In desperate need of replenishment after a day of final exam cramming, I decided to venture out of the dorm this evening for a quick meal. Not only was it refreshing to be surrounded by the chaotic New York streets rather than my eggshell-colored walls and scattered stacks of notes, but the heaping bowl of noodles at Soba-Ya was quite comforting as well.

Soba-Ya accommodates its large crowd, with its densely-packed wooden tables and roomy booths partially concealed behind Shoji sliding doors. Ceramic mugs of steaming green tea and nearly bottomless bowls of broth with udon or soba are constantly churned out from the kitchen. The menu features traditional Japanese fare, from sashimi to tuna tataki, but the frigid outdoor temperatures led me directly to the noodle section. Diners can choose from chilled or hot soba and udon dishes, served in broth or separately and mixed with meat, fish, or vegetables. I ordered a bowl of hot udon and broth topped with shrimp tempura.

The meal was piping hot, plentiful, and full of flavor. Rich and brown, the broth had a slight sweetness to it which complimented the floating pieces of battered shrimp. The tempura was light and crispy, which added texture to the thick, chewy noodles swimming in the broth. My only caution is to avoid the impulse to scarf the food down as quickly as possible — the broth and noodles are scorching and thus the experience can be slightly painful. (The roof of my mouth can attest to my lack of will power.) With a stomach full of this Japanese comfort food, I was rejuvenated and ready to hit the books again.

Soba-ya
229 E. 9th St.
New York, NY 10003
212.533.6956

Price Rating: $$

Those with a penchant for the nutritious yogurt topped with fresh fruit served at Pinkberry will most likely be smitten by the light and sweet fare at New York’s recently opened Red Mango. This South Korean-based chain has debuted in the Big Apple on Bleecker St. between Sullivan and MacDougal in quite a strategic location — directly across from its competitor, Pinkberry. Since I have already sampled and enjoyed the simplicity of the desserts at Pinkberry, I decided to try Red Mango tonight to compare the two.

Red Mango’s minimal menu includes a choice of blend-ins, smoothies, or frozen yogurt, which is available in either green tea or original flavors. Clustered on the edge of the white counter are sweet and tangy morsels, such as fresh or dried fruit, sugary cereals, and chocolate chips, from which the customer can choose to top his or her yogurt. I decided to be a bit adventurous and ordered the green tea yogurt with a topping of fresh strawberries. The flavor was interesting in that it combined the slightly sour taste of yogurt with the hint of sweetness found in green tea. Although the fro-yo paired with the juicy berries was refreshing in its subtlety, the green tea flavor was somewhat overpowered by the tanginess of the Dannon-esque yogurt.

Red Mango’s ambience compliments its frosty desserts in its up-to-the-moment yet simple feel. The shop’s furniture and wall-hangings adhere to its color scheme of bright reds and stark whites, which along with the dance-inducing pop music create a trendy atmosphere similar to that of Pinkberry. Due to its hip environment and proximity to NYU, the clientele primarily consisted of curious students like me.

While I enjoy the newly established and healthy fro-yo chains, I find that both Pinkberry and Red Mango are exceedingly identical in their dessert, décor, and overall chicness. Both boast simple menus which feature basically the same options of green tea or original frozen yogurt with nutritious toppings of ripe fruit. There is no defining factor which distinguishes these two trendy locations from one another and neither seem to be asserting its uniqueness in the competition. Frozen yogurt fanatics faced with the difficult decision of where to purchase their sweet and guiltless treat will have to resort to the arbitrary flip of a quarter.

Red Mango
182 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012
212.777.2303

Price Rating: $

Pinkberry
177 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012
212.477.1810

Price Rating: $

I asked my mother for this recipe when my friend was hosting a dinner party and I needed a quick and easy dessert to bring. I have yet to taste a brownie recipe which compares to this one. The process is just as speedy as making a mix, yet the flavor cannot be matched.

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (I like Ghirardelli brand)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup flour
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9″ x 13″ pan. Melt the butter and add the cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and stir until evenly mixed. Add the sugar and mix until there are no lumps. Next, add each egg one by one, stirring after each egg is added to the batter. Add the flour and combine thoroughly. The consistency of the mixture should retain enough thickness that it clings to the sides of the bowl. Next, add the vanilla, salt, and chocolate chips, and mix so that all the ingredients are evenly dispersed. Pour into the greased pan, and bake for 30 minutes. Then, sit back, eat as much batter as you can manage to scrape off the bowl, and be prepared to be blown away by rich chocolatey excellence.