Yes people - it is Restaurant Week in New York - well Restaurant Fortnight to be exact - hmmm I wonder if anyone else has noticed the obvious marketing cock-up - ah well, welcome to two weeks of hype for visiting some of the over-priced yet dearly coveted restaurants this city has to offer.

Being a sucker of mass hysteria - I joined friends at the greatly touted Japanese stop in town - Megu - 62 Thomas Street, New York. Check out the website - (well don’t check it out if you use Firefox, it stuffs things up - hmmm maybe an omen of things to come).

We arrived on New York’s coldest damn day this winter - at a balmy 2F my toosh was shaking when I arrived hahaha. So it was a relief to be ushered into a warm flight of stairs and up to the reception area. Shame the welcoming committee was rude and I was poked and prodded by reception herders as though I was the runt in the Kobe beef collection. That welcome aside, we then entered what has to be one of the stunning dining rooms in the city. Hats off to the designers, the carved Buddha, the white leather seats and booths, the warmth of the staff calling welcomes to you as you entered - top marks for that.

There is one thing about hype - it either heightens your expectations or it numbs them. I was ready to be wowed. There is nothing better than Japanese food prepared with true artistry and served with genuine warmth. Alas no. Friendly they were, sure. Really nice food, sure. But guys - you are meant to make me jump with surprise, either through innovation or through the simple purity of food technique and execution - especially when you set yourselves up as one of the great kitchens. Didn’t see much of that. The deep fried oysters were juicy, but heavy, no light tempura here. The Kobe beef balls with foie gras, deep-fried (I’m seeing a theme here), were tasty, but heavy. And the scallops with a foie gras and teriyaki sauce, well, were scallops with sauce.

Bottom line - in a place like this, when you have to send your appetizers back because they weren’t what you ordered, then have to wait until everyone else at the table has finished their mains before yours even arrives - well, to me it is just as bad as someone spitting in your hamburger before they serve it at the fast-food outlet (at least they would have a justification - they are underpaid!).

I always think, is this a place I would take my closest friend to, full of excitement and mystery, to make him feel wonderful - aaah no. Shame though. I feel like a hamburger, with a slosh of integrity.

Categories: New York
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Kiora people … finally a little bit of snow has hit the Big Island. I foolishly decided it might be nice to take a walk around the city. 15 minutes of the wind blowing -10C up my back, it was time for a drink (11.30am is technically lunch time isn’t it?!). So I retreated to my all-time favorite, Bouchon Bakery, had me a little potatoe and aged cheddar quiche, a glass of wine, oh yes I forgot, and a miniature lemon sabayon. Just one of those days - for one of those places.

I felt giddy on my return home and snoozed the afternoon away.

The evening has been an indulgence of three saved episodes of Gray’s Anatomy (w/- box of tissues), Boston Legal and even an Ugly Betty.

LOL I feel such a slob I should apologize, but hey, no one is around to apologize too

Categories: New York
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You know, I just want to say something before I start into 2007. Overall 2006 was one hell of a pain in the ass year. Been there, done that. It’s time for fresh beginnings.

I do just want to clear something up. I know that many of my posts may have given the impression that New Yorkers are hard-assed, rude and generally narrow minded about many things. Well in 2007 I am pleased to admit that I was wrong. It’s not New Yorkers per se, its Americans. This is a liberating realization, and I now feel quite happy being here.

So with that out of the way - HEY - welcome to New York 2007. Where the hell is the snow people?!? As someone told me, I am childish, yes correct - I want to romp around in a bit of snow for a bit. Bring it on. Can someone call Bush and ask him to organize it for me please, I mean I am paying him way more in tax than I am getting in return. A snow machine might be nice. And hey at least in summer you can make frozen margarita’s easily.

You know, I like the cold. It’s great having your skin shrink up on your face the moment you step outdoors. Who needs a face-lift, just step outdoors. Though I have noticed that the dog pee freezes on the sidewalk, somewhat hazardous. I am assuming you could sue the owner of the dog if you slipped and damaged yourself. Now that I live in the most expensive city in the world, maybe this could be a form of supplemental income.

The long weekend is fast approaching - President’s Day or Washington Day, whichever you prefer. I would quite like to go to a remote beach-house with a bottle of single-malt whiskey and read a book about the history of something important.

I do have one exciting announcement to make. I am preparing to launch my new Blog, with a little more local focus on the awesome neighborhood I live in and its happenings. I will keep Kiwihobbit going for my general indiscernible rantings.

Great, there we are, it is truly awesome to be back

Categories: New York
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