Next New Space NK Event NYC 2018.

If you have seen my beauty related posts you will know that I love a good GWP and that I like to attend beauty events whenever I can. I'm fortunate to be living in NYC and there are often events to attend and some of my favourite events here are those hosted by Space NK as not only are they very informative they frequently include generous gifts and/offers.

Last month I attended one of their Next New events, a ticketed event that occurs once a year (I believe last year's, which I missed, was the first). The event was held in NYC's West Village one evening and ticket holders got to meet and chat with founders and representatives from thirty-four brands whose products are stocked at Space NK. Not only were the reps interesting, friendly and informative about their brand's newest releases, each brand had gifts for attendees which ranged from selections of samples to full-sized products. There were also mini makeovers and hairstyling available on site. And I mustn't forget to mention free drinks and nibbles!

It was a bit of a last minute decision by me to attend this year's event but I am so glad that I did as it was a truly amazing evening! A pre-purchased $25.00 ticket was exchanged at the entrance for a $30.00 gift card to use either on the night or at a later date and guests were given a tote bag to fill with their purchases and gifts.

Everybody I met at the event was lovely but I particularly enjoyed talking to fellow Brits from Votary and Windle and Moodie. The Votary girls were beyond generous with their gift as were Artis, Oribe and Rossano Ferretti. I also had a lovely chat With Francesco Clark from Clark's Botanicals who is as inspiring as he is nice.

I could not believe how many gifts I walked away with (and I didn't even stop by the Lipstick Queen, ByTerry or Ilia stands!) over $600.00 worth of product plus three cosmetic bags and the Space NK tote bag! I'm going to use everything from the event.

I'm so happy that I got to experience this wonderful evening and hope that I can visit it again next year. A big thank you goes out to Space NK for organising such a great night and also to all the participating brands.
us.spacenk.com

Sandwiches of New York #14.

What is it? Ch-ch-ch-chia

Where's it from? No.7 Sub, 1118 Broadway (btwn. 28th St and 29th St).

What's in it? Grapefruit Chia Chicken, Black Bean Hummus and Banana Peppers.

How much does it cost? $12.25 + tax

No. 7 Sub is somewhere that I have been wanting to visit for some time. It's a small sandwich shop in the NoMad/Flatiron district and it's right next to the Ace Hotel lobby. You order your sandwich at the counter and wait for the friendly staff to call your name. As well as sandwiches they have some grain bowls, a few salads and side dishes, chips, along with a selection of sodas and non alcoholic drinks. I came at the height of lunchtime and service was fairly brisk. There are a handful of stools but it's a small space that is pretty crowded and it's kind of dark and dingy. A much better option than eating here is to get your sandwich to go and walk down to Madison Square Park if the weather is good, or stroll nonchalantly into the Ace Hotel lobby and eat there. 

I have to say that I was pretty underwhelmed by my sandwich from No.7 Sub. They have a reputation for unusual and flavoursome sandwiches so maybe I ordered badly... This tasted like a pulled chicken sandwich with salsa and it was pretty dull and bland, thank goodness for the banana peppers that livened it up somewhat. I opted for a wholewheat sub and I found the bread to be very disappointing, it was somewhat dry and tasteless and there was a high ratio of bread to filling. The sandwich was a decent size but it was pretty boring and I thought that the price was a little on the high side. 

I wanted to like this place but with so many other great sandwich shops available to me I won't be rushing back here anytime soon.

Sandwiches of New York: #13

What is it? Mortadella Sandwich.

Where is it from? Depanneur, 242 Wythe Avenue, (btwn N3rd and N4th) Williamsburg,                                                    Brooklyn. depanneur.com

How much is it? $10.00 (plus tax)

What's in it? Mortadella, Tallegio, cornichons and Dijon mustard on grilled baguette.

Depanneur is a very nice corner shop/bodega. It sells a whole variety of upmarket condiments, cookies, crackers, cheeses and charcuterie - it's the sort of store that you wouldn't do a weekly shop at but if you wanted the fixings of a super fancy picnic you would be in the right place. It also has a wide selection of 'hipster type' items such as pickles, bitters and granola, much of which is made by local artisanal producers as well as a small selection of homeware and books.

It's a fairly spacious store with rustic decor, a few counter seats in one corner facing out the window and small bistro style tables and chairs outside along the front and side of the store. It's in the middle of Williamsburg but it is off the main drag so during the week the area is not too busy - there were plenty of tables to choose from outside when I went on a recent Tuesday lunchtime. If you don't want to eat there you can walk a couple of blocks to the waterfront which has great views of the city or you could go the whole hog and buy things to take for a picnic in McCarren Park which isn't too far away. 

