Meat Sandwich/Panini at Eataly

Eataly is the Italian and fancier version of the Chelsea Market.

I was hungry, bored. So I went to this market with a friend to enjoy some meat sandwiches. When you first walk in, expect to see crowds EVERYWHERE. There is always a long line at the panini shop (at the 23rd street entry). They're currently selling a few seasonal/regional special, and I got this spicy pork and cheese panini, almost $10 with tax.

Spicy pork = salami. The cheese was tender and milky, perfect to be inside a sizzling hot panini. Even though the panini is previously to save time, it still tasted very fresh after it's been grilled.

Then I digged in deeper into the market, and to the right was another sandwich/meat shop. The meat they sell makes you drool---smell too good. We ordered a meat sandwich (~$11). The meat slices were tender, juicy, definitely a meaty sandwich, and way better than a Philly cheesesteak.

This Flatiron market is full of Italian delicious foods and it's definitely one of the places to shop if you're cooking a Italian dinner. Lunch-wise...$10 is probably too much for a sandwich. But it's always good to switch it up, can't always have Subway ;)

Location: 200 5th Avenue  New York, NY 10010
Rating: 4/5

E-Mo Sells Traditional Kimbap (Korean Sushi)

You can always get your sushi within 5 blocks. But not traditional Korean sushi/kimbap like the ones served at Koreantown's E-Mo.

E-Mo really is just a take-out store. You walk into this tiny store, and order the type of kimbap you desire (from regular bulgogi, to sausage, tuna, cheese, etc), then the chef would roll the sushi right away. Price range is totally acceptable. Free miso soup is included.

What makes E-Mo's kimbap "traditional" is that they always include carrots, pickled radish, and SPINACH. The spinach (I think it's spinach...) creates this "weird smell" when you first open the box. Not everyone can tolerate it I'd say. It's definitely a rare ingredient, yet traditional, to put in since most Americanized kimbaps usually have avocados inside instead.

Not to mention, the rice is perfectly seasoned, with sesame oil too.

Location: 2 W 32nd St, New York 10001 (Btwn 5th Ave & Broadway)
Rating: 4/5, totally recommended

Rice to Riches: Rice Pudding, Not Only For Rich People

Yes, you can make a fortune with rice pudding. Just look at Rice to Riches.

The place has its sense of humor. It serves really rich rice pudding, in more than 20 flavors and 10 different toppings, and each flavor and toppings have creative names, like "I Gotta the Panna cotta," Hazelnut Chocolate Bear Hug," "Sex Drugs And Rocky Road,"---yeah would you like try some sex drugs?

The pudding is served in different bright colors of bowl. A 6oz costs $4, 8oz $6.75, 12oz $8.50. If you want 3 different flavors, the 18oz one costs $12.50. The serving size that serves 10 people costs $40.

Location: 37 Spring ST, New York 10012
Rating: a tengrade of 6.5/10, recommended

Maruko Sushi & Tea: Fast Sushi Takeout

There are lots of Japanese foods in NYC and in the country. But actually not much easy quick takeouts in Chelsea. If you like your Japanese food right away, you might like Maruko.

Maruko Sushi & Tea originates from Flushing, Queens (I believe), where lots of Asians particularly Chinese and Taiwanese (I'm sure) live. The store gives me a Chinese-feeling---the staff talk among themselves in Chinese.

They offer regular sushi rolls, one single piece sushi, bento boxes (chicken, salmon, and eel), desserts like daifuku, and of course, bubble tea!

The sushi are....just ok. Bento boxes are better in value ($8-10 plus tax). Not to be cheap but the salmon piece is very tiny...also they give you small pieces of eel. You definitely need to heat up the food because they've been sitting in the fridge.

Their bubble tea and tea drinks are pretty decent. Regular size is $3.50 and now they're doing a promotion for regular bubble tea---any size only $3.00!

Location: 21st ST, between 6th and 7th AVE (near 7th AVE)
Rating: 3.5/5, ok for a take-out place

Koreantown's Koryodang is Closed

One of Manhattan K-town's Korean bakeries, Koryodang is officially closed. To me, it's finally closed.

Why?

I went there on March 20, 2011 and rated on Yelp immediately--2 stars. Then went back again (friend's diligent request), and still didn't change my mind about the bakery.

The pastries are ok. You can get better things at Paris Baguette, which I think it's the best bakery in K-town. The worst thing about Koryodang is that you are REQUIRED to pay an expensive beverage if you wanna sit at the tables. Everything all adds up and it's crazy---"Can someone tell me why this mediocre bakery is so expensive?" (Brian on Yelp)

In addition, their drink quality is not good either. Fellow Yelpers agreed with me:

"...get served fake-ass, powdered, watered-down bubble tea in a glass FULL of ice and artificial flavors." --- Leslie

"My friend ordered his [drink] without ice and they gave him ice." --- Jessica

"You can replicate the bubble tea that Koryodang sells by going to Staples...it's that chalky and artificial tasting." --- Jason

Another Korean bakery Tous les Jours is opening at Koryodang's location.

GL

NEW Burger King Sweet Potato Fries

Saw the Burger King promo of their NEW sweet potato fries, I couldn't resist and walked inside after I've walked out of Popeyes.

I got a small for $1.89. The promo pic always looks mouth-drooling. But in reality...just so-so. Not every piece was fried properly, so some fries were saggy and not crispy.

Rating: 2.5/5, not really recommended