It was a false start out of the gate as Jon and I sat on a NWA plane in Minneapolis for an hour
and a half culminating in the cancellation of our flight to New York City the first weekend of
May. We ended up taking the first flight out the next day which of course threw off my entire
itinerary. And, if you know me very well, I'm all about schedules and planning. We made the
best of a slightly shortened trip. What follows are the highlights in no particular order.
Ten Sushi 39 E 31st St, New York NY (Btwn Madison & Park Ave S). What a delightful little
place with great service and exceptional value. Sitting at the five seat sushi bar allows one to view
the dexterity and grace of two fine young sushi chefs. A light lunch turned into a feast of
avocado salads with creamy ginger dressing, maki rolls and shrimp tempera. It's across the street
from JB Prince, the place for all things in the culinary equipment department.
JB Prince - Fine Chefs' Tools & Equipment 36 E 31st St, New York NY. I was expecting E.
Dehillerin, the kitchen equipment store in the Les Halles neighborhood of Paris but that is not the
case. JB Prince is on the 11th floor of a building only marked with a "36" above door. It's a
showroom more than a store with one of each item displayed. What you want to purchase is
retrieved from the attached stock room. The Gastroflex Cannelé molds were $6 less than what I
could find on the Internet. It's a great place to find everything from tartlet pans to ice cream
makers and the sales staff is helpful and knowledgeable.
Bar Jamón 125 E 17th St, New York NY at Irving Place. Met our friend Melissa Clark for
drinks before dinner at Devi. We arrived promptly at 5:00 pm (which in this case was very good
as the place was packed like sardines by 5:20 pm) The Jamón Reserva de Oro (I believe aged 18
months) was exceptional (sliced tissue paper thin with a perfect balance of sweet and salty; it
paired beautifully along side the Tres Manchegos with Membrillo (Quince paste). There are more
than 400 bottles of wine from which to choose.
Korin 57 Warren Street, New York NY. If you are looking for a Japanese sushi knife this shop
is a must on your to go to list. There was also a variety of beautiful soy sauce pitchers,
tableware, sake sets and at least a dozen rice cookers.
Murray's Cheese Shop 254 Bleecker St, New York NY (between 6th & 7th Ave) One can
easily spend an hour at this wonderful specialty cheese shop in the heart of Greenwich Village.
The two gentlemen, Nathan and Cielo behind the counter, are not only a wealth of information
concerning the hundreds of cheeses in the case they are just a delight. Both have the patience of
Job as we tasted sample after sample asking numerous questions about each one. We picked up a
boat load of half pound blocks just before heading to the airport.
and a half culminating in the cancellation of our flight to New York City the first weekend of
May. We ended up taking the first flight out the next day which of course threw off my entire
itinerary. And, if you know me very well, I'm all about schedules and planning. We made the
best of a slightly shortened trip. What follows are the highlights in no particular order.
Ten Sushi 39 E 31st St, New York NY (Btwn Madison & Park Ave S). What a delightful little
place with great service and exceptional value. Sitting at the five seat sushi bar allows one to view
the dexterity and grace of two fine young sushi chefs. A light lunch turned into a feast of
avocado salads with creamy ginger dressing, maki rolls and shrimp tempera. It's across the street
from JB Prince, the place for all things in the culinary equipment department.
JB Prince - Fine Chefs' Tools & Equipment 36 E 31st St, New York NY. I was expecting E.
Dehillerin, the kitchen equipment store in the Les Halles neighborhood of Paris but that is not the
case. JB Prince is on the 11th floor of a building only marked with a "36" above door. It's a
showroom more than a store with one of each item displayed. What you want to purchase is
retrieved from the attached stock room. The Gastroflex Cannelé molds were $6 less than what I
could find on the Internet. It's a great place to find everything from tartlet pans to ice cream
makers and the sales staff is helpful and knowledgeable.
Bar Jamón 125 E 17th St, New York NY at Irving Place. Met our friend Melissa Clark for
drinks before dinner at Devi. We arrived promptly at 5:00 pm (which in this case was very good
as the place was packed like sardines by 5:20 pm) The Jamón Reserva de Oro (I believe aged 18
months) was exceptional (sliced tissue paper thin with a perfect balance of sweet and salty; it
paired beautifully along side the Tres Manchegos with Membrillo (Quince paste). There are more
than 400 bottles of wine from which to choose.
Korin 57 Warren Street, New York NY. If you are looking for a Japanese sushi knife this shop
is a must on your to go to list. There was also a variety of beautiful soy sauce pitchers,
tableware, sake sets and at least a dozen rice cookers.
Murray's Cheese Shop 254 Bleecker St, New York NY (between 6th & 7th Ave) One can
easily spend an hour at this wonderful specialty cheese shop in the heart of Greenwich Village.
