More Than A One Night Stand...

I'm very excited to announce that I met someone last night! It all began when I walked into Hill Country. After some confusion about how to order (think of a bbq deli), I walked up to one of the counters and began to survey my prospects. At first I was coy, choosing a small helping each of some slaw, mac and cheese, corn bread, and sweet potato mash. I walked over to the meat counter and ordered brisket and pork spare ribs. I had yet to realize the consequences of my seemingly innocent choices. The four sides proved to be more decadent than my expectations. I could have settled with any of them and been happy. We could have had a nice little life; each had a little twist to its taste profile which could have led to a fun happily ever after: The slaw, a hint of pepper; the mac and cheese, a flavor reminscent of truffle; the corn bread, accompanied by an ancho honey butter; the sweet potato mash, smooth and silky. Yet there was something missing.
And then.............


I carefully opened the butcher paper that held my meat choices. And there it was: the pork spare ribs - The One<3. Pork Spare Rib was hanging out with some pieces of brisket, seemingly unaware of his beauty. I didn't want him to think I was too available, so I started with the brisket. Brisket was like the sides, tasty but not quite worthy of upheaving my life. However, I knew the pork spare ribs were special just by their appearance. I took my first bite and I knew I would never be the same. The flavors were complex: a bit smokey yet sweet. I cherished every second I had until he was gone. In a few minutes, there were only bones and pieces too fatty to eat. At first I was sad. Should I order more? I was so full and slightly elated. Our love may have been fleeting, but I was happy to have had the experience. After all, it is better to have ingested and lost than to never have ingested at all.

And I totally know that I can go back and get another piece. He's a little slutty.



Hill Country
30 W 26th St (btwn 6th and Broadway)
New York, NY‎

Snow White and the Seven Cupcakes

Gather 'round children, Auntie Laura wants to tell you a magical tale:

Once upon a time, two princesses, a prince, and a jolly knight were frolicking through the Isle of Manhatta. After feasting at the Palace of Yummyness, the royal crew was craving for more. "CUPCAKES!" suggested the younger (and more beautiful) princess. But from where? "Crumbs," suggested one of the merry men. The friends did love the variety and size of Crumbs, but their cupcakes are widely consumed throughout the land. The princesses craved something unique and delicious. Something - dare I say - that hasn't been cursed by the "hipster spell" of the Wizard of NYU. The foursome walked down many a street, past the Place of Astor, and through the Village of East. Just when our friends became disheartened, they stumbled upon something beautifully named "Butter Lane". Could it be? Why, yes it could - A BAKERY! A CURIOUS FIND INDEED! Our friends stepped inside the door of Butter Lane and breathed in the glorious smells of maple, butter, frosting, and, best of all, cake.

Now children, Butter Lane was no ordinary bakery. Butter Lane gave our friends options. They had the choice of three cakes (white, chocolate, or banana) and various frosting to mix and match. If our friends wanted something that was not ordinarily prepared, the bakers would pipe the desired frosting onto cupcakes. Princess Laura opted for a box of four cupcakes: a chocolate base with raspberry frosting, a vanilla base with pumpkin spice frosting, a chocolate base with maple frosting with roasted pecans, and a vanilla base with cinnamon frosting and a drop of honey. While our awesome baker was preparing the cupcakes, her helper gave the princess a card with four gold stars. The princess smiled widely as she noticed the card was labelled "The Baker's Dozen". The mystical card awarded its' holder a free cupcake after purchasing 12! The princess was ecstatic as she realized the rarity of a card that tracks frequent cupcake miles. Finally, the cupcakes were ready. The box smelled of maple, dreams, and rainbows. Alas, the first bite: deliciously delicious. Our royal friends, with their satiate palates, all lived happily ever after.

P.S. Not only were the cupcakes scrumptious, they were organic and made from local products!


Butter Lane
123 E 7th St (btwn 1st and A)
New York, NY 10009

East Village Pork Bun War. Should Momofuku raise it's white flag?

Spotted: Delicious Asian treats on 4th Ave. Has Momofuku retained it's steamed bun status, or has Ippudo stolen the limelight? xo xo.

As everyone should know, pork buns are 2009's cupcakes. Until recently, I was an avid Momofuku lover, carefully allotting biweekly time-slots to treasure pork steamed buns. Oh how naive! I must admit, I was a victim of a culinary fad. The Momofuku Empire that reigns the East Village had held my palate prisoner!

Alas, a coup d'etat! Ippudo struck a blow with their spongy buns and pork covered in a sauce/mayo connection of glory. And, could it be?! Yes, I think so - IPPUDO'S BUNS ARE LARGER. Momofuku remember the glorious words of the beloved Sir Mix-A-Lot, "my anaconda don't want none if you ain't got buns, hun". In the battle of trendy noodle bars, Ippudo may have won me over with their buns (and delectable ramen - more on that later). Perhaps my days of waiting on line at the Milk Bar at awkward hours of the day are over..... unless I want a shiitake bun or an egg and pork bun, then I <3 you, Momofuku. My pork bun love triangle has begun.

Ippudo
65 4 Ave (btwn 9th and 10th streets)
New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1 Ave (10th and 11th)
New York, NY‎

Momofuku Milk Bar / Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2 Ave (and 13th)
New York, NY‎