Inside the shop serve yourself to drinks from the fridges, they have lots of cool (in both senses of the word) sodas, waters and beers, take what you want to the counter where you can order your sandwich and pay. The sandwich menu is on the wall above the till and there's also a tempting array of baked goods such as cookies, breakfast pastries and quiches next to the till.

I waited about five minutes for my sandwich (there were  a few people in front of me) and I passed the time looking around the store until my name was called. I found the service to be fairly efficient and the assistants were friendly but Depanneur does get very mixed reviews about it's service and wait times on social media so maybe I just struck lucky...

And the sandwich? OMG this was a very good sandwich indeed! I already love all the ingredients in it so putting them together in a baguette is pretty much a guaranteed hit as far as I was concerned. All of the ingredients were of exceptional quality and the sandwich was well put together so that I had a little of everything in each bite.  The cheese was tangy, the mustard was sharp and the vinegary cornichons balanced the richness of the mortadella. Finally, the bread was crisp and chewy - hoorah for a proper baguette!  - and it was more warmed than toasted so it wasn't at all dry. 

This was pretty much my idea of a perfect sandwich. It was $10.00 but that seems to be the going rate these days for a quality sandwich, and while I could have eaten more because it was that good, in reality it was a good size.

I can see I will be returning to Depanneur to try more of their sandwiches before too long. Not only is the food excellent I also appreciate that it's in an area of Williamsburg that's a little away from the hustle and bustle of Bedford Avenue but at the same time not too far away from the center of things!  

Sandwiches of New York: #12

What is it? Spinach + Artichoke.

Where is it from? Make Sandwich, 135, 4th Avenue (btwn 12th and 13th streets). makesandwich.com

How much is it? $9.95 (plus tax).

What's in it? Cooked spinach, grilled artichokes and parmesan cream served warm in a toasted baguette.

Make Sandwich is a tiny sandwich shop just south of Union Square. They offer a range of hot and cold sandwiches that are made to order. You may pick from a selection of house sandwiches or pick a variety of ingredients to tailor make your own personal sandwich. Service is friendly and efficient. You order and pay at the counter and the sandwich preparation is fast and streamlined so you don't have to wait long for your order, even at peak times.

In addition to sandwiches there is a limited range of sides: one salad, a slaw, pickles and Zapp's potato chips. If you want something sweet you will can choose cookies or an ice cream sandwich. Refreshment wise there is a water cooler that you can help yourself to, a few 'craft style' sodas and, somewhat surprisingly, a choice of red or white wine or beer. 

The interior space is bright (the front of the store is made of glass) clean and modern with a graphic black and white decor and the efficient open kitchen situated behind the service counter. There are a couple of places to sit outside, a window counter with three or four stools and a standing island in the center of the store if you like to eat standing up (I don't!) It is a nice space but it is tiny and busy so I took my sandwich to Union Square where there are plenty of picnic tables and chairs available.

And the sandwich? I opted for the spinach and artichoke sandwich because I was feeling like eating something kinda healthy... this was very tasty and satisfying but it was a rich and indulgent vegetable sandwich rather than a fresh, zingy, healthy one! The filling was basically a cheesy spinach dip with some jarred artichokes that had been lightly grilled. It was very tasty - even though it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I thought that this worked very well as a hot sandwich but I think it would be a little cloying to eat cold. The portion size of this was good, I like a fairly large lunch and this filled me up. I must say that while the bread worked well it wasn't what I would call a baguette, it was more of a sub style roll but I didn't mind as it held the filling well, and it worked well as a toasted sandwich. 

New York has a lot of sandwich outlets, but Make has some interesting combinations to offer. I can say with certainty that I will be back here for a take away lunch again at some point soon.

Sandwiches of New York: #11.

What is it? Figgy Piggy.

Where's it from? Barnyard Cheese, 168 Avenue B in the East Village. barnyardcheese.com

What's in it? Parma ham, soft goat cheese and fig jam served on a soft, flat Portuguese roll called a flautta.

How much does it cost? $9.50 (inc tax).

I've been meaning to swing by Barnyard Cheese in it's new location and try a Figgy Piggy Sandwich for a month or so and finally on a warm sunny weekday I did!

