New York City, Day 1: Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Maison Premiere, Pies’n'Thighs

Thurs., May 9.

We arrived in New York around noon ready to take on the day like nobody’s business.

LUNCH.
Num Pang Sandwich Shop serves Cambodian-style sandwiches, not to be mistaken for the more well-known banh mi (Vietnamese subs).  I had the Five Spice Pork Belly sandwich. It was delicious, fatty, juicy, ’nough said.

SNACK.
Our friend got us strawberry doughnuts from Dough! They were good, but I think Toronto’s Glory Hole Doughnuts does it better. ;)

HAPPY HOUR.
Happy Hour in New York is incredible. You have a two options: stay in Manhattan and find any run of the mill dollar-oysters OR head to Brooklyn for a more thoughtful – decadent? magical? – experience at Maison Premiere. The decor is nineteenth century French, think Paris, the Impressionists and Manet’s Girl at the Bar, and, yes, there’s an absinthe fountain.  The service was excellent, efficient and attentive, though a tad slow as the after-work crowd filtered in. Did I mention the absinthe fountain?

P.S. we’ve noticed an alarming trend of wooden toilets popping up in Williamsburg… what’s up with that?

DINNER.
If you didn’t heed our warnings over the last two years to check out Pies’n'Thighs as soon as you could, maybe you’ll find Guy Fieri’s recent Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode more persuasive! Our pie of the night was a tart Lemon Blackberry pie over a shortbread crust and our choice of thigh was their honey and hot sauce chicken thigh on biscuits.

After our little dinner, we took touristy pictures at the Williamsburg Bridge and did some pre-drinking in the hostel courtyard with friends. There was a failed attempt at finding a bar we could all agree on and ended up at a place called the Chelsea Pub.

Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Chelsea
75 9th Ave, Manhattan | Website

Maison Premiere
298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn | Website

Pies’n'Thighs
166 S 4th Street, Brooklyn | Website

Toronto Doughnuts: Mini Doughnuts at Little Nicky’s Coffee

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues…

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Do you remember the first time you had Tiny Tom Donuts? I can, it was at CNE and while I haven’t actually been to the Ex in years, there will always be a fairly substantial part of my heart devoted to baby doughnuts that come into the world via conveyor belt. So, imagine my delight when Little Nicky’s set up shop back in 2010 and we all started enjoying their mini doughnuts made bar-top for all to see (and smell). The best seat in the house actually faces the “donut robot” that sends piping hot doughnuts tumbling towards you straight out of the fryer. They’re made to order, tossed in cinnamon sugar and served hot. True to form, Little Nicky’s has bucked the trend of specialty doughnut shops that constantly experiment with new/innovative flavours because sometimes all you want is something simple and perfect to dip in your coffee. If only they had endless batter and longer hours (till 6pm daily and closed Sundays), I might sit by the fryer and fade away like Degas’ absinthe lady. Mini doughnuts are $2.75 for six, $4 for a dozen.

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab / Benna’s Bakery & Deli / Bonjour Brioche / Caldense Bakery /Glory Hole / Mexi-Can Market / Nova Era Bakery / Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken / Venezia Bakery

Little Nicky’s Coffee
375 Queen St. W. | Yelp

Family meals at Hey Meatball!

We were struggling to think up of some place to eat after work one Saturday. Since we were close to College Street, we ended up trying Hey Meatball! for the first time. While I’m not keen on the meatballs themselves (dense and dry), everything else was pretty good. The polenta was especially nice.

Hey Meatball!
719 College Street | Yelp

Toronto Doughnuts: Polish Doughnuts at Benna’s Bakery & Deli

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues…

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The iconic Granowska’s may have closed down, but those hankering for Polish treats at Roncesvalles can still find pączki (Polish doughnuts) at Benna’s Bakery & Deli. Amidst the jars of pickles, the sauerkraut and kielbasa, and the perogies (those tasty, tasty perogies), you’ll find the spongy doughnuts at Benna’s pastry counter. The traditional filling is a stewed plum jam, but you’ll find other fruits as well.

While these doughnuts are made and bought year-round, pączki are especially enjoyed on Pączki Day, harkening back to a time as far as the 17th century when flour, sugar, butter, and milk were brought to a holy union and fried in lard by Catholic Poles  feasting before Lent. I doubt anyone uses fat for frying today, but the doughnut was definitely rich and sweet, the sort of treat you’ll have before going on a more secular fast.

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab / Bonjour Brioche / Caldense Bakery /Glory Hole / Mexi-Can Market / Nova Era Bakery / Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken /  Venezia Bakery

Benna’s Bakery & Deli
135 Roncesvalles Ave. | Yelp

 

Pizzeria Libretto…for the umpteenth time

Well, what can I say. Libretto is still my go-to spot for a little dinner splurge here and there. One pizza and two sides (or one side and a dessert) is a pretty aggressive meal for us.  Aside from the delicious pizzas, my favourites have been their Rocco’s Salad (arugula, ricotta, beets, butternut squash, prosciutto, fried poached egg) and a glass of white wine (I recommend Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico).