Chef Sisha Ortuzar - Recommendations - Find. Eat. Drink.
Chef Sishi Ortuzar, Ortúzar , ‘wichcraft, Riverpark, New York, Kips Bay, NY, New York City, Sandwiches, American, Recommendations, How to make sandwiches, Sandwich recommendations, New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Lisbon, Portugal, Santiago, Chile, Cookbooks, Mustard Oil, Condiments, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Where to eat
LEÑA LATIN GRILL
It might not be the most authentic place because the flavors have been adapted to the local palate, but I really like this place. They cook all of their meats on a wood-fired grill and the food is always well prepared. It has that “lightness” and full-on flavor that really good Latin food has.
Midtown West
Latin American
Restaurants - New York, NY
PORCHETTA
For the porchetta sandwich, it’s just really good and straightforward. The best that pork has to offer.
East Village
Sandwiches
Chef Sisha Ortúzar - Recommendations
WHO
Sisha Ortúzar is the executive chef of Riverpark in New York City. He is also a partner, along with chef Tom Colicchio, in 'wichcraft.
WHY
Chef and cookbook author Ortúzar moved from Santiago, Chile to New York and worked alongside Colicchio for five years at Gramercy Tavern and Craft, before opening up ‘wichcraft in 2003 and Riverpark in 2010.
COOKBOOKS
- 'wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich into a Meal--And a Meal into a Sandwich [buy it]
RECOMMENDATIONS
Sisha Ortúzar’s recommendations for where to eat and shop in New York, Brooklyn, Lisbon, Santiago, and Japan.
June 16, 2011
Riverpark - Kips Bay - New York, NY | ‘wichcraft - New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas
The meatball sandwich and the veal and peppers sandwich. The bread is as good as the fillings and there is just enough so that it doesn’t overshadow the meats.
Multiple Locations
Wine Bar
Restaurants - Queens, NY
Yi Pin Chinese Cuisine
40-04 Union Street, Flushing, Queens 11355 (view map)
T: 718.939.3489
It’a just a counter and some Formica tables. This old lady there makes the most amazing cold sesame noodles I’ve ever had. She grinds the sesame seeds for each order in a stone mortar and pestle and adds some crazy spices to it; the result is just incredible. I wish I could make a dish as interesting and delicious as that.
Flushing
Chinese
Restaurants - Brooklyn, NY
Because they keep it simple, only making a “sour” and “bitter” cocktail, which they change daily. I like that—the less options there are the happier I am, as long as I know that the place makes good stuff.
Clinton Hill
Italian
HOTEL DELMANO
82 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (view map)
T: 718.387.1945
For any of their tequila-based drinks is usually all right with me.
Williamsburg
Cocktails / Lounge
Drink - Brooklyn, NY
WEATHER UP
589 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (view map)
They have great gin drinks.
Prospect Heights
Cocktails
VINEGAR HILL HOUSE
In the Vinegar Hill/DUMBO area for its nice warm atmosphere. I like sitting at the bar for one of their cocktails (they usually only have three on the list) and then a very satisfying meal to follow.
Vinegar Hill
American
CERVEJARIA RAMIRO
It has the freshest and most amazing shellfish. The perfect meal there would be to start with a plate of Pata Negra ham and a super cold beer served in tiny glasses, then move on to a feast of different prawns (some are boiled, some are grilled over sea salt), crab, barnacles, clams, and anything else they suggest. All the preparations are simple and delicious. There are no sides or salads, and they keep those freezing cold beers coming. After you’ve had enough of this, you end the meal by ordering a “prego” (it’s not on the menu but everyone seems to know about it). It’s basically a little steak sandwich seasoned with olive oil and garlic and some mustard on the side. I don’t know why this is, but it seems like everyone there has one of these steak sandwiches to top off a seafood dinner. That is a meal I crave all the time.
Lisbon
Seafood
Restaurants - Lisbon, Portugal
Restaurants - Santiago, Chile
FUENTE ALEMANA
Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago, Chile
T: +56/(0)2.233.4705
There you should get the ‘lomito palta tomate mayo’ -- a huge pork sandwich with avocado, chopped tomatoes, and house-made mayonnaise. Good times.
Providencia
Sandwiches
EL HOYO
At any of these you can order the empanadas or braised meats, and if you are there in the summertime, order the humitas (like a fresh corn tamale) or the pastel de choclo (like a shepherd’s pie, but with fresh corn instead of potatoes). For dessert get a mote con huesillo, a drink/dessert made with dried peaches and barley. It is surprisingly refreshing.
Estación Central
Chilean
HOSTERIA DOÑA TINA
For an authentic Chilean food experience go to Doña Tina, in the El Arrayán section of Santiago.
El Arrayán
Chilean
LA PIOJERA
At any of these you can order the empanadas or braised meats, and if you are there in the summertime, order the humitas (like a fresh corn tamale) or the pastel de choclo (like a shepherd’s pie but with fresh corn instead of potatoes). For dessert get a mote con huesillo, a drink/dessert made with dried peaches and barley. It is surprisingly refreshing.
Estación Central
Chilean / Bar
Markets - Japan
TSUKIJI MARKET
The Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. It’s just so clean and full of great smells and visual excitement. And having super fresh sushi for breakfast is the perfect way to top off your visit there.
Chuo Ward
Fish Market
Products
FRENCH’S MUSTARD
Sometimes you just need that yellow French’s.
Mustard
HELLMANN’S MAYONNAISE
It’s a classic.
Mayonnaise
MUSTARD OIL
Purchase at: Amazon.com
You can easily find it in Indian markets. It has the slightly spicy qualities of mustard without the acidity, which sometimes comes in handy.
Mustard
Resources - Cookbooks
SILVER SPOON ITALIAN COOKBOOK
It’s a good source for interesting combinations of ingredients and the recipes are super straightforward. They go something like this: ‘take a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and cook it properly. Serve it with such and such.’ And that’s it, no times or unnecessary instructions. It’s a cookbook for people who know how to cook and understand the language of cooks: ‘How long does it need to cook? Until it’s ready, that’s how long.’
Purchase at: Amazon.com
Phaidon Press
