Results tagged “friedchicken”

A lawyer for one of the men accused of plotting to bomb Bronx synagogues as well as open fire at planes at a National Guard base says the federal informant entrapped his client and the other suspects by way of fried chicken. The Daily News reports that Laguerre Payen's lawyer said, "You can't watch the tapes that you don't see eating going on. The [confidential informant] is paying for all these meals," and claimed that the "informant had a charge account at a Crown Chicken on Broadway and let Payen eat for free." Naturally, the U.S. Attorney's office said they would look into the matter—"I'm going to inquire as to whether there was a Crown Chicken relationship." In the mean time, let's ponder the possibility of deciding to blow up buildings and military bases because you're getting free food, because even free grilled chicken can cause a frenzy.

Earlier this month, following the Meal O'Bama food cart reveal, our own Joe Schumacher spotted a recently re-branded fried chicken place on St. Nicholas just south of 116th Street, now called Obama Fried Chicken. Is number 44 following in the footsteps of JFK and Lincoln—both of whom have had their names plastered on many a fried chicken joint? Looks like it. The Smoking Gun now points out another Obama Fried Chicken outpost in Brooklyn (previously known as Royal Fried Chicken). Has the President's name found its way onto an awning near you yet?

Tremayne Durham, who served time for a Manhattan rape in 1992, decided to plead guilty to murdering an Oregon man in exchange for "feast of KFC chicken, Popeye's chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, carrot cake and ice cream." Durham originally ordered an $18,000 ice cream truck, but changed his mind. The Oregon company wouldn't refund his money, so Durham took a bus to Oregon and killed a former employee of the company while looking for the owner. The judge agreed to the odd plea deal because it would cost $4,000 for a trial, telling an Oregon paper, "If a couple buckets of chicken are going to help to get a conviction, then get some biscuits to go with it." And after his sentencing, Durham also got "calzones, lasagna, pizza and ice cream"--here's the full spread.

This week in the Times, Bruni two-stars Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill (the new one, at Columbus Circle). After a few rocky meals immediately after the opening, “the food has been consistently first-rate,” says Bruni. “Much of it also reflects the [owners’, Eric and Bruce] Bromberg’s winning playfulness.” He also says that while the sushi isn't the best in town, the fried chicken may be.

Go! Go! Curry: This Japanese fast food hot spot had lines down the block when they opened in the Garment District last spring; now they’re building on the buzz and branching out in the East Village. We’ve become addicted to their belt-busting Grand Slam (pictured), “a monster platter that comes with fried chicken, pork sausages and a hard-boiled egg, among other things. The thick, sweet sauce has a tiny kick of heat and is served over rice with such toppings as slices of tonkatsu, fried pork cutlet.” Or for half the price and calories, you can keep it simple but savory with the curry rice sans toppings, a classic Japanese comfort food.

From rats ruling a West Village KFC/Taco Bell to Governor Spitzer's downward spiral, from a shock jock's questionable words to an up-and-down year for the MTA (and its riders), we bring up the biggest stories of 2007.

A while ago when Gothamist got wind of TKettle, a spot on St. Marks that promised bubble tea, dumplings and Korean fried chicken, we were tempted to place it in the same category as many Chinatown spots trading in savory snacks and bizarre boba drinks. The appeal of slurping chewy gelatinous globes through an oversized straw has always proved elusive, but we harbor no such prejudices against fried chicken or dumplings. Additional reports about succulent...

Good news for old-school New Yorkers: the new 2nd Ave Delicatessen is expected to open sometime next week in its new Murray Hill Location on 33rd Street, near Third Avenue. Lovers of the deli’s famous matzo ball soup and pastrami sandwiches were devastated last year when, after a half-century in business, the 2nd Ave and 10th Street legend was snuffed out. The closure came in the wake of a bitter rent dispute between deli owner Jack Lebewohl and the landlord over rent increases; the soul was promptly siphoned from the site and turned into a Chase bank (though the Yiddish theater “Walk of Fame” on the sidewalk remains).

