Sunday, February 18, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Dumpling Houses
Year of the dumpling
By Vera Haller amNewYork Editor in Chief
Feb 15, 2007
With celebrations of the Chinese New Year in full swing this week, what better way to get into the spirit of the holiday than by getting out and taste-testing some delicious dumplings. Most New Yorkers have a favorite place they go to for their fix of these tasty meat- or vegetable- filled morsels. Here are a few of ours:
Mandoo Bar 2 W. 32nd St.
212-279-3075
This Korea town mainstay often stops pedestrians in their tracks because the big, plate-glass windows offer mesmerizing views of workers rolling out dough and stuffing dumpling after dumpling. Once inside, the dining room is inviting with modern, wooden booths, but it’s often crowded. Be sure to try the mool mandoo, filled with pork and vegetables (10 for $6.99). Kids like the baby mandoo, a plate of 16 bite-sized dumplings for $5.99.
Dumpling House 118 Eldridge St.
212-625-8008
Not much more than a hole in the wall, this establishment on the fringes of the Lower East Side and Chinatown is nonetheless a popular stopping-off point for an inexpensive meal. More often than not, a line of people waiting to order (five dumplings for $1) winds down Eldridge Street. Seating is limited. Most customers take their food to go.
Lau Bei Fang Dumpling House 86-08 Whitney Ave., Elmhurst, Queens
718-639-3996
This restaurant is also a no-frills experience, but worth a trip to Elmhurst. Patrons sit at tables with Formica tops, and the dumplings (four for $1) are served in Styrofoam containers whether you’re eating in or taking out. The fried dumplings — juicy and flavorful — are fished out of a big silver vat and served hot and steaming. Also try the soups with hand-pulled noodles.
Rickshaw Dumpling Bar 61 W. 23rd St.
212-924-9220
This relatively new addition to the dumpling scene fills a void in the Flatiron district. In addition to the usual pork and vegetable varieties, Rickshaw also has dumplings filled with Peking duck and Szechuan chicken. They sell for six for $4.95 or nine for $6.95. For something sweet, try the chocolate dumplings.
Joe’s Shanghai 9 Pell St.
212-233-8888
This bustling Chinatown restaurant has a following for its so-called soup dumplings. These delicacies, which are popular with crabmeat or pork, are the reverse of, say, won ton soup. Instead of serving the dumplings in broth, the broth is cooked inside the dumplings. The soup dumplings sell for eight for $4.65. Joe’s Shanghai first opened in Flushing and also has an outpost in midtown.
Ollie’s 2315 Broadway (at West 84th Street)
212-362-3111
Including dim sum in a roundup of dumpling houses may be a bit of a stretch, but it’s one of few options if the craving hits while you’re on the Upper West Side. In addition to other Chinese fare, the restaurant has a dim sum cart filled with dumplings such as shrimp and pork shu mai (three for $2.75), which can hit the spot after a morning of running errands.
Previous Posts
NYC Guide - International Drinks
NYC Guide - "Cheap" Football Bars/Pubs
NYC Guide - Happy Hour Bars
By Vera Haller amNewYork Editor in Chief
Feb 15, 2007
With celebrations of the Chinese New Year in full swing this week, what better way to get into the spirit of the holiday than by getting out and taste-testing some delicious dumplings. Most New Yorkers have a favorite place they go to for their fix of these tasty meat- or vegetable- filled morsels. Here are a few of ours:
Mandoo Bar 2 W. 32nd St.
212-279-3075
This Korea town mainstay often stops pedestrians in their tracks because the big, plate-glass windows offer mesmerizing views of workers rolling out dough and stuffing dumpling after dumpling. Once inside, the dining room is inviting with modern, wooden booths, but it’s often crowded. Be sure to try the mool mandoo, filled with pork and vegetables (10 for $6.99). Kids like the baby mandoo, a plate of 16 bite-sized dumplings for $5.99.
Dumpling House 118 Eldridge St.
212-625-8008
Not much more than a hole in the wall, this establishment on the fringes of the Lower East Side and Chinatown is nonetheless a popular stopping-off point for an inexpensive meal. More often than not, a line of people waiting to order (five dumplings for $1) winds down Eldridge Street. Seating is limited. Most customers take their food to go.
Lau Bei Fang Dumpling House 86-08 Whitney Ave., Elmhurst, Queens
718-639-3996
This restaurant is also a no-frills experience, but worth a trip to Elmhurst. Patrons sit at tables with Formica tops, and the dumplings (four for $1) are served in Styrofoam containers whether you’re eating in or taking out. The fried dumplings — juicy and flavorful — are fished out of a big silver vat and served hot and steaming. Also try the soups with hand-pulled noodles.
