We EAT (revisited)

[Note: This post is in no way intended to be a  serious claim/attack against the author of the article I mention. It is a light-hearted comparison, for fun and laughs; an outlet for me to toot my own horn about choosing a topic that was also chosen by one of my favorite mags.]


Last night as I scoured the pages of the April 2nd issue of New York magazine for some delicious juiciness, I was shocked when I came across an article by Michael Idov entitled "When Did Young People Start Spending 25% of Their Paychecks on Picked Lamb's Toungues: Foodie-ism, as Youth Culture."  Excited to dig into this read since its title echoed the theme of my January 23rd post, "We EAT", I began my perusal.  However, a few paragraphs into the article, I noticed that the article didn't merely echo the observations of my "We Eat" post, but nearly mirrored it!  To illustrate, here are a few excerpts which bear a striking resemblance to my post (great minds think alike if I do say so myself) :) :

#1) NY magazine: "Knowing the newest and finest restaurants to frequent and where to find the very best things to eat have long been essential New York status markers,"  &  "Above all they are avowed culinary agnostics whose central motivation is simply to hunt down and enjoy the next most delicious meal, all the better if no one else has yet heard of it.  Dish snapshots and social-network check-ins are a given."

 Sh*t New Yorkers Do ("SNYD"): ""New Yorkers like to eat.  We take pride in it; not just in the act of eating itself, but in the feat of finding a restaurant that our friends haven't heard of or been to before.  A place we can write about on Facebook or take pictures of and post to our blogs (ummm what? who, me? nooo) or tell our non-New York family members/friends about."

#2)  NY magazine: "Lately, however, food has become a defining obsession among a wide swath of the young and urbane. It's not like golf or opera. It's more like Indie Rock...'It's a badge of honor...bragging rights."          

SNYD:  "Ok, maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but I really do think this desire to discover something cool/novel/exclusive is something most New Yorkers have in common (from my statistical studies, of course).  Like a bragging right of sorts."

#3)  NY magazine: "They abhor restaurant cliches...and studiously avoid chains (Olive Garden, McDonalds), but are not above the occasional trip to either."  

SNYD: "This city isn't filled with the chain restaurants that plague the 'burbs (with the exception of Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, and Hardrock in Times Square)."

#4)  NY Magazine:  "They consume food media - blogs, books, Top Chef, and other "Quality TV"..." 

SNYD:  "Let me just try to describe this feeling to you: a few weeks ago when I purchased the Jan. 2-9th edition of New York magazine, I got a slight high when I saw it contained a list of the top 101 restaurants (according to Adam Platt). I literally took out my highlighter and permanent marker and began circling places I wanted to eat and jotting down the dates or occasions next to restaurants I had visited. It was like I was literally devouring the list."

Am I the only one who thinks this resemblance is uncanny and absolutely cray-cray?!  I think the similarities between my post and the New York article can only mean 1 of the following things (or 4, if you select the last option below):

1) Michael Idov at New York magazine read my blog and thought it was such an amazing notion (why hadn't he thought of it months ago?!*) that he had to take it and make it his own (not nearly as fabulous as the SNYD original, though, I'm sure he admitted to himself). 

2)  I am unbelievably observant.

3)  I should write for New York magazine because I got to this topic before Michael, due to #2 above.

4) All of the above.

What say you, loyal readers? 

*Michael's story was actually filed November 2011, so he in fact had the idea first. Blast!

J-E-T-S, Tim-Te-BOW!

"Chomp Chomp, Go Gators, Timmy Tebow, Heyyyyyyyy!" Such is the chant that echoes through my mind and spews forth from my mouth every time I think of Tim Tebow (in a Southern accent of course), thanks to boyfriend-Matt.  Tim Tebow becoming a New York Jet seems like old news at this point, so I'm a bit behind in jumping on this bandwagon.  I don't have much to add to the commentary of Tebow's Jet-setting since I'm no sports fan at all.  However, since I am a Florida grad who attended the University during some of Tebow's reign, and since I am a New York resident with a boyfriend who is one of the biggest Jet fans alive (proven by scientific studies, of course), I should probably offer up something on the topic.  So I'll come at it the only way I know best: telling you the story of my one and only encounter with this hotty for God-y. 

