It spreads quickly, like wildfire. Every time you blink, you see another one. Some are very, very good and some are very, very bad. No, I'm not talking about zombies on The Walking Dead or new barbecue restaurants in Brooklyn, I'm talking about Chinese bakeries on a certain stretch of 11th avenue. It seems that a new one pops-up every couple of weeks, sometimes even on the same block. The newest one is Q&L Bakery Inc., located next to La Sorrentina. Clean, bright and relatively spacious, this has surely become my new favorite lunch spot.
It's quite problematic getting lunch around where I work - unless you're a big fan of pizza or Chinese take-out, fast, inexpensive lunch items are hard to find. That's why I decided to try Q&L. Of course, there are the usual cheap buns and pastries, both sweet and savory, but I'm especially fond of their noodles. Last time I was here, I ordered stir-fried lo mein noodles, milk tea, and an egg custard tart. In total, I spent around $3.50.
The lo-mein noodles were steaming hot and not too greasy. Stir-fried with vegetables and bits of roast pork, the lady who packed my order filled my take-out container to the brim. When I got back to work and opened it, the sheer mass of noodle-goodness was overwhelming. The milk tea was comforting on a cold day, and not too sweet. Best of all, the egg custard was just sweet enough with a firm texture and a buttery, flaky crust.
Their rice boxes are a little under-whelming though. The last time I tried it, the rice was undercooked and the meat was definitely gray and a little mysterious. Stick with the yummy noodles and the pastries. Their sweet eggrolls are light and fluffy.
I hope this place continues to grow because their service is professional and fast, and it's a nice addition to the block. In an area filled with Chinese bakeries, this one definitely stands out. read more