I bumped into my friend Ellie from last week’s column about our visit to Bar Manje. The first thing she said was, “I am still thinking about those Trini doubles from dinner.” Me: Girl, same! We will return.
Now, Miss Spring is finally showing a leg (below the knee only, of course) around these parts, which has me outside in neighborhoods and places I haven’t been in a while and eating some viral foods that went previously unchecked. You might want to give them a go, too …
Let’s start with being in Midtown east at lunchtime. My mouth was saying one thing until I stumbled across a Korean bowl place, potentially influenced by the Chipotle model, called Ongi (warmth in Korean).
With three locations mostly in midtown Manhattan, Ongi is an unassuming fast-food spot. You first fill out a laminated card with your name and order. It can be a custom bowl by ticking the size of your bowl, base elements (rice, salad, noodles), varied proteins (bulgogi beef, spicy jejune pork, garlic shrimp), unique toppings, and sauces of choice.
I fashioned a $14.95 medium bowl with salad and japchae noodles, pork, and shrimp, all of the toppings with yuja ponzu and the spicy scallion (this is a must) sauces. If decisions are not your ministry, you can also choose one of their signature bowls and add some sides of dumplings, bao (buns), or Korean fried chicken nugg’s. I was happy and will most certainly be back to Ongi!
Ironically, I finally visited the other viral place I was considering the day I tried Ongi, All’Antico Venaio. This successful Florence family business blew up on social media with their craveable Italian sandwiches on freshly made focaccia. Lines were long and patient, and came away with delicious sandwiches.
Today, All’Antico Venaio has locations in six U.S. states and eight in Manhattan. I visited one near Times Square. On deck was La Calvino (bresaola, stracciatella, caramelized onion cream, arugula), $19, and the Hot Italian (turkey, nduja, provolone, calabrian chili honey, arugula), $17. Italian chips and sodas to boot.
Both of our sandwiches were fantastic but the Hot Italian was fantastico — the red blended hot honey is the star! I will return for their famous mortadella sandwich with the pistachio cream. When I do, I will go to their NoMad location where all of the breads, meats, and toppings are prepared for all of their locations. You should, too!
Where should I go next? Let me know where you’re eating out these days. Thanks for reading and happy eating!
Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant, and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for more than 23 years. Follow her on Instagram, @SCHOPnyc and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.
Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at
AmNewsFOOD@SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD.
Looks like a fun way to check your browser settings. Did you run into any issues while preparing for the wedding?