a food junkie's restaurant reviews
Tokyo, Japan: Raj Mahal
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I haven’t been to India…yet. BUT, the BEST Indian food I’ve found is in Tokyo, Japan (ironic, huh?). Based in Roppongi (the bar/restaurant district of Tokyo), you’ll find this small restaurant nestled on the 4th floor of the Urban building, next to 7th Heaven (a strip bar, though no indication of how good this restaurant is).
I am an avid lover of the chicken tikka masala and like to taste this dish at every Indian restaurant I visit as a basis for accurate testing. The chicken tikka masala at Raj Mahal (coincidentally called the Raj Tikka Masala) has grinded/minced chicken so you don’t have to eat big chunks of meat – this is the only Indian restaurant I’ve been able to find minced chicken in my masala. The sauce is smooth and rich. The garlic naan is fresh and delightful.
I cannot tell you how great of a restaurant this is – the staff is attentive and personable. You can even watch the chef cooking the naan in the kitchen. Absolutely superb – so much so that I attach a map for you to easily find.
http://www.rajmahal.gr.jp/
East Lansing, MI: Sansu
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I heart sushi…after all, I did live in Japan for a few years. But sushi in Michigan is hard to come by – especially in East Lansing (home of the MSU Spartans). But if you’re visiting the area, definitely stop by Sansu for an unexpected surprise. There are a ton of Japanese restaurants in the area but none are anywhere near as good as this establishment. Want proof? This restaurant is SO popular that they had to expand into a location that is 4 times as large – and it’s still packed.
My personal favorites are the veggie delight (7 pieces of avocado, asparagus, cucumber, sprouts, yamagobo, pickle, and kanpyo) and the champagne roll (salmon and other goodies encrusted in a tempura shell). But if you’re not much of a sushi fan but still want other Japanese dishes, the terriyaki salmon bento box and the beef don bowl are fantastic. ALWAYS start with the blackened tuna tataki – seared raw tuna that melts in your mouth.
Price is rather expensive for this college town. However, on Tuesdays, if you’re an MSU student, you can bank on a 20% discount. Most sushi dishes are served with a salad and soup too so you get a pretty good deal.
Yummy sushi in East Lansing – who woulda thought!
http://www.sansu-sushi.com/
New York City: Yuka
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Q: Where in the city can you find all-you-can-eat sushi for $20?
A: Yuka (81st st. and 2nd ave.)
On the weekends you’ll find a yuppie crowd pouring out of this small establishment. For $20 you can get as much sushi (limited selection – tuna, salmon, shrimp, eel, mackerel, etc.) as your heart desires – but note, there’s a 2 hour time limit! If you decide not to have the all you can eat, you have the standard sushi options. If sushi isn’t your thing, you’ll have plenty of options from tempura to teriyaki to udon. During lunch, you can also order a bento box (lunch box set).
Price is about average ranging from $2.20 for a salmon sushi to an 8 piece tuna, salmon, or white tail sushi dinner for about $15.
This bustling place is definitely one to try – laid back, friendly, and absolutely fantastic Japanese food! Sure beats the price of Nobu!
Bonn, Germany: Extro
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You may or may not know, but Bonn used to be the capital of Germany – quite an accomplishment for a little city (if you could call it that). The city of Bonn primarily consists of the University of Bonn, the headquarters of Deutsche Post World Net (parent company of DHL), and Beethoven’s birth home. The Rhine runs through the city but beyond that, there’s not much to do except relax and explore the historical features. It’s a beautiful city and only 30 min. from Cologne, Germany – a bigger tourist attraction.
After trying a few restaurants during my summer there, I landed upon a cute, seemingly unknown restaurant with an outdoor seating area – Extro. It’s a mix of Italian with a few Indian dishes. The restaurant has a strong local customer base. Ask for the Indian dish that they recommend and take the offer – I can’t recall what the dish (some chicken with rice) was but I remember it being amazing (even after the 5th time eating it). The pasta was pretty good too. Definitely a place where you can sit around and just relax with a few friends for a couple hours without being hassled to move on.
lessingstraße 50, 53113 Bonn (1-2 blocks from the train tracks) - www.cafe-extro.de
Tuscany, Italy: Il Profeta
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Trying to find a non-touristy delicious restaurant in the center of tourist town Tuscany was quite the task. However, my boss had recommended that I try a restaurant near the hotel called Il Profeta (The Prophet). This small restaurant tucked away on the street can be easily passed by if you aren’t looking – but be sure to make a special stop for this authentic Italian restaurant.
This restaurant is not exactly the most neatly decorated or upscale, but the food certainly makes up for the lack of decor. Try the gnocchi – freshly made and oh so tender and juicy. It’s one of those melt-in-your-mouth-oh-so-good dishes.
Go to http://www.ristoranteilprofeta.com/ for directions – be sure not to miss this restaurant on your travels!
Budapest, Hungary: Gerbeud’s for gelato
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A few years back I did a tour around Europe with one stop being in Budapest. Now, I didn’t know much about this city, let alone the country of Hungary but was wildly fascinated with the architecture and numerous activities.
