Located in the middle of a quiet, unassuming block on Manhattan's far Upper Eastside stands El Paso Taqueria.  Although I had heard of, but never been to, the restaurant before Sunday, this under-the-radar jewel has always held a special place in my heart, as it bears the same name of the beloved Texas town where I grew up.

Dara and I had arranged to meet for brunch/lunch at EPT (El Paso Taqueria, for short) on Sunday at noon.  Given the wacky weekend subway service, I actually arrived at the restaurant around 11:40am, much earlier than expected.  Although my party was incomplete, I was told that I was free to sit wherever I liked; plus, there were only a couple of other patrons in the restaurant when I arrived.  I plopped in to the comfortable banquette-side of a two-top table before being handed a menu and glass of ice water.  In anticipation of Dara's arrival, I asked our server for a glass of horchata and some chips and salsa.

The cool, sweet and spicy (cinnamon) rice-based beverage left a silky film on my tongue and a nutty aftertaste in my mouth.  The warm chips and freshly-made, robust salsa proved to be the perfect intermission as I waited for my guest.

HorchataTostados y salsaUpon Dara's arrival, we decided to whet our appetites with an order of guacamole, plus a bowl of queso fundido con rajas (Monterrey Jack + muenster cheeses melted with sliced green chile and onions, accompanied by warm corn tortillas).  While the guacamole was lovely to look at - perfectly ripe avocados, chunks of fresh tomato - it was flavorless, due to a lack of salt.  Fortunately, this was an easy problem to fix, as I have been known to have quite the heavy hand with a salt shaker.  The queso fundido, however, packed a devilishly addictive punch.  Because the cheese was so dense, Dara and I chose to forgo dipping our thin chips in to the queso - they would just break in half - instead opting to make mini-burritos using the corn tortillas.  Each bite yielded slightly-crunchy bits of poblano pepper that was suffocated by the rich blend of Monterrey Jack and muenster cheeses.  Before rolling up my filled tortilla, I topped the queso with a dollop of guacamole and salsa, followed by a dash of salt.  Heaven.  

Queso fundido con rajasWhen life gives you queso fundido, make a queso fundido burrito!While Dara chose an egg-based dish for her entree, I ordered my favorite comfort food and Mexican restaurant standby, cheese enchiladas.  The tell-tale sign that I know if a place is authentic or not is by their rice and beans.  Although EPT's beans were black, which is not what I'm familiar with (I grew up eating whole and refried pinto beans), the orange-colored, Veg-All-laced arroz was spot-on: short (white) rice kernels that formed random clumps, subtle garlic and cumin essence, salty, and a mild chicken-broth + tomato aftertaste.  

The first observation I made while cutting in to my cheese enchiladas was that the tortillas did not  appear to have been fried.  This led me to believe that, because the corn tortillas were so fresh, they were able to be rolled without splitting (which is caused by dry tortillas - hence why they're fried in the first place).  None the less, the enchiladas were stuffed with a heaping amount of Monterrey Jack and topped with a thick and smoky red sauce.  Needless to say, I practically licked my plate clean, with the exception of the black beans.

Enchiladas de queso con salsa rojo, arroz y frijoles negrosFrom the friendly and attentive service, delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine, and the relatively inexpensive price, EPT (El Paso Taqueria) is my own little slice of EPT (El Paso, Texas) in the Big Apple. 

StewartSoft launches twiddish, a new social network and geo-location mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch, allowing diners nationwide to discover the best and worst restaurant dishes. Through user-generated photograph-based dish reviews, the twiddish application compliments the online twiddish social network by providing users, a.k.a. "dishers," with the real-time micro-blogging tools needed to share their dining experiences on a visual dish-by-dish basis.

Each twiddish review contains a photograph of the dish, as taken by the "disher," when the food is served along with a twiddish rating based on flavor, aroma, portion size, presentation, and value.  Dishers are encouraged to share any additional comments that might be helpful to fellow dishers in selecting a particular entree or restaurant by entering them into the optional comments field.

Dishers can sync their twiddish profile to other popular social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, to tell their friends what they are eating and whether they recommend their peers to do the same. 

