A great meal after eating lots of greasy food is Maoz.
I first ate their mouth watering falafels in Amsterdam a few years ago.
For just around $5, the falafel includes several falafel balls that are fried and have well pronounced nutty notes.
The great features are that the condiment/salad bar is all you can eat.
Half way through [...]

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Mad For Chicken, the name speaks for itself.
When you’re mad for something, you’re a fanatic.
Hip hopping up a steep stair way, the restaurant instantly shows off its modern vibe. Korean hip hop music gives off energy and a sense of joyful vibe. A sleek bar and [...]

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Gray’s Papaya is a must visit not so much just for their hot dogs but for the ambiance.
Here you will find busy New Yorkers rush to eat their hot dogs.
With a slight snap, the casing is attractive but the dogs do not amplify much robust beef flavors
For [...]

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My first try at New York Pizza was at Ray’s Pizza. The thin slice pizza had a thin crust but lack any wow factor.
I would enjoy a crust that is thin and crispy.

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Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has an interior that is chaotic and lack design consistency but the ice cream delivers.
The chocolate and leeches hit every right note. The texture is inviting to the palate featuring creamy texture and notes that highlight each ingredient.

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Murray’s Bagel is good.
The chewy texture and soft interior marries well with fresh cream cheese. A simple interior and great service makes this place a solid winner.

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Avoid Joe’s Shanghai, a tourist trap. But try it so that you can say I’m right.
Deemed as the king of Shanghai Dumpling, I avoided the crowds and ordered the crab and Shanghai dumpling ($7.25) to go.
Yes, there is plenty of soup in each dumpling but the soup lacks sweat and vibrant flavors. Instead, the [...]

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Known for the fake Meg Ryan orgasm scene from when Harry Met Sally, Katz Deli is an icon.
But many iconic restaurants don’t deliver but just full of hype.
Katz Deli clearly delivers.

Sampling a few slices of the corn beef, I confirmed that is was too salty.
The pastrami sandwich ($~16) was on par. Soft rye bread [...]

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Menkui Tei
Simply, avoid.
Menkui served me a bowl of tonkatsu pork ramen that lacked care.
The soup was too salty and lack nutty tones.
Two small pieces of pork lacked tender texture.
Absent were egg notes from noodles.
I simple did not care to slurp.
Instead, dash over to Ippudo, known as the best ramen in New York.

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Umm. Why did’t I think of that?
When a menu stimulates your mind and makes your palate sing, then you have a clear winner.
Simplicity and innovation are rarely seen in restaurants but Momofuku debunks this.
The restaurant design featuring smooth edges and minimalist décor is refreshing and attractive. [...]

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Martha Stewart praises Milk Bar.
So just how good is the Crack Pie?
One bite, the creamy texture hits all the rights notes.
It can be addictive. The rich pie conveys sweet yet a dash of savory notes.
With crunchy edges, the cookies are also a great solid choice.
The interior is minimalist with warming wood tables and simple [...]

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After bar hopping, hip hop over to Tuck Shop. The small cozy restaurant features Australian pies with a savory buttered crust. My beef pie featured moist and tender beef filling. For a kicker, add some hot sauce or sweet ketchup.

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Choosing a ramen restaurant to eat in New York City can be challenging. After all, there are a good few good ones.
But pairing the cold chilly winter season with a warm savory bowl of ramen just simply makes sense.
With a modern décor, Ippudo has been recognized as [...]

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Immediately walking into Jenny’s Burger, owner Jenny Li instantly greets you with a big smile. With a well decorated diner décor and superb food, this is my top pick for budget burger in San Francisco. For just around $4, the cheese burger is a winner.
The beef [...]

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The frozen yogurt race is competitive and a few will survive.
Leading the pack in the Bay Area is Tuttimelon.
CEO Roy has put Tuttimelon ahead in the field with a chain of stores.
Visiting their new store on Irving in the Sunset district, their yogurt remains on par.
The taste [...]

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On a breezy afternoon, I was craving sushi but did not want to empty my wallet. Hip hopping through the doors of Barracuda, I was ready to sample their happy hour sushi selections.
Crispy tempura and fried chicken, both priced charmingly at $4 was on par. [...]

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As a former restaurant consultant, we always try to create loss leaders. Loss leaders are food items that will lose money or break even but is promoted to attract traffic through the doors. The strategy is to get customers to order the promotional items all [...]

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