Barnyard Cheese's new location is a tiny sliver of a shop. There's a small kitchen at the back and a counter where you order and pay for your food. As well as made to order hot and cold sandwiches they sell homemade soups and salads, baked goods such as muffins and bars, bags of chips, homemade lemonades, sodas and coffees. They also have a nice selection of imported cheeses sold by weight along with unusual condiments, crackers etc, a selection of which would make either a great hostess gift or the makings of a delicious casual lunch or supper. The decor is charmingly rustic but seating is extremely limited - there's a small bench out front and an interior window ledge with a couple of stools, but you are less than a block from Tompkins Square Park which has plenty of shady benches. My sandwich was swiftly made and service was friendly.

I love all of Figgy Piggy's ingredients separately but this is the first time that I have had prosciutto and goat cheese together. There was a generous amount of filling in the sandwich, the prosciutto was nice and sweet and the goat cheese had a fresh lemony kick to it, these two items by themselves might have been a little unbalanced but the addition of the fig jam complimented both ingredients and brought them together harmoniously. The flautta roll was soft, slightly chewy and a little oily (I mean that in a good way), it brought to mind a blander, less airy foccacia, but it served as a good vehicle for the filling. The sandwich was well constructed and it was substantial enough to serve as lunch by itself. 

I thought it was very good value for money especially as the cheese and ham were both of such high quality. I'd give the Figgy Piggy two thumbs up (despite it's somewhat silly name) and look forward to trying some more offerings from Barnyard Cheese before too long!

Sandwiches of New York: #10

What is it? Tunisian Sandwich

Where is it from? Breads Bakery, 18 East 16th Street, just off Union Square.

How much does it cost? $11.43 (including tax).

What's in it? Tuna fish, hard boiled egg, boiled potato, tomato, olives and parsley on a 'focaccia' roll with harissa.

Breads Bakery is a busy bakery next to Union Square. The front of the store has a counter that sells loaves of bread, pastries etc and at the rear there is another counter selling drinks along with a wide selection of pre prepared sandwiches, salads and baked items such as quiches. 

The interior space has an industrial vibe and there is cafeteria style seating at tables and benches. It is set up as a self service cafe, you select your food and pay at the counter and then find a seat. I visited at lunchtime and the bakery was very busy so I got my sandwich to go, if you do so there is plenty of outdoor seating with tables to be found in Union Square which is just meters away. 

I love tuna sandwiches of all sorts and was looking forward to this North African take on a 'pain bagnat', a Southern French sandwich, which is basically a salad nicoise served in a round flat bread roll. I had also heard rave reviews about the Tunisian Sandwich so I'm sad to say that I found it didn't quite live up to my expectations. 

I didn't think that the bread used was the best option for this sandwich, it wasn't foccacia exactly, but it was quite stretchy and chewy which meant that it was difficult to eat without the filling spilling out. The tuna in the sandwich was plentiful and of good quality but the other ingredients were somewhat sparse and except for the olives I couldn't pick out their flavours as the harissa spread, although not exceptionally spicy, tended to overwhelm the other ingredients. The sandwich was a little on the pricy side especially as it was pre made rather than being freshly made to order.

I found the service to be a little impersonal so I wouldn't rush back for a sandwich or a sit down experience, but the breads and baked goods did look very good indeed so I would visit again and try those out. 

Breads Bakery is a kosher establishment so they have an impressive range of food suitable for vegetarians which is good to know and if you near Union Square it is worth stopping by to pick up some interesting bread, breakfast pastries or dessert to go.       

Sandwiches of New York #9

What is it? Cuban Sandwich.

Where's it from? Habana To Go, 229 Elizabeth Street, Soho. cafehabana.com

How much does it cost? $9.75 (plus tax)

What's in it? Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickle, chipotle mayonnaise on a toasted Cuban roll.

Habana To Go sits next door to it's 'mother restaurant' Cafe Habana in the heart of busy Soho. Cafe Habana is an atmospheric diner selling mostly Cuban and Mexican inspired food. Cafe Habana is an informal spot that is always busy, it has been a  Soho fixture since 1997. 

Habana To Go has the same menu as Cafe Habana but doesn't have a liquor licence. It is a simple set up with a counter where you order your food and drinks, a long counter with stool seating in front of the window, a couple of tables and some benches outside. It's more of a take out spot than the cafe next door, with it's disposable dish wear, plastic cutlery and glasses, but it's almost always less busy and less cramped.

In the style of a diner there's an impressively large menu served from a small space including a good range of sandwiches, burritos, tacos, burgers, soups, salads and main courses along with side dishes, hot and cold drinks and homemade cookies.

