I dont usually update a place this soon, but this is kinda important after yet another fine meal at Ivan Ramen LES. Weather is getting chillier (or seemed to be a few weeks ago at least), and I cant think of a better way to start Ramen season. The Chicken Paitan at Ivan is not the Ramen dish that made Ivan famous, but to me it’s right up there with NYC’s best at the moment. As I described 6 months ago when it came out, “the richness and deliciousness of a Tonkotsu without the heaviness”.
A corn on a cob dish always gets my attention, and this one proved to be a wowzer. Its Miso roasted with bonito flakes and some sort of Japanese magic dust sprinkled. The fried chicken, brined perhaps, is another exceptional one. The Coney Island Tofu with that miso mushroom chili has made it’s triumphant return to the menu. Magnifique as always. As is the Triple pork, triple garlic Mazemen (brothless ramen) which has been on the menu since day 1 but somehow eluded me all this time. Being featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table hasnt made it easy, but reservations are doable. Go!
Its easy to overlook the capital once you look at the rest of Croatia, but you need to fly home from somewhere. Two nights, one full day is a good amount of time to see the sights, most of which from a compact center. By this stage of the trip, food research fatigue took over. But we still managed to sneak in a good final meal
The burning question. In the midst of all that madness, what exactly should I look for in this Zombie infested former Nabisco factory. I added a couple of names for 2017 without feeling the need to change anything else. This is just mostly a fresh reminder since I’m constantly being asked by people. What should I target in Chelsea Market…
This month on Hell’s Kitchen’s unofficial official magazine W42st, the theme is… ok, I dont really remember. I’m pretty sure the theme is not quickies, but sounds like it should be one of these days. I try, but sometimes I just cant match the Eatlists with the theme. If for example the theme is The Kardashians (it could happen), I would have a hard time coming up with related recommendations, other than maybe Casellula, home of the pig’s ass sandwich.
The first thing I have to tell you about Llama Inn in Williamsbutg is how gorgeous it is. Out of all the Peruvian I’ve been to in NYC, this is possibly the best looking. Albeit oddly situated in a not so attractive location by the highway. In fact I’m pretty sure the last time I came here this building was a gas station surrounded by other gas stations. The space is stylish even for the hotel filled chic Williamsburg standards. Designed by Joseph Foglia Designs, one can see how much time and effort went into this project.
This post was supposed to be about the other housewife, from Hanoi. Both Madame and Hanoi House opened in East Village around the same time earlier this year, pretty much turning the Vietnamese scene in East Village upside down. Both heavily reviewed by local media, sometimes 
“What, no Seafood?!? No problem, I give you Octopus!” No, I didnt crash a Greek wedding, nor have I actually heard this said before. It was simply the pre-trip imagination at work, anticipating yet another seafood heavy leg. I imagined after 10 fishfull days, we stumble onto a small family Konoba somewhere on the Istrian coast, begging an English speaking baka (a Croatian Babushka) for some meat. But luckily for us, not only we never really got tired of those Adriatic c
August 10th, 2017 Update:
Eating With Ziggy 