The twiddish application is now available for free download from iTunes app store at www.twd.sh for iPhone and iPod Touch users.  Diners without a compatible mobile device can create a twiddish user profile and interact with the twiddish dining community via the twiddish website at www.twiddish.com.  *twiddish anticipates launching its’ Blackberry application in the Spring of 2010.

The Twiddish "app"

As luck and convenience would have it, Heng2 Thai Bistro was located just blocks from newlyweds, Megan and Hung's, apartment in Hell's Kitchen.  We met at the bustling restaurant at 7:30pm on Friday evening, and quickly realized just how lucky we were to be able to be seated immediately.  The casual space, not much larger than my 450-square-foot studio apartment, was packing a full house.

Heng2's casual and bustling interior

We didn't have to wait more than a minute or two before being handed dinner menus and three cups of ice water.  I fought the urge to order a tall glass of Thai iced tea (iced tea blended with sweetened condensed milk), but in the end, I lost the battle.  For those of you who have never tried this beverage, it's probably hard for you to imagine the magical flavor compatibility that the earthy tea has with the sweet-as-honey canned milk.  So next time you have the opportunity, I hope that you order yourself a glass of this unique and addicting treat. 

Le menuThai iced-teaFor appetizers, the three of us decided to split: (vegetable) spring rolls and an order of chive pancakes.  Stuffed with moist crystal noodles and julienned carrots/green squash, the fried spring rolls were paired with a sweet and spicy chili dipping sauce.  Although they were fresh and delicious, I can't help but ask: is it even possible to screw up a spring roll?  No; not unless you try really, really hard.  The chive pancakes, on the other hand, were as addictive as cigarettes/crack/heroin (or whatever).  Had I not been so ashamed to order another round, ideally, I could have inhaled at least three more plates of these greasy, savory doughnuts.  The closest subject I can compare a chive pancake to would be the Chinese scallion pancake; only the Thai version is about 3/4" thicker and 100% oilier, with an interior that is as moist as freshly-baked banana bread, and as rich as a potato latke.

Vegetable spring rollChive pancake

For my entree, I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Yang Gang Kiew (a.k.a. jumbo shrimp with green curry sauce) accompanied by a side of sticky white rice.  The plump shellfish had been marinated with fragrant Thai herbs before being grilled via rotisserie.  A bountiful mix of sliced eggplant, bamboo shoots, string beans, basil and kaffir lime leaves dotted the entree's rich green curry sauce, which was strewn with notes of chili, coconut milk and cream.  Each forkful consisted of: sticky rice, a bite-sized piece of shrimp, and one of the dish's many vegetables-all of which were enveloped by a suffocating layer of the green curry sauce.  Needless to say, I finished every last bite, dredge of sauce, and rice kernel on my plate.

Jumbo Shrimp Yang Gang Kiew (shrimp with green curry sauce)From the friendly service, casual and relaxed atmosphere, reasonably-priced menu items, and its delicious and fresh Thai cuisine, I walked away from my dinner at Heng2 with a full stomach, a happy wallet, and an eagerness to return for a future meal.

It's only been a matter of weeks since Tamba first opened its doors to the public, but the restaurant is quickly becoming recognized for its delicious and affordable Indian cuisine among the slew of neighboring competitors in Manhattan's "Curry Hill."  Emily and I arrived at Tamba on a Sunday at 1pm, and were both pleasantly surprised to see a number of other patrons enjoying the restaurant's bountiful lunch buffet.  I say "pleasantly surprised" because: a) I assumed that most New Yorker's would be feasting on eggs and pancakes; b) Tamba was brand new and it already seemed to draw in a healthy crowd. This, my friends, was a very good sign.

Tamba's interior: warm colors; comfortable booth, banquette, or traditional table & chair seating; bright and cheerful space

Emily and I headed straight for the lunch buffet, which consisted of: fresh-off-of-the-griddle uttapam, green-chile pakora, an assortment of chilled vegetable salads, sambar, white basmati rice, vegetable biryani, mango chutney, raita, aloo gobi, palak paneer, chana masala, two chicken preparations (one being Tikka Masala), stewed goat, Indian rice pudding, and gulab jamun.

