4:00pm chocolate hazelnut orange tart

Added this tart onto our tab at lunch. Voluminous, voluptuous and nutty. The tart shell could have used a pinch of salt.
Zampa, 306 West 13th Street btwn 8th Ave and West 4th

Zampa

While there's no shortage of lunch spots in our neighborhood, having meetings around noon outside our lunch zone is a real treat. Today is no exception. Had been wanting to try the lunch at Zampa after having had wine and nibbles a while back.
Zampa, 306 West 13th Street btwn 8th Ave and West 4th

4:00pm fennel cake

All the gossip about the new Simon Sips indicated a promising addition to our burgeoning gourmet coffee culture in NYC. Realizing that the morning meeting in the East Village would accommodate an easy stop-by on the way back to the office, there was plentiful excitement. This fennel cake, which we wish you guys could smell, is fragrant, but the flavors more delicate and nicely not too sweet. The coffee americano was great too. Having replaced a beloved restaurant, we're glad its successor is such a lovely establishment.
Simon Sips, 72 East First Street near 1st Avenue

Roast Chicken Sandwich

Realized after the fact that I was totally channeling the Pollo Rostizado Torta from La Esquina. Had some left over roast chicken and arugula, so bought a baguette on my way into work. The not so secret condiment is the chili con queso dip, which really made it taste similar to the abovementioned. And the real secret ingredient is good butter. They don't really use much butter on sandwiches in the States, but it really adds a certain 'je ne sais quoi' depth. Oh and don't skimp on the skin!

4:00pm chocolate chip cookie

2 homemade cookies for $1! Couldn't resist the very effective "point of purchase" display.
Cafe Habana To Go, 229 Elizabeth Street above Prince

Cafe Habana To Go

Curious that we never get our lunch at Cafe Habana. The restaurant is always too crowded and the To Go is, well, we're not really sure. But that's precisely why lunching there today seemed so appropriate. The last time we had the what used to be a good cuban sandwich, it had turned so-so. While tempted, a fish sandwich sounded more appetizing. Aside from the lack of salt, it's a pretty tasty sandwich. Though considering how long it took for them to make it, it could have been assembled with a little more care.
Cafe Habana To Go, 229 Elizabeth Street above Prince

4:00pm choco-nut bread

Gotta admit, wasn't much in the mood for dessert today; however didn't want to disappoint the readers out there. Therefore, this purchase was made purely on what seemed to be photogenic, and not what I wanted to eat. It tastes a bit like a chocolate babka. Had several bites, but the rest shall be consumed for breakfast tomorrow.
Fay Da Bakery, 191 Centre Street at Hester

Chinatown Food Cart

Noticed this never tried before food cart on our way to lunch the other afternoon. There was no line today, which brought about some skepticism, but it wasn't all bad. For the same $1.75 though, you get more bang for your buck at the other one.
Centre Street below Canal, west side

4:00pm Strawberry Tart

This tart was glistening like those Japanese plastic food models that we couldn't resist its come-ons. It's tastier and fresher than usual, we think.
Ceci-Cela Patisserie, 55 Spring Street near Lafayette

Despana

A beautiful Friday lunch on the go in the park. We tried out the 'Pescado' Bocadillo (sandwich) from Despana today. The orange stuff is a mixture of Piquillo peppers with white tuna, topped with boquerones. Not their best but was appropriate for the weather.
Despana, 408 Broome Street btwn Lafayette and Centre

4:00pm Chocolate Chip Cookie

Thoughtful siblings who are sympathetic to their food enthusiast sisters, especially during their travels, are always appreciated. This time around, chocolate chip cookies were brought from San Francisco's Tartine Bakery. Not too sweet, oaty, lots of chopped up walnuts, and chunks of bittersweet chocolate makes for a nice 4pm nosh.
Tartine Bakery, 600 Guerrero Street at 18th St, San Francisco, CA

Sau Voi Corp

Shamefully, I had never been to this old time Banh Mi shop located within a quirky newsstand/music shop. Tried the #3 Banh Mi Pate Cha, and... meh, as Vietnamese sandwiches go. At $3.75, it's still a worthy sandwich, and I'd go back to try some other flavors. But the cha lua (or what I think is cha lua) as you can see in the photo, looks more like processed turkey cold cuts. Didn't taste bad, just strange. And not enough pate, and the bread a little stale. Fresh and ample pickles though.

