MILON BANGLADESHI RESTAURANT (PANNA ll) TWO, GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK

At this juncture I have written about Indian Food to the point that there is nothing to add, this being Milon Restaurant which I have enjoyed for years and also trying nothing new for my palate, well Cristina did order her "mild" version of Chicken Vindaloo which they recommended as Chicken Balti so that was new to me.

Everything was great and service was adequate even though the waiter could not identify the photo on the walls details (Cristina wanted to know if that was Cardi B. in the photo) and they assumed my sixty bucks for the price of a fifty two dollar Meal included an eight dollar gratuity (which it did) never returning my change. It is nice to offer though.

Mulligatawny Soup.

Shrimp Poori.

Decorative atmosphere in its display case adorned the hanging garden of Christmas lights walls. In this case unremoved seasonal tree lights.

The aforementioned Chicken Balti.

Mild and Buttery and served in a tin cup.

Chicken Tikka Masala.

Garlic Nan.

Portion of the Delectable aftermath.

Mango Ice Cream was offered on the house and myself being in an Ice Cream mood lately allowed me to find room in my overly satiated appetite for.

INVASION OF THE NACHO CHEESE FRIES

Yes, they had a 7-Layer Burrito and I bought one too but always a fan of new Menu items to try I was drawn to the plastic backlit advertisement placard on display boasting Nacho Fries Supreme.

Being a fan of The Bells Nachos Supreme and it being a mainstay of most visits when I can find a local Taco Bell which facilitates the need for a visit in the first place I figured how bad could it be, replace Tortilla Chips with French Fries,... so I placed an order.

Yes, it was the middle of my work day as I was bouncing around the five boroughs but approaching 5th avenue a small miniature bull terrier appeared before me blocking my path and uttered the phrase "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" reminding me a local Bell establishment was just around the bend.

Yes, I was also quite Hungry at this point in my day (spelled starving) but this only played a small part in the Tastiness of these Fries. This being a stand alone Taco Bell they were not borrowing KFC or Arby's French Fries so I guess these were Taco Bell Fries and nothing special about them, the average straight cut Fried Spud stick but powdered lightly with Nacho Cheese dust. Why don't they sell this magic dust on its own in the Spice aisle in the supermarket ? well High Sodium Risk might be a reason but it certainly worked and set the Fry apart in this manner.

Not exactly correct on the "Supreme" level as my order was topped with Beef, Beans, Sour Cream, Cheese Sauce and Diced Tomato omitting the Scallion bits.

I would like to see the device utilized to Dice the Tomatoes. 

They do appear uniform in shape and rather small in size making extra work for the human hand to achieve such a feat or maybe they just grow them Diced.

All in all as can be expected from such a Snack and my plastic dish was completed in about two minutes time. Lets hope they keep it on the Menu.

And for only two and a half dollars, a fair bargain rate for 14th street in Manhattan.

Facade Approachment.

7/11 - THEY DO DONUTS RIGHT

Sean has told me of the wonderments contained within (and without) the 7/11 Nutter Butter Donut (actually a Crueller in shape and a Long John in the fact that it has filling which I suppose differentiates it as such) and after another conversation about this I kept it tucked away in my mind to check a local establishment. 

Being at work in an unknown neighborhood in Queens I joked that I would not run into a location. On my way back to the train I spied across an eight lane highway the familiar green and red banded logo of a 7/11 and I knew what I had to do.

Entering the store I quickly spotted the Donut kiosk and went to it with a purposeful stride.

There it was, the hopper in which the Nutter Butter Donuts were on offer and it was empty. Disappointed I glanced around at the other cakes on display and decided not to purchase one but taking a farewell second glance noticed one (1) Peanut Buttery concoction left in the back of its shelf and happily purchased for just under two bucks.

Amongst the greatest Donuts ever it was. 

7/11 produces a Krispy Kreme quality Donut so the Dough was not Sugar Sweet but had the right amount of "pull" (to borrow a Sean term), barely discernible chocolate Glaze but this was for a reason and a Tasty one, the Peanut Butter filling was just right, not too sweet, not too Peanut Buttery and best of all Not Paltry in its capacity and filled from end to end. The best bite to me was right near the halfway point just under the Cookie Top where most of the Cream had migrated to and speaking of the Cookie Top, yes it is the industry standard Nutter Butter Cookie but its being in close proximity of the Donut and Icing and being stored in the moist vacuum of the Donut display interior was slightly softened and minimized massive Crumbage. A Superior Donut and as I plan on further trips to grab one in my travels it will be difficult to try other varieties on offer.

And here is a variety that pales in comparison next to the Nutter Butter Donut.

The classic Boston Cream.

There is actually nothing making the 7/11 version inferior to any other, it is just not superior. Boston Cream only in a few Bites of the Donut but that is usually the case always with any brand. As usual the Cake is nice and Doughy and you actually have to Chew it a bit which is certainly a good thing.

