Here we are in New York while our neighborhood could be burning soon. I'm trying not to freak out from afar, since there's not much I can do.
So I'll obsess over other things.
Easy enough to do in New York, because as usual I'm overwhelmed by food and restaurant desires. Yet things are a little different now. It's hard not to get frustrated because the baby limits how much we can take on. It's dinner at 7, then home by 9 or 10. And that's even with our relatively flexible kid. Still, we're already having a blast with him here.
After dinner at the well-priced and delicious Celeste on Amsterdam, where unfortunately the crowds and dickish personnel factors were challenging, the artisanal gelato shop Grom was our first Big Food Destination.
The lines in front of the Broadway storefront already rival those at Pinkberry in WeHo when it was first hot hot hot. At this location, folks want their traditional authentic gelato, not high tech fakey fro-yo. (I can't speak to what's going on further downtown at the City's first P.B.)
Grom is pricey -- a small cup, while just the right amount, costs five bucks -- but is the finest gelato you'll find this side of the Atlantic. Even on a chilly night the density, consistency and ingredients all ring true. The stainless steel freezer case with round metal covers is old school, like at San Crispino. And you don't need a hot day to quickly shovel away small plastic spades full of chocolate, gianduja, straciatella, and pistachio gelato.
This isn't the place for people who like to take a walk on the wild side when it comes to their ice cream. Instead the Wynton Marsalises of the gelato world will be pleased by the store's dedication to traditional methods, ingredients and flavors. Actually, Grom will make just about everyone who walk through its doors happy.
They've got the fire about 40% contained now, though it was a stressful night (everything one block above us was evacuated). Pistachio gelato would go a long way toward cheering me up right now--perhaps a morning trip to pazzo gelato is in order? Anyway, enjoy your NY trip!
Posted by: erin | May 09, 2007 at 07:41 AM
Cool - so good to see a review of Grom - I've been hearing a lot of talk about this place.
If it makes you feel better - I'm only 24 - for me its dinner by seven and to bed by 10 ;)
Enjoy your stay!!
Posted by: Doug | May 10, 2007 at 09:40 AM
re: the fire being potentially near your house (never was at all, didn't get any further west than Mt. Hollywood, NE of the Observatory): Either Ed or whatever news source he consulted before calling you guys was confusing Fern Dell with Fern Canyon (over by the old zoo, on the other side of the hill).
Posted by: Morgan | May 10, 2007 at 04:28 PM
It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
Posted by: MBT Online | July 15, 2011 at 03:08 AM