THE SUBWAY

No, not the yoga mat chemical bread and sodium infused turkey sandwich chain but rather the B, Q, F, M, and boxes of metal that transports me through the boroughs I love. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love the subway system but let’s have a chat.

The subway station- dirty

The subway platform -really dirty

The inside- B.O, infections, and uric acid…super dirty

The people- (not all) but 98% DIRTY

PEOPLE THIS IS NOT A CLEAN JOY RIDE INTO THE CITY. Alas the subway is necessary and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’re from the city you have a love hate relationship with the subway…it could get stopped at any time and you will be nose deep in an old man’s bologna smelling armpits for a few hours or it could be marvelous with some subway art and train performers (my favorite are the hat dancers and mariachi guys) but regardless of the trip it’s always interesting and is bringing you (mostly) conveniently to your destination.

This week I have subway rode more than I have in the past few months and it has been worth every ride because I got Momofuku, fresh made pasta, new shoes, pizza, gelato, french macaron and more!

LET’S TALK NEW YORK CITY FOOD ADVENTURE : WEEK ONE OF BEING HOME FOR GOOD!

First stop Momofuku ssäm bar for some asian inspired burrito. Although I wouldn’t go again I did thoroughly enjoy my meal and would like to try other Momofuku restaurants. Because let’s face it… David Chang is a mastermind. I got an o.g. momofuku ssäm which is pork shoulder, black beans, hoisin, kimchi. So basically everything delicious made into an asian burrito. And broccoli salad  which had smoked bluefish vinaigrette, crispy duck skin. Both were delicious and fresh but nothing that inspiring that I would go back.

Next stop is to Ben’s pizza in Soho for a good old NYC slice of pizza. I got a lasagna slice and on the cheaper side for a meal in the city Ben’s has been a steadily amazing pizza place for as long as I can remember. The slice I got was perfectly greasy with dollops of ricotta and ground beef. YAS. I also stopped at the new Soho Lauderee and got a chocolate coconut macaron and a lemon verbena one. Happy.

 Chelsea Market- home to endless assortment of delicious food and the area surrounding as well. With all the options it is so hard to decide but when you spend the day surrounded by my family (who loves food more than anyone and follows their stomach along with their hearts) you pick something amazing. Our stomach stopped and growled in front of a new pasta restaurant in Chelsea Market called Rana. They make all fresh past and let me say overpriced BUT delicious. I got cappalletti al proscuitto crudo in a butter and sage sauce….DROOOOOL. It was great the pasta was perfectly cooked with meat inside and perfectly seasoned with buttery sage sauce and parmesan sprinkled over it. 

So I’ve talked about some savory let’s talk sweet. Hey sugar, come here often?… Oh not like that…awkward. Anyway want some great gelato? Than you need to park your body in and around L’albero dei gelati (in Dumbo, NYC, and Brooklyn) and get yourself some amazing creamy goodness. Not only do they do basic flavors well but also have savory options which are always good! I got a cone of arugula gelato (YES, Arugula) and it was fresh and tasty alongside Panna con raspberry jam. It was like a fruit salad in dessert form. Heavenly.

And second stop is Francois Payard for chocolate bread and a pistachio and raspberry macaron ice cream sandwich. The city and its never ending list of delectable delights is awe inspiring. 

Well, that’s been a recap of this past week.Time to hop on the Q and head on home… I love being home!

Happy eating everyone.

I hate cupcakes

I know this statement is uncharacteristic to the female gender but I just don’t like cupcakes (with the exception of Magnolia Bakery’s vanilla cupcake). Other than that I have never had a cupcake I like and I can’t follow the trend…I refuse!

BUT…there is one dessert I could eat every minute of everyday and be the happiest human;

Dear french macarons,

You complete me. Seriously, ever since I laid my eyes upon your round bodies and tasted your sweet delectable confections I was hooked. Your versatility, your depth of flavor, you’re a one of a kind vixen that’s got me by the tongue.

The first time I ever had a french macaron it was from Almondine Bakery. I got a raspberry flavored one and since then I have made it a mission of mine to try all different flavors and types of french macarons. When I see them at patisseries and in shops I get so excited and can hardly resist their crunchy and chewy temptation.

It’s sufficient to say I’ve had at least 50 of them in the past year or so in a variety of flavors. The best flavors I have ever had were peanut butter and banana, strawberry balsamic, classic vanilla, matcha and masala chai . They all came from various places around New York City and Brooklyn.

The best of macarons I have ever had was  Vendome at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg. The flavors that these ladies carried were unique and all of the ones I tried (and I tried quite a few) had a perfectly chewy inner texture mixed with a crisp exterior and they all had the most vibrant and true to nature flavors. I had a grapefruit one that was outstanding, the peanut butter banana one was the best sweet thing I have ever put into my mouth, and the strawberry balsamic blew my mind. The flavors of these confections took me to a new level of happiness I never thought I could reach. Vendome’s macarons are the premium french macaron.

Next on the list comes Lauderee. C’mon how can you not love a classic macaron from Lauderee. Paris based macarons are just essential sweets. They are charming and dainty and give you a light taste of dessert without being weighed down by doughs and heavy frostings. The best flavors I have had at Lauderee happen to be classic flavors of pistachio and vanilla. They are simple but rich. These bite sized morsels are strangely fulfilling and give you the essence of those solid flavors. No need for mix and match flavors or add ons but these mono flavored delights do the job, and do it well.

Who’s next? Takahachi bakery. Let’s talk Takahachi. This is by far my absolute favorite asian inspired cafe/bakery in the entire world. They hold some of the best flavors I have ever sampled in a single place. They have buns and pastries, matcha lattes, creme brûlée, California roll sandwiches. Basically, EVERYTHING THIS GIRL LOVES IN LIFE, and macarons. Of the few flavors they had that I chose was black sesame which was absolutely sensual and matcha. Now let’s talk matcha. It’s earthy, sweet, savory, perfection. I love it in my tea,my pastries, my yogurt, my smoothies (Add honeydew, milk, yogurt, and matcha in a blender…voila) and especially my macarons. This matcha macaron was sensational. Creamy and full bodied this little dream was a knockout.

The masala chai from bisous, ciao macaron boasts some sexy chai spice flavors. I’ve had a few from their larger selection of flavors and while not the best macarons are a pretty decent delectable. What makes it even better is how close they are to Big Gay Ice Cream, Murrays Cheese, A Salt & Battery,and Amy’s Bread.

                                

A few other reliable places that make the cut for these gems are Francois Payard, Dominique Ansel, Bouchon Bakery, Macaron Parlour and Bosie Tea.

Macaron Parlour has some unique flavors; Cheetos(which isn’t bad), Elvis,and candied bacon and cream cheese.

My next venture will be to make some macarons of my own. After buying “Les Petits Macaron” last winter I have spent  long enough time mentally preparing for it. Coming to a kitchen near you… Melissa Makes Macarons.