HOW THE CITY CHEATS TO MAKE MONEY

That winter storm that hit us was certainly most rough for residence of Queens County.  We got to see how many of the streets were not met with the Sanitation Department’s snow plows.  DeBlasio needs to find a way to make back the money used not just for the plows but all those extra temporary workers hired to shovel the snow. 

Although the storm didn’t fully hit until Saturday the 23^rd, we were advised by Sanitation that all garbage would not be collected but added that if you already put it out it was okay to leave it.  My street was cleared and by Sunday afternoon, the neighbors had taken care of the entire sidewalk on this block.

Across the street, where the Fire Telegraph Station is located in Forest Park, there was no problem in that sidewalk being cleared.  Somehow they are allowed to get a vehicle and attached snow plow, without a Parks Department insignia, to drive along the sidewalk from the driveway to the corner of Woodhaven Blvd.  If my neighbors drove a vehicle on the city owned-homeowner maintained sidewalk, they could have been fined.  Fine for the city…fined for the homeowner.

Sanitation workers were raking in the overtime here as the plows were at it even after the street revealed the black top and hearing nothing more than the constant sounds of scraping which just may result in our taxes going to repave the asphalt. 

Back to the garbage.  The next scheduled pickup was for Wednesday the 27^th.  Snow was melting but still a no show for garbage collection.  The recycled portion still stood atop the snow bank that included a bag with recycled plastics, etc. and cardboard boxes stored perfectly as smaller boxes in a larger box as I have done so often, without a problem, and always taken away.

With the garbage collection set for Saturday, the 30^th, all I needed to add was the regular garbage tied up in plastic bags.  No confrontation, I receive a citation attached to my door regarding the boxes not being cut and tied as well as not collected.  I peer out my window to see the boxes strewn all over and take a photo as an appearance to protest is in March.  Like all of us, I do not take photos of my garbage before it’s collected.  What’s stopping the Sanitation guy from moving things around?  And for heaven’s sake, the garbage has been piling up all over the place for days and at least done neatly!!! 

He also wrote that he observed “10 boxes filled with Styrofoam”…..really?  “I, an employee of the below agency, personally observed the commission of the civil violation charged below. False statements made herein are punishable as a class A Misdemeanor pursuant to section 210.45 of the Penal Law.  Affirmed under penalty of perjury”.  Will they be willing to penalize him? 

It is now Sunday, the 31^st as I observe the regular garbage being picked up at 1:27 p.m.  Now the Sanitation worker gets overtime?  This is all a win-win situation when it snows.  We don’t have to worry about the absence of color in this case.  We may see white, but DeBalsio sees green!!!

DUCK INTO CORNER 28 FOR ROAST AND DIM SUM

Slabs of pork, as well as chickens and ducks with their heads still on, hang inside a window looking all so juicy and appetizing.   A piece of Peking Duck with scallion and hoisin sauce gets placed in a folded bun for $1.  Purchase portions of some of the best roast pig, roast pork, roast duck or soy sauce chicken.  Skins have a little crunch and the meats are a “melt in the mouth” experience.  This is all about Chinese cuisine. 

 

Step further into Corner 28, located at 131-46 40^th Rd, and you’ll see the long steam table of various Chinese choices.  Choose 4 items with rice and either soy milk or bottled water for a mere price of $5.50.  Don’t worry about the food being out too long as there is a constant turnover due to the amount of knowledgeable and hungry Asians in downtown Flushing that keep the lines going.  Now, the secret is out!!!

This eatery is not quite on the corner as it sits between Main and Prince Street. There is a separate area just for drinks.  If you don’t want the food and drinks to go, head on upstairs with your meal to the table and chairs.  Eat, drink and watch one of three tvs.  

A second option is simply ordering larger portions of those as well as other dishes. The counter and cashier is on the right side just before the steam table.  You will get a numbered receipt. Go upstairs. When the food is ready a staff member will bring it up to you.

 
You will find that few of the staff speaks English. This should not detract from enjoying the food. Dim sum is basically prepared for the morning to very early afternoon.  It’s not a dim sum restaurant where the waitstaff walk around with carts.   You can get items such as: pork shu mai, shrimp dumplings and my favorite…..braised chicken feet. 

I took my niece Dawn with me.  She had never been to a “Chinatown” and this part of Flushing is beyond that due to the numerous Asian cuisines.  This was also the first time that she had the chance to eat authentic Chinese food.  

