Holiday Food

It has been a while since I have posted here. I tend just to place pictures on this blog for your eyes. And to be honest, I see no reason to stop that trend. With that being said, I present you with some pictures.



Some noodles that I was making. You don't see the slices of pork or egg that I like to put into these noodles. You have to spice the noodles up a bit. Oh, and hot sauce is a must.



Spanish Salami and Spanish Cheese. This is just a good little snack that I enjoy making when I'm not too hungry but hungry.



Korean dinner last week.



Eggs Benedict. I got these from a little French Bistro down in NoLita. Good grub and they serve fritters with them.



This little Sushi joint that Uncle Joe enjoys visiting. He brought me here as my going away meal.



I got to eat some Menudo when I was in Cambria. It was a tasty plate that I had for a late lunch. Then I went and tried to eat dinner and that didn't go so well...was still very full from the Menudo.



Oh, this was another meal over in Cambria: Crab Benedict.



One morning I cooked some Chorizo and Eggs for Uncle Joe. I made him some burritos de Chorizo while he read his paper and drank coffee. Uncle Joe now wears reading glasses and yells at the paper and the stupid things people do. Yes, he is getting old...haha!



This is just another breakfast at Casa de Elias y Rosie (those are my folks). Good stuff I tell you.



Tamales.



The spread.



The Rooster masando for his Mommy who gets tired doing this job. On that note, I love cooking with my Mom and Dad. It is when I feel really close to them and they watch over me and instruct me what to do and what not to do. My Mother tends to be a little more free spirited when cooking. My father tends to run a tighter ship when it comes to procedure.



This is the carne for the tamales. This recipe has been passed down for four generations of my family. I'm sure my sister's daughter will get it passed to her. But on this day it was The Rooster who was running the show. Holla!



Another special from Case De Elias y Rosie. Breakfast rocks at my folks place.



This is my Dad's famous recipe. I just continue to pester him until he lets me help. He's really particular about the meat being cooked just right and when to add the chile.



My Dad wasn't satisfied with the Chile so I had to boil some on the quick for him.



The Rooster's famous chilaquiles. Nuff said.



Beans...why? Because Beaners eat Beans...haha! I always loved that line.



The Rooster is making it law that everyone have one of these. You can make Nachos at all hours with this thing. I loved it. I'm not sure why my mother purchased it...but this machine was amazing.

Random Photos

This is a simple dish that I make. Mash infused with garlic and peppered pork chop that I just gently sit over the mash in the center of the plate. I then make sure and spread over the plate some cooked onions. I didn't take a picture of it but I do tend to sprinkle this with a fresh cranberry sauce I make.



Simple dish. I cook a lot of bacon and eat some and set the rest aside. Then I crumble up the bacon for my my bacon bits. I just get a head of lettuce and cut it into fourths...makes my salad for four days.



These are garlic, orange and tequila shrimp. The center is some couscous with cheese cubes worked into it. Nice basic little snack for the mid-day.




Depending on what you like in the city you have to travel to different places to get your favorite desert. Yet, for the most bang for the buck I think Carnegie Deli is the way to go. Above are their carrot cake and also cheese cake...had these when the boys from the UK came into town.




These are a few plates of food from Carmines on 92nd. I took the boys there when they came to visit from the UK. The food was good and the portions were too big for us to finish. It was a good meal with good friends from across the pond.




Decided to take the mates to a place where they could have some entertainment. Thus, I took them to Brother Jimmy's. It was a good time and they enjoyed the view. I do enjoy the ribs here....we were too stuffed to walk after.



Chun and Sir Richard the 4th eating their first meal in NYC. Pizza...what else.




People. Only good Tequila will be suffice in The Rooster's world.

Tis Been A Long-Long While

I'm not sure where to start here. Serious, I have been high and low when it comes to places to eat. Jenn and I almost polished off a few lists that we had. For instance, the Sushi list:

Sasabune
15 East
Miso
Takahachi
Kanoyama is the only one we didn't get to.

The list goes on and on and I can't tell you all the wine bars and such. But I thought I would get you caught up on some food things that have happened since my last post. Well here it is in pictures.






The above pictures are of some street food over on 14th Street that takes place in front of Our Virgin de Guadalupe Church. It is great food and the price is right. I really liked the tamales I had there and they are the read deal if you ask me.



