New Malai Marke Hits the Mark

A Malai Marke Indian feast

East Village newcomer Malai Marke is northern Indian slang for "a dash of cream." But there's nothing slight about its impact on the E. 6th Street block known as Curry Row. In fact, its celebration of authentic regional specialties has given waning Curry Row a much needed facelift. Co-owner Roshan Balan calls it a ‘flavor explosion,’ and he’s right.

A tour around the menu introduces diners to hard to find coastal delicacies from Goa, Kerala and Mangalore, all richly influenced by Portuguese settlers. Try the coconutty chicken xacuti and fish ambotik. Murgh makhani and Malai Marke paneer, two signature dishes by chef/co-owner Shiva Natarajan, are robust twists on classics butter chicken and butter paneer. Lamb madras, a staple dry curry on Indian menus, benefits from quality meat and fresh curry leaves. Fresh chili and red onions add another layer of flavor to classic naan. It's the ideal place to venture off the beaten curry path and try something new. You really can't go wrong.

Malai Marke on E. 6th St.

Interiors by Thida Thong Thai are stylishly casual with copper pots from the company warehouse lining the exposed brick walls. And the open kitchen maintains the connection with diners.

Malai Marke is bound to be a stalwart in the team's fleet of restaurants includes Chola, Dhaba, and Thele Wala.

The $9 a la carte lunch special, which comes with two sides and naan, is one of the best steals in the East Village, too. Now you know.

318 E. 6th Street
Between 1st + 2nd Aves
212 777 7729

Three Great Brunches on the Bowery

Pulino's smoked trout salad and eggs

Dining options on the Bowery have simply taken off and that includes some standout brunches.Those who've dined with me know that a brunch menu had better offer more than a standard plate of eggs, bacon and home fries to get my attention. Enter Pulino's, Peels and Hecho en Dumbo.

I never used to consider a pizza joint for brunch. Not anymore. Pulino's not only serves a worthy weekend brunch, but it's one of a few neighborhood restaurants that offers a proper weekday breakfast too. Dominating the corner at E. Houston, interiors feature Keith McNally's trademark subway tiles. It's friendly and airy, perfect for groups and families. The unusual smoked trout salad and eggs ($15) looks like a giant bagel with the works, but is light and satisfying. For a heartier option, try the cheesy skillet baked eggs and fettunta (garlic bread).

Peels build-a-biscuit piled high

Peels is southern comfort on a plate. So what if everyone looks like they walked out of "Gossip Girl"?

If the weather's nice, snatch one of the few coveted outdoor tables. The build-a-biscuit is a classic breakfast sandwich that starts with one beautiful buttermilk biscuit. Then choose your vice. Eggs with bacon, ham, sausage? Smothered in red eye gravy? All up to you. All worth the calories. Peels is also open for breakfast during the week.

A hearty Mexican chilaquiles verdes

Hecho en Dumbo has been serving a consistently delicious and buzzy brunch since opening two summers ago. Not to mention a great value.

A $17 prix fixe gets you an authentic Mexican dish - sweet or savory - served with a cocktail or fresh non-alcoholic beverage.They always greet you with a little plate of deliciousness to start. Sometimes it's tiny palmiers, other times fresh mini sweet buns. I'm partial to the stew-like chilaquiles verdes, featuring corn tortillas and a fried egg layered with shredded chicken and a spicy tomatillo sauce.

Pulino's
282 Bowery @ E. Houston

Peels
325 Bowery between E 2nd St + Bleecker

Hecho en Dumbo
354 Bowery between E 3rd + E 4th Sts

Cooper's Craft & Kitchen Elevates Pub Grub

Signature fish 'n' chips shines

One of the most misused food buzz words these days is gastropub.

A mostly American craft selection

The term was born in the UK in the early 90s when quirky London pub The Eagle started serving high quality food with its craft brews. Nothing pretentious, just decently priced, well sourced fare; dishes detailed on blackboards instead of menus. The trend flourished and naturally found its way to our shores. Unfortunately, the concept frequently got lost in the translation as any ol' restaurant was suddenly claiming the title.