On a stretch of Northern Boulevard in Flushing that's home to some of the city's best Korean fried chicken joints sits Ga Si Ri, one of the city's top Korean BBQ spots. Unless you read Korean, you'd probably never know that it's a BBQ restaurant. We happened upon this place a while back while passing by with a friend; drawn in by the rustic exterior – complete with thatched roof and clusters of fake yams...

It's been quite a 24 hours for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama. Last nght, he was at the Apollo for his first Harlem event. And this morning, he had breakfast with Mayor Bloomberg at a Midtown diner. At last night's $50-per-ticket fund-raiser, both Cornel West and Chris Rock introduced Obama. West asked the audience to think about entertainers like James Brown and Billie Holliday, who "represent a way of life that goes all the...

The other night we found ourselves craving shwarma as we strolled the stretch of Flushing’s Main Street that’s home to kosher groceries and dairy restaurants. As Gothamist approached Pita Hot, with visions of rotating meat dancing wildly in our head, we noticed an orange storefront out of the corner of our eye. Next to the utilitarian space that’s home to some of the borough’s best shwarma was a joint with a day-glo orange sign that...

When it comes to Queens, Gothamist has kvelled carnivorously about everything from Korean fried chicken to Filipino pork crackling. Despite our devotion to the borough's meat dishes, every fortnight or so we venture forth seeking vegetarian fare. Specifically South Indian, which features such snacks as crispy dosai, crêpes made from rice and lentil batter. We prefer ours filled with potato and green chilies. Yesterday when a friend told us about Sai Bhavan Snack & Sweets...

This week in the Times, Bruni goes to Alex Ureña’s Pamploma, gives the restaurant two stars. “Pamplona is Ureña [the chef’s former restaurant] with an attitude adjustment,” he says. “His best dishes are more than memorable enough to redeem Pamplona’s shortcomings.” In the Post, Cuozzo goes to BLT Market, where he finds “Tourondel’s first fully-composed dishes since Cello.” Says the restaurant revives the corner of Sixth Ave and Central Park South, and “What BLT Market...

Bruni goes to Franny’s in Brooklyn, rates it a top pick, awards it two stars, and calls himself a newly converted “besotted Franny’s believer.” Says Franny’s simplicity—they serve crostini, cured meats, pasta and pizza (along with a few other items)—“is deceptive. The restaurant finds transcendence in dishes and genres that wouldn’t seem to yield so readily to invention or open the door to so much pleasure.”

Ah, summer in New York: hot-dog contests, fireworks, the beach, and, don't forget, a stolid steamy blanket of humidity that greets all who dare to step outside their freon fortresses. But summer in the city needn't be all about sweating through the wet-dog daze.

Korean fried chicken has been on the radar of Manhattan foodies for quite some time, thanks to Koreatown's Bon Chon. But nowhere else in our fair city has this highly cravable treat spread its wings so rapidly as in Flushing, particularly around Northern Boulevard in the 150s and 160s. The number of restaurants in the nabe serving this delicacy invites comparison to the growth of Starbucks, but in a better, less evil way. There are at least a half-dozen spots, including a branch of Bon Chon. All sport eye-catching logos that emblazon both the walls and the stylish takeout bags, which impart the vibe of having visited a fried-chicken boutique. Given the exquisite taste of Korean fried chicken, we find such highfalutin packaging appropriate.

• The Sunday EV Greenmarket has now picked up a fishmonger from a Hampton, not really sure where really or how long they have been there, but the stuff looked superb. Porgy filets, creamish colored sea scallops, black sea bass, and yellowfin tuna were some of the selection presented.
• Speaking of the farmers, they seem to be finding a published voice more often, hopefully they can join the celeb chef's on the podium and grab a larger share of dollars for their efforts down the road.
• Gordon Ramsey seems to be taking a bit of a beating in the press over the last few weeks. First a lawsuit, then a bit of a rake over the coals on Diners Journal, followed by a commenter comparing him unfavorably to Vince McMahon of wrestling infamy.

Gothamist is just recovering from the food coma that followed Wednesday night's preopening party at Borough Food & Drink. By the time we got there the room was jammed with all manner of food bloggers, writers and restaurant industry insiders all gleefully sampling items from the menu of the new Chodorow-Pelaccio venture.

