Lunch Break: Non-Traditional July 4th Eats

Grilling season is in full swing: With the July 4th holiday, and you're sure to be eating lots of grilled meats all weekend long. Start the long weekend by checking out these non-barbecue options in today's New York Lunch Break. By Yvo Sin.

Fu Run

40-09 Prince St
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 321-1363

While yes, those are ribs you should be eating, they are prepared here unlike anything you've had in the past (unless you spent a lot of time in the northeastern parts of China, perhaps). The menu calls them Muslim lamb chops (pictured); the rack of lamb is crusted in an intensely thick layer of cumin, cooked until the meat just about falls off the bone - with the crust intact - and perfumes each mouthful with its heady scent. When you're done, the ba si will teach you about the original molecular gastronomy: cubes of taro are deep fried, then quickly tossed with sugar while still piping hot. Brought to your table with the sugar melting fast over each piece of taro, you're meant to swipe a cube of taro off the plate, dip it quickly in the bowl of cold water provided, and then bite into it. The cold water makes the sugar immediately crystallize, leaving you cracking through a shell of intense sugar and revealing underneath it a creamy, sweet and soft piece of taro. Amazing.

Boon Chu Thai

83-18 Broadway
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 898-6836

This small, unassuming space no larger than the walk-in closet every New Yorker wishes they had serves some of the most delicious Thai food in New York. Though the pad thai is perfectly balanced, you'll want to try some of the pad see ew (pictured), broad white noodles sauced with an incredible brown beef gravy, served with the usual, or the crispy catfish salad, which will have you questioning all you know about catfish. The catfish is fried into impossibly crispy nests on top of shredded lettuce, then dressed with a fish sauce vinaigrette and lots, oh many sliced bird eye chilis. Careful, though: too many of those chilis and you may need another Thai iced tea. Luckily, they do those quite well here too.

Haru

Multiple locations (not all open for lunch), please check website

See Also: NYC's Best Sushi Restaurants

Haru may err on the side of caution more often than not when it comes to pushing the envelope, but some of their more unique offerings are definitely worth a gander. Try their Red Hot Mama roll (pictured), which incorporates crawfish (in season), mango and cilantro, all topped with yuzu tobiko and a housemade "Japanese remoulade", to bring the party to your mouth. Marvel at the delicate partnership these flavors create to become greater than the sum of its parts; don't be afraid to order even more adventurously next time.

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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.