Peanut Butter Things

While speaking to Sean (texting) I was sent a photo of a 7-11 Nutter Butter Donut and became very interested towards hunting one down and also relayed a few of my Peanut Butter Snacks that I have on hand at the moment back to him.

Being a fan of All Things Peanut Butter and also trying new Peanut Butter items it was decided this needs a current entry.

Pictured above are variations of the Peanut Butter Cookie.

Nutter Butter is a long standby and I have loved them since I can recall. Oreo Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is a variation on Oreo Peanut Butter and a favorite, hope they keep making them and the package is not labelled "Limited Edition" so my wish might be fulfilled so long as sales are good.

Oreo Peanut Butter Pie is a Graham Cracker based Cookie with half Chocolate/half Peanut Butter Creme in the center.

Peanut Butter Twinkies and Ding Dongs respectively.

An example of the fact that if you put the word Peanut Butter in the title and ingredients I am more than willing to give it a try.

The 7/11 Nutter Butter Long John. 

Hard to beat in the entire World of Donuts.

An odd concoction but is just right on the Flavor scale.

Meaning "it tastes just like it says on the label".

The CVS brand of Peanut Butter Cookie.

If you did not tell me it was a Peanut Butter Cookie I would pin it out as just a Chocolate Chip Cookie.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

PANSTEAK CAKE-UMM'S LAST STAND

Friday Night 3 a.m.

Sometime in the latter half of the decade we shall call the 1980s.

There was almost certainly Bread in the basement kitchen to be had (and I do stress Almost) but his Munchie addled mind had brighter ideas and decided to substitute Frozen Toaster Pancakes as opposed to Slices of white Bread.

This seemed a brilliant idea at the time.

It Was Not.

For decades when odd Food creations have been brought up in conversation I would chime in with my recollection of once having Steak-Umm with Cheese on Toaster Pancakes which were wistfully followed by fond yet slightly insane Culinary memories so decades later I decided to recreate this spirited concoction.

My memories did not serve me well. Yes, it was edible but clumsy on the Palate would be too kind of an observation. Well, at least I tried (again).

Photographed clearly on a paper plate to enhance the classiness of the dish. 

I am quite averse to paper plates having plenty of dishes in the house but my hand is forced to utilize the "picnic" mentality and Eat at a Barbecue in my own home for most of the time.

Expectations were so high for the Steak-Umm Pancake thingy that I began preparing a second one before Eating the first.

The Ingredients were put away and had the Pancakes proper for the second round.

Welcome To FANTA-see Island

Used to be Sunkist was the Orange Soda on the block and I have vague memories of Nehi brand as well as White Rock and the Supermarket brand varieties, not sure if Nehi was only available as a Fountain Soda though and of course there was the non carbonated brands like Kool-Aid and Funny Face, Tang is an Orange Drink unto itself and in a different category as is Tengo the Alcoholic Vodka and Oreangeade pre mixed in the bottle and then a tad later to my recollection comes Fanta. Fanta Orange Soda may have been around prior to Sunkist but I am going from my memories this time round and not running to Wikipedia.

As a FOOD Fanta Soda tastes accordingly to the label. 

Grape tastes like Grape, Orange tastes like Orange and so on and so forth.

I have often said to various people that "Orange Soda Is Evil" which would be greeted with a puzzling stare and of course this statement would be explained. Orange Soda is inherently Sweet, so much so that after finishing a bottle I find you are instantly craving for more, this is easily explained. Orange Soda is high in Sugar content, although I have never until just tonight read the Nutrition Facts label this was just a given and I was proven right.

Every so often I will choose a 16 ounce Fanta Orange at the corner bodega to quench my thirst but also do realize what I am in for, as soon as the bottle is done there it is I want another.

Tonight between jobs a bottle of Pineapple Fanta was chosen and this had the same Sugar craving aftertaste that was expected, after purchasing a Fanta Orange and Lipton Citrus Iced Tea for the train ride home I was amazed and proven right seeing that Fanta Orange contains sixty two Grams of Sugar then was taken aback that Fanta Pineapple has eighty Grams, thats even more !!!

Coca Cola has sixty seven Grams so I guess its all a moot point.

Sailing the Seas Of Sugar with a Fanta Orange.

Typical of myself the gears started moving in my tinderbox upstairs so off the train and into the Candy store to see what I could see.

Fanta Strawberry is running neck and neck with Pineapple containing seventy four Grams of Sugar

Also on the shelf is what is referred to as Mexican Soda (as it is a Product Of Mexico) which is preferred due to its use of Sugar as opposed to High Fructose Corn Syrup and also comes in a glass bottle for the purists who are swayed by the notion that soda tastes better from glass than plastic and they do have a point there.

