Well, yesterday I finally got to visit the food venues in the City I have been looking forward to – The Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, The Union Square Farmer’s Market, the new Agata and Valentina on University Place and the New York location of Georgetown Cupcake. I also checked out Francois Payard’s West Houston St. location and, of course, Murray’s Cheese. This is my idea of a FUN day. Let’s just say I could do this all the time – east coast, west coast and all across the pond (would really like to be across the pond – with Chef Gerri, let’s say).
Part of my mission was to see what’s offered in the various venues, part of it is to get inspired to make new things and part of it is just the overall invigorating nature of the venue. I just love the energy of the “market”. (I must have gotten the gene of my great grandfather who peddled fruits and vegetables on Washington Street in Morristown alongside of Maurice Epstein’s father – who sold hats and scarves, I believe – circa 1885? ) So, let’s just say this is continuing on the theme of food markets – old, new, inside, outside, local and not so local… I find it fascinating to walk around and see the range and quality of offerings.
I think one of my favorite photos in a very long time was a Facebook post on Intermezzo magazine of a small delivery truck in Rome laden with flowers, plants and maybe some produce. (I can’t say enough just how much I love Intermezzo Magazine and Roseann Tully’s vision!) It wasn’t clear to me if this was a traveling “market” or just a deliveryman. (I think the latter.) I think it’s a great shot – illustrating a serendipitous moment, one perhaps only the Italians can make, “romantic” in the most rustic sense – in the center of Rome – beautiful and amazing! I don’t know, I just love this picture. (I confess that when I go shopping I find myself saying all the time – those Italians, they really know how to make the MOST beautiful clothes!!!!!!) I digress again, oh.
Sorry for the quality of this – it was the best I could get.
Todd English’s Food Hall was fun – a take on the Harrod’s Food Hall. I thought it was a great use of space and our lunch was quite good – a paillard with arugula salad – nice and obviously a popular venue. Visually this is well done – and a little more civilized to walk around than Eataly. The retail offerings were somewhat limited – but considering you’re across the street from Bergdorf’s, where the rent is higher than high, this is a pretty good venue – attracting the food market crowd uptown-style!
One reason to visit the Union Square Farmer’s Market was to check in on the supply of scapes – following up on Melissa Clark’s recipe in Wednesday’s Dining section of the NYT and to see first hand the current obsession with chefs in particular with ramps and scapes. I was happy to see an abundant supply of “green garlic” and lots and lots of lovely onions and other beautiful members of the Allium family. Lots of people were taking advantage of the availability and seemed truly excited at the offerings. I have to confess that the local strawberries, which were plentiful didn’t hold a candle to the ones I saw in Santa Barbara. The latter were deeply colored, large, plump and lush, today’s were a little pale and peakid looking. I hate to say that, but it’s true.
Here are the hydrangeas in bloom at Union Square:
Agata and Valentina’s new store was clean and fresh looking – the fish especially looked great. I bought some olive oil – one of my new hobbies – sampling olive oils.
As I sat down last night to work on this post, I began thinking of the power of seasonal foods to inspire – how they suddenly evoke the urge to find them, cook with them and eat them in their pure state. This sparked a memory about the special apricots of Austria. I honestly can’t remember who told me of these – maybe it was Violetta in Pastry Class or did I read about them last year and ask her about them – I don’t know. But, suddenly I began to wonder about these and took a quick google on them. They are called Wachauer Marille and I came upon a NYT travel section article about them from last Fall. This was indeed an entire article about foods worth traveling for. I love apricots and would love to try these. Whole festivals are dedicated to them in July and they’re characterized as “a local sensation”. I am trying to see if there are any importers to the US or if you have to go to Austria – the village of Durnstein – 40 miles northwest of Vienna to find them. I guess I will just have to go, right? There’s also a post by Gina DiPalma on the Babbo website where she talks about the apricots of the Val Venosta (is it any wonder why I want to go there?), Austria as well as what she does with the local apricot crop in New York. So, I’m not the only one obsessing about these, just in case you’re wondering. It’s comforting to see that I am not the only person who is this way!
A couple of other shots highlighting this season’s obsession with the Allium family:
Well, I think I am off to NYC again today – will report back later. Stay cool – it’s gonna be Summer-like today! Great day for BBQ!!!!!