It's hot here. Really hot. The thing about heat in New York is it seems to accumulate during the day; today it was 97F (36C) at 3pm. There also were no clouds in the sky this afternoon, so I was surprised to feel some raindrops. Nothing serious, just some drizzling, but unusual because there were no clouds. When I mentioned this to a friend they told me that the water I felt was probably from all of the air conditioners keeping the high-rise apartments cool! Should we include air conditioner-induced rain when we discuss the effects of global warming?
This past Wednesday, Sean and I took advantage of New York Restaurant Week and had dinner at a local restaurant that serves 'modern Mexican' food.
Maya 1191 First Avenue New York, NY 10021
All of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week had $35 three-course, prix-fix menus for dinner. Sean and I started with the homemade guacamole (we chose medium spicy, although they make a mild and very spicy version) with nacho chips and margaritas (I had the 'especial' and Sean had the 'tradicional'). For starters, Sean had the 'Ceviche de Salmon' and I had the 'Callos de Hacha' (scallops); both were excellent. For the main course, Sean had a grilled chicken dish with a spicy salsa and I had a sliced beef filet with guacamole (not as creamy as the starter - more chunky). I asked for the beef to be cooked medium-well, but when it arrived it was so red on the inside that Sean asked 'is that the meat or sauce?' The waiter took it back immediately and when it was returned it had been cooked to perfection. Both dishes were extremely tasty. The beef was complemented perfectly by the guacamole, rather than being overwhelmed by the other flavors, and was so tender that it melted in my mouth. We were pretty full after our main courses, but the prix-fix menu came dessert, which was a chocolate-coffee mousse. One taste of the mousse and we both forgot how full we were. In London, this meal would have been at least the same amount in pounds as we paid in dollars; something I keep having to remind myself when I go to a New York restaurant that isn't a 'cheap eat'!
I am curious to try the other restaurants owned by Richard Sandoval (there is one other in New York, and others elsewhere in the US). If the food is as good as Maya, I'm sure the others are worth a visit.
It's supposed to get up to 98F (37C) in New York today! Looks like a nice long day in the lab, where the air conditioning is set on 'stun' and I need to wear the lab coat to stay warm!
Just got back from spending the day at my cousin's place in White Plains (suburb of New York). Aron, my father's first cousin (yes, his name is also Aron with one 'A'), and his family had me over for the afternoon/dinner. Even though it's just 30 minutes from Grand Central Station, it might as well be another country. Massive back yard, lots of trees, and a home with a real kitchen!
I think it's going to be impossible to describe everything about Capri/London/Chicago, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, since a picture is worth a thousand words, click on the link to the right and you'll get about 17,000 about Capri!