4:00pm crack pie

Crack pie indeed. I double checked and there is no condensed milk in the crack pie recipe from David Chang but it tastes pretty much like thickened, unadulterated condensed milk with a thin oat pie shell. Sweet as sin and divinity in every bite.
Momofuku Bakery and Milk bar, 207 Second Avenue near 13th St

Birthday Chocolate Cake

The birthday cake was brought in from the esteemed The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn. Decadent and delicious indeed. A must for chocolate lovers, but slightly too much chocolate for us two. Could have used a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream, or a glass of milk to cut the sweetness. Happy Earth Day.
The Chocolate Room, 86 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn

Cafe Select w/ friends

Happy Birthday to Shawn! For this joyous occasion, a small group gathered at Cafe Select for a lovely lunch. Though it's the sort of place we feel like we need to apologize upon entering for not being hip/beautiful enough, the food and atmosphere never disappoints. The Uovo Ticinese (poached eggs over polenta studded with pancetta and oven dried tomatoes) was delectable.
Cafe Select, 212 Lafayette Street at Kenmare

4:00pm ginger cookies

These "zenzeri" cookies from Grandaisy Bakery are grrreat! And totally addictive. Go out and get yourself some! Run!
Grandaisy Bakery, 73 Sullivan Street btwn Grand and Broome

Springtime Pasta

If you like browsing the information super highway for current food affairs, you're bound to have come across ramps. They're only in season for a short time, and restaurants seem to have a heyday with them. Have had them prepared for me, but never have I cooked with them myself. This was my first go, and let's just say, it's not as good as it looks, but it was a good first try. Into the blender went: blanched ramps, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, olive oil, toasted pine nuts. Will persevere and try again.

4:00pm red velvet cake

I'd read a raving review somewhere and this is what I had intended to get when I got distracted last time. Gotta say, this is some red velvet cake! Almost as perfect as an American style cake can get. It tastes right out of the oven, even if we know that's not the case.
Amy's Bread, 672 Ninth Avenue inside Chelsea Market

Hampton Chutney

Ooops, please excuse the blurry photo. On this crappy day, thought to try out something new. The tuna salad was curried ala Hampton Chutney, which is to say it's very good but they all taste the same. The bountiful arugula is a nice touch, though a bit difficult to eat, and I might have swapped the tomato for something else - pickled cauliflower perhaps? Their black bread is delicious.
Hampton Chutney, 68 Prince Street btwn Crosby and Lafayette

4:00pm pear galette

Couldn't recall if the galettes from Balthazar were any good. Reading back to some of our previous entries, it seems that they're hit or miss. This one's a hit! Happy beautiful Friday!
Balthazar Bakery, 80 Spring Street near Crosby

Xôi gấc

Homemade xôi gấc and some fresh chã lưạ from Montreal. We both agree, we could sit here and eat this all day until we got severely sick. Simple, almost bland but in the most amazing way, and utterly delectable. Kind of like good bread and butter.

4:00pm chinese cakes

Surely there's gotta be a better name for these. Alas, it's what the sign says. Forget how amazing these are, especially when fresh. At $1 a bag, we got 2 - one to eat immediately and one for our 4pm dessert.
Chinese Cakes street cart, south side of Canal Street btwn Baxter and Mulberry

Banh Mi from Montreal

There's a banh mi craze going on out there! The park was filled with banh mi eating folks today; the recent press must really be taking its affect. But we were sure and proud to be eating special ones, because ours were from Montreal. Nice to have family who will bring down the goods (packaged separately so that freshness can be had when assembled later) when visiting from Canada. These sandwiches are definitely superior to any in this city.

4:00pm brownie

From the not quite cake, not quite brownie texture, to the curious dusting of superfine sugar (not powdered), this is perhaps the strangest "brownie" we have ever had.
Fay Da Bakery, 191 Centre Street at Hester

Fu Kee, with Maggie

I was getting a little worried. After a late night at the office, I wasn't feeling so well. Feeling an onset of a sore throat even. Maggie needed to get out of her office. We decided to meet at the most convenient place that had congee and/or noodle soup. It was a really decent bowl of congee, really solid. Not too big of a serving. It must have worked 'cause sore throat no more!
Fu Kee, 128 Lafayette Street above Canal

4:00pm strawberry tart

By the time I was able to get around to eating this little number, it was a bit soggy. But how wonderful it would have tasted fresh. Loved how unadorned this tart looked. Devoid of the often too gummy glaze that coats most tarts.
Oro Bakery, 375 Broome Street btwn Mulberry and Mott

La Esquina, with Ray

Have faith, and you shall be granted one of the limited seats at this counter space only taqueria. The tacos were overflowing with innards that it was impossible to eat taco'd up. While I suppose it would have been preferable to eat 3 smaller tacos, both the cochinita pibil and the pollo rostizado were flavorful and filling.
La Esquina Taqueria, 106 Kenmare Street at Cleveland Place

4:00pm chocolate cookie

This cookie from Eileen's somehow never disappoints. Even when it's a day old and slightly stale.
Eileen's Special Cheesecake, 17 Cleveland Place btwn Spring and Kenmare

Passover Leftovers

Passover meal leftovers were delivered to the office this morning. Brisket, matzoh kugel, roasted potatoes and asparagus. All super delicious and impressively cooked by a non-Jew.

