Tito Rad's: Finest Filipino Cuisine

Mabuhay!

(...and they got an "A" for sanitation!)

Many of you (my theoretical readers...) may not be familiar with Filipino cuisine, so I ate a LOT of it the other night so that I could show you what it's like (okay, maybe that wasn't the reason...). I am somewhat familiar with Tito's offerings- I traveled to the Philippines for three summers with a group called Cultures in Harmony, a New York based NGO that brings people together through music!

Tito Rad's is tucked away on a lesser known chunk of Queens Boulevard next to a strip club called Secrets (formerly Honey's). It is not the most glamorous of locations, but, as advertised, it is indeed the finest Filipino cuisine.

(almost as good as the real thing... sorta not really.)

The best thing about Filipino food is undoubtedly the mangoes. Unfortunately, you can't find fresh ones in NYC (from the Philippines), and we are stuck with the oversized, fibrous ones from Mexico. A Filipino mango is small, super sweet and has the texture of the smoothest sorbet. I opted for a glass of mango juice at Tito's to start the meal off right. My eating-adventure companion had some Buko (coconut) Juice. 

One of the things I noticed immediately was that we were surely the only non-Filipinos at Tito Rad's, and one of the only tables with fewer than 10 diners. Almost every inch of the modest restaurant was filled with families- we even saw a birthday celebration complete with a giant purple Ube cake!

(I will be dreaming about this.)

 We started things off deliciously with some Sizzling Sisig, a dish I ate at pretty much every restaurant we went to in the Philippines. It's so good. Finely minced (well, Tito's version is a generous chop) spiced pork belly served hot on a skillet ($7.95). Our incredibly cheerful waitress suggested an egg mixed in... obviously we agreed. 

We squeezed a little lemon on it and chowed down with some rice. It was pretty much out-of-this-world.

(noods)

We decided to mix things up with a noodle dish, and we tried this Pancit Bihon with Chicken, Pork, Shrimp and Chinese Sausages ($7.95). The "Chinese sausage" is very sweet and has a really unique flavor. The only other place I've seen it was at the (sadly, now closed) Isan Thai restaurant in Astoria called Poodam's. My friend said it tasted like Chinese beef jerky. The noodles were tasty, but seemed like more of a side dish. 

 (there's a whole 'nother fish under that one!)

We took things out to sea with some Daing na Bangus ($8.95), or fried Milkfish. We ate this just about every single day in the Philippines, and it was very good here at Tito's, not to mention you got 2 whole fishes....!

 (it's basically a giant chicharron...)

There was one dish that just about every party at Tito Rad's had on their table, and so we decided it must be a must-have! The Crispy Pata, or fried pig knuckle ($8.95), certainly delivered. It was a monstrous hock of tasty pork, fried to perfection: thick, crispy skin on the outside that cracked open to reveal the tender, juicy meat within. 

(...but look at that juicy meat!!)


For dessert we sampled two of my favorite Filipino treats. The most unique is called Halo Halo (pronounced: "hollow") ($5.95), which translates to something along the lines of "all mixed up." (literally: "mix mix")
This concoction is usually based with shaved ice and condensed milk, and then you throw whatever the hell you want inside. Ours included Ice Cream, rice krispies, red beans, Ube paste, gelatin, mango, lychee, flan and probably a few other things I couldn't identify. I was a little bit disappointed/relieved that there was no corn inside, something that you'd usually get in your Halo Halo in the Philippines.

(Hello, my Halo Halo!)


My favorite Filipino dessert is Turon with Ice Cream ($5.95), a mini banana spring roll. Tito's version is crispy and sweet, with a hint of a vanilla sauce drizzled on the plate (which I really would have loved more of!!)and served with strawberry ice cream to dip into. 

(in the Philippines they are often served with a caramel sauce... I can roll with that...!)
 
As you can see, the prices at Tito Rad's are extraordinarily reasonable. The atmosphere is fun and unique- like the food! 


