Mimi's Cafe - Le Grand Bleu Burger

I have eaten at Mimi’s Café several times and usually thought it was pretty good. I have only had one bad experience at Mimi’s but that was out of town and it was service related, not food related.

The ATMOSPHERE… the best word to describe it would have to be “Cutesy”

The SERVICE… On this occasion we had a server that was still in training, yet still he was very good.

The FOOD… Breakfasts, Sandwiches, Entrees, Fresh Baked Goods 

On a recent lunch there with my parents I saw that they were offering a Two Course Lunch for only $10.99 (so basically your entrée included a soup or salad). I feel like this is a pretty good value. I recalled their Corn Chowder being pretty good so I looked for a Burger that sounded good so that I could get this deal.

I decided on Le Grand Bleu Burger (100% Ground Chuck Burger with a French Onion Sauce, Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Bacon and Grilled Onions). It was served with Lettuce, Tomato and Pickles and I chose Kettle Chips as my side.

The Corn Chowder was delicious as always, Thick, Creamy and Buttery!

I was delighted with how the Burger looked when it was brought to the table and I could not wait to sink my teeth in to it. Sadly though upon first bite I was a little underwhelmed. The Ground Chuck Burger was just OK, and I couldn’t even taste the Bleu Cheese, or Bacon due to the overpowering French Onion sauce, which I didn’t even enjoy the flavor of. I was also hoping that at least the Kettle Chips would have been good but I found them to be under-seasoned! This particular meal was just not going to work out.

I found myself wishing that I had ordered something else on the menu. I like their Quiche and their Breakfasts, and I even tried some of the Chicken Madeira Crepes that my Dad had ordered and they were also good. So ultimately I would say “Yes” to Mimi’s, but “No” to their Burgers.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

I was given recommendations from two different people who both said while in New York I should give Momofuku (ssäm bar) a try, so when I was with some friends in the East Village recently we made it a point to go there.

The ATMOSPHERE… small and very busy, casual and loud

The SERVICE… Our server Rachel was helpful and suggestive

The FOOD… Eclectic menu featuring Raw Bar items, small dishes, Country Hams, Fish and Meat dishes

There were three of us… with me not really eating Seafood, another not eating Meat and then another who will eat anything. With this dining arrangement we decided to just order several things and attempt to share as best we could.

I can really only comment on the Non-Seafood dishes which were the Steamed Buns (Pork Belly, Hoisin, Cucumbers, Scallions - $10) and the Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes (Chinese Broccoli, Sichuan Peppercorn - $19)

The Steamed Buns were quite simple. The Pork Belly was moist and tender but it was the Hoisin and the Scallions that really gave the “mini-sandwiches” a nice flavor. The combination was a little sweet and a little salty, and although Pork Belly is often too “fatty” for me I really found this to be delicious.

The Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes was actually a rather large dish, and since there were only two of us eating this dish it became the bulk of my meal. Crispy and Spicy are the two words that come to mind, in fact any more heat and it would have been to much for my palette, however in small bites with lots of water in between I actually really enjoyed it. This dish would be a must for anyone that likes it hot!

Don’t go to Momofuku Ssäm Bar for a quiet cozy dinner, but if you are wanting an interesting place with fine, fresh food and don’t mind sharing a table with people that you don’t know then this is the place for you.

Gateway to India

Gateway to India is a restaurant that I have driven by many times and thought that I would like to try it someday. It looks as if it were an old Pizza Hut but I’m not 100% sure and it is located on 434 not too far from 1792 in Longwood.

I recently gave their Lunch buffet a try.

The ATMOSPHERE… Definitely an old Pizza Hut, but with fairly nice décor - nothing fancy

The SERVICE… The Food is self serve, but the staff was very friendly and attentive to our drinks and bringing fresh Naan

The FOOD… Standard Indian Buffet – but pretty Basic. Rice, Salad, Two Vegetable Dishes, One chicken Dish, a Lentil Dish and a Dessert 

I believe that I tried everything that was on the Buffet. My least favorite was the Chicken because it seemed as though it had been sitting there for a while and didn’t have much flavor. Everything else was pretty good. I especially enjoyed the Vegetable dishes and would have been perfectly content just having them. I don’t recall how much it cost, but I remember it not being too expensive.

Rarely am I on that side of town so it is doubtful that I will return, besides there are several other Indian restaurants that I enjoy much better that are also closer to where I live.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

Hawkers Asian Street Fare (located in the ViMi district) serves up a variety of small plates similar to what we think of as Tapas. The popular thing to do is to go with a group of people and order several things to share. The name “Hawker” comes from the name given to a “Street Vendor” in Asian countries, and much like these Street Vendors sell their locally grown dishes; Hawkers brings their freshly prepared dishes to you in a “Unique, Sharing-Encouraged, Gastropub Environment”.

The ATMOSPHERE… Semi-comfortable seating with a modern look, nice lighting and Asian Newspaper printed tabletops.

The SERVICE… Having been there a couple of times I have had both quick, efficient service as well as slow (they couldn’t really be bothered) service.