Also the Mexican Fanta has forty two grams of Sugar as opposed to sixty two but is also four ounces smaller than the twenty ounce serving and as I am horrible in mathematics I just am not going to figure this one out.

Fanta de naranja una botella de vidrio, hecha con azucar.

Well this has become a posting mainly concerning Nutritional Value in a Sugary sense which these entries are not known for but to date it looks like the Pineapple Fanta takes the Sugar cube with 80 Grams content. Apple Fanta shown above is one of the more unique Flavors as there are not many Apple Sodas on offer to me, only one other comes to mind (Sidral Mundet).

The Berry Fanta is Berry Berry Good but as I have said Be aware what you are getting yourself into when about to enjoy a Fanta. A sweet tasting Soda indeed even when its Sugar content ranks pretty much equivalent alongside all the other pops on the market.

I am just plain scared of the Pineapple variety but will I indulge in the future,...

Yes I Will.

BALLS TO THE WALL - THE RICE BALL WARS

The Rice Ball (Arancini) seems to be derived of a Sicilian descent and creation propagating from the 10th century and is Eaten to commemorate the Feast of Saint Lucia which is held on December 13th when there is a fasting from Bread and Pasta.

I also just plain eat them.

The only criteria for this entry will be Rice Balls that I come across in my neighborhood or during my workday at various Pizzerias. So far Manhattan island appears to be bereft of The Rice Ball but this could all change very swiftly and at the drop of a Pizza cutter of course. The Rice Ball Special is an entity on its own so we will stick mainly to the plain variety.

I am finding that the Rice Ball does not appear to be outsourced from a central location as they differ from every Pizzeria so far.

Mr. Phil's Pizzeria ($3.75) - A little on the Salty side, Meat and Peas in the center.

Papa Pasquale ($3.00) - I have already voted this my favorite Rice Ball off the top of my head but there is certainly room for more contenders this early in the game. Does not have the Marinara Sauce dispersed throughout the Rice which is what I had expected since this is a Sicilian Rice Ball but what it makes up for in Sauce is with plenty of Mozzarella, just the right amount. Of course there could always be more Meat and perhaps some Peas (I did spot one) but Papa Pasquale's simply can not be bettered is the opinion I still hold, simply Delicious and destroys Mr. Phil's for seventy five cents cheaper. Anyway too early on the list to pick a victor but this is Damn Good.

Pastosa Ravioli ($4.99) - A few short days after bragging about how Papa Pasquale's Rice Ball pretty much can not get beat it goes ahead and gets beat (if only just slightly). The Pastosa Rice Ball which is rather Huge by the way is not as heavy on the Mozzarella but even though it is not seen visually represented in the photo there is Chop Meat (Ground Beef) in every Bite and just the right amount of Green Peas, also the Rice has been tossed with some Marinara Sauce giving it the red hue that I have come to expect from a Sicilian Rice Ball.

Key Food ($2.99) - O.K. I am not holding out too much hope for this, it being a supermarket Deli Rice Ball, here goes.

Not Awful, Rice is slightly discernible as the granules are slightly mushed together probably since it has been in storage fresh though it is. Its meaty center is a bit oily but alright. I see a pea but all in all this is a failure, edible but a failure.

Frank & Sals ($3.00) - I have high expectations for this one and am happy to have this local Salumeria right on my corner. Sadly and oddly the first Rice Ball half I dated up for its photo shoot fell apart under its temperaturic duress so pictured above is one half in its refrigerated state.

These boast an ample amount of Meat filling of which I am happy to see. Rice is seemingly flavored in Chicken Broth and the filling has a hearty texture, must be Sausage based. Slightly Greasy but these are very good, no idea what Cristina (a detractor) was talking about.

Frank & Sals ($1.50) - These are the mini Rice Balls from my Salumeria and they garner a mention since this is where I came across this establishments Rice Balls first. I am a seeker of Prosciutto Balls and tried their version which contained much Rice and from what I can tell Sopresatta and not Prosciutto (I could be wrong) but are still quite tasty.

Three Kinds (from noon to nine o' clock) is pictured the Prosciutto Ball, Spinach Rice Ball and Plain Rice Ball. All Cheesetastic and Flavorful.

Anthony's Butcher & Deli ($2.99) - These look terribly promising.

Thoroughly rich in Flavor. a Tasteful Marinara Seasoning the Rice rotating around a center of Creamy, Fresh Mozzarella. The only complaint is the lack of Meat and Peas which plays a characterizing factor. Excellent otherwise.

Lenny's ($4.00) - It is called a Rice Ball but as this is one of the larger of the large sized variety it just contains a bit too much Rice and not a proper ratio of Meat and Peas. Rice is a bit on the mushy side and Meat is a bit overcooked, the Peas are only proliferating the Meat portion but that is just about the industry standard, still definitely tasty.

Pizza Den ($2.75) - I recall these being crappy, let's see.