It was fall of 2007 when I was wrapping up my 5.5 years at the University of Florida. I was "flyering" in Turlington Plaza (best known for its crazy campus "preachers") for one of my dance group's fall showcases.  Basically this meant shamelessly distributing fliers to advertise our dance show with an unnecessary amount of uber-enthusiasm to students between classes.  Wouldn't you know that one of those hundreds of lucky students was the young Tebow?! Ever alert to celebs of any kind, I spotted Tim out of the corner of my eye.  Though I didn't (and don't) care much about football (I think I went to 5 games during my entire college career  -- blasphemy I know!), I knew that Tim was as famous as one could be in the Gator Nation, so naturally, I prepared myself to take advantage of this chance celeb-encounter. 

My adrenaline pumped wildly through my veins as I thought of how I could approach the nearing Tebow.  My breathing quickened as I stealthily peered at him through my peripheral vision.  Time was running short but Tim was drawing closer.  I had only seconds to plan my attack... err flier distribution. The moment came upon me and it happened. I lost all control, and any plan I had to remain cool and collected flew out the window.  Timmy was upon me.  I abruptly swung around to face him head-on and shouted "Come to the Floridance Fall Showcase!  It will be really good!  And you can bring canned food to donate!!" shoving the hot-pink flier at him with what felt like a crazed smile (I'm sure I didn't look as crazy as I felt -- or did I??).  My cheery abruptness caught ole Timmy boy off guard.  He stepped back a bit, and laughed.  "Ok" he said graciously, chuckling.  And that was that.  My encounter with the Tebow man himself. It ranked second only to Coach Billy Donovan once telling me I was awesome after I had unlocked a door for him to the O'Dome.  I never did see Tim at the dance showcase that night (though if you know me, you know that I was thinking something along the lines of, "Surely he thought I was beautiful and amazing and will come to the show just because of me!").  But alas, the memory remains strong.

To conclude, how do I feel about Timmy being in NYC, you ask? Well, as much as I was once annoyed by seeing every Facebook status update during my college years be about Tim Tebow (i.e., "Bow down to Tebow" and "Tebowism!"), which only got worse and expanded beyond just Florida fans when he played with the Broncos, I am actually quite happy and proud about it.  Being surrounded by Tim Tebow garb (jerseys are already out in Modell's and Champs), fans and hype makes me feel kind of at home. I suppose I am forever destined to read about Tim Tebow in the news and on Facebook updates.  But I don't too much mind anymore.  Now, don't expect me to be all in an uproar proclaiming the name of Tebow every Sunday, but deep down, I do have a soft spot for him -- even though he stood me up and didn't come to my dance show.  I will forgive, just as Tebow forgives (Matthew 6:14).

Article in April 2nd issue of "New York" magazine. Too much Tebow? Never.

Just a little something I dug up on Twitter. Gotta love support from Timmy's older brother Peter.

What do you think about Tim Tebow becoming a Jet? All thoughts welcome!

We EAT.

New Yorkers like to eat.  We take pride in it; not just in the act of eating itself, but in the feat of finding a restaurant that our friends haven't heard of or been to before.  A place we can write about on Facebook or take pictures of and post to our blogs (ummm what? who, me? nooo) or tell our non-New York family members/friends about.  Ok, maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but I really do think this desire to discover something cool/novel/exclusive is something most New Yorkers have in common (from my statistical studies, of course).  Like a bragging right of sorts.

Let me just try to describe this feeling to you: a few weeks ago when I purchased the Jan. 2-9th edition of New York magazine, I got a slight high when I saw it contained a list of the top 101 restaurants (according to Adam Platt). I literally took out my highlighter and permanent marker and began circling places I wanted to eat and jotting down the dates or occasions next to restaurants I had visited. It was like I was literally devouring the list.  I then texted anyone I had ever mentioned any of these restaurants to (prior to seeing them on the Platt list) to let them know I called it.  Funny, right? A little sad, you say? (please, don't judge). 

Perhaps I'm making myself out to sound a little more superficial and food-snobbish than I actually am. Truth be told, I've only been to 2 of the restaurants currently on the list (A Voce - #27, and The Four Seasons - #52), and 2 of the ones on the 2006 list (Tia Pol - #80 in '06, and August - #91 in '06).  Before seeing the list I had determined to go to Per Se (#3),  Eataly (#40), and Lincoln (#88) as seen on my Bucket List in my first post.  That means I was in the know on a total of 7 restaurants of the top  101... a whopping 7%! Are you impressed yet??

