Warung Kario - the only place for Suriname Food in NY

The Richmond Hill area of Queens, aka "Little Guyana" is home to the only Suriname restaurant in New York. Since the two countries are geographically located next to each other, it only makes sense that Warung Kario would find a home within this Guyanese enclave.
Suriname is a country located in northeastern South America that many people in America have not even heard of. It is a fusion culture of Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, African and the original Dutch colonizers. Their cuisine represents this myriad of flavors.

Warung Kario is a place that you certainly do not go to for ambience, but if you are a dedicated foodie that places authenticity over pretty garnishes - this is the place for you for delicious, home-style Surinamese food!!! However, it is a very clean establishment, despite its simple furniture. When I was in culinary school, there was a teacher who once told me if the bathroom is clean, that gives you a very good representation on how clean the kitchen is. The bathroom passed my test.
Now for the food. Authentic, Flavorful, Delicious!!! Indonesian Satay is made with more peanuts and less coconut milk. The sauce was delicious but the meat was a bit dry - this was the one negative for Warung Kario.
The Dutch influence is apparent in the chicken and potato krokets, served with ketchup. The chicken and potato filling is very flavorful, seasoned with spicy mustard. Three very filling krokets for only $5 is worth every cent. The other highlight of the appetizers is the Bakabana (sweet plantain fritters) served with the same peanut and satay sauce is sweet and spicy at the same time.

All the meat is Halal, indicative of the large Indonesian Muslim population in Suriname. Indonesian Suriname standards like Nasi (fried rice) and Bamie (fried noodles) are there along with stewed Chicken or Fish. However, if you go on a weekend, I suggest going with Rijs met Pom, one of their weekend specials. Pom is a layered casserole made with tannia and chicken. It is served with rice and red beans, vegetable (bok choy on the day I went), pickled cucumbers (pickled with rice vinegar and sugar), sambal (spicy condiment of chicken livers and chiles), and optional hot sauce. This filling and flavorful meal (photographed below) - all for $9.00!!!

You can have your standard iced tea, soda or lemonade, but I suggest ordering Dawet - a drink made with lemongrass, coconut milk and fresh, young coconut meat. Cool and refreshing with the spicy food.

Don't try looking at the menu online and pre-planning what you are going to order because I guarantee they won't have a number of things on the menu, but they do have both meat and vegetarian options and I can recommend everything, except the Satay.

It may seem very far out to travel - I had to take 4 trains from Brooklyn to get there, but they are short rides and it took me the same amount of time to get there as it does to get to Manhattan. Once you get there, there is a lot of shopping you can do - from Indian saris to spice shops to Bollywood DVD - the Caribbean Indian community is well represented in Richmond Hill. Dessert from the Little Guyana Bakery located 2 blocks from Warung Kario (128-12 Liberty Avenue) is a wonderful stop for coconut drops, currant rolls or cassava pone. Fish World (located 1 block past the Lefferts Blvd. train station) is a great spot for all sorts of fresh fish, including Guyana hassa and Suriname mullet, as well as Halal lamb and goat (at only $3.49/lb), perfect for making Lamb or Goat Curry for dinner the next day.


If you live anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens, Richmond Hill is a wonderful cultural excursion.











Chef Mireille
http://www.globaltasteinc.com
Like me on FACEBOOK!
Follow me on TWITTER!

The Moustache

The Moustache is an unimposing hole in the wall you would never expect to have the most mouth watering delicious Middle Eastern food. Located on a dark, side street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, it is very easy to walk right by it, especially on a cold, winter night.
The menu is a Middle Eastern fusion with food from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Your standard hummus and tabbouleh is well represented. However, there are also deliciously unique entrees like the Ouzi ( basmati rice, vegetables, chicken, raisins and almonds baked in phyllo dough, served with tzatziki sauce). The boneless lamb ribs are not to be missed either. Bursting with herby flavor, you get a plate full of these ribs (definitely for the carnivore), served with a chopped salad and roasted tomato. You can get hummus and tabbouleh anywhere, so I suggest starting with the chickpea-spinach salad appetizer. In a tomato sauce base, with fresh mint, coriander and parsley you will keep on asking for more pita bread to soak up every last drop of this delicious salad!!!
And not to be forgotten are the pitzas, made with the freshly baked pita bread.
Fresh made lemonade, mint tea or Lebanese wine are perfect complements to anything you order.

You may walk up and down the block a few times trying to find the Moustache, but once you do, I promise you it will be worth the effort!!!




Chef Mireille
http://www.globaltasteinc.com
Like me on FACEBOOK!
Follow me on TWITTER!

Fusion Shepherd's Pie

When I teach cooking classes, my goal is to teach you how to cook and use recipes as a guide but NEVER a Bible.
Shepherd's Pie is a classical Irish comfort food. The traditional version is a mashed potato casserole with a lamb, carrot and green peas filling. Flavored with tomato sauce , thyme and Worcestershire, it is tasty but can be a little bland depending what cultural food you are used to eating.
Using leftover Thanksgiving vegetables and herbs still in the refrigerator, here is my fusion version, but remember this recipe should be used as a guide ONLY so quantities, seasonings and vegetables of choice should be by preference.
Start by boiling about 10 potatoes. While the potatoes are boiling, make the filling. Saute chopped scallions, garlic, 1/2 a fennel bullb and 1 Habanero pepper in olive oil. Once vegetables are translucent, add ground meat of choice (turkey was used here). Add a mixture of fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano and tarragon. Add ground spices such as coriander, mustard and ginger used here. Saute until meat is cooked thoroughly. Add spinach leaves, chopped cabbage and freshly chopped parsley and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and add a can of tomato sauce. Stir to combine.

Drain the cooked potatoes and mash with butter, buttermilk, salt, pepper, and a dash of freshly ground nutmeg until mashed potatoes consistency.
In a large casserole dish, spread a layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom. Then place all of the meat and vegetable filling on top. Cover with the remaining potato. On top place more freshly chopped parsley and cilantro and grated cheese. Sprinkle with paprika and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!!


Chef Mireille
http://www.globaltasteinc.com
Like me on FACEBOOK!
Follow me on TWITTER!

The New Nyonya

Nyonya is the best Malaysian restaurant in Manhattan. It is always my go-to spot when I am not sure where to eat. I was on my way to my spot and was heartbroken when I saw the doors gated, but thankfully my heartbreak was short lived, as they just moved across the street. It is now even better than before. The decor has had an upgrade with a new bar and dark wood furniture gives it a modern, regal look. The dining experience is now quieter, making it a good choice for an intimate dinner.

My next concern is if the menu would reflect the upgrade in digs, but thankfully it was the same menu with the same prices. The food was delicious, as always. Perfect Roti Canai - Air filled roti accompanied by a chicken curry sauce. Chicken in a lemongrass and chili sauce never disappoints. For the first time, I tried the Sweet & Sour Pork. Pork with loads of pineapple in a perfectly balanced sauce - not too sweet!!!

The next time you are in Chinatown and looking for a great meal that is sure to NEVER disappoint, try Nyonya on Grand Street between Mott and Mulberry and now you can even enjoy your meal in a quiet, upscale environment - especially for Chinatown - and still not break the bank!!!































Chef Mireille
http://www.globaltasteinc.com
Like me on FACEBOOK!
Follow me on TWITTER!