• I often find myself scouring the web for food-related items. However, I have often gone to bed hungry for more information on Sunset Park restaurants and food – disappointed that this Brooklyn neighborhood doesn’t get more respect from the local media. During one particular all-night binge of relishing the Internet and my snacks, I found an article on one of the many culinary wonders found in Sunset Park — a review of Ming Gee Seafood Palace in the Daily News. Also, my mother recently sent me an article she found in The New York Times (I wonder where I get my Internet obsession from…) about tacos. It’s nice to see one of America’s most prestigious and important newspapers showing respect for Sunset Park’s dining scene. It’s also good to see The New York Times jumping in…
• While patrolling Sunset Park’s 8th Ave., I’ve seen a fair amount of Chinese markets displaying buckets full of geoduck (pronounced ‘gooey duck’).
I saw this monstrosity for the first time on No Reservations and was reminded of one of my nightmares from my childhood, where a large animal-like object stalked after my dog, Gypsy, while she was outside going to the bathroom. I have since gotten over having this reaction and actually find the geoduck to be the main attraction of 8th Ave. whenever I go up there. I hope to have a geoduck party one day, but I should probably improve my gag reflex before I slice open that syphon…
• I came across a Chinese movie, “The Untold Story,” about a serial killer who chops up his victims and puts their flesh in the pork buns at his restaurant. I’m not sure if this is supposed to whet my appetite…
I have pretty low standards for late-night feasting. I owe this to growing up in New Hampshire and having very little access to 24-hour diners. The closest sort is a 35-minute drive away from the house I grew up in — and it’s a truck stop. If you find yourself hungry, dirty, and in need of a rest while driving on I-89 near Lebanon, NH, it’s worth stopping in for some eggs and a shower. Otherwise, it’s not really worth going to.
When I went to college, I took full advantage of what the closest city, Kingston, NY, had to offer. My friends and I would frequent Wendy’s and Michael’s Diner a handful of times per month, especially during our Senior Projects, when I tried to eat my stress away. It didn’t matter that the food at Michael’s was sub-par (Wendy’s, on the other hand…) So, when a new 24-hour Mexican restaurant/diner, named Los Tres Potrillos, opened up on 4th Ave. and 39th St. I thought I found my new late-night hangout.
Despite not really caring about the quality of the food I eat at 2 in the morning (anything warm is usually better than chips and Gatorade from a gas station), I cannot fully express my displeasure of this new restaurant. The el pastor was bad, the burger came meatless (they actually forgot to put the patty on the bun), the enchiladas were nothing special, and everything was over-priced. When the best thing about a restaurant is the rotating Jell-O display in the back, there’s a problem. Frankly, I cannot think of a situation where I will go back there.
Later that evening, I was able to satisfy my late-night hunger and get the disappointment of Los Tres Potrillos out of my mouth by getting donuts from Sunset Park Diner and Donuts and a taco and ribs from the taco truck on 36th St. and 4th Ave. At 2 a.m. (or any other time) nothing really beats getting a $7 platter of beef ribs covered in Chimichurri sauce, fried plantains, and a salad and a $1.25 taco — especially when it’s followed by a delivery of a dozen donuts for less than $5 an hour later. This has been my ritual the last few Saturdays, but I’m leaving for N.H. tomorrow for the holidays. I better load up tonight.
