2011- Vroom! Vroom! Start it Up!! - Momofuku Noodle & Milk Bars

Start It Up- Lloyd Banks ft. Kanye West, Fabolous, and Swizz Beatz


Happy New Year! Welcome to 2011. Put that volume on max, close your eyes, and envision Greenhouse on a Tuesday night with scantily clad ladies transporting sparkling bottles. Now we're rocking. As you read this I'm doing the motorcycle dance with one hand on the throttle, typing with the other. Vroom vrooming in my drawers. Going in circles though. Simple physics. Think about it.

Sparking the year on a sweet note, taking a page from my Jewish upbringing. Apples and honey spark Rosh Hashonah and in a secular world we do it this way. Red Velvet, Horchata, Old Fashioned Donut, and Cereal Milk softserve with a cornflake, marshmallow and chocolate chip cookie and a slice of the Grasshopper pie (think minty chocolate cheesecake with marshmallows), all courtesy of Momofuku Milk Bar. As the old adage goes, you get more with sugar than spice.

It's a shame I haven't expounded about my many trips to Momo Milk yet. The research has manifested itself in almost a 2 stone increase on the scale. And it was within these walls that a very special title was bestowed upon my crew and me by the always cheery Miss Info:



I'm finally getting over that barb, but it was tough. Had me second guessing every photograph I took thereafter. Main lesson learned, don't hang out with people that wear Bang Bros. or "I Fisted Hilary Scott" shirts, even if they are on Millionaire Match Maker. Creepy Dave "So what's your story???" steez.

I won't go into depth about my many visits, I'll just leave you with one piece of advice, GO THERE. Red velvet, along with horchata, was brought back for their anniversary and will be leaving the building January 12th. It's short notice, only 2 days left, but try to make it. Then go back on the 13th and bug them to make it a permanent flavor like cereal milk. Also get a compost cookie.



Prior to the sugar bowl, Momofuku Noodle Bar provided the savory sustenance. I like to keep it consistent. As usual Ippudo was packed to the hilt and after a little East Village wandering, it was decided that the second best ramen was there. I do not care for the $16 price tag, but they make a good bowl. The broth is clearer than most other ramen slingers, but the poached egg's runny yolk creates the creamier broth we have grown accustomed to. Extremely heavy on the pork, using a healthy slab of pork belly along with some shredded pork shoulder. 2 slices of fish cake, a generous amount of chives and sliced bamboo round out the party.



This is 2011. Momo pork buns? I'm off that. Garcon, the healthy option my friend. Squares of shrimp terrine sitting in the pillowy white dough (2 for $10). A little lettuce and sauce some say reminds them of a Big Mac. Texturally on point (has that snap), salty and enjoyable without the guilt. Unless the shrimp are from Asian bodies of water. Then I'm freaking out. However I doubt Chang would do that based on his locavore/sustainable ethos. See below for the block of shrimp.





Tamales were listed on the specials board so we got the trio including kimchi pork, chicken mole verde and jalapeno queso (3 for $8). Don't love tamales and didn't love these. Maybe it's the masa, maybe it's the wrapping leaf. Can't call it.

Finally got my first post up in 2011. Here's hoping it's not the last! La Chaim!!!

Momofuku Milk Bar
207 2nd Ave. on 13th St.
7 days a week: 9am - 12am
AND
15 W. 56th St. bet. 5th & 6th Aves. (The Chambers Hotel)
7 days a week: 8am - 12am

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave. bet 10th & 11th Sts.
Lunch
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 4:30pm
Sat - Sun: 12pm – 4pm

Dinner
Sun – Thurs: 5:30pm – 11pm
Fri - Sat: 5:30pm – 2am

NO RESERVATIONS unless eating Fried Chicken Meal.
MAJORITY OF TIME THERE IS A WAIT, especially during prime dining times.