If you're looking for a culinary adventure (or just a delicious meal!), Tito Rad's is worth the short trip out to Sunnyside. And don't forget, it's near plenty of (ahem) ...recreation. 


!!!


Tito Rad's 
Grill and Restaurant
49-12 Queens Boulevard
Woodside, NY 11377
http://www.titorads.com/
Tel. (718) 205-7299

Tacos El Vagabundo: World's Best Taco Truck

(ummmmm... free delivery!?!)

It's very simple. Taco trucks are great- but Tacos El Vagabundo is king. 

Parked at the SW corner of 41st St and Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Tacos El Vagabundo provides a cheap dinner or a drunken nightcap with equal finesse and deliciousness.

(I like that they always ask, "To stay, or to go?")

The tacos are always solid. They are $2.50. I have paid for tacos in small change many times without a hint of judgement from the incredibly friendly cooks who man the truck. 

Also available are tortas, burritos, quesadillas and assorted drinks and sodas. A vast selection of meats cater to your ever-changing taste for variety- everything from Asada Beef to Chicken, Pastor to Spicy Sausage.

 
(you know it's gonna be a good night when the truck is parked)
  
The only downside to Tacos El Vagabundo is that it is not parked 24/7. They usually roll up between 8 and 9 pm and are open until the wee hours of the morning (sometimes as late as 4:30 am). They are not there at ALL on Sundays which is a small tragedy. 

*Author's note: Tacos from Tacos El Vagabundo are best enjoyed shoved into a pocket and smuggled into

Sunnyside Center Cinemas...

Tacos El Vagabundo

Queens Blvd & 41st St
Sunnyside, NY 11104

(347) 276-4522

French Horn Jewelry Extravaganza!

 Check it out! 

I made these rings out of a rogue brace off of the 1st Bb slide on a French Horn. Kiiiinda nerdy, but in the end, it makes a really cool ring! It's fully adjustable, made from either Sterling Silver or Brass, and it's also available for purchase for your holiday (or self-serving, either way- I won't judge) shopping needs! The Brass version is $25 and the Sterling Silver version is $60. If you're interested, email me! 

KuhlWorld@gmail.com

I can do either a shiny or matte finish, your choice!

 (Brass.)

Elza Fancy Food or Cafe “At Your Mother-in-Law"

Okay, so it's not Queens. It's Brooklyn. But it's Brighton Beach, my favorite neighborhood in New York! Trust me, it's gonna be worth it:

There is a sizable Korean population in Uzbekistan who are known as Koryo Saram. They ended up there after Stalin's mass deportation of ethnic Koreans from Russia to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in 1937. This unlikely pair of cuisines has since fused and created a delicious silver lining to one of history's greatest atrocities.

(ridic)

You can start your meal with a variety of appetizers. We had a cold eggplant and red pepper salad that was ridiculously delicious. Also sampled were a bean sprout salad and a minced lamb samsa, a pastry filled with minced lamb and onions.

(sprout it up)

(the minced lamb samsa)

For dinner we had a variety of things from tasty Borscht to Beef Plov (think pilaf).
The stuffed cabbage was excellent.

(that's quite a sheen on your borscht!)

(serious dumplings. serious dill.)

The Manti (dumplings) were gigantic, and filled with the minced lamb and onions filling, savory and uniquely spiced! Definitely not your average Pierogi or Pelmeni.
Sour cream was plentiful.

(I'm a little teapot of delicious black tea)

For dessert they brought us a complimentary treat that was sort of like a rice krispy treat made out of little tubular fried cookies. This was a totally new thing for me, and it was AMAZING. I ate it all. 

(right before I ate it ALL. and then some.)

The place is simple, quaint and pretty small. You can see right into the tiny kitchen where "mother-in-law" is making the magic happen!
As is the norm in Brighton Beach, the prices are extremely reasonable for how awesome the food and the experience is! Elza Fancy Food is definitely worth the trip to Brighton Beach- this is one part of NYC that you don't want to miss.

