raysrestaurants

Hi everyone,

As I’m cooking scrambled eggs and cheese, I am reminded of my wonderful week in Brooklyn, when I was able to eat REAL food.  In particular, I’m reminded of a great Indian place that I found while walking down Smith Street in Brooklyn one afternoon.  I walked in mostly because it sounded like a decent restaurant and it seemed rather empty (I wanted my alone time that afternoon).  In any case, as soon as I walked in, the server approached me, sat me down at a table, and gave me the menu, which was rather extensive.  After having looked over the menu, I realized that there wasn’t any menu item called “Butter Chicken” (my favorite Indian dish as I’ve noted in other Ray’s Restaurants Posts).  That being the case, I asked the server which dish was the closest to butter chicken, and he directed me to the Chicken Tikka Makhani, which is apparently what they actually call it! Learn something new everyday!

Anyways, I ordered the 13 dollar dish along with a side of nan.  Before bringing out my order, the server first brought me a complimentary Indian chip like appetizer accompanied by three kinds of dipping sides - a green chili sauce, a chopped tomato like mix, and a brownish sweet vinegary sauce.  Forgive me for my lack of knowledge about the specifics in terms of the names of these sauces.  In any case, this garlicy wafer was quite delicious, and it was followed rather quickly by my entree.

In all honestly, the Butter Chicken and nan I had were the best that I’ve ever tasted.  Granted, I’ve been to about five Indian restaurants in my life, but I have always ordered Butter Chicken and have rather high expectations.  I think it’s quite telling that I almost finished my plate and asked for a second order to take home! The sauce was just right, served in a metal dish, separate from the rice and the nan.

I can say that Raga far exceeded my expectations.  The place was clean, well decorated, and a great place to sit and eat a quiet dinner.

I highly recommend this restaurant.  Here is the information:

Raga

142 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Get Directions(718) 522-3027

Happy eating everyone!

Ray

Hello everyone!

My exploration of Brooklyn continues! At the recommendation of Jason, a friend who was nice enough to stay at his place in Brooklyn, I went to the local Sushi join, Koto - sushi and steak. Now, I think that I’d like to just express my excitement at first hearing the name of this place, simply because my two favorite foods just happen to be sushi and steak. Anyways, I found my way to the place and entered what seemed like a pretty legit Japanese sushi restaurant. I ordered the the Sushi and chiken teriyaki lunch special, which was only about 12 dollars - a great deal. The chicken teriyaki was so-so; it was a little dry and a liitle bit over-drenched with sauce (but it was still tasty in my opinion). What was wonderful was the sushi! It melted in my mouth and made me want to order more (although I was stuffed from the meal). In addition to the teriyaki and the great sushi (Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel, and Yellow Tail, along with a California Roll), the lunch set also came with three gyoza (Japanese dumplings), salad, and soup.

The service was extremely nice, and I really enjoyed the meal. The chinese sushi chef did a great job doing justice to his craft, and though the place was rather empty, it felt nice and cozy (as do most things in Brooklyn!).

I’d definitely make a return trip, though next time, I’d definitely try some of the chef’s signature rolls (Koto Narudo). There’s even one roll that has gold leaf in it! Maybe when I’m feeling rich, I’ll get that.

Here is the info on the restaurant:

552 Henry St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Get Directions
(718) 222-8055
kotosushi.com‎

Happy eating everyone!
Rayray

Hi everyone,

Today’s featured restaurant is a fondue place in Midtown called “Swizz Restaurant.”  In addition to a fine collection of wine, the restaurant has some of the best fondue that I’ve tasted in a long time.  For only, 46 dollars, you can get a filling dinner for two by buying the Fondue Provencale, which is similar to traditional fondue but adds herbs to the mix to make for a great tasting fondue.  The fondue was made of delicious Swiss gruyere cheese and melted very well (not too think and not too watery).  In addition to the cheese, customers have the option of ordering side dishes to accent the fondue for 3 dollars a dish.  Eri and I opted to get mushrooms and air-dried beef, both of which were good choices.  The mushrooms in particular were very very good with the fondue.   The cubed bread that came with the fondue was really tender and was good for dipping.   In all, the experience was a great one - one of the simplest meals that I’ve had in awile, but also one of the tastiest.

