A Full Belly

To Eat: Minetta's Black Label Burger

Secrets of Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger | A Hamburger Today:

The finished burger looks so simple, completely belying the rigorous preparation involved in bringing it to table. Although the bun might appear too large, it is so light and airy that as it compresses and conforms around the plump patty the beef-to-bun ratio is actually spot on. The acridity of the onions balances the subtle sweetness of the bun, allowing the flavor of the beef to be fully realized. The Black Label is simply ethereal—tender, succulent, and brimming with the flavor of dry aging: that musky, Roquefort-like tang that is so intoxicating.

I'm skeptical of any $20+ burger, but Nick's DVD extras-esque post about Minetta's $26 Black Label Burger has swayed me. *Added to To Eat List*

A Coffee Story

A lovely story all about (and with) coffee.

Pigs' Feet and more at Hakata Tonton

"Leaving the restaurant after my first visit, a waitress followed my friends and me outside and presented me with a sealed envelope that contained the restaurant’s card and a quarter to pay me back for calling to make a reservation (which I had found necessary). Then she pulled out a Mr. Incredible PEZ dispenser and offered each of us a candy to freshen our breath before sending us off into the night."

* Hakata Tonton website

Amai Tea & Bake House Opens

Kelli and Andrew have been blogging at Lovescool.com for a few years now, sharing a journey that has led to the opening of Amai Tea & Bake House in Gramercy. I couldn't be more excited for them, and can't wait to visit the store. Congrats, Kelli and Andrew!

Amai Tea & Bake House
171 3rd Ave, New York, NY [map]
212-863-9630

Sakaya: A Sake Shop

Sakaya, a shop specializing in sake, will be a welcome addition to the East Village. From their blog: "...Sakaya, will focus on acquainting, educating, and familiarizing patrons with the pleasures of drinking sake, and pairing them with food. We hope to offer a learning experience that not only creates an appreciation for sake but also for the Japanese culture from which it originates."

Nueva New York

Nueva New York is "the complete blog to Latino life in the five boroughs." Looks like they're just getting started, hopefully it'll become a great Latino food resource. I love this bit from a recent post:

Trade Fair supermarket, the amazingly international chain of stores owned by an amazingly international (even by New York multiculti standards) Palestinian-Venezuelan-American family, is usually a fun place to shop for things Indian to Brazilian to Salvadoran to organic.

But do they really have to stock the whole frozen guinea pigs in the fruit pulp section, alongside frozen slabs of guanábana, mango and coconut? Someone could make a terrible milkshake mistake.

To Eat: Ramen Setagaya

On my "to eat" list: Ramen Setagaya (141 First Ave., New York)

Crawfish in the Cove

crawfish
Originally uploaded by Alaina B..

Read my latest post over at Serious Eats about this past weekend's crawfish boil.

Soft Shell Crabs at NY Noodletown

Down By The Hipster tips us off to NY Noodletown's soft shell crabs.

The Shack is Back

Today is the first day of Spring and the official season opening of the Shake Shack. Things actually got going on Monday and we headed over for lunch. The line was reasonable and the burgers just as I remembered.