For weeks before new years, coworkers had been trying to convince me to take the long drive down to New York with them for 4 days after new years, as our restaurant would be closed for a week. Knowing that I used to live in New York for culinary school, they were hoping that I could show them around town a little in between the planned stops at highly rated restaurants. Normally, this would’ve been a no brainer. Who says no to New York? But, I kept resisting the temptation because I knew how painfully long that drive would be. Then came new years eve. My new years resolution? Be more responsible, less spontaneous. But as we all know, new years resolutions are made to be broken. After working a 12 hr shift in the restaurant on new years eve, and making it through the last busy dinner service of the year, we downed glasses of champagne in sweaty chefs coats, and I said “screw it, I’m going to New York!” So much for a new years resolution, it was broken in record time (25 minutes to be more exact). Drove home with all the excitement in the world, booked a hotel, return flight, and by 6AM, was on my way to New York!
For those who have yet to make it to New York, New York is a dream for any foodie’s palette. Manhattan is a 59 square kilometer island, which manages to hold over 23,000 restaurants. Whether it’s food trucks, dive bars, taquerias, or Michelin rated restaurants, you name it, you got it when it comes to food in Manhattan. Manhattan alone holds 52 Michelin rated restaurants, 7 of which have achieved 3-star ratings. In their 3 days in New York, my coworkers had planned to dine at 7 of those Michelin rated restaurants, amongst visits to numerous patisseries and chocolatiers.
My plan was to be in New York for 2 days, and fly home a day earlier then my coworkers had planned to. As with most good restaurants in New York, reservations are generally required weeks, if not a month ahead of the given date. Hence, we were slightly worried about making last minute changes to reservations and if I’d be able to tag along to all these great places. But as always, the food Gods never fail me, and thus began our food adventure.
I was fortunate enough at 2AM new years day to be able to book Element by Westin (part of Starwood Group), just a couple blocks from Times Square and Port Authority Bus Terminal. Newly renovated, lounge, free wifi in the lobby, the hotel offered more than just comfort. Not to mention, if you’ve ever stayed in a Westin Hotel, you’ll know of the heavenly beds. You may never want to sleep in another bed again after sleeping in one of these! The rooms also had rainfall showers and kitchenettes (although, you ARE in Manhattan with over 23 thousand restaurants, there is no reason to stay in and cook).
After a quick shower and snapping a picture of the beautiful night view of the New York Times building outside the hotel, it was off to dinner, the Spotted Pig.
The Spotted Pig, a gastro pub located in the West Village of New York City, is rated as a 1 Michelin star restaurant. Being the first of our party to arrive at the crowded cozy little restaurant, squeezing into the bar was a challenge in itself. My group soon arrived, and before I had a chance to order a drink, we were escorted upstairs to a cozy little corner table.
Some may say, a small menu equates to a lack of options, but my personal favorite was the small, simple, straightforward selection on the 1-paged menu.
Let’s start with the Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter and Sage.
The gnudi, a simple stuffed pasta, not much unlike a ravioli. The ingredients of this dish were incredibly simple, yet all the flavours perfectly balanced. The creaminess of the warm ricotta flowing out with each bite with the slight nutty flavour of the brown butter is not a unheard of combination. I must admit though, having tried ricotta raviolis numerous times, I’ve never had anything quite the same as this. Quite unforgettable.
Next, came the pig. We were at the Spotted Pig after all. Being Asian, marinated pig’s ears are a fairly common dish, but never have I seen or tried deep fried pig’s ears. The crispy pig’s ears, was paired with parsley and radicchio rosso and a lemon caper dressing. It was quite refreshing to taste such a common Asian ingredient done in a very different manner. The acidity from the lemon caper dressing was a great balance to the potential grease from a fried dish.
And there was more piggy to come. Pork belly with borlotti beans and salsa verde. Tender pork belly with crisp skin, and perfectly rendered fat. What more could you ask for? Everyone loves a big fatty piece of pork belly (as long as just enough fat is rendered out so that it doesn’t feel like you’re eating one giant piece of fat), and this dish did not disappoint.
As if that wasn’t enough meat for one meal, I snuck in a bite of the perfectly medium rare and juicy burger. All I can say is, I couldn’t say no to the rest of that half of a burger. This was definitely worth every additional pound and minute of calorie burning exercise that I’d have to do to follow.
By this point, I was ready to explode. Must say, this was a great start to the next 2 days of gluttony to follow. Goodnight New York! We’ll see you in the morning.
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