A popular Japanese ramen chain, Ichiran, recently opened up their first US location in Brooklyn (East Williamsburg/Bushwick – Morgan L stop). They’re famous for their Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth) and eating by yourself in small booth for one. It’s like eating in a closed-in cubicle.
I decided to try them out on Thanksgiving, thinking it would be empty. Then I could enjoy my solitude in even more peace. But there was actually quite a lot of people there. A lot of Asians. Maybe they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.
There’s actually two sections to the restaurant. The individual booths and another room with tables where you could sit with other people. I also noticed you can remove the wall between the individual booths so you can see the person next to you. But I’m not sure why anyone would want to do that.
Anyway, the ramen was surprisingly good. I ordered my broth strong and rich. It’s cool that you can customize your ramen. I didn’t think I would want that option. I rather have others decide what’s best for me. But what if that person decided my broth should be bland and dull? That would suck.
You’re supposed to be able to go through this restaurant without having to talk to anyone. You write your order in. Someone in a hole picks it up and brings you your food without you having to see their face. But I ended up having to make eye contact and talk to several employees. I feel like I failed.
The pricing seems expensive. But considering this is a non-tipping establishment, the price comes out about the same as any other decent ramen spot in New York. The beer though is expensive I think. $8.90 before tax for an Asahi draft that had a lot of foam. $41.05 for ramen, pork belly and a beer. Maybe this should have been more like $35.
There was a line out the door when I left. Asians ever hear of Thanksgiving?
Latin Beet Kitchen is the newish restaurant connected to the front of Raymi, the fancy Peruvian restaurant on 24th Street. I’ve been wondering what this place was. I’ve seen a few people eat out in the front outdoor seating. But was it counter service, table service, do they serve alcohol? I was able to get some answers when I went to their Media Fall Preview, tasting some of the new menu and cocktail items coming soon.
So it turns out it’s from the same owners of Raymi. I’ve been there for a Ceviche vs Tiradito event in 2014. They wanted to open up a casual place to serve breakfast and lunch, while Raymi was closed. But they are going to start serving dinner at some point.
They do have beer during the day. I’ve seen people drink it outside. I’ve been tempted to drink out there for a lunch break on a nice day.
They are going to start serving weekend brunch cocktails: Bloody Tiger, Spiked Latte, Gin and Juice and Clear Michelada. I liked the Gin and Juice best. Snoop D-O-Double-G.
They’ll start serving these cocktails at night when they expand to dinner service.
Also tried some of their arepas and bowl samples. The arepas were a lot different than what I think of arepas. I usually think of arepas as lighter and having a pocket to stuff meat into. These were more dense and more like a cracker. I wonder if it’s because of the nature of having the smaller sample, than a full size arepa. Or maybe this is the difference between a Venezuelan vs a Colombian arepa.
The Tuna Nikkei Ceviche Bowl is promising. But surprisingly, I liked the Antina (Lentil Stew) Bowl the best. I’m a heavy meat eater and this was really tasty for having no meat in it. I’m feeling very conflicted inside.
Latin Beet Kitchen – 43 W 24th St (b/t Broadway & S Park Ave) New York, NY 10010
My video, How To Make a Turtle Burger, returns to the Food Film Festival on their opening night (Best of a Decade). These Food Food Festival night are awesome. You can get crazy drunk with all the unlimited booze. Plus there’s a lot of food to eat throughout. A good time to take a date or something.
Diana picked this gem up at the local grocery store. It’s a chocolate bar made to look like a $3 bill with Hillary Clinton on it. I guess because it’s to show she is as crooked as a $3 bill. But do they mean to also say she will be elected President of the United States of America? …Because she is on the bill.
It tasted like cheap rubbery milk chocolate you get in Easter bunny-shaped candy.
