Squirming on the plate, Sik Gaek Chun Ha

So we met up with my buddy Saturday night. I hadn't seen him in a long time, and catching up was more important, but who were we kidding - if the food was no good, what was the point? So, we made the long, arduous trek to Queens, to Sik Gaek Chun Ha.

I have video of the live octopus (to be posted), but the highlight of the meal was our seafood hotpot. Full of all kinds of the most amazing shellfish.

Just all kinds of satisfaction, from the (still live) lobster, abalone, clams, conch, octopus, mussels, squid, shrimp, noodles, and rice cakes.

My buddy ordered some rice wine, served in prison issue metal bowls.

And despite a valiant effort, this was the aftermath we left behind. Satisfaction and happiness.

DF

lunch at a leisurely pace, Casa Mono

On my one free day in New York, a Saturday, we wandered around Union Square, taking in the chess masters and hustlers ...

... before making our way to the wonderful single-macarooned Casa Mono, one of my favourite joints in the city.

There was an abundance of seafood, starting with razor clams and sardines ...

... reaching its peak with intensely savoury and textural pulpo on fennel and grapefruit ...

... before moving onto sweetbreads and quail.

Appetite and thirst were abetted by what else in a tapas bar, but sidra, from bottle and spout ...

... executing the perfect long pour ...

... showing all those pungent pickled fruit notes.

In a word, happiness.

DF

making the pilgrimage to Chambers Street Wines

As part of my day off in New York, I visited the temple of wine retail that is Chambers Street Wine in Lower Manhattan. I'm a bit upset that I didn't get to visit the Met - it'd be criminal if I didn't get to do a bit of wine shopping. So, after a nice, leisurely lunch, we made our way down in search of some old (and odd) bottles to bring back home.

As luck would have it, Dominik Sona of Koehler-Ruprecht from the Pfalz was pouring a range of his wines. We started with his 2010 Pinot Blanc Kabinett Trocken, with lovely lifted fruit and floral aromas. His 2010 Kallstadter Riesling Kabinett Trocken had pure fruit, on a good tensile palate. The 2010 Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Kabinett Trocken showed a bit more density, a very elegant style of trocken. And then the granddaddy of them all - the 2008 Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Spätlese Trocken 'R', a Reserve bottling that utilizes the smallest berries, is aged for at least 4 years before release, and is only produced in agreeable vintages. Impressive weight and precision here, lovely elegance, but certainly a feeling that it's just sleeping now, not ready to open up before 10 years of age - at $82.99 a bottle, one would hope that buyers have great patience to see it unfold to its full potential. And finally, the only wine in the lineup with residual sugar, the 2010 Kallstadter Steinacker Riesling Kabinett, shimmering with tropical fruits on a linear palate. Lovely wines, understated yet showing the charm and elegance of the Pfalz.

The shop is a tiny space, but packed with all sorts of interesting selections. I spent the most time checking out the Barolos - had my hands on a 1967 Burlotto, but ended up going with (on a recommendation) a 1995 Oddero. Picked up a Puffeney Poulsard, as well as a half bottle of 1988 Lamothe-Guignard. The staff were engaged, and fun to talk to. I hate to bash on our folks here, but LCBO Vintages could gain a lot from a visit to these kinds of wine shops. Lots to see, lots to learn here - like the proverbial kid in a candy store (although being a Canadian, it'd be the Bulk Barn).

It was a good day.

DF

long live the World Trade

In light of the events of this week in Boston, we're reminded of the horrors and evils of this world ...

... we're reminded of its senselessness, of its cruelty.

We are all impacted, whether we live in Boston, New York, Toronto, or Shanghai.

But we're also reminded of our resilience, of our hope that humanity is good and pure and still full of promise.

DF

big lights will inspire you

Thinking of Boston, and the bombing victims.

I went to New York for 4 days, just got back. It's been a whirlwind these past 2 weeks ... I got two invites to interview with two schools in New York, with very little time to prep and book. Exciting, always a pleasure to come to New York, even on short notice! Decided to drive down through Kingston this time, and what a good call - much faster and an overall easier drive. Stayed at a hotel in Hell's Kitchen.

Interviews went well. As part of my interview with the second school, I was invited to participate in what they called 'Assessment Day'. The school brought together 18 applicants total, giving us group activities and exercises to do. It was everything I expected - intense, challenging, nerve-wracking - and even some things I didn't expect - collaborative, fun. Meeting my fellow applicants was a great experience, and getting to work (briefly) with my team on a presentation was a great way to get a feel of what it might be to be in the program. And who would have guessed, we had some good Toronto representation. And I scored the 3rd highest quiz!

There was no planning for this trip, no idea of what I wanted to do outside of prepping for these interviews. So on the one free day I did have to walk around, I did the only thing I know how to do - find places to eat and drink. And that I did, if only to make myself happy, because it's about time I start acting a bit more selfishly. A successful trip, I would say. We got back after 10 hours on the road, arriving in Toronto just before 8pm on Sunday. And I can't wait to go back.

DF