much Nutella should be spread (while the crepe is still on the griddle so the Nutella can melt), and how the crepes should be folded.

What better way to round out a fantastic food adventure than with dessert, right? Wrong. Unfortunately. It wasn't soon after NYC Food Guy and Miss Menu arrived at Cecel Crepe Cafe that I realized our food adventure wasn't going to end on the high note we had hoped for. I ordered a small crepe with just Nutella. Simple enough, right?

Somehow, the "chef" managed to mess it up in every way possible. He didn't put enough batter onto the griddle, which made the crepe itself really flimsy. He put refrigerated cream onto it, which made what should be a hot crepe very cold. Then, when he went to put on the Nutella, instead of opening up a jar, he took out a squeeze bottle and squirted imitation, watered-down "hazelnut spread" onto the crepe. The end result was a mushy, cold, terrible excuse for a crepe. I know this may sound harsh, but I think it's time for the chef/owner should try to find a new calling.

There are plenty of great crepes places in NYC, so I'll definitely be planning an outing soon to satisfy my Nutella crepe craving. All in all, this East Village food adventure was a huge success. I was able to try a lot of new places and new foods, all for under $25. Stay tuned for the next food adventure!

Cecel Crepe Cafe
135 1st Avenue
b/t St. Marks Place & 9th Street
Menu Pages listing

East Village Food Adventure - Part 4

The next stop on the cheap eats East Village food tour was the one I was looking most forward to before we started this whole thing. Since I don’t eat red meat or pork, my hot dog intake is pretty limited to an occasional turkey hot dog during a summer BBQ. I feel like I miss out on the whole hot dog culture in NYC…eating them at a Yankees game, Coney Island, or the famous Grey’s Papaya. So, I was really excited to learn that, at Crif Dogs, all of their creative hot dog concoctions are available for both their deep-fried beef franks as well as veggie dogs.

I stared at the menu board debating what to order. My brother works at a family friend’s Chicago-style hot dog shop in Atlanta when he’s home from college. He’s a huge foodie and would always tell us about the crazy combos of condiments and fixin’s he’d come up with when it was slow at work. So, I was prepared for some insane combinations, but Crif Dogs takes it to a whole new level. After deciding I couldn’t stomach a fried egg, avocado, or cream cheese on my veggie dog at this juncture, I decided to go with the veggie corn dog.

I have no clue why I was imaging it to look like frozen corn dogs that were served in my elementary school. But, when they called our name, my jaw dropped. This thing looked like a mini football with a wooden stick at one end. The batter had a great taste, only problem was it wasn’t fried long enough, so the inside of it was still a little soggy. The veggie dog itself tasted pretty good, but probably could have stood another few minutes in the fryer as well.

Ok, so I was a little disappointed. But, there was something else at our table that I knew would turn my frown upside down…TATER TOTS!!! I’ve only seen them served at one other place in NYC, at Big Daddy’s Diner. Needless to say, nothing bad can come of tater tots. That, combined with a fountain orange soda, arcade games, and great music, and there I was like a kid in a candy store.

NYC Food Guy went with the Chihuahua dog, and seemed to like it a lot. Think bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with sour cream and avocado. I may have to experiment with that one veggie-style on my next trip to Crif Dogs. But, with the way I was feeling after walking out of that place, it may be a while before that happens! A much-needed breather in Tompkins Square park was in order before moving on to the next and final spot.

Crif Dogs
113 St. Marks Place
b/t Avenue A & 1st Avenue
Menu Pages listing

East Village Food Adventure - Part 3

We continued across 14th Street, and I was beginning to have second thoughts. I was already starting to feel pretty full, but knew I had to continue on. No pain, no gain, right?! Next up was Vinny Vincenz…what I thought would be your run-of-the-mill pizza joint, but turned out to be something a little more special than that. Plastered on the front windows was review after review about Vinny’s self-proclaimed specialty – the Sicilian slice.

In full disclosure, I have to be upfront and say that growing up in the South, the closest I came to eating Sicilian pizza was Pizza Hut’s pan pizza. Now that I’ve been in New York for a few years, my Sicilian experiences have been less than thrilling. All that bread, so little sauce and cheese…not my thing.

After having a fresh slice of a Vinny Vincenz Sicilian pie, I think I may finally understand its appeal. The dough was light and airy, and not too thick. The sauce had a nice, sweet flavor, and there was enough cheese to make a cheese-lover like me happy. Nine times out of ten, I’m going to stick with a regular pizza. But, it’s good to know that there’s Sicilian out there that I enjoy too.

