Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Butter Lane Cupcakes

Butter Lane Cupcakes are one of the local favorites that originated in Park Slope, Brooklyn. With a second location in the East Village, the store is filled with all goodies that include their signature cupcakes, pies, pastries, and breakfast goods. Butter Lane Cupcakes are

The cake bottoms from Butter Lane Cupcakes are made with a thicker batter, with a less airy cake. Cupcakes are topped with a thick, heavy flavored creme frosting which does not quite compliment my personal taste for cupcakes, but is an extremely filling snack that becomes a meal in itself for anyone who is interested in trying!

The one thing I would recommend is to check out the baking classes that Butter Lane Cupcakes offer. It is a great date setting as well as a little girl's day out. You can learn the basics and incorporate your own after to make your perfect cupcake!

Cheap Eats - Otafuku

Otafuku

236 East 9 Street

New York, NY 10003

212.353.8503

http://otafukunyc.com/

This little gem is something that many people were devastated about when they found out the initial location closed. Best thing is, it just moved a few doors down. Located on East 9th in St Marks, Otafuku brings to you the popular Japanese eats, takoyaki and okonomiyaki, along with a handful of other small eats. Freshly prepared as you order, each and every bite size serving that has your taste buds knocking!

Otafuku's menu is affordable in all aspects with their most expensive dishes being the combos that are priced under $10! This is definitely not a sit down restaurant, but a quick bite with a bench on the outside and a few standing areas to consume these Japanese goodies. Otafuku opens at noon and into the later hours of the night. It is definitely the perfect snack to fill you up as you enjoy the rest of St Marks whether that be waiting in line for a seat or after a few drinks!

Today's Lunch - Luke's Lobster

With the many Luke Lobster stores in the New York area, and even a Luke Lobster's Truck, I have been itching to try this out for a while now. Although today's lunch was a bit pricey, almost $25 for the lunch combo, I thought the sandwich was delicious. For the Taste of Maine, I got a sample of the shrimp sandwich, crab sandwich, lobster sandwich, four claws, soda, and a bag of chips. 

Although these sandwiches are bite size and not so filling, the sandwich is stuffed to the top with seafood and I still had to share with someone to finish the combo. I thought the bread was extremely delicious, so good that I'm willing to pay for the bread alone. This meal might be a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it to try out because of the hype that's around the sandwich. I thought the sandwich was pretty good, but it might depend on location because I have heard not so great reviews about the truck. Next time you're in town, stop by the East Village location!

Restaurant Review - Gyu Kaku

Gyu Kaku
34 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10013
(212) 475-2989

Korean BBQ is pretty well known to everyone. How does Japanese BBQ sound to you? Other than the common Japanese skewer stick BBQ, Gyu Kaku has marinated meat that you BBQ yourself. There are a few Gyu Kaku stores all over the world, two in New York. I usually go to the one around St Marks because travel is a lot easier for me, plus we’ve learned to love the staff there, especially with my friends going every week.

The food at Gyu Kaku is pretty different from any other Japanese BBQ places I have been. They have a variety of sauces that you can pick with your marinated meats; many are paired up with a specific sauce that is oh-so-delicious. My ultimate favorite is the miso sauce. It doesn’t have a lot of flavor so it doesn’t overwhelm the meat that you are eating. Meat portions are extremely small and it is a family-style theme where you share with others so do not plan to order for yourself only. There’s also a bunch of other dishes that compliment your meat—I definitely recommend the Chicken Garlic Noodle and Sukiyaki Beef Bibimbap. I also love their Yakimochi ice cream dessert where you make your own mochi. Yum yum!

Pricing for Gyu Kaku can be pretty expensive and it can get packed there. The best times to go are during happy hour of course from 3-6 everyday or 9:30 to close on weekdays. I always try to go during these hours because it doesn’t hurt to eat good food for a low price! Order the right foods and it will only cost you $20 pp. I do recommend making reservations prior to going; I usually call a few hours before leaving the house. They do offer walk-ins but of course just giving them a ring will save you waiting time.