28 February 2006

after all those meetings



when you sit at a lunchroom counter, on chairs that swirl around, it's hard not to go back to the basics like butter and cream. you catch yourself shoveling oyster crackers into your mouth and taking the extras home in your purse. it's a place to eat everything and ask for more. and to realize that hotels have gyms for a reason.



our (very) late lunch was at the oyster bar in grand central station and it was good. an oyster po-boy and a very creamy, savory clam soup. we ate both quickly and happily. but left room for dessert.



we found our dessert at ciao bella gelato and i have no photos of it. in fact there's nothing left. but it was amazing. even stefano had to let out a lilttle moan. you wouldn't think that a train station could have something so good: hot chocolate with a scoop of hazelnut gelato bobbing in it and melting into every sip.

get one and drink it now. and then people watch.

be sure to eye the girls who run in packs - they have artificially puffy lips that are glossed to a high shine and wear very tight clothes. i think they want to be models, or are just very hungry. there are also more than a few people talking to themselves, many in other languages. and then there are people like us, walking too slowly, staring too long, and basically enjoying our time here while it lasts.

cause tomorrow we move to italy.

27 February 2006

cookies are best in black and white



new york is great. it's busy and loud and people yell nasty things on the subway. but new york right now is also cold. in fact it's freezing. and the weather is to blame for our utter lack of urban exploration. we got as far as uptown, a late brunch and black & white cookies.

i make special mention of these cookies because they are perfect masses of cakey joy. there is a dense glaze frosting on top that peels off in thick chunks and below... ah, below... there is the most wonderful soft cake-like round that has the essence of vanilla cupcake yet never crumbles or falls apart. may i have another?