#Momofuku Saam Bar for Lunch

Today I ordered their staple pork bun. They're as moist as ever charging a little more than they have when they first opened.

To balance my diet, I irdered their broccoli salad with crisp pork "crumbs" - quite tasty and a big nice portion.

Because I have not tried their crispy duck wings; I ordered them.  A bit disappointing.  They are not crispy. They are moist though, deep fried and smothered with a sauce similar to the Thai sweet sauce for fish.  Drizzled on top are chopped peanuts.

Overall, I could have stopped at the first two items for a quick lunch bite and saved further both in calories and $$.

But as a Foodie, I couldn't forgo the opportunity to try something "different" - although it really wasn't. Sometimes the staple you've known of past to be good remains the best.  "Why fix when it ain't broke."

GEORGETOWN RESTAURANT #Le Chaumiere

Good Value!

The Cherry Blossoms drew me to visit Washington DC. As a foodie, I had to search for a good restaurant experience without exorbitant cost since we were traveling with other people who may not want to foot a bill more than they are willing to.  So this was a little bit more of a tougher job for me to orchestrate as I normally don't want to spend money myself on mediocre fattening, Transfat-laden food.

Le Chaumiere delivered!

Arriving earlier than our 6PM reservation.

The lamb was delicious!

And best of all, the Grand Marniere soufflé was perfect!

I did feel I was in France. Thank you for putting us in the cozy private-like room by the entrance.  This is a restaurant I will certainly go back to - and order the soufflé again and try other dishes.

We were a happy table!

#Le Chaumiere

#MONTMARTE

My friends took me out for Brunch at my long awaited restaurant to try.  Although I was anticipating to have the Hong Kong style French Toast, I wasn't disappointed to find out they don't carry it anymore.

Instead, I we ordered their new plate for two as our sample platter for the table among 6 of us.

The plate contained some cheese, excellent crispy light baguette, perfectly cooked scrambled eggs and their homemade late and sausage.  No regrets! I may go back for this to share next time again.

The Pain Perdue had moist crisply battered fried chicken which was well seasoned accompanied with a maple syrup with minced cooked bacon.  The Pain Perdue was a bit hearty.  I would have preferred it made with either Challah bread or Brioche.

One if us had eggs Benedict with special bernaise type sauce, spinach under the egg in toasted croissant as one us requested.  I will order this too next time.

The 3 layers of plate-size pancakes is enough for the while table to share as a dessert.  It had fruit compote, served with syrup and foie gras butter as added side which really did not enhance more.  Save the money and maybe ask for more butter.

My macchiato was perfect. a definite "Go back" to sample more dishes or repeat some for me.  Thanks to my BFFs.

MONTMARTE

158 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

VIETNAMESE QUICK LUNCH

I was really going to eat at my other favorite Vietnamese restaurant when I came upon the newly renovated Pasteur:

So, I walked in this full restaurant and I got served quick!

What I like about this quick lunch place is I get a real meal for the price of a sandwich or a gourmet burger. Best part of all is that the dish is usually accompanied with a good amount of vegetables.

I first tried an order under the BUN category and chose the grilled shrimp:

This was a decent low calorie meal but I found it a bit much on the noodle side.  The shrimp was delicious though.  You're supposed to pour that little sweet and sour sauce in to mix with noodles. It makes the noodles taste good.

I decided to order more shrimp which I know I won't be able to finish; but which has more vegetables. And whatever I did not  finish was wrapped to go.

Above is the lightly battered fried shrimp with a sweet delicate flavor.  I couldn't stop eating but had to go because I was running late. 

I took it home and ate the veggies with my dinner. 

I intend to go back to order their quail which I couldn't order because I was in a hurry.  They also make great Vietnamese style pork chops!

PHO PASTEUR

85 Baxter Street, NYC, NY

#Vietnamese 

Simple Shad Fish Recipe #Seasonal #dish

It's Spring! For a limited time, shad fish is available from your select seafood stores!

Here's an easy way to prepare the dish:

Above is a fillet of shad. 

INGREDIENTS:

2TB of olive oil

1TB of butter

1 TB juice of lemon

1 tsp lemon zest

1/3 cup white wine

1-1/2 TB of capers

Sea salt to taste and pepper

1TB minced parsley leaves

Extra 1TB butter

Heat olive oil and butter and swirl the top of the fish fillet in the melted butter and olive oil and swirl the skin side into the oil/butter mixture before laying the fish in the pan.  After a minute, dribble the lemon juice, add the lemon zest, capers, white wine and season with salt. Cover a a minute or two - add the parsley. Cover and continue to cook another 30 seconds.

Uncover the pan and let the sauce sizzle for another minute. Remove from heat and serve.

Shad is currently available (if you're in NYC) at stores like Citarella and Lobster Place for a limited time only.

You can also do this with shad roe!

I served this with sautéed chive stems with blossoms which can be found in Chinese gricery stores - while in season too!

I cut up the chives in 2 inch length. Simply sautéed in hot olive oil. Cover to cook and stir in between for about 5 minutes and season with sea salt!

HOT CHOCOLATE!

I got the newer Brazil 70% dark hot chocolate!

This is one of the 3 favorite chocolate places here in the city.

I love their candies and pastries as well.

#LA BURDICK

5E 20th St., NYC, NY

Pre-Fixed Lunch at SIRIO's

Today I went in to SIRIO's for a quick lunch and found out they do have a good pre-fixed lunch menu.

I chose the English pea soup with fresh ricotta cheese smeared under and a spoon of puréed beet in top.

I chose a light crisp warm porchetta sandwich with cheese and salad on the side.  I could have had the spaghetti carbonara but decided on a sandwich.  There were other choices too.

#HIROKO'S PLACE

OThis is definitely a Japanese cafe/restaurant.

They have quite an assortment if ice cream with fruit or drinks with ice cream floats. In Japan, I noticed that they have very good melon syrups that they incorporate in their drinks.  At Hiroko's they do have melon flavored drinks and ice cream floats.

Above is the Omu curry I ordered for a brunch between late lunch and early dinner.  It's a very thin omelette stuffed with delicious fried rice with vegetables and uniquely seasoned with Japanese flavor. They serve it with curry sauce on top with chunks of beef, carrots and potato plus a dollop of smooth potato salad.  One can request the curry sauce to be less spicy.

#Hiroko's Place

75 Thompson St., NYC, NY