Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Now Closed

24 Jul 2011

Super Wings NY – Brooklyn

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Super Wings NY, a Brooklyn purveyor of Caribbean chicken wings, has been on my must-eat list ever since it appeared on Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. In the episode, Trinidad native Colette Burnett swiftly kicked Bobby Flay’s butt with her unique blend of island spices and wing slinging know-how.

I usually don’t retain most of what I watch on TV, but the promise of deep-fried wings saucily coated with tangy tamarind and hot chilies was enticing enough to sear the restaurant’s name in my mind for good.

The Astronomer and I met up with our Brooklyn-dwelling friend Sara and her Queens-dwelling friend Kara for lunch at the Crown Heights shop. It’s a small joint with minimal space for dining in and a flatscreen television with Throwdown on constant loop. There’s also a large map of the USA for patrons to make their marks. I initialed somewhere in the Pacific Ocean…

…while Sara and The Astronomer signed in Alabama.

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Restaurant Review

22 Jul 2011

Wafels & Dinges – New York City

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As The Astronomer and I strolled from ChikaLicious back to the hotel, we stumbled upon the Wafels & Dinges truck at Astor Place. Even though I had just consumed a hefty Italian dinner followed by a three-course tour de sweets, I couldn’t resist stopping for a taste. I live a gloriously gluttonous existence while on vacation. Plus, I didn’t know if I’d run into the truck again.

Belgium native Thomas DeGeest launched Wafels & Dinges in 2007. Since then, it’s grown into a mini waffle empire complete with one roaming truck, two roving carts, and two permanently parked carts in Central Park. The truck even has a hotline for waffle seekers to keep track of all the action.

I’ll admit it, I was so intent on trying this truck that I programmed the number into my phone before leaving town. I am a waffle lover through and through.

The truck offers three different kinds of waffles: Brussels, Liège, and mini “wafelini.” There are also a plethora of “dinges” including fresh fruit, butter, maple syrup, and whipped cream.

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Restaurant Review

20 Jul 2011

ChikaLicious Dessert Bar – New York City

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I find it nearly impossible to end a meal without something sweet to nibble on. Whether it’s a piece of fresh fruit or a small square of chocolate, my taste buds crave a hit of sugar for complete satisfaction.

Following a dessert-less family dinner at Hearth Restaurant in the Lower East Side, I dragged The Astronomer up the street to ChikaLicious Dessert Bar. While my dear Astronomer was perfectly content with the taste of braised goat pappardelle lingering on his palate, I insisted on a three-course dessert tasting.

Opened in 2003, ChikaLicious is an adorable 20-seat eatery built around an open kitchen where desserts and wine reign supreme. The restaurant’s chef and owner Chika Tillman (pictured above) trained at the French Culinary Institute and most notably worked under Tom Colicchio at Gramercy Tavern before striking out on her own.

ChikaLicious serves a three-course prix fixe menu for $14 that includes an amuse, choice of dessert, and assorted petits fours. A wine pairing can be had for an additional $8.

Chika’s suite of sweets have been described as American desserts with French presentation and Japanese portions. Even though I had eaten a hearty Italian meal moments before, polishing off all three courses was a breeze.

To start, the chef sent out a coconut cream and lemongrass soup. Every spoonful was refreshing and decadent; it was a tropical Southeast Asian dream.

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