New York Chronicles Day 3
By Sunday we were wiped out- miles of sidewalk behind us and many great meals in our bellies. We took it a little bit easy. Started the day with Starbucks- the new Pikes Peak roast for me and a Chai Latte for Susannah- I stopped at the local deli for one of my favorite New York breakfast sandwiches- a fried egg on a Portuguese roll and we picnicked in our room.
We walked up through the park uptown towards the Whitney- the Pope was staying on 5th Ave, so there was quite a spectacle in the streets- I found it interesting/ironic that he was staying in an apartment that was formerly owned by Andy Warhol. Before taking in the Biennial at the Whitney, we needed sustenance. Luckily I had made a reservation at Cafe Boulud. I have been following Daniel Boulud's career for years, and I was excited about visiting one of his restaurants, even a B level one. Well maybe B +, but certainly at a more reasonable price point than Daniel. There is a feeling of understated elegance in Cafe Boulud; the subdued atmosphere was welcomed on a Sunday morning after the frenetic energy at Chang's Momofuku or the red-hot dell'anima. We came for Boulud's food, and we were not disappointed.
I started my brunch with homemade charcuterie- an artfully arranged platter included a goose liver terrine and two types of prosciutto- pork and duck. The portions were small, but gorgeously laid out- every bite was packed with rich flavor.
For an entree I had Maine Crab Benedict with Peekytoe Crab, Poached Egg, Spinach, and Lemon Sabayon- an orchestra of flavors, subtly combined.
Dessert was refreshing- a grapefruit and lemon thyme vacherin- again, subtle yet bold flavors, artfully arranged.
There were lots of upper east side neighborhood regulars for brunch- drinks came out without being ordered and the house phone brought to several tables. In fact, a restaurant critic was at a nearby table and we overhead him speaking with Daniel's wife on the phone. Daniel never did appear. Apparently there was family in town from France.
After a wander through the Biennial, which is always fun and head-scratchingly challenging , we waled by the boutiques on Madison, stopped in the APPLE store, heaving with pilgrims on a Sunday afternoon, and made our way back to LaGuardia for a flight home.
Our last meal of the trip was not our best- security had taken away some treats we had packed, so Chilis was the last stop on our whirlwind culinary adventure weekend.
We walked up through the park uptown towards the Whitney- the Pope was staying on 5th Ave, so there was quite a spectacle in the streets- I found it interesting/ironic that he was staying in an apartment that was formerly owned by Andy Warhol. Before taking in the Biennial at the Whitney, we needed sustenance. Luckily I had made a reservation at Cafe Boulud. I have been following Daniel Boulud's career for years, and I was excited about visiting one of his restaurants, even a B level one. Well maybe B +, but certainly at a more reasonable price point than Daniel. There is a feeling of understated elegance in Cafe Boulud; the subdued atmosphere was welcomed on a Sunday morning after the frenetic energy at Chang's Momofuku or the red-hot dell'anima. We came for Boulud's food, and we were not disappointed.
I started my brunch with homemade charcuterie- an artfully arranged platter included a goose liver terrine and two types of prosciutto- pork and duck. The portions were small, but gorgeously laid out- every bite was packed with rich flavor.
For an entree I had Maine Crab Benedict with Peekytoe Crab, Poached Egg, Spinach, and Lemon Sabayon- an orchestra of flavors, subtly combined.
Dessert was refreshing- a grapefruit and lemon thyme vacherin- again, subtle yet bold flavors, artfully arranged.
There were lots of upper east side neighborhood regulars for brunch- drinks came out without being ordered and the house phone brought to several tables. In fact, a restaurant critic was at a nearby table and we overhead him speaking with Daniel's wife on the phone. Daniel never did appear. Apparently there was family in town from France.
After a wander through the Biennial, which is always fun and head-scratchingly challenging , we waled by the boutiques on Madison, stopped in the APPLE store, heaving with pilgrims on a Sunday afternoon, and made our way back to LaGuardia for a flight home.
Our last meal of the trip was not our best- security had taken away some treats we had packed, so Chilis was the last stop on our whirlwind culinary adventure weekend.