Hungryphil reporting from NYC this week. I’m visiting my daughter interning on the Lower East Side. Here is what I have tasted so far:
- Katz’s Deli: Respect. Just has to be done. Due to my late night arrival, we opted for the latkes and matzo soup. I know, I know, the pastrami sandwich is glorious. Another day.
- Dominique Ansel: Cronut. Flaky, fried, jelly-filled, sugar dusted, glazed…it is everything. For me…. a lot. The cannele are my favorite. Great spot to chart out a day wandering through the SoHo galleries.
- From Rice to Riches: All shades of rice pudding. I had the mango with shredded coconut on top. Very nice. I think, I might like the containers even more.
- Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli: Warm crusty bread, tasty fillings. A lot of food. I still have a half in my hotel refrigerator.
- Eataly : An elaborate and decadent celebration of Italian eats. The cannelloni was so delicate and the marinara was light and happy.
- Indikitch: A fast food, less intimidating version of Indian food. Choose your base and meat…easy. And, spicy tasty. The tea made me feel at home.
- Vanessa’s Dumpling House: Best lunch for five bucks. Hot, steamy dumplings. Didn’t get a picture. I gobbled the dumplings down between tours at the Tenement Museum. LOVED the museum. Worth a day of exploration. Urban history and immigrant stories combine to offer a living evolutionary picture of how we live with each other. All the fears, hopes, the moments of unity and disparity. Fascinating. Is there an immigrant who doesn’t love and respect NYC?
- Il Laboratorio del Gelato: Unusual gelato combinations for the gastronomically curious. I tried black pepper and avocado gelato. Perfect snack on a hot city day…..noisy jackhammers, smells of steamy asphalt, pee, passing perfume, dripping high-rise A/C units, alterations of tree and building shade, hot sun….everything happening…and then this strangeness melts in your mouth. It makes sense. Here.
- Xian Foods: Hot spicy noodles. Slurpy. Got delicious red chili oil all over my dress. Well worth it. Spinach dumplings in spicy chili sauce would be a satisfying vegetarian meal any day….look at the size of the dumplings! The lamb cumin noodles reminded me of Indian curries, Moroccan tagines, and Mexican stews…. a warm comforting spicy almost universal taste.
- Mcnally Jackson Books: So civilized. Books, coffee, and baked treats. What could be better? This might be my new favorite bookstore in NYC (Sorry Strand). Rosemary currant scone with butter and jelly, people watching, day planning, book browsing…..these are a few of my favorite things…..
There is still so much to explore… in a five block radius! The diversity is humbling. Today Srilankan and Moroccan food are on the menu. And, maybe an indie movie if it rains. If not, let the wandering and wondering continue.
Wishing you happy tastings wherever you may be,
Hungryphil
The Hungry Philosopher 