The grilled corn here is famous and I love their iced hibiscus tea but the star of the show and their standout item for me is the Cuban sandwich. The marinated roast pork is delicately flavoured with herbs and citrus and is extremely tender and the other components complement each other perfectly. I particularly like the way the sweet vinegaryness of the pickle balances the richness of the meat and cheeses. 

I hate 'fluff' in the center of breads so I'm always very appreciative of a Cuban roll that flattens out and become all crust when weighted and grilled. My sandwich was nicely grilled so it was crisp and crunchy but not hard or dry. 

This is a hearty sandwich. There's a lot of meat inside and although I ate all of mine (because it was delicious!) you could easily split this between two people and have it with a side dish (or two). 

I'm not a regular customer here but I've been eating Habana's Cubanos a couple of times a year ever since they opened and I always enjoy them - I think that they are a bit of a New York classic. It's well worth stopping by here if ever you are in the neighbourhood looking for a casual bite to eat.   

   

Sandwiches of New York #8.

Once again it's time to share another New York sandwich!

What is it? The Scuttlebutt.

Where's it from? SALTIE, 378 Metropolitan Avenue (at Havermeyer), Williamsburg, Brooklyn. saltieny.com

How much does it cost? $12.00 (inc tax)

What's in it? Feta cheese, hard boiled egg, pickled vegetables, olives, capers, pimenton aioli on foccacia.

I've been meaning to stop by Saltie for some time - finally I did and it was so worth it!

Saltie is a small cafe with a skinny storefront a couple of minutes walk off the main drag in ever popular Williamsburg. Inside it's not fancy and somewhat small but it's an airy space - bright and light. In front of the window and along one wall there's a high counter with some wobbly stools and a counter at the back where you place your order. Sandwiches are made to order and staff call you when they are ready.

There are seven sandwiches that are fixtures on the menu along with a couple of special sandwiches, and a few ever changing soups and salad. There's also a range of cookies and baked goods, tea, French Press coffee and a selection of home made iced drinks along with a help yourself water cooler.

The counter staff were nice and friendly and my order arrived swiftly (I was there at one o'clock on a weekday and it was quiet.)

My sandwich, The Scuttlebutt, was fresh and delicious. The briny, tangy filling was crisp and crunchy and perfectly complimented by the focaccia which was soft yet chewy, The vinegar in the pickles, the oil in the focaccia and the slick of aioli were all perfectly balanced.

There was plenty inside this sandwich, generously sized and satisfying it was easily enough by itself for a breakfast or lunch, and although it was a little messy to eat there were plenty of napkins and hand wipes available so it wasn't a problem.

I thought the Scuttlebutt was amazing, it was a highly enjoyable sandwich.
I will certainly be back and while I would like to try the other sandwiches here this one was so enjoyable that I can see myself reordering it!

Sandwiches of New York #7.

It's been a while since I have been out having sandwiches for lunch due to the Holidays and all the feasting entailed but January signals a return to something like normality and once again it's time to share another New York sandwich!

What is it? Ham and Cheese Hero.

Where's it from? Court Street Grocers, 485 Court Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. courtstreetgrocers.com

How much does it cost? $11.09+tax

What's in it?

Berkshire ham, cheddar cheese, romaine lettuce and 'pickle dijonnaise' on a seeded hero roll.

I have heard a lot about Court Street Grocers and their amazing sandwiches and it is somewhere that I have had on my list for sometime. Recently I found myself near the original store (there are also a couple of newer branches but I wanted to visit this one) and it was around lunchtime so it seemed fitting that I should finally try it out.

The store front is very cute. It looks like an old fashioned grocers and has shelves stacked with imported foods, fancy condiments, pickles and cordials. There's a sandwich counter at the back where they make up your order and you pay at another counter at the front. There's seating inside through an archway and two benches outside, I would recommend you eat here unless you live nearby as there aren't any parks nearby (the shop is practically under the BQE). 

From what I could tell they only make a limited amount of sandwiches daily, there were daily specials, many of which were sold out, as well as more classic combinations on offer. There were hot and cold sandwiches available and also some salads. 

I opted for a very basic sandwich of ham and cheese. The cooked ham was sweet, tasty and good quality, it was a proper baked ham not a deli cold cut, but I wasn't that impressed with the Cheddar cheese which did taste like a type of deli cheddar when I was expecting a strong farmhouse type cheese. The pickle dijonnaise spread, which was a mix of mayo, dijon and dill pickles, added a tangy zip to the sandwich and the Romaine lettuce added a little crunch, crispness and moisture but the star of the show was the hero roll! 

