New York Bites: Dos Caminos Brunch

Good Evening Nomsters,

Dos Caminos Rancheros @ Dos Cominos

I write to you today about a meal that is near and dear to my inner foodie and that was the focus of many of my best dining experiences in New York: Brunch!

After living in Georgetown for three years, brunch is without a doubt the favorite meal of students and the greater Georgetown community. The scrumptious pancakes, the eggtastic benedicts, the juicy burgers, the hangover hashes, brunch menus are endlessly filled with delectably decadent dishes ripe for your enjoyment. However, with such varied choices for culinary concoctions, the hardest decision is whether to go sweet or savory. Personally, I have a sweet tooth that typically leaves me at risk for bypassing the savory to indulge in griddle favorites, like french toast or pancakes. Regardless of sweet or savory, most brunch menus have options that are sure to please either tastes, which you'll see in the New York brunch spots highlighted in the coming posts.

While in New York I had the pleasure of brunching at several restaurants. In my next three posts Union Square Cafe, PS450, and Dos Caminos will be featured as highlights and are tops on my list of best brunches in New York City for taste, value, and experience. All three of these brunch spots serve up a classic brunch with a bit of a flare, each offering something slightly different based on the individual and group's social agenda. Dos Caminos is up first!

Dos Caminos was my first brunch upon arriving in the city. They have multiple locations in New York and are known for their extensive margarita list and weekend brunch special, which includes one complimentary drink selection with a brunch entree. Their Tex-Mex inspired menu boasts favorites like Breakfast Quesadillas (scrambled eggs, chihuahua cheese, bacon) and Dos Caminos Rancheros (fried eggs, pinto beans, ham, queso), but also offers some sweeter entrees such as the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes or Mexican French Toast.


Our table started out with the homemade guacamole. If you like guac, do not let the seemingly steep price tag of $24 for a 4-6 person serving dissuade you. The freshly made guacamole comfortably serves six, especially with the trio of salsas that accompanies the table.

Fresh Guacamole 

When the time came to order entrees, I succumbed to my sweet tooth and ordered the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes. The pancakes were thinner than I usually like, but the texture made up for the lack of fluffiness. A lemony sugar coated the outside the stack giving them a crisp exterior, which went perfectly with the melt in your mouth quality of the cakes. There weren't nearly enough blueberries, but the lemon glaze helped mask that fact.






Luckily I brunched with a group that agrees "caring is sharing," so I had the chance to sample other entrees. The Dos Caminos Rancheros was a great mixture of Tex-Mex flavors, the homemade tortillas at the bottom were nice and crispy. The Breakfast Quesadilla was also quite good and stuffed with fresh ingredients! With four overflowing quarters of a quesadilla, you'll be so overwhelmed by eggs and cheese you may forget about your drink, which is quite strong by the way.

Dos Caminos-Meatpacking

Overall, the three dishes offered more than enough food and with the complimentary drink, you really can't go wrong brunching here. Each location in New York offers a little something different. The ambiance of each individual restaurant is welcoming and very ornate. I dined at their Park Ave. location, which was indoors with high ceilings and decorative lighting fixtures. I also visited their Meatpacking district location, which has an outdoor patio and vibrant nightlife scene. So try out both if you have time!

Dos Caminos-Park Ave.

Look out for our next brunch post in the coming days!
-gf

Dos Caminos Menu

Dos Caminos-Park Ave.
373 Park Avenue South at 27th Street, 
New York, NY 10016

T: 212.294.1000

Dos Caminos-Meatpacking District

675 Hudson Street at 14th Street, 

New York, NY 10014

T: 212.699.2400

*photos borrowed from "http://www.missmenunyc.com/2009/03/dos-thumbs-up-for-dos-caminos.html"

Breakfast Street Food at its Best: Baozi, Scallion Cakes + Egg Crepes

Scallion Pancake

Hello Again Nomsters,

I've returned with more scrumptious descriptions of my tasting adventures in Beijing, China. I hope you guys weren't too grossed out by the bug eating experience I described in my last post. As promised, we’re moving on to bigger and better snacking in this update from The Georgetown Foodie’s Nomming Across Asia series. If you hadn’t guessed from the frequent reporting on traditional Chinese snacks, China has an extensive list variety of options when it comes to exploring the street food scene. While most doctors often cringe at the idea of sampling some of the slightly sketchy local eateries in China, you only live once. So take a couple of educated risks during your time abroad and try something new. Just be sure that your Hep shot is up to date, and then feel free let your taste buds explore the nuances of a fantastic foodie culture. If you’re headed to China in the near future here are a few of my favorite options for beginners to the Beijing street food scene.

