Disclaimer: This blog is my first attempt at a restaurant review. I did not know I was going to do it until almost 3 weeks after the fact. I did not take any notes and am relying on my "photographic" and sensory memory to help me.
The last weekend in Decemeber 2007, I flew home to NY for Christmas. My hometown is located in the Hudson Valley, just 60 miles north of New York City. As per tradition, my family and I made the short road trip into the city for dinner and a show. Usually, we travel in for a Broadway show and dine in the midtown area. With all the commotion surrounding the strike on Broadway, my family opted to see Cirque Du Soliel's Wintuk in Madison Square Garden.
Being a self-declared "foodie" and "wino," my family usually puts the restaurant selecting responsibility onto my shoulders. Normally, choosing a restaurant would seem like an adventurous mission. Unfortunately, for my family it is a frustrating challenge. Both my mother and my sister are vegetarians. My sister does not eat meat, dairy, fish, eggs, nuts, pasta as well as a whole slew of other delicious things. She also abstains from any alcohol. Do not ask me how we are related. The only thing my mother does not eat is meat. She is fairly easy since she eats eggs, dairy, and fish as well as drinks like a fish. Her only obstacle is recently getting braces. This really restricts the types of foods she can and is willing to eat in public. That brings me to my father. He is a meat and potatoes, farm-raised German boy. He pretends that he likes to try new exotic things, but he is usually unadventurous.
Then there is me. I do not LIKE meat, however, I will eat it ("taste" it is more like it). I'm not a self-righteous animal rights activist opposed to killing animals. Meat is never my first choice. Not even in the top ten. I stopped eating it in college because: 1. I didn't prepare it for myself and 2. I would always choose something else at restaurants. I do adore fish, though. That is usually my first choice and one of my favorites in which to cook.
Pardon my side-step. Back on topic. Considering all of my limitations when selecting a restaurant, it was amazing that we all could happily agree on the Spice Market, a Jean-Georges concept in the meatpacking district. This was my experience:
My first interaction with the restaurant came via telephone. In NYC it is crucial to make reservations, especially during holiday season. The man who answered the phone had a very unique and soothing accent. It had a soft British feel to it. He was extremely personable and made me feel comfortable on the phone. My mother ended up calling back to change the time and had a similar experience. Two points for phone etiquette!
From the outside, the Spice Market has the same rustic appeal of its neighbors in the meatpacking district. Crossing the threshold, the restaurant transformed from a brick butchery on the streets of New York to an exotic palace in the mountains of East Asia. The interior aroma is delightfully seductive and the glowy lighting gives an enchanting feeling of intimacy.
The building is in a square shape. When you first walk in, the bar is straight ahead lining against one wall. Beyond the bar is an open kitchen, with tables for guests wishing to witness culinary mastery in action. The main dining room completes the square, with tables in combinations either chairs of booths.
The interior architecture is characterized by elaborately carved wood. All of the tables and chairs are also wood, some being cushioned by white vinyl or leather. The windows are tall with eccentric draperies. The dinning room is a square within a square. The center of the room is open and intricately cut out, with a staircase leading downstairs to another dinning room as well as the restrooms.
All of the servers and staff wear what appears to be a monk-style long brown robe, as if to blend into the dark wooden background. The staff appears to be from a multitude of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All of them are attractive in an intriguing sort of way.
Our server's name was Hayden. He is a free-lance writer living in Brooklyn via Atlanta. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, which was quint essential for the likes of my family - especially my mother, who asks about a half a million questions.
To start us off, he took our drinks orders. I originally was going for the Syrah, but they were out. Hayden suggested that I try the Pinot Noir instead and, being that I love it so, I did. Good choice. My mother went with a cocktail, of which I cannot recall. Father and sister chose water.
To start us off, we were brought a bowl of papadom; a thin, crisp Indian 'bread' made from lentil flour. It was served with a delicious red chutney. Soon after, my mother was served a rich and creamy butternut squash soup topped with crème fresh and a chiffanade of basil. It was one of the best butternut squash soups I've tasted. My sister ordered a salad tossed in a unique ginger vinaigrette. Unfortunately, the salad was tossed with cashews and I had to experience the agony of watching her dissect apart the beautiful creation.
Then it was onto dinner. Once again I took Hayden's suggestion. My snapper was the first to arrive. It had been steamed and served in its skin over a trio of sautéed mushrooms and topped with a delicate relish of finely chopped fresh herbs. My father chose another seafood dish named the Nonya Seafood Laksa. Pan-seared halibut, scallops, and gulf shrimp came served with soft rice noodles in a bowl of mildly spicy broth topped with coconut foam. Since he was sick, he didn't eat too much of it. Much to my pleasure, I was able to finish it off for him. My sister ordered a bowl of vegetables in green curry, consisting of familiar and non-familiar varietals in a tasty and spicy sauce. Her and my dishes were also accompanied by freshly steamed Jasmine rice. Once again, I had no problem eating what she did not.
No meal in my eyes is complete without something sweet. In fact, some days my meals consist mainly of dessert. Predictable, my mother chose the crème brulee garnished with figs. Again, I turned to Hayden for guidance (by then we had learned his life story as well as he had earned my trust through his previous recommendations). He agreed that the Thai jewels and fruits with crushed coconut ice was the way to go.
BEST CHOICE EVER. Words cannot do justice in explaining this little joy of heaven. Typically, I'm a chocolate girl. No fruity tuity desserts for me, I want rich chocolate over the top decadence. This experience was unlike no other. Thai jewels apparently are tiny bits of bright candy colored sweet water chestnut and tapioca dumplings. They blended with palm seeds, slivers of jackfruit and papaya, and served on a nest of coconut ice. The coconut ice was creamy and rich like a gelato, but icy and light at the same time.
To top it all off, Hayden brought me a double espresso. It was beautifully made, rich and hot.
In conclusion, the Spice Market was an unique and impressionable experience. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. (Which is lovely, considering many nice restaurants are staffed with people just as pretentious as its clientele). I vote it a must-eat destination in NYC. But don't take my word for it... see for yourself!
(The content of this blog may be altered or changed due to additional memory).
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