PrintMeet & Eat: David Chang, Momofuku's 'Overrated Pseudo Chef'
Editor's note: Each week on SE:NY, we'll be talking to notable and interesting serious eaters as part of our Meet & Eat series. Today's subject needs little introduction, but we're going to give one anyway. You may know David Chang from such hits as Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, and the 3-star-anointed Momofuku Ko. Here, he namechecks his favorite go-to spots and some undiscovered gems and addresses the rumor that Ko will open for lunch.
Name: Dave Chang
Location: East Village
Occupation: Overrated pseudo chef
Everyone has a go-to person they call for restaurant recommendations. Who's yours? Wylie Dufresne.
And what's the best recommendation he's ever given you? L'Astrance, in Paris.
What's your favorite meal of the day and your go-to spot for it? On my day off, either stay-at-home delivery from Grand Sichuan (dan dan noodles, ma po tofu, braised chili beef). If I do go out, it's Oriental Garden and whatever Uncle Choi recommends.
What do you wish you could cook better? Everything. I wish I were a better butcher.
Favorite comfort food? Fried chicken.
Guilty pleasures? Popeyes fried chicken.
Favorite burger? In 'n' Out—the secret Ozone Park branch.
Describe your perfect meal. Good company, delicious food, drunk—bread and butter.
Food you won't eat? Salmon, whale, and Rocky Mountain oysters.
What would you like to try but haven't yet? Soft-shell lobster and Eduardo Sousa–raised foie gras—it's supposedly as rare as a unicorn.
Most memorable New York City meal? Gramercy Tavern, 1998; 71 Clinton Fresh Food, 1999 (now closed); Craft, 2001; Cafe Boulud, 2003; Jean Georges, 2004 and 2008; Spotted Pig, 2006; Gilt, 2005 and 2008; Per Se, 2004 and 2008; Spicy & Tasty, 2007; Le Bernadin, 2007; the Blue Hill dinners I've had during the Mike Anthony and Juan Cuevas years.
Best pizza in the city? Una Pizza Napoletana. And I love those guys from Artichoke Basille's, Sal & Francis.
Favorite bagel? H & H.
Best late-night eats? New York Noodle Town.
Undiscovered gem? WD-50 for lunch—food, sunlight, etc. Awesome! Akhtar Nawab's new restaurant Elettaria.
What is New York missing, foodwise? Great ethnic food like Los Angeles has, although Queens rocks! And farm-to-table establishments on the more affordable side—no more "haute barnyard," how about "budget barnyard"?
By the way, that rumor that Ko will be adding lunch hours? Care to comment? It's happening—just not anytime soon.
Oh, and about that secret Ozone Park In 'n' Out—you're kidding, right? Yeah. But it would be awesome.
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16 Comments:
I can't quibble with In N Out but for something similar and a lot more parochial Blue 9 lurks right under the overrated pseudo chef' nose.
Nick Solares at 2:19PM on 05/20/08
OK, I feel totally vindicated in my Popeye's pleasure now. Every time I'm in the South I indulge in one, luscious thigh.
swirlingnotions at 2:40PM on 05/20/08
@ Nick - I was really disappointed by Blue 9 when I tried it a couple of years ago. Has it gotten better recently?
In the same vein... I actually think Five Guys is the closest thing to In N Out in NYC. They don't have the "secret sauce" (aka Rusian Dressing) but it's the same size patties, their standard cheeseburger is like a messier version of the "Double Double", you can get grilled onions for free, and their french fries are fresh cut (but admittedly a little thicker).
Zach Brooks at 2:59PM on 05/20/08
@Zach Blue9 is sporadic in execution but at its best I really like it very much indeed. Perhaps I will review it , what do you think Adam? It has been featured on AHT before but that was a while ago. Here is a pic I took recently:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79021978@N00/2391952513/in/set-72157594357444591/
Nick Solares at 3:18PM on 05/20/08
@Zach: What about Joe's Bestburger in Flushing? I think we need to do a head-to-head JBB vs. Blue9.
Adam Kuban at 3:30PM on 05/20/08
did anyone else try a search on "in n' out burger ozone park" halfway through reading this, or am I just an idiot?
Soup_Dumpling at 3:38PM on 05/20/08
So this "secret" In-n-Out made me do some research. It actually appears on Google Maps, but I can't believe it really exists. What's he talking about?
capndesign at 3:40PM on 05/20/08
Damn, I need to read until the end of the article sometimes. Still, why the heck does it turn up on gMaps?
capndesign at 3:43PM on 05/20/08
@capn: Just phoned. It's a convenience store. :(
Adam Kuban at 4:14PM on 05/20/08
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7459424/hewlett_ny/in_n_out_burger.html
what about this? i'm so confused.
Soup_Dumpling at 4:52PM on 05/20/08
I wonder why he doesn't eat salmon?
Carosone at 4:53PM on 05/20/08
@Soup_Dumpling: That's the same one I called. I also called one in Brick, New Jersey. The one in Hewlett, New York, is a convenience store; the one in Brick is a deli.
Adam Kuban at 4:55PM on 05/20/08
Blue 9 is alright but their service stinks. Forgotten drinks, slow delivery, employees that just don't care.
kathryn at 5:11PM on 05/20/08
I totally fell for it and before even getting past the first in-n-out question, I already jumped to their site to double-check, just in case. bastards.
avisualperson at 7:46PM on 05/21/08
Since it's a recurring feature: "WHOM do you call?"
GhaleonQ at 9:56PM on 05/21/08
@GhaleonQ: You are, of course, correct. How 'bout this:
Original: "Everyone has that one person they call when they need a restaurant recommendation. Who do you call?"
New: "Everyone has a go-to person they call for restaurant recommendations. Who's yours?"
Adam Kuban at 2:39AM on 05/22/08