95 – 91: COME FRY WITH ME

Now that I’ve eaten my way through somebody else’s list (Time Out New York), I’m ready to compile my own 100 spectacular things I’ve tasted in 2012. Look for another five dishes every few days.

NUMBER 95: RICE ROLL WITH FRIED DOUGH at NOM WAH TEA PARLOR

Why does fried food taste so good? Well, it probably has something to do with lots of oil, salt, and often a good amount of carbs.

This whopper of a dish is basically carbs upon carbs. At the newly re-thought old time dim sum parlor Nom Wah they take a chunk of dough and wrap it in steamed rice noodles. The Chinese cruller known as youtiao gives the dish a doughy sweetness which is complemented by the chewy texture of the pasta. A drizzle of sweet salty soy sauce brings the carb bomb to life. Price: $3.50

94. TAIWANESE SALT AND PEPPER CHICKEN at TAI PEI HONG KONG

Word on Chowhound is that Savor Fusion, the latest in Flushing’s Chinese food courts has closed. I haven’t ventured out to Queens again to find out first hand, but I will always have a delicious memory of this plate of fried chicken nuggets from one of the stalls.

Moist pieces of dark chicken meat are doused with salt, pepper, basil leaves, and breading before being dunked in a vat of oil. Like potato chips or popcorn, it was impossible to stop popping these crunchy delights. Although it would be sad if this place was closed for good, it might be a selfishly good thing since I developed a serious addiction to these greasy, salty meat sticks. Price: $4

93. CRISPY BABY ARTICHOKES at IL BUCO ALIMENTARI & VINERIA

The smells at this hybrid restaurant and grocery store are distinctly of wood-burning ovens and seasoned meats. But a special vegetarian appetizer that was fried (rather than grilled) quickly pleased my sense of taste.

Who can resist whole baby artichokes that are fried until the leaves are crispy and tender? I sure can’t! These were generously seasoned with salt, herbs, and a wedge of lemon. Earthy, salty, and irresistibly addicting, this starter is the perfect introduction to a meal full of sensory pleasures. Price: $12

92. CALAMARI at PARM

Although they’ve been dishonored by one too many dive bars, fried calamari can and should actually taste like squid. Parm uses fresh (not frozen) Montauk squid and fries the cephalopod without overwhelming it with grease and breading.

The result is tender and juicy pieces that burst when bitten. There is a surprising lightness to the modestly breaded rings and tentacles that are boosted by accompanying fried sweet and hot green peppers. The composition is so perfect you don’t even need the housemade Tabasco mayo or marinara for dipping. Can you say that about your local watering hole?? Price: $14 (When Available)

91. THE WASABI FINGER at STICKY’S FINGER JOINT

This one was a shocker. When I walked in to Sticky’s Finger Joint, I was expecting more of a laugh than a truly delicious dish. Just like other laughable gimmicky restaurants, this NYU haunt specializes in one thing and one thing only. In this case, it’s chicken fingers.