Restaurant experiment: Saw’s BBQ

Saw’s BBQ

1008 Oxmoor Road between Broadway Street and Evergreen Avenue

Homewood, AL 35209

205-879-1937

http://www.sawsbbq.com

The Brother’s friend had stated to him that Saw’s is the best BBQ in Birmingham, and Birmingham being a bastion of BBQ, that’s not a bitty statement to make.  Making sure that it was well before 7pm (this closing time still bothers me), Dave and I made it to Homewood with more than an hour until Saw locks its doors.  Whew.  There isn’t really a parking lot for the restaurant, so if you can’t find street parking, there’s a small lot at the corner of St. Charles Street and Oxmoor that seemed to be legit.

Yes, another order-at-the-counter establishment.  There was a small line at the register which allowed Dave and I to carefully ponder our dinner decision.  We ordered a family special which they had for about $26.  It included pork, buns, pickles, sauce, and two sides of your choice.  We ended up going for the baked beans and the mac and cheese.

The pulled pork was amazing!  Hands down, the best of any pulled pork I’ve eaten in this state.  I love it when the meat isn’t so finely shredded.  So soft and flavor-packed.  Superb!  You have your pick of a couple of sauces.  The one in the styrofoam, I poured over my pork.  There was a bottle of Saw’s own sauce on the table which I found wasn’t my bag since it had too much of a spicy kick for me, but Dave was a fan.  Saw’s also has a white sauce but I didn’t try it this visit.

The beans were droolworthy, though the mac and cheese really didn’t do it for me.  Dave found me crazy for thinking the latter.  Your mileage may vary.

No fried okra, and there is a lot of University of Alabama memorabilia as decorations.  Patrons are encouraged to doodle on the walls though I refrained from writing anything.

Ribs apparently were a big draw, as they were sold out of them by the time we got there, and some folks turned heel and left after they heard this sad news.  Note to self: must try ribs and white sauce next time[s].

Restaurant experiment: Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Que

Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Que

3278 Cahaba Heights Road at West Green Valley Road

Birmingham, AL 35243

205-967-6004

http://missmyrasbbq.com

The original plan was for Brother and I to eat at Saw’s BBQ, but since it closed at the absurd time of 7PM (really?!?!?), Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Que came to the rescue.  I had found out about it via Yelp’s glowing reviews though I was a smidge skeptical, after the not-so-awesome Bettola.

Miss Myra’s closed at 8PM, so they were cleaning up when we showed up.  This is one of those order at the counter places, but this time you go get your order when it’s called.  Brother ordered a pulled pork sandwich while I went for the chicken sandwich.  We both got a side each of the baked beans.  The side selection was a tad skimpy, with some others being deviled eggs, chips, potato salad, and green beans.  Sad, no fried okra.  That’s how I judge a BBQ place.

Our orders were presented as soon as the monetary transaction was completed.  I am not sure about the exact cost since my order had some payment issues, but it was not significant.  Brother and I sat down.  I admired the fish tank containing two large catfish or suckerfish and a multitude of guppies.  We both were not crazy about the Crimson Tide memorabilia, but what can you do.  The Christmas tree with pig ornaments was cute.

Now, I had noticed some Yelp reviews which made it a point to discuss the white sauce.  After I squirted some on my chicken pieces, I thought, “What’s the big deal?” but then I found myself squeezing the bottle more and more.  And then more and more.  And more.  It was nearly gone.  Well no, I exaggerate.  But an employee noticed our enjoyment of said sauce and commented on it.  He revealed that the sauce was vinegar, mayo, and black pepper.  And maybe something else, but that was basically it.  Hmm, good to know.  The sauce also complemented the beans quite nicely.  What a versatile condiment.  Brother was happy about his pulled pork.  I thought maybe that I should have gotten the pulled pork, but the chicken was fine.  The beans were really excellent with the white sauce.

Thank you, Miss Myra, for being there when Saw’s wasn’t.  I still want to try you, Saw’s.  But be warned that you’ve already gotten a strike against you.  Miss Myra’s close proximity to The Summit cannot be ignored.  Good place to pop in for an authentic BBQ experience.

Restaurant experiment: Blue Smoke

Blue Smoke

116 East 27th Street, between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10016

212-447-7733

http://www.bluesmoke.com/blue/index.html

As noted BBQ establishment Blue Smoke is [was] near my [former] office and a well-known Danny Meyer restaurant, Liz found it an appropriate venue for my last supper, celebrating the conclusion of my job.  Hooray!  The weather was even getting in on the celebration, so mild we could sit outside and dine with Liz’s canine pal, the sweet Chance.  Look at this adorable guy!

Luckily Blue Smoke was very dog friendly.  I felt like a true New Yorker, eating outside at a popular eatery, dog in tow.

The feast began with the sharing of six oysters ($2.50/each).  Irregular in size but cold and oyster-riffic.

Continuing on in the under-the-sea appetizer theme, fried calamari.  Or to be more specific, “Crispy Chili Crusted Calamari with Charred Red Pepper Mayo 12.95.”  I’m usually not a big calamari person, so I surprised myself by gobbling down several fried squid pieces.  The chili crust was mild, but the sauce offered on the side was too spicy for me.  Liz even pointed out the fried lemon slice on the plate which I cheerfully gobbled up.

Sadly I don’t have a shot of the fantastic cocktail I was drinking.  Initially, a waiter brought us two blood orange margaritas which were intended for the two businessmen at the adjacent table.  Being that I do adore margaritas and blood oranges too, I knew I must try this beverage.  And it was a smart thing I did too, as it was a delight.  At $13 each, they better be worth sipping!

