I started this site four years ago and I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without updating it. It’s gotten to the point where I feel guilty whenever I think about how long it’s been since I’ve posted. All I can say is I’ve been working very hard, not to mention playing around with Tumblr–which is great and all, but I have missed my site.

There’s one thing that’s been making life a little hectic, at least this week: I’m moving to Brooklyn, after living in the East Village for seven years. I have never lived anywhere this long and I have loved it here. Although I’m excited to be leaving, there are a few things I’m going to miss, like having so much good food mere inches away, at nearly all hours.

So I’ve been using the last few days in my neighborhood to hit all of my favorite spots one more time before I’m officially outta here. Last night’s dinner included Spicy Cumin Lamb burgers from Xi’an Famous Foods. Xi’an is a tiny noodle shop, but the burgers are what put it on the map. They pack about as much flavor as you can hope for in a $3 sandwich. The bread is stiff yet tender, rather like an arepa, and makes the perfect container for the moist and generously-spiced lamb. I always work up a low-grade sweat eating these but it is totally worth it. Best eaten on a dimly-lit and breezy Manhattan rooftop, or failing that, with cold water and napkins standing by.

It’s not like I’ll be moving far away but sometimes a little distance makes things seem a bit tastier.

Xi’an Famous Foods
81 St. Mark’s Place between First and Second Avenue
Locations in Chinatown and Flushing