Pretty Much Perfect

Ever since moving to Brooklyn (abt half a year ago now...) I have not posted anything from my new location. My bad >.<

ZENKICHI (77 N 6th St @ Wythe Ave.)

I have found one of my favorite restaurants in Williamsburg - Zenkichi is a rare jem that excels in every facet including food, a reasonable price range, decor and service. Specializing in small dishes, the super zen atmosphere (think sleek minimalist black, with bamboo separations, and pebbled floors) leaves you in a perfect state to enjoy the freshness of the season's best offerings. This place is serious about letting you concentrate on food in comfort and privacy - each table is like its own room separated by bamboo curtains that your waiter draws up each time you summon him with a buzzer. I'm not a sucker for romantic locations, but this one is a perfect date spot - the minimalism is broken only slightly by accents of red roses. And I love the fact that it veers more on the quiet side of the scale in its non-pretentious non-scenester way. They also specialize in pairing their food with sake which I have yet to try.

The focus here is definitely on the Omakase (chef's tasting menu), which changes frequently to cater to the best of the season. I've been lucky enough to try two of them - last year's Valentines menu and October's Early Autumn menu. Below is the menu for the latter copied verbatim.


Miso Soup

White Tiny Shrimp - luscious creamy shrimp from Toyama, Japan lightly boiled and served as sashimi: light dashi soy sauce

Sanma Namerou - w/ myoga Japanese ginger in miso marinade;

(The appearance of Sanma saury fish on a table denotes the arrival of aurumn in Japanese homes: Typically grilled, but this super-fresh fish from northern Japan is best enjoyed raw)

Maguro Carpaccio - medium tuna sashimi with sesame oil, white soy sauce, green yuzu pepper, grated onions

Early Autumn Salad - crispy lotus roots and Satsumaimo golden sweet potato on a bed of baby spinach & baby arugula: onion soy sauce dressing

Amadai Tempura - Amadai sweet butterfish is said to have been a favorite tempura fish of the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu. Served with kabocha pumpkin

Saiko Miso Cod - grilled black cod in Kyoto miso marinade

Grilled Lobster & Green Asparagus - topped with lobster-based butter cream sauce


Yaki Saba Bo-Sushi - Seared saba mackerel from Kyushu, Japan as pressed sushi: Yuzu pepper gomuku rice

Homemade Chestnut Ice Cream, Sudachi & Lime Tart - Japanese version of key lime pie w/ Sudachi citrus custard

Recent Zenkichi news:

- Opened an enclosed winter garden in November

- Potential relocation into Manhattan (I'd say get here before it starts getting packed and pricey)

MOMO

MOMOFUKU BAKERY & BAR (207 2nd Ave, 13th St. entrance)

He did it again! Damn that David Chang and his ever expanding Momofuku empire is making me fat. Yes, I know that this hot new joint has already been reviewed by every foodist and their mother - lemme just quickly throw some more praise at his feet.

My visit took place on a cold Tuesday night. Despite a less busy day of the week they had already run out of pretty much all cakes and breads (note: go earlier?). That's ok, some of our other top pre-selected choices were present.

We walked into Ssam Bar all confused as it had the same street address number; missed the bit about some 13th St. entrance. Be prepared that it is standing space only. Not to worry, lots of table space is provided. You can also watch the two pasty chefs at work with the open kitchen.

salty pistachio caramel soft serve

pork buns - pork belly, cucumber, hoisin, scallions

blondie pumpkin pie

I recall one reviewer saying that eating the salty pistachio is like cheating on your wife. Although I have no wife, I whole-heartedly agree - anything that's both sweet and salty gets my heart racing. The pork belly was pure throat clogging fatty goodness; a signature Momofuku dish. And the blondie pumpkin pie was like eating gourmet candy. Do not underestimate the smallish slice; it is packed with flavour and enough sugar to keep you trampolining for another couple hours. I need to come back and try everything else on the menu - each item seems delightfully different.