Liz and I decided to both chow down on ribs.  She went with a 1/2 rack of the Memphis baby back ribs, and I picked out the 1/2 rack of the Kansas City spareribs..  Both racks were $14.95, and they didn’t come with any sides so my dining companion and I ordered a side of macaroni and cheese.  “Kansas City Spareribs Big, juicy, spicy and sweet, slathered with our KC Sauce.”  Yum!

Even though I could have walked away happy, Liz and I proceeded onward with dessert.  I didn’t want anything too heavy, so I elected for the rhubarb crisp ($7.95) with orange buttermilk ice cream.  While the ice cream was almost too strongly like eating orange peels, the rhubarb and crisp parts rocked the house though the crisp could have used a little more sugar.  Liz’s Aztec chocolate parfait was topped off with a dollop of marshmallow and filled with peanuts and jalapeno tastes.  We agreed that my dessert emerged the winner.

Epic dinner.  Could barely walk down 27th Street, I was so stuffed.  Solid fare, welcoming service, great conversation.

Restaurant experiment: Madangsui

Madangsui

35 West 35th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

New York, NY

212-564-9333

madangsui.com

It was freezing, and we had to wait outside. All K-town restaurants seem to be way crowded on weekend nights; the small waiting area already had throngs of folks waiting for tables. This better be killer food! I guess it didn’t help that we were a large party of ten. Annie, the Constitution State hostess, had picked out this place and assembled a motley crew of dinner eaters. Korean food, new friends, can’t go wrong there!

Eventually we were seated. I stayed out of the ordering process so I probably won’t be able to name what we/I ate. I’ll look at the menu and try to make do. I am kinda hopeless when it comes to remembering Korean food names. Once the massive order was placed, the side dishes/appetizers began to make an appearance. One of my favorites, the baked? egg dish, showed up, yes! Love that stuff. Then the raw meat came to the party and got things cooking. The best in show meats for me were the hyeomit-gui (thin sliced all natural beef tongue) and the wine sam-gyeop-sal (1/4 inch sliced fresh pork belly marinated and aged in merlot). The chicken was just okay; it’s all about beef for yours truly. Annie ordered some bibimbap for all of us. Madangsui’s uses red [purple] rice for a slightly different take; I mistakenly told Jenny it was red bean rice.  Whoops, sorry Jenny.

Nick and I observed this woman sitting by herself at the four top adjacent to our end of the table. We overheard the lady tell a waitperson that she was waiting for her date. She waited so long that the staff moved her over to a smaller table, and our group was well into our dinner by the time her date finally showed up. The patience of a saint; Nick and I would have been outta there.

We inquired about dessert and were flabbergasted to learn that there was no dessert menu. Huh? The waitress told us that oranges were dessert. The complimentary citrus slices accompanied the bill which wasn’t too heart-attack-worthy for a party of our size. My wallet was pleased.  Huzzah.

Restaurant experiment: Mara’s Homemade

Mara’s Homemade

342 East 6th Street between First & Second Avenues

New York, NY 10003

212-598-1110

marashomemade.com

It was Wayne’s birthday, so a gang of us invade Mara’s Homemade the other night to help celebrate.  The first thing that you noticed was a smell, not of welcoming vittles but of something less savory.  I liken it to a couple of steps above mildew, a damp odor.  The woman who I assumed was Mara put down some candles which helped dissipate the smell to the relief of all.

Mara’s offers up Cajun plates and Arkansas BBQ with heaping helpings of southern hospitality.  Following my rule to avoid BBQ, I went with Cajun dishes: okra gumbo with crab and shrimp, and a side of fried okra.  Yes, I like okra.  The fried okra was fine, with a thick coating that was crunchy and maybe even garlicky.  The gumbo was not really my thing, and I will admit that I am not a Cajun cuisine connoisseur, but it was too peppery for me and that’s because I am a spice wimp.  I tried a crab leg of an appetizer some folks ordered, and it was buttery garlic goodness.  The large menu offers something for everyone, even alligator.

However, I know my sweet tea, damn straight, and this made me feel like ordering it was a regretful experience.  There is such a thing as too sweet.  It’s like the kitchen poured a pound of pure cane syrup into the small ball jar mug.  Ew.  If you can find sweet tea in NYC, it’s usually not up to snuff. 

Mara’s Homemade has the atmosphere down pat, with southern sports playing on the flatscreen, napkins in yellow and green, blinking Christmas lights, a light purple wall: all Mardi Gras colors all the time.  The birthday boy even got some beads to wear but didn’t have to flash anyone to get them.

Restaurant experiment: Lookout Hill Smokehouse

Lookout Hill Smokehouse

230 Fifth Avenue at President Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-399-2161

lookouthillsmokehouse.com

My rule of BBQ in NYC is to not eat BBQ because it’s way better and tastier and cheaper back where I come from.  I usually end up disappointed.  With that in mind, my roommate and I headed to Lookout Hill Smokehouse for their burgers.  We both ordered the Angus burgers with fried onions, the latter which reminded me of green bean casserole because they were small fried onion bits.  You have to order your sides separately, so I ended up with $4 of fries, luckily a generous portion.  Good fries.  I got blue cheese on my burger, and damn, the cheese sure was blue.  It’s not a huge meat patty but satisfactory.  My roommate requested mayonnaise, and it came with rosemary.  He ordered the macaroni and cheese which came with rosemary.  That’s rosemary overkill.  Who puts rosemary in mac and cheese?  The cheese is supposed to be center stage, not an herb.  At least I didn’t order that.  No fried okra as a side.  Boo.

The meat is sold by weight, just like Fette Sau up in Williamsburg, and the bourbon selection looked respectable, if you’re into that.  The decor is John Deere meets sleek modern cabin.  Outdoor seating would have been lovely if it hadn’t been 1000000 degrees outside yet again.