Tamba: homemade uttapamTamba: sauce accompanimentsTamba: aloo gobi and palak paneerTamba: gulab jamun for dessert!

With over-loaded plates in hand, Emily and I slowly made our way back to our table.  Shortly thereafter, a waiter approached to fill our water glasses and to inquire as to whether we'd like an additional beverage.  I couldn't resist ordering Tamba's mango lassi, which was every bit as tart, tangy, sweet and creamy as I had hoped for.  I noticed another Tamba employee walking through the restaurant serving lunch-buffet customers freshly-baked and buttered naan, piping-hot poori and tandoori chicken. 

Tamba: mango lassiTamba: homemade naanFor a mere $12, Emily and I received an all-you-can-eat homemade Indian lunch + dessert, highlighted by the addition of assorted breads and tandoori chicken, served table side.  Though some of the dishes stood out more than others and many of the items were on the greasier side, overall, I enjoyed Tamba's fresh and delicious food and bang-for-the-buck lunch deal.  I look forward to my next visit.

Prior to my 1pm arrival at 10 Downing for Sunday brunch, I wasn't sure whether or not the restaurant would be packing a full-house.  As I entered the space, I found myself among a handful of others waiting their turn in front of an empty hostess stand.  The dining room was abuzz with folks of all ages chatting between bites of fluffy eggs and syrup-drenched French toast.  I couldn't help but admire the restaurant's bright open space enclosed by floor to ceiling windows that allowed for every ounce of sunlight to flood the hardwood-floors and creamy-colored walls with its warmth.

The dining room at 10 Downing Food & WineWithin approximately ten-minutes of waiting our turn to be seated, Anjie and I were whisked to our table pour deux.  From my vantage point, I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant view of 6th Avenue.  My only complaint, however, was the restaurant's deafening acoustics; practically requiring that patrons shout at one another in order to hear/be heard.  

Le menuAnjie and I chose to order our own entrees, having decided that splitting our meals would pose a problem, as neither of us could come to a mutual agreement on one dish: Anjie chose the Cinnamon French Toast and I ordered the savory Farmer's Market Omelette.  While the assorted baked goods looked tempting, Anjie and I decided to forgo an appetizer in the hopes that we'd receive a complimentary basket of bread and butter shortly after placing our entree orders.  And as luck would have it, the only additional items we received were a couple of refills of water.  Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long to be presented with our entrees.  Wilted collard greens, caramelized onions and sharp cheddar cheese were folded in to the center of a fluffy, three-egg masterpiece that was accompanied by a simple radicchio salad lightly tossed in a mild vinaigrette. 

Farmer's Omelette: collard greens, caramelized onions, cheddar cheeseIn conclusion: Anjie and I each spent under $20 for brunch, which is a pretty good deal in Manhattan.  We both thoroughly enjoyed our entrees and, despite the noise level, hope to return in the near future.  Best advice to those who are interested in dining at 10 Downing for brunch: make a free reservation at www.opentable.com.  This is one hot spot!

FYI: 10 Downing is small-pet-friendly...as long as Fido is confined, that is!  Check out my adorable neighbor, Teddy, who peaked his little head out so that I could give him a kiss:

To recognize the Character Approved honorees and their accomplishments, USA Network, in partnership with Vanity Fair, hosted an invitation-only VIP cocktail reception in New York City on Thursday, February 25.  I was thrilled to have been invited, and can say that this special event was nothing short of my greatest expectations.  I've never seen so many flashing lights, gorgeous people, and overall cheer in the face of one of the city's messiest evenings of 2010 (snow, sleet, rain, slush).  

The event was held at the iconic IAC Building, which was designed by Frank Gehry.  USA’s Mark Feuerstein officially unveiled the 2010 honorees and their on-air vignettes (Dan Barber's is attached below).  The cast of Green Day’s “American Idiot" performed their first live appearance in New York City ahead of the show’s Broadway debut on Wednesday, March 24.  Alexandra Richards held court as the DJ for the evening and several from USA’s roster of stars were in attendance, as well as many of the 2010 Character Approved honorees.

