Braggin Rights

Trying to pick from the menu - I asked the waiter - How are the baby backs? - Without hesitation - his response - Braggin rights !!! - he was dead on with his bias review !!!

Wife and I had made our bi annual journey to David's party on the edge of the Yale Bowl for "The Game" party - after three overtimes - Yale lost -

Drinks with Robin and Charlie - we attempted to capture a table at   Roomba - one of our destination restaurants -  in hip hop happening New Haven - it was a no go - second attempt at Ibiza on High Street - we fared no better - resigned - headed back to NYC -

Where to go ? - voted against the neighborhood regulars - discussed chic spots downtown - remembered a recommended  BBQ joint on 125th Street - two doors down from Wimps -

Pulled up in front of MoBay at about 10:30 - a parking space was waiting right in front - the stars were beginning to align -

Simple decor - about 45 seats - fish - chicken - ribs - sol food with a definite Caribbean influence - a round of JD to start the meal - wonderful crab cakes - deep fried to perfection - everything tastes better deep fried - Maki went for the Salmon Rundown - Cooked down in rich coconut sauce with tomatoes, onions, thyme and hot peppers - I opted for - The Baby Back Ribs - Falling off the bone tender, the baby is back - 

Salmon Rundown was full flavored - moist - rich from the cream - Maki said there could have been more coconut - but who's complaining - collard greens were lightly creamed - screaming individual flavor with each forkful - fried plantains were fried plantains -

Baby Backs were perfection - light smoked - slow cooked - crisp on the outside - covered with a sweet BBQ sauce - moist inside - no membrane - every morsel was a joy - I left nothing - only complaint - the portion was small - sides were Mac & Cheese - as it should be - Potato Salad - just the right degree of oneness - I was jarred as the Potato Salad was cold - would want a second hot side - next time around - and there will be a next time -

Interestingly - the restaurant added an automatic 18% tip to the check - arguments for/against that practice - on a future post -

For now - MoBay was a worthy adventure - look forward to the next trip - have to bring a bigger group -

Oh yes - it was a Saturday night - they had a three piece playing Motown - R&B - a bit too loud - or we'll do a different night -

Enjoy -

HBH

Comments

[Eldon]

Interesting about red wine and cataracts. Should have drunk more. Modern cataract lenses eliminate UV rays, minimizing the need for sunglasses. Creamed collard greens??? What has this world come to?

[Peter]

Ingrid has found the secret to falling off the bones ribs. Remember the crock pot everyone bought in the 70s and 80s, used twice and stored away? Apply a dry rub, put your ribs in the pot, set to low and walk away for 8-10 hours. Finish on the grill, add sauce as desired. I talk to the head chef at the Montage about preparing ribs. He bakes his ribs in trays, likely for a shorter time and higher temperature, then grills them under a large metal bowl to capture the smoke of burning chips. Enjoy!