HOLE DE MOLE THAT IS HEALTHY MEXICAN

Many of the Queens restaurants are getting ready to show off their cuisines as Taste of Queens is approaching.  This year, the food fest will take place at the Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.  Chemistry of the senses will play a part as once again, the judges will choose whose appetizer, entrée or dessert will be the winners.  De Mole, located in Woodside, is one of the participants.  I was curious about some of the non-Tex-Mex. 

 

Ramiro Mendez is the owner who having been a chef for many years decided to be an entrepreneur featuring some of the healthier side of Mexican cuisine.   No lard and low on salt.  Surprisingly, he would rather give you a sauce to spice up your food than assume you want it “caliente”.

The restaurant appears to be small with about a dozen tables.  Ramiro pointed to the adjoining room which is used either for private parties or simply when the eatery gets crowded. 

“Freshly made” is what probably has the crowds coming in.   I popped in on a weekday at about 3pm and thought I would be the only customer.   At first there was one other table as I watched a mother feed guacamole to her infant son.  That already signaled that it would not be spicy (I don’t care for spicy food).  The guacamole comes with corn chips resting in a small paper bag (absorbs the oil).  I was given a small portion of a tomato sauce with jalapeno pepper.  It wasn’t too bad combining the two but “biting” just dipping into.   My waitress, Guillermina, was totally able to describe everything I ate.

Quite interesting drinks as they are also freshly made.  Lemonade, limeade, water with hibiscus and one with tamarind…all sweet and refreshing.  Wine and beer available but nix on having a margarita or such.

Ceviche de Varecruz, as close as I can get to sushi.  Maki Maki poached in fresh lime juice with chopped onions, tomato, jalapeno, avocado, cucumber, cilantro and olive oil.  Yes, it had a kick but anyone who is used to “hot” food will not even notice. I loved the crunchy "cup" that it was served in. 

Just for the heck of it, I tried a few "Tex-Mex" like a chicken taco.  There are two sauces.  A spicy red sauce and a green sauce.  I went for the green but…otherwise it was quite good. 

I also went for a tamale in a corn husk - Verdes Con Pollo. Okay, I like their Tex-Mex as well. 

Tortas are hard roll sandwiches.  Pierna is braised pork leg.  The sandwich is served with red refried beans, avocado, onion, cheese, mayo, tomato, lettuce and a homemade pickled jalapeno.  Actually it was all in the sandwich.  

 

When it comes to grilled skirt steak, they have perfected it.  It had a slight smoky flavor and required little pressure on the jaw.  The platter comes with rice, beans and 2 corn tortillas, coasted with mole poblano (mole sauce) and queso blanco (white cheese).    Opt for the Enchiladas de Pollo Con Mole Poblano (Chicken enchilada) that is rolled in a corn tortilla or one that has “beef brisket stew”.  

Hole Mole, I had to check out the desserts!  Orange flan: not overly sweet caramel sauce and a excellent creamy consistency.  I did try the Tres Leches cake.  Kind of a sponge cake with condensed and evaporated milk with bananas and real whipped cream atop (the third leche).  Enjoyed the flan, more.  

I’m not sure what Ramiro will present at the Taste of Queens. I’m certain it will be “tasty”.  

TASTE OF QUEENS, I JUST COULDN'T SIT IT!

I just attended an event in Queens called "Taste of Queens" where they set up vendors from different areas of Queens County.  It was so a-maze-ing that I just couldn't sit it. 

The setup of the event was more of a maze.  Vendors around the perimeters of a ballroom located at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Flushing.  Then there were rows of vendors within.  Barely room to walk around. 

The entire event reminded me of a circus with the consumers (who paid $100 per person or $175 for two people), having to juggle their food and drink.  Why?  There were no tables and chairs except for two dressy tables in the front of the stage.  My friend and I got there early so we were able to get two seats. 

Burgers and sliders were big and so were desserts and booze.  Yes, it was an all you can stuff and drink for three hours.  Food came out as "bites"....I guess it had to so that you can wolf down a bite and proceed to the next vendor.  Many of the vendors were actual restaurants.  But then there were catering facilities and vendors who sold their food at street fairs, flea markets....that kind of stuff.  That didn't leave me much follow up for those. 

Last year, it was held at Citifield and so much easier to get to each foodie place.....and there were tables and chairs, too.

The Sheraton didn't participate (or rather, compete) last year but took advantage and showcased a bit of their catering as well as the hotel's restaurant. 

I say, "compete" as there were five judges deciding who wins for appetizer, entree and dessert.  Appetizer winner was Murphy's Bar for their oysters.  Oysters?  They were Bluepoint oysters on the half shell and were gone by the time I got there.  Entree (I think there were less than a dozen places that actually served what would be considered as an entree) was won by Zenon Taverna for their bite of octopus.   Dessert was won by a company that makes gelato but has not particular location.    None of these would have been my pick but perhaps it is a way of getting them back for next year....I noticed the winners from last year were there.

Then there seemed to be a non-food area of sponsors....I think...or whatever... just located outside the door.  No sign that would direct anybody to it.  I guess people did wander out if just to get some space from the crowd.  The tables were occupied by these sponsors and no room for the payees to place their food finds. 

I was quite disappointed with Fairway Market's offerings.  Last year, there was plenty of choices.  Tonight there were luke warm to cold beef sliders and tomato and mozzarella sliders.  Lot's of signage, though.  If I were a first time customer it wouldn't have given me the incentive to shop there.  If anything they should have at least had a display of their own products. 

Some cultural group from Turkey was there offerings Turkish coffee and some type of cookie, which looked more like an Italian cookie.  I asked the woman if there was milk for the coffee.  I just couldn't resist!

Shiro of Japan brought in sushi.  Two guys were running it, one of which had no problem eating it.  No little plates, forks or napkins were provided.  So, why bother providing soy sauce and pickled ginger?   They did have chop sticks.  Great for double dipping as you picked up a piece of sushi or slice from a maki roll with the chop sticks and then went for another with the same. 

Now we get to the point of the announcements and introductions of which politicians showed up.  "It's not over until the Boro President sings".  Melinda Katz sang "God Bless America" to a crowd of people who were too busy talking and eating to pay attention to whoever was up on the stage.  She should have sang, "Mr. Cellophane."  I guess people were wondering why she sang the song.  It's not as if it were sung before everyone ate and she had to mention that her father was the founder of the Queens Symphony Orchestra.  

People did not care who won the taste contest or who got money from the Queens Economic Development Corporation for their either new or small business. Voices didn't even die down when they did drawings for cakes from one vendor.  Having not either bought a raffle ticket nor put my business care in a jar, we left....two hours had gone by and that was certainly enough time.

One interesting person was there....the woman from Belgium who introduced us to the Belgium Waffle at the 1964 World's Fair.  She brought her daughter who she most likely passes down the recipe to. 

I didn't have any liquor.  Not just because I get drunk on Scotch tape...but it would sit on my stomach until the next morning.  Last year there was a company called Local that featured their milk.   They weren't here this year....I miss them.   Hey, I would have been able to put some of it in my Turkish coffee.