New York City Eating Tour: Day 2

Six restaurants in one day? Yes, it can be done... and here's how:

First stop...

Les Halles Brasserie
411 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
http://www.leshalles.net/


What I ordered:
Ouefs Benedicte (two poached eggs with Parisian ham, English muffin and hollandaise sauce), one croissant, fresh squeezed orange juice, two cups of French pressed coffee. One Anthony Bourdain sighting.

What I thought:
Fantastic place for breakfast without waiting in lines. It had a really authentic French feel to it. Breakfast: success. Anthony Bourdain sighting: not a success.



Second stop...

Billy's Bakery
184 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
http://www.billysbakery.nyc.com/




What I ordered:
One vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

What I thought:
Well, I don't know if you can quite see it, but I have frosting on my face. Pure sugar ecstasy!


Third stop...




Dumpling House
118 Eldridge Street
New York, NY 10002







What I ordered:
My friend just spit out a whole bunch of Cantonese, and out came these puppies...


What I thought:
Right up there with Din Tai Fung in Monterey Park, CA. The ginger infused soy sauce was a perfect compliment to all the juices that come flowing out after the first bite.


Fourth stop:

Crumbs (East Village)
37 East 8th Street
New York, NY 10003
http://www.crumbsbakeshop.com/

Yes, cupcakes again. I couldn't help it.
Oh, and there's probably frosting on my face in that picture, too.


What I ordered:
Boston Cream Cupcake - Delicious vanilla cake filled with creamy vanilla custard and smothered in chocolate fudge.


What I thought:
The difference between these cupcakes and all the others (Magnolia, Sugar Sweet Sunshine, Billy's or Sprinkles for you LA folk), is that these cupcakes have fillings! Make sure you have a glass of milk on hand for these. And a dentist.


Fifth stop:

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 First Avenue
New York, NY 10003
http://www.momofuku.com/

What I ordered:
Momofuku ramen with Berkshire pork combo, poached egg

What I thought:
It's like the gourmet version of the ramen noodles I used to make in college. Perfect on a rainy day!

(Anh Thu, Jen, Kathy, Austin [behind the camera])

It's even more perfect when you can share it with gorgeous NYC friends!

Sixth and final stop:


ChikaLicious
203 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10003
http://www.chikalicious.com/




Chika is this cute little Japanese woman who prepares every single plate right in front of your eyes...


What I ordered:


Three course dessert...






Coconut ice cream on lemongrass shaved ice

Warm chocolate tart, pink peppercorn ice cream

and red wine sauce

Petit fours: coconut marshmallow cubes, rum-soaked pound cake, chocolate truffles

What I thought:
This was the perfect amount of dessert after all the food I had just eaten that day. There's also something about your dessert being made with love that makes it all the better.



Stay tuned for day 3: the eating tour goes gourmet...