I (Chris) was back in New York for a business trip. This is first time I spent a whole weekend there since we moved two years ago. The meeting ended with the beginning of the memorial day weekend and I was happy to see many good friends over several meals. With my colleagues, we had a steak dinner at Smith & Wollensky.
On Facebook, I put out a message to all my friends, asking if any one can meet me in NY.
On Friday, I met J and A for beer and wings at the Press Box on Third Ave. P joined us later that evening
After the drinks, we went next door to a Turkish restaurant that we visited a while back – Sip Sak. I had a lamb shish kebab – the meat was very tender but under-spiced. The maitre d’ was a character and quite rude to us (and other customers). He seemed offended when we did not order the specials and shared a dish.
On Saturday, midtown Third Ave (around 50th street) was empty. All the New Yorkers have left town for the long weekend.
The residents left the city to the tourists who were enjoying the street market that took over Lexington Avenue.
I met G and Sh for lunch uptown at Le Monde near Columbia University. It was a very hot day so we sat inside the bistro.
Later, I met Se and O at the Mermaid Oyster Bar on MacDougal near Houston – a branch of the Mermaid Inn.
We were early enough to take advantage of their famous seafood happy hour – east coast and west coast oysters – half a dozen each.
On Sunday, I was in Chinatown but did not go to my usual place as it was too crowded so I had lunch at this other noodle shop.
I joined Y and So (plus a few of So’s friends) to see Jiro Dreams of Sushi at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side.
The documentary movie had shots after shots of mouth-watering sushi, dripping with soy sauce in slow motion, and accompanied by Philip Glass music. According to its website:
JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and have to thank So’s thoughtfulness for booking us all a table for dinner at Momoya after the movie.
Although Momoya’s sushi cannot be compared with those of Sukiyabashi Jiro, it was nevertheless satisfying.
I had a great weekend, thank you – and especially Y for the accommodation.