spicy & tasty

What to do when the weather turns warm and humid?  When thoughts of productivity and cleaning the apartment get derailed by the tantalizing lure of sand, sun, and ocean?  Only one possible thing can cure this itch, and it doesn't involve sunbathing on the lawn of Tompkins Square Park in the middle of the East Village.


The Fiance, a couple of friends and I decided on a whim to rent a car and go out to Jones Beach.  While this weekend may have been a little too cool for a full-fledged, romp in the ocean type of trip, it was definitely a welcome introduction to what promises to be a hot summer.  


On the way back, since we already had the rented car for the day we took advantage of being outside of Manhattan and took a detour to Flushing, home of Chinatown and a slew of authentic Chinese restaurants.  Spicy and Tasty, despite the slightly unoriginal name, proved to live up to its moniker with an array of impressive dishes.

We sampled crunchy and spicy bamboo shoots, and chicken that was crisp and accentuated with bright red chilies.  These bright flavors were tempered by soft, pillowy rice cakes - glutenous discs of congealed rice adorned with savory cabbage and spring onions.  And finally, for dessert, rice balls filled with sesame paste with peanut dressing.


Let me just say, the perfect ending to a warm, beachy day is hot, spicy food that kicks your sunbathing tastebuds awake.