Place I Had Not Been Before This Month - New York
After 3 years in Charleston and 1 in Paris, the Parisian Princess decided to undertake a Masters Degree in Art Business from Sotheby's in New York. (Didn't know that Sotheby's had a school? Me neither.) Anyway, after looking at a bunch of paintings, writing a few papers, and traveling to Munich and Miami on field trips,* it was time for PP to graduate and that was reason enough for me to take my first bite of the Big Apple. While I was only there for 3 days, I managed to squeeze in a good bit of eating.
Balthazar - I knew that I would be starving when my flight landed at 10:00pm on Thursday night, so I had already made a 11:00pm reservation at Balthazar. Yes, a reservation was necessary as there was a 10 minute wait for a table when we walked in. Steak frites was average, with the beef a bit tougher than I expected. Cool place; OK food.
John's Pizzeria of Bleecker Street - New York style pizza was a must try for me, and we chose John's upon suggestion of Bloggle. He did not steer us wrong. Thin, crackly, smoky crust; a bit greasy but not too much; and a restrained hand with both cheese and sauce.
Ino Cafe & Wine Bar - Another recommendation from Bloggle - he later regretted not charging us as a consultant - in the Village. Nothing but a 15' x 25' dining room with a bar and seating for 16 people, all Italian wine list, and a tiny kitchen serving paninis and bruschetta. We loved this place, and the food made us realize just how good simple-but-done-well can be. Our selections were pesto, summer squash, caponata with goat cheese, and diced artichoke with pecorino.
Casa Mono - Mario Batali's Spanish restaurant had been chosen our "big meal" of the trip, and we went all out. The restaurant is dark (hence, no pictures), tables are squeezed in wherever there is room, and the open kitchen has only a 4 man line turning out some amazing food. The seared foie gras was the best I have ever eaten. Pork croquetas were stacked in alternating layers with slices of green tomato, whose acidity were welcome to the dish. Pan fried sweetbreads had a rich and creamy texture. Patatas bravas were roasted fingerling potatoes covered in a spicy tomato confit with loads of caramelized onions; non-traditional, but delicious.
Golden Unicorn - This 4-story castle of dim sum was our last supper of the trip. The place was insane. You wait on the ground floor for your number to be called over the loud speaker and then take the elevator to one of the three dining room levels. Once the doors open you are immediately hit with a cacophony of clinking tea cups and jovial chatter. You sit at communal tables of 10 as rolling carts full of different foods are wheeled by.
Dumplings of every size, shape, and filling. Steamed buns filled with pork, sauteed chicken feet (nothing but skin, bones, and hype in my opinion), clams, and a bunch of things I ate but could never deduce what they were.Not a bad first trip.
*In all seriousness, the Sotheby's graduate program is no joke, and PP worked very hard. She graduated with distinction, and I am very proud of her.
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4 comments:
That sounds like my meal at Balthazar many years ago. Overrated but fun.
Exactly, Frolic. The dining room is loud and lively, everyone is drinking, Kim Kardashian look-a-like at the tabel next to you, etc. But the food was nothing special.
I am appreciative of the footnote at the bottom, which makes up somewhat for the witty sarcasm regarding my education...
PP,
If Peter ever makes fun of your cool ass education, drop the nuclear option on him. Look him in the eye, and slowly say, "Sorry not everyone goes to law school."
Point made.
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