China’s capital boasts a wide array of street fare, but some of the best is found at breakfast time. Whether you are strolling down bustling car-filled streets or small alleyways lined with hanging red lanterns and freshly washed clothing, you’re sure to find some good tasting options. From little smoking carts to tiny walk-up window storefronts, businessmen, city locals, and foodies often find themselves indulging in the deliciousness of a street-side breakfast of egg crepes, scallion pancakes, and baozi. With each item holding its own unique flavor, any of these breakfast “pastries” will keep you full and having you say "hai you yige!" (Meaning "one more!" in Chinese). Any of these three items will serve as a good introduction to the Chinese ability to make tasty food fast and portable.

Egg Crepes

First, egg crepes are pretty basic in concept, but incredibly tasty. Made on a large griddle, a crepe-like batter is poured out, topped with scrambled egg, chopped onion, and slathered with duck sauce, if requested. After the crepe is cooked, it is folded, cut into triangles, and placed into a plastic bag for an on-the-run breakfast or snack. These crepes have a doughy consistency with a slightly salty/eggy taste and are the Chinese equivalent to an omelet, but better because you can eat these with your hands!

If you're not quite interested in an egg crepe, maybe a scallion pancake is a bit more your style. Packed with veggies and sometimes egg, these pancakes are warm pockets of delectableness! Scallion pancakes are similar to McDonald’s classic egg mcmuffin, with a bready outside and porous inside to soak in the juices from its stuffing.  Also, ff you ask politely, the shopkeeper may even be willing to stuff your pancake with some meat.

Finally, baozi—now, I really cannot say enough good things about these amazing bundles of deliciousness. I will probably talk them up too much, but honestly, if you go to the right place, they are incredibly tasty. Baozi are steamed buns, sort of like dumplings, stuffed with a variety of fillings. When abroad in China, you will find anything from vegetables and meat, to lotus paste or custard in a baozi. The more you eat baozi, the better you’ll understand that the sky literally is the limit of what could be inside these breakfast buns. There's one type of baozi I particularly love. I originally found it at a supermarket in Shanghai last summer. The specific bao is called “niu rou sheng jian bao,” which roughly translates to “Beef Pan-Fried Bun.” It's almost like a hamburger, but with thinner dough encasing juicy meat and vegetables. Sheng jian bao are known for being placed in a shallow wok and fried until the dough soaks up the juices and the bottoms are very crispy. Lastly, if you're ever in Shanghai, the trip is not quite a success without sampling "xiao long bao," which translates to “little dragon bun.” This variety of baozi are special due to their thin wrapper and soup filled insides xiao long bao are particularly famous in southern China, especially Shanghai.

Qing Feng Baozi

On this particular trip to Beijing, a group of us ended up at Qing Feng Baozi, a small local restaurant. The baozi were pretty amazing, definitely flavorful and juicy.

You can't really go wrong with any of these Chinese breakfast options, so try one or try all three! If this post isn't enough to convince you to nosh on an item from a Chinese breakfast cart, then maybe the fact that most of the aforementioned items will cost you $.5-$.50 cents USD will encourage you to explore your options.

 As always, let us know of your own foodie adventures.

Until next time,

The Georgetown Foodie

Simple Recipes and Common Sense: Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Hello Nomsters!

Happy November, I know we've been slacking on our blog updates, but with midterms, crazy rallies, and the return of the "McRib" things have been a bit busy.... and for the record, I was kidding about the last reason. Anyway, hopefully everyone is having a splendid Sunday, and to make things just a bit sweeter, here's a recipe for some of the best pancakes ever!

I first tasted this recipe at a family friend's house in New Haven, CT. She had planned on making pancakes, but realized that she didn't have any buttermilk. However, in true foodie fashion, she used yogurt as a substitution. The result was a thick, blueberry-packed pancake that just melts in your mouth. These results were most likely due to the yogurt substitution and the amount of baking powder in the recipe. Ever since I've been playing around with the recipe and different ingredients, but the blueberry are still amazing, especially since when my family makes them we make a compote to accompany the yummy cakes.

