My first encounter happened about a month ago on a Friday night. Sometimes, or maybe I should say most of the times I go drinking I have this urge to eat afterwards. I had just left a bar based on a recommendation from someone I met in Philly called Death and Company. If I ever open a bar, this is what it would be like, and if I ever throw a party, this is where I would have it. They make incredible drinks and they probably have the nicest doorman you'll ever meet in NYC period. If any of the 3 people that actually read this blog decide to go, not only should you call me, but you should go for the punch and any of their drinks that have egg whites.
Anyway after leaving this place I knew Momofuku Noodle was close. I knew I wanted to order their ramen since I had been on a ramen mode after going to Ippudo. I always used to think this was strictly a ramen shop, but there is a good share of non-noodle dishes. I think I tried the Momofuku Ramen and it tasted nothing like I expected. Nothing about it seemed Japanese, but I loved it. It was salty, but in a good way and the braised pork and broth it came with was so savory that I pretty much finished everything. Sill not full I ordered the peanut butter ice cream and after that I was satisfied. So much that on my way home I actually missed my subway stop by one station. I've fallen asleep on trains, but not to the point where I miss my stop. I think the combination of the awesome drinks and an 11PM meal put me to sleep.
My second encounter took place the other day at his other restaurant Momofuku Ssam. Now I would have loved to say that my second taste of David Chang's food was at Ko, but given the circumstances surrounding the extremely flawed online reservations system, it's literally impossible to eat here. In my 10+ unsuccessful attempts, I've resorted to tricks of pasting post-it notes on my monitor pointing to where the drop down menu is indicating your party size to opening multiple logged in windows on my double screen at work. The day I finally get to eat at Ko will probably be equivalent to winning the lottery. The odds are really against me.
I went to ssam after going to a riesling tasting around union sqaure. I don't know what it is, but I seem to always be drinking shortly before I go to a Momofuku restaurant. Wait for two was about a half hour, better than I expected. Although a table would have been nice, the seat at the bar was great as my roommate and I got to watch the staff dry wine glasses coming out of the dishwasher that was behind the bar. It's amazing how shiny the glasses got and how quickly they were being used. I didn't realize how much wine people drank, but I feel most of it went to the loud table in the back.
This meal definitely was more gluttonous than my ramen meal. As appetizing as bread with butter sounded for like 8 bucks, it was agreed upon that steamed pork buns would be ordered. I've heard people rave about these things and biting into one was the highlight of my day, if not my week so far. Well it will be considering I'll be in class in less than 8 hours and most likely studying the rest of the weekend. They were so yummy that a second order was placed after finishing the first. The blend of the juicy pork belly, hoisin, crisp cucumber and a little bit of sriracha chili was unbelievable. I would compare eating this pork bun to trying the grilled corn at Cafe Habana for the first time. It has that delicious, addicting quality. For my main dish I ordered the pork shoulder steak with buttermilk and zucchini, which was huge, and my roommate got the the skate with fingerling potatoes. Both were very good and we topped our meal with the rhubarb shortcake. I loved the cream fraiche that came with the dessert that I think I want to use it when I make potato gratin again.
My only regret that night was not ordering the Japanese Hitachino White Ale beer. I didn't notice it until I saw someone across the bar drinking one as we were about to leave the restaurant. I first tried this beer at where else but Death and Company, but had I gotten one I probably would have fallen asleep on the train again and miss my stop.
