Weekend of Foodie Heaven

Vern and big-M arrived around 2:30 AM on Friday morning, an unfortunate consequence of the Verrazano bridge being closed, poor detour signs, and being armed with only mapquest directions and no map. After I got them settled in, I spread out on the couch and rapidly asleep. Woke up around 7:40 AM to move the car and by the time I got back to the apartment, Vern was up making tea. While I made eggs and bacon, we chatted and planned out the day.

After wandering around Gramercy/Flatiron we decided to eat lunch at Gramercy Tavern. Walking through the immense doors, autumn engulfs you- towering branches with russet colored blossoms hug the long wooden bar, pots of tulips and other seasonal displays gather around the hallway leading to the tavern. We are quickly seated and eye-catching servers sharply dressed bring us menus, water, and bring us thick slices of delicious, hearty bread- perfectly crusty on the outside and soft in the center. The fish stew caught my eye while Vern ordered the lentil soup and rabbit sandwich and big-M ordered the lamb sandwich. The server did a wonderful job pairing wine to our dishes and the food was splendid. The fish stew, essentially, a refined boullabaise with chunks of lobster, mussels, and white fish was expertly balanced. The broth and seafood neither competed nor overwhelmed the other. I did not sample the other dishes but based on the blissful expressions on Vern and big-M’s faces. We shared a slice of blueberry cake served with vanilla ice cream. Good but nothing memorable. Overall, I quite enjoyed Gramercy Tavern and recommend it for out of town visitors for its old New York air. Moreover, the wait staff is friendly, skilled, and doesn’t rush you out the door.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Soho and doing some window shopping. We stopped at Lombardi’s for an afternoon snack which became a meal once we realized they only serve whole pies. We ordered a small pizza- half with anchovies and half with sweet Italian sausage. The consensus- great sauce, flavorful and not too sweet, and just enough cheese to add flavor but not dominate the other topics.

After resting our feet and warming up, we headed up to Central Park. There we walked around, took pictures, and happened upon a practice session for a concert at Center Stage. We met up with the boy around 7:30 at the starbucks at astor place and headed for Curry Row. We found a little hole-in-the-wall, chili pepper lights strewn haphazardly all over the restaurant. We ordered nearly half of the menu and over the feast, Vern and big-M got acquainted with the boy, we shared some laughs and good conversation. However, by 9:30 we were all fading. The three of us got in a cab and headed home, I was fast asleep by 10:30.
























10.5 hours later, I woke up refreshed. Vern & I got up around the same time, made some eggs and bacon, tea and chatted. After big-M got up and we all got dressed and ready, we headed out to the Marcy Ave stop to take the JMZ into Manhattan. Along the way, we stopped at the Bagel Store so Vern and big-M could sate their bagel craving. Three transfers later, we were in Chelsea and onto our second food stop for the day. Pastis. Very much a blend of Balthazar and Schillers in decor and menu, Pastis nonetheless managed to maintain its unique identity.

Vern and I both ordered the nicoise salad with seared tuna and big M ordered poached eggs with prosciutto topped with bearnaise sauce, all served on two slices of bread. The salad was delicious, the tuna was seared exactly according to my taste- rare, and the anchovies were incredibly fresh. Paired with champage, it was a very decadent brunch.

We walked off our full bellies, walking up along the west side and eventually crossing back over to the east side. The weather was beautiful, sunny and not too hot. We got onto the 6 uptown and I showed Vern and Matt some fo the apartments I was interested in. By then, the boy was done with his class so we all met up at 77th and lex. The four of us walked to Central Park and strolled around, stopping at the Alice in Wonder Land statues and then near the petting zoo where a woman was selling little signs that she painted children's names on. Vern got two for the kids.

We headed to Union Square afterwards hping to catch a showin of the Departed but everything was sold out. Instead, we headed to the Sri Lankan restaurant I mad been meaning to try. Along the way, we picked up a couple bottles of wine since the restaurant is BYOB (all the more reason to love it). This was probably my favorite restaurant of the whole weekend. A hole in the wall, peaceful atmosphere, warm and intimate. The food was amazing, very spicy and flavorful, not totally unlike Indian and with hints of asian elements.I can't remember the names of the dishes except for the black pork curry that was hot hot hot and was in a curry broth sans coconut. We shared an appetizer platter with assorted fried delicacies. The boy ordered a lentil curry and rice meal cooked in banana leaf. Vern ordered a chicken noodle dish and big-M ordered coconut rice. The desserts were exotic and delicious as well. One was a yogurt with honey, the contrast of sour and sweet was enticing. The other dish was a more standard custard but filled with nuts and surprisingly good. Will definately be going back there.