je mange.

RUSS AND DAUGHTERS
179 e houston st # 1
new york, ny

finally, after an entire year of meaning-to’s and almost’s, i had made the short trek to russ and daughters. i entered the store wide-eyed, trying to absorb everything, until i naturally fell into the line and saw the face of a kind older man behind the counter, asking me what i’d like. i asked for the popular gravlox + scallion cream cheese bagel and watched him prepare it. seeing my camera in hand, he pushed back the window just so, granting me a perfect frame. after wrapping it in r&d’s beautiful white wax paper, he urged, “hope you enjoy it, kiddo.” that made me smile.

i stepped outside into the afternoon sun and sat down on the bench next to a man who seemed entranced in his own world. after some time, he smiled at me, and seeing me wolf down the thickly-layered bagel with its rich, silky salmon, sympathized: “isn’t it something ?”

it certainly was.

GRILL 21
346 e 21st st (b/n 1st and 2nd ave)
new york, ny

everything was closing in the neighborhood, but perhaps, just perhaps, this restaurant would stay open until i got there. it did. and the better i am for it. the waitress greeted me with a warm smile and bore through my indecision. finally, i decided on the dish they were best known for — chicken adobo. i was floored. tender, juicy, salty, tangy — everything i knew chicken could be but had so rarely encountered. nicely followed by a sweet, sweet, dense slice of flan — the thickest i’d ever tasted — and a lovely chat with the waitress. i will be back again.

PARIGOT
155 lafayette st (nr. grand)
new york, ny

once a week, a few girls and i will meet for lunch, rotating the decision of locations between the three of us. today’s group rounded to a lovely four. i chose parigot, which turned out very nicely for a breezy and slightly overcast day in new york.

we introduced p to des escargots, slightly large and tough i admit, though bathing in perfectly buttery and garlicky sauce. the merguez on the baguette was quite tasty, and the salads thoughtfully presented, refreshing, and delicious.

the endive and blue cheese salad especially reminded me of the no-school wednesdays at the middle school i attended in france, going to the open air market with my mother those mornings, and, upon returning home, making for us my favorite snack: an endive salad with one ten year old girl’s perfected house vinaigrette.

PAPABUBBLE
380 broome st (nr. mulberry st)
new york, ny

was meeting a friend at the steps of her home in little italy — she would be two-three minutes late, she called. having been there for some time, i challenged myself to stumble upon something new in those precious minutes left. i let myself turn the corner, never having turned it before, and saw a most intriguing window display.

i seemed to have stumbled upon a candy laboratory.

the jars were perfectly aligned, their content shining vibrantly almost dancing under the afternoon light, the packages bursting with beautiful glass-like pieces of fuschia, forest green, yellows, promising of mango, chili, salt, watermelon.

it was all i could do from ooh-ing and aah-ing out loud. though i may have let a few escape. i purchased a package. there was my something new.

BUN SOHO
143 grand st (nr. lafayette)
new york, ny

it was late at night; the exterior drew me in with its blue christmas lights on the dark grand street.

the complimentary shrimp crackers came first, beautifully white though slightly stale. the “bun hue” (bun bo hue) followed closely and i quietly took in the presentation. it was lovely, with a dainty side dish of lime, chili paste, sriracha. sadly, the broth was bland, and the portion simply too small.  to round things out, i made the exciting decision to order a side of com lap xuong, which brought with it a few memories of home, patiently waiting at the table as i watched my mother cook just feet away from me.

TIFFIN WALLAH
127 e 28th st (nr lexington)
new york, ny

as a fan of small dishes, i was pleasantly surprised to find that the “tiffin” in tiffin wallah means “light meal”. the tiffin wallah sampler and kalag paneer were delightful — rich yet light, flavorful yet delicate. the mango lassi was refreshing and true to the fruit — as if a whole mango was strained and pureed into our glass.

a lovely experience on curry hill. and at a great price.