I’ve gotten some memorable gifts over the years–the Roberto Clemente jersey that a bunch of high school friends got me when I turned 25, the soul mix cd that my friend Alan made me for my 30th birthday, comprised of songs that were released in 1971, the year I was born. The jersey and the mix were wonderful, but mostly what made the gifts so special was that they came as a surprise.
Well, a few weeks ago I got another surprise, this time from my cousin Ben who works in the food business here in New York. First off, he gave me a 20-year old bottle of aged balsamic vinegar and an even fancier bottle of olive oil from Sicily. Alone, they made a lavish gift, but that was just the start.
Ben handed me six small manilla envelopes, each filled with cash. On each envelope was the name of a specific dish and the restaurant where to said dish.
Here’s the list:
Classic Vietnamese Sandwich at Nicky’s (150 East 2nd street, between Avenue A and B):
1/2 pound Moist Brisket at Hill Country (30 West 26th street):
Creme Brulee Donut and Doughnut Plant (379 Grand Street):
One pizza pie at Di Fara (1424 Avenue J at 15th street, Midwood, Brooklyn).
Pork Buns at Momofuko (163 1st Avenue at 10th street):
Sheep Milk Ricotta Gnudi at The Spotted Pig (314 West 11th street):
I mean, are you kidding me? Is this the coolest gift ever, or what? So personal, so thoughtful. I still can’t get over it.
The wife and I were downtown on Saturday and I grabbed a classic Vietnamese sandwich at Nicky’s. It was mighty tasty. And so was the pork chop sandwich that I took home and had a few hours later for dinner. Then we swung by Grand street and I got a creme brulee donut. Dude, the damn thing should be illegal. It was sinful, and yet light, absolutely off-the-chain.
Two down, four to go (though, I have to confess that I’ve had a pie at Di Fara’s once before, but it was over a decade ago now). So much for the diet, I’ve got some eating to do.
Alex, I both love you and hate you for this post.
I have got to stop reading these kinds of posts BEFORE I eat lunch, because they just make me ravenously hungry, and make me wish I lived in an area that appreciated good food more, and chain restaurants less.
Though, truth be told, I'm almost more interested in how that Sicilian olive oil tastes - what is your plan for it, Alex?
The brisket at Hill Country should be illegal in most states. Of course what makes it moist is the fat content. Talk about evil deliciousness. Enjoy!!
What Olive oil from SIcily did you get?
P.S. What a thoughtful and imaginative gift.
Damn you Alex ... now I know that Hill Country is right down the block from my shrink.
So, after poring out my soul, I'm more likely to fill my gut with brisket!
what great calls... i can vouch for every single bite on the list... going to high school at E R Murrow, I am very familiar with Di Fara's but man that line is insane these days...
you'd also need to get a slice from Spumoni Gardens for the best sicilian in town...
Thanks for the culinary ideas Alex! New spots to discover, that's always a treat.
Great gift, only possible in world's greatest city.
Yo, I'll get back to you on the name of the olive oil. But there is a story behind it. Apparently, it's from the final pressing by a guy who has been making olive oil his entire life.
I haven't broken it out yet and I will only use it sparingly, to finish a dish or on a salad.
I don't have many indulgences these days--money used to just burn a hole in my pocket--but one of them is olive oils. Not that I'm some expert, but I usually have at least 2 or 3 bottles in the house at one time, which I consider a real treat--one for every day use, and then a couple of fancy ones.
I'm so over balsamic vinegar but it's hard to sniff at the good stuff, which I'll pour out onto a spoon and just drink straight up. In Modena, the wealthy women used to get a small bottle of aged balsamic vinegar for their dowery and it would be drunk like port.
For the past few years, I go on serious herb kicks. For a long time it was tarragon, which reminds me of my grandparents in Belgium. These days, I'm nuts for chives, and mint--hello Asian cuisine--and for winter cooking, thyme.
I've had the pork buns at Momofuku and the Gnudi at The Spotted Pig. Both excellent dishes. I really want a Vietnamese Sandwich right now though. Wow.
I confess to having an olive oil fixation. It's like manna. Any favorites?
Aged balsamic vinegar is extremely valuable. It just doesn't appeal to me either. As for chives, it's the retro herb that everyone is using these days. Love it in hamburgers.
Love thyme. Although, I would like to give a shout out to rosemary for meat and sage for fish. Cilantro for southwestern. Lemongrass for asian.
(wiping the drool off my keyboard)
I've come to really like cilantro but it is such a specific and strong taste. It's like Steely Dan. Either you love it or hate it.
My mom always grew chives in her garden. I remember my younger brother picking it and eating if just like that. I like that it's become popular these days, it deserves some love. My man Jacques Pepin seems to finish every dish he makes with some "Shive."
You know what burns me? That leeks are treated like a specialty food over here. It was a staple in my mother's kitchen when we were kids, and being a French-speakin Belgian, she grew up with it as a staple in her mom's kitchen. No way it should be as expensive as it is here.
On the other hand, escarole is a good bargain for bitterness instead of radiccio which is like three times more expensive.
Rosemary is another taste that I'm burned-out on though it is essential as you mention for meats and fish, great winter time flavor.
The olive oil I got is in a tall, dark, elegant bottle. It says No 1 LORENZO and then a whole bunch of stuff in Italian. LOL.
[5] I grew up on E.14th and Ave J in Midwood so am very familiar with Di Fara's and Murrow!
Though in those days, we always ate at Jerry's,(old Sicilian guy) which was on J and 13th, then moved to J and 14th...everyone on the block was either a Jerry's person or a Di Fara person..those days long gone as I heard Jerry went kosher when the neighborhood demographics changed to mostly Orthodox Jewish..
with all the great food in Japan, Brooklyn Pizza is the one thing they just don't have..sigh...truly an awesome gift Alex, enjoy!
Thanks Alex for the olive oil bottle name.
I grew up with chives too although my grandmother, who had a chive garden at the side of her house, had a Russian accent, so it never sounded as smooth as shive. It was more like tchiive. Brings up fond memories.
Leeks got big in the early 80s and then lost steam (or got pricey). I love them.
Love, love love escarole. Sautees nicely. For sald greens, I'm into frisee these days, althoug I'm too chicken to add lardons.
As for Steely Dan, I simply don't agree. I neither love them or hate them. Fagan and what's his name. Decent studio guys from Bard. Hey Nineteen is a good song. Ricky, Don't Lose That Number is annoying. Rock with some quasi jazz elements. Like them, don't love them.
Oh Nicky's is so fine, is so fine it blows my mind... I was within delivery range when I lived in the East Village and I was floored to find that there was another one within range here in Brooklyn after I moved. Best meal under $5 in the city, and that shot of the sriracha sauce has me considering taking a second lunch right now.
The buns at Momofuku are great, as is the soup, but they've gotten too big for themselves - it's really not much fun anymore given the insane crowds and the way that place believes its own hype. For awhile there when it first opened, every time I went back the prices had risen by a dollar. Now it's so trendy that I saw Martha Stewart there last time, and I can't even remember all the star sightings my wife has had there.
But damn, that Berkshire pork keeps me coming back every time.