The Best ... in All of New York

USA Today tastes tests popular coffees

by Nicole Weston, Posted Apr 5th 2006 @ 6:56AM

After seeing the huge response we had from all of you readers about McDonald's new premium coffee, it is no surprise that others were curious about it as well as us here at Slashfood. USA Today decided to hold a taste test, pitting four widely available coffees against each other. Included in the test were the new premium blends from Burger King and McDonald's, as well as favorites from 7-11, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. Dunkin Donuts is the least available variety of coffee, as there are very few store locations on the west coast, but the test was held in Manhattan where there appear to be plenty of all of the above coffee-shop types.

According to the USA Today survey, as of the time I am writing this, Starbucks was still the most popular based on readers' opinion. And they must have good taste, since Starbucks also won the taste test. Out of possible scores of "5 slurps," Starbucks ranked at 4 1/2, while McDonald's followed with 3 1/2 , Burger King with 2 1/2 and Dunkin Donuts and 7-11 with 2 slurps each. While Starbucks was also the most expensive drink in the test, the "dead-serious brew with an intense bitter chocolate aroma, a silky texture and a complex, fruity, almost wine-like flavor" made it worth it to the tasters. The other stores' coffees had flavors that ranged from "watery" to having "tobacco notes."

Source

Filed under: The Best ... in All of New York, Raves & Reviews, Newspapers, Drink Recipes, Coffee Shops

Blue Owl New York City

COMMENTS 1

by Andrew Barrow, Posted Feb 24th 2006 @ 8:00AM

Cameron drop the team a tip on his new bar the Blue Owl New York City.

He describes it as a 'modern day speakeasy' which sounds just up my street. Offering an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920's they offer house-infused vodkas, cocktails and food (artisanal cheeses, house-cured meats and assorted crudités) in a 'lounge hidden amidst the sea of Irish pubs that over runs the East Village'.

It only opened on the 13th so it is brand-spanking new. Cameron concludes with an open invitation to the team to drop by. Somehow I doubt he would pay the airfare from Heathrow for me to 'come by and check out Blue Owl'. Shame.

Seriously; anyone been there yet? And should I add it to my places to go when I (eventually) make it across the pond?

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Filed under: The Best ... in All of New York, Drink Recipes

Food Porn: Carnegie Deli's Cheesecake

COMMENTS 3

by James Yu, Posted Nov 29th 2005 @ 11:04AM

Cheesecake

The cheesecake at Carnegie Deli is truly New York style. I remember sitting at the restaurant finishing my gigantic corned beef sandwich when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a huge cheesecake. It looked as big as my head, and was a sight to remember. We just had to order one and share it.

The texture of the cheesecake was superb: velvety and rich, topped with real strawberries. The crust is made in a cookie dough style, and is sinfully good. According to their website, the cheesecake is baked three times: first at 375 to bake the cookie dough, then at 500 to bake the sides and darken the top, then at 350 to set the cake. They insist that this is the Old World way of making cheesecakes. Whatever their secret is, I'd sit down to one of these babies anytime. You can also order a cake from their website.

[Photo James Yu]

Source

Filed under: Food Porn, The Best ... in All of New York, Feast Your Eyes, Ingredients

Food Porn: The Pastrami Sandwich

COMMENTS 1

by James Yu, Posted Nov 27th 2005 @ 8:51AM

Pastrami Sandwich

Sometimes, you just have to go to the source of things to taste the juicy traditions of food. For pastrami, there is none other than Katz's Deli in NYC's lower east side. This is how pastrami was meant to be--juicy, tender, smokey, and delicate all at the same time. Even though the cut is thick, it literally falls apart and melts in your mouth. Also, it's not overtly salty or sour, but has a perfect balance in its flavor.

I remember savoring this little piece of beefy heaven, but only for short while, because before I knew it my plate was empty. Since 1888, this deli has been serving up some of the finest Jewish deli fare, including brisket, matzo ball soup, corned beef, and of course pastrami.

[Photo James Yu]

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Filed under: Food Porn, The Best ... in All of New York, Feast Your Eyes, Ingredients

Mysteries of the Master

COMMENTS 1

by Josh Ozersky, Posted Sep 29th 2005 @ 4:07PM

First, a note to Slashfood readers: I apologize for missing pizza day. Not that anybody cares. But I feel badly about it. My long displacement kept me from regularly posting, but now, having landed at my new headquarters here in beautiful Midwood, I’m ready to resume my subliterary labors. I’ll start with my tardy post on the unpredictable genius of Domenic DeMarco. And early next week I’ll report on my experience this weekend as a judge at the Long Island Pizza Festival. Writing in Newsday some months ago, I penned the following paen to Dom:

"One man - bent, driven, possessed - towers over the world of pizza. His name is spoken of in hushed tones by the circle of believers; his work is subsumed in mystique; and no one who has made the trek to distant Midwood to eat his handiwork has ever walked away less than awed.”

Filed under: Alt-SlashFood, The Best ... in All of New York, Food Quest, Pizza Day

The Best Mac and Cheese in All of New York: Dumont

COMMENTS 0

by Karina Longworth, Posted Aug 11th 2005 @ 4:04PM

Every month, Karina Longworth picks a different food and eats her way around New York until she finds the best preparation in the Five Boroughs. This month, her search for New York's best macaroni and cheese will take her from speakeasies to supermarkets. First stop: Dumont.

I'm thinking back to the lardon-studded macaroni and cheese ($9) I had Sunday night at Dumont (432 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211) and I'm torn. As I'm craving the meaty chunks of salty ham, my mouth is simultaneously puckering from the memory of the even saltier islands of Parmesean.

Filed under: The Best ... in All of New York, Ingredients, Chefs & Restaurants, Restaurants