HUNTER-GATHERER

Mamoun’s falafel is in no need of publicity. But their chicken shawarma plate has been my default carry out choice for a while. I often marvel at the consistency of this humble yet sumptuous feast every time I crack the styrofoam carton. For 10 bucks there isn’t a whole lot that compares, [...]

[Read more →]

Mmmm………, Baklava. The formerly exclusive delicacy of the sultans with roots dating back to the 8th century B.C., or in my case, part 3 of the Lebanese gastro-trifecta in lovely Sterling Heights, Mi. There are plenty of Mid-Eastern bakeries cranking out fabulous product in the area, but the grand-daddy of them all is [...]

[Read more →]

Fadel Matouk started baking in 1960. A third generation baker, he began his training and perfected his craft in his home country of Lebanon before emigrating to the US in the 1990’s. For over a decade he has been creating a heavenly variety of savory treats in suburban Detroit and a stop at [...]

[Read more →]

The quality of ethnic eats in Detroit is legendary. The sprawling metropolitan area offers culinary variety in spades, but there is an unassuming strip mall in the northeast suburb of Sterling Heights that represents my own personal Mecca of fave Lebanese treats. Detroit is home to the biggest Arabic community outside of the [...]

[Read more →]

A trip back to Detroit usually involves a stop on the way home from the airport to European Home Style Sausage. The Markowycz family opened up shop in the early 50’s, around the same time that my family emigrated to the states and settled on the west side of Detroit.

The store [...]

[Read more →]

Geez, I have been wondering why I have been so cranky lately. Come to find out I’ve been drinking the wrong coffee as well as hoping to find some substantive debate in this election year. I hear they ran clean out of this stuff in Minneapolis recently, can’t figure out why…….. [...]

[Read more →]

On occasion, I am asked to contribute to the menu of some soiree. Generally, whipping up something is not that big of a deal as I like to cook. Recently, however, I was saddled with a request for “mid-eastern” finger food…….hmmmm.

[Read more →]

I got a chance to get a last peek at the Kurowycky & Son space on 1st Ave. The Kurowyckys closed up shop last year as a business decision (they own the building). Brooks of Sheffield had a nice obit to the place last summer over at Lost City. These pictures were [...]

[Read more →]

One of the aspects of life in Gotham that I truly love is the notion that when one leaves his abode on a simple errand, few know what adventures await. This afternoon I had decided to try perfecting my chicken biryani recipe and swung by Dual Specialty Store, the 1st avenue Indian grocery emporium, [...]

[Read more →]

No Reservations is a staple on Monday nights at HG HQ. This segment reminds me of what I love about New York, and why so many of the restaurants opening in Manhattan leave me uninspired. I’ve been away from Astoria for too long, hope this place hasn’t turned into a [...]

[Read more →]