(me trying to snap a pic discretely)

After you're done with your amazing and no doubt gigantic meal, head down Brighton Beach Ave to M&I International Foods to check out some crazy Russian meats, cakes and pickled things. If you have any more room, try a poppyseed pastry from the prepared foods section. You will not be disappointed. 

(so. many. sausages.)

(classiest caviar I've ever seen)

Elza Fancy Food

a.k.a.  
Cafe “At Your Mother-in-Law” 

3071 Brighton 4th Street 
(btwn Oceanview & Brighton Beach Ave) 

(718) 942-4088

Natural Tofu Restaurant

One of Sunnyside's favorite restaurants is the Natural Tofu Restaurant. Tucked away between Superior Market (my favorite grocery store... a future post) and a shady bodega, this restaurant offers authentic, delicious Korean food at a pretty reasonable price.

(so glad they give you cheap wooden chopsticks instead of those impossible flat metal ones)

 

You're always served hot tea in a plastic cafeteria cup (bonus) and an ever-rotating array of pickled, spicy delights(banchan)ranging anywhere from sweet black beans to spicy ricecakes to good ole' fashioned kimchi.

 You also get a tangy and refreshing cold soup with more spicy pickled things.

(BibimBAM!)

 

 Their Bibimbap ($10), served hot in a stone dish with assorted veggies and beef is spot on, and topped with a deliciously runny egg yolk. Mix in your desired amount of chili paste and chow down.

 (check out the large plastic cafeteria cup-o-tea for size reference...!)

They are famous for their natural tofu soups (surprise!), but also offer a Vietnemese Noodle Soup ($8.00) with juicy mini-meatballs and roast beef. The portion is gigantic and could easily feed you twice or even three times...

(it. smells. so. good.)

My personal favorite dish is the L.A. Galbi ($13), or BBQ shortribs..... it is RIDICULOUSLY good. It's just a good old pile of delicious meat over a bed of sizzling onions served with a bowl of perfect white rice. Ask to keep the meat-scissors if you don't want to eat with your hands, but.... don't we all?

(at N.T.R., don't lay off the sauce!)

I should say that I have a mild soy allergy, and so I don't eat tofu... I've heard from other Natural Tofu Restaurant goers that the tofu noodle soups can be hit or miss... but you are usually given the option to season your own food to your own preferred level of spiciness, which I appreciate! I've always stuck with the non-tofu dishes here, and I've never been disappointed!

 (the name may not translate so well, but neither does the flavor)

Wash your meal down with a Korean beer... or, better yet, just wait until you are done and then go next door to Superior Market and buy an actually good-tasting beer there and drink it at home with your leftovers!

 

Natural Tofu Restaurant

40-06 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104

(718) 706-0899

Texas State Fair

Everything is bigger in Texas. Well, not always bigger but always deep-fried!

I was on tour in the Dallas area with my all-female pop horn quartet Genghis Barbie, and I discovered that the Texas State Fair was taking place during my visit.

HALLELUJAH!

all of my culinary dreams were going to come true!

 

I went with a companion in order to maximize my ability to try as many deep-fried things as possible without getting too full or being too wasteful. I carefully budgeted my portions so that I didn't get full (or sick...).

Naturally, we started with (drumrolllllllll...)

DEEP-FRIED BEER!

(fried beer and biscuits and gravy, top to bottom)

It was not what I had expected (I always thought: frozen beer cubes battered and flash fried, resulting in a beer-soaked donut of sorts) and was instead a very disgusting hot, salty beer ravioli. 

blech. 

but i still ate two pieces. because it was fried beer. 

Also served at that stand was Deep-Fried Biscuits and Gravy (a gravy-filled biscuit bettered {that was a typo but I left it in because it is also true} and fried) which was UNBELIEVABLE.

(A Man, a Can, a Plan)

Then we moved on to a true Texas staple: Deep-Fried Frito Pie. For those who have not heard of Frito Pie, you might want to invest in a copy of A Man, A Can, A Plan. Anyway, it's essentially a chili-cheese casserole with a Frito topping.  This is that, except deep-fried. Served with sour cream and salsa. Ridiculous.