Although after this weekend the days will begin to get shorter, there's still plenty of evening sunlight left for a picnic. Grab some wine, a blanket and some friends and get going. One of the most unique yet practical picnic items we've seen in some time is this picnic saddlebag set ($79.95), designed to fit on a bicycle luggage rack. One side contains cutlery, plates, glasses and napkins for four, salt & pepper shakers, a wooden cutting board, a cheese knife and a bottle opener. The other is insulated for food. It can also hold two thermoses in the pouches on the back of each side.

We arrived at the Japan Day festivities in Central Park last Sunday afternoon only to find that the food had run out. Nevertheless, we enjoyed an excellent jazz combo, but soon it started to rain. In order to salvage the day, and keep with the Japanese theme, Gothamist headed downtown to give Go!Go! Curry a try.

Yesterday, an out-of-control car crashed into a crowded Popeye's Fried Chicken restaurant at Frederick Douglas Boulevard and 145th Street. Police say that the driver had a leg cramp, which made he "stomp on the gas pedal."

Korean fried chicken joint Bon Chon looks out of place on the second floor of an otherwise food-less building, even more so when you step out of the elevator and are met with dance music -- so loud that you have to shout in order to be heard by the person next to you -- in an environment that seems better fit for a trendy bar, not a restaurant. This place specializes in fried chicken? Ohhhhh yes.

Or at least you can get your fat on. You can start by hitting up the newly opened Popeye's Fried Chicken at 40th Street between 7th and 8th. And of course you'll need to follow it up with some pancakes. Lucky for you, IHOP is giving them away free until 10 p.m. today! Here's a list of nearby IHOPs, for your convenience.

Yesterday afternoon, an apartment building at 115th Street and Lenox Avenue caught fire and tenants and onlookers cheered as five children and their mothers were led to safety. A neighboring building's super, Sharif Abdul Aziz, made three different trips down the fire escape to save mothers and their babies. Aziz simply said, "Everything I do, I do for God." Firefighters also rescued one set of twins from the fifth floor by handing the kids through a window (one is pictured with a firefighter in the bucket).

- It's strange that in this arctic weather that the best food news we've heard today is that NYC Icy is returning. NYC Nosh snapped a photo of this sign in Hell's Kitchen. Bring on the summer!

Mitzi, by Raymond. Tag yours "gothamist" on Flickr if you want us to use them.

Some new details about why an angry Kennedy Fried Chicken owner burned down his neighbor-turned-competitor's store in the Bronx. The owner-arsonist, Kabeer Ahmad, says he was drunk. Shocking! The court documents have Ahmad stating, "I went out drinking last night [New Year's Eve] and after I got drunk I went to the store at 870 Hunts Point Avenue about 3 a.m. and told the customers and employees that the store was closing and that everyone must leave." From the Daily News:

After everyone left, Ahmad said he punched a hole through the wall and used a "spray bottle filled with gas to spray gas through that hole and into Twin Donuts," according to the court documents.

Continue reading "Drunken Chicken Fight"

When you hear that a restaurant is burning, you think grease fire. But in the case of a Bronx establishment, it was actually arson - by way of a next-door neighbor/business rival! A Kennedy Fried Chicken owner decided enough was enough when his neighbor, a Twin Donut owner, started to sell cheaper fried chicken. So the Kennedy Fried Chicken owner Kabeer Ahmad "hammered a hole in the wall between the two stores, sprayed in some gasoline, tossed in a match." Um, crazy!

- And finally, any email with the subject line "Pork and Beer Night" is enough to catch our attention. Starting December 17th, Porchetta's Jason Neroni will be hosting Pork and Beer Nights, with a four-course pairing menu featuring Heritage Foods USA pork and beer from American Beer. $45. 241 Smith Street, Brooklyn, 718-237-9100.

The alligator that was found in Brooklyn yesterday was successfully turned over to Animal Care & Control. The police found the 2-foot caiman alligator in a cardboard box with a shoelace tied and double-knotted around its jaw. Animal Care & Control warmed up the caiman and said it would go to licensed wildlife care or rehab facilities in Long Island or New Jersey. Oh, come on - at this point, the city should open up its own alligator zoo. They could reside in habitats that look like the sewer system.