Mmmmm, Manhattan. Although I savored every fabulous moment as presently as possible, the week ran by faster than the vibrant pace of the city itself. The island’s non-stop alacrity that buzzes like a central nervous system may beseige many of its residents to escape to a more tropical island serenity. And for some visitors, a few days is all before it becomes a stay a minute too long. But for many others, the seeming madness and chaos is curiously relaxing and peaceful. I can hear silence within the perpetual noise. No, NYC is not for the easy-going and certainly not the timid. For those who do find their tempo among the consistent allegro, it inspires us, energizes us, and presents a microcosm of endless possibilities. My stay at the Ritz Carlton Central Park and divine, anomalous meals at Bar Masa and Pure Food and Wine were just a few treats that made this latest visit nothing short of magnificent and even better than the last.
I could go on about the great love my husband and I have for the City. So much so, that in an effort to keep this blog post focused and spared from going on into even more of a carpal-tunnel mouse scrolling incident, I’ve had to pick a lane of topical interest and that being, the FOOD. After all, isn’t this Julie’s Raw Ambition? A blog I began with the whole point of writing about my transition and experiences within a raw lifestyle? Doesn’t the raw lifestyle begin with the one thing that we all love and need to live, with which we have created an art form, obsess over, are governed by, are addicted to, that is unavoidable?
And ironically, within all of the labels and genres whether you call yourself a raw-foodist, vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, lacto-ovo, ominvore, carnivore, or an all-around foodie, the vast majority of us will have our choices influenced to some degree by a foreign place, especially an exciting one, no matter what control factors are put in place. Food is that powerful and a fact that I try to keep in the forefront of my awareness. And until one has long practiced and mastered the ability to overcome food addiction, you must be prepared to be satisfied with doing the best you can without self-judgment. That is the reality in which I was indeed prepared, for I knew my little vittle demons would be no match for my upcoming jaunt.
As I typically do, I packed my raw survival kit: packets of Green Vibrance, gojis, flax crackers, raw almonds, agave, stevia, coconut butter, and a few pieces of fresh fruit, and my Magic Bullet. (Foolishly, however, on the day of departure I left the house hungry and had everything stashed so that it was nearly impossible to get to, forcing me out of an angry stomach to settle for one of the most vile “nutrition” bars ever, a Special K cereal bar. That lasted all of two nibbles. I would have been better off tearing off a piece of cardboard and dipping it in sugar.) This kit, regardless of any indulgences I may happily partake, is like a security blanket. It serves as the yin to the yang. Something I know that at the very least, I can start my day with and feel balanced to some level. It includes those elements most easily blended with fresh, available ingredients wherever I may be.
We were as eager as children to pounce into our points-purchased suite at The Ritz Carlton. And I mean, literally pounce. Just as soon as immaculately hospitable and refined staff dropped off our bags and gave us a formal introduction to our room, I kicked off my shoes, tore off most of my clothes and jumped up and down on the bed for 10 minutes straight, “We’re in New York Ciiiiity! We’re in a suite at the Riiiitz!” We needed this getaway, we had relatively free accommodations, and hey, it’s the Ritz! And as many Ritz properties as we have visited all over the world, the Central Park location is special in its opulent, yet warm, cozy, and somewhat boutique character.
Upon check-in, we were even more amped to learn we also had access to the exclusive club lounge, boasting all of the fine adornments that only a five-star venue could provide. There was a private concierge, intimate living room-like seating arrangements, a continuously flowing spread of superbly delicious artful and meticulously arranged hors d’oeuvres and light menu fare, a cheese cart that would impress a fromagerie, any kind of cocktail or beverage you desire (bellinis, bellinis, bellinis), and a wait staff eager to cater to the guests’ every wish. Caviar service begins every evening at 6:00, accompanied by crab claws, tuna carpaccio, mini filet au poivre, and other extravagant animal proteins. Here, they do not cut corners and they didn’t forget the veggies. Vegetarians, no matter what your sub-type, are never in back of the bus.
Now, one of my biggest kick-myself-in-the-ass inadvertences while traveling is not taking enough pictures due to forgetting my camera, not having the settings quite right, or fear of looking like an overzealous tourist. I managed to snap a couple of shots within this fine club lounge, but not enough to really do it justice. Not to mention, it was obvious that some guests probably would not have appreciated me running about camera-happy (for example, Rosie O’Donnell and companion, whom I also encountered in the adjacent La Prairie spa lounge). However, I discretely snapped a raw plating I put together during the lunch service one afternoon, and a long shot of the lounge from the sofa on one end.
On most mornings, though, I’d bypass the club lounge and opt to order in herbal tea, both carrot and orange juices (freshly squeezed of course), and a fresh fruit plate. I would incorporate these ingredients with those from my survival kit, often blending mini shakes in my Magic Bullet most resembling the staple starters I’m used to whipping up in the Vita-Mix. However, on one Sunday morning, we met some colleagues for brunch at Jean-Georges’ Nougatine at Trump International Hotel (1 Central Park West). Sunday brunch at any Jean-Georges venue I figured was a good reason to indulge from the shake, and I did not regret it – taste or tummy-wise. I ordered one of my all time favorite breakfast comforts, the eggs benedict ($17), sans the ham of course. Sounds quite simple. But I was actually graciously served a beautiful eggs benedict florentine with chantrelles. Absolutely excellent. Amazing. The way perfectly poached eggs, or any eggs for that matter should taste – un-eggy. The “hashbrowns” were mandoline-thin slices of yukons arranged in a pinwheel, crisp-tender with a hint of lemon and truffle. And finally, for raw balance, a mesclun salad ($10). Oh, and one or um, two bellinis. All picture worthy BUT, no camera (insert ass kick).