Rickshaw Dumpling Bar 61 W. 23rd St.
212-924-9220
This relatively new addition to the dumpling scene fills a void in the Flatiron district. In addition to the usual pork and vegetable varieties, Rickshaw also has dumplings filled with Peking duck and Szechuan chicken. They sell for six for $4.95 or nine for $6.95. For something sweet, try the chocolate dumplings.
Joe’s Shanghai 9 Pell St.
212-233-8888
This bustling Chinatown restaurant has a following for its so-called soup dumplings. These delicacies, which are popular with crabmeat or pork, are the reverse of, say, won ton soup. Instead of serving the dumplings in broth, the broth is cooked inside the dumplings. The soup dumplings sell for eight for $4.65. Joe’s Shanghai first opened in Flushing and also has an outpost in midtown.
Ollie’s 2315 Broadway (at West 84th Street)
212-362-3111
Including dim sum in a roundup of dumpling houses may be a bit of a stretch, but it’s one of few options if the craving hits while you’re on the Upper West Side. In addition to other Chinese fare, the restaurant has a dim sum cart filled with dumplings such as shrimp and pork shu mai (three for $2.75), which can hit the spot after a morning of running errands.
Previous Posts
NYC Guide - International Drinks
NYC Guide - "Cheap" Football Bars/Pubs
NYC Guide - Happy Hour Bars
Happy Hour Bars
Whether you’re a nine-to-fiver seeking respite from weary workdays, low on cash or looking to get the party started early, these spots can help. They don’t call it “happy hour” for nothing.
JULEP: 14 AVENUE A
212-254-2442
The Deep South meets the LES in this free and easy bar, where folks can listen to Delta blues, rock or soul on the jukebox while sampling the impressive and often unusual assortment of beers in the backyard. For those of us who tend to fully acclimate ourselves with our surroundings, standard Southern libations, such as the mint julep, are on the menu but the Southern drawl is up to you.
The Deal: Mon-Sat 5pm- 8pm,Wed. ladies’ night 10pm-12am, Sunday 10pm- 12am, all drinks 2 for 1.
BRITE BAR: 297 10TH AVE.
212-279-9706
A sleek yet stress-free addition to the throes of West Chelsea’s more-fabulous-than-thou club scene. Didn’t make the cut at Bungalow 8 or Marquee? Get over it with Brite’s signature cocktail, the “Fother Mucker,”made with Zygo Energy Vodka while scoping the cool crowd and even cooler stuff. (Where’d they find that Lite- Brite machine anyway?)
The Deal: Mon-Fri 5:30pm- 8:00pm, well drinks $5, all beer $3.
THE COLLINS BAR: 735 EIGHTH AVE.
212-541-4206
In the crux of Hell’s Kitchen sits The Collins Bar, 100% free of tourists and gimmicks. Boasting an extensive selection of beer, scotch, bourbon and Tequila, you can bet it’s not the free popcorn that makes this the spot all the local bartenders hit up after work.
The Deal: Mon-Fri 4-7pm, $1 off draft beer, well drinks and wine.
ABSOLUTELY 4TH: 228 W. 4TH ST.
212-989-9444
Small and sexy, this West Village lounge offers an extensive martini list, with more than one appealing if not oddly lengthy titles such as “White Trash Blue Tease” and “Get a Sugar Daddy.” Our personal favorite? “The Thai-Me-Upalada”made with raspberry rum, Cocolopez, raspberry puree and pineapple.
The Deal: Sun-Tues all night long, Thurs-Fri 4-9pm. 2-for- 1 specialty martinis, $4 beer 4-8pm.
WELCOME TO THE JOHNSON’S: 123 RIVINGTON ST.
212-420- 9911 123 Rivington St. 212- 420-9911
Call it “That ’70s Bar,” and hang out in the wood-paneled suburban styled rec room of your (and the Bradys’) youth. The vinyl furniture is perfect to sit and discuss the Carter administration while viewing an array of old family portraits, bowling trophies and that requisite olive green refrigerator.
The Deal: Mon-Fri 3-9pm, Weekend 1-9pm. $2 Bud, $1.50 PBR, $2 well drinks, $3 margaritas.
NAKED LUNCH: 17 THOMPSON ST.
212-343- 0828
Absolutely nothing to do with William Burroughs, this small but airy lounge is a hit with almost everyone that comes through and has been since its inception more than 10 years ago. Attentive bartenders serve up libations to a sobriety-challenged youngish crowd. Expect an eclectic and often random mix of ’80s hits, old-school hip-hop and don’t be surprised if, as the night goes on, this little lounge converts into a full-on dance party.
