Xai Xai Wine Bar

Xai Xai Wine bar was suggested to me by an acquaintance who used to work at an excellant restaurant in the city. So one afternoon, I just walked in and introduced myself to the owner. Surprise! Tania Hira is another Indian woman in the wine biz and truly there really aren't many of us. Since that meeting it has been difficult to contain myself from visiting -I try to go there and sample a different South African wine at least once a month.

The bar was actually founded on an old Laundromat, called "DING-DONG Cleaners" miraculously transformed by Tania's boyfriend and business partner Brett Curtin, into an African bush inspired wine-bar, a home for South African Wines in New York City. The Name Xai Xai itself is a reference to a small beach town in Mozambique. The decor is wild and very sub tropical with huge wooden pillars, some African artefacts and a small selection of excellently prepared tasting plates which compliment the wine list wonderfully. Yes, you will bump into quite a few South Africans every time you make your way here. Save water, drink Champagne by South African winemaker Graham Beck!

365 W 51ST St
New York, NY 10019
tel: (212) 541-9241

Scarpetta

I had first met Chef Scott Conant at Alto, an extremely sophisticated Italian restaurant specialising in Northern Italian Cuisine. He opened Scarpetta about 6 weeks ago in the busy meat packing district of New York City. On entering the restaurant, it becomes a trip not only in the world of gastronomy but into the world of art and architecture as well. The room, designed by S. Russell Groves, holds 70 seats, a long mahogany bar and a modern aesthetic, bringing together contemporary design, warmth and elegance to anyone that ventures in.

Mozzarella Carrozza with Baby Tomatoes
Creamy Polenta with Truffles and mushrooms

A middle course comprising of little plates of the most heavenly tasting of 4 different Pasta dishes

Capretto ( his signature dish made with baby goat)
Orata Rossa

My favourite part of the meal was the wine suggested by their Wine Director Jeffery Tascarella, called Damijan Kaplja. Damijan Podversic, the wine maker is the protégé of Josko Gravner, the maverick of Friulian winemaking and a master vintner. His gorgeous vineyards were overgrown and unwanted before he purchased them and now his entire life's savings have been spent rejuvinating these hillside vineyards close to Gorizia near the Slovenian border. This wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Tocai Friulano and Malvasia Istriana. Kablja (which means “drop” in Slovenian), is a concentrated, golden-colored wine, rich in tannins and packed with fruit flavors. Damijan calls it “living wine”, a term which has become a motto for his winemaking philosophy.

355 W 14th St
New York, NY

Smith and Mills

Everything changes so quickly....especially in this city. So imagine my surprise when I walk down the street of my old neighbourhood Tribeca to meet sexy Stacey and merry Maryna, I find that at least 2 new restaurants have opened. The much anticipated Ago - another one of Mr. Robert de Niro's ventures, located on Greenwich Street, and this tiny delicacy of a place called Smith and Mills on N. Moore street. One is led into a small garden setting from the 1920's, the details are exquisite.

Even though Tribeca is located near all the cool and busy spots of NY, this part of the street is quite secluded - especially after 5pm. A city within a city. Now with the state of the dollar, the only people who can afford to invest in all the million dollar lofts besides investment bankers and movie stars are mostly of European extraction. And they seemed to be congregating right here at this very hip and happening Smith and Mills for the evening. Located in a former carriage house, it is discreetly placed on a side street which could be missed entirely. In fact I walked past this street 3 times before locating it.  Warning: After 730 pm it is almost impossible to get a seat either at the bar or at any of the few available tables. Reservations might be highly recommended.


71 N. Moore Street
New York, NY
tel: 212 219 8568

212-219-8568

Teddy's Bar and Grill

A good place to unwind with a beer and some comfort food in Northern Williamsburg. This casual dining restaurant has a large bar crowd, a small space for live performances, a beautiful old fashioned bar and a lovely tin ceiling. Teddy's is quite a welcome if you aren't in the mood to spend a Sunday evening at home or in some of the more stylized Williamsburg bars.

I was incredibly surprised by one of the items on their menu - a Punjabi spinach dish. Served with chips and papad: fried, thin Indian crackers, which can be either spicy or plain -all of this washed down with a cold glass of Blue Point IPA; simply a wonderful ending to a very sweet weekend.

96 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 384-9787

Tamarind Tea House

Nestled between Beppe and Tamarind on 22nd Street's restaurant row lies the Tamarind Tea House. Owned and operated by Tamarind's team but designed by Surabhi Sahni (she is the much acclaimed pastry chef of Devi and Tulsi).  This tiny wonder shares a kitchen with its parent restaurant but other than that the tea house has it's own personality. If you have champagne tastes but a beer pocket (like myself) then this refined little tea house is just the place to escape the searing heat of a summer afternoon. It is also the perfect place to linger over appetiser sized snacks and a selection of wraps which are all paired with many brews from India's tea growing regions.

I walked in not only to escape the tremendous New York summer heat but also to satisfy my craving for some Indian food. In this relaxed, cool and soothing atmosphere, I ordered the Lamb Shollay wrap which comprised of strips of tender lamb marinated in yogurt and spices and served with a mint yogurt dressing. To accompany this most delicious assortment I had some chai from the Nilgiri Hills; a strong black tea from the blue hills of southern India. The presentation of my tea included a tiny plate with an assortment of sugar cubes and a little pot of honey. Sweet.


41-43 East 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
Tel: 212.674.7400

99 Cent Pizza Stop!

Hell's Kitchen is a neighborhood which lies west of Midtown between 30th and 59th street and has been home to a variety of residents. In the 19th century it was characterized by poverty, street gangs and rows of slum tenements. This neighborhood has figured prominently in the New York City underworld as well. Once a bastion of poor and working-class Irish Americans, Hell's Kitchen now seems to be going through tremendous gentrification.

Even though the glass encased condos are going up along with many chic restaurants, you will probably encounter many of NY City's homeless here, all part of the metropolis's underbelly.

Underneath the flying highways
and dizzy
street corners,
next to the mouth of the
Lincoln tunnel
I feel this is the New York
city
that I love and
sometimes
detest.

So, here I was in the area at 3am -and while passing 41st street my friend and I realized that we needed to indulge ourselves with some sort of immediate nourishment. This pizza parlor on 9th avenue was suggested. We bought 2 rounds of this thin crusted delicacy with delight. The tomato sauce was just right and so was the cheese...nothing better
than pizza
early
in the morning.

Corner of 41st and 9th Avenue
New York, NY

Devin's Fish & Chips

If anyone of you find yourself on a Friday evening in Harlem on your way to St. Nick's pub for a spot of jazz then do make a little detour towards Devin's Fish & Chips. A tiny place at the corner of 149th and St. Nicholas Avenue which serves traditional Harelm food like fish and chips, fried shrimp, okra, corn on the cobb and a refreshing lemonade or iced tea to wash it all down with.

The fried fish was absolutely yummy! The secret lies most probably in the batter which was extremely flavorful and complimented the white fish rather well. And you know how that goes! Eating with your fingers is a must. Dip that chip in the bright red tomato sauce and don't wipe your mouth until you are done!!!

For dessert we had the corn on the cobb which was so very sweet and tender.......The one problem that you might face (that is if you are in a rush) Devin's does tend to get a little overcrowded and quite busy! Those fish and chips are Gowd Damm Goood. There are no tables - a few stools and a beautiful little countertop with some charming old photographs of the area is part of the simple decor. Yes, this is a must stop in Harlem!

747 Saint Nicholas Ave
New York, NY 10031

tel: 212 491-5518