 (I told you everything was bigger in Texas, remember?!)

Then we ran into "Big Tex."

(the winner)

The crowning glory of the Texas State Fair was the winner of the Big Tex Choice Award for Taste: 

Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack. 

This is a buffalo chicken tender dipped in pancake batter, deep-fried, rolled in jalepeno breadcrumbs and dipped in maple syrup, FTW.

 Some of the stranger things we spotted were "Kool-aid Pickles." Alongside the slightly more "normal" Sweet-Tea Pickles.... (still not really sure what is going on here, but it reminds me a little too much of that Damon Wayans sketch from In Living Color where he plays the homeless guy with the pee-jar with a pickle floating in it)

(a stranger actually accepted and ate my leftover rib which I thought was both really cool and also a little bit weird...)

 

I also ate some Deep-Fried Ribs. On the bone. The ribs themselves were amazing, but probably would have tasted better were they not battered and deep-fried.

 This was called "Deep-Fried Chocolate Banana Supreme" and was soggy, but still tasty (obviously, I mean, how can you go wrong deep-frying a banana?).

(shoulda had a foot-long corn dog!)

(yuck!)

Next we visited the winner of the 2011 Big Tex Award for Most Creative Food, Deep-Fried Bubblegum. It's not actually bubblegum, but rather a bubblegum-flavored marshmallow, deep-fried and covered in frosting and Chiclets.

It was DISGUSTING. 
Somehow worse than the fried beer.

 

(the swinehouse) 

There are also other things at the fair besides fried foods (to my surprise) like rides and livestock.

(a real Texas Longhorn!)

(kah-razy goat!)

(glitz and glam)

 I love Texas. 

 (everything is still bigger in Texas)

 After Dallas, I went to Houston where I enjoyed the Tres Leches at Chuy's, one of the most fun Tex-Mex chains in the area, which is one of the largest and most delicious Tres Leches-es anywhere.

(go Rangers! Oops. Oh, well...)

I also was lucky enough to make it to the final ALCS Rangers-Tigers game! It was so much fun!

The moral of the story is, as always:

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS.

It rules. 
(When it comes to deep frying foods)

The Dog and Duck

(46th St/Bliss, Sunnyside's coolest corner) 

The Dog and Duck is a brand new restaurant in Sunnyside! It opened last week, and I couldn't wait to try it out.

(taped to the window, keeping it classy)

The menu looked pretty good, kind of an Irish Pub vibe but obviously slightly more upscale judging by the decor: certainly Manhattan-esque, like Claret, which is across the street.

 (sorry for all of the crappy pictures, it was really dark in there!)

We started off with a bottle of white wine, recommended by our server, which was really good (although overpriced), so props for that!

 (scallops done right, smothered in dairy)

I got the Scallops Gratines with Parsley Potatoes ($15) which were very good, but not quite as good as Salt and Fat's scallops. Although, more props to D&D for putting this creamy cheese sauce all over the scallops like I suggested that they do at S&F (which they laughed at me for, so.... whatever! It was delicious.) 

 

(namesake dish)

My companion got the Duck Confit with Wild Mushroom and Mash Potatoes ($18)(it's in the name, it had to be good, right?) which she reported was good. It looked really nice and I did try it, but alas I am not a fan of duck, so I wasn't convinced. She didn't seem to be very convinced either actually, so the verdict is still out on the duck...

 

 (quite the dessert!)

 For dessert, she got fries (naturally) which were fine, but not exciting. 

(not warm, not cool)

I got Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream which sounded amazing and was actually pretty good but it WAS NOT WARM. This is just unacceptable. You cannot serve cold apple anything with ice cream. Not cool. 

All in all, The Dog and Duck was just fine, a nice dining experience, and just like other neighborhood places like Salt and Fat and Claret, they are very Manhattanite-friendly. But if you are bringing your city-friends to Sunnyside, you may as well go to those other places, D&D just isn't quite there yet. 

The Dog and Duck

45-20 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside, NY 11104