Did Somebody Say Arepas?

Just a quickie on some truly awesome taste sensations that found their way into my mouth last weekend while we were in NYC.

Cheese Dusted Sweet Fried Plantains

Our friend Marion was insistent that we get dinner at Caracas Arepa Bar in Brooklyn cause I guess she's a big fan of the other location in the city and wanted to try the new outpost, and of course I never argue with someone who wants to force some meat filled corn pockets on me. Man this place rocks. Everything we had was really phenomenal and would have only been better if accompanied by beer.

Empanada

An arepa is a Venezuelan delicacy made of corn-flour and resembling a pupusa in many ways. They are small and round and come stuffed with a delicious assortment of vegetables, meats and cheeses or can be eaten plain. They are sliced down the middle, almost like a pita pocket so the fillings can be added and the result is a savory, little snack that's filling enough to serve as a meal. Corn-flour gives arepas a nice gritty texture and hearty flavor that makes them taste particularly wholesome.

Chicken & Chorizo Arepa

My chicken, chorizo, avocado and chimi-churri number was bursting with meaty, juicy goodness and our starters of empanadas (including de cazon - small Caribbean shark) and fried plantains sprinkled with cheese rounded out the meal so that one arepa was plenty.

This Might Be the Same Thing...

It was an awesome and cost effective meal at around $20 for more than enough food and variety. Check it out if you're in the area... but drink a few beers before you go.

The Scene at the Show

I should probably add that we were in town for a show that Dana and Kenji had a piece in at the Artbreak Gallery in Williamsburg (The Great Out Doors) so before we went to the gallery we stopped at a bar that was having a happy hour special. That's right folks... two for one drink specials. What's wrong with this puritanical city that we can't lure people into bars with free booze? It makes those special afternoon stops at your local watering hole feel like vacation! Don't we all deserve a little vacation??? Boston is so backwards in some ways.

Dana & Kenji's Piece

Anyway, I had a gimlet as I have been known to do and got a round of T.C.'s for the group but switched after my first drink cause that bubbly and refreshing mix of gin, lime and sugar is so hard to pass up... hello summer.

Obligatory Gimlet Shot

A Handsome Crowd at Artbreak Gallery

Another very NY phenomenon is the french fry option with breakfast. I like this alternative and don't know why more people don't offer it. As a matter of course, a lot of restaurants will ask if you want to sub your home fries for french fries and in my opinion - why the hell wouldn't you???

We ate breakfast so late on Sunday that only a cheeseburger and Guniness would do... for strength of course. It was pretty delicious.

Breakfast Burger

Kenji's Eggs Bene w/ FRIES!!!

Anyway... I always like visiting NYC. We get to see so many people in a short amount of time and it's fun to run around and stay up until dawn but I am always so happy to see the Boston skyline as we cruise through the Allston/Brighton tolls on the Mass Pike. It's like coming home... oh wait, it is coming home. And I'm gettin too old to stay up till dawn. I end up needing to sleep till 6pm which starts a viscous and confusing sleep cycle.