Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Fieldtrip, the new fast casual bowl concept in Harlem, has a menu full of rice bowls. But instead of just choosing between brown and white rice and then customizing your toppings, these are much more well-curated. Different rices sourced from all over the world (sticky rice, black rice, Carolina Gold, etc.) are paired with ingredients and sauces form all over the world.
I had a nice shrimp bowl with a Thai-inspired green curry sauce and sticky rice. But the stand-out here was listed under the Extras & Sides section. And the flavors and inspiration come from right here in this very country.
Crab rangoon is associated with cheap Chinese takeout but in actuality the dish has nothing to do with Chinese food or culture. It’s one of those dishes that was created for American palates.
So it’s fitting that Chef JJ Johnson has brought them to this global fast casual space and upgraded them to a must-order appetizer.
The thin wonton wrappers are fried to a point where very little grease is present. On the side is a “sweet and sticky” sauce that is reminiscent of something you’d find with spring rolls at a Thai or Vietnamese restaurant. It pairs perfectly with these fried pockets.
Inside, a steaming treasure of cream cheese, subtle bits of crab, and some other tangy cheeses are released. They are rich and lovely cut with another dunk in that yummy sauce.
Sometimes you have to think outside of the box and order the one or two things that seem to not belong. Just because a place specializes in rice doesn’t mean you shouldn’t order the deep fried pockets of crab without a trace of rice in them. Price: $6.75
| FIELDTRIP |
| 109 Malcolm X Boulevard (between West 115th and West 116th Street), West Harlem (917) 639-3919 |
| fieldtripnyc.om |