The Deal: Tues-Fri 5-9pm, $2 off all drinks.
THE LUCKY CAT: 245 GRAND ST., BROOKLYN
718-782-0437 Comfortable coffeehouse by day, artsy and comfortable lounge by night, The Lucky Cat’s emphasis on relaxation makes it a favorite in Williamsburg. Listen to the various eclectically hip music acts that perform nearly every night, or find a cozy nook among the plush sofas for a romantic chat.
The Deal: Daily 5-8pm, 2- for-1 beers, well drinks and house wines.
Source: am New York
Previous Posts
NYC Guide - International Drinks
NYC Guide - "Cheap" Football Bars/Pubs
JULEP: 14 AVENUE A
212-254-2442
The Deep South meets the LES in this free and easy bar, where folks can listen to Delta blues, rock or soul on the jukebox while sampling the impressive and often unusual assortment of beers in the backyard. For those of us who tend to fully acclimate ourselves with our surroundings, standard Southern libations, such as the mint julep, are on the menu but the Southern drawl is up to you.
The Deal: Mon-Sat 5pm- 8pm,Wed. ladies’ night 10pm-12am, Sunday 10pm- 12am, all drinks 2 for 1.
BRITE BAR: 297 10TH AVE.
212-279-9706
A sleek yet stress-free addition to the throes of West Chelsea’s more-fabulous-than-thou club scene. Didn’t make the cut at Bungalow 8 or Marquee? Get over it with Brite’s signature cocktail, the “Fother Mucker,”made with Zygo Energy Vodka while scoping the cool crowd and even cooler stuff. (Where’d they find that Lite- Brite machine anyway?)
The Deal: Mon-Fri 5:30pm- 8:00pm, well drinks $5, all beer $3.
THE COLLINS BAR: 735 EIGHTH AVE.
212-541-4206
In the crux of Hell’s Kitchen sits The Collins Bar, 100% free of tourists and gimmicks. Boasting an extensive selection of beer, scotch, bourbon and Tequila, you can bet it’s not the free popcorn that makes this the spot all the local bartenders hit up after work.
The Deal: Mon-Fri 4-7pm, $1 off draft beer, well drinks and wine.
ABSOLUTELY 4TH: 228 W. 4TH ST.
212-989-9444
Small and sexy, this West Village lounge offers an extensive martini list, with more than one appealing if not oddly lengthy titles such as “White Trash Blue Tease” and “Get a Sugar Daddy.” Our personal favorite? “The Thai-Me-Upalada”made with raspberry rum, Cocolopez, raspberry puree and pineapple.
The Deal: Sun-Tues all night long, Thurs-Fri 4-9pm. 2-for- 1 specialty martinis, $4 beer 4-8pm.
WELCOME TO THE JOHNSON’S: 123 RIVINGTON ST.
212-420- 9911 123 Rivington St. 212- 420-9911
Call it “That ’70s Bar,” and hang out in the wood-paneled suburban styled rec room of your (and the Bradys’) youth. The vinyl furniture is perfect to sit and discuss the Carter administration while viewing an array of old family portraits, bowling trophies and that requisite olive green refrigerator.
The Deal: Mon-Fri 3-9pm, Weekend 1-9pm. $2 Bud, $1.50 PBR, $2 well drinks, $3 margaritas.
NAKED LUNCH: 17 THOMPSON ST.
212-343- 0828
Absolutely nothing to do with William Burroughs, this small but airy lounge is a hit with almost everyone that comes through and has been since its inception more than 10 years ago. Attentive bartenders serve up libations to a sobriety-challenged youngish crowd. Expect an eclectic and often random mix of ’80s hits, old-school hip-hop and don’t be surprised if, as the night goes on, this little lounge converts into a full-on dance party.
The Deal: Tues-Fri 5-9pm, $2 off all drinks.
THE LUCKY CAT: 245 GRAND ST., BROOKLYN
718-782-0437 Comfortable coffeehouse by day, artsy and comfortable lounge by night, The Lucky Cat’s emphasis on relaxation makes it a favorite in Williamsburg. Listen to the various eclectically hip music acts that perform nearly every night, or find a cozy nook among the plush sofas for a romantic chat.
The Deal: Daily 5-8pm, 2- for-1 beers, well drinks and house wines.
Source: am New York
Previous Posts
NYC Guide - International Drinks
NYC Guide - "Cheap" Football Bars/Pubs
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