THE BEST place to get gelato in Budapest is this restaurant called Gerbeud’s – it’s actually a cafe/restaurant but outside (before you go in) there’s a gelato stand. The waffle cones are freshly made – and can probably be smelled from a mile away – and the gelato is absolutely to die for. A friend recommended this place to me and now I pass on the secret. Cones, back in 2007, were about $1.25 USD. I believe you can also go inside for pastries and other dessert options. Nothing like a good ol’ dessert to wind down your day.
Location: V. Vorosmarty ter 7 (Vorosmarty Square – tourist area)
New York City: Il Corallo Trattoria
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This quaint little Italian restaurant snuggled onto Prince and Thompson in Soho is by far, my favorite Italian restaurant. Whether it’s the fact that my friend and I found this restaurant when we were so desperately hungry after a day of shopping, or the freshly made noodles, or the fact that this restaurant is almost always jam packed during dinner and on the weekends, I have found my love in this restaurant.
The menu is extremely long but don’t be alarmed, most, if not all of the food there is delicious (don’t forget to look on the back for the pizza options). I have had birthday parties, dates, and family dinners here – everyone finds something they love. My personal favorite is the fettucine roma (a combination of fresh noodles with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomato and wild mushrooms in an olive oil and garlic sauce) where I add some chicken and voila – yummy! The restaurant also has a long list of daily specials to choose from. With this place, you’ll most definitely find something to soothe your hunger pains.
With a large plate of pasta for about $10, you can’t find another place as great as this. Every time I go back to NY, I make a special trip to this little restaurant. I strongly recommend a trip here!
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/il-corallo-trattoria/
New York City: Megu
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Megu, another great restaurant, with two locations in manhattan – one in Tribeca (the original) and one in midtown. Now I’ve only been to the one in Tribeca once (years ago) but I hear raving reviews from both. Megu is a Japanese restaurant with the Japanese price tag, if you know what I mean. If I had the dough, I’d definitely be shelling it out at this restaurant on a daily basis. The food and presentation are both amazing – I’m salivating just thinking about it. The ambiance is very trendy – when you walk in, you walk downstairs to a huge open spaced dining area.
When you’re there, definitely try the Crispy Asparagus as a starter. The flaky breaded crusts delicately encompasses the fresh hot asparagus. For an entree, try either the wagyu or kobe beef selection with your choice of sauce (daikon radish oroshi ponzu, foie gras, or the megu spicy sauce). Sushi is also available – I’ve never had it there but if you try it, let me know how it is.
Be warned, unless you’re raking in the dough, this is one of those “once a year possibly an anniversary” type places to eat. It’s definitely a place to see and be seen. Donatella Versace was a few tables away from me. One of NY’s best – enjoy!
http://www.megurestaurants.com/
New York City: Republic
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Head on over to Union Square (where the n,q,r,w and the 4,5,6 cross at 14th street/union square) and you’ll be bombarded with restaurant choices. One of my personal faves is an Asian Fusion restaurant called Republic. I’d recommend going during dinner hours – on the weekends you’ll mostly find a crowd flowing out of this restaurant. Towards the later part of the night, the bar area is packed with trendy 20 somethings with a lychee martini in hand. Once spotted, a recent America’s Next Top Model contestant.
Living in NYC for 3 years, I was a constant visitor to this establishment. You can find everything from Pad Thai to wonton noodle soup to my all time favorite dish, the seared marinated salmon rice dish. I’m told the chocolate truffle cake is to die for! Drinks are trendy and unique – my fav is the asian basil lemonade but you can get everything from a fuji apple martini to a hot sake.
Prices used to be decent but, based on a little bit of research, looked like they’ve increased. Look to pay about $10 – $15 for an entree. Check out http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/republic/ for dishes and pricing.
So I recently made a stop there (Sep 09). Though the prices have definitely increased, the portions have also increased as well. Food is still very delicious!
Lansing, Michigan: Golden Harvest
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After living in the East Lansing area for over 5 years, I finally found a delicious brunch spot! Golden Harvest – a quirky, alternative eatery with a maximum capacity of 20 people. Everybody from grandmas to college students to local auto workers fill this place on a daily basis. The staff is absolutely friendly and, on most occasions, you can find the owner behind the grill jamming to Rock/Alternative music at 9 in the morning.
This spot has THE most delicious banana-nut-chocolate pancakes. Though I’m not a fan of breakfast meats, I hear time-and-time again that the Bubba sandwich is the entree to get (two huge slices of french toast stuffed with bacon, sausage patty & cheese – served with perfectly grilled homefries or hasbrowns). Prices are dirt cheap – expect to pay about $5 for an entree.
Warning, the lines are long in the morning (I believe they open at 8am) – sometimes one can wait for 30-45 min. for a seat. Trust me, it’s worth it – and you’ll believe it when you see a line waiting outside in negative 20 degree Michigan weather.http://www.myspace.com/golden_harvest