More about the event:

USA Network's second annual Character Approved Awards is a multimedia campaign honoring ten individuals who are changing the face of American culture.  Inspired by USA’s Characters Welcome brand, the initiative is dedicated to celebrating the true trail blazers across a variety of disciplines such as art, philanthropy, new media and film. 

“Character Approved is a celebration of the real Characters making an impact on our culture today,” said Chris McCumber, USA executive vice president, marketing, digital and brand strategy.  “Our honorees are all at the top of their game, and we’re thrilled to shine a light on their unique accomplishments.”

Character Approved honorees are innovators in their field who are influencing our opinions, our style and our view of the world. They surprise us and inspire us with fresh ideas. They are celebrated by their peers and have an authentic style. USA recognizes these ten individuals for their cultural impact, legacy and persona with the hallmark of recognition, the USA Network “seal of approval”:

• Green Day, Grammy Award-winning rock band (Music)
• Kathryn Bigelow, Academy Award-nominated film director, “The Hurt Locker” (Film/TV)
• Nora Ephron, best-selling novelist, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright (Writing)
• Narciso Rodriguez, multiple award-winning American fashion designer (Fashion)
• Angela Brooks, groundbreaking sustainable architect, principal of Pugh + Scarpa Architects (Architecture)
• Kehinde Wiley, revolutionary urban arts painter (Art)
• Yves Behar, innovative industrial designer of the Jawbone Bluetooth headset and the $100 XO laptop (Design)
• Dan Barber, renowned restaurateur, Blue Hill and Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture (Food)
• Jessica Jackley, social entrepreneur and micro-financier, co-founder Kiva.org (Giving)
• Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, game creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band (New Media/Technology)

*In the program’s inaugural year of 2009, USA honored seven visionary characters including Lupe Fiasco, Shepard Fairey, David Chang, Patrick Robinson, Charles Best, Jimmy Wales and Jennifer Siegal.

Before Minetta Tavern (we'll call it "MT" for short) even opened its doors in the spring of 2009, the public's anticipation and buzz surrounding the restaurant was already intense.  Having known this, plus all of the hype, crowds, and impossible-to-get-reservations that came along with it, I decided that I would keep MT in my peripheral radar, but not try to wiggle my way through its doors for at least 6-months.    

Set on the corner of Minetta Lane and Macdougal Street, in the picturesque West Village neighborhood, MT is housed in a building that dates back to the 1930's.  The interior space reads like a speakeasy cum Parisian brasserie cum supper club: framed caricatures, checkered black and white tiled floors, deep-red leather banquettes, glossy-painted cafe chairs, brass chandeliers; and a subtle dim lighting (note that the space is window-less) that makes you question what time of day it is outside (a-la-Vegas). 

Dara, my brunch date, was lucky enough to have scored reservations for two on a beautiful February weekend.  From the moment I entered the bustling space, I was slightly surprised by the friendly service we received, and the fact that we were seated rather promptly.

"I'd like a lemonade sans ice, please," I responded after, whom I thought was our waitress, asked what we'd like to drink.  After a couple of minutes had passed, a different employee approached and introduced "your Arnold Palmer, ma'am."   I politely told the woman that I did not order an Arnold Palmer (iced tea + lemonade), but rather, a lemonade.  She apologized and said she'd be back shortly.  Within moments, yet another employee approached the table with "your Arnold Palmer, ma'am."  This time, the person handing me the incorrect drink was, in fact, our waitress.  I told her that I had ordered a lemonade sans ice, and she quickly scurried off to alleviate the problem.  Upon returning with my lemonade, Dara and I placed our food order, under the notion that we'd split everything in half.

Chilled Gulf Shrimp Salad: serving as an "appetizer" of sorts, this plate of artfully composed ingredients arrived simultaneously with a short loaf of homemade bread and spreadable butter.  Three of the largest and most plump shrimp I've ever seen were carefully placed atop steamed and halved artichoke hearts, ribbons of sliced fennel, and a shallow pool of "coral vinaigrette," which tasted similar to French dressing.  Aside from the bland "coral vinaigrette," and the fact that the shrimp had not been de-veined, I was quite pleased with this dish.  Texturally, the "Chilled Gulf Shrimp" was a hit.