One East Village newcomer that actually is a gastropub is Cooper's Craft & Kitchen. Craft beers galore? Check. Tasty comfort food? Check. Chilled, local vibe? Check.

Restaurateur Tom O'Byrne (Dempsey's, Slainte) transformed the out-of-place former Kurve into a welcoming neighborhood corner. Reclaimed wood interiors were once a Pittsburgh barn. Check out the original farm doors along the back wall while scanning the blackboard beer selection. The focus is on rotating American, even local, craft brews, with 24 on tap and 40 bottle options. 

Classic chargrilled steak

Beer also makes an appearance in dishes including the signature fish 'n' chips ($14). It's a stand out. Two meaty hunks of fresh Chatham, MA, cod burst through a crispy IPA-battered golden coating. The pulled pork sandwich ($13), satisfyingly sweet and spicy, is marinated in Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale.

Even the Cooper burger ($14) is topped with a beer tempura onion ring, but also comes with a half dozen other toppings which don't entirely mesh. I am hearing good things about the Drunken Drumsticks ($9), deep fried in breadcrumbs and coated in lemon and thyme.

Craft beer lovers take note: starting next week, Cooper's will offer 5 different brews for 5 bucks a pop, Monday-Friday, 4-7pm. Cheers.

87 2nd Ave at 5th St

646 606 2384

Gimme Shelter

Neighborhood nostalgia: East Village, circa 1979, Fruit Exchange corner of 1st Ave + E 7th St.
Courtesy Michael Sean Edwards.

I've been lax on posting.

To be honest, my obsessive pursuit of great neighborhood eats recently took a back seat to the worst activity known to New Yorkers: the apartment search. It's all consuming and soul destroying. Especially today when the rental inventory is next to nil and the prices are sky high. I came this close to leaving my beloved East Village, where "value for money" and "apartments" don't appear in the same sentence. Even though it's always been my home while living in New York for the past 5 years.

But after a month of brokers, tears, lack of appetite, and sleepless nights, on the day I literally put in an application on a Gramercy apartment, wondering how in the world can I continue an EV food blog when I don't even live here, my phone rang. Management office. Brand new listing. Not on the market yet. There it was. In the heart of the hood. Near the police station. Around the corner from Empellon Cocina and The Toucan and the Lion, coincidentally top of my list of hottest must trys.

In the end, my stomach won out. It's time to feast again. The old neighborhood is waiting.

The World's Most Expensive Ham at Pata Negra

Delicious Spanish chorizo plate

Tiny Pata Negra sits on an E. 12th Street block in the East Village packed with quality international eateries.

There's French Resto Leon, Thai Terminal, Motorino pizza and S'MAC mac-n-cheese. The unassuming Spanish tapas bar deserves serious recognition.

First, the name: pata negra refers to the finest Spanish ham, and world's most expensive.

Membrillo topped goat cheese - a must

The famed 'black hoofed' ham is produced by a special breed of Iberian hogs native only to Spain and fed a steady diet of acorns. The real deal has only been approved for US import for three years. Pata Negra is one of the few places in NYC that you can order it. And it's $150/lb. You can get a plate here for $40.

As a chorizo fanatic, my eye is drawn instantly to this smokey tapa. The plump, juicy sausage comes from Despana, which means it is fantastic. It's accompanied by a delicious selection of seasonal veggies ($10).

The patitas sampler ($7) is classic taste of Spain. Five toast points come with a variety of fine Spanish hams, boquerones (white anchovies), pequillo peppers, Manchego, and membrillo.

Spanish charm and style

The fairly priced selection of Spanish wines rotates regularly. The genial staff will gladly guide you through it.

And they remember you when you come back. You will come back.

345 E 12th St.
between 1st + 2nd Aves.
Open Tues - Sun from 5pm
212 228 1696

Welcome to Goat Town

Hello, Goat Town!

Oh, what a welcome awaits at Goat Town. The kind of welcome that lured me back two days in a row. That's how much I love this new East Village restaurant from Nicholas Morgenstern, of Brooklyn's The General Greene.

Where in the world did the name come from? Apparently, it's the wry literal translation of 'Gotham.'

