Jun-Men is a brand spanking new ramen joint taking over a rather dull section of 9th Ave, in Chelsea.

As the line forms outside to get a table, passersby walk by and wonder what the hell we’re all doing. Waiting for a prescription?

Chelsea doesn’t have any of these kinds of restaurants. Trendy, hard-to-get-a-table-at-right-away, kinds of joints.

We have quite a few bad Italian eateries, a ton of Thai and a couple cool spots here and there.

I guess it was about time our neighborhood get blessed by an eatery with an obnoxiously long line outside, bringing in swarms of annoying patrons to litter our streets with their discarded Parliaments and disparaging remarks about Chelsea’s food scene.

While not as tiny as Soho’s Ramen Lab, Jun-Men is on the smaller side (hence the wait for a table) but the ramen is SO good. I ordered the Spicy Pork Bone and found it not as spicy as I would have liked (I wasn’t sweating nearly enough to look like a serial killer) but I also found it pretty perfect, otherwise.

The portions are just slightly on the smaller side, so you don’t leave with a painful and expanding pizza belly. It was still plenty of food, piggies.

The portions are sufficiently adequate, especially if you start with the fried chicken buns, like we did. While the flavor was spot on (and I loved the jalapeno mayo) however, the dark meat chicken was bit too chewy for my liking.

The Kimchi Ramen was also enjoyable, but I found it to be a bit overpowering in Kimchi flavors. I feel like the Pork Bone or Spicy Miso are the way to go.

If you want something off the beaten track and super decadent, order the more expensive (and broth-less) Uni Mushroom Ramen. It’s served like Italian pasta, coated in Porcini Butter, Truffle Oil, Roasted Pancetta and, of course, Uni.

Uni grosses me out, but please, help yourself to it. All of it. Also, go eat it with another friend. Or at your home. Just don’t subject me to it. Thanks.

249 9th Ave
New York, NY 10001
b/t 26th St & 25th St
Chelsea
(646) 852-6787
junmenramen.com

Chicken Bun – Kara-Age, Lettuce, Jalapeno Mayo – $8

Kimchi Ramen – $15

Spicy Pork Bone Ramen – $14

Sadelle’s is the super hot, ultra-chic new Jewish Deli in Soho that has everyone all aflutter.

Sadelle’s also provides their guests with the tiniest, doll house tables upon which to dine. If you move a fork, you’ll knock over your glass. If you move your plate one centimeter, you’ll send the creamer plummeting to the floor.

It’s like playing a game of Operation.

The joint is pretty swanky, as purveyors of bagels and lox go, sporting British High Tea décor. Instead of mini sandwiches and scones, you get bagels and all the tasty stuff that goes with them. All presented on a lovely tiered serving….situation. Whatever that tray thingy is called. It’s very refined, regardless.

The staff behind the counter are expertly slicing the smoked salmon painstakingly thin, dressed like doctors or pharmacists. Like they’re performing fish surgery. They’re doctors of Lox, if you will.

How it works is (at least for brunch), you pick your fish (smoked salmon, whitefish salad, ect) and then you get one bagel and all the fixings. If you want the tiered serving platter to look better, bring more friends, order more fish and you’ll receive more bagels. And, therefore, more tasty looking plates on your tiered…thingy..(WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING CALLED??).

Ok, I just looked it up. Apparently, it’s called a “Tiered Serving Tray”. Sheesh, fancy pants. I guess there’s a term for everything.

The whitefish was smoky and pleasant and very light on the mayo. I like my whitefish heavy on the mayo, but that could be due to the fact that I don’t care for whitefish? Who can tell?

The Everything bagel was quite flavorful, a little on the dense side but I would certainly not kick it out of bed.

The standout dish was a surprise. The Salami and Eggs were fantastic (albeit, pricey) and the unexpected mustard was a nice touch. Mustard might seem like a strange addition to an egg dish, but was really appreciated.

There is a $29 Triple Decker sandwich, which we did not order (it’s not served until after 11:30 am) sounds like a good reason for me to return. I guess you’re paying a $20 service fee for Crust Removal(see below).

Apparently the entire restaurant transforms at night and exudes a dramatic, dark and sexy feel for their dinner service. Which means the bagels go away and an slightly vintage sounding Eastern European menu appears. Because they’re more sassy than sexy.

The dinner menu features dishes like Roumanian Steak and Paprika Chicken, as well as a substantial caviar selection and infused frozen vodkas!

463 W Broadway
New York, NY 10012
b/t Laguardia Pl & Prince St
SoHo
(212) 776-4926
sadelles.com

Baked Goods from the takeout counter

World’s smallest tables….

Mimosa

Whitefish Salad – $14 (includes 1 bagel and cream cheese/veggies) NOTICE THE POOR CREAMER, TEETERING ON THE EDGE…

Whitefish Salad

Salami and Eggs – $20

Triple Decker Sandwich – $29