Painting Food

"British Food Series 1-9" Joël Penkman

What do marmalade, Stilton cheese on a digestive, trifle, and a cup of PG Tips have in common? They're all quintessential British foods, which for some may conjure up images of a faraway homeland or for others simply remind them of what’s in their pantry. Artist Joël Penkman has reproduced these along with many other British food favourites in a series of delightful paintings.

Born and raised in New Zealand and now living in Liverpool, England, Penkman hopes that her paintings will “make people smile.” Some of the works are pretty (summer fruit jelly) while others cause a brief shudder (black pudding—so wrong). All of them are incredibly detailed with some appearing at first glance to be a photograph.

"Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce" Joël Penkman

Have no ties to British cuisine? Not to worry because she also has an American series, which was commissioned for the book A Taste of America by Colman Andrews. Looking at the items representing the 50 states, there were some that I was unfamiliar with—Maytag blue cheese from Iowa, smoked catfish pate from Mississippi, Mayhaw jelly from Georgia, Goetta sausage from Ohio—while others I knew very well—Sriracha hot chili sauce from California, maple candy from Vermont, Kona coffee from Hawaii, a box of baked goods from Two Little Red Hens in New York. The one downside of looking at Penkman's work is it will make you hungry; "Biscuits in a line" made me want to run down to Myers of Keswick and grab a packet of Bourbon biscuits.

Prints as well as some of the original paintings are available for sale so you can hang some fish fingers (sorry they come with ketchup not custard) on your wall or a good old American glazed donut. To see all of Penkman's series, visit her website here.

A Day in San Francisco

Last week I was in California for a much needed break. I stayed with my parents and got to hang out with them along with my siblings and nephews as well as a few friends. And after the first couple of days, the weather was lovely, reminding me why so many people flee to the West Coast. 

During my trip I spent a day in the Castro and Mission Districts of San Francisco visiting some friends and walking down memory lane. The Castro is the biggest gay neighbourhood in the country and is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and one of my favourite places, the Castro Theatre. Since 1922 this jewel of a movie palace has entertained generations of San Franciscans. This was the place where I first saw Louise Brooks on the big screen, where I viewed my first silents in fact accompanied by live music courtesy of the mighty Wurlitzer organ (the song "California, Here I Come" would usually be performed right before a movie started with the audience clapping along), and where I sat through countless foreign films and special screenings. Today it is also home to the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, which I've flown out to attend in the past. The theatre is an absolute beauty and if you're ever in the city, I encourage you to go see whatever is playing. 

Though many of the businesses were different some things, like the iconic Twin Peaks sign, remained the same. And if you're wondering about all the overhead wires, they are used by many of the city's trolleys and buses.

While I was there, I had lunch with a dear friend during which we chatted for a long time over copious amounts of Thai tea. I got to see her darling new apartment, which is filled with original arts and crafts details and decorated just perfectly. Afterwards I took my time walking over to the Mission, admiring the houses along the way. From small Edwardians to the tall iconic Victorians, the colourful houses light up the city and give a neighbourhood character.

It's the little details that truly make the houses special. Sunbeams both large and small, for example, make multiply appearances while others have their own unique detail like a peacock above an entryway. Even the plants and trees add to the houses' appeal like this cherry blossom tree that looks amazing set against the faded pink siding of a house.

Walking down 18th Street, I spotted the Spanish Baroque style tower atop Mission High School, its design a nod to the state's past. The palm trees that line Dolores Street were another symbol of California while its native poppies were confined to ones found at a flower stand.

When I lived in the Mission many years ago it was largely Hispanic with loads of bodegas and tacquerias (Pancho Villa was my go-to place for burritos). While many of those places remain, they are now joined by bistros and bakeries and clothing shops that I wish had been there when I was a resident. One of which is Tartine, a bakery that I had read a lot about. So with time to kill before meeting another friend, I stopped in for an espresso and slice of chocolate tea cake. It was delicious and with a window seat at my disposal, I sat for an hour writing in my notebook and people watching.

Afterwards, it was drinks and small plates of Southern Indian treats at Dosa with another dear friend who I've known since middle school. All in all, a perfect way to spend a day in the city by the bay.

Photos by Michele.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! To start the celebrations, I've already broken out my Vosges Barcelona Exotic Flop-Eared Bunny made of chocolate, smoked almonds, and sea salt (for other bunnies, visit here). And yes, he lost an ear right after I snapped this photo. Brutal but oh so delicious. Have a great day everyone!

Spring Treat

"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming."—Pablo Neruda

Spring may have officially arrived last week but New York didn't seem to get the message. So imagine my joy a couple of days ago when on my way to the Jefferson Market Library I turned a corner and was hit with a wave of colour from the florist shop. Buckets of hydrangeas, tulips, hyacinths, were all waiting to greet me with their vivid blues and purples and reds and pinks. And as if on cue, the sun came out. What a lovely sight.

It put me in such a good mood that I decided to stop by the Bee's Knees Baking Co., located behind the library (confession: I would have gone in, good mood or not, because I wanted something sweet). I had never been before but as a fan of the 1920s how could I not love its name? I got a coffee and a cake cup to go. That's right, literary cake in a cup. I chose the chocolate salted caramel, which was chocolate cake with a layer of caramel topped off with pecans. Absolutely perfect. To see all of the flavours, visit here.

