My days are numbered. In New York, at least.
I moved here six and a half years ago to start my freshmen year of college. Let me be clear that I moved to New York to be a New Yorker, not a college student, and for the four years I spent playing the act of bookworm, and the two and a half years since I graduated, I have been living an amazing life that has had little to do with libraries and profitable employment, but a lot to do with what I really came here for: “The New York Experience.”
Its different for all of us, this “Experience”, and it evolves as long as we do. Yes, I went through my club faze, but let me assure you that those days are long gone (don’t fret, not forgotten is my need for a good, strong cocktail, you can count on that). But now, after all thats changed, what New York has really inspired in me is the need to consume and created really, really good food.
So now, after all of this time, its looks like this could be my last year in New York. I love this city, its my home, but I think its time to try someplace new. Somewhere with more trees and cheaper rents and a yard where I can finally raise my flock of chickens. A little idealized? Of course, but I moved to New York for a dream, and I can leave it for one too.
That being said, Im not leaving this city without a celebration. A year long one at that, of all the places I’ve loved and all the places Im hoping to love. With that in mind, I have composed a list (a list in ever evolving progress) of places I must go before I depart in give or take, 365 days. In no order whatsoever:
1. Tanoreen 17. Sfoglia
2. Jean George (Lunch) 18. The Mermaid Inn
3. Barney Greengrass 19. Al di la
4. Daniel 20. Kefi
5. Le Bernardin 21. Anthos
6. Hecho en Dumbo 22. Freemans
7. Allen & Delancey 23. Babbo
8. Mary’s Fish Camp 24. Taim
9. Pearl Oyster Bar 25. Dumpling House
10. Clinton Street Baking Company (Brunch) 24. Chinatown Brasserie
11. The Spotted Pig 25. Morimoto
12. Casa Mono 26. Esca
13. Diner 27. Blue Hill at Stone Barns
14. La Esquina 28. Shake Shack
15. R.U.B 29. Gottino
16. Una Pizza Napoletana 30. The Red Hook Ballfields
31. Bemelmans Bar
What have I missed?
So in the next year or so, I will document here the food I eat, in restaurants and at home. Hopefully it will read as good as it tastes.
