The Dumpling Spot (New York, NY)

The Dumpling Spot had a soft opening last week. I had high hopes for this off shoot of one of my favorite dumpling spots, Xi'an Famous Foods. The thoughts of their lamb dumplings were floating through my head, so the hype was definitely in my head.

Walking in I was pretty excited. It's the same interior as Xi'an not surprisingly, and the wall is plastered with large photos of dumplings and pot stickers. Keeping with tradition I went with the Pork and Cabbage dumpling. I know, I know. Eric why didn't you go with the pot stickers they are fried? Well this isn't pot sticker adventurers. Back to the dumplings. The shear amount blows every other spot out of the water. Maybe 150% of a normal chinese spot in the city. 

The dough to filling ratio was spot on. Big enough for that dumpling satisfaction, but small enough to one bite them. Very nice. However, the inside was lacking for me. I know cabbage and pork not the epitome of flavor city, but these just didn't hit me with that left hook like the spicy and sour lamb dumplings at their other restaurant. The sauce, I went with spicy, and that helped a little, but the overall dumpling is/ was still stuck in the shadow of a much better dumpling. 

3.4 out of 5

Eric 

It'll be interesting to see how the Dumpling Spot works out, and don't worry I'll of course try the rest of the 'lings and pot stickers. Couldn't jump out of the gate with all of em everyone should know my style by now.

Nom Wah Nolita (New York, NY)

 If dumplings are the best things in the world, than that would make the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, the absolute WORST things in the world. The only thing that could have even tried to make the Super Bowl watchable is a dumpling. And that's where the above 'lings enter in to the picture. 

When the best dumpling plug and all around mogul, Izzy, told me she was bringing Nom Wah dumplings over to watch the big game, I was speechless. Luckily, she told me over the phone too, so I avoided all possibility of fainting in front of her. Not only was she bringing dumplings, and herself on over to watch the game, or at least the half time show in her case, but these dumplings were a special edition 'ling. These 'lings were chopped cheese flavor 'lings. For all of you out there unfamilar with what a chopped cheese sandwich is, it is basically a cheese burger chopped up with lettuce, and tomato thrown on top.

These lings were stuffed with ground beef and cheese, and expertly garnished with lettuce tomato, and what I assume is thousand island dressing, by none other than the GOAT herself, Iz. The crisp held up even though they were crammed in a serving tray and covered, while being transported across state lines. The insides were packed full of cheesy, hamburgerish flavors. FYI, I've never had a chopped cheese sandwich so I couldn't tell you how close they got to nailing the flavor, but these 'lings were primo. Throw in some crisp lettuce and a little tomato action on top with some sauce, and I don't think I could even eat a real chopped cheese sandwich anymore. Once you have something in dumpling form, you can throw out the original.

These dumplings were the ultimate big game snack. Huge crowd pleaser.

4.89 out of 5

Eric

Anotha shoutout to the plug Izzy, who not only supplied the dumplings, but also introduced me to Nom Wah. XO.