The two gentlemen, Nathan and Cielo behind the counter, are not only a wealth of information
concerning the hundreds of cheeses in the case they are just a delight. Both have the patience of
Job as we tasted sample after sample asking numerous questions about each one. We picked up a
boat load of half pound blocks just before heading to the airport.
|
Jacques Torres Chocolate 350 Hudson at King Street (1 block South of Houston), New York
NY. Jacques has opened a second location in Greenwich Village. It's an out of the way location
but a huge space, complete with chocolate bar. Jacques happened to be behind the bar. We
chatted for a couple of minutes before he headed back to the chocolate factory which is behind
huge glass walls so everyone can see the chocolate factory at work.
Bouley Bakery, Café and Market 130 West Broadway, New York, NY. Stop in for a a quick
fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato sandwich. Top it off with a delicious pear or lime curd tart.
NY. Jacques has opened a second location in Greenwich Village. It's an out of the way location
but a huge space, complete with chocolate bar. Jacques happened to be behind the bar. We
chatted for a couple of minutes before he headed back to the chocolate factory which is behind
huge glass walls so everyone can see the chocolate factory at work.
Bouley Bakery, Café and Market 130 West Broadway, New York, NY. Stop in for a a quick
fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato sandwich. Top it off with a delicious pear or lime curd tart.
| Murray's Cheese Shop |
Taboon 773 Tenth Ave., New York, NY at 52nd St. Taboon is Arabic for the domed oven used
to bake the puffy house bread topped with extra-virgin olive oil with a sprinkling of sage,
rosemary and fleur de sel. The "Married Sardines atop roasted beets were perfectly grilled and
melt in your mouth Lamb Osso Bucco were both outstanding. On Mondays there is a live trio
playing flamingo music that is so loud it's difficult to carry on a conversation. Yes, unfortunately,
that was the night we were there!
The Grey Dog 33 Carmine St New York, NY (Btwn Bleecker and Bedford Streets) After
purchasing all your goodies from Murray's Cheese Shop, walk around the corner past the church
to this offbeat hippie joint for a great breakfast before heading home.
Places that friends suggested that I didn't get to but are on my list for the next trip.
Antiques
Penine Hart Antiques & Art 100 Kenmare Street (Enter @ 13 Cleveland Place) between Spring
and Broome right off Lafayette. New York, NY Tuesday thru Saturday 12 to 7, Sunday 12 to 6
212-226-2602
Restaurants
Lunch at the café called "The Modern" at the Museum of Modern Art run by Danny Meyer.
Babbo 110 Waverly Place, at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park in New York's
Greenwich Village.
wd -50 50 Clinton St New York, NY 10002
Nobu for Sushi
Balthazar 80 Spring St, New York NY A great place for traditional bistro fare or for a great cup
of cappuccino. It is located at and is jammed on the weekend.
Jimmy's or Laboratorio del Gelato at 95 Orchard for gelato.
Amy's Bread
City Bakery at 3 W 18th St
Kee's Chocolates at 80 Thompson St
Jing Fong 20 Elizabeth St in Chinatown for Dim Sum
Drinks at night in the Mandarin lounge overlooking Central Park.
Neighborhoods
SoHo, Canal Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, Chelsea and the Meat packing District
to bake the puffy house bread topped with extra-virgin olive oil with a sprinkling of sage,
rosemary and fleur de sel. The "Married Sardines atop roasted beets were perfectly grilled and
melt in your mouth Lamb Osso Bucco were both outstanding. On Mondays there is a live trio
playing flamingo music that is so loud it's difficult to carry on a conversation. Yes, unfortunately,
that was the night we were there!
The Grey Dog 33 Carmine St New York, NY (Btwn Bleecker and Bedford Streets) After
purchasing all your goodies from Murray's Cheese Shop, walk around the corner past the church
to this offbeat hippie joint for a great breakfast before heading home.
Places that friends suggested that I didn't get to but are on my list for the next trip.
Antiques
Penine Hart Antiques & Art 100 Kenmare Street (Enter @ 13 Cleveland Place) between Spring
and Broome right off Lafayette. New York, NY Tuesday thru Saturday 12 to 7, Sunday 12 to 6
212-226-2602
Restaurants
Lunch at the café called "The Modern" at the Museum of Modern Art run by Danny Meyer.
Babbo 110 Waverly Place, at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park in New York's
Greenwich Village.
wd -50 50 Clinton St New York, NY 10002
Nobu for Sushi
Balthazar 80 Spring St, New York NY A great place for traditional bistro fare or for a great cup
of cappuccino. It is located at and is jammed on the weekend.
Jimmy's or Laboratorio del Gelato at 95 Orchard for gelato.
Amy's Bread
City Bakery at 3 W 18th St
Kee's Chocolates at 80 Thompson St
Jing Fong 20 Elizabeth St in Chinatown for Dim Sum
Drinks at night in the Mandarin lounge overlooking Central Park.
Neighborhoods
SoHo, Canal Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, Chelsea and the Meat packing District
| Pastries from Bouley Bakery, Café and Market |
| Culinary Classes and Tours |
Bret's Table
| Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Bret’s Table All Rights Reserved |
| Sojourns |
| On the Table |
| Kitchen Table |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| News and Reviews |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |