(image from Ecotopia exhibit...read more below)
So Joanna's friend, who was formerly a NYC resident, recommended a "fobby" place in Chinatown. And as any gourmand knows, the "fobby" syllogism always holds true: "fobby" place = "fresh off the boat" -by place = non-tourist place = someone who might know something about the local food + place. Score, biatches!
What ensued was quite ineffable, but i'll try my best to capture the highlights:
We met three strangers, who just came from a yoga class, and were seated at our table (Asian people just love to conserve space). There was a young, flaming Jewish architect from Berkeley, an older Jewish lawyer from Scranton, "we produce nothing" (according to him) Philadelphia, and a middle-aged, promiscuous Korean dancer/masseuse. Instead of retaining our conversations to the respective parties, the other party amicably introduced themselves, getting all the superficial background material out of the way. Then, in the spirit of communal edification, we decided to order together and split the bill, considering the relative cheapness of the prices. Maybe, that was the point in the meal where the link of isolation between strangers was immediately unchained and the notion of individual privacy was squashed because the following conversation had to be experienced to acknowledge its existence. With the lawyer playing mediator, the architect and the dancer bounced off each other playful yet kitzschy subjects that started out as Rated R, then ratcheted up to NC-17, and ended up at some level that was probably outside the FCC rating system. It might have been "crass" to the notable Marquis de Sade, but we're living in the 21st century here, and refreshing, unhinged conversations like these only come around once in a fatalistic while. Playing our part, Jo and I indulged the table, dishing up personal stories of our own and turning around to act the role of naive "real world" virgin the next moment. Maybe, we're just close-minded, but tales of unapologetic, good-hearted debauchery and juggling classes just seemed too good to be true, not to mention the "happy but indifferent worker but resigned to weekend hobbies" mentality percolating each speaker's words. To unjustly categorize the meal, let's roundly say that "Seinfeld" met "Will and Grace," and a behaved "Jerry Springer" decided to make it a threesome. Unforgettable.
And the food was good, too.
The rest of the day's highlights included:
International Center of Photography's "Ecotopia" Exhibit:
From exhibit website:
In a time of rampant natural disasters and urgent concerns about global environmental change, this exhibition demonstrates the ways in which the most interesting and engaging contemporary artists view the natural world. Shattering the stereotypes of landscape and nature photography, the thirty-nine international artists included in this survey boldly examine new concepts of the natural sphere occasioned by twenty-first-century technologies; images of destructive ecological engagement; and visions of our future interactions with the environment. Considering nature in the broadest sense, this exhibition reflects new perspectives on the planet that sustains, enchants, and—increasingly—frightens us.Location:
1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
Speaking again about Chinese food, my roommate and his parents went to Shanghai Cafe (GO! Eat there now!) for dinner.
Shanghai Cafe
100 Mott St.
New York, NY 10013
- order the soup dumplings because adding soup to a dumpling is just ingenious.
If you're feeling more self-indulgent, head over to Tai Pan Bakery (Asian desserts at dirt-cheap prices = ridiculous). I guarantee you that the $0.80 coconut bun or vanilla cake will have you waxing poetic in no time.
Tai Pan Bakery
194 Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
http://www.taipan-bakery.com/location_e.html
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