My point in all this is that it makes total sense that New Yorkers would thrive on on testing out unique eateries.  This city isn't filled with the chain restaurants that plague the 'burbs (with the exception of Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, and Hardrock in Times Square).  There are tons of unique hole-in-the-wall places where we meet our friends and laugh and have wine and food and live.  Hence eating is one of my favorite things to do in the city. Yea, hence.

My all-time favorite restaurant that I have been to in New York is The Four Seasons (#52). Matt, my love, took me here for our first Valentine's Day dinner in February 2010. Sadly I don't have a picture of it, but it was truly the best dining experience.  The chairs at each table were placed adjacent to one another so I could snuggle up to my honey while eating. There wasn't even any music playing, which made it all the more romantic hearing the murmur of conversation throughout the dining room.  Matt and I also received a special treat here, but that's a story for another post :)  And of course the food was delicious.  If you are in the city and have the pleasure of eating here, I would highly recommend it:  http://www.fourseasonsrestaurant.com/index2.htm

The same quietness and sophistication that I love about The Four Seasons is what draws me to the new Lincoln Restaurant (#88) at Lincoln Center (http://www.lincolnristorante.com/).  I'm secretly hoping I get to go there this Valentines Day (wink wink Matty Boy).  This picture doesn't do it justice, but I try to make a habit of snapping photos of restaurants I hope to visit just so I don't forget. I highly suggest this practice if you're forgetful like me.

A couple others I've captured on the ole iPhone for future reference: Beauty & Essex (I keep getting rave reviews but have yet to go) and Pink Pony (just looked cute)...

 

Ahhh, ok now that we are done with all those words, here is a pictorial of some of my favorite moments over good eats with great people.

Gallo Nero - One of the best Italian joints in Hells Kitchen. This was my 25th birthday dinner in 2009, when I was just falling in love with this place. 

And here it is again, over 2 years later...just as good :)  Beware though, sometimes the scented candles are a little overpowering and give it a funny smell. 

Cafeteria - It took me forever to get here, but I finally did this past summer, 2011. The mac 'n cheese platter was delish, but not better than the raspberry lemonade. (Lindsay, how was the pickle?)

Caliente Cab - Per Jeff's insistence, we all had a blast here. The margs were spot-on, the guac was just right, and the company was perfecto (that's Spanish for perfect, right?).  CAUTION: do not go if you have motion sickness...you can feel the subway rumble beneath you while you eat. It makes for an authentic experience, though :)

                                        

                                          

                                                     

Rosa Mexicano (Lincoln Center) - This has been my favorite place for guacamole for a long time, though I think they are starting to slack a little. Nonetheless, it's still a classic and their pomegranate margaritas are amAzing. Matt and I went here for a casual 2nd anniversary celebration in August 2011. <3  We were brave and tried bone marrow for the first time. I was not a fan (I'm sure that disqualifies me from receiving any food connoisseur honors).

                   

Pepe Giallo - Jill and Lindsay's date restaurant.  A tiny little Italian spot. Quite scrumptious. Heather enjoying some wine. Ty, Jill and Heather. Me, Matt and Lindsay. 

∫BIlly's Bakery - Not a restaurant. Banana cupcakes. The end. (Sister Meg, me, Lauren S., Jillian, Jaclyn)

Claudio's (Greenport, Long Island) - So this one is cheating since it's not in Manhattan, but it was a quaint nautical restaurant with the best New England clam chowder I've ever had.  Matt liked it too.

Adjisai - Local sushi joint in Hell's Kitchen. One of Jill's summer fun birthdays :) 

A nameless Tapas place - The name escapes me but it was an awesome tapas place (any help with the name, Ty?) for Jill's birthday this year :)

Southern Hospitality, Hell's Kitchen - This one is more restaurant-y than the UES version, but downstairs was practically a nightclub! We went here in December 2011 for Ty's birthday. We got hit on by a table of Europeans.. it was a strange but fun dinner.

Hell's Kitchen Mexican - One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in, you guessed it, Hells Kitchen.  Short commute, good food, tasty margs.  What more could you ask for?!  My 27th birthday, Sept. 2011 pictured below.

Nameless Vegan spot, the Village - Jill what's the name?? I can't remember, but what I do remember is the vegan cheesesticks and the cupcake....mmmm.

Phewww! Well that was a long one folks.  What are your favorite eateries (in NYC or elsewhere)?  Goodnight!