4:00pm chocolate cake

This cake is what I imagine a cake from Gullifty's to taste like.

Saha Thai

This Friday is one of those days that might as well not exist. Time is being sucked into some black hole, work is not productive, and nothing seems remarkable. Oh well. Happy Easter, and Passedover.
Saha Thai, 227 Centre Street above Grand

4:00pm carrot cake

This carrot cake is kinder to the eyes than to the palate. That's not to say it's bad. The toasted coconut on the side is a nice touch.

El Castillo de Jagua

Perfect day for an out of the way lunch. I had "cuban sandwich" stuck in my head, so that's what I set out to find. After reading about the ones from El Castillo de Jagua, my destination was set. While the pork was juicy-licious, the sandwich, as a cuban sandwich, I felt was a little weak. My favorite is probably from the former Havana Chelsea (now Casa Havana, which I have yet to try). I hope it's still good.
El Castillo de Jagua, 113 Rivington btwn Essex and Ludlow

4:00pm pound cake

There's just something so perfect about a simple homemade pound cake. Brought to us by the absent lunching half.

Pasta

Eating leftovers is great, but I hate the "out of a tupperwear" feel of it. So - the "out of a tupperwear" roasted red pepper sauce pasta gets plated and garnished with chopped parsley and parmesan (from this morning, prepared while eating a bowl of cereal), packed separately to keep everything fresh. Now it feels like a proper lunch!

4:00pm chocolate cookie

This chocolate chocolate chip cookies comes to us via Danny, who is sharing his cookie wealth with us. This may be the beginnings of dessert swapping amongst us neighbors.

Jobee, with Danny

My initial expression of interest in this dodgy looking Taiwanese joint was met with trepidation by my other lunching half. Good thing Danny had checked out the goods and given it a thumbs up, and was happily willing to join me for a lunch there. The five layer pork over rice was straight up killer and the oyster omelette was also enjoyable. However the volume of food has left me in a serious food comatose.
Jobee, 3 Howard Street btwn Centre and Lafayette

4:00pm yellow cake

I went to Amy's Bread in all intentions to try out their red velvet cake, however, found myself not being able to resist the sugary "pink-ness" of this one. The yellow cake was moist, dense and delicious. Definitely way too sweet, but appropriately so.
Amy's Bread, 672 Ninth Avenue inside Chelsea Market

Pret a Manger

Didn't get a chance to grab lunch prior to a meeting which had my stomach rumbling thunder. When I walked out of the building, spotted a Pret a Manger across the street and felt saved. Decided to try a new one today: the Cubano. The pickle and mayo aced the sandwich.
Pret a Manger, 380 Lexington, corner of 41st

4:00pm chocolate chip cookie

Last afternoon for Tate's. Goodbye Tate's for now.

bialy

Inheriting a toaster has been a lifesaving gift. I always like to keep some toastable carbs around the office for unpredictable hunger, whether they result from lack of time, late evenings in the office or just because. And aren't toasted bialys so delicious? Don't forget to always have good butter around. Toastable carbs are useless without butter.

4:00pm cupcake

This little cupcake from Once Upon a Tart, was sugar whoppin-riffic! Tasted very homemade in the best possible way.

Once Upon a Tart

You could probably count on both hands, how many times a year a beautiful day like this comes our way. Craving one of my favorite sandwiches in town, the pork loin sandwich, took a leisurely walk and enjoyed the meal on a sunny park bench. Not being used to all this sun, I'm ready for a nap. The city seems to be bursting at the seams.
Once Upon a Tart, 135 Sullivan Street btwn Prince and Houston

4:00pm cookies and cream

Tate's - Day 3 with Espresso Gelato, brightens up the day.

Excellent Pork Chop House, with Colin and Caleb

One of the charms of Excellent Pork Chop House is the location. Location, location, location, they say. The resi-mercial architects behind Mapos were charmed. The wonton in spicy oil, were good enough to get two orders of, alongside our porkchops and chicken legs.
Excellent Pork Chop House, 3 Doyers Street west of Bowery