My first week in New York - food, food, food!

As I sit in Newark International Airport on my way to London, I thought I’d reflect on my first week in New York.

It’s been a strange trip for me as this is going to be one week of many in New York. By March, I should be fully settled into New York as a Brooklyn resident working in Manhattan. So I didn’t go nuts on the touristy stuff and instead just enjoyed myself (in a slightly jet-lagged state). I did make it to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and am now officially a member. At $25 a visit, the $70 annual membership (including free films) seemed cheap.


The sublet I got through my friend Hannah is cozy but also creaky, old and the walls are paper-thin. It’s one of those old houses where the tub won’t drain, and the electricity shorts out, but the area is good, easy to get to and my flatmate Catherine seems really great. She’s a content producer for an education station as well as a poet. We had a natter yesterday and I know we’ll get on just fine. My landlord is planning on some renovations so I’ll probably only be there till April or May when I’ll get my own place.

I work just off Union Square in a space called Tech:Space. A number of start-ups and small companies are based there. On my first day, I was taking the lift down with another girl. I introduced myself and we got to talking. When I asked where she worked, she responded “Oh you probably haven’t heard of us. Do you know Technorati?” Yep. I have. Blogger resource I’ve used a million times and they are 3 offices away. Ace.

My team is great and most are new to the company which means we’ll all be shaping the way the company goes in the US. This is a million times easier than being the last one in or coming into a well-oiled team where you have to prove yourself – inevitably they will bring up all the ways your predecessor had done what you are doing. Like the sheen you give to a long departed ex, everything they did was amazing.

Outside of work and home, most of my activities revolved around food. Here are my top 5 in the food department this week:

1. Lunch
   There are tons of food places around my office. One of the two top places I found were the 24 hour deli with the most humongous food counters. Hot and cold food galore, including Vegan Dumplings, BBQ tofu and greens.
   
   Second place I went to a trendy hole in the wall where they serve Cambodian sandwiches called Num Pang. There are a few seats upstairs but most people queued at an open window for their sandwich. They are a bit on the pricey end but I couldn’t resist trying the catfish. Ever since my first encounter with Cajun food and especially after my time in New Orleans, I have to order catfish if I see it on the menu. The sandwich was small but tasty – more coriander than I thought would be good, but it was lovely and fresh with the grilled fish. Yep – all grilled and not fried. A big bonus for me.
   
   
2. Korea town
   After a photography exhibition at a coffee shop near Madison Avenue, I headed to Korea town with some filmmakers (and the photographer whose show we were at). We all went to Arirang Korean for kimchee cakes to share and the specialty - soup.
   
   I had the seafood combo which is a combination of long noodles and “dough flakes” which are square flat noodles. I liked the noodles but there was way too much broth and the squid was a bit overcooked. I’d try it again mainly because I was jet lagged and food never tastes quite right when you are out of sorts. So I’ll reserve my main judgement for another time but will rate it 3 stars for my experience that night.
   
   
3. Secret cocktail bar
   Supposedly there are a number of these places dotted around New York. Little hidden speakeasies. Now, this may be frustrating to some of you, but I’m not telling you where this is. Yep. No telling from me. If you come and visit, I’ll take you there. I tried Cousin Mary (the first Bloody Mary I’ve EVER liked.) And a Passion Dance which had Jalapeno-infused Tequila and coriander. Which, once again, tasted great. Maybe it’s all about the coriander…
   
   
4. Sushi
   Supposedly, during the really bad moments of the recession in New York, a lot of sushi restaurants in the East Village had all their sushi on 50% off. Luckily for us, more than one place still has this amazing deal including the fantastic Village Yokocho in Japan town. We over indulged to point of sleepiness on quality fish and whatnot. Everything was extremely fresh and the shrimp Tempura roll was to die for. We even went for a second order! I can’t wait to try the adjacent streets of Thai, Indian and my personal favourite, Ukrainian!
   
   
5. Beer! And Coffee!
   I’m going to say something controversial. I’ve been enjoying the craft beer that the states have to offer. I’ve tried the Goosehead IPA, Dogfish Head and a few others. I’m actually looking forward to my Brooklyn Brewery tour. I promise none of them will ever replace Brewdog but until they open up in New York I’ll have to make due with places like, Good Beer, in the East Village:
   
   I’m also trying all the coffee joints around work. So far my hands down fav (so far) is Joe’s Coffee. Too small really to plan to meet someone there but great for a take away. And your 11th coffee is free. As it’s near The New School, I’d probably avoid 3 onwards if you’re in a hurry. It took almost 15-20 minutes to get an Americano Misto. But it sure was tasty. And don't forget to bring cash - they don't take cards!

Little adventures to start myself off and there’s only more to come – comedy, theatre, food, events, meet-ups – the whole shebang.

PS Stopped by Magnolia Bakery near 30 Rock. Though it was cute and everything looked beautiful, I ate a bit of the cake itself (red velvet if you please) but it was a bit dry to be honest.

As I couldn’t eat the icing, maybe it would have added more moisture. But for me, it was too much icing and the cake was dry. Not quite what I expected from the mecca of cupcakes. Please don’t hate me everyone.