Ricotta in the Rice portion, Mozzarella in the Meat center.

NO PEAS.

Not Great, still O.K.

Lioni's ($4.00) - This is my "go to" eatery for the Prosciutto Ball of which I rate in the highest category. Their LG. Rice Ball is touted as "Meat & Cheese" and I do not see any Peas myself and Cheese in this instance is an elusive ingredient.

Not much if any Cheese is present, the Meat Filling is quite Flavorful offsetting the not bland but plentiful orbit of Rice. The Rice is somewhat Tangy on its own and Salted perfectly.

NO PEAS.

Lioni's ($1.25) - The Mini Rice Ball. The Pop-ems of the Rice Ball world.

The Plain mini is just that. Plain, lightly Saltish and if any Cheese is barely perceptible.

Pepperoni & Cheddar appears to contain no Cheddar but it says it does so it must however there is a distinct Flavor of Pepperoni which permeates.

Tony Pepperoni ($4.00) - This Pizzeria was not even in my conscious running for a candidate but passing by I checked it out. Tony Pepperoni used to be Vittorio Pizzeria (Bay Ridge Parkway & 18th avenue) and after many years was sold and plummeted so far in quality that I gave up after just one Slice, you could actually look at the Pizza and tell it was not quite up to par, on this visit everything looked pretty good and the Rice Balls come in two sizes of Large and mini.

Rice is slightly bland and of the Chicken Stock variety with some Mozzarella dispersed throughout but not that you really would notice. The Meat filling is Average as is this Rice Ball, I also see a few Peas AND Carrots giving the impression that these are canned Vegetables but I am sure they are in pretty much All the Rice Balls.

Brooklyn Pizza (unknown price, delivery order with other items, around three bucks) -

NO PEAS, NO CHEESE, NO TASTE.

I was somewhat impressed with the presentation of the quartered Rice Ball in delivery form and was also pleased with the added inclusion of some Marinara Sauce for Dipping/Pouring. 

The thing is though that this was so lacking in Flavor that it direly needed some Marinara to almost practically make it Food, the Sauce was decent though.

Krispy Pizzeria ($4.25) - Rice on the moist side but my initial first Bite told me this was definitely prepared with Chicken Stock as the base and reminded me of Stove Top Chicken Stuffing, now this is not in a negative way. Decent Rice Ball, minimum of Pea(s).

Tony's Pizzeria ($4.00) - This is the very first time in my Arancini sojourn that I felt that the Rice Ball may in fact be outsourced as opposed to unique to each location but this may be due to the illusion of spatial and optical influence. This Rice Ball was like Brooklyn Pizza's version served with a solo cup of Marinara Sauce but had the same effect on my taste buds as well.

NO PEAS, NO CHEESE, NO TASTE.

Frankly I was somewhat surprised since Tony's Pizzeria does make quite a good Slice of Pizza and have garnered positive entries on this here Blog. Like Brooklyn Pizza this Rice Ball needed Dipping Sauce and I even applied some Grated Cheese to enhance it's flavor.

B & A Pork Store ($4.00) - O.K. This one just looks plain promising but I am slightly biased as I have heard good things about their Rice Ball and even told the counterperson Frank about it after which he gave me a mini Rice Ball (see below) to taste on the house.

This Has Everything !!! All Ingredients done to perfection, the aspect that sets it apart is an overtone of Black Pepper which is not a bad thing and slightly Greasy which to me is also not a bad thing.

A good amount of Peas, Juicy Meat center and its nice to see Cheese return to my Rice Ball, its been a few back now.

B & A Pork Store mini-rice ball (about a buck apiece) - and how cute they are, actually i slightly preferred the one that was gifted me this afternoon at room temperature but this was still quite good but nothing compared to their Sicilian Rice Ball. Rice, Cheese and Ham.

Could have used a bit more Salt or Spice.

La Bella Marketplace ($9.30/11 or about 85 cents apiece) - La Bella gets a packaging photo because who spends ten dollars on Rice Balls in a shot ? Well, if I tally up the price tag of this list I may just get depressed about the wages spent on these items and also La Bella is not a marketplace its a Supermarket but the Italians are proud of the peasant lifestyle and Marketplace also belies the impression of mass marketed Food placing the pleasant idea of home Cooking in the mind.

I almost did not plunk down the change for this package on one time purchase price alone but that just would not be fair to this comparison list.

The La Bella mini was quite good and as I had it back to back with the B & A mini it was easy to compare. These were Saltier and Cheesier, comparable to the minis from Frank & Sal's on my corner.

AND THE WINNER ON THIS LIST IS.

Pastosa followed by B & A.

Anthonys Butcher gets an honorable mention as everything was perfect there but it was an unorthodox Rice Ball due to the absence of Meat and Peas.

For the time being I am just about ready to take a break from The Rice Ball but they will return.