COLADOR CAFE, 10/29/13 Brooklyn, NYC

We arrived at Black Swan only to find that the Dining room and Kitchen was closed between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and expecting Food mostly and Drinks secondary we decided not to wait So we found Colador Cafe which had a 5 star rating online and sequestered ourselves there. firstly what an Odd Menu, there were Empanada's, Lasagna, Burgers, Wraps and Quesadilla's on offer, What kind of place is this !!!

Pictured above for starters is a Plate of Salsa And Chips, Always Good. the Salsa in both Ramikens (Thanks Jennie) was the same. Acceptable Quality for both, Much more of a Pico De Gallo in my opinion.

Beef Empanada - No Complaints but this does not rival the Spicy Chicken Empanada from Jamian's just a week or so before. Tender Chop Meat and Veggie Slivers, However No Dipping sauce and just one Empanada.

The Cheeseburger was indeed something to speak of. just a homeade Beef Pattie that any of us would make from Ground Beef (Chop Meat) at home but cooked to perfection, I ordered my Burger Medium Well and it was just that, No Charred outer layer and cooked through and through, topped with (2) thinTomato slices, Greens, Bermuda Onion and almost Caramelized Onions on a Grilled  Roll with Seasoned French Fries on the side, Delicious.

The Colador Cafe Storefront.

COLADOR CAFE ONLINE

SILVER STAR RESTAURANT 10/14/13 - Brooklyn, New York

So Jamie (Not Charlie's brother) & Charlie planned a trip to Silver Star of which I am always prepared for and it was Charlie's first time back for maybe 15-20 years, This was a most exciting prospect since Silver Star makes American style Chinese Food the way it was done in the 1940s and onwards and is far superior to the Chinese Food you find on every next block in New York, Only Chinatown eateries rival them. Charlie pretty much knew what he wanted so we let him order first and shared Appetizers which is the way to go with Chinese Food. We also brought two bottles of Wine with us (A Chardonnay I believe and a bottle of Trader Joe's two buck chuck Cabernet Sauvignon) as Silver Star has a B.Y.O.B. policy and they supplied the corkscrew and glasses. Food, wine and conversation followed flowing freely.

Shrimp Toast - To Perfection, the shrimp is desiccated but not too much, you can still feel the texture, a Favorite of mine and this is just one order, a Healthy serving.

Fried Stuffed Shrimp - On my quest to try most items on the Menu I ordered this appetizer of choice, the Batter could have spent maybe another 20 seconds in the hopper as I detected just a little underdone towards the center, Mostly Batter with "halved" Shrimp inside.

Barbecued Spare Ribs - Fried Stuffed Shrimp Slice, Spare Rib and Lemon Wedge. Charlie has a "Spare Rib" Theory (Quantum Rib Theory) wherein you order a Large order so they prepare the "Wibs" Fresh, a smaller order can just be reheated in the kitchen. Jamie was a little Tipsy and had a Foodgasm over the wine and rib combination. Gimmie A Wib !!!

Chicken Chow Fun - Jamie ordered a plate of this and it was done to perfection, the wait staff forgot to bring this to the table so we re-ordered it toward's the end of the Appetizers.

Ice Cream - for Desert you have a choice of Jell-O, Pineapple Chunks or Ice Cream. Ice Cream usually wins. Jamie - Chocolate, Charlie - Vanilla, Me - Strawberry.

(L to R) - Spike, Jamie, Charlie. So here I am with Jamie and Charlie, albeit the female Jamie.

10/27/13 - 13 days later and I was back.

Wonton Soup - I usually get the Hot & Sour Soup but went with the Wonton this time.

Just a week later and I returned to Silver Star on my own, you see I was going to order Pork Chop Suey the night with Jamie and Charlie but the Appetizers proved too much. I never in all these years have had their Chop Suey as I always opt for the Chow Mein and wanted to try "Old School" Chop Suey with the logic that in the 1940s and 50s I bet that Chow Mein and Chop Suey were most popular and I swear by their Chow Mein. Say that ten times fast.

(I do not think I have ever read a sentence with that many Chop Suey and Chow Mein's in it).

Roast Pork Chop Suey - this was Delicious but maybe the least of their dishes, Kind of like a Really Good Pork with Mixed Vegetables. This consisted of Roast Pork, Water Chestnuts, Bok Choy, Snow Pea Pods and maybe some Onion, BUT THANK GOD NO BABY CORN !!!.

Roast Pork Chop Suey topped with Crispy Noodles.

$8.10, unheard of, Soup, Meal, Ice Cream, Tea, Crispy Noodles. Ten Bucks after tip.

TACO BELL, UNION SQUARE/KINGS PLAZA, NYC.