So welcome spring. Please stick around for a while and don't let your cousin summer come rushing in too soon. 

iPhone photos by Michele.

Marie-Antoinette Treat

Sunday I was on the Upper East Side, which meant a stop at Ladurée. My normal go-to macarons are the caramel à la fleur de sel and pistache but this time round I had to branch out and try the Marie-Antoinette, a seasonal special. Coloured a Tiffany's blue, it's flavoured with Marie-Antoinette tea—a combination of rose petals, citrus, and honey. It was light and delightful. I also picked up a Les Merveilleuses box to add to my collection. It's a good thing that I don't live closer otherwise I think I'd spend a fortune there every month.

Photo: Michele 

A Cup of Sweden

Fika anyone? Photo: Michele

As a fan of Swedish mysteries, one thing I've learned is that Swedes love their coffee. And so last month when I was by the Plaza and desperate for some caffeine I decided to nip into Fika NYC, part of a small chain of Swedish Espresso bars in the city. Fika roughly means to take a coffee break, something that I love to do. And so I took my time and enjoyed a delicious cappuccino prepared by an extremely nice barista. It’s now my go-to place when I’m shopping (or more likely window shopping) on Fifth Avenue. And just this week I went to their Tribeca location, which houses their chocolate factory (oh yes, they make chocolates as well). I think a tasting should be on the agenda for the next visit. Don’t you?

For more info on Fika NYC, visit their site here. 

Lunch Hour

"Hot Dog Stand, West St. and North Moore, Manhattan" Berenice Abbott (1936)

Lunch is a meal that most of us give little thought to other than what type of sandwich or salad we can grab. A current exhibit at the New York Public Library—“Lunch Hour NYC”—takes a look at how over the years this meal evolved to reflect the busy needs of the city's workers and residents.

At one time in our past, lunch was a meal eaten at home. Yet in New York City at the turn of the last century, with an increased focus on time efficiency, most workers could not afford that luxury. Hence the creation of the lunch hour, a fixed time during which workers could consume a quick meal, often at one of the city’s many cafeterias or company lunch rooms (an ingenious invention that ensured workers came back from their lunch break on time). Later on the power lunch would emerge, distinguishing that group who were not confined to a regimented time slot for dining. 

Prominently on display in the centre of the exhibit are the all-important food carts that have long helped to feed a hungry city. Among the foods sold on the street over the years were oysters, hot dogs, and pretzels. Did you know that pretzels once had a bad reputation? They were associated with saloons.

Workers are not the only ones to receive mention in the exhibit. A section on children discusses the creation of school lunch programs and includes a wall of lunch boxes (I actually recognized two that I had as a child).

Dorothy Parker makes an appearance. Photo: Michele.

I was happy to see Mrs. Parker make an appearance. A small wall is devoted to the Algonquin Hotel with its famed Round Table—a group of writers and artists who routinely met for lunch at the hotel in the 1920s. Mrs. Parker, one of the few women in the group, is represented with a portrait and a note to Harold Ross, editor and founder of the New Yorker, that reads “Ah, look, Harold. Isn’t it cute? Dorothy. I love you.” A menu from 1949 features one of the hotel’s most popular menu options—chicken hash with pancakes and new peas ($2.25). For those short on funds, a cup of tea ($.35) was consumed along with the free popovers and celery sticks.

A Horn & Hardart automat. Photo: Michele.

The highlight though was the section on the beloved automat. Horn & Hardart opened their first New York City automat in 1912, offering diners a variety of choices by simply dropping some nickels into a slot and opening a door to pull out their selected dish. Their popularity waned in the 1950s and the last one shut its doors in 1991.

An actual automat is in the exhibit complete with labels and working doors. For one nickel you could purchase baked beans or creamed spinach. Two nickels got you a couple of donuts, mac and cheese, or a chicken potpie. Unfortunately, opening the doors don't reveal these dishes but recipe cards are available so you can recreate the same meals at home. A nearby screen shows film and TV clips set in automats including my favourite food fight from Easy Living.

I'm not sure if New York can take total credit for the changes to our consumption of a mid-day meal but I do know that the exhibit will make you extremely hungry so make sure to eat your lunch before visiting.

“Lunch Hour NYC “ is at the main branch of the New York Public Library through February 17, 2013. For more information visit the site here.

Dim Sum Delight

Last night while some people were home watching the debate I was in Chinatown with a friend debating what to order at the fabulous Nom Wah Tea Parlor.

The oldest dim sum restaurant in New York, Nom Wah has been serving tea along with dim sum and buns since 1920. Although some things have been updated to keep up with modern changes, the restaurant still retains a vintage feel with its red booths, counter stools, and patterned floor.

This was my first visit and it took a while to go through the menu. We ended up choosing an assortment of dim sum, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, and steamed pork buns (which I grew up calling by their Hawaiian name, manapua). I am happy to report that everything was absolutely delicious. Fresh with lots of flavour, this was some of the best Chinese food I've had in a long time. I'm already looking forward to my next visit when I can try one of their famous over-sized almond cookies and a cup of tea (I was way too full this time round).