Minetta Tavern: Chilled Gulf Shrimp, $16Shirred Eggs & Black Truffles: I must give Dara credit for this entree, as it was she who chose to order it.  The dish's name alone prompts diners, such as myself, to wonder, "What in the hell is a 'shirred egg?'"  Basically, a shirred egg is a fancy ass term for "baked eggs."  MT's version was served in a ramekin (approximately 6" x 6"x 1") that had been filled to the brim, then baked, with what appeared to be three shirred eggs, heavy cream, a sharp cheese along the lines of comte or gruyere, and finished with shaved black truffles, fresh parsley, and coarsely-ground black pepper.  "Baguette soldiers," or pieces of crunchy, buttered toast/crostini (in layman's terms) served as an accompaniment.  The best way to describe the taste of the shirred eggs would be to have you imagine: poached eggs + gruyere cheese-flavored custard + butter + heavy cream + earthy black truffles + fondue.  Note to self: must order an extra side of bread to sop up all of the rich, decadent goodness that is the "shirred eggs."

Minetta Tavern: Shirred Eggs & Black Truffles, $20And...drum roll, please...the infamous Black Label Burger (we'll call it the "BLB" for short): if you were to compare this burger to a person, it's right on par, visually, with Megan Fox (or whomever you find to be the most attractive woman on the planet).  Yes folks, it is that stunning to look at.  

"How would you like your burger cooked?" the waitress asked.  Dara and I looked at each other and agreed that "medium" was a safe bet.  The waitress smiled, scribbled down our order, then stepped away.  Literally, about one-minute later, she returned with a nervous grin.  "Our kitchen prepares our food in the European fashion.  Do you know what a 'medium-cooked' hamburger patty looks like?  It's not bloody, but does have a pink center."  Was this lady serious?  "European fashion?"  Wasn't the hamburger created in the U.S.A.?  I know that the waitress meant well, but her patronizing words came out humorously wrong.

Since the kitchen knew that Dara and I were going to share the BLB, they split the burger for us prior to service.  We met this gesture with much appreciation; as cutting a burger in half is messy!  Each of our plates were topped with: a "butter lettuce" leaf, tomato slice, house-made pickles (I actually hated them; the pickles were extremely sour and gag-inducing), a mound of piping hot French fries, and one-half of a burger.  Served atop a buttered, sesame-seed brioche bun, was about a 1"-thick beef patty oozing with its own juices.  The outer circumference of the patty had at least, and I'm not exaggerating, a 1/2mm "crust," which I assume was achieved by spending a serious amount of time simmering in butter.  A thin schmear of caramelized onions crowned the patty.  *Note to future diners: MT does not serve the BLB with cheese and, if requested, will urge against it.  They feel that, aside from the caramelized onions, no additional topping should take away from the intense flavor of this special beef blend. 

So, was the BLB worth its $26 price tag?  In my opinion, no.  While it was ridiculously delicious, I still prefer Peter Luger's $8.95 version. 

"Why does MT's BLB cost $26?" you ask.  Click *here* to read more. 

Minetta Tavern: Black Label Burger, $26Conclusion: Did I order dessert?  Yes, I did.  In fact, I ordered a scoop of "malted vanilla ice cream," and it was delicious.  However, I didn't feel the need to write about it because it was not made in house, rather, it's a flavor produced by Il Laboratorio del Gelato.

My experience at MT was enjoyable, too expensive, annoying, delicious, and aloof, all at the same time.  Aside from the lemonade mishap and the patronizing manner in which I was informed that the kitchen "cooks in the European fashion," I found the service we received to be quite pleasant.  The crowd, many decked out in floor-length fur coats donning Birkin bags in every color under the rainbow, was not particularly "my cup of tea."  To me, an ideal Sunday brunch will always be free of: fur, designer bags, and being stared down by cougar socialites with really bad plastic surgery.