Thursday, July 31, 2008 A scrumptious Big Apple bite By JT Gonzales
(first of two parts)
NEW YORK – if you want to take a big, juicy bite out of the Big Apple, then the culinary delights available in this concrete jungle are unparalleled.
Manhattan is a smorgasbord of diners, restaurants, cafes and bakeries, all catering to the discerning palates of sophisticated New Yorkers. There are countless dining options anywhere you turn, and the trick is to find out where the best food can be had for the least expense.
I was off to New York City, and I must say, flying Cathay Pacific turned out to be such an excellent start to the expedition.
The airline’s newly-refurbished business class section reminded me of a peapod, with seeds arranged in its own little cozy nesting place. Each seat is like its own little world, a safe cocoon to comfortably pass the time by until one gets to his destination.
Needless to say, we landed fresh and ready to take on the big bad city, and food was the first thing on the itinerary. Over by the East Side where my sister lived, it became almost routine to buy fresh bread at the Corner Café.
With soft-spun chocolate brioches and healthy raspberry banana muffins, it was hard not to become a permanent fixture of the establishment. Positively rated by Zagat (back when it was still called Yura), the Corner Café is a great place for breakfast and spending lazy, hazy summer afternoons.
Brunch is a ritual in this city, immortalized in seven seasons of Sex and the City. Our first pick was Le Pain Quotidien (The Daily Bread), which is the stateside offshoot of that famous Parisian bakery. There are now several outlets of Le Pain Quotidien dotting the city, and this French export is easily accessible to New York natives. There are now several outlets of Le Pain Quotidien dotting the city, and this French export is easily accessible to New York natives.
Fresh breads are served in a quaint wicker basket, and scrumptious jams and spreads are laid out on long communal tables, all to enjoy these healthy carbs with. Fresh coffee, rich hot chocolate, or comfort teas accompany the morning’s repast, while softly boiled eggs with rock salt contrast against the sweet fruit preserves. Other choices for breakfast include the slightly more-filling tartines (sandwiches) or the crispy salads, such as the goat cheese and arugula salad served with pine nuts and tomatoes. A word of warning though – don’t expect omelettes, usual brunch fare, to be served here. After a filling meal, one can then decide to sin in private by purchasing delicious pastries, delicate Italian truffles, and even Tunisian olive oil for home consumption.
My guide, editor-turned-designer Candy Benedicto, favors City Bakery, which is a cavernous café near Union Square.
Similarly, City Bakery has expanded to several other locations, offering its reasonably priced skinny cappuccinos and cinnamon bagels to hungry commuters.
Lunchtime, if you find yourself midtown exploring the NBC studios or being awed by the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a visually attractive option is the skating rink at the Rockefeller Center, which becomes a pretty café during summer months. Many network executives have high-powered lunches in this centrally-located eatery.
Office workers, tourists, and tired shoppers from Fifth Avenue can avail themselves of the many benches surrounding the area. It’s a picture perfect spot, but the food isn’t that great (stay away from the Thai chicken salad, which has way too much dressing). Perhaps the best thing to order from the menu is a thick juicy American burger smothered with loads of french fries, and enjoy the buzz of wheeling and dealing from the executive clientele here.