The FOOD… The Food is where it gets good. Even when I have had less-then-desirable service, the Food has always come out quickly. They stagger it and bring it as it is ready, which indicates to me that everything is made fresh – which is exactly how it tastes.

Not everything on the menu sounds appetizing to my personal tastes, but everything that I have tried has been really good.

Some of the outstanding dishes that I have enjoyed at Hawkers are…

Pot Stickers (Chinese Chicken Dumplings – handmade daily – Pan Fried or Steamed - $4.5)

I like them Pan Fried!

Summer Rolls (Chilled Rice Flour Wraps filled with Vermicelli, Lettuce, Basil, Mint Leaves, Cilantro, Carrots and Bean Sprouts. Served with a Peanut Dipping Sauce - $3)

Super fresh and the Peanut Sauce is Sensational – I might have eaten the rest of the sauce with a spoon!

Roti Canai

(Malaysian Flat Breads served with a signature Spicy Curry Dipping Sauce - $3)

Hawker’s Delight

(Stir Fried Tofu, Broccoli, Napa, Carrots, Bell Peppers, and Shitake and Straw Mushrooms - $6)

Stir Fry Udon

Stir-Fried Udon Noodles with Chicken, Eggs, Onions, Scallions, Carrots and Bean Sprouts - $6.50)

and

Hawker’s Fries - $3 ,which are your basic French Fries tossed in Asian Five Spice seasoning and served with a Sweet Thai Chili sauce!

Very Tasty!

If you desire some Asian cuisine with a different atmosphere and different rules then please give Hawkers a try!

Five Napkin Burger - Avocado Ranch

Knowing that I am a Burger Lover, a friend of mine recommended that the next time I was in New York that I try the place where he had his “All Time Favorite Burger”. As I looked up Five Napkin Burger, I saw that there were four New York locations, one of them being in Hell’s Kitchen near where I had some business to do. I also saw that Urbanspoon.com currently has it ranked as the #30 restaurant, so obviously I had to give it a try!

The ATMOSPHERE… Meat hooks and single light bulbs hang from the ceiling giving the place a little character. Seating options are plentiful.

The SERVICE… I got there just as the lunch rush was starting yet still my server was quick and attentive.

The FOOD… Although they do offer Appetizers, Sushi, Salads and Sandwiches, I can’t imagine going to Five Napkin Burger and not getting one of their signature Burgers!

They also have a full bar.

Although many of the Burgers looked amazing, I quickly decided on the Avocado – Ranch (Pepper Jack Cheese, 5N Guacamole, Lettuce, Tomato, Ranch Dressing, Sesame Brioche Roll served with Fries - $14.95)

Not only was it covered in plenty of Ooey Gooey Cheese and Fresh Guacamole, but it was slathered in Ranch so I knew that it was going to be a messy one. (It IS called Five Napkin Burger so this was expected) I thought it would be best to just cut the Enormous Burger in half to make it easier to eat. It was really delicious! The Beef was Thick and Juicy and the rest of the ingredients were all very good. (not my favorite bun choice, but that is just a personal preference) The Fries were really nice too; thin, crispy and well seasoned.

Although it is not the best Burger that I have ever had, I will say that it is the best that I have had in New York City. I’m very glad that I took my friend’s advice and gave them a try.

Bananas Modern American Diner

Bananas Modern American Diner (located on Mills) is part of the same company that brings you Funky Monkey, Prickly Pear and Nick’s Italian Restaurant.

They offer Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week, 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bananas features drag shows at different times throughout the week, and late nights on the weekends the “girls” double as your servers while doing performances between taking orders.

I have eaten at Bananas many times. The servers are fun and personable. (Addison is my favorite) Sometimes the kitchen is “backed up” making the service slow, and I can’t remember the last time that they were not out of something on the menu.

The food usually tastes good, but it is not at all consistent in quality or portion size.

Upon occasion I have even had food there that I thought was terrible.

I wonder if the management or kitchen staff know what they are doing. This being said, I have had many stand-out menu items that are both appealing to the eye and delicious to the palette such as…

Daddy’s Burger (Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Apple-Wood Smoked Bacon, Caramelized Sweet Onions - $9.99) served with Homemade Potato Chips

Grilled Cheese (3 Cheeses served with a cup of Tomato and Sage Bisque - $7.99)

Bananas Big Breakfast (3 Eggs, French toast, Bacon and Hash-Browns - $8.99)

Daddy’s Burger with a Grilled Chicken Breast – Even better with the chicken!

Chili – Classic American Bean-less Chili

Chicken and Waffles (Classic Deep Fried Butter Milk Boneless Chicken, Belgian Waffle, Country Gravy $12.99)

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Onion Rings!

They also offer a cup of Bean and Ham Soup for only 18 cents (with an entrée) and it is actually quite good!

Many of Bananas concepts are pretty good, and overall they seem to do a pretty decent business. I just feel like a little consistency and a little tweeking of a few things would certainly help. I would recommend giving them a try, but perhaps go in with low expectations.