Start off with a drink.  Get something different. Dawn took a chance on a Jasmine Green Tea with Nata Jelly while I went for the Passion Fruit Tea. Both of us were satisfied. We used the big round straw so that the ingredients were sucked up into our mouth along with the liquid.  Most of the drinks are cold….coffee, teas and of course, bubble tea. 

Soup anyone?  Two great dumping soups were sampled.  One had shrimp and pork and the other had vegetables.  I love cilantro; Dawn does not.  She skipped the veggie one.  I tasted both and equally satisfying to my taste buds. We actually ate the dumplings and saved the soup “to go”.  You never know what you have at home to use the broth.  By the way, these soups are served in a large bowl.

Let’s get into the dishes which looked like they were all meant to be shared.  Steak Cantonese Style.  The steak is pounded before cooking.  It is made with onions in a sweet bbq sauce and topped with slices of fresh tomatoes.  I don’t mind the onions. Dawn seemed to indulge in just the meat.  Many of the items, such as this have cilantro vs parsley to give that extra presentation. 

Honeyed Walnut Shrimp.  Large shrimp coated lightly and fried rest on broccoli florets, topped with the sesame seed and honey coated walnuts in a sweet and savory sauce. This was Dawn’s favorite.  Beef Chow Fun is fun to scoop the tender beef with thick long rice noodles and some veggies.  I always enjoy chow fun. 

Three seafood dishes were then sampled.  Dried Scallop with Egg White Fried Rice.  I think there was baby shrimp in this.  Vermicelli Noodles with squid, and other savvy seafood.  Pan Fried noodles with scallop, shrimp and vegetables.  These are on the drier side rather than “saucy”.  

Even before this last sampling, we were full.  Take it back to my house, park ourselves into a corner and indulge the next day.  We were definitely NOT hungry an hour later. 

Xin Nian Kuai Le (Sheen Nyan Kwai Luh) is Chinese for “Happy New Year” as we approach the Year of the Monkey.  Lunar New Year, the most important East and South East Asian holiday, is the longest Asian holiday, celebrated for 15 days beginning this year on February 8^th.  This holiday extends to Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Malaysians, Japanese, and Mongolians.

February 8th is the actual holiday when “Gong Hei Fat Choi”, basically wishing one “good luck”, is exchanged as well as the commemorated Firecracker Ceremony. The color of red represents “luck” with envelopes of cash and lanterns.  Join in celebrating with the Lunar New Year Parade, which will be held on Saturday, February 13^th starting at 11 a.m.

FRESH DIRECT IS ON A FOOD KICK

We all know about Fresh Direct’s food delivery.  You basically go online, shop and set up a delivery date with a time slot. It’s great, but you may not be able to get that time slot or you are looking to make a decision for the day.  Here comes their new idea called Food Kick, a Fresh Direct “sister” that is mainly an “app” thing. 

Go to the app and see what’s special for the day, much of which has prepped products so that you have the accompaniments as well and not having to cook anything from scratch.  Each day gives a different feature.  For instance you have Margarita Monday where you get the liqueur, mixer and recipe.  Add in a taco dinner kit which includes: yellow corn tortillas, rosemary grilled chicken breast, homemade salsa verde, avocados, lime and cilantro. 

There is a $20 minimum. Delivery by their SideKicks are from 6 am to 12 midnight, Monday through Sunday.  At present the delivery zones are in Brooklyn and Long Island City.  Hey, if you’re not in the area being serviced you can go visit a friend in the area that is and set up dinner!

To give you a better idea, I did a “shopping” for the day beginning with breakfast.  Stumptown Cold Brew coffee (goes great with Ronnybrook Farms half and half).  Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon. Handsome Brook Farms Organic Eggs.  Having ordered avocados as part of my dinner meal, I used half a Haas for breakfast.

Lunchtime! Dry Sea Scallops. Garlic.  Brussel sprouts. Salad of: the other half a Haas, Gotham Greens local Butter head lettuce, cilantro (meant for dinner), Greenhouse cucumber.  Used some mayo to combine with the avocado as a dressing.

Dinner with a few friends as I went for the makings of tacos and guacamole.   Smart Chicken Organic Boneless Chicken Breast processed using purified cold air instead of water…hmmm.  Hot Bread Corn Tortillas.  For the guac: another Haas avocado, white onion, tomatoes, limes, cilantro (again), Salsa Verde which had tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalepeno peppers.   Might as well have white wine.  Three Thieves Bandit Pinot Grigio  1 liter comes in a heavy carton.  Perfect.   Check it out on www.FoodKick.com