NYC Restaurants

Urbanspace Vanderbilt now has a test kitchen where up-and-coming chefs have a chance to test their mettle. Chef Edie Ugot, founder of Meryenda, is putting out her food for all to see and taste. And what we tasted was quite good. Meryenda, Filipino for "snack" or "pick me up," lives up to both. Chef Ugot, who's worked along side April Bloomfield, is turning out traditional dishes like Lumpia, a Filipino-style spring roll, stuffed with pork & shimp or veggies. They're crisp and flavorful and after a dunk in the spicy chili sauce - simply amazing! Other offerings include Pancit, sauteed bean thread noodles served with pork belly & sausage, Bicol Express made with pork shoulder cooked in coconut milk on a bed of jasmine rice, and Tocino Sliders, marinated pork on a King's Hawaiian Roll with mayo, pickled vegetables and pineapple. Wash it down with some Sarsi Filipino Root Beer.

- Thomas Rafael