What More can I say about Taco Bell but to sing it's Praises.

CHEAP - Yes.

FILLING - Yes.

FULLFILLING - Yes.

TASTY - Yes.

DANGEROUS - Possibly.

The Beauty of Dining at a Taco Bell location (at least in New York) is not unlike that of a Bosch Painting or a quick Ramones Song. 

In other words you at any time have the chance "Dining In" of becoming encompassed in a full out Gang War or Anthrax Spraying whilst spreading a packet of Hot Sauce on your moist, heated and enticing Chilito. Cheap Eats does draw a Cheap Crowd at all times of the day.

So I decided to get mine "to go" and enhance my Culinary Delights in Union Square Park just hundreds of feet away wherein I am only prey to possibly a vagrant that may urinate on my food to prove his patriotism or religious creed and wish me well on my way, But I Digress.

The minutes were ticking by (ticktickticktick) (4:40 p.m. by now) as I was in the area to attend a book signing by Ray Davies. I intended to beat the after work crowd so had to get my books (to be signed with a purchase receipt of course) at the Barnes & Noble location hosting the event (entry at 5 p.m.) and WHOOSH up to the seating area I was sent, I suppose the vagrant will have to be kept waiting.

Nachos Supreme - As photoed (iPhone) from my seated position inside B & N, No way I was going to eat these here seated inches (shoulder to shoulder) from other like minded Kinky Anglophiles, Aromatic, Messy and Just Plain Crunchy. so i tucked them back into my small valise.

Burrito Supreme - Totally Different Story, Non-Aromatic as it remains in its Flour Tortilla Shell, I took bites of this intermittently as I read further into Ray's Fantastic "Americana" book. Like always the Beef seems to be at the bottom whilst the Sour Cream and Refried Beans are closer to the top, No Biggie (as Sean would say).

The Workings of Taco Bell, Union Square, a bit of a blurry pic as I took this on the fly, only included it because I love this place and the view (and the Sour Cream Squirt Pistoleros).

With Prices Like this,......... O.K. Maybe a Gang fight or two. I will take my chances. And if you look at Line # 7 on the receipt they did wish me a "Taco Day". Bless their Powdered Refried Bean Mexican Hearts. I LOVE Taco Bell.

Still if you ever get invited on a date "Across The Border", Be Afraid, Be Very afraid.

The Man of the evening, Ray Davies. My Favourite songwriter ever.

I Wonder if he ever had Taco Bell ?

I will ask him next time we meet. Or Maybe Not

God Save Taco Bell.

11/9/13 - Hardly one to surpass a rendezvous with the Taco Bell Jamie and I were at King's Plaza to do some clothes shopping and we made a run for the border. The Bell is always trying something new trying to stay afloat in today's climate even though they seem to have no competition except for authentic Mexican Food,.. OK Maybe that is enough.

I spied the "Shredded Chicken" as their latest and am always game for the Pollo. 

Promptly ordered the "Combo" Meal and here it is. The Combo also came with a "Shredded Chicken Soft Taco" and for equal measures I added on a "Beef Soft Taco", wound up bringing both Taco's back to the house with packet's of Hot Sauce in tow.

The "Shredded Chicken Smothered Burrito". How can you lose ?, It's Shredded Chicken in a Burrito, at first glance i was fishy about the "White Rice" shown in the ad pic but not to worry, it was just fine.

Combo Meal in place and time to Eat!!!

This is a very busy Food Mart so comfy Dining is not an option.

EAT AND GET OUT !!!

I had previously gotten a Cherry Limeade but this time got a Classic Limeade (It came with the Combo). I did regret not getting the Cherry one but at least I have tried both of these bastardizations of the classic Lime Rickey. Wound up carrying my leftover cup of Limeade all through Macy's and Sear's while clothes shopping, finally finished it and was relieved.

Do I Still Love Taco Bell ?

You Betcha.

TACO BELL ONLINE.

BLIMPIE'S 13th street & 4th Avenue, NEW YORK CITY.

There are a few Blimpie's left in New York City but they are becoming few and far between so whenever I am near a location I do try to grab a Blimpie's Best which was a Favorite from my childhood years to bring me back and appease the craving. I have purchased "Cappy Ham" from a reputable Deli (Frank & Sal's) Only to find this is not quite the Cappaciola Ham used on the BB. Not to worry, I have since surmised that Blimpie's possibly makes their own Cold Cuts, This certainly is NOT Boar's Head kiddies.

I purchased this Sandwich after a Brian May book signing/lecture (Diableries stereoscopic book) at the Strand just 2 blocks away around 9 p.m. and it was not the best I have had, a little dry, Not messy enough, I will blame the Chef. Also the menu sign was a wee bit misleading as the prices on display were for "Meal Combo's" and I do not need the Baked Lays and accompanying Soda. 

