Chinatown is full of ancient secrets. The wonders of the East are evident as you walk down the streets and see the exotic foods, smell the mysterious scents, and browse the many unique shops. Herbalists have become prevalent in this neighborhood as many Americans are embracing the notion of alternative medicines and wellness. Frank Lin and his sisters, Susan and Jane, can help you navigate these unknown waters at the Lin Sister Herb Shop.

Lin Sister Herb Shop
4 Bowery, 10013
www.linsister.com

What Herbal Remedies Do You Recommend?

Post a Comment Below and Let Us Know!

Two adventurous Code Trippers embark on a scavenger hunt throughout Manhattan, with Host Christopher as their guide, on this Best of Sports edition of Code Trip.  With their street smarts at the ready and the Codester fueled up, Keith and Jill look for clues throughout 10013, 10014 and 10022, which take them to their final destination and a special sporting surprise in Shelton, CT. Batter up!

Canal Plastics Center
345 Canal Street, 10013
www.canalplasticscenter.com

Enfleurage
321 Bleecker Street, 10014
www.enfleurage.com

Jimbo’s Hamburgers
991 1st Avenue, 10022
www.jimboshamburgerplace.com

The Wiffle Ball, Inc.
275 Bridgeport Avenue, 06484
www.wiffle.com

What’s your favorite sport to play in NYC?

Post a comment below and let us know!

In this premiere Code Trip, CiNYC Host Shirley gets the keys to a brand new Pontiac Codester in New Rochelle, 10801, and then cruises downtown with our Code Tripper Kevin to check out 10007 and 10013, otherwise known as Tribeca!  This fun-filled day is jam packed with exploring, shopping and a few tasty bites for you to fuel up on.  Think you know Tribeca?  Have another look through our rearview mirror.

Balloon Saloon
133 West Broadway, 10013
www.balloonsaloon.com

Boomerang Toys
173 West Broadway, 10013
www.boomerangtoys.com

Bazzini
339 Greenwich Street, 10013
www.bazzininuts.com

Roc Restaurant
190 Duane Street, 10013
www.rocrestaurant.com

What’s your favorite spot in Tribeca?

Post a comment below and let us know!

October 7- 29, 8pm / every Wednesday night / $15

Corio / 337 West Broadway at Grand / 10013

Click Here for More Info!

Little Italy NYC Food: Feast of San Gennaro & Italian Sandwiches

These days Little Italy is a mere shadow of its former self. It takes the Feast of San Gennaro to put one of NYC’s most historic hoods back on the map. Unfortunately, I’ve found that a lot of the food at the Feast is the same stuff you’ll find at a summer street fair in Midtown. That’s why NYC Food Guy is here, to highlight some authenticity with two Italian sandwiches that will remind you the “real” Little Italy lives on. Read on for the inside info plus a delicious street fair standard that’s actually worth eating

Grand Italian Food Center’s “Fireman Special” $7.90
Smoked Turkey, Smoked Mozzarella & Hot Pepper Sauce

There’s only so much you can say about a sandwich with three ingredients. In this case it comes down to one word, and yes, you guessed it: delicious.

* Hot pepper flakes are combined with oil and other spices (below) and then spread on a standard, chewy Italian hero roll.
* A healthy serving of smoked turkey is sliced thin right in front of you and the smoked mozzarella follows.
* The result is a confluence of flavor you’ve likely never experienced; the smokey turkey and creamy mozzarella counteract the fiery hot pepper sauce soaked into the roll.
* Another favorite at Grand Italian Food Center is the “New Yorker” (ham, salami, prosciutto, provolone, peppers and mushrooms) although I recommend you head to the next spot for an Italian hero…

Alleva of Little Italy’s “Italian Combo” $7.50
Genoa Salami, Sopressata, Prosciutto, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, Olive Oil,
and Balsamic Vinegar

The Alleva family has been making ricotta and mozzarella in Little Italy for over 100 years. Stepping into their store, you’re overcome by the smell of imported meats and freshly made cheeses. This is a true taste of Little Italy, just like their Italian combo. Here’s the step-by-step construction…

1) A healthy serving of roasted red peppers are placed on the inside of a mundane hero. The bread, unfortunately, was the weakest aspect of this sandwich. Read on to find out how to circumvent this roadblock. The roasted peppers, however, were delicious; integral to balancing the salt level of the Italian meats, these fresh, flavorful peppers are marinated in olive oil and spices.

2) Silky prosciutto goes down first, followed by the slightly spicy sopresatta and garlicky Genoa salami. The prosciutto, already the most expensive meat on the sandwich, was by far the tastiest.

3) It all gets a light dousing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar before the roll closes around it. Below is the result. Despite the ingredients’ authenticity, it’s not the best Italian Hero I’ve ever had, that title, so far goes to Faicco’s Pork Store on Bleecker Street between 6th & 7th Avenue.

