Pampano New York
Some may disagree, but I feel Pampano has seen better days. First impression, a musty smell. We were promptly seated upstairs. Though the booth we were seated in was away from the other tables in a private corner, the upholstery had several stains and needed changing. When I looked up to the once impressive vaulted cielings, the curtains had water damage. It feels like a refresh is needed.
The Paella Mariscada had shrimp, calamari, scallops, octopus, cilantro rice, achiote-coconut sauce ( $27.00). Presentation was a little flat… just rice and seafood on a plate. Though not listed on the menu, the chorizo included in the rice overpowered the rice in flavor and greasiness. As a result of the chorizo, I didn’t taste the cilantro rice, achiote-coconut sauce. Every bite of my meal tasted exactly the same.
I enjoy paella more when it is served in the pan or pot that it is prepared in. This dish was missing the crispiness of the rice that can be achieved from pan presentation. And, by the way, since when is Paella Mariscada Mexican? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paella.
I wouldn’t be as critical of the food and decor if prices were knocked down about $5 per entree. The 5 shrimp included in the Chor Camarones Al Ajillo shrimp, tomato, almond pipian, though cooked well, were not substantial enough to warrant the $28 cost. The corn, rajas tamal was not as sweet as tamals I have tried at other restaurants (such as Mesa Grill) and was a little dry for my taste.
Four $14 margaritas (2 each) added significantly to our tab. They were made well (with a heavy hand).
The drinks combined with overpriced entrees resulted in a $120 tab. We had Blackboard eats 30% discount. Even with the discount, I’d rather go somewhere newer and cooler for the price. I’d say go to Mercadito instead of Pampano for Mexican food.
Rating:
Food – 6/10
Ambiance – 7/10
Service – 6/10
Category:
Food Type – Mexican
Style – Casual
Price – Expensive
Wanna go?
Address/phone –
209 East 49th Street, Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, 212-751-4545
website- richardsandoval.com/pampano/
OpenTable – opentable.com/pampano
menu – menupages.com/restaurants/pampano
New York City Street Fair Food Guide
It’s that time of the year. Last weekend as I walked my way through NYC, I stumbled across three New York City street fairs.
This guide will go through NYC street fair food options. I will divide street fair food into three categories.
- Food I look forward to eating at each fair
- Food I never consider eating because I am scared of unintended consequences (i.e indigestion, a lost tooth)
- Pleasant surprises
Hopefully this guide will help locals and tourists alike to navigate NYC street fair food options.
Food I look forward to eating at each fair
I will pick up some pickles if, for some reason, I have no pickles in my fridge.
Kettle corn: I most likely won’t buy this, I have plenty of equally enjoyable Orville Redenbacher at home, but I will try a free sample.
Sticking with corn, how can you go wrong with fresh corn? I like how most use the grill to char the corn.
Another corn product is the sweet corn arepa. How can you go wrong with melted mozzarella and sweet corn?
Food I never consider eating because I am scared of unintended consequences
This may be controversial but I never want a candy apple during the summer. Candy Apples are a Fall food for me. I am also afraid that I will lose a tooth when I bite into the hard shell.
Dirty hands making falafel balls and frying in oil on a dirty street, no thanks. The same applies to Zeppoles. I will sometimes try a spinach pie though.
Fear of indigestion, continued…
No desire to have one of those smoothies. How could they possibly wash all that fruit with no running water? They also use the same dirty blenders all day! If you do happen to be by a fair when it’s closing they may sell bananas and other unused fruit for next to nothing. That I will go for!
I may have a crepe or two in Paris, but not on a NYC street…
Pleasant surprises
I would try a lobster roll at lunch time!
As the summer goes by, I will add some pictures of some of the pleasant surprise food options that I come across.
Street Fair Calendars:
Latin Thing
They say it’s a “Latin Thing”…. I say it is more than that. Anyone and everyone can appreciate this reasonable, hearty and most importantly, tasty food.
I had the Rice & Beans Platter, a choice of white or yellow rice, black or red beans with any meat, salad and choice of toppings. The guy was nice and let me have both kinds of chicken, Pollo Negro (chicken braised in soy sauce & Dominican oregano) and Pollo Ecuatoriano (chicken stewed in tomato sauce & cilantro). Both types of chicken were clearly cooked by a skilled chef. Juicy and flavorful. On top of the chicken, I loaded up with onions, pepper, and salsa (see pics). I tried two of their fresh sauces, jalapeno (mild) and chipolte (spicy). All that for $6.45 – What a deal. The hearty portion should hold me over until New Year’s eve dinner at 10 PM tonight!
Latin Thing is in a sorta strange location (in Little India, not near many residences and businesses). I would imagine they would do better in Spanish Harlem or a more popular/populated neighborhood. For this reason, the fact the place is nothing to look at and has only two tables, I recommend delivery.
Rating:
Food – 8/10
Ambiance – 6/10
Service – 6/10
Category:
Food Type – Latin
Style – Casual
Price – Reasonable
Wanna go?
Address/phone – 61 Lexington Ave, 212- 213-2522
website- latinthingnyc.com
menus – menupages.com/restaurants/latin-thing
Seamless web - seamlessweb.com/food-delivery/Latin-Thing-New-York-City.8448.r