Hosive

when people come into the city, we are always surprised by where they want to visit or to go eat. they are equally surprised that we do not frequent those places or want to go eat there. no. i do not want to eat at ruby tuesdays , bennigans or tgifridays in times square. then they ask where we go……so here are the places we like…not the best or the cheapest or whatever category….just where we go and go on a regular basis…

when i want to feel rich, i head over to the spotted pig for some accessible gourmet. the prices are not that exorbitant but the portions demand that you order multiple courses. but for cheapos like me, it is usually a stop on an eating tour like the one i put together for my bud regina lee ahn. i just want a taste of magic.

we have come here for full on meals but not today. one time we dined with natalie portman eating nearby. she was like a little elf.

my wife’s irish friend, bono has also been rumored to frequent this place. with the tour starting soon, his place on the upper west side and his kids applying for schools in the west village, he may also be seen here again.

i got the luxurious red borscht….a vegetarian version…more authentic? i’ve only had it with bits of meat but wondering if that’s some americanized version.  i certainly never had borscht this red before! it looked velvety and luxurious.

i actually had my heart set on the fish stew that i sometimes see here. but the menu does change seasonally and probably at the whim of the chef.

regina got the cubano…one of the best in the city…the heartiest thing usually on the menu at the spotted pig. its is meat bliss. makes sense that the place would know how to do the pork.

i tried my best to capture the red of the soup taking multiple shots….it was magical…just a taste before we headed off to our next eating stop….a story for another day.