From Caputo's, a local bakery and deli, the roll was light and crispy with enough integrity to hold everything together and it tasted of bread! It wasn't bland or flavourless as a lot of breads can be, it was so flavoursome and simply delicious. 

I enjoyed this sandwich very much, but it didn't wow me and I do think that it was a little on the pricey side. I think that Court Street Grocer's suffers from being over hyped but it is a cute spot and if I'm nearby again I would pop in and  try one of the more interesting combos that they offer.

That bread though... Next time I'm in this part of Brooklyn I will certainly be heading to Caputo's where I will buy plenty of bread and a selection of salumi for a simple (but wonderful) supper! 

Sandwiches of New York #6.

It's time to share another New York sandwich!

What is it? B.L.T.

Where's it from? Eisenbergs Sandwich Shop, 174 5th Avenue btw 22nd &23rd  eisenbergsnyc.com

How much does it cost? $7.00 + tax

What's in it? Bacon, lettuce and tomato, mayonnaise on toasted sourdough bread with a dill pickle on the side.

I love Eisenberg's!

 It is such a classic old school New York sandwich shop/deli, incredibly atmospheric, simply a very  NYC kind of place. With it's long chrome counter, pictures of 'famous' people on the walls, counter men hurling things on a flattop grill and just a lot of general noise and bustle it is everything you expect a New York coffee shop to be. I love to sit at the counter and watch all the action. 

As well as sandwiches Eisenberg's have a selection of breakfast dishes and diner style food but it's the sandwiches that they are known for and what I recommend. There's a whole variety of breads and rolls to choose from and if there isn't anything you fancy on the menu you can simply order your own combination. 

All the sandwiches are good here, Mr C&C likes their Cuban but I inevitably find myself ordering the B.L.T.  There's a generous amount of crispy bacon in here but the thing that makes it a standout for me is the hefty wedge of iceberg lettuce that adds texture and moisture. And it's only $7.00! With a pickle!

If you're looking for a tasty sandwich in a traditional New York setting I highly recommend you stop by Eisenburg's Sandwich Shop.

Sandwiches of New York #4.

Time to share another NYC sandwich!

What is it? Yoghurt Koulouri.

Where is it from? Pi Bakerie, 532 Broome Street, Soho. pibakerie.com

How much does it cost? $6.00 + tax

What's in it? Greek yogurt and cucumbers with arugula and Kalamata olives.

Pi Bakerie is a Greek bakery/cafe on the S.W. edge of Soho. 

They have a small range of Greek produce (oil, honey etc) for sale alongside breads, sandwiches, salads, savoury pies, Greek cakes and desserts, such as baklava, as well as hot and cold drinks.

Koulouri is a traditional Greek street food and is simply a ring of bread generously covered with sesame seeds before baking. Here at Pi they are a little thicker than usual and are crafted into sandwiches. The cucumber and yogurt version that I tried was light and refreshing and perfect for a hot summer's day. (There are also Koulouri sandwiches with mozzarella or smoked salmon available.)  While $6.00 is cheap for food of this quality in this area, I must say that if you have a hearty appetiteyou will find this to be on the small side - it wasn't quite enough for me by itself - although it was very yummy and one of the healthier sandwich options around.

The bakery itself is decorated in an original and modern style. It is clean and bright with instagram-worthy copper topped tables and wall mounted drawers piled high with pastries. 

There are tables inside and a few outside and whenever I have visited seating has been available, (Pi is a little off the main drag) so why not stay and enjoy the surroundings?

Order your food and drinks at the counter, grab a table and enjoy! 

Sandwiches of New York #3

Time to share another NYC sandwich!

What is it? P.H.O. #1

Where is it from? Sunny and Annie's, 94 Avenue B. www.sunnyandannies.com

How much does it cost? $7.49 + tax.

What's in it? Roast beef, bean sprouts, avocado, tomato, onion, basil, cilantro, hoisin sauce, sriracha chili sauce on a hard/kaiser roll.

 Sunny and Annie's looks like a typical NYC bodega/deli but they have a spectacular selection of inventive and inexpensive sandwiches. P.H.O. #1 is the sandwich they are famed for and it is truly delicious!

P.H.O. #1 takes the components of Vietnamese Pho and serves them up in a sandwich form. It comes either hot or cold (I have it hot and I skip the avocado as I have an allergy to it - yep, I have totally missed out on the whole avocado toast thing...) and there's also a P.H.O. #2 that has chicken and bacon in place of the beef. Order your sandwich at the counter and it is made to order, service is fast, those counter men are pros! 