At the end of one day full of appointments and meetings, we wearied into the buzzy Time Warner Center and down the escalator to Whole Foods on a mission for Oscillococcinum to relieve my stingy throat symptoms. It was also time to unwind and seek some nourishment, so we ascended on an escalator journey for what seemed to be countless flights to the top floor where there are several intriguing restaurants, all of which I’ve seen but none I had been. A few steps to the left off the escalator found us outside the door of Bar Masa (10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, 4/F) the apparently more casual and ready-to-wear version of its obscurely exclusive counterpart, Masa. The menu was posted outside the entry way, draped with true-to-style minimalist canvas panels with painted Japanese characters of its name. I was immediately drawn due to my love of Japanese food and that any place I may go in Orlando resembling such just isn’t so. Words like “truffle”, “maitake”, “wakame”, “shiso”, along with some unfamiliar ingredients listed in Japanese jumped out like neon lights, followed by the equally bright prices. Um, yea. This place is not cheap, but sheer intrigue and growling stomachs prompted us to say, “Hey, we’re in NYC, what the hell!”
The interior of Bar Masa is simple, clean, and organic and gives an immediate clue as to the appropriately parallel cuisine. If there’s one time I could kick myself the hardest for not bringing my camera, this would be it. Not only was this some of the best food ever, it was lovely. The portions are modest and it’s easy to go absolutely crazy trying all kinds of dishes, especially after you’ve tried the first two. My favorites: wakame sunomono ($18), maitake & black truffle maki rolls ($34), ume plum and shiso lotus wraps ($21). The wakame sunomono was made with five different types of seaweed, tossed with shiso leaves and dressed with a light yuzu and chili dressing. I love my sea vegetable salads, and this one has inspired another rendition! It was not your typical Itamae’s sushi bar seaweed salad. The maki rolls speak for themselves. They melted in my mouth. Who doesn’t love black truffles? They were incredible. The ume plum and shiso (I adore this combination) lotus wraps were amazing. Thinly sliced lotus root is blanketed around shiso leaf topped nigiri portions of rice. A small amount of ume paste is dolloped on top. They were gorgeous. Bar Masa serves some of the best Japanese food I’ve ever had.
The final star I will highlight is one of the most popular among the raw community, Pure Food and Wine (54 Irving Place), camera in tow! The last time, and first time I ate there was in May of last year. This time, there were a few apparent differences. Upon arrival, the host gave us the option of being seated in the main dining room or the very small rear dining room behind the kitchen. We took a look, anyway, it was cool to walk through and get a peak of what was going on behind the scenes. But since my husband and I both have a tendency to be claustrophobic, we opted for the main dining room in the middle of the buzz. And buzz it was, considerably more busy than I remember from my last visit.
The second thing we noticed were the obvious seasonal changes to menu items accompanied by pricing changes for the higher. Now, we don’t remember exactly what the prices were last year, but we managed to spend nearly $75 more this time on our final check, for as many, if not less, items. One dish that particularly stands out was the black winter truffle & pecan stuffed ravioli ($18). This one was one of our favorites, it was magnificent! But I must say we were a little suprised to receive only three little raviloi for $18. But will we get it again? Sure. Another favorite was asparagus sushi rolls with mirin soaked forest mushrooms, avocado, red pepper, and scallion ($16), as was the white corn tamales ($23) and biryani with coconut curried vegetables ($24). The sake based cocktails, Pure Mojito ($13), spiced pear-tini ($14), and the chocolate cream-tini ($14) were scrumptiously refreshing. Please see my photos on Flickr to see all of what we ate!
Yes, the third thing that was apparent at this Pure Food and Wine trip was that Sarma has managed to make the food even better and non-conspicuously raw. I could march in an army of nay-sayers and carnivores and they’d never know the difference or even care if their meat was missing. I am so glad the food was this superb that it would bring us back again, because unfortunately the service would not. The service, unless it is exceptionally good or exceptionally bad, is not something I would even mention. And our elusive and seemingly irritated server represents the final difference in contrast to our excellent service experience from the last. The staff as a whole, weren’t exactly warm and fuzzy, nor did we expect them to be. But once we were seated it kept getting worse. The food runners were a little more personable, and most of the time we had to flag one down to order or ask for something. When we did see our server, it was as if he were totally bothered. Nothing could crack a smile out of this guy, not even hubs’ corny jokes.
An honorable mention is Chola (232 East 58th St.), a contemporary Indian restaurant and first dinner we had on arrival. Babbo, the flagship restaurant of celebrity chef Mario Batali, was rather disappointing, considering I’ve always been a fan and the place books one month in advance. With Mario’s talent and knowledge, I expected the pasta to be like fireworks. Well, you can’t always have perfection and you’ve got to live and learn. And New York City will never become boring or run out of options. We’re already planning our next trip to our great love, the Big Apple. Very fortunately, business calls and there will be ample opportunities to revisit the favorites and explore the unexplored. At the top of my list is Quintessence, and inevitable returns to Pure and Bar Masa.
<3 JMK