I usually make the original blueberry, but this week I opted for bananas/chocolate chip with maple syrup, which yielded delicious results. So if you're in college and haven't already grabbed brunch or are looking for a delicious meal for your family, try your hand at these tasty pancakes.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 ⅓ cups Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 ½ tsp Baking Powder

¾ tsp Salt
1 ¼ cups Vanilla Yogurt
2 large Eggs
¼ stick Unsalted Butter, melted
2-3 bananas cut into small pieces
As many chocolate chips as you want!
Maple Syrup, for serving

Instructions:

-Whisk first 4 ingredients in a large bowl,
-Whisk yogurt, eggs, and 2 Tbsp. butter in medium bowl; stir in dry ingredients,
-Fold in bananas and chocolate chips,

-Heat large nonstick griddle or skillet over medium hear; brush with butter,
-Drop batter by ⅓ cupfuls onto griddle,
-Cook pancakes until brown, brushing griddle with more butter as needed, about 3 minutes per side,
-Transfer to sheet in over to keep warm. Serve pancakes with maple syrup!

I highly recommend this recipe! The overall process is pretty easy, and the results are amazing, thick, fluffy, pancakes that will have you begging for another.

Also, in delivery news, we'll be tabling in red square soon, and this week's menu offerings are Cinnamon Brown Sugar Muffins and Chocolate Chip Cookies!


Keep on nomming!


-GF

Summer Restaurant Feature: m.henry, brunch! (Chicago/Loyola University)

Hey Chicagoans, Summer visitors, and Loyola Students,
If you haven’t heard already, the Windy City has been taken over by Tranformers and Decepticons. For the past two weeks our downtown area has been the proud home to parachuters, car-flipping explosions, and some major sighting of Transformers 3 cast including Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese, Josh Duhamel, Michael Bay, and that new mystery girl, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Since I’ve been downtown for the past week peeking through the Corner Bakery windows to catch the action of one of my favorite action movies, I thought I’d let you in on some of the action while highlighting one of the best Breakfast/Brunch places in Chicago: m.henry.

*Cast/Crew of TF3, if you’re reading, we know you’re in the city until mid-August, so make your way to m.henry if you’re looking for some of the tastiest pancakes, French toast, and omelets on the northside of Chicago!

Located in Andersonville, m.henry is a cute breakfast/lunch restaurant boasting some of the best griddle selections in town. Always filled with people, m.henry’s daily specials and ever-changing seasonal menu draw a crowd from every corner of the city. Although I’ve eaten at m.henry at least 3 times, m.henry is still my “go-to” place for brunch with friends, family, and whomever I can convince to go. When grazing, I can never seem to bring myself to order anything but the Blackberry Bliss Cakes. These 1-inch thick pancakes seem to be specifically made to melt in your mouth and the warm blackberries, creamy mascarpone, and crunchy oat crust are enough to send you straight to brunch food bliss. As you make your way through each bite of bliss, the fresh blackberries bleed into the fluffy pancakes soaking up the sweet and tart berry flavors, and the warm oat crust mixes with the mascarpone, creating a plate of pure scrumptiousness. Definitely make an effort to get bites that include each of the components that make these pancakes irresistible.

Sweet:
m.henry’s menu goes far beyond pancakes too. This restaurant’s dishes always incorporate the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Other Sweet options range from Dulce Banana Rumba French Toast (made with thick-cut brioche bead, layered bananas, and drizzled caramel/pecan topping), to Mango-Sour Cherry Bliss Cakes (same blissfulness as its Blackberry-based companion, but with a sweet/sour component).


Savory:
Although I’ve not had the willpower to order anything but the Bliss Cakes, I’ve tasted the one of their “Special Omelets,” which included 3 fluffy eggs mixed with smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and onions; and I know from experience that their daily quiche packs a flavorful punch also if you’re looking for a more savory option.


Misc.
While orgasmic pancakes and moan-worthy omelets may make your morning meal ten times better, sometimes a nice bowl of oatmeal or a simple plate of eggs with toast is all you need. m.henry provides diners with fresh eggs and homemade bread, and their oatmeal is available with a variety of fresh fruit and grain toppings.
Furthermore, if you’re just looking for a quick bite, stop by the café counter in the front and pick up a freshly made blueberry muffin, or slice of focaccia paired with a cup of coffee or espresso-based drink.


Well readers, after all that describing, I’m headed there for brunch tomorrow, but if you decide to drop in for the deliciousness, make sure to let me know what you think!

As m.henry would say, Chow for Now!

Name: m.henry
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch (Brunch)
Location: Andersonville, Chicago
Favorite Sweet (so far): Blackberry Bliss Cakes w/ Mascarpone, oat crust, & blackberry compote
Favorite Savory (so far): Rustic Peasant Quiche and Mixed Field Greens
Location: 5707 N. Clark Chicago IL 60660
Price: $7-$14 for a really good meal + coffee

Rating: Five Noms!