dresese

Recent Forest Hills Eats

I've had some interesting Queens eating experiences recently. A few weeks ago I went into one of the Russian groceries in Rego Park. I saw this same large, round, concave, flatbread that I've seen in Cheburechnaya and Beautiful Bhukura. I've always wondered what it is. So, I asked, and while I was expecting a strange Russian word, I got a simple familiar one: matzoh. So I took two, and ate it at home. It was the best matzoh I've had, it was so fresh and light. My kids loved it as well, they just kept eating and eating until I refused to give them any more. I took a picture of it:

Today I went back and got more, but this time it was a different type. It did not have the same holes you find in other matzohs, but instead it was smooth and had caraway seeds in it. Also delicious, with an amazing crunch. I think I prefer plain, though.

Also at the Russian store I bought some dried fish. I've seen these things before, but was puzzled at what to do with it. Recently, though, my co-worker DB (not his real name, although it is what everyone calls him) and I were eating at a Korean place that served us an appetizer of small dried fish. He commented how it tasted like the Russian dried fish, which evidently you eat plain, usually accompanied by beer. So I got five smallish dried fish, which cost $5. I ate one the other day, and it was tasty but strange. I felt queasy for a few minutes afterwards, perhaps just because I realized I was eating fish that had been at room temperature for a week at least. The feeling past, but I still have 4 fish to go.

Finally, this weekend I ate at Hot Bialys, a stupidly named, but nice little bagel shop on Queens Blvd. near Union Turnpike. It is, according to some, one of the best bagels in Queens, as well as New York. Strangely enough, it is owned by Thai immigrants. Today they were very nice to me, and the owner rush towards my daughters and gave them both a little bagel, just because they were twins and she likes twins. The bagels there are a bit sweet, and have a good chew. They taste a bit like H&H Bagels.

Also good - a new Greek restaurant called Corfu Grill, which has some great dishes. I especially like their grilled octopus; it is not tough at all, and it is nicely flavored.