This was a unique dish I had at a new Southern Joint that opened up in Brooklyn. On my way to Taxi Beach there was this little stop that had blues music and also food. I can't remember the name now...in any case, this was a cheese cake with shrimp. It was odd but it didn't taste bad.



KB took care of this bottle at Japas for John "The General" Lee's going away party. I like that they only charged us like 80.00 bucks for this bottle and all the sides we wanted. Can't go wrong if you ask me...good times and sad to see my buddy go to London but it had to be.






The above is just a little meal I made for myself. Nothing too big...wink! Yes, that is just how I do.



My buddy from Paris eating a good old American favorite: Cheese, crackers and chili. Welcome to America.



Welcome to Philly. It had been ages since I had seen one of these places and when I traveled to Philly and seen one...well I had to take a picture.





This was this really cool milk shake machine they had at the WAWA in Philly. Serious, I love my milkshakes and this machine made them there on the spot. You had to just pick out the flavor you wanted and put it on the machine and presto. I loved this machine and want one for my apt.



I forgot what this was called. But it is native to Philly and this stuff has to be the best stuff to ever be served at a diner...hands down my favorite meal of the Philly trip. Yes, this was a meal unto itself. This should be served at every diner in America...period!



I often go get my coffee with Zucco. This has to be the best stuff in the world if you ask me. He makes the best latte's in the world. Thank you, Zucco.




The above meal in China Town cost me three dollars. Yes, that did include the coke. I mean is this a deal or is this a deal? I love going to my little dumpling place down in Chinatown. The best deals on food can be gotten in Chinatown...hands down.



Just a cold brew as I watched some soccer.



Just my sausage, egg and cheese that I make at home for breakfast. Good stuff. Can never-ever go wrong with one of these in the morning.





Just another little meal I made at home for Uncle Joe's arrival in tot he big city.



Big Nick's....nuff said.

Food From Back Home

There are so many stories behind these pictures it would take me like three days to type up. But I'm going to try my best even if a few of these pictures are out of order.



Just a few ribs that I threw on the grill. Nothing too over the top.





This is just how I make my home made salsa. Actually, I took the reciepe from my Mom. I made this Salsa for John "THE GENERAL" Lee's Bash




This Pozole that my cousin Stella made was yummy! I guess Pozole is like a Mexican stew and can be made a with a variety of meats.





Of course my folks put me to grill in the back yard. Nothing too fancy...just something quick to feed the family until dinner.












This is just a little barbecue we did back home on my visit. I mean this is nothing big at all. Just another walk in the park for our family.




Taylor's hot dogs. You haven't really lived until you've tasted one of these. Serious, when I think of a few meals I would like to have before I die...well Taylor's would have to be up there.



Just a quick taco from El Palomar. You can get these all over my home town. Here in NYC we get pizza on every corner, but back home there are taco shops on every corner and I love it!!!!



The classic Mexican breakfast. We incorporate a few American aspects into our breakfast...but take not of the salsa on everything. Yummy!!



Last but not least. I saw these little packets and I wanted to steal them and bring them back to NYC with me. If anyone knows were I can get these in NYC please let me know. I just thought they were dope and good to have for lunch.

Good Eats From The South to SoHo Park

It has been a while since Pinky has made the blog. Not sure why because we spend a lot of time together hitting the city in search of good eats. Oh, and we did see The Cure last month which was just the BOMB! Yes, The Rooster is a fan of The Cure. Nuff said.

In any case, Pinky and I started to long for a good food day in the city. Since it was my birthday we figured that we would meet up and hit a few spots in search of a good meal to celebrate.

So lets go shall we.



Of course one had to try regional cuisine while in NYC. Thus, we decided to join John "The General" Lee and E at the Mississippi Fest. Ummm...well it is not NYC regional food but you can taste every region in NYC and we decided to head south.

This festival is held every summer and since 1972 or so the governor of the state has showed for the fest! They had Catfish and all the trimmings. But as most things in NYC the festival has caught the vogue crowd. Thus, festival has gotten too big for its britches. They ran out of food and also ice for the sweet tea. Now what kind of festival is that?

In any case, it was a good time with good people. The only thing is that it was hot and muggy...just like The Dirty-Dirty so the weather fit the bill. How did we find out about this fest....E, she is Mississippi...yes, she comes with an Southern Bell accent, too!



Those of you from the South...the real South...sorry, Texas isn't the South. In any case, I guess this is the real deal when it comes to Ice Tea in the South: McAlister's. Make note of it and you heard it here first on this site...holla!



