Today is Sunday, May 17. It’s the last Sunday before the official start of summer. Not the actual summer solstice – that’s June 21. But the last Sunday before Memorial Day weekend when many people think it’s ok to finally wear white. It’s not ok. Most of us including myself just can’t pull it off. Anyway, while most of us viewed today, May 17, as a day to make any last minute holiday weekend plans, the Norwegians (and anyone else who will find any excuse to party – again including myself) celebrated The Norwegian Constitution Day. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as søttende/syttende mai (meaning May Seventeenth), Nasjonaldagen (The National Day) or Grunnlovsdagen (The Constitution Day). Being that I spent some time in Oslo last year as an American ambassador attending the annual Nordic music conference, By:Larm, I felt it only appropriate to join in the Norwegian celebration.
Inappropriately standing behind the counter and wearing the uniform of my favorite late-night Shawarma spot in Oslo.
I spent the morning doing Norway-inspired activities like dreaming of Fjords and re-reading my favorite play of all time, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. I really didn’t do those things, but I did think of doing those things. What I really did do was head straight to brunch at Smorgas Chef.
Smorgas Chef is a great spot for brunch in midtown (49th + 2nd Ave) with 3 other locations throughout Manhattan. It serves Scandinavian cuisine and offers a prix fixe menu ($16.95) of which I took full advantage. I started with the SMÖRGÅS BELLINI (Fresh peach, lingonberry and Champagne). The lingonberry is a key ingredient in Norwegian dishes and is often sold as jam and juice in the store. (Lingonberries were also used to make a home remedy against scurvy.) I then ordered the NORWEGIAN BENEDICT (poached eggs, gravlaks, and dill holandaise) which comes with a side of Jansson’s Potato au Gratin good enough for Leif Erickson. I befriended the Norwegian noshers who nibbled beside me and who donned red and blue themed headbands, ties, clothing etc. They were proudly embracing their Nordic heritage, while I was proudly embracing the SCANDINAVIAN SOFT VANILLA WAFFLES (Cloudberry preserves, chantilly cream) for dessert.
Poach Perfect
The food is authentic and the portions are just right. (If you think about it, you very rarely see overweight Scandinavians.) It was an overall lovely experience. So if you’re unable to get over to Oslo as I did, Smorgas Chef, might just be your next best thing. May the Norse be with you.
Every year I look forward to Time Out New York’s Eat Out Awards. As a foodie and bar/restaurant enthusiast, I also like to come up with my own. It’s still early in the year, so I have not yet been to all of the spots on my list, but these are my picks for 2009 thus far:
Cookie Monster's Got Nothing On Me
Best New Ceviche Spot:
Desnuda
Best Midtown Vegan Lunch Spot (which is hard to find in Midtown!):
Uncle Marky’s Organics
Best Italian:
Scarpetta
Convivio
Best Italian on a Budget and that is Fun (Cash Only):
Supper
Best Use of Pork:
Steamed Pork Buns at Momofuku Ssam
Best New Sushi Joint:
Sushi Azabu
Best Late Night Sushi Joint:
Sushi Seki
Best Late Night Food Spot that has Healthy Options:
Avi and David’s
Best Seafood Spot that has a Knowledgeable Staff and is in a Cool Neighborhood:
Mermaid Inn
Best Sliders:
The Little Owl
Best New York Pastrami:
Artie’s Delicatessen
Best Dessert:
PB&J at Momofuku Ssam
Panna Cotta at Convivio
Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery
ANYTHING from the infamous TREAT TRUCK!
Best (Most Authentic) BBQ:
Dinosaur
Most Fun BBQ Experience:
Hill Country
Best Neighborhood Indian:
Yuva
Best Neighborhood Brunch:
Penelope
Best Neighborhood Greek:
Pylos
Great Spot to Test Your Love for Speakeasy Mixology:
Death & Co.
Best Steakhouse:
I still love Del Frisco’s
Steak for Two at Benjamin Steakhouse
STK is delicious and has fun people-watching
Best Spicy Margarita:
Soho House
Best Thing to Nosh on Prior to the Meal:
Truffle popcorn at Desnuda
Spiced peanuts at Tang Pavillion
Best Go-To Bar/Restaurant that has Great Comfort Food with a Twist and Fun Vibe/Music:
Spitzer’s Corner
Coolest Restaurant Staff:
Spitzer’s Corner: Chef Sung Park. Manager Scott Reed. Partners David Moon and Rob Shamlian. Server Neil Patrick Rivington.
Michael’s Restaurant: Chef Kyung Up Lim. General Manager Steve Millington. Manager Danny DiVella.
With the lovely Chef Park of Spitzer's
With Michael's GM, Steve Millington. As good as it gets.
With Bobby Flay. Why not.
Chester French is a they. Not a he. Pop duo Chester French consists of Harvard grads DA Wallach and Max Drummey who named their band after Lincoln Memorial sculptor, Daniel Chester French, because his name sounds “old school”. Speaking of “old school” sounds, their diverse influences range from 1920s silent-film scoring, motown, and 60s pop, up through modern day beats and hip hop. After a receiving a lot of attention and courting from the likes of Kanye West, Jermaine Dupril, and Pharrell Williams, Chester French ended up choosing a deal with Pharrell’s Star Trak label, an imprint of Interscope Records. The guys put out the remix album “Jacques James Vol.1: Endurance” as a free album to generate excitement surrounding the release of their debut full-length “Love The Future”, which is written and produced 100% by themselves. Their single “She Loves Everybody” is all over MTV and you can’t miss it while running on the treadmill at Crunch. So those are the facts. Also to note about these guys is that they are just as committed to their innovative marketing strategies as they are their music. DA and Max are some of the hardest working young businessmen I’ve met. When they’re not performing on stage, they’re performing their promoting prowess offstage by marketing and selling their music everywhere and anywhere. Hustle while you work. Chester French are the latest Steve Madden Music featured artist. As a result I had the opportunity to hang with the guys, interview them, and host their intimate (and packed) in-store performance at the Steven store in the Lower East Side the other night. Page Six gave us some love. Here’s a clip from the performance, with a bit of Steve Madden and I wrapping up the night as well:
May 3, 2009 –
CHESTER French — the band featuringPeaches Geldof’s ex-husband, Max Drummey — had an awkward moment while performing at the Steve Maddenshoe store on the Lower East Side last week. While taking song requests, someone in the audience ironically shouted out, “Jimmy Choos,” the title of the band’s single. Madden himself started laughing and gave Drummey’s bandmate,D.A. Wallach, his nod of approval.