BAOS FROM BAOHAUS

BaoHaus is serving up authentic Taiwanese steamed buns right off Union Square. For under $4 bucks you can choose from their seven unique options plus rice bowls and fries. Each bao is served with a soft, pillowy bun that holds the contents well. The Chairman Bao is filled with braised pork belly, crushed peanuts, cilantro and Taiwanese red sugar. The pork belly is packed with flavor but not too fatty and the red sugar gives it an added sweet tang. The Haus Bao is made with beef cheek instead of pork belly that was tender, but not quite as tasty as the pork. The last bao was the Uncle Jesse, named after John Stamos' character on Full House since the actor is a vegetarian. The tofu is fried but not overly greasy and a nice way to end the meal after two meat baos. All in all, the place is great for a quick snack or a solid lunch if you order more than one. The taro fries are no slouch either.

BaoHaus
238 E. 14 St (2nd Ave)
(646) 669-8889
http://www.baohausnyc.com

ROAST LAMB SANDWICH FROM BALTHAZAR

A fantastic place for any meal, Balthazar in SoHo is a French brasserie that makes a terrific roasted lamb sandwich for lunch with grilled vegetables, arugula, and a harissa mayonnaise. The lamb is juicy and flavorful, but also lets the rest of the sandwich shine as well. A bevy of grilled vegetables and a tangy homemade harissa mayonnaise add a nice peppery kick. Get it with crispy shoestring fries that aren't greasy or oily at all. In addition, the restaurant boasts over 300 French wines and has a next-door bakery that's great for take out.  For a Parisian fin de siecle experience in NYC, you can't go wrong with Balthazar.

Balthazar Restaurant
80 Spring St. (b/w Broadway and Crosby)
NYC 10012
(212) 965-1414
balthazarny.com

CHEESESTEAK FROM 99 MILES TO PHILLY

I've never had a cheesesteak in Philadelphia so I imagine that 99 Miles to Philly wouldn't stack up to Pat's or Jim's, or any of the other supposed greats; but in NYC you be hard-pressed to find a better steak sandwich.  Carl's is pretty solid as well but 99 Miles has the edge since their cheesesteaks are less greasy.  Recently, a new to-go 99 Miles opened on 45th St. off 2nd Ave in addition to the one in the East Village.  A friend and I took the taste test by getting three cheesesteaks all with different cheeses - provolone, American and wit wiz.  The Provolone was the best, creamy enough but not getting in the way of the star of the sandwich.  American came second and the wiz was good for a few bites but not much more.  I'm told 99 Miles uses the traditional Amoroso rolls, which holds the meat and grease well so the sandwich doesn't become a sloppy mess.  I'm a fan of peppers and grilled onions to add some extra flavor, but the best part about a cheesesteak is you can design it with whatever topping you prefer.  So head on over to 99 Miles for one of the best cheesesteaks in the city and don't forget to bring your hungry.

99 MILES TO PHILLY
94 3rd Ave
(between 12th St & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003Neighborhood: East Village
99milestophillyeastvillage.com

LOBSTER ROLL FROM NEPTUNE OYSTER IN BOSTON

Neptune Oyster in the North End District in Boston has a lobster roll that is literally exploding with lobster meat.  They have two options for rolls at $25.00, a hot one with butter and a cold one with mayo.  The toasted roll is sweet and compliments the explosion of lobstery goodness very well.  The mayo is slathered on but not overdone, and the pieces of meat aren't just lobster shavings but big and chunky globs from the tail and claw.  An appetizer of oysters is a must since it's half the restaurant's namesake.  The Wellfleets and the Island Creeks are the best since they have the shortest trip from the ocean to your plate.  While the Sox got clobbered by the Yankees in their last game of the season, at least Bostonians have this roll to help them lick their wounds.    


NEPTUNE OYSTER

neptuneoyster.com 

HAM & CHEESE FROM MILK TRUCK

Nothing beats an amazing grilled cheese sandwich, and the folks at Milk Truck know how to do it right since it's the only sandwich they make.  With their Ham & Cheese sandwich, smoked ham and Vermont aged cheddar is topped with a spicy mustard on rosemary bread.  Only a few slices of ham is used so the cheese becomes the star.  The bread is grilled perfectly and the cheddar is a gooey wonderful mess.  The mustard is spicy but not overpowering.  All in all the sandwich makes for a great light lunch or an afternoon snack.  Check their twitter to see where in Manhattan they are each day.

Milk Truck Grilled Cheese
milktrucknyc.com
Locations Vary

PRIME BEEF SANDWICH FROM LOBEL'S AT YANKEE STADIUM

Forget any other food you've had at Yankee Stadium before and do yourself a favor by getting the prime beef sandwich from Lobel's along the left field line on the field level concourse (section 133).  Lobel's Meats has been around since 1840 and supplies some of the best steakhouses in New York.  The beef is hand-carved prime rib goodness, not too fatty but with some marbling for flavor.  It's piled high on a brioche bun with an excess of rich au jus.  If the $15 dollar price tag alarms you, you'll pay $12 for a beer and around $10 for an average steak sandwich at Carl's, so treat yourself to some of the best baseball fare you'll ever have at Lobel's.  Pare it with great Garlic Fries from one of the many locations throughout the stadium and cheer on the Yanks that are having a great season so far!

Lobel's at Yankee Stadium
Left Field Line on the Field Level Concourse (Section 133)
Yankee Stadium
lobels.com

HAM AND MUENSTER WITH PICKLED BLUEBERRIES

So I've reviewed No. 7 Sub before, but since they change their menu all the time and their ham and muenster with pickled blueberries is pretty magical, I thought I'd review them again.  Usually I find ham sandwiches a little boring.  Serrano ham, prosciutto - now you're talking; but straight up ham I'll usually skip.  This sandwich takes ham to a level you've never experienced before.  Pared with muenster cheese, potato chips, jalapeño mayo and pickled blueberries - yes, motherfuckin' blueberries on my sandwich! - makes this sandwich stand out above all others.  The sourness of the blueberries goes well with the creamy muenster and salty ham, and the crunch of the potato chips gives the sandwich an elevated bite.  Jalapeño mayo slathered over the whole thing is just gravy.  If you haven't tried No. 7 Sub yet, you are truly missing out.  Check out their new location downstairs in the Plaza Hotel as well.


No. 7 Sub - no7sub.com
1188 Broadway (between 28/29 St) at the Ace HotelNew York, NY 10001
Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-4pm, Closed Sundays
telephone: 212.532.1680