Archive for 'Little Italy'

Seafood Laksa With A Side Of French Music At Aux Epices

The name of the restaurant Aux Epices on Baxter St. (btw. Canal & Hester) translates from French into “with spices” and that was an accurate description of the riot of flavors in my lunch there. It moved from Tribeca where it was called Franklin Station Cafe, and there isn’t much on the lunch menu that tops $10, but you have to remember that this is Chinatown/Little Italy and that price point is expected. You don’t feel like you’re eating in the neighborhood as you step inside and black and white photos paired with cute cafe tables and French music contrast with the mostly Malaysian and Asian dishes on the menu. It’s a nicer lunch experience than you might find in surrounding establishments, and the seafood dish I had was delicious.

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Banh Mi Saigon Gives Fast Food A Good Name

The stars aligned one day when I had to head up to Little Italy/Chinatown, and just so happened to be right across the street from Banh Mi Saigon Bakery on Grand St. (btw. Mott & Mulberry). It turns out this site has never done a proper review of the place, although it did fare well in a Banh Mi Battle Royale that Daniel conducted. I am never one to turn down a cheap sandwich, especially if it’s from a combination jewelry store/banh mi seller. This works way better than combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell. Read more »

Di Palo’s $6 Porchetta Sandwich Is A Thing Of Beauty

di palo inside

I’d been aware that Di Palo’s Fine Foods on Grand St. in Little Italy sold porchetta, but it wasn’t until I happened to stop in that I learned the exciting information that they will make it into a sandwich for you. The place primarily traffics in Italian meats and cheeses with a sideline in prepared foods, pasta and other imported goods. The day I was there they hadn’t made the porchetta because of something about a meat shipment, but I was informed by the nice guy working the counter that they would not only have it the next day but he would make me a sandwich out of it. The next day come lunch time, I was on my way there faster than you can say “pork sandwich.”

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When You Ask Saha Thai For Spicy, They Don’t Mess Around

There have been many times where food from Saha Thai on Centre St. (btw. Grand & Broome) has been featured on another site that features lunch, and I’ve vowed I would go check out their cheap specials. And then I don’t. It’s in that weird no-man’s land that’s not quite Chinatown and not quite Soho, and it’s often easier to just hit up the $4.75 Chinese buffet place a couple of blocks down Centre before getting there. I’m sure a lot of you Soho office workers eat at or order from this place (if you’re not going to Peep), so I resolved to finally make my way to Saha.

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A Sandwich At Acquedolci Changed My Opinion Of Eggplant

The thought of eating at most of the places in Little Italy is unappealing partly due to the crowds and partly because they try to lure you in with super cheap food that lives up to the phrase “You get what you pay for.” And I would rather not eat a giant plate of sub-par pasta in the company of tourists.

Acquedolci is on Grand St. (nr. Mulberry) not quite in the thick of Little Italy, but close. Lunch’er Danielle had recommended the shop, saying she and her office mates order delivery from there all of the time. I decided to head up there since I’m sure a lot of people working on the edges of Soho and Nolita eat in this neighborhood frequently. And I would be crazy to turn down an Italian sandwich recommendation. Read more »