Miso Ramen

Souen Organic Ramen
212 -  388  1155
326 E 6th Street
(bet 1st – 2nd Avenues)
New York, NY, 10003

www.souen.net

Open Hours:
12:00pm – 11:00pm Mon-Fri
12:00pm –  1:00am Sat- Sun

Since 1971 Souen has been the place in NYC  for macrobiotic food; with their main restaurants in Soho and 13th St. This latest Souen is the third of the chain and, thankfully, home to a completely different menu!  It focuses on different styles of Ramen (all organic) and Japanese comfort food.  Souen 6th St. has fast become a local staple and an easy choice for quality, quantity and taste!

There are still a few macrobiotic options and the food is definatley “healthy” tasting.   If you ware gluttoning for the deep pork of a traditional ramen, try Rai Rai Ken on 10th St.  If you are looking for dishes being both flavorful and light- with the brilliant upside that you can eat as much as you want without feeling overly full or heavy- Souen 6th St. is the place.

Goma  Tofu  with black sesame sauce

Brussels Sprouts

The appetizers are quick and special.  Top tasties include the Yuba (tofu skin) marinated in kombu shiitake broth or the “Miso Yuba”  (Note: the Miso Yuba is not allways in the menu, but requestable).  The Seitan Dumplings are fulfilling and quite good, while the Kimpira – a marinated Burdock root is just crunchy happiness.  Another hidden gem is the boring sounding Maze Rice is actually a delicious side and goes very well with the Burdock Kimpira.  The House Salad is surprisingly bountiful and recommended for a bit of green in all the browns.

The specialty of Souen is being able to combine the different Ramen broths (Miso, Black Sesame, Shoyu, or Curry) with your choice of noodle( Soba, Udon, Wheat or Rice).  There is also a ramen salad and a wild seabass ramen,  and like at most Ramen places you can add toppings to your choice

There is a special Lunch menu set of a ramen pluss a side dish

The specials are usually fantastic- I’m hooked on the Brussels Sprouts!

Yuba (tofu skin) marinated in kombu shiitake broth

Miso Ramen

Japanese Pumpkin with Adzuki beans

Pad Thai Soba

Butterfish Sashimi

Kyo Ya
212. 982-4140
94 E 7th St.  ( Ave A -  1st Ave)
New York, NY 10009

MAP

Open Hours:
5:30pm – 11:30pm Tue-Sat
5:30pm – 10:30pm Sun

Hidden Japanese Food  Jewel in the middle of the East Village You can walk by and not see it, situated on a street sub level.  Truthfully the top Japanese in the city.  Excellent service.  Superior plating and a range of flavors to make you melt.

Chawanmushi (a steamed egg custard cup with glorious ingredients)

Tamagoyaki

Yuba (tofu skin) And Uni Yoshino Style in crystal clear sauce

Red Snapper

Anmitsu

Hevenly  Custard

Halcyon
Vinyl Record Store
(1)  718 – 260 9299
57 Pearl Street
corner of Pearl & Water Streets in Dumbo
Brooklyn, NY 11201

www.halcyonline.com.
MAP

Open Hours:
Noon  – 8:00 pm   Mon/Wed/Sat
Noon  – 9:00 pm   Tue/Thu/Fri
Noon  – 6:00 pm   Sunday

One of the last great record shops in NY, Halcyon moved to its Dumbo location in 2006.  Creating community through their weekly instore performances by local and visiting DJs and disseminating extensive information on events throughout the city. (see their BLOG for schedule)

Halcyon faces the magnificent Manhattan Bridge through a couple of very industrial buildings making this spot quite cinematographic. On one side street  there is a graffiti wall on which the art changes from time to time.  Across the street is a public space, complete with parasol tables and chairs, where you can sit and enjoy the area and listen to the music from the store.  Wonderful especially when there are performances.

The store itself is beautifully designed  with an ivy mural framing the windows on the outside,  high ceiling inside, vinyl art on the walls, astroturf grass on the floor and a even a stone garden.

The staff is friendly, helping you with their selection of a little bit of everything:  Acid Jazz, Afro-Latin, Ambient, Noise, Disco+’80s+Dance Classics, DJ Mixes, Downbeat, Lounge, Trip-Hop, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Grime, Electro, Acid, Breaks, Electronica, Exotica, World, Funk, Breakbeats, Hip-Hop, House, Jazz, Nu Disco, Italo, Reggae, Dub, Rock, Pop, Folk, Techno…….. Be sure to check out their wall of suggestions and don’t be afraid to ask for whatever your interested in.

On top of all the great new/used records & disks, Halcyon also carries t-shirts, books and other items to keep you up to date with the scene.

The area of Dumbo itself is a wonderful place to explore.  Having come on in recent years, it is now home to an eclectic mix of businesses and people.  A trip to the park under the bridges is a must for all visitors to NYC.  The views of lower Manhattan are stunning by both day and night.

P.S. Bookshop
(1)  718 – 222 3340
145-A Front  Street
Dumbo Brooklyn, NY 11201

ww.psbnyc.com.
MAP

Open Hours:
10:00 am  – 8:00 pm   Daily

Opened on 2006, the P.S. Bookshop, selling used and out of print books in DUMBO, Brooklyn, is a at the top in its genre in the whole of NYC.   Neatly organized with may categories, they buy and sell all sorts of printed matter.

As you enter there is a large Magazine display and a couple of postcard trees- selling funky, obscure prints.  Then, in the first room you find Architecture, Art, Fashion, Photography, Graphic Novels and every thing related to Design & the Arts.  Tucked to the side, is a locked cabinet with their fine selection of rare, first editions  and collectibles.  I was lucky enough to peruse an Arthur Rackham illustrated first edition.

Tucked behind a low row of books and the counter is a section dedicated to children and young adults.  A wonderland of stories along with a play area for very young ones an their parents.

The back half of the shop is a high ceiling-ed, well fenestrated space home to a loving labyrinth of book shelves cradling all your favorite fiction, history, literature, poetry, etc.

The selection is extensive in every area, surprising you on every shelf with obscure tiles, exciting topics, translations of your favorites and singned copies.  The P.S. Bookshop is one of those lovely bookstores that you should allow yourself the time and pleasure of presence in the joy of the printed page.  Grab a book and curl up in one of the comfy chairs dotted around and enjoy.

Last, but most importantly, the staff is  helpful, knowledgeable and kind.