The Skinny Pig

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis Opens Tomorrow!

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis opens tomorrow on the LES at 1 pm! To celebrate the grand opening, there will be a party complete with tastings from 7 - 10 pm. A shindig with super sized cannolis up for grabs?? I am running out of excuses for not trying them. Once they start offering free rent with each cannoli purchase you let me know. But for now the thought of 30-something flavors inside a crispy fried shell is enticing enough..

 

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis
176 Stanton St
(near Clinton)
Lower East Side
New York, NY 10002
212-995-2266

Rays Pizza 45 Cents Today!!

To mark their 45th Birthday, Rays pizza (formally known as Famous Original Rays) is giving their loyal customers a nice treat - pizza for 45¢! Only eight of them are participating, and there are a lot of "Rays" pizza joints in the city, so you have to make sure you're at the real FAMOUS ORIGINAL RAYS. See below for locations. Each slice is 45¢, each topping is 45¢, and cans of soda are 45¢ too. Neat. Now you can get a taste of what life was like before the Bush's took office.

Famous Original Rays locations:

204 Ninth Avenue (22nd/23rd); 831 Seventh Avenue (53rd); 736 Seventh Avenue (49th); 462 Columbus Avenue (82nd); 1710 Broadway (55th); 250 East Houston Street (Avenue A); 195 East Houston Street (Orchard Street); 1530 Old Country Road, Westbury, Long Island.

Who knew Long Island had one? Either way, there will probably be lines forming around the block, but I am going to try to get over there for lunch or dinner. I think Rays has some of the best grab-n-go slices in the city, and they are usually pretty hefty in size. Happy Birthday Rays! And many more years of saucy, crusty deliciousness!

Starbucks Via Taste Test!

Will it be the "blech" heard round the world? To some, probably. Starbucks is an acquired taste in my opinion - even I used to despise it, and now I find myself craving it in the wee hours of the morning. It's a very strong coffee, and it takes some getting used to. So maybe my tastebuds are deadened?? It's very possible, because when I drink Dunkin Donuts coffee I feel like I'm drinking water with three coffee beans stewing in it. Still, whether you're a fan or not, Starbucks will be mass-promoting their new product throughout the US and Canada starting today. Via will also be sold at Barnes & Noble cafes, Marriot and Omni hotels, American Airlines, Office Depot (where's the connection there?), REI, Compass, and will be breaking into grocery stores in 2010.

The issue here is not the promotion, no one should be surprised at that. This is a franchise that feels it's unnecessary to go more than 2 blocks in any direction for a coffee trip. The question on everyone's mind is - does it taste good? Does it taste the same? I've asked around and the people who haven't tried it hope it tastes a little different, because well, when there's a Starbucks on every corner, how much are you really going to use it when you can roll out of bed and into a Starbucks for a freshly brewed cup? So I decided to go downstairs and grab some samples. There is, of course, one IN my building.

So the instructions are simple - mix packet with 8. oz of either cold or hot water. I opted for cold because I like iced coffee, I will later learn this might not have been the best choice. I used my Grande cup from this morning and filled it with water and ice.

Next I poured in the little packet..

Not looking too appetizing so far, so I started mixing...and mixing..and mixing. The problem with instant coffee and cold water is it doesn't totally dissolve. There are plenty of granules stuck to my straw and to the sides of the cup (you can see it below). Still, I added skim milk and two splendas (normally I get soy milk, but I work in a non-soy-friendly office), and took a sip.

My overall reaction? Not too bad. I am surprised to say that it is pretty close to what the brewed stuff tastes like. It has that instant coffee aftertaste a little bit, but it's not a lingering aftertaste which is a huge plus. I don't think I would opt for it if I could walk twenty feet and get the real thing, but if I was stuck somewhere and needed a quick fix, this would absolutely do the trick. Starbucks claims they have been working on this for 20 years. For that amount of time you would think it would brew itself in a magical cup lined with a microfilm of sugar so when you mix it together the particles break free from the cup, giving you the perfect coffee every time. Maybe that will come in 45 years. Until then, there is Via!!

New in Reviews Section: Pumpkin Picking and Wine Tasting in Long Island

This past Saturday I had some good old-fashioned Fall fun. And it had nothing to do with collecting dirty leaves, pasting them to construction paper and calling it "art." Sorry second grade, you lose on this one. Click on the page and read about my venture to Long Island - goes to show you how far people will go for alcohol.. 

Congrats to Wafels & Dinges!

Well no surprise here, Wafels & Dinges has taken home the Vendy for Best Dessert truck! Operated by Thomas DeGeest, the big yellow truck was in Queens at the Vendys cooking up their homemade wafels with an array of spectacular dinges for all to enjoy. So sad I missed it, but hopefully next year I can partake in the sugar high. Congratulations Wafels & Dinges!

 

Tempura Bacon is Back at The Red Cat!

