David Chang Changes The Midtown Game with Fuku+

Glenwood — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 14:48:00 +0000

It's good news when David Chang opens pretty much anything, beginning way back in 2004 with his pioneering Momofuku Noodle Bar, then through the years with Ssam, Ko, Milk Bar, Ma Peche, and Fuku, his fried-chicken sandwich shop that took the East Village by storm this summer. Then just last week, a stunning surprise (for those of us who get excited about such things): Fuku+, an expanded take on his downtown mega-hit, opened with zero warning on the balcony of Ma Peche in Midtown. Now not only can Midtowners (lunch AND dinner eaters) feast on Chang's fried chicken, but there's a bunch of other first-rate dishes to be had there as well. Hence the "+". And there are both walk-in and reservations options! So much Chang, all in one place. I made it up to Fuku+ on opening day, after the lunch rush, and here's what I liked most….

Welcome To Fuku+, Can I Take Your Order?

The Fuku+ walk-in menu features a kind of slider version of Chang's fried chicken sandwich called the Minime, and though I didn't order one on my first visit, I can state with confidence that it was likely excellent, based on my experience eating three regular-sized sandwiches downtown, one each on three days in a row in July. Chang uses thigh meat, so it's plenty juicy and packed with that rich, dark-meat flavor, and the seasoning is just fiery enough to get your attention, with those sweet undertones that come with habanero and scotch bonnet. The bun is steamed (but not soggy), and the only adornment is a couple of slices of pickle, which give it a nice little hit of acid. You can also ask for the off-menu daikon-radish slaw on top, which you should do, because it adds yet another layer of excitement to the sandwich. For regular-sized sandwiches, make a reservation for one of the Fuku+ packages (it comes in XL and XXL sizes), which gives you and your crew a true fried chicken feast.

The Best Bites at Fuku+

So instead of the sandwiches at Fuku+ I tried the Fuku Bites with JD Sauce, which were basically the best chicken nuggets you can imagine, served with potent, garlicky green sauce for dipping. Less chickeny is the Salt & Pepper Shrimp, which are enormous and beautifully seasoned, though somewhat of a mess to eat. Don't forget to crunch right into the head, always the best part of these sorts of things. I also really enjoyed the Fuku+ Ranch Salad, though that's since been changed to a Wedge Salad, which I hear is also really good but is also likely to change again so just roll with it and get whatever salad's on the menu. And a couple of amazing-sounding things have already been added since opening day, including a must-get collaboration with Danny Bowien called Mission Chinese Fuku Fingers, and an off-menu Juicy Lucy burger, which basically means it has melted cheese inside the patty. Seems like a bunch of visits are going to be necessary over the fall to discover all of the Fuku+ delights.

For Menu and More Informatio on Fuku+

Fuku+ is located in the balcony area of Ma Peche, at 15 West 56th Street between Sixth and Fifth Avenues. The restaurant is open daily from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. for lunch, and then again from 5:00 to 11:00 for dinner. The Fuku+ walk-in menu and reservation-only packages are available for both meals.

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Introducing City Kitchen, NYC’s Newest Giant Food Hall

Glenwood — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:31:29 +0000

You know it will happen again, and maybe soon: you splurge on Broadway tickets for you and the kids, or you and your sweetheart; or someone gives you a pair as a gift; or you're in charge of out of town visitors who just HAVE to see [insert latest show with movie stars]. Which is all great, I have nothing against Broadway spectacles, they're just a bit out of my price range for a frequent entertainment option. Anyway, sometimes the most difficult part of seeing a Broadway show–not including wading through Times Square–is figuring out where to grab a quick dinner before the curtain. You want someplace close, but it can't be terrible (everything on Restaurant Row), or crazy pricey (Esca), or a full-on tourist mob scene (Shake Shack). Enter the latest upscale food court, City Kitchen, which, though tiny when compared to, say, Hudson Eats or Gotham West, has several first-rate vendors and is conveniently located on Eighth Avenue and on 44th Street. And if you work in the area, your lunch options just got a whole better.

Welcome To City Kitchen in Times Square

I popped into City Kitchen pretty late (for me) last Friday night after a day of art fairs, and was relieved that, although plenty busy–it's attached to a hotel, Row NYC, with its steady stream of guests/eaters–there weren't really lines at any of the vendors. Basically: it didn't feel desolate, a definite danger considering it's above street level, but I could get a seat, and my food, right away. Apparently City Kitchen is somehow connected to the folks at Urban Space, who do, among other things, the big holiday markets and Mad Sq. Eats, so the line up here is both familiar and welcome. Among the first-rate food options: Luke's Lobster, with their always-a-pleasure lobster rolls; Dough's donut crowd-pleasers; interesting Middle Eastern fare from ilili Box (next time I'm trying their Duck Shawarma); flavored shaved snow–with crazy toppings like Pocky Sticks and Fruity Pebbles–from Wooly's; and, maybe most exciting, the Kuro Obi ramen stand, which is an offshoot of the great Ippudo.

What To Eat at City Kitchen

All of the above is pretty much can't-miss for satisfying all sorts of tastes and moods–this is why these food courts are good for a crowd, especially if a member or two of the crew are picky eaters–but on this night I headed straight for the Whitman's booth, whose down-home burger spot in the East Village has long been a favorite. And although I did NOT get the PB&B Burger (with peanut butter and bacon) because of a missed communication, my straight-up Upstate Burger was excellent, cooked medium rare as requested, the plentiful toppings fresh and lively. I also tried the Al Pastor taco–that's the roasted pork with pineapple one that Alex Stupak (among many others) do so well–from Gabriela's but, as feared (and even though the crew assured me it would not be the case) the pre-shredded meat was terribly dry from sitting under the heat lamp for however many hours. Oh well. Good thing there are plenty of other options at City Kitchen from which to choose!

For More Information on City Kitchen

City Kitchen is located at 700 Eighth Avenue, just north of 44th Street, and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. For more info and complete menus from each of the vendors, see here.

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