Miss Menu had an interesting observation – Since not all slices are created equal in a Sicilian pie, one can request which specific slice they want from the pan. Some people love the corners with two edges of crust. Others love the middle pieces with no crust at all. Not knowing my preference, I went with a 1-crust edge piece. I have decided that’s my favorite…a crust to serve as a handle, and three sides covered in deliciousness.

I ended up only eating about half the slice to save room for the rest of the adventure…but even that didn’t help enough. I had to sit Stop 4 out…the Mexican grocery Zaragoza. No way was spicy Mexican going to sit well right now! Hoping this breather would leave me feeling better, we continued on down the list. I was excited for the next stop…Crif Dogs!

Vinny Vincenz
231 First Avenue
b/t 13th & 14th Streets
website
Menu Pages listing

East Village Food Adventure - Part 2

The second stop was at Thai Me Up, and turned out to be my favorite of the whole food adventure. I’m not so sure I would have walked into this place without a little reinforcement from NYC Food Guy because I truly did not get the concept of Thai food served on a sandwich But, Thai Me Up’s Black Pearl sandwich had received some fabulous reviews and was a “must-try” for this outing. It did anything but disappoint.

But let me back up a second here. Before I get into the sandwich itself, I think a little background on this restaurant is much deserved. Hailing from Jerusalem, the owner Amir is the first (at least that Miss Menu has seen) to bring this concept to New York…one that is apparently almost as popular in Israel as falafel. He was very proud to tell us about his store and the quality of its products. He even walked us through the cooking process and helped us figure out how and what to order.

Seven vegetables (mushrooms, peppers, corn, cabbage, snow peas, carrots, and broccoli) are steamed using only water. No oil used = guilt-free goodness!

Step 1 – Choose a sandwich or noodle/rice bowl. If you choose the sandwich, Amir will even inform you that the baguette is served “scooped out,” basically the outer, crunchy shell is left and the soft white bread is tossed. This acts as a great serving device. Unfortunately, that doesn’t prevent it from being very messy!
Step 2 – Pick your protein: chicken, tofu, or beef…or just stick with veggie
Step 3 – Select a sauce: Black Pearl, White Ginger, or Pine Grand (Amir said that they are listed in order of his preference and of popularity)
Step 4 – Add additional toppings/condiments: Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo mix

The result is pure magic. The Black Pearl sandwich was almost too good for words. I was surprised how well Thai/Asian flavors worked with the French baguette. The Black Pearl sauce itself was delicious…”the bbq sauce of Asia,” as it’s been coined. And the mayo mix added a great additional layer of flavor.

I have already started recommending Thai Me Up to friends, and cannot wait to go back. Hard to go wrong with great taste, great value, and a great owner who really cares about his product. An additional perk is that it’s open until midnight, and they are considering staying open later on the weekends to appeal to the late night/post bar crowd. If you are ever on your way to Chickpea or on 14th Street for any other reason, definitely stop in and give Thai Me Up a chance. I promise you will leave very satisfied!

Two down, and how many more to go?!

Thai Me Up
238 East 14th Street
b/t 2nd & 3rd Avenue
Menu Pages listing

East Village Food Adventure - Part 1

As the saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” And, that certainly was true when it came to the East Village food adventure that I went on with NYC Food Guy on Sunday. Usually, when I’m dining out with my friends, I’m the only one truly analyzing a restaurant…its food, its atmosphere, its inner-workings. That’s part of what made Sunday so fun (obviously the food didn’t hurt!). I had someone there to share in the commentary and offer another critical eye (well, two).

We set out from 14th & 3rd with only a few simple rules:
1 - The meal had to be under $10 per person
2 - There could be no wait staff, just counter service
3 - Continue on the adventure until you feel sick

With a massive list and a map in hand, we set out. First stop was Vanessa’s Dumplings. The menu consisted mostly of fried or steamed dumplings, sushi, and their house specialty, sesame pancake sandwiches. My pork-less diet eliminated a good amount of menu items, but NYC Food Guy was willing to humor me.

Ordering the namesake dumplings was a no-brainer, and having not had a sesame pancake before, we had to go with that as well. The steamed vegetable dumplings were really tasty. They were made fresh and actually had visible vegetables inside, not the mushy mixture often found in fast food dumplings. The sesame pancake was a pleasant surprise. Not sure what to expect, I really enjoyed the texture and the flavor of the pancake itself, which wasn’t too heavy on the sesame. Carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and bean sprouts served as the “meat” of the sandwich, and was mixed with an Asian vinaigrette of sorts.