NYC Food Guy Special Recommendation

Alleva has great meats and cheeses but their hero roll was definitely lacking. My recommendation, therefore, is to pick up cheese and sliced meats at Alleva and find your own bread to build a sandwich with. Balthazar, Grandaisy, Blue Ribbon, Vesuvio and Parisi are all bakeries within 5 to 10 minutes walk of Alleva.

MozzArepas – Street Fair Food Worth Eating

As the sign says, mozzarella cheese griddled between two pieces of moist on the inside, crispy on the outside, cornbread. At $4 per MozzArepa, it’s the perfect combo of salty, melty and sweet. I recommend you split one with a friend, however, because the MozzArepas are pretty heavy. It’s just good to get a little taste.

Grand Italian Food Center
186 Grand St., 10013
212-925-2954

Alleva of Little Italy
188 Grand St., 10013
212-226-7990
800-4-ALLEVA
www.allevadairy.com

For more of NYC Food Guy’s delicious reviews click here.

Like this entry? Check out more from our Code Words contributors here.

Where Do You Go For The Best Italian Sandwiches? Post A Comment Below!

Dining at Papatzul is like an adventurous escape south of the border. Head Chef and Mexico City native Thierry Amezcua brings his homeland to 10013 and gives it a modern twist. The Duck Enchiladas in Almond Mole sauce are delectably daring, and the Stuffed Poblano Chiles are a satisfying vegetarian alternative. Margaritas flavored with prickly pear and hibiscus juice are complimented by the extensive tequila list. Take it all in among black and white photographs of the Yucatan Peninsula done by Amezcua’s brother, and you’ll have more than a meal- you’ll have a true Mexican experience.

Papatzul
55 Grand Street, 10013
W Broadway/Thompson Street
www.papatzul.com

Since its inception in 1996, The Flea Theater in 10013 has been raising the standards of Off-Off Broadway productions with their adventurous and ever-growing family of artists. Founded on the doctrine of creating “a joyful hell in small space”, the two modest performance spaces at this theatrical haven see three original productions each year in addition to a constant rotation of actors, dancers and musicians putting on up to four shows a night. OBIE award-winning resident company The Bats audition thousands of hopefuls every year, and along with The Flea were named “Best Off-Off Broadway Theater Company to Act With” by Backstage Magazine in May 2008. You may be seeing the next John Lithgow, Susan Sarandon or Sigourney Weaver in upcoming productions such as “Explicit Vows”, a solo show in which a soon-to-be groom reflects on his past romantic escapades. Also available at The Flea this summer is “Pataphysics”, a series of workshops taught by master playwrights such as Lee Breuer, Jeff Jones, and Karen Finley. Whatever your pleasure The Flea is sure to delight, surprise and inform the toughest of New York audiences.

41 White Street, 10013

www.theflea.org

Have you seen any good shows lately?

Post a comment and tell us about some hip theatrical zips.

Have you checked your chi lately? The Chinese art of Feng Shui can help make sure its moving in the right direction. Many believe that the secret of achieving everything from good health to romance to career success can be determined by your chi, which means “flow of energy.” Feng Shui teaches that one can achieve harmony with their environment through informed arrangement of furniture and the inclusion of objects such as water and stones. In order to achieve future happiness and prosperity, believers in Feng Shui suggest having a consultation by a master before renting an apartment or buying a home or business. Traditionally the title of “Master” is only given to those who have studied the art for more than 10 years. Feng Shui Master John Tsang teams with our host Shirley to help situate a home in a manner that maximizes its positivity. Email John Tsang at fengshui68@aol.com for a consultation.

Do you believe in Feng Shui?

Post a comment below and let us know what you think.

Catch CiNYC host Christopher Kromer in the critically acclaimed production of George Packer’s “Betrayed” at the Culture Project in 10013, directed by Pippin Parker. Set in Iraq in the tumultuous times following Saddam Hussein’s fall, “Betrayed” tells the story of three young Iraqis and their struggle to reconcile love for their homeland with their belief in the American presence. Christopher portrays a well-intentioned American who undergoes a dramatic shift in perspective throughout the course of the play. With “Betrayed,” Culture Project continues to provide relevant theater exploring the themes of injustice and morality.

www.cultureproject.org

Jami Gong is a character that leaves you laughing out loud and intrigued by his wealth of NYC knowledge. Born and raised in Chinatown, Jami has embraced his roots and engages visitors to do the same. With his hand in multiple endeavors, this Chinese-American funny man doesn’t fail to entertain.

Since 1999, Jami has offered historical walking tours of his hometown. His intimate knowledge and quirky trivia of the area make this walking tour stand out.

He also supports Asian comedians with his premiere showcase, Take Out Comedy. Appealing to people from all corners, this showcase is combating negative perceptions of Asian Americans and inducing side-splitting laughter along the way. In 2005, Take Out Comedy produced the first National Asian Comedy tour and has also taken the tour overseas to Asia.

Jami Gong is a comic force that should not be missed.

www.takeoutcomedy.com