I highly recommend this restaurant.  The service was nice, and the mood was romantic.

Here’s the info:

310 W 53rd St
New York, NY 10019

Get Directions

(212) 810-4444

 - 1291swizz.com

Happy eating everyone,

Rayray

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well.   Today’s featured restaurant is a nice Vietnamese place in New York City (MidTown Manhattan) that is both cheap and very good - two qualities that are definitely a plus in my book.  After Eri got her haircut at this Japanese hairstylist’s shop called “Ueno,” she asked the stylist where we could get some good pho.  Luckily, the hairstylist had a quick suggestion and it was in the area.

Since Eri was craving some pho, we decided to chance Pho Bang, which was located on Mott between Grand and Broome.  The place isn’t the most luxurious of areas, to say the least; however, it inside was nice, and the restaurant was Zagat rated, so we weren’t phased.

The menu was extensive, and the most expensive item was 10 dollars, which was awesome.  Eri chose the classic pho, while I got the Hanoi Beef on Vermicelli Rice.  Both of our choices were very very good.  The pho broth was full and was accented well by the meat (and vice versa).  The beef on vermicelli rice was well-marinated and the vinegar sauce they give you adds the perfect touch to the saltiness of the steak.  I though that in all, the meal was a very good one.

The service was mediocre, perhaps somewhat attributable to a language barrier; also, they only take cash which was kind of a hassle, but in all it was a great experience and I loved the food.  The bill ended up being only 25 dollars for two people and an appetizer (summer rolls  for 3 bucks!).

I highly suggest venturing out there to get some cheap, tasty food.  Here’s the info:

157 Mott St
New York, NY 10013

Get Directions

(212) 966-3797

Happy eating everyone,

Rayray

Hi all,

So at the recommendation of one of our friends Jason, we went to this small French brunch joint called Patois (pronounced Pat-twah just in case you don’t know any French like me).  On Sundays, they have this great set deal which allows you to get bread and butter, an entree, and unlimited mimosas all for 13 dollars.  Suffice it to say that the unlimited mimosas were worth every dollar, but to add on to that we had complimentary bread of three types with some of the creamiest butter I’ve ever tasted.

In any case,  I decided on the Quiche Lorraine, while Eri had the fritatta, which was equally as delicious.   Both of the selections were quite good, and the portions were very large (the quiche came with a mesclun salad).  Though the place was packed (as expected given the deal), it was cozy and the service was very friendly and quite attentive.  I highly suggest you check it out, and if possible, get there early and you might get to sit in the garden in the back.  I hear it’s quite beautiful.  Again, the brunch deal is on Sundays from 11am to 3pm and costs only 13 dollars.

Anyways, here is the information: 
Patois

255 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
+1 718-855-1535

Happy eating everyone,

Ray

Hi everyone,

So Friday at work, I experienced a funny situation, wherein the in-house lawyer was talking to an Indian fellow (who grew up in America).  Throughout the conversation, Bob, the lawyer was talking to said Indian fellow, while the Indian fellow - who happens to be a genius technologist and a very high up director in the firm nodded his head patiently.  Finally, the Indian fellow stopped and said Bob, I’m Raj, not Ravee…You need to talk to Ravee, because it says his name on the contract.  I thought this was funny because Ravee and Raj are two Indian account directors at my consulting firm, and clearly, Bob did not know the difference between because of this.

I suppose when people say that white people can’t tell the difference between Asians because they think all Asians look the same, the same can be said about Indians.  Perhaps, white people can’t tell the difference between South Asians because they think all South Asians look the same.  However, Bob is also old, so it could just be because he’s old.  In which case, I think old people are silly too.

O Bob, you will be missed.

Anyways, funny story that I just wanted to tell,

Rayray

Hello yall,

So for today’s featured restaurant, I want to talk about a little restaurant I go to on most Friday’s called “Kopan House” in Arlington, V. This place is by no means a wonderful restaurant, nor is it a place I’d take anyone on a date to . However, if you’re hungry, especially for sushi and Chinese food, it’s the place to go.