Off to a great start. If you’re in the Union Square area, Vanessa’s Dumplings is a great spot for a quick, cheap Japanese fix. The day was young, but we wasted no time…next stop, here we come!

Vanessa's Dumplings
220 East 14th Street
b/t 2nd & 3rd Avenue
Menu Pages listing

Babar's Paradise

When I went to the website for The Elephant, it struck me that French and Thai is an unusual fusion for a restaurant to try to pull off. And to be honest, I left the restaurant without really noticing anything "French" about it, with the exception of a picture near the bar of Babar, the famous French cartoon elephant. If anything, it had a bit of a Latin American feel. But regardless of what the restaurant was going for vs. what they actually turn out, I really liked The Elephant.

The restaurant was pretty empty when I got there...but then again, it was 7pm on a Sunday. So I noticed that the space was smaller, but didn't get the sense that it was cramped. That all changed by the end of the meal. The dining area was filling up, the bar area was packed, and the tables were so cramped (literally zero space between tables) that to get into the booth side, they host had to pull out the entire table into the walkway, and then push it back in. Luckily I was sitting at a single table in the middle of the restaurant. But in that spot, I accidentally kicked the waitress and host when I crossed my legs. Oops!

Ok, enough complaining...moving onto the fun stuff: the food. Actually, drinks first. I mentioned how the restaurant felt a little Latin American to me. I think it was a combo of the chili pepper lights hanging and the sangria that I ordered. The sangria was really good...not too sweet, and very refreshing. They also have a very extensive and creative cocktail list, which is my guess as to why the bar area was so busy.

The menu is pretty large. As a non-pork eater, I was a bit discouraged at first glance when I noticed a lot of the dishes contained pork. Then I was happy to see a lot of different options for vegetarians, meat lovers, and those who fall somewhere in the middle (like me!).

Unbeknownst to me, I ordered the dish that everyone on every restaurant review raves about...the Moo Shu. It was served in a large (almost too large for the table, but I'll let it slide because it was so good) mixing bowl resembling a wok. Rather than being served in the more traditional manner with everything already mixed together, the ingredients came separated, so you could make each wrap to your liking.

The chicken had a great flavor and was cooked perfectly. There was an interesting Asian coleslaw made of cabbage, edamame, and some other greens. There was a section of bean sprouts, as well as red onions and carrots. Three sauces were also served...my favorite was the hoisin sauce, along with a chili paste and a spicy citrus sauce. You also have the option of making a wrap in a pancake (much like a tortilla) or in a large piece of lettuce. Both taste great, and are equally messy to eat. So prepare to get your hands dirty!

I also had some of my friend's pad thai. While it was pretty spicy, it lacked in flavor. I know pad thai shoudn't be swimming in sauce, but it was a little on the dry side. Maybe I just need to expand my pad thai knowledge before I totally pass judgment!

Overall, it was a fun experience. The atmosphere (while crowded) was lively, the food was really good, and the service was attentive. I could definitely see The Elephant becoming part of my stomping grounds!

The Elephant
58 East 1st Street
b/t 1st & 2nd Avenue
website
Menu Pages listing

Long Live Death & Co.

Rules are meant to be broken, right?! Ok, good. So, I am going to break my rule of only writing about restaurants on Miss Menu...and tell you about my experience at the coolest bar in New York City. Hope you'll let slide just this once. I felt like this was especially fittinig for the type of lounge I went to last night.

I've walked past Death & Co.'s inconspicuous E. 6th St. door dozens of times, but, I never knew what was on the other side. Walking in, it immediately feels as if you've entered somewhere illicit. That is the exact experience that Death & Co. was hoping for. Named after a Prohibition era anti-drinking propaganda movement, the dark wood and white chandelier decor of this lounge is reminiscent of an old-fashioned speakeasy.

Standing room isn't allowed, and tables require a reservation, so luckily I was able to get a spot at the bar. This was definitely the best seat in the house. The mixologist Philip Ward is unlike any I've ever seen. He not only pours well-made mixed drinks and aged wines and liquors, he will also custom create cocktails based on your personal perferences. I told him I liked vodka. He asked if I liked citrus. And, off to work he went.

So, when he served me a girly, fruity cocktail made with gin, I definitely winced. But, I trusted his judgement (how could you not with such a great reputation!), and was blown away. The two people next to me thought my drink sounded so great that they ended up ordering it too. Top notch gin, muddled raspberries, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and sugar. Good to the last drop! I will definitely be back soon to see what other concoctions Philip comes up with. Hopefully, the Death & Co. era is far from over.

Death & Co
433 East 6th Street
b/t 1st Avenue & Avenue A
website
Eater.com's review