After much running around to Central Park to check out Mississippi Fest and such...we decided to try SoHo Park. We of course had to try the grilled corn. It was sweet and there were a few soft spots in the corn...but for the most part it was sweet and crisp which is how I like my corn.



The above is SoHo Park's: Hungarian Spiced Kielbasa which was served with spicy mustard and another dipping sauce. I can't tell you enough how delicious this plate was. I highly suggest you order this when you visit. By far the best dish of the day.



I wasn't sure what to expect from the Chicago Fried Zucchini Sticks. I thought they were o.k. but Pinky and me thought they were a bit heavy. I don't know, maybe they lacked salt or something but they were just missing.



The above are SoHo Park Iced Tea. The breakdown is fresh brewed loose ceylon tea, berry puree, and mint. I really liked this drink and it is hard to pick a winner between this and the Southern Sweet tea that we had at the Mississippi Fest...I'm not going to pick a winner just in case, E checks this blog. Oh, that is Pinky in the background there. I think she was also taking her own pictures.

Random Food

This first picture is of a Filipino Barbecue dish that I had at Claire's gathering in Central Park. There is this funny story behind this stick of Barbecue. So our friend (who shall not be called out here) ate some Popeye's fried chicken and served himself one of these sticks. In the end he didn't want the goodness that is Filipino barbecue. Well Claire's cousin seeing that this young man set his plate on the floor without eating the stick was quick to ask, Hey, are you going to eat that barbecue? Our friend said he wasn't and Claire's cousin walked over and picked up said plate from the floor and proceeded to eat it. Funny stuff and proves that Filipino people love their barbecue.



Muscles and Fries from my favorite French place in the NYC: Zucco's. If you have a chance to visit Zucco's...I insist that you visit today. The vibe is really cool and Zucco is a genuine guy. Very French in every sense of the word...he smokes in front of his place and talks to you in French. Such a good guy and the music and vibe is most excellent! If you want to get on Zucco's good side learn how to say the following words in French: Hello Zucco, Thank You, Great Food, and I will be back again!



Jenn's mother was in town this past week and she asked me where to take her to get some ice cream. I guess they had just eaten brunch and her mother was craving some ice cream. I just happened to be by Caio Bella so I took this picture with my camera phone and sent it to her. The Rooster is always around a good place to send you and if he doesn't know the address he will send you a picture for you to find the place.



I can't get enough of these little things. Rice Balls are the bomb! I went here with Vivian for lunch this past week.



These little things looked like Moochie but they aren't. I'm not sure what they are...sweet. In any case, you should try them out if you have the chance.



Here is Vivan! What can I say, I had to include a picture of Vivan. I think she is getting married like in six months or something like that. She's been in the city for five years now and I remember when I met here at H&M and she was wet behind the ears barley getting here from Los Angeles. Funny.

KUMA INN

I had the chance to visit Kuma Inn again this past week with Jenn. What can I say, I was very disappointed by the food. Where I tend to label their food as delicious and filling; I left feeling empty. Not so much because the food didn't fill me up but because half of our plates were average and one we had to send back.

Not that I mind sitting and waiting for a table because sometimes that happens. At Kuma they did take good care of us and pour us our wine (BYOB at Kuma)and bring us a vegetarian spring roll while we waited. But the wait was about 40 minutes which I found to be a bit long. Lucky for me Jenn was a champ and wasn't in a rush either...so we just chatted and waited patiently.

In any case, like I said, I'm a huge fan of Kuma Inn but I think this is the last time I will be visiting for a long time. The service is great and extra friendly and makes me feel as if I'm at home. Yet, the food lacked so greatly this time around. Sad. I could tell the host was even sad that we didn't have a knock-out time this time around. So much so I presented the staff with a high-end Sake. I tend to do that at places I enjoy...serious, the staff works hard to make our food and time at their place enjoyable. Like I said, very sad at the outcome of this meal. Yet, feel free to give it a try on your own.

In closing, thought I would give you some pictures anyways. A bit dark due to being taken with my cell phone.



These were pork buns that I enjoyed very much.



Pan Roasted Ocean Scallops With Bacon, Kalamansi And Sake



Vegetarian Summer Rolls with thai basil, daikon, carrots and chayote



Sautéed Chinese Sausage. This by far was the best plate of the night.