As you know, two of my many greatest loves in life are going to NYC, and while there, seeking incredible culinary experiences. Yes, it is (truly) research–the ideas I cull fill pages upon pages–the education invaluable. But the truth is, like all of you who do what I do, yet NOT relative to their career, you KNOW how much damn fun the search can be!
For those who do not know NYC in quite the same way, even for a native and life-long study, Manhattan can be overwhelming–loaded with the over-the-top standard, the never before seen, and the simply better than the rest ‘at that’. Of course, there’s enough shit around to step into, as well. My brother once sad, “If you can’t find it in NY, it doesn’t exist” and it’s close to the truth. It also matters who you listen to. (Hint: Not Urban Spoon, not Trip Advisor, and definitely NOT Yelp!)
I read once, that you can visit a different restaurant in Manhattan every day of your life, and you would die well before you visited every one of them. I may just die trying…
On Tuesday night, me and my just-got-an-art-gallery-internship-in-the-city middle daughter started walking south down 1st avenue from 14th street, seeking one of the “10 Best” restaurants in the East Village, as reported by Time-Out New York magazine. On our way to 7th street, we must have passed by 50 of the “million” choices; Greek, Mexican, Indian, Italian, Vegetarian, Peruvian, Mediterranean, Fried Chicken,Hot Wings, Pizza, Tacos, Organic Homestead, Vietnamese, Filipino, Momofukos…and so many more in just seven blocks- as we sought the obscure, tiny, ceviche only, “fun” spot, as it was called by T.O. The word fun captured my fancy.
What a score! (One that almost didn’t happen due to their lack of signage or lighting emphasis, MY lack of recognition that I should write down names and addresses, and my daughters lack of patience!) Persistence prevailed, thank Dios!
In this bar stools only, low lit, oxidized-copper and line-dancing wicker-fans environment, we were greeted by a nod and water glasses by the could be Mexican or Italian or both, NYC homie-partner-chef-bartender, with two tattoo ‘sleeves’, a full beard, piercings and a pony tail, while then shucking, smoking and serving up $1.00 oysters (with glasses of $14 Carmanere) When we initially inquired about the 1st item on the menu; “How you do the tea smoked oysters”, Dominick responded; “Bong.” Intrigued and excited, we jumped at the thought. (I think we said “Hell yes please.”) Dominick; “You got it” (His favorite phrase, apparently!) As he set up with glass cloche and blow torch, my daughter recognized; ‘Not just a bong…a gravity bong!” They were fun, for sure, tasty, unique and as the remaining smoke escaped, created the thought that smoking tea smells quite similar to the other leaf that so often occupies a bong bowl!
From there, we moved to Picante Atun, a ridiculously perfect raw tuna chopped with sesame, spicy chile, green olive and topped with shredded nori, and then,the Ceviche Camerones; a soup-like giant bowl of solid cuts of perfectly lime-cured jumbo u10 shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and onion, mixed into a solution of sweetened fresh lime juice, orange juice, salt and chile pepper–finished with toasted cumin. Ay mi dios! We finished with multiple, “best ever” Micheladas for dessert, made friends with the rest of the bar, swooned and giggled while making many important global decisions–before holding each other up for the seven block walk back home.
It should be no surprise that this incredible, incredibly unique “cantina” with no pretension and artistically worn menus is owned by the same group that has perfected the tequila-terrific Mayahuel, only one block to the west.
Both are a “must” in this city with an endless supply.
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