For those of you who have bacon on the brain, you might want to check this place out. The Red Cat in Chelsea, unbeknownst to some, is the culinary genius behind this sumptuous treasure: bacon tempura. That's right, fried bacon. Battered and fried bacon. Are you kidding me? I can feel myself gaining weight just thinking about it but there is NO WAY that this tastes bad. It's just not possible. However, they had taken it off the menu a little while back (why??), but recently Ted Allen appeared on the Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate" chowing down on the stuff, and apparently the place was swamped with requests. That, my friends, is the power of publicity. Or bacon. Below is a pic:

 

I can actually taste it from this picture. The downside, if you can call it that, is it costs $10. But $10 for a plate of salty, crunchy, savory goodness? You can't really put a price on that. Plus as you can see, it comes with a corn salad. So it's healthy. And it has a lime wedge. This is your food pyramid on one plate: carbs, protein, vegetables and fruit. Take THAT Food and Drug Administration.

To view the rest of their menu, click here.

 

The Red Cat

227 10th Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 242-1122

 

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis Coming to LES

This may be a little bit shocking of me to say, but...I don't like cannolis. I don't like the cream - I think it has a strange texture. I know this might make me an alien considering I grew up in Queens and 75% of my friends have last names that end in vowels. Not to mention there are usually about five Italian bakeries in a three block radius. Still, I always opted for other desserts and never jumped on the cannoli cart.

However, if there is one place in NYC that is making me rethink my beliefs, it's Stuffed Artisan Cannolis. I have heard of this place through a couple of friends, and I have yet to try them. They sound delightfully strange, but that's what I like about the concept; traditional cannolis I have a problem with, but Peanut Butter Cup cannolis I can get down with. "I can get down with" in Queens-speak is roughly translated to "I would most likely enjoy" in Hip Urbanite-speak. Just to clear that up.

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis has been around since 07, and they have had such success that they are opening their first store October 1st on Stanton Street, according to this post from The Lo-Down. And with flavors like PB&J, Nutella, Birthday Cake, and Pumpkin Pie, it's no wonder they're so popular. If you haven't seen these things, you should definitely take a look at their site. There's a reason they're called "stuffed" let's just say that. See below for some pics from the 08 San Gennaro feast:

Peanut Butter Cup!!  

 

Now would be an appropriate moment for a "holy cannoli!" What are these, industrial-sized cannolis?? They look like sausage and pepper sandwiches that got all dressed up for a night out on the town. They do serve mini cannolis too though, which I assume are normal size. I might have to consider joining the cannoli faith. Stay tuned..

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis

176 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002

Pie Flurry? Mini Mac? Behold The List of Secret Fast Food Items

If you are a true connoisseur of junk food, this bit of information will probably be of interest to you. Slashfood has created a list of all the "secret" unlisted menu items from your favorite fast-food joints. This includes items that "aren't on the menu anymore," and I have added a few below that weren't on the list because I am just THAT smart. Or that fat.  

Anyway, this is great for all you junk-food addicts out there who want to test your knowledge too. Have a friend print it out and read you the name of the chain, and you see if you know which item is on the list (and off the menu). I have yet to meet someone who knows all of them - though that may have something to do with geography - we dont even have an In-N-Out Burger here. Very depressing. However, I still know the "secret" items because I make a yearly pilgrimage to Vegas for In-N-Out Burger. I mean partying. Yea thats it, partying. And gambling.

From my own "secret" faves:

Taco Bell: Cheesy Gordita Crunch. It's not on the menu anymore, but if you stroll in and just ask for it without even looking at the menu, they'll usually make it. Confidence is key here. Don't let on that you know it's off the menu. And Slashfood mentions the "green sauce" at T-Bell which I have yet to try. Apparently you can get a "spicy green (insert menu item here)" and they will add that sauce to it.

Burger King: Grilled cheese. If you walk in drunk enough and demand this, chances are they'll make it for you. Sometimes a little negotiating helps. So maybe this one isn't really a secret, maybe it's just me being obnoxious. But they CAN and DO make it. And so does McD's. Anyone remember the Rodeo Burger? Yea, they can make that too if you ask for it. It's beef, onion rings and bbq sauce - easier to make than a Whopper!

McD's:  Put the apple pie in your McFlurry. Mmmmm. Some places will be a pain in the ass about it, but if you're buying it, why should they care? And this I heard from a friend which I am SUPER excited to try: ask for a quarter pounder or cheeseburger "but make it like a Big Mac," (meaning with all the Big Mac fixins) and there you have a Mini Mac or Mac Jr. Amazing. I hope that works. And of course, you can order ANYTHING at McDonalds with "Mac sauce." I enjoy the spicy chicken sandwich with Mac sauce.

Wendys: The Big Bacon Classic has to be one of my all time favorite burgers, and they took it off the damn menu. But I didn't even KNOW they did that up until a year or so ago, and I would still order it and have no problems. Mmm bacon...

Chipotle: This one is more of a tip than a secret: ask them to "stir up" your fillings, so all of your burrito fixins blend together nicely and the cheese is evenly distributed. Gooey goodness anyone?