Kopan offers a 11 dollar all you can eat buffet which includes about 8 different kinds of sushi, fried rice, 4 other kinds of Chinese dishes (orange chicken, green beans, egg rolls, and others). IT’s a great deal, at least for poor college students who don’t feel like walking far from work to get a good meal deal.

Of course, I prefaced earlier that this isn’t a five star restaurant, but I’d argue that it’s a great deal for the amount of money that you pay.

Also, I’m a little bit biased because the lady who cooks the food and makes the sushi is cute little lady who likes to call herself “mama”.

Just today, in fact, she looked at me, and in her accented English, says, “I see you like Mama’s cooking.” Haha, it was pretty cute, and I can’t lie to yall. I really do like Mama’s cooking, and I will be back for more affordable goodness.

Here’s the information:

Kopan House

2200 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA 22201

(701)248-9417

Happy eating everyone,

Ray

Hey everyone,

So this week’s weekly rant is going to come a little bit early.  And this is for two reasons.  First, I haven’t been to any particularly cool restaurants recently, and second, I believe today was the release of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 aka The Worst Movie Ever 2.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about sisterhood, traveling and pants.  I just hate these movies.  They make me want to pull an Oedipus (not the sleeping with my mom part but the gouging out my eyes part).   

These are the kinds of movies that I’ve often seen huge groups of girly girls go to watch together and then afterwards go home and mourn their loneliness but hide it in a.)ice cream or b.)a tough girl “all I need is my homegirls” act (forgive my use of gender stereotypes and norms, but they do it to themselves).  These are the same girls who say they love the single life, but really deep down inside it’s just because they can’t find a boyfriend because they’re too busy watching horrendous movies or being dumb. 

What’s worse is that this movie’s concept makes me want to cry for humanity’s future.   Congratulations, you are a group of girls who travel in different directions, and magically, the pants fit EVERYONE single one of them – even the big girl, who I’ll get to later.  Now I haven’t seen the movie, but there’s probably no magic involved. What happened was probably that the skinniest girl started off with the jeans, and then progressively, the jeans got stretched out with each of the larger girls, until of course we get to the big girl – the big one who plays UGLY BETTY and is in fact actually ugly.  

So, Ugly Betty’s name is actually, wait for it…AMERICA.  That’s right, perhaps when I go to Japan, and live there for awhile, I’ll consider naming  my child Japan. Or even Djibouti if I ever venture out there.  Honestly though, America seriously?  I know it’s an actual name (Americo Vespucci, yes I know).  But still, nowadays when you name you’re kid America, at least make sure she’s attractive, or else she’ll just perpetuate the stereotype that Americans are ugly and gross people.  

Okay, I’m done with my rant,  if I have anything to add, I might return….

Screw The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and Screw America.  

But I love food,

Ray

Hi everyone,

Today, I want to rant about mumblers. Mumblers are the people who, as their name denotes, mumble when they talk.  Now, I’m usually pretty tolerant of the different levels of communication that people have. I grew up with a mom with a pretty thick Filipino accent, so I don’t judge when people have different levels of speaking English.  What makes me want to shoot myself in the ears is when people mumble under their breath or speak incomprehensibly (not because of an accent or any kind of disability, but because they are mumblers).  I suppose when they were younger, their teachers didn’t teach them about enunciation or the importance of speaking clearly.  But now as adults/young adults, they have developed an office skilled called “talk in ways that no one can understand.” It’s a useful skill when…o wait, that’s right, it’s not a useful skill at all.  

And the thing is, it’s not like mumblers can’t help it.  They can, but they’re just too lazy to open their mouths a little bit so that everyone can hear what they’re saving.  Of course, sometimes mumblers mumble because they don’t want anyone to hear what they’re saying, which means that they are grumpy and mean people who are too cowardice to say what they want to out loud.  

To give you context, there is this guy across from me who mumbles when he talks.  What’s worse is that he often calls his wife/girlfriend at work and then proceeds to mumble in Hindi.  So I really don’t know what he’s saying.  He’s probably talking mess about me.  What a douchebag. 

By the way, he’s talking right now on the phone and mumbling…Kill me now. 

Happy eating everyone lol,

Rayray