Ah, New York.

We came, we saw, we ate.

Then we ate some more.

Originally I had not intended to blog about our trip, hence the lack of relevant photos. This post is more of a personal reminder for me to revisit certain places I enjoyed so much during my two weeks there. Comments, suggestions (for future vacations) or opinions, most welcome.

Favourite Stores :

– Kalustyan’s – Home to every imaginable spice in existence, and more : Argan oil, pumpkin powder, candied fennel seeds, rhubarb bitters, molasses sugar, white honey.
– New York Cake – The ultimate baking supply store. I want to buy the entire store and call it my kitchen.
– Economy Candy – Sure, you can inhale a similar amount of sugar at Dylan’s Candy Bar but there’s something about Economy Candy’s sheer quantity of sweets and chocolates crammed into an impossibly small space that makes it feel extra special.
– Zabar’s – 20,000 square feet of yum.
– Strand Bookstore – If there’s any spare change left after the New York Cake purchase, I’d buy the Strand and call it my library.
(Special mention to Wholefoods)

Favourite Restaurants :

– Blue Hill at Stone Barns – Everyone seems to be jumping on the organic, sustainable and seasonal produce band wagon these days, but Dan Barber stands out amongst the crowd as someone who is truly putting these things into practice whilst delivering dishes with flavour and elegance.
– Le Benardin – Perfectly executed seafood dishes followed by balanced and thoughtful desserts by pastry chef Michael Laiskonis. Surprisingly not a restaurant that features on most of my friends’ eating radars.
– Momofuku Ssäm Bar – Pork buns, roasted rice cakes with spicy sausage, and afterwards, a quick visit to the Milk Bar next door for a sugar fix. Note to self : next time, must find 6 friends to have the bo ssäm with.
– Torrisi Italian Specialities – $50 for 4 courses showcasing amazing new Italian-American food. Don’t skip the devil’s chicken if it’s on the menu.
(Special mention to Chikalicious Dessert Bar, Caracas and Katz’s Deli)

Favourite Coffee :
(Note to self : going from 0 coffees a week to 7-8 cups is a very very bad idea).

– Zibetto
– La Colombe Torrefaction
– Stumptown at the Ace Hotel

Favourite Bakery :

– Shandaken Bake – If you happen to visit the New Amsterdam Market, look out for Craig Thompson’s gorgeous little stall selling the best ever apple pies and fruit tarts. According to season or whim, you may also be lucky enough to find other delicious treasures for sale, such as moist and nutty parsnip bread, made in the style of banana bread.
– Bouchon Bakery – For linzer cookies sprinkled with raspberry powder to temper their sweetness, chewy oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, and TKO, their version of the Oreo consisting of chocolate sable pastry sandwiched with white chocolate ganache.
– Baked – Home to Brookies (a delicious brownie cookie hybrid), salt and pepper cookies, and the best brownies.
– Babycakes NYC – Vegan, gluten-free and mostly organic baked goods that are a far cry from most vegan sweets I’ve tasted in the past. A visit with Aran to this bakery inspired me to finally buy their cookbook. Their caramel crunch donuts are only marginally surpassed by San Francisco’s Pepples Donuts (also vegan).
(Special mention to Liddabit Sweets’ apple cider caramels and pecan pie chocolate bar.)

Favourite Markets :

– New Amsterdam Market – For hot cider, Luke’s Lobster rolls, Porchetta sandwiches, Liddabit Sweets, and the best apple pie you’ll ever eat.
– Union Square Greenmarket – For more hot cider (because some people can’t seem to get enough of the stuff) and an amazing array of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Two words : Oz Roll. Translation? Fish and chips in a sushi roll. With tomato sauce.

Rest assured, this is not why I’m writing about Koi. In fact, I rarely write about the restaurants we visit these days. I did however want to mention this modern Japanese restaurant in Woolwich, because we had a great meal there recently and I’m hoping that anyone reading this will feel compelled to pay it a visit as well.

This isn’t exactly a brand new restaurant, yet it had somehow managed to fall under our radar until recently. A booking was finally made at the recommendation of a friend, and I dragged my family along because we are constantly in search of the next Japanese restaurant to check out.

We did not order the Oz Roll, but did manage to try quite a few other dishes. Highly recommended are the miso cod, the mushrooms with aspagarus dish (which is comforting and earthy, and redolent with the aromas of sesame), and the unbelievably fresh and crisp tempura.

Of course I’m not advising anyone to go and expect the superlative Japanese restaurant experience. Koi is not without it’s flaws. What makes it a memorable dining experience (apart from a few stand-out dishes) is the little details that other restaurants often fall short on. The manager notices our dishes are slow coming out of the kitchen and even though we don’t say anything about it, we are later offered two complimentary dishes (a stunning vinegared white fish dish) as an apology.

When we find the eggplant in the nasu dengaku a little undercooked for our tastes, the dish is swiftly removed from the table, and a whole new one is prepared for us, this time a little more cooked than before. Even though ultimately a little disappointing, I like the dish for it’s combination of hazelnuts and the sweet eggplant, and for the fact that it’s not wallowing in oil as some nasu dengaku dishes can be.

The evening ends with a complimentary palate cleanser of green tea mousse and green tea granita, and a plate of shimmering fish-shaped chocolates. I leave, feeling impressed and happy at the thought that there are actually fine dining places on my side of the Bridge, worth visiting.

Koi
102 Woolwich Rd
Woolwich 2110.
(02) 9817 6030

The poached egg could have been warmed up slightly, or even at least served at room temperature, but even so, I happily pierce the runny yolk with a knife, allowing its sunny contents to mingle with perfectly crisp onion rings, greens and the creamy remoulade underneath.

We are at Ash St Cellar in the Ivy complex, and in the height of Summer, this is exactly the kind of place I want to visit, for a quick dinner before the early show we are about to see at the Angel Place Recital Hall.

Granted, this was not our first choice for dinner, but as the Ivy employee clad in formal shorts informed us, Sushi Choo was closed for the whole of January. While this was initially a disappointing bit of news (the website made no mention of this), it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because we ended up several hungry steps away, at Ash St Cellar.

It’s almost hard to believe you are in the heart of Sydney, sitting in that laneway, in this small and cosy place, with its fabulous wine list and tasty tapas-style dishes that hint at the refined and restrained touch of head chef Lauren Murdoch.

I love the clean, fresh flavours and unfussy presentation. Between the two of us, we manage four dishes, with complementary bread, which adds up to $100, including two glasses of wine. Even though we’re full, I’m sorely tempted by the tart of the day, proudly displayed on its very own marble pedestal. Maybe next time. Although, next time, I’m thinking the Ivy would really be complete if it had its very own dessert bar – something Sydney is lacking.

As for the show? Camille was frenetic, primal, visceral, humorous, breath-taking. Good food, great music? This is what Summer should be all about!