Joe's Shanghai

Soup dumplings? Cold sesame noodles? Beef and broccoli?

Joe's Shanghai has it all (unless you want authentic Chinese, that is). Joe's is the perfect place to go if you do not want to see chicken feet on the menu but want food to knock your socks off. I didn't have high hopes when I went in because our friend told us the General Gau's chicken isn't that good. Oh boy, was I wrong. 

There was a bit of a wait, but most places that are awesome will have one. Between 4 people we spent about $60 and were completely stuffed.

What We Had:

• Cold Sesame Noodles (thing of noodles with peanut butter and salt)
• Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings
• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Beef and Broccoli
• Shanghai Noodles
• Twice Cooked Pork

Things Tony Liked:

• The pork and crab soup dumplings were amazing. 
• I generally do not like beef and broccoli- most places tend to make the beef to soggy. Not Joe's. The beef actually has the texture of beef. How novel. . . 
• The shrimp fried rice was delicious. I generally do not like fried rice- Joe's has completely changed my mind. 

Things Katie Liked: 

• I agree with Tony: the pork and crab soup dumplings were amazing! They were sort of like grown up Gushers. You bit a little hole in the dumpling and sip all the soup out of it, then munch the rest. 
• Joe's had a huge menu. There had to be over a hundred things on it!
• I know it's sort of a standard Chinese restaurant thing, but the service was exceptionally quick! It seemed like as soon as my first cup of tea was cool, I had a steaming plate of delicious food in front of me. 

Joe's Shanghai
136-21 37th Avenue
Flushing, New York 11354 

Artichoke Pizza

Started by two best friends in Staten Island, Artichoke Pizza has expanded into a mini empire with several locations and even a frozen pizza! We headed to the Chelsea location for lunch after a walk through the High Line Park and before a walk through the Chelsea Market.

What We Got: 

• Artichoke Pizza, their specialty, and a meatball roll

What Tony Liked: 

• The pizza was creamy and delicious.It really did taste like spinach and artichoke dip on pizza. I surprisingly tapped out at 2 slices.
• The meatball roll was served with a whole dish of sauce. Take some notes, Olive Garden.
• The place was classy enough to serve PBR.

What Katie Liked: 

• Enormo portions. The meatball roll is the size of a baby. 
• Proximity to the High Line Park. This is a great lunch joint if you have some tourists in town. Check out the park and then head to Artichoke. 
• The artichoke pizza! It's pretty much spinach and artichoke dip on top of a pizza- two of my favorite things, together at last! If there was a Lady Gaga dance party happening while I was eating this pizza, my head would explode. 

Artichoke Pizza
114 10th Avenue
New York, NY 
(212) 792-9200