Bright and sunny by day, warmly candlelit by night, it's the kind of neighborhood restaurant that is perfect for any meal. It's all in the detail. The dining room is beautiful and kudos to the design team, brothers Evan and Oliver Haslegrave,who transformed the former Butcher Bay space. A weathered copper bar, the coolest white tiled booths and arched tin ceiling compliment the open kitchen and raw oyster bar centerpiece. Fresh amaryllis are everywhere. Even the loo has style. Not to mention the eclectic tunes.

Artful French toast

The American bistro serves a classic but creative menu from chef Joel Hough (formerly of Cookshop). Brunch highlights include a N'Orleans scramble with tasso ham and oysters ($13), and a semolina raisin French toast with New York maple syrup ($12). Dinner entrees feature arctic char with caramelized cauliflower ($22) and haddock fish + chips ($18).

Beer + burger special - a killer deal

A steal is the happy hour beer and burger special ($14). A generous cheese burger comes brimming with crispy thick cut fries, pickled onion and a side of delicious homemade horseradish-garlic mayo.

Goat Town embraces yard-to-table eating. The empty back yard is being converted into a vegetable garden (they may add a farm table for dining too) and there are plans to butcher meat in house as well. Even the desserts are made on site. Just come by.

511 E. 5th St, between Avenues A + B. 212 687 3471

Growlers and Good Times at Good Beer

The East Village block of E 9th St between A and First Aves. is hopping (no pun intended) these days with new foodie finds. Sandwiched between Whitmans, a favorite new burger joint, and Olivia Bistro, a pretty new Med eatery, sits two-week old craft beer shop aptly named Good Beer.

Affable owner David Cichowicz quit his job in publishing and opened the inviting retail shop-cum-gourmet hangout because he "loves beer." And it shows. Cichowicz aims to carry a selection of 900 ever-changing bottled beers. For now the store is brimming with 450 types including rare finds such as Tampa's Cigar City and McNeill's from Vermont. A dozen brews on tap ($6) rotate and currently include Hercules Double IPA, Hop Crisis IPA, and Dogfish Head Chicory Stout. Or taste a flight of 4 for $8.



Growlers and draught brews

Just as exciting is Good Beer's use of growlers. Thanks to Whole Foods and a few pioneering beer shops in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, 64-oz. growlers are slowly catching on in New York. Good Beer sells the eco-friendly glass jugs for $6.99. Or bring in your own to refill at no extra charge.

Cichowicz knows that beer tastes better with nibbles, so he's compiled a greatest hits menu of sweet and savory. All are organic, heritage and/or local. On the savory side, kielbasa - both spicy and cheddar filled, organic hot dogs, vegan sausage, various meat and cheese plates. There's even beef jerky to graze on. The sweet stuff at Good Beer comes with a twist - bacon buttercrunch toffee, hot rod pretzels dipped in chocolate and chili nuts, and beer corn - caramel popcorn studded with candied mustard seeds and pretzel bits. Nibbles and plates range from $3-$15. Good stuff.

Beer heaven

422 E 9th St, between Ave A and First Ave. Hours Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, noon-7pm

Winning Korean Fried Chicken in East Village

There's only one thing I love more than fried chicken...Korean fried chicken. The problem is I have yet to taste any in NY that rival the best of the best - a KFC temple called Crisp in Chicago. If you're ever in the Windy City, put it on your to do list. Rich, bold flavors. The meatiest, most succulent wings. Lip-smacking magic in your mouth.

But that doesn't mean NY can't serve up a great alternative. Turns out it's now here in the East Village at the new Mono + Mono restaurant. Owner MJ Chung has not only given the former Jeollado space a splashy new makeover, but he's also injected some clever personal touches - like his private collection of 30,000 jazz LPs that adorn the walls and rotate through the impressive sound system.

