Monday, March 12, 2012

New York Weekend

prune

Just wrapping up 48-hour long whirlwind trip in New York, I am currently en route aboard a wifi equipped plane heading back to Los Angeles. I was in NY for two work related reasons. Firstly, it was art fair week in New York and I've been on the hunt for art for clients. Secondly, one of the artists I represent (Frohawk Two Feathers) was having his first opening in Manhattan (!!!). Naturally, I wanted to be there to support him.

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Scattered amidst a steady stream of art viewing, I managed to squeeze in some meals that could only be described as insanely delicious. I ate brick chicken at Marlow & Sons , dim sum at Nom Wah, fried oysters at Bacaro and homemade pasta al ragu at Piadina.

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Next to a trip to MOMA that seemed tailor-made for me (included exhibits by two of my favorites, Cindy Sherman and Diego Rivera) the highlight of my trip was brunch at Prune, Gabrielle Hamilton's tiny restaurant on East 1st Street. Despite several attempts, I had never eaten there before - the notoriously long lines had dissuaded me. But ever reading Hamilton's great memoir Blood, Bones & Butter last spring, I became determined! So I woke up early Sunday morning and got in line at 9:40AM for 10AM opening.

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We got a table right next to the kitchen and the experience was as satisfying as I had hoped. Great coffee, homemade banana bread and eggs benedict served along side a custardy and crisp hashbrowns. Makes me want to get into the kitchen and recreate!

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Another great discovery this trip was Jack's Coffee, the kind of coffee shop I wish I had around the corner from my home and office in LA. My chic cousin Tracy, a longtime Wast Village resident, tipped me off to this gem of a spot with the text, "Heath, you have to stop at Jack's! Coconut water, green juice, coffee and great bagels." I went three times in two days including a pit stop on my way to the airport at 7AM this morning. Nothing beats a chai latte, Harmless Harvest coconut water and a bagel for early morning, pre-flight nourishment.

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23 comments:

Anne Zimmerman said...

Love Prune! A definite NY fave of mine. Thanks for the Jack's coffee tip. I am headed East in 2 weeks!

Margo Peck said...

I'm headed to NY this month and taking all these recommendations with me. Thanks!

ashley said...

aw, my friend emma works at prune, looks so good! i see that you got that harmless harvest coconut water, i can't drink any other brand besides it now! it's seriously the best one, tastes just like real coconut water does. i'm in love and it's ALWAYS sold out here!

Neda said...

Aside from the fact that I really want to go to Prune, I also love their logo/font! Looks like such a fun trip!!

Sasha said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend: good food and good art! You have given me plenty of inspiration for my next trip to New York.

How was the Cindy Sherman exhibition?

briannelee said...

That breakfast looks amazing!!!

Heather Taylor said...

@Sasha: Cindy Sherman was amazing!

Thea vintage said...

Oh that Prune meny looks great. Love the colour combo !

autumnempire said...

Fried oyster omelet and Chicago Matchbox bloody is my weekend vacation brunch idea of heaven. <3 Prune. And Jack's and M&S and Nom Wah. Your post made my mouth water and just the tiniest pang of jealousy...the best kind. It's the reason to travel, booking my next trip pronto.

Meghan Pickrell said...

Jealous- I love Prune. My bestie in NY used to manage there. I'm heading back east in June. :)

Maria said...

Glad you had such a lovely time. Nom Wah Tea Parlour is one of my favourite little places in NY. Next time you are in town You'll have to try a passion fruit cream donut from Dough!

Maria @ Orchard Bloom

tannaz said...

prune and jack's stir brew are 2 of my ny favorites. next time you have to add bonnie slotnick's cookbooks to your itinerary. cozy dreamland, and walking distance from jack's!

kathy peck said...

When we lived in NY, we ate at Prune often, but only for dinner. Had no idea they did brunch? I love it there.

Cheryl said...

My favorite coconut water!

marina said...

we have similar tastes! i worked at bacaro when it first opened for awhile, unbelievable amarone steak and razor clams! and lived around the corner from marlow, ate there every day for breakfast! i miss those places now that i'm in la.

Sunday Taylor said...

Oh this makes me want to go to NY right now!

amelia said...

I want to hear more about PRUNE!!

jeana sohn said...

i want to try the coconut water!
feel better poo!!!

HarmlessHarvest said...

Heather-so glad you found our coconut water while visiting NYC! And what a great photo of the bottle. Sounds like an awesome trip!! Luckily, you can find Harmless Harvest in your neck of the woods as well. Check out this site for locations near you: http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/switchget.html

Vogue Guy said...

How do you stay so thin?

ellen said...

love all of this.

heidi said...

I always wanted to eat at Prune but never had the chance to do so. Apparently by all the reviews, food & ambiance are fantastic. Now that you also mention it, I think is time I write it down on my places to visit while in NY list...

Stephina Suzzane said...

Every one of a hundred thousand cities around the world had its own special sunset and it was worth going there, just once, if only to see the sun go down. Cheap Flights to New York