Travel to South East Asia while in NYC, The Spice Market

My girlfriend and I took a trip to NYC a few years back, and went to a fantastic place called the Spice Market.  I was so enthralled, that I made sure that I took my husband on our recent trip to the city. The Spice Market is found in the cobblestone streets of the old Meat packing district, on the corner of 13th and 9th.

The birthchild of Phil Suarez, Chef Jean-George Vongerichten and designer, Jacque Garcia, the Spice Market was the first step in the renaissance of the District.   The lofty ceilings and rustic beams from the old building work beautifully with South East-Asian decor brought in from Malasia, Indonesia, India, and Bura.

Chef Jean-George Vongerichten creates a menu that is inspired by a multitude of spices and cuisines from the South East, and is executed beautifully by Chef de Cuisine, Anthony Ricco.

Once you are seated, they present you with Papad (Indian fried tortillas) and a spicy dipping sauce.  They have an extensive drink menu highlighting the asian inspired cocktails on the first page.

I ordered the Lychee Raspberry Bellini, Prosecco with lychees and raspberries, and of course my husband ordered an Asian beer, Asahi's Black.  The bellini was sweet and smooth and delicious. My husband now says that Asahi Black is his new favorite beer.

We ordered two appetizers, the Lobster spring rolls and the Grilled Chicken Satay.  The spring rolls were fresh and light and served with a siracha sauce allowing for a delightful kick. The Chicken Satay was amazing, tender chicken in a light peanut sauce, with just a bit of heat.   My husband and I fought over the last one.  I could have eaten another serving.  To satify this craving, I dipped the cucumbers in the peanut sauce.  So good!

For dinner we ordered, the Steamed Red Snapper, the Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs with Egg Noodles and Pea Shoots and the Ginger Fried Rice.  The server informed us that each item will be presented as it is ready, not all at once, in a more family style way.

The Steamed Red Snapper came out first with a side of white rice.  The fish was fantastic!  It was tender and moist and cooked perfectly!!  My husband said, "I am not a fish person but this is really good".  That is huge coming from him! We didn't even eat the rice!  The fish stood alone!

The Ginger Fried Rice came out next and what a treat that was! Instead of mixing the egg into the rice leaving a gummy texture to it, they fry the egg on top allowing it to be mixed in later, leaving the rice with the proper consistency.   The fried egg added a bit of crunch to the dish. It was the best fried rice I have ever had!


Lastly, we received The Short Ribs.  This was a pleasent surprise.  We did not realize that it is actually a soup!  The short ribs are bathed in a wonderful broth that is a combination of soy, ginger and spices.  It is rich and allows the meat to be so tender it falls apart.  The noodles are perfect and are imbued with the flavor of the broth.  It is a beautiful dish!  My husband said it is reminisent of a dish his Filipino mother makes.

My husband finished off his meal with a Vietnamese coffee which he thoughly enjoyed!

The Spice Market is an wonderful experience for the senses.  We were very happy with our visit and you will be too.  Happy eating!

You can't leave NYC without eating Pizza!- John's Pizzeria

New York City pizza is, hands down, the best pizza on the planet.  Chicago natives will try to argue this, but I will stand firm.  MUST GET PIZZA, is my mantra when we travel there.  One of the best places to get pizza in NYC is John's Pizzeria.  Located on the edge of the theater district, on 44th and 8th, John's Pizzeria opened in 1997, in an old church and sports lofty ceilings and stained glass.
















We were seated on the second floor, giving us an amazing view of the mural on the back wall done by Douglas Cooper.  It is breathtaking.  We also had a view of all 4 of the coal-fired brick ovens used to serve the in house and take out masses. 

We started with John's Garlic Rolls.  You know it has to be good if it has the restaruant name in it!  And boy was it awesome!! Soft dough wrapped around garlic, mozzarella and olive oil!  They give you marinara to dip too!  My husband was so happy they left the remaining marinara for him to dip his pizza in.
We got a ceaser salad next, that was gigantic! Glad we where sharing it!  The dressing was perfect, not to garlicky or fishy.  


Now to for the Pièce de résistance, the pizza!  This pizza is absolutely fantastic!!!  Gooey cheese and thick pieces of meat on a crust so thin that the pizza bends when you lift it of the tray.  It is like magic in your mouth.  We happily had left overs that provided the best breakfast on the plane home.  I wish I had taken a whole pie with us so I could have some now!  

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My husband and I were very happy with our meal at John's Pizzeria and I know you will too! 

Happy Eating!

Fantastic Food and Hundreds of Beer- Box Bar, Plymouth MI.

We lived in Plymouth, just after we got married, and loved the downtown atmosphere.  One of the places we frequented was the Box Bar.  We love this place. So when my girlfriend and I were looking for a place to stop and eat on our way back from Detroit, we both suggested the Box Bar! (She too loves this place!)

The Box Bar seems to have always been in Plymouth.  It was a small bar next to Kellogg park for years and then expanded in the 90s allowing for more dining space and room for parties and functions.  The main dining room has high ceilings and two large projection screens for the sport of the day.  There are shelves aroung the room that hold beer steins from around the world and the original sign is hanging over the host stand.

The back wall is lined with every bottled beer you can think of.  The selection is enormous. They have a multitude of draft beers as well.  Of course they have local beers on draft too!!





One of the coolest things about the Box Bar is how they serve the beverages.  Each soda or non-alcoholic beverage is served in a mini pitcher!  Huge hit with kids and those of us who love big sodas!

The menu is very large and bound like a book.  It sports items from burgers and nachos to bangers and mash and stews.    There is so much variety it is hard to choose; Mexican fare, burgers, barbeque, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and more.

We started with the nachos of course!  The nachos here are awesome!!!!  VERY cheesy  and meaty and topped with guacamole and sour cream.  Yummy!

I decided to order from the special menu, I couldn't resist the idea Guiness Beef Stew.  Beef, carrots, celery in a Guiness based beef gravy over a baked potato, topped with fried onions! Really who wouldn't want that!!! It was gigantic!!!  Every bite was a rich and full of flavor.  I ate a little too much, yet still had left overs for the next day!



My girlfriend ordered the meatball sandwich. This isn't your ordinary meatball sandwich. Instead of a roll the meatballs are baked into a bread bowl and topped with mozzerella.  Wow!!! and Wow again!  My girlfriend loved it!!!    

The kids menu is great and not only offers chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese but pasta and even PB&J.  Just be aware that like the adult menu the portions are huge. Each dish comes with a side of appleasauce.

The kids really liked their meals which made the meal better for the us!   We were so happy that we chose to eat at the Box Bar!!  This is a great place to take your family, meet friends for beers or watch a game.  Everyone will be happy with a visit to the Box Bar!