Unrequited Food Desires

A list of the foods that bewitch my mind and ensnare my senses. Many of these are regional in nature and are best fully appreciated in their natural habitats. Most of these have reached mythical status in my mind. If there is such a thing as "sex on a plate", then surely these offerings must be celestial courtesans with all-encompassing knowledge of the innate longing that lies within our hearts, and the exact pressure points to manipulate to give us what the French refer to as "la petit morte". 

1. Central Grocery is home of the muffuletta, one of New Orleans’ great sandwiches. A circular loaf of soft Italian bread is sliced horizontally and piled with salami, ham, and provolone, which are in turn topped with a wickedly spicy melange of chopped green and black olives fragrant with anchovies and garlic.  An Italian style sandwich unique to New Orleans!

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Central Grocery 923 Decatur St. New Orleans

2. Beignets and Chicory at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.

Cafe Du Monde

3. Adjarian Khachapuri at Brick Oven Bread in Brooklyn.

Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian (Eastern European) cheese bread.

harmoniousbelly.com

Go to Brick Oven Bread 109 Brighton 11th St. Brooklyn to try this delicacy.

4. Korean Bibimbap

I must confess, I've had this one. Only on rare occasions. It truly is a sensual and savory dish. It comes out sizzling in a cast iron bowl and a raw egg is cracked over the top of it. You then mix the egg in as everything continues to cook. It becomes sticky and delicious. The rice on the bottom has a crunch to it. Utterly sumptuous. 

As I write this, a friend at work has informed me that Oriental Food and Gifts in Gulf Gate (about 15 minutes from where I am now) serves Bibimbap and other Korean dishes from 10 to 4 pm. I know where I'm going this Saturday.

Update: We now have a sit down Korean Restaurant in Sarasota. Try Charlie's Bulgogi. 

We even tried our hand at this dish.

5. Hamburger Sandwich From Louis' Lunch 

261-263 Crown Street New Haven, CT 06511-6611

Louis' Lunch

6.  Ramen at Mr. Chow

I've been craving this one since I watched this special feature on the Kung Fu Panda DVD.

Mr. Chow has a few locations, but since I live in Florida this one is my best bet...

Mr. Chow - Miami

7. Philly Cheesesteak from Pat's and  Geno's

 

The "City of Brotherly Love" is sharply divided over who makes the best Philly Cheesesteak. I say, why not a little of both, K-Dog. BTW, whenever I meet someone from Philly I immediately ask which one they think is best, and several times I have been answered with various third options. People from there mostly say that these are "tourist traps" and that the best sandwiches can be found far afield, away from the manufactured feud between these two giants. I'm torn. How could you go there and at least try these two?

8. Real New Orleans Po' Boy

A staple sandwich of New Orleans with as many variations as there are opinions about who makes the best and who made the first. My particular desire is for a fried shrimp Po' Boy from Parkway Bakery and Tavern located at 538 Hagan Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119. 

Parkway Bakery and Tavern

Here is a good resource to help you navigate the world of Po' Boys.

Serious Eats take on Po' Boys

9. Rib Sandwich Combo at Robinson's No. 1 Ribs in Chicago

We took a trip to Chicago a few years back. We stopped in at Robinson's No. 1 for a taste of real Chicago barbecue. It was lunchtime. Very busy. We didn't know what to order. Got something off the menu. It was... okay. Then I noticed that every single patron had ordered, and were enjoying, the exact same thing. A boneless rib sandwich with fries. Lesson learned. When you don't know what to order - look around you. It was a lesson that I had been privy to once before - when we had Vietnamese for the first time. I ordered fried rice (to play it safe) and everybody else enjoyed big steaming bowls of delicious noodles, as I stumbled my way through my non-threatening pedestrian choice glumly. I'll repeat myself - IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO ORDER - LOOK AROUND YOU! If everyone is ordering the same thing, chances are it's pretty damn good. The rib sandwich may not be the best thing on earth - but it has become a larger pursuit in my mind. When I eventually make the pilgrimage back to Chicago and finally bite into that sandwich, it will be a chance to right an old wrong.

10. Squid Ink Pasta at Casa Nostra Ristorante & Bar in Los Angeles

• Spaghetti Neri

   $22
  Squid Ink Spaghetti with Main Lobster and Shrimp In a light Cherry Tomatoes Sauce.

Despite my Father-in-law Frank Piersimoni's warning to avoid "Ristorantes", this is one exception I think he would have allowed.

Casa Nostra L.A.

11. Italian Tartufo

I know I want it. Don't know where to get it. Any suggestions?

12. White Clam Pizza from Frank Pepe's of New Haven

"Made with fresh shucked clams, garlic, olive oil, and grated cheese..." I should think that one has lived an incomplete existence if they have not had this delicacy. 

Frank Pepe's of New Haven

13. Sour Oranges

I was listening to WUSF radio when this piece by Amy Bennett Williams came on.

Listen Now!

I had to scramble for a pen and paper while I was driving and scribble down enough info so I could look it up on the interwebs. Her piece reminded me that there were still mysteries and adventures to be had in the food world. It made me reconsider my adoptive home of Florida as something beyond the extremist politics, insufferable humidity and cookie cutter architecture. There is much natural beauty and majesty here far and away from the Wal-Marts and wealthy windbags. Most importantly, it made me covet Amy Bennett Williams' Sour Orange Poundcake recipe.

14. Italian Limoncello

Not sure which brand I should try, although I do hear that Danny Devito has his hat thrown in that ring. Fitting to end with a drink. For now I shall wish you buon appetito and good hunting.

Achievement Unlocked!