Now back to the food. Obviously go for their "Famous Korean Fried Chicken." Double fried means the fat melts away leaving a crunchy, paper-thin skin. Two sauce choices - a satisfying soy garlic or hot spicy  - give the juicy pieces a slick, sticky coating. My one let down was the pieces are small - small enough to single out. A 10-piece order ($16.95) includes two drumsticks and a mix of 8 petite drumettes and wing portions. The serving is accompanied by a refreshing side of traditional pickled daikon radish, and small corn salad. If you order the chicken, get the Mexican corn appetizer ($7.00), too. The hot grilled cob is smothered in just enough cotija cheese and paprika to make it sinfully delicious, and a great compliment to the chicken. The Mono + Mono salad ($8.95) is also a fresh and light prelude to the main event. Coated in a ginger dressing, succulent Asian pear, pickled beets, asparagus and smooth avocado give the spinach salad a satisfying zing.

The food was consistently delicious, service was excellent and the vibe is very East Village. What's not to love? Next time I'll grab a group or a hot date, and check out some of their sophisticated special rolls (our server said the Angry Salmon roll is to die for).

116 E 4th St. (between 1st + 2nd Aves.). Sun - Wed, 4pm - midnight and Thurs - Sat, 4pm - 2am.







La Dolce Vita in the East Village

Veniero's Pastry Shop, an East Village institution

Despite the constant stream of great new eateries in the East Village, sometimes I don't want to try the latest flavor of the week. I want the comfort of old, tried and true. Especially with dessert, where classic trumps experimental any day.
You can't get more traditional or legendary than Veniero's on E. 11th St. The old-world, family-owned pasticceria and cafe dates back to 1894, and stepping foot inside is a magical walk back in time. Under the ornate stained glass ceilings, dozens of mouthwatering sweets greet you as they have for four generations. Your eyes widen, you can't help but smile. So many choices...so many glorious calories. Cheesecakes, cannoli, tiramisu, biscotti, fruit tarts, strawberry shortcake, Black Forest cake, Red Velvet cake, and pastries galore. Even gelato! The menu lists more than 60 desserts, made from scratch daily. There are even sugar, gluten and dairy-free items.

Veniero's decadent desserts

Their signature New York cheesecake (with strawberries, $4.50) is utterly scrumptious. Rich and decadently creamy. Just as good as Mom's, in fact. The Sicilian cheesecake ($4.50), made with ricotta rather than cream cheese, is lighter and hints of lemon. For coffee lovers, the enormous slice of mocha espresso cake ($4.50) definitely delivers.  And don't miss their famous pignoli cookies ($2.50 for 2) - chewy marzipan morsels studded with crunchy pine nuts. Ridiculously delicious.

A visit to Veniero's is like being transported to Venice's Piazza San Marco for a sweet hour or two. 342 E. 11th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues).

Hidden Taqueria on Ave A Celebrates Mexican Independence Day

Zaragoza Mexican Deli Grocery is easy to pass over as just another East Village bodega. But that would be a big mistake. The nondescript exterior gives nothing away. Step inside this teeny - and curious - neighborhood shop and you're still not sure what to make of it. You're instantly distracted by shelves jammed with hot sauce, canned chipotle peppers and cleaning products. Walls are crowded with a colorful giant mural, 'Viva Mexico' flag, and party decorations. And the speakers are blaring festive corridos.

But just focus on the handwritten menu behind the counter featuring burritos ($6), quesadillas ($3), and tostadas ($2.50). The food is clearly the reason you are here. This is some of the most authentic and delicious Mexican street fare in the East Village. Classic tacos, fully loaded, cost $2.50. You won't find that price at Snack Dragon or La Lucha.

Spicy chicken tacos

Try the roast pork or spicy chicken, made before your eyes. Grab a Formica-topped table in the back, and with your first bite, you'll think you discovered some random but fantastic road side taco shack south of the border. Autentico y delicioso.

This Thursday, September 16th, Zaragoza celebrates Mexican Independence Day from 6-10pm with a traditional Mexican musical trio, and food and drink specials. It may be small, but I'm certain this taqueria knows how to throw a fiesta.

Roast pork tacos

Food served Sun - Thurs, 10am - 11pm, and Fri - Sat, 10am - 4am. Located at 215 Ave A (between 13th and 14th Streets).

Taqueria Alert!  KikaEats also is closely monitoring the soon-to-open East Village taqueria Sabor a Mexico at 160 1st Ave. It's the third location for this Manhattan based family business. Expected opening Sept 24th.