DC.NYC 3

Caviar - an item that should be in every conversation about fine dining. So it seems appropriate to include in this NYC gastronomic trip a place that has intrigued me for some time - a caviar shop where you can do tasting and also sample their highly rated dishes.

Caviar Russe: overlooking Madison Ave, the elegant interior includes paintings depicting a czar-like figure frolicking with sturgeons. They don't seem to mind we are late, as the place remains empty throughout much of our lunch. Unusual for a Michelin-starred restaurant but people are probably scared off by the high price tag of caviar tasting.

Caviar Russe: we order the least expensive tasting set, to be shared by two, which then becomes barely reasonable. The mother of pearl spoon is placed in front of me, and I am ready. 

Caviar Russe: an ounce of each of three types is a generous amount. Accompanied by toast and blini, as well as scallion and creme fraiche. I must not have a sophisticated enough palate I like the domestic one from Snake River better than the other two, imported Caspian Osetra and Siberian. 

Caviar Russe: the regular lunch menu seems almost an after-thought but everything we tried, including this lobster bisque with caviar, is delicious and stylish. And a relative bargain as well. A Colombian family has settled at the next table, obviously well-to-do enough to consume a high-end caviar tasting course but eager to criticize the current administration without being prompted. We are definitely on the same page.

Caviar Russe: a parting gift of very warm home-made madeleines, so good.

Glad I did not consume more than a couple of those madeleines at Caviar Russe, since more sweets are on the agenda.

Dominique Ansel Bakery: so these are the famous cronuts. As they are usually sold out by 10am, I had to pre-order on line before we left home. This month's flavor is blackberry Brown Sugar with Toffee. Great but so rich!

Dominique Ansel Bakery: DKA may officially stand for Dominique's Kouign Amann, but a hidden reference may be to Diabetic KetoAcidosis! It is sweet but we save it for breakfast the following morning to avoid DKA!

World Trade Center: initially I thought this was part of the 9-11 Memorial but no, it is a slick building (Oculus) housing a Westfield marketplace.

World Trade Center: One World Trade Center seen from the North Pool 

World Trade Center: St. Nicholas National Shrine seen across the South Pool

9-11 Memorial: an impressive remnant of the slurry wall that survived, around which the memorial was built

9-11 Memorial: among the many moving tributes here, an assertion that thousands of people cheered on the New Jersey shore is nowhere to be seen!

The weather has finally warmed up sufficiently so we venture out to Brooklyn, only a few subway stops away from Lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Heights feels dynamic and very safe.

Brooklyn Bridge Park: a night view of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge Park: East River ferry arriving

Brooklyn Bridge Park: walk further south and the Statue of Liberty comes into view. It is a bit too far for me to capture the tears I am sure she has been shedding since the presidential election.

River Cafe: a romantic setting with a great view of Lower Manhattan. Will have to return to eat in the future.

Jewel Bako: decent sushi

Koreatown: visiting a friend who recently re-located his optometry practice from West 32nd St to Fifth Ave to avoid increasing rent. Imagine the main drag in K'town becoming more expensive than the iconic 5th Ave.

Her Name is Han: a Korean restaurant with a modern twist. Who could resist the name? (Someone said if dining by himself he is going to Han solo.) The bossam bapsang lunch set in an individual tray is pretty traditional and reasonably priced at $15.

Olive Tree Cafe: meeting our friend Mark for coffee in Greenwich Village. A continuous loop of Charlie Chaplin movies projected on the wall. Modern Times is one of my favorite.

Olive Tree Cafe: This quiet place is perfect for a long conversation (we stay three and a half hours), which gravitates toward current politics, well, more specifically, president bashing. I practice mockery on the tabletop made of slate with a box of chalk that's provided.

Just a couple of blocks away in the Village is Blue Hill Restaurant, the original success of celebrated chef Dan Barber.

Blue Hill: the opening snack of the "Farmer's Feast" is appropriately fresh vegetables in this farm-to-table pioneer.

Blue Hill: a salad dish containing sprouted and malted grains. Many of the ingredients are brought in from their Stone Barns complex in Westchester, the location of Dan Barber's self sufficient farm and renowned restaurant. The last meal on our trip is reminiscent of the Bay area restaurants and it is time to go back home!

Gabriel Kreuther Bakery: return here to pick up some chocolate to bring home. A nice way to wrap up the East Coast culinary tour.