After a few days working in New Jersey (lots of sandwiches and pasta, nothing to write home about), I was all set to go to New York for just a couple of days. I absolutely love the city, the buzz, the madness, everything. I stayed in Manhattan – the Hilton Garden Inn on West 35th Street – what I think is a lovely area and a great location. The last time I was there I stayed in the Bryant Park Hotel and that was stunning, but this time it was almost double the rate. Rather save some money for food, eh?
With limited time, too many options and just one stomach, I had to be selective in what I eat. So first things first, off I went to Whole Foods in Columbus Circle – next to Central Park to stock up on some yogurts and cereal bars for breakfast, looking for brands that I don’t see in London. I went for a couple of So Delicious yogurts – blueberry and chocolate which were both scrumptious. I also got a few Kind bars. But I think the find of the day were these Jalapeno flavoured Kettle crisps (or should I say ‘chips’). If you like heat, and not a little tickle but a nice kick – these are the crisps for you. I just need to track them down in the UK.
So onto the food. I did have a look at Happy Cow (go Happy Cow!) but with literally 2 days – I Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, I decided to stay pretty local and made a reservation at Hangawi, a vegan Korean restaurant. Whooo! I loved the decor – all wooden and dark and very traditional. Even the cutlery was wooden. So beautiful! Walking in, I was asked to take my shoes off and was led to a table with a sunken chair essentially. There was enough light to read the menu, and I ordered a cocktail to start – the beautiful sounding Zen Blossom, made with soju, lychee, lychee wine, and elderflower.
Delicately perfumed with an underlying hint of soju, it was a perfectly balanced drink, and a wonderful start. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was enough to last me through the meal. Being a solo diner meant I had to choose what sounded like the most tempting option to me – so I chose the organic avocado stone bowl – a speciality of the restaurant.
I’ve found it hard to find a tasty kimchi without any fishiness but that search can stop now. One bowl of kimchi was chilli, the other plain. The chilli one was spicy, hot and perfectly crunchy. The plain had so much flavour, just as good in its own way. Oh! I still think about them both…
I’m not quite sure what was in it, but the first few sips were lovely – deep flavour and tasty. I had to stop after half a cup because all I could taste was sweetness – dates or brown sugar or something – was too overpowering. My server did confess that he would never drink it that sweet, and I think it would taste much better with virtually no sugar.
Hangawi isn’t the cheapest place but it was on my list of to try restaurants, and I’m glad I did. There are so many wonderful sounding options on the menu, I’ll just have to come back, as part of a larger group so we can work our way through it…. yes – I will definitely return!
I would have walked past, thinking it is just a hole in the wall – but I’m so glad I stopped. I then realised how popular this place is – virtually every seat was taken, people coming in to pick their takeaways.. wow. Thankfully there was room for me on the singles table… all solo diners bundled together on one table to optimise bums on seats. I ordered a plate of noodles with veggies. When I got my order, my first thought was, bugger, how boring.
I started eating and oh wow wow wow. Chewy noodles with a lovely mouth feel, slivers of veggies and this barely there sauce. I hoovered them in. They were only about $7!!!!!! Wowza! A few glasses of free tea and I was ready to continue sightseeing.
My last meal in New York was lunch on Saturday before I headed to the airport later that day. This actually would be my last meal if I were ever to be in that situation to request one (hopefully not). So there are a number of Blossom du Jour eateries in NYC, and I basically googled the nearest one, which turned out to be in Chelsea on West 23rd Street. I got there not knowing what to expect, and it turned out to be a tiny fast food joint, focusing on takeaway with seats enough for 7 – 8 people. This is not a place where you linger over a burger or bowl – you order and take away, or you order, eat and leave. So New York-esque.
So there was only going to be one thing that I was going to order from the menu. I have been seeing this on blogs and you tube, haven’t had the chance to make it myself. The spicy buffalo bun with buffalo cauliflower, ranch and lettuce. Here, have a look at it:
Holy Moley. What a burger!! Soft cauliflower, still crunchy batter, dipped in hot sauce – check. Cool ranch – check. Crisp lettuce – check. Soft bun – check. Seriously folks. This was one of the best things I have eaten!! Messy, creamy, hot, I thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful. I ordered the Green Giant smoothie with mango, banana, spinach, kale, flax and almond milk.
PB Eats, PB Travels 
