All The Divine (Crispy) Items You Must Try At Vandal In NYC

Inspired by Chef Chris Santo’s travel around the world, the exquisite menu at Vandal - the hippest new restaurant located on Bowery Street in New York City - highlights the eclectic cuisine of global street culture from New York to Korea to Italy and beyond.

1. Crab Tostadas

On top of crispy plantain chip is a generous lump of crab meat, fresh mango salsa, and aioli with a dash of pepper flakes and micro greens.

2. Sticky Rice Dumplings

These piping hot, fried dumplings are made with sticky rice for the much desired chewy texture on the inside and crispy outside, and filled with juicy char siu pork over a bed of sweet red chile oil.

3. BLT Pizza

A twist on everyone’s favorite sandwiches, the BLT Pizza features charred broccoli, crispy prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella atop thin and crispy pizza dough.

4. Crispy Bao Buns

These magical, fried buns are crispy and buttery, and packed with tender brisket and creamy Asian slaw for the perfect balance of eclectic flavor profile.

5. Crispy Eggplant

While the Crispy Eggplant only appears in the “Extras” section on the menu, this eggplant dish is perhaps the best eggplant I have ever tried. The miso-glazed exterior is charred to perfection for the crispy texture, while the inside is soft and moist to highlight the essence of the vegetable.

6. Two Pound Whole Lobster Scampi

Sure, this lobster dish lacked the “crispy” texture, but the massive, two pound lobster is stuffed with creamy garlic rice pilaf with spinach. The generous amount of lobster meat packs buttery, rich flavors.

7. Matcha Lemon Semifreddo

Perfect for sharing, this dessert features a scoop of semi-frozen green tea custard over blueberry compote, and topped with crispy, zesty candied lemon.

8. Vandal S’Mores

The deconstructed s’mores at Vandal includes moist, rich brownie topped with fluffy marshmallow meringue, with a scoop of graham cracker ice cream sitting on top of crispy, thin chocolate “spoon.”

Mouthwatering Burgers, Salads, And Fries You Must Try From Island Burgers And Shakes In NYC

Satisfy your burgers, fries, and shakes cravings at Island Burgers and Shakes in New York City.

Island Burgers & Shakes opened its first location in 1996, and have been serving mouthwatering flame-grilled burgers, sandwiches, salads, and milk shakes for the past 20 years. Here are some of my favorite items!

1. Tuscan Salad with Grilled Chicken

This huge, entree-sized salad incorporates fresh vegetables with a protein of choice for a healthy and hearty meal. The Tuscan salad includes generous portions of raw mushrooms, onions, roasted peppers, black olives, artichoke hearts, tomato slices, and fresh mozzarella with grilled chicken rubbed with spices, all over a bed of mixed greens.

2. Build-Your-Own Turkey Burger

Custom make your own burger creation. You start with a choice of protein - hamburger, grilled chicken breast, turkey burger, or portobello mushroom - and add additional items like cheese like cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, sauces, and toppings like onions, guacamole, mushrooms, and salsa. There are so many combinations to create your perfect burger.

3. Sweet Potato Fries

A side of sweet potato fries is a must. The fries are perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and packs tons of flavors. You can also add sauces like Bayou mayo or curried sour cream to enhance the flavors.

Experiencing The Culture And Taste Of Japan At Sumo Stew

Sumo Stew party at the Brooklyn Brewery featured streaming of live sumo matches from Japan, as well as tasty bento boxes and soup.

New Yorkers had an opportunity to experience Japanese culture while enjoying delicious food and drinks at last week’s Sumo Stew. The event – inspired by the founder of The Brooklyn Kitchen’s journey through Japan – pairs live streaming of professional sumo matches with drinks and bites from Japan.

The event took place at the Brooklyn Brewery in the heart of Williamsburg. Upon checking in, each guest received a bento box curated by some of the top local chefs at restaurants like Ramen Burger, EN Japanese Brasserie, Yakitori by Neal, and The Crimson Sparrow. In addition, they received tokens in exchange for sake, shochu, tea, and of course draft beer from Brooklyn Brewery.

The bento box truly highlighted the unique variety of Japanese cuisine. It featured cold, refreshing ramen noodles perfect for the hot weather, sun-dried daikon and Japanese mushrooms in chilled dashi, tender grilled chicken thigh, and spicy pork belly with garlic, ginger, and scallion.

As though the bento box wasn’t fulfilling enough, the guests were treated to chankonabe, or hearty soup with mixed vegetables, noodles, and meat. This dish is also known as sumo stew because it is commonly eaten in large quantity by sumo wrestlers as part of a weight-gain diet.

There were plenty of ways to quench your thirsts as well. In addition to Japanese spirits like shochu, sake, and whisky, guests enjoyed Japanese green tea from Ito En and a selection of seasonal and year-round beer on tap from Brooklyn Brewery. A portion of the proceeds was also donated towards relief efforts helping those affected by the recent Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan. Doing good while having fun!