As a side note, Nom Wah is located on one of the more interesting streets in Chinatown. Doyers Street is one block long with a bend in the middle. At one point in its history it earned the nickname the "Bloody Angle" due to the large amount of murders committed by the Tong Gangs. Today the street is home to barber shops and restaurants yet at night it's easy to pretend that you've stepped back into the past. Or onto a movie set.

To find out more about Nom Wah, visit their site here. 

Photos by Michele.

Shake Shack Squirrel

After a meeting in the Flatiron District today, my colleague and I decided to grab a late lunch at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Like most New York City parks, Madison Square Park is home to a breed of squirrels who are utterly fearless. You just can't scare them. Which one woman found out as a particularly persistent squirrel decided to join her for lunch.

The squirrel sat on the chair opposite her before jumping up on the table and checking out her meal. The woman kept telling him to go away and waved her hands at him but he didn't budge until she finally stood to leave. The squirrel left briefly only to return with a packet of mayonnaise, which he proceeded to eat up in his perch in the tree, waiting for the next diner. Like most New Yorkers, he must have known that Shake Shack has the best burgers in town.

Photos by Michele. 

Fruit & Veg

I have a love/hate relationship with Eately, Mario Batali’s behemoth marketplace in the Flatiron District. The hate part comes in to play whenever it’s crowded (which is almost every time I’ve ever been) and the isles and passageways become almost impossible to navigate. The bad lighting doesn't help matters either. But the hate turns to love when I am finally able to manevour my way over to the fruit and veg section.

While I am fortunate to have many choices for groceries in my neighbourhood, Eately has been scoring points with me lately in the produce arena. For a relatively small produce department, they offer a wide array of choices. Armed with a grocery list, I rarely leave an item unchecked. Basics like strawberries, cherries, and asparagus? Check. Tomatoes? Red or Yellow? They have both. Check. Zucchini? Check. How about some Zucchini flowers too for your risotto? Check. And the fresh herbs. Unlike other shops that routinely seem to be out of whatever herbs I need (Whole Foods, I’m talking about you), Eately has a small but strong selection. And the prices are the same or lower than the local competitors. And they even have a vegetable butcher who will chop and clean your vegetables for free (ok, I'd feel kinda strange asking someone to chop up my vegetables for me but I like knowing I could ask).

On a recent trip, I came away with some lovely strawberries and red grapes, zucchini, baby artichokes, and butter lettuce, golden yellow tomatoes, and big bunches of fresh dill and basil. Everything was delicious and affordable (as was the fresh mozarella, bread, and coffee I picked up from other departments). Eately, I'll be coming back (but please figure out a way to improve the traffic flow).

For information about Eately, visit their website here.

Photos taken by Michele on her iPhone (which contrary to what many people claim, is not the same as taking photos with an actual camera).

Ladurée

The recent opening of a New York branch of the French pastry shop Ladurée had me venturing up to the East Side this weekend to purchase some of their famed macarons. Ladurée, which began as a Parisian bakery in 1862, is credited with creating the macaron that we all have come to love—two small round cakes filled with a soft filling of deliciousness.

The crowds at the Madison Avenue location have been large and so I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to find the line was not spilling out onto the street.

The shop is adorable. With pale green walls, old portraits, bottles of fragrances, and candles it’s almost like stepping into an 18th-century boudoir.

The inevitable problem with shops like these is I immediately want to buy everything—the candles, the bags, the chocolates. But I refrained. I was there for one thing and one thing only—macarons. 

Rows and rows of macarons, flown in from France, greet you when you reach the counter. It's an extremely hard decision to make but I settled on a decorative purple box of eight—four caramel à la fleur de sel (my favourite), one citron, one fleur d'orange, one chocolat, and one pistache whose green seems to match the walls. I waited until I was back home to have one and they are incredible. Crunchy and soft at the same time and extremely sweet. Well worth a trip uptown for a special treat or gift.

Photos by Michele.

La Bergamote

French bakeries are always a plus to have near your flat—they almost always guarantee you fresh croissants in the morning and sweets for when you have people over (or just for yourself when you've had a bad day). La Bergamote Patisserie is one such place that I've come to depend on since moving to Chelsea. It's where I order my Bûche de Noël every Christmas and where I've purchased numerous Napoleons and religieuses for friends and colleagues.

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La Bergmote used to be crowded into a tiny space on 8th Avenue but last year they moved across the street to a spacious spot with a dining area. Although the building is new details like the paintings on the back wall and the tin ceilings with exposed lights 
give the place a vintage feel.

What hasn't changed are their lovely choices of cakes and other sweets. They also serve ready-made salads and baguette sandwiches like ham and brie or pate and cornichons, which are perfect to grab for an outdoor lunch on the High Line, which is just a block away.

La Bergmote is also a fine place to sit by one of the windows and people watch while enjoying a cappuccino, which is exactly what I did after a long walk yesterday. With a handful of chocolate-covered almonds thrown in and some air conditioning, it was a perfect place to take a break.

Photos by Michele.