June 17, 2018 Update
The annual much anticipated Z-List update is coming up soon so I figured I’ll give you a little preview. Much anticipated in my household that is. Something tells me Jean-Georges Vongerichten is not exactly losing sleep on this. But who knows, I may be wrong
You gotta love places with a signature dish. And then you really gotta love places with so many “classics” on the menu, you dont even need to order the signature dish. I was having dinner at at Vietnamese place the other day, my second time there, and I came out as puzzled as ever about its must order dishes. While at Ducks Eatery, you salivate at the usual suspects… ribs, wings, goat neck, and after the latest mini feast, smoked duck salad, and just about the most outrageous “Rice and Beans” you’ll find in NYC. Not many do the American classics better in NYC
July 23, 2017 Post
You can get goat all over the city, especially in Indian restaurants. But Google “Goat Neck NYC” or “Smoked Goat Neck NYC” and see how many results come up. Go ahead I’m waiting. You will get many results, but all pointing to one place… Ducks Eatery. Thats because Ducks is the only place in NYC that offers it. Why? I’m not sure. But one bite out of that thing makes you wonder. Perhaps at this stage, its impossible for any chef with some integrity to add something like this to the menu without any infringement. Its a revelation of sorts. A level of tenderness and succulence I havent experienced in NYC, or at least not in a while.
Now, I’m not the biggest fan of Guy Fieri. But on occasion I cross paths with him in my writings. Perhaps to the point of “maybe I should start watching those DDD’s” ( I even forget what they stand for. Drives, Diners, and Divas?). So instead of trying to give this the proper justice with fancy food words like divine and OMFG, I will just refer you to this DDD clip which describes this dish and its inspiration very well. As you see, making this goat requires 59 easy steps, a culinary degree, with a minor in economics. It makes the price ($36) look like a robbery (where I’m the robber). You may also want to watch Fieri in another EWZ favorite, Gazala’s Place in Midtown 
I suppose if you are a carnivore, that video is all you need. My job is done here. But I need to make it to at least 350 words or else its “No pastrami for you” the next time I’m at Z-List fave, and East Village tour staple Harry & Ida’s (Will and Julie Horowitz own Ducks and Harry & Ida’s). So what should we talk about to fill the gap. There’s apparently a front moving according to the news. What happens when a front stops moving. Is it still a front? Or does it need to move by definition? They never report on fronts that stay still, I dont believe. You never hear “we have a front that is stuck for 3 days outside the Maryland coast”
I suppose I should also mention that the dry rubbed St. Louis Ribs here sport a beautiful red hue and would make any Texan blush (because of the East Village crowds). And the wings here are gorgeously jerked and pepper-corned, and are going straight into the NYC Wings Hall of Fame. We ordered another round. This is serious BBQ folks. But all of this including the seafood items like the fine smoked trout take on a supporting role after the most beautiful neck this side of Ibiza.
Apparently its called a Stationary Front. Where two air masses collide and neither strong enough to move each other. Sort of like drunk sumo wrestlers leaning against each other. But at some point they simply fall down and get dragged out of the rink ending in a tie. But not before they piss on themselves.
Ducks Eatery
351 E 12th St (1st ave), East Village
Rating: Three Z’s (out of 4)
Stars range from Good to Exceptional. Simple as that
Recommended Dishes: Goat Neck, Trout, Ribs, Wings, duck sa just get the Goat Neck
“Leave the coast, and wonderful things start to happen”. A common statement that we heard from many locals, and got to experience all over the Croatia. Not terribly surprising once you realize that much of Croatia’s tourism is tied to its coasts and islands. We are way passed “broken record” territory here in EWZ with this kind of preaching that is so true all over the world. One of the first things I tell new visitors in NYC: Want to eat well? Head to residential neighborhoods. Preferably not the wealthy ones.
A new month means a new 
I always thought Truffle Hunts were sort of a joke. You go to the forest with a bunch of eager puppies to look for truffles planted there the morning of. Sort of like finding the Matzah during Passover, except for the forest, and eager part. The only way to get my kids to look for Matzah these days is if we plant a white truffle along with it. So after all those trips to Italy including Piedmont, I never imagined that I would get my truffle hunt certificate in Croatia. Husband, Father, Lover of Pizza, Tour Guide, Truffle Hunter. My tomb stone is starting to resemble the Stanley Cup.
We have a Sabra invasion in full swing and no one bats and eyelid, not even Trump. Einat Admony (Balaboosta, Bar Bolonat, Taim), Efraim Nahon (Taboon), Michael Solomonov (Dizengoff), Nir Mesika (Timna), and many more, including now Meir Adoni, an Israeli superstar opening his first in NYC. The falafel kingdom continues to expand with chainlets like Taim, and Nish Nush leading the way. And we even have a (sort of) Israeli bakery chain in Breads Bakery, whose owner is Adoni’s partner at Nur. Even my new favorite French dessert spot in East Village is owned by talented Israelis.
So if Adoni wants to open an Adoni Hagadol, I wont even take royalties. He’s already off to a flying start, hotter than a Shakshuka in the Sinai. We werent quite sure what to expect from Israel’s culinary idol. And when we arrived, as often happens when we come back from an extended European trip, we are greeted with a jolt in the way of three greeters. I think on average the employee/diners ratio is roughly 5 times higher in NYC than anywhere in Europe. Why do we need three hosts!
Warning: The following post is more about the Show rather than Tell. There are a handful of very strong candidates to write the first post about after this adventure, but I cant think of anything more deserving. Its a rare Location Location Location situation, and not so much about the food. Although there was nothing really wrong with the food. We just didnt give it much of a chance to prove itself beyond the one wonderful course that we thoroughly enjoyed. It could have been the meal of a century, if not perhaps for a group of 40 German tourists occupying the place before us. Leaving us just enough time for a short meal before rushing for another highlight, the famous Zadar sunset.
The latest issue of W42st has a proud theme. Inside there’s a mini zine where you’ll find 5 Asian dishes I’m mostly proud of
Eating With Ziggy 