Category Archives: Manhattan

Nougatine at Jean Georges: pleasant lunch

Dear Food Diary:
Last weekend was a real happy one, my buddy was back in town visiting. She moved to LA for work a couple month ago and we miss each others company and all of our hang outs. So I suggested to meet at Nougatine on Sunday for a nice late lunch, while we catch up.
In the heart of Columbus Circle, inside the Trump building, you walk into a pool of beautiful leaves and plants over water, and immediately greeted and seated by the hostesses. The place is very airy, but smaller than I had imagined. The afternoon sun brightened the dining room through floor to ceiling windows.

BO KY/ GRAND BO KY: best chinese noodle soup in Chinatown!!! (slurp’s on)

Dear Food Diary:

Whenever I’m craving a bowl of pipping hot and steaming goodness, I head to Bo Ky in Chinatown. Last night was one of those nights, after a couple days out of town, my tummy was demanding a big bowl of hot, soupy, homey, comforting, slurp till the last drop concoction that only my mama and Bo Ky could offer. Since chubby mama is on the other side of the world, Bo Ky was the next best thing.
It’s a no frills… no frills at all, family owned, real old school chinese noodle restaurant. I’ve been going there for almost a decade and faces haven’t really changed, the place hasn’t changed much (they added air condition!!! I was so happy about that!), the menu’s still the same, and most importantly the flavors have remained unaltered.

Choux Factory: Better than Beard Papa’s

Dear Food Diary:
Seems like every time my friends and I decide to take a walk around the UN, we end up at Choux Factory. Before trying this place, like most cream puff lovers, I thought Beard Papa’s were the best ever (both japanese). But once I took a bite into these puffy, buttery balls of sweetness, I was converted, and there was no turning back.

Aldea: new portuguese gem

Dear Food Diary:

A girlfriend from college who was MIA for the past year and change had dropped me a line the other day, so we met at Aldea (Named village in Portuguese. A small neighborhood gem that opened a few month back). We didn’t think reservations were necessary on a tuesday night, to our surprise, the place was packed. They did offer us a table on the ground level dining room, but it seemed tight and crowded, so we opted to dine at the bar with the company of the attentive and friendly bartender Ted (for you ladies who are wondering, yes, he’s pretty cute). The restaurant has a very chic, modern and elegant interior. I suggest making reservations at the chef’s table (only 6 seats) overlooking the busy kitchen. And I highly recommend it for a date, it’s nice but not stuffy, and the food will help you score points for sure (high five me later).

Despaña: Jamón ibérico + Surimi Baby Eel


click on yummy images to enlarge

Dear Food Diary:

I was so excited when my friend told me they opened this new store Despaña around Chinatown, for all things from España (hence the name De= from, España= Spain). A small but well stocked specialty store with an array of cure meats, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, canned seafoods and a back counter serving pintxo (small slice of bread with different toppings of cured meats and chorizo), tortillas (made with eggs, potatoe, onions and a variety of other ingredients).