With this confirmation in my pocket, I started my culinary adventure overseas.
I had high hopes! The name alone set my mind on fire...
I wanted to bring something new to Ady's Kitchen and this seemed to be just perfect!
This wintertime I introduced truffle to my cuisine. I made a lot of mushroom risotto with truffle, had a lot of chocolate and drank lots of red wine. Aphrodisiac effects were there.
But I'm no expert, so why not learn from one?
Chef Fed, from SXculinary, is the first Michelin star chef I have ever met in person, but nevertheless he's already my favorite one!
The way he talks about food...that is an aphrodisiac on its own. Seduction with words when talking about seducing with food. One must really love food to have this reaction I guess.
I remember his opening speech:
"In life we need 2 essential things to survive as a human race: food and sex"
Reproduction and survival. Evolution theory has taught us about 'survival of the fittest'. The one with the best physique, best looks and best tactics to win over a (fe)male, survives. In short: you have to stand out. Why? Because, even tough we keep claiming the opposite, we rely on looks. It has to look good, because if it isn't appealing to the eye, then it doesn't go any further than that. Yes people, deep down we are shallow! This concerns both kitchen as bedroom scenarios.
Ok. So lesson 1: got to look good
Next: pheromones
We don't always understand why a certain scent sets us off, but it does. Why on earth would they otherwise have ever invented perfumes? A scent can take us back in time to a specific moment; it can remind us of a specific person, city,.. and it can provoke a certain reaction. In this context we hope it causes lust or appetite.
Lesson 2: got to smell good
I'm not sure what the chef had put on n° 3 but for me personally it's certainly the taste. It has to taste good. And last but not least, feel good. Texture. Please don't serve overcooked paste, that would be such a disappointment. That won't result in 'sex on the table' believe me!
So there you go lesson 3 and 4: taste & feel good
I got so many valuable lessons out of this cooking class, even if it were small details or tips & tricks.
I wonder how my next dinner date will turn out...
I feel obliged to at least mention all the other goodies I have tasted in New York city, it wouldn't be fair otherwise.
For breakfast I usually grabbed a bagel from one of the street vendors. Nothing special, but good enough. The best bagels I had, were those of Ess-a-Bagel, Inc. Oh my God, with capital G!
The waiting line was huuuuuuge! I read on Tripadvisor that it was worthwhile the wait, so I had to try.
Honestly, if you are in the neighborhood, don't miss out on these baby's!
Some ideas for lunch, which I find worth mentioning:
- Nuchas: in the theater district around Times Square
- The Hummus & Pita co: on 6th Avenue not far from Madame Tussauds - they have 4 different locations in NY
- Mogador in East Village: Mediterranean cuisine (I had some delicious couscous here)
- the traditional American pancakes
- Gansevoort Market: foodie heaven in the Meatpacking District in Chelsea
- Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge (in Brooklyn): pretty good pizza! I heard it's the best in New York...
Divine dinners:
- Risotteria in West Village
- SXculinary Bar in Brooklyn - I didn't get the chance to go there, but no doubt you' ll leave the restaurant with a culinary orgasm
It's a pity, but that's all I can recall dinnerwise. Due to jetlag, I woke up very early in the morning, walked all day and went to sleep by the time 'normal people' would have dinner. I guess I had lots of coffees (and cake) in between.
Worth a visit:
- The City Bakery: hot chocolate ft. the chocolate room
- Cafe Minerva in West Village: good coffee, the italian dishes looked so good, I was sorry for not tasting one
- Pick me Up in East Village: 'where writers meet' I had the best cheesecake e-v-e-r !
- The Pod 39 hotel: taco & cocktail bar
- Chinatown: it's like you're in a different world! Try out some of the food, it's delicious and very cheap. I learned how to eat with chopsticks - finally!
Labels: citytrip, cooking, food, Hotspots, New York, USA, workshop