OSR W10K, The Ultimate Urban Road Racing With Orchard Street Runners In NYC

Orchard Street Runners organized the annual OSR W10K that vetted some of the fastest female road runners against each other.

@ShadiNYC

I licked my arm and shuddered at what I tasted. My body, drenched in sweat after running 10 kilometers in a hot, humid summer evening, tasted saltier than the handful of pretzel crisps I had earlier. Though I immediately wanted to hop in a cold shower,something about the energy in the air at the finish line made me stick around longer. As I stood on the corner of Hester and Ludlow St. - chatting with photographers, volunteers, and spectators, and fellow runners of the OSR W10K - I realized the very bond and friendship created at events like this is what makes New York City’s vibrant urban running community so special.

@GrahamMacindoe

I became hooked on urban running after participating in Midnight Half, an unsanctioned half marathon designed for those who are not afraid to race on open city streets without a designated route or course marshals. When I found out that Joe DiNoto, the brainchild behind Midnight Half and founder of Orchard Street Runners, was organizing a similar running race, I signed up without hesitation for another exciting date night with NYC’s streets.

@OrchardStreetRunners

OSR W10K is a women’s 10K race (the men’s 10K will take place in August). Like Midnight Half, the race took place on the open streets with traffic. While there was a set route that involved crossing the Williamsburg and the Manhattan Bridges, the course was not marked so the runners were responsible for knowing the route prior to race day.

@OrchardStreetRunners

This year’s field, which was capped at ~15 people, featured some of the fastest female runners in NYC, including Olympics Trials qualifier and 2016 Midnight Half champ Caitlin Philips, OSR W10K defending champion Leighanne Sharek, and winner of 2015 Midnight Half Jennie Cohen.

@GrahamMacindoe

Precisely at 8PM, the OSR W10K commenced with a rolling start to the entrance of the Williamsburg Bridge. There were cash prizes at stake, both to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall finisher of the race, as well as a $50 bonus to the first runner to reach the pedestrian threshold on the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge.

@ShadiNYC

Due to the humidity, my body quickly heat up and I could feel the sweat trickling down my back within the first mile. As I ran along what felt like an endless straightaway of Kent Ave. in Brooklyn, I closed my eyes and imagined myself in an air-conditioned room with a pint of chocolate chip ice cream cradled in my arm. Then I heard a loud honk at the stoplight and realized I was running on open streets with traffic. “Keep your eyes open, Jane,” I told myself. Back to reality.

@DaPingLuo

The toughest part of the race for me was the climb on the Manhattan Bridge. Not only were my legs fatigued and my throat dry, but there were a couple cyclists who yelled at me, “Pedestrian path is on the other side!” Great, thanks for cheering.

@DaPingLuo

As I made my descent into Manhattan, I made a wrong turn and ran in the opposite direction. Luckily, I recovered from the mistake, quickly turned around, and pushed to the final stretch. There was a sizable crowd gathered at the finish line, all cheering loudly as the OSR W10K runners carved their way through traffic to the finish line.

Once the results were tallied, I realized I placed 4th place overall - just shy of the podium finish. Sure, I could have ran a bit faster, made the right turn at the bridge, and maybe eaten a little less before the race, but honestly, I had no regrets about my performance or the experience. Call me a masochist, but I can’t think of a better way to spend those 40 minutes - with the cars honking, cyclists yelling, sweats dripping, and heart pounding - than on the vibrant streets of New York City with other urban running enthusiasts.

Disappointing Portion Sizes and Overpriced Brunch Items at Narcissa

While the food itself is tasty, both the portion size and the price point at Narcissa will dissuade me from making future visits. I came to Narcissa for brunch around noon on Sunday. I was surprised that there was no wait and the restaurant was half-empty at such a peak brunch time. My friend and I ordered the Carrot Fries to share, and I got the Crab Benedict.



The food arrived very fast, probably within 10 minutes of ordering. Carrot Fries ($7) was not what I expected. I thought it would look more like sweet potato fries, but instead we got 5 pieces of carrot tempura (they looked like fat fingers haha) with a side of jalapeno-tofu dip. I really liked the dip and the fries, which were hot out of the fryer and super crispy. I enjoyed the tempura batter, but 5 pieces for $7 definitely left more to be desired.



The Crab Benedict ($26) was also not what I had expected. The dish featured two small crab cakes topped with poached eggs with salad in the middle. There was nothing else on the table - no English muffin (this was the biggest surprise for me), no tomato, etc. Again, the crab cakes were delicious and the eggs were poached perfectly (but needed a dash of salt!), but $26 is way overpriced for what I got.

Top 6 Mouthwatering Brunch Items To Order At Wallflower In NYC

Located in the heart of West Village, Wallflower recently introduced a new brunch menu that highlights seasonal ingredients. These are some of the items you must order.

