Daily Archives: May 25, 2014
CULINARY SPOTLIGHT on Woody Allen’s New York: Pizza or Dim Sum for lunch?
Decisions, decisions. When in doubt, restaurant hop, or as I like to call it “food-hop”! After all, who says you can’t have it all, or that life is too short? If you can’t decide between or among several great recommended places to eat when you are traveling, then don’t decide. Group them by neighborhood and go to them all! That’s how we spent our 2nd day living life in the footsteps of Woody Allen – we just ate a course at one restaurant and then moved on to another for the next course. And let me tell you, my taste buds were in a constant state of pleasure … la vita e bella!
While we made 4 food hops that day from late morning to just about mid-afternoon, my 2 favorites were the Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown and John’s of Bleecker Street. I can still taste and see before me the succulent shrimp mai, as utterly appealing to the palette and to the eye as any I have eaten in San Francisco’s most elegant dim sum establishments or in Beijing or Shanghai for that matter.
But the Nom Wah Tea Parlor is the first dim sum restaurant founded in NYC’s famous Chinatown and its longevity and extreme popularity with those speaking Mandarin and their offspring speaks for itself.
Very easy on the budget, with a large menu that includes many other delectable choices, Nom Wah does a lively business. But you can call and reserve a table, and even order some appetizers to be waiting for you when you arrive!
If I close my eyes, I can still taste and smell the fabulous flavors and aromas of the tomatoes roasted with garlic, anchovies and pepperoni, each of which added a layer of flavor to the coal-fired brick oven pizza that we devoured at John’s of Bleecker Street in the Village.
I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed pizza more, but this place has been satisfying customers and bringing them back time and time again since 1929.
Eat in amidst an array of enticing Italian aromas on one of the wooden booths, carved with the names of John’s pizza devotees over the decades, or take out your order. But do give John’s a try – it’s worth a trip to the Village just for their pizza!
And don’t forget to try “food-hopping” when you are traveling in order to savor all the flavors you can.
CUINARY SPOTLIGHT on Woody Allen’s New York: Where to Celebrate a Special Occasion
For ambiance and unique décor, a big slice of NY 20th century history, elegant traditional cuisine, top-notch service and panache — head to the 21 CLUB, located almost opposite the MOMA in Midtown Manhattan.
Most memorable was the “21 Burger” made from a unique mixture of ground short ribs, top round, and sirloin and served with the 21 Club ketchup, which I would liken to a tangy pureed tomato chutney.
Also superb was the Faroe Islands Scottish Salmon with braised endive, balsamic pickled heirloom tomatoes and tempura zucchini blossom, finished off with a subtle fennel tapenade – original and perfectly prepared.
Although the 21 Club is most assuredly a restaurant for celebrating a special event, I was still surprised to see a chic bouquet of red roses at the table with a card from Denis as we sat down at a prime corner table, and surprised once again with a personalized chocolate cake made specially by the bakery chef at Denis’ request.
If the 21 Club is good enough for President Kennedy’s Inaugural dinner celebration, it certainly was good enough for my belated (hence the “surprise”) birthday celebration. Denis, take me back for any and all celebrations in the future!