One thing I never thought about was the Arch Deluxe from McD's. Whatever happened to that burger? That was a major fail. And I bet the only reason they can't make it anymore is because no one stocks those strange buns..

 

If you have any you would like to add, please do so in the comments section. And for Slashfood's list click here.

Wafels & Dinges Face Off at Vendy's This Saturday!

When I first heard about these "awards" a couple years ago, I thought it was a little nutty. But then again we live in NYC; where people walk two miles to work to save $2.25, then when they get there spend $3.52 on a coffee. So I guess I can't be too surprised about anything anymore, especially when it comes to this. Street food has become so rampant (and in some cases so GOOD), with carts and trucks of all different cuisines popping up everywhere,  maybe they should be giving out awards. When I was a kid growing up, street food consisted of very limited options: "steak on a stick" (which is what my dad calls it - and I'm pretty sure that's his term for it, not the real term), pretzels, and hot dogs.  That was it. Now, street food has expanded so much that if I even tried to list all of them, I probably couldnt.

However, among this mobile smorgasbord, some trucks have gained so much of a following that they will be competing against each other this Saturday at the Vendy Awards. According to their site, the Vendy Awards are like the Oscars of the street food world. Below from the press release:

Organized by the Street Vendor Project, a non profit organization that advocates for vendors, The Vendys feature 5 nominated vendors in a street food cook-off.  The dessert category, now in its second year, recognizes some of the sweetest treats in the city.  (In fact, the Treats Truck won the coveted 2008 People’s Choice Award.) 

When I think of dessert and street food, I can only think of one thing: Wafels & Dinges. The bright yellow truck is hard to miss, and the delicious Belgian waffles are hard to resist! This year, Thomas DeGeest, creator of Wafels & Dinges, will be squaring off against the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, and the Cupcake Stop. Wafels & Dinges is one of the original "different" street vendors, and since 2007 has been cranking out authentic Belgian waffles with all the trimmings, and then some. Classics like whipped cream, butter and syrup are a no-fail option, but dulce de leche, nutella and even Speculoos spread (just Google it) make for a sweet surprise. For me, Wafels & Dinges is not so much about the toppings, but more about the quality of the wafels, and they are delicious any way you order them.

 

Now in all fairness, newcomer Big Gay Ice Cream Truck is also a solid competitor, and a must for ice cream lovers who think that ice cream in general has gotten too, well, vanilla. With toppings like sea salt and Nutella, banana-cocoa puree, and even caramelized bacon - it should be an interesting battle. In fact, I just read that the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck has come up with a new "Monday Sundae" consisting of vanilla/chocolate twist soft serve in a nutella-lined cone, with dulce de leche, sea salt and whipped cream. Below is a pic from their site:

Who will you pick?? Unfortunately I will be out of town for the Vendy's, so I can't vote, but I plan on hitting up Wafels & Dinges tomorrow, and maybe the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck on Friday. Be still my beating tastebuds!

To get your tickets for the Vendy's this weekend at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, click here. 

Barros Luco - Chilean Cheesesteaks and More

I have been walking by this place every day for the past few weeks, and I finally decided to look it up..mainly because I have no idea what it is.  Apparently the "Barros Luco" is a traditional Chilean sandwich named after the president of Chile in 1910, and consists of beef and melted cheese. Sound familiar? This spot on 52nd and 2nd has not been lucky; I've been here for two years and I have seen the rise and fall of two greasy joints: Zipburger and 99 Miles to Philly. Guess what those also consisted of? You guessed it - beef and cheese. I knew this combo was bad for your arteries, but I never knew it had such an impact on real estate.

Fortunately, from reading their menu online, it seems as though someone has warned the folks at Barros Luco that you cannot get by here with just plain ol' meat and cheese. They will be serving up "Authentic Chilean Cuisine for a Presidential Appetite." Whatever that means. In all seriousness though, it sounds pretty damn good and it has more options than Zipburger and 99 Miles to Philly. Some tidbits from the menu include: the Chacarero sandwich (grilled steak or chicken, string beans, tomatoes and cheese, above), the Barros Luco Italiano (Grilled steak, cheese, avocado, tomato and mayo), and empanadas. They even have Chilean style hot dogs! These dogs are made with your choice of beef, chicken or salmon and come in three varieties: the Completo (tomato, sauerkraut, mashed avocado, mayo); the Italiano (tomato, mashed avocado, mayo); and the Dinamico (avocado, tomato, relish, sauerkraut, mayo, mustard). I stole this pic below from Midtown Lunch of what that's supposed to look like:

I salivated a little. And everything on the menu is supposed to be under $10. Hooray recession!

So far I am hopeful of Barros Luco, and judging by the homage to el Presidente in their logo, they mean business. Any guy who serves you food with furrowed brows and a handlebar mustache is not one to be tangled with. But if I were them, I would play it safe and put some puppies and kittens outside to lure people in anyway. It really couldn't hurt.

 

 

Barros Luco

300 1/2 East 52nd Street

New York, NY, 10022

212-371-0100