1. Heirloom Tomato Salad

As delicious as it is colorful, this dish features sliced, tri-colored heirloom tomatoes over a drizzle of olive oil. The tangy blue cheese, crunchy olive croutons, and fresh opal basil add nice flavors and texture to the dish.

2. Frittata

This crustless quiche is chock full of vegetables like asparagus, oyster mushroom, and fingerling potato that all wrap around cooked eggs and sharp pecorino pepato. The fresh greens and beets on top are great “toppings” that adds a bit of crunch to the dish.

3. Bacon Quesadilla

You will never look at quesadilla the same way again after trying the Bacon Quesadilla from Wallflower. Topped with fried egg, the quesadilla has perfectly crispy exterior and is filled with goodies like bacon, jalapeno, and pepper jack cheese. Be sure to pair it with the tomato salsa on the side.

4. Mediterranean Burger

Certainly not your typical burger, the Mediterranean Burger highlights juicy burger patty sandwiched in between rolls that are smeared with feta aioli on the top and olive tapenade on the bottom. The burger comes with a side of roasted fingerling potatoes and Greek salad with sun-dried tomatoes and olives.

5. Caramelized Bread Pudding

Featuring rich, dense bread pudding that has been caramelized on the outside, the Caramelized Bread Pudding is the ultimate way to satisfy your sweet cravings. The bread pudding is topped with drunken cream and fresh strawberries, and also comes on a plate smeared with nutella and strawberry jam.

6. Cookies & Coffee Milk

All brunch experience at Wallflower should end with this: Cookies & Coffee Milk. While it may appear to be a rather simple “dish,” Cookies & Coffee Milk is a truly unique combination you have never experienced before. The Rhode Island Coffee Milk - a combination of coffee syrup and milk - tastes like coffee ice cream on steroid, while the freshly baked cookies just melt in your mouth.

Most Delicious West African + French Dishes From Ponty Bistro In NYC

Sick of the boring old pasta or hamburger? Then try Ponty Bistro, a restaurant that specializes in a fusion of West African and French cuisine in the heart of New York City.

1. Crispy Tuna

Wrapped in pickled ginger and cilantro, the Crispy Tuna is an absolutely mouthwatering dish that you must order. Perfect for sharing, this appetizer highlights fresh chunks of raw tuna with crispy skin. It is served on a bed of sweet soy-ginger vinaigrette with wasabi aioli and a hint of chili oil.

2. Soft Shell Crab

The lightly fried soft shell crab is topped with a bed of marinated olive oil and other vegetables like peas, onions, green bell pepper, and carrots. There are four pieces of asparagus to add a bit of extra crunchiness to the dish.

3. 5 Stars Seafood Risotto

The rich and creamy 5 Stars Seafood Risotto packs generous amount of fresh seafood, from the meaty lobster to juicy shrimp to plump scallops. The rice is cooked perfectly al dante, and the creamy, rich base of the sauce will make you want more of this delicious goodness.

4. Le Poulet Yassa

A traditional chicken dish from Senegal, Le Poulet Yassa features juicy, half-chicken in savory marinade with onions, bell peppers, and olives. The dish is served with a side of white rice to soak up all the delicious juice and sauce on the plate.

Top 6 Brunch Items You Must Try At STK Rooftop In New York City

Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline while indulging on delicious items from a menu that highlights casual American grill cuisine at the newly renovated STK Rooftop this weekend.

1. STK Signature Lil Burgers

Don’t underestimate these mini burgers based on their sizes - these decadent, juicy sliders are everything you have ever dreamed of. Jam-packed with flavors, the STK Signature Lil Burgers highlight juicy beef patties topped with caramelized onions, aged cheddar, and special STK sauce in between toasted black sesame buns.

2. Tuna Tartare

Hiding underneath the crispy taro chips are fresh, well-seasoned tuna tartare over creamy avocado puree. You will want to likc the plate to get every drop of the soy honey emulsion, which adds an interesting balance of sweet and savory to the dish.

3. King Crab Club Sandwich

Don’t expect fillers from this open-faced sandwich. Atop a soft, brioche pretzel roll is a generous mound of king crab meat mixed in with creamy citrus ginger aioli. The crunchy lettuce prevents the pretzel roll from becoming soggy. Enjoy the sandwich with a side of salad.

4. Chicken Sausage Benedict

Everyone’s favorite brunch item has undergone a slight makeover at STK, and it’s absolutely delicious. Instead of the traditional Canadian ham or smoked salmon, STK tops the toasted English muffin with savory chicken sausage. On top are pieces of grilled asparagus and perfectly poached eggs with d’espelette hollandaise sauce.

5. Baked Eggs

They tell you, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but when it comes to brunch, you can certainly judge an entree by its looks. And this beautiful (and huge!) baked eggs topped with a spread of cheese, micro greens, and cherry tomatoes are as delicious as they look. You will find a generous amount of spinach and wild mushrooms.

6. Truffle Fries

Flavorful STK fries look more like edible Jenga. You get the perfectly crispy exterior with moist, soft interior that pack all the taste of the potatoes.