Just returned from a glorious week in NYC with

patbastrop

Well-known member
DS, DIL and fabulous granddaughter! Had some really great food starting with lunch at Republic on Union Square, sharing plates of curried duck noodles and cold beef noodle salad. Awesome! Another meal at #1 ramen winner Hide Chan Ramen -- I didn't think the pork broth ramen was as good as Ippodo, and the tofu dessert didn't come close, but all in all, it was a pretty good lunch. We had pizza at Co. on 9th Avenue - the raddicchio salad beat everything else on the table (taleggio cheese, heaven!) -- until the milk chocolate sundae with caramel, pomegranate seeds and heavenly cream came out. Ouch. Good thing we were walking!

Every chance we got we'd sneak over to Eataly - a fancy new Italian food experience by Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich and other partners. It is only a couple of blocks from their new apt. An amazing concept -- Shopping, eating, Italian wines, beers, a fish monger, butcher, all sorts of italian products, some associated with a number of restaurants under the roof, which takes up practically an entire block across from Madison Park and the Flatiron building. Pasta, pizza, panini, pastries, housewares and books people everywhere enjoying the exciting ambiance.

We kept going back to a little bakery on East 23rd called Le Maison du Macaron where they made awesome croissants, and the cutest macaroon cookies decorated for Halloween.

Hill Country is right down the street from their apt. too -- a REAL Texas bbq joint, with live music, Austin style. the moist brisket was incredible and the sausage from Kreuse Mkt in Lockhart, Tx was delicious! If you are a mac n' cheese fan, don't miss Hill Country's! Sides are packed in cup containers for the table and to take home. Nice for my son to have a bbq fix so close by.

We were treated to an exceptional meal at Cafe Boulud -- the envy of all plates was my DIL's seared short rib dumplings -- wow, what a creation! Beautiful food, beautiful wines, lovely setting.

I think that about covers it, with the exception of my granddaughter's first foray into Chinatown. We couldn't leave town without having Cha Siew Pao and Fried sesame buns from Mei Li Wah Bakery. Maya rode in her snuggly while we scored some rambutans and pomelo for later!

It was hard to leave.

 
I am so jealous! Copied your suggestions - packing to go!

Pat, you must have tremendous willpower to have boarded the plane home after such a wonderful adventure! Colleen

 
It was hard, Colleen -- I must admit, I stashed away a few pieces

of maple candy from a vendor at the Greenmarket to make it more bearable! smileys/smile.gif

 
There is nothing like October in NYC...

Wonderful to read about your adventures in Gotham. Like you, I am always very sad to leave when the visit is over. Food is always so bland upon returning home. I miss NYC smileys/frown.gif

 
We just got back from a weekend trip there and also went to

Eataly. What a place! We had dinner at Barbuto, the restaurant owned by Jonathan Waxman, former chef at Chez Panisse. It was excellent.

We walked along the High Line, a new park built on a former raised railroad line that was used to bring meat to the meat packing district. It was a gorgeous day, and it was fun to be walking above the city streets on the boardwalk there. We stopped into Chelsea Market for a tea and cookie/ice cream break.

We also spent some time in the Strand - the used book store with miles and miles of books.

 
Oh, Pat! The recipe! You are a genius! Below is the sauce... smileys/smile.gif)

which I located from your post!


February 24, 2010
Spiced Orange Ginger-Soy Dipping Sauce Adapted from Café Boulud, New York

Time: 25 minutes

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 small shallot, sliced

1 clove garlic, sliced

1 stalk lemon grass, sliced

7 scallions, chopped

1/4 cup (packed) chopped cilantro

1 dried habanero pepper

Juice from 3 kaffir limes or other limes

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce, or to taste.

1. Place the sugar in a 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until sugar is melted and light golden. Remove from heat and carefully add 1/2 cup water, avoiding splatters.

2. Add ginger, shallot, garlic, lemon grass, scallions, cilantro, and habanero pepper. Stir well, and return to medium heat. Simmer until reduced to a thin glaze, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add lime juice and orange juice. Add soy sauce to taste. Strain through a fine-meshed sieve, discarding solids. Serve at room temperature; may be refrigerated for up to one week.

Yield: About 2 cups.

 
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