It’s the eternal question when dining at the East Village’s Kampuchea. After you devour some of the tenderest and most savory ribs that you’ve ever experienced, what do you do with your hands? Are you supposed to slurp every delectable bit of sauce off your fingers, or use the provided napkins to wipe away the remnants of Cambodian bliss? You’re likely to be seated at one of the restaurant's convivial group tables, and you don’t want strangers to spy you sucking cilantro lime sauce off your pinky. Even with the threat of communal dining embarrassment, the thought of letting a drop of the gooey goodness fall victim to a wet-nap is almost unthinkable. There’s only one thing to do when struck with this dilemma: pause for a moment, and contemplate over a few sips of your cocktail.
Kampuchea comes equipped with some thought provoking libations that will surely help you sort through your sticky situation. Their Bon Om Tuk spices up the list with a blend of cachaca and chili powder (mixed with lime and brown sugar). The kick of the cocktail perfectly complements the exotic menu. It’s like the Cambodian version of the Margarita. Just like when dining at your favorite Mexican haunt, no dinner here is complete without one.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, check out the Kampuchea Sunset. Mixed primarily with Domaine de Canton and Red Wine, it’s effectively ginger spiked Sangria. The ingredients meld with lime, orange, and brown sugar to give a colorful flair to what would otherwise be an everyday wine cocktail. Next time we mix a jar of Red Sangria at home, we’re going to reach for the Canton instead of the Triple Sec.
The Blackberry Margarita was a bit too tart for our tastes, but it makes for a good dessert course. There are plenty of muddled blackberries in the drink, so it’s easy to justify another round by counting it as your “fruit course.”
But what of your fingers! Your drink is almost empty and that tasty rib paste still surrounds your nails (with some of the precious drops smeared onto the rim of your glass). Your cocktail persuaded ponderings could only lead to one conclusion: lick every last drop off those damn digits. There’s no need to be embarrassed when in the midst of this crowd. In fact, you should show your neighbors how it’s done. Shamelessly order another plate (along with another drink) and dive in.
Kampuchea is located at 78 Rivington Street. For those of you who can’t stand the thought of sticky fingers, the Ginger Rubbed Catfish or Cured Bacon Num Pang Sandwiches are cleaner yet equally satisfying options.
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