GIMME THE SANDWICH DAMMIT!!!!

So, this Sandwich (Regular and Not Deluxe, in translation 6" & not a Footlong) was satiated very quickly. I gave Jamie a half as we sat in another eatery entirely and after spending $205 on books was not prepared to purchase an $8.00 sandwich elsewhere until my account was replenished so this BB came to my starving rescue.

Not the best one I have ever had though, Once again, I Blame the chef. These were glorious in the 1970s (Rose Tinted glassies on or off).

I had mine Plain (as opposed to Jalapeno's, etc) and as it was since my childhood (In My Youth this was one with EVERYTHING). Lettuce, Tomato, Onions (White), Mayonnaise, Salt & Pepper with Oil & Vinegar.

There Is Nothing Like A Blimpie's Best.

BLIMPIE.COM

JAMIANS, Red Bank, New Jersey

Table for 4 Please.

Jamie and I visited her cousin Alexander and his wife Courtenay in Red Bank, New Jersey to see Alice Cooper in concert at the Gorgeous Count Basie Theater in town. Beforehand we took Alex' lead (as we do) to some of the finer, cozy, comfy eateries in town. no time for a Steakhouse but simple fare and tasty Drinks. Jamians was the perfect spot, the Bar Maid was a bit busy so it was not immediate pouncing customers via the staff which was welcome as we were given time to converse. They were out of Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat which I did plan on getting (with a Twist of Lime) but I got a nice imported Stout instead. the 3 of us (Alex, Courtenay and myself) ordered Booze drinks yet Jamie ordered a Peach Snapple which I found Odd in this Bar climate, So Be It, I watched as the barmaid concocted a Drink in the shaker and brought it to our table and it was the Peach Snapple. turns out "their" Peach Snapple was Peach Vodka with Iced Tea, So much for the Bar Climate Oddness.

There were other Burger's but I think this was called the "Burger Special", It was a Very Difficult menu choice since Alex had also mentioned the Chicken Burrito as being Huge and Delicious, Jamie and I made a compromise and she ordered the Burrito while I went the Burger route promising a taste to each other, Medium Well Please.

This Burger Patty was Delicious, Maybe a little "underdone" but I did order it "Medium", from here on in I will be ordering "Medium Well' which is fine by me. Did not matter so much as these Toppings were Fierce and Tasty covering any differences. Bacon to perfection, Nice cut of Lettuce, Bermuda Onion Sliced thin, Tomato, White Onion slivers, Shredded Carrot, American Cheese and In-House Homemade Pickle Slices with Thin Fries on the side. there was also the Condiment Caddy containing Ketchup, Mustard, A1 Steak Sauce and Tabasco Sauce for the tastebud satisfaction.

"Now that IS One Tasty Burger". 

This is one of those Burgers that upon initial inspection you are ready to call for a knife and fork, not to worry it all works out sans Utensiles.

And For Dessert We Saw Alice Cooper In Concert.

Feed My Frankenstein Indeed.

86 NOODLES, 86th Street & 3rd avenue, Brooklyn, NYC.

86 NOODLES is and was the first Chinese Food Culinary Institute that I became aware of in Brooklyn as opposed to Chinatown that served Real Deal "Chinese food" and they make a nifty, Tough and Bitchin" Pan Fried Noodles which is possibly my favorite Asian Plate O' Food. I sadly Do not recall where I had my first plate or by whom it was recommended but for those not in the know it is comprised of thin (Chow Mei) Noodles quickly Deep Fried giving them a Crispy Soup Noodle (like the ones you get with Wonton Soup, etc.) texture which is then topped with Chinese Vegetables and the Meat or Fish of your choice oftentimes with Beef, Pork, Chicken and Shrimp in a melange' of Flavorfulness. Tonight I chose Roast Pork and there they are pictured above, Delicious YES.

Being a big fan of Hot & Sour Soup from Silver Star Restaurant (search engine this BLOG) I decided to try the competitors Recipe. Excellent and to my Delight without Egg Drop (Egg Drop belongs but I am NOT an Eggfan) with aromas of Sesame Oil and Quality Mushroom, Shredded Pork, Bamboo Shoots and Tofu. Silver Star still beats this by a long shot.

What does a Man drink during appetizers at a Chinese Eatery ? ,.... Tsingtao of course. 

I was with Joe who is Indeed a Man and we had Tsingtao of course.

Cover of the extensive 86 Noodles Menu (see link below for contents).

Chinese Food like this is not available at most if any take-out shops a few blocks over.

86 NOODLES MENU

86 Noodles from the street.