I'm a huge fan of asian sandwiches and this sandwich is a great alternative to a Bahn Mi when I fancy a change. The ingredients in the sandwich all go together to make a sandwich that is flavouful and well balanced. There is a touch of spice but overall it simply tastes very fresh. 

It is a good sized sandwich that is filling yet not overly large.  

Sunny and Annie's is a store not a restaurant so there isn't any seating but it is only a couple of blocks from Tompkin's Square Park (which BTW is my favourite city park) so why not stop by and pick up sandwiches, drinks, and snacks for a simple picnic? They are also open 24/7 so if you are craving a great sandwich at any time of the day or night you know where to head to!  

Sandwiches of New York #2.

Time to share another NYC sandwich!

What is it? Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich.

Where is it from? Olive's, 191 Price Street (at Sullivan Street). olivesnyc.com

How much does it cost? $10.50 ($11.43 with tax).

What's in it? Grilled and marinated chicken breast, watercress, tomato, and chipotle mayonnaise on rosemary foccacia.

Olive's is a Soho institution. They recently moved a couple of blocks along Prince Street to a new location but the food and service is the same and they still have their distinctive red benches outside. It's a little expensive overall but it still is one of the cheaper food options to be found in Soho. It always seems to be busy, esp at lunchtime, but the counter service is swift and efficient. There are a few window seats inside and some benches outside but Olive's is primarily a take out spot, so stop by to get the makings of a picnic or take your sandwich and walk up to Houston Street and Sixth Avenue where there are plenty of benches if Olive's limited seating is full.

As for the sandwich, I love chicken sandwiches and the chicken in this is very good - moist and tender and cut from the breast of a whole bird rather than being a cutlet. The watercress and tomato combo perfectly compliment the chicken and the tomatoes here are always very tasty. The chipotle mayo is only mildly spiced and although the focaccia isn't truly authentic it's savory and soft and a little oily (the oiliness is a good thing in my book). While not huge it's a good sized sandwich and the food here is always freshly made so you wont be eating a sad sandwich that has been languishing in a fridge for hours becoming either soggy or (alternatively) dry.

To make this my ultimate chicken sandwich I would lose the rosemary leaves on the bread and add a little lemon to the mayo but all in all it's a tasty sandwich that is perfect for lunch on a warm summer's day. 

   

Sandwiches of New York #1

NYC is full of places that make amazing sandwiches and I love a good sandwich, they are one of my very favourite foods. I'm going to share a sandwich with you every month, I'll tell you what it is, where I bought it and write a mini review. Bon appetite!

What is it? Bahn Mi #1 Spicy (you can also get it non spicy).

Where is it from? Bahn Mi Saigon, 198 Grand Street (btw Mulberry and Mott).

How much does it cost?$4.50

What's in it? Barbecue pork, a slice of Vietnamese pate (which is actually more like a slice of luncheon meat than pate), cucumber, coriander, pickled daikon and carrots - and fresh jalapenos if you opt for the spicy one.

Bahn Mi Saigon is great! 

The baguette is made from rice flour and is light and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. It is a little drier than a traditional baguette but it holds together well. The sandwich is generously stuffed  and the filling is very well balanced in terms of both taste and texture. It's also tightly packed so it doesn't fall apart when you eat it. Served slightly warmed, #1 spicy is generously sized and offers fantastic value for money - it's only $4.50 for goodness sake!

There's a whole range of different Bahn Mi on offer  here - chicken, meatballs, veggie, sardine to name but a few and a fridge with a good selection of soft drinks and a few other food items: some salads, baked goods and excellent summer rolls. There's also a warming cabinet with some fried foods such as spring rolls but these don't look great...

Originally operating a street cart the owner's then had a counter at the back of a tiny jewelry shop in Chinatown. A few years ago they moved around the corner and now it's the opposite way round -  sandwich shop with a small jewelry counter on one side. (I've yet to see anyone buying jewelry here!) 

Bahn Mi Saigon is now bright and modern with service that is brusque but efficient. It's normally very fast and even during the busiest lunch time you won't have more than a short wait. 

There is a counter with stools that runs along the sides of the shop, or you could take your food and eat it in one of the nearby parks.

It's apt to start this series with Saigon's #1 Spicy as it may well be my favourite sandwich in the whole of New York and it's the one that I eat the most frequently.