Let me count the ways

The eatery I frequent most in New York, asides from the faceless, nondescript midtown venues I lunch at most weekdays, is Num Pang.

For background, Num Pang is an offshoot of a Cambodian restaurant on the LES called Kampuchea. I've never been the the mother restaurant but it's offspring certainly makes me wonder whether a trip is worthwhile.

So here is a list of why Num Pang has changed my life.

1. Pulled Pork Sandwich. Having been educated in North Carolina, pulled pork has a dear place in my heart. While I would never benchmark this sandwich against any Carolina sandwich, this is a special sandwich. The pork is tender and is slightly sweet. The sandwich (as all their sandwiches are) is dressed with chili mayo, cilantro, carrots, and cucumber and with a little sriracha, the sandwich is simply the best in the city. It's messy, rich, a little spicy, a little sweet. I could go on...

2. All the other sandwiches. A plethora of other sandwiches round out Num Pang nicely. The Catfish is my second in command: it is lighter, nicely grilled and marinated in soy sauce. It does not hold up as well to the sriracha as the pulled pork, so use with caution. The coconut shrimp is another go-to. The coconut shrimp is not caked and deep fried in batter like so many are these days, so you get the nice flavor of the shrimp and the coconut. The meatball sandwich is also a standout, but I tend to order this less frequently for health reasons. I have it on good authority the vegetarian option is also pretty delicious.

3. The corn on the cob. Covered in chili mayo, topped with coconuts, and grilled, this corn on the cob is a perfect companion to the sandwiches. This kind of preparation is not particularly novel for NY--you can generally find it at any street fair in the summer--but Num Pang's is executed perfectly.

4. I'm lazy. The place is one block from my apartment.

5. Pricing. Ok, so it is not dirt cheap--but for $8.15 you get a delightfully, delicious, and portable sandwich.

6. Special menu. I've yet to partake any special, but someday I will, and I know it will be delicious.

It's gotten so out of hand that I have eaten at Num Pang thrice a week, for several weeks in a row. Certainly check it out next time you are in the village. You can bring it over to my house to eat, so long as your bring a sandwich for me.

My milkshake brings...

I'm not really sure how I stumbled across Stand. My sandwich obsession, Num Pang, sits adjacent to it on E 12 St. and one day while waiting in line for a delicious pulled pork sandwich, I noticed Stand for the first time. I made a mental note to check it out and did not do much since.

Whilst on twitter one day, the incomparable Gail Simmons highlighted Stand's toasted marshmallow milkshake. This immediately got my attention, as marshmallows are one of my favorite confections. One night, desperate for dessert options, and sorely disappointed by Williamsburg's choices, my partners in crime and I hopped back on the L, destined for Stand.

Milkshakes are without a doubt my favorite libation. I have managed to limit my consumption over the years but that does not mean I love them any less. Stand's toasted marshmallow milkshake is one of the most unique milkshakes I have ever encountered. The milkshake itself is thick and creamy, in the best possible way, but still not viscous enough to require a spoon. The shake comes topped with whipped cream and two perfectly browned marshmallows. The marshmallows are toasted as if being filmed for a s'more commercial. The milkshake has a lingering aftertaste of burnt marshmallows, something that draws me back to those rare moments in my youth, when I did in fact, toast marshmallows. I have had this shake twice, and my latest dining companion was appalled by how into the milkshake I was.

That is not to say Stand is only good for milkshakes. The food press on Stand has been mixed, but I am definitely a fan. Given its proximity to my apartment, I do order takeout from Stand on occasion. One of my favorite options, is the salmon burger. Fish based burgers can be extremely inconsistent but they do carry the advantage of being more nutritionally dense than their bovine counterparts. Some tend to be dry and mealy, others are made from too many sea creatures which ultimately confuse my palate. The salmon burger at Stand is moist, flavorful, and comes on a great sesame seed bun. It is topped it tartar sauce, which I recommend on the side, should you be averse to over-saucing (a major problem for many NY restaurants). It is a great midweek option--healthy, flavorful, quick, and inexpensive.

Aside from the salmon burger, the straight up Stand Burger is certainly above average. The meat is mixed with parsely, chopped onions, and worcestershire sauce which gives it a more unique flavor, though it was more subtle than I would prefer. I did not love the special sauce it came with but all and all, it was a delicious burger that hit the spot. The fries, both regular and sweet potato, complement the burgers well. They are crispy, but not overly crunchy and are nicely salted. I would have preferred them to be slightly longer in length and think the sweet potato are the better choice, but this is more a matter of preference.

In summary, Stand is a solid option and worth a trip alone for the milkshakes. The fact it is a block for my apartment makes it a dangerous option for me. Oh yeah, and they are open until 4:00 AM (Only on Friday night's though).