I see why its called playground, as that maybe that's where you can find the various ants and grasshoppers they serve. I am nauseated just reading the review. and gee, for dessert they have steamed white bread.
3
I'm adventurous when it comes to food, but I have my limits. My little dog was confiscated from an Asian dog meat dealer, and I adopted him to save his life. He's a biter, and he shows his appreciation by regularly biting my hands. Regardless, he's never going to be the main dish on my dinner table.
Ligaya Mishan is the most enjoyable food writers I have ever read. Her descriptions are a pure joy to read.
18
She's sneakily the best food writer for any major publication.
2
In my entire life, I've never heard one normal person eat seafood and say it tastes like the ocean. It's one of weirdest, most insipid and most arrogant comments I hear from food writers. I'd love to force one of them to actually go to the ocean and take a big gulp of it! And now I am hearing about "boiled down ocean"! Wow.
And I'm also being told I should trek out to Woodside to eat bugs. As much as I'd love to watch the writer drink some ocean, I'd even more love to watch her surrounded by a dozen or so ordinary folks forced to trek out to Woodside to eat these bugs on the promise that they'd consider it worthwhile. When I think of all the non-bug restaurants serving food that people might actually like if they traveled to try it, I experience indigestion.
And I'm also being told I should trek out to Woodside to eat bugs. As much as I'd love to watch the writer drink some ocean, I'd even more love to watch her surrounded by a dozen or so ordinary folks forced to trek out to Woodside to eat these bugs on the promise that they'd consider it worthwhile. When I think of all the non-bug restaurants serving food that people might actually like if they traveled to try it, I experience indigestion.
More for the rest of us.
13
"forced to trek out to Woodside"????
Actually, Woodside is virtually the geographic center of NYC - look at a map of the 5 boroughs. And ordinary people live there too, I promise.
Actually, Woodside is virtually the geographic center of NYC - look at a map of the 5 boroughs. And ordinary people live there too, I promise.
7
"In my entire life, I've never heard one normal person eat seafood and say it tastes like the ocean."
I guess you never had a raw clam or oyster on the half shell. Or you have no taste buds.
I guess you never had a raw clam or oyster on the half shell. Or you have no taste buds.
5
I'm so happy that Issan food has becoming increasingly more common. The flavors are refreshing and complex. For now, places like Playground, Kiin, and Somtom Der are the exceptions. Let's hope the trend – and New Yorkers' tastes – evolve to allow this lesser-known cuisine to shine. Thanks for the recommendation, NYT!
12
This is a much better piece of writing by Ms. Mishan and I applaud how it captures this unique restaurant. Not sure I want grasshopper legs tickling my throat, but I'll give it a whirl. Sounds not that dissimilar to some traditional cuisine I've experienced in Oaxaca, Mexico
5
Ant larvae? Grasshoppers? Horse urine eggs? Sulfurous leaves whose odor can kill birds? I think I'll just stay home and drink Tabasco sauce straight out of the bottle.
4
Are grasshoppers/ant larvae gout friendly?
1