Spring fever, I've got it bad, people. I was enjoying all this winter hibernation until, suddenly, I wasn't. I've got restless leg, restless soul syndrome. I can't seem to sit still long enough to boil pasta water, let alone read the food sections. I'm taking a break from this self-imposed blog structure. Lately, all it's been doing is making me feel guilty. And something tells me my readers probably care less about it than I think.
I took a walk yesterday, a four-hour walk through the streets of Manhattan. I stood in line at DiPalo's, fingering my ticket and chatting with one of the counter ladies who kindly let me try a few young pecorino cheeses before I could settle on a wedge of one. I browsed the sleek black counters at Despana and bought a few mind-blowingly expensive slices of jamon Iberico. Luckily, there's no minimum order - you're free to buy just one gossamer slice, which is good to know for these strapped times in which our sad little dollar continues to decline. I read through Casa Moro at McNally-Robinson and found at least four recipes that would make the purchase of the book worthwhile. (Has anyone tried the carrot puree that's sprinkled with parsley and feta and served with pita?)
I saw New York City through that pure, shiny, clear light that filters down on the first days of spring. On the more secluded streets of the East Village, I could hear birds chattering over the nearby din of traffic. There were pussy willows at the farmer's market, though most people carried cherry branches, the buds still tightly closed. There were vendors there I'd not seen before, one selling buttermilk, the other selling bread. I bought six Chioggia beets, small enough to palm in one hand. I kept walking, and through the whir of cars on Broadway, got staccato glimpses of a tall, limp man being gathered up by a blue-suited policeman and gently laid on a stretcher. I noticed a green sign pointing the way to the East River and though I must have seen that sign before, yesterday it was as if it was the first time, improbably clean and optimistic. I sat at the counter alone at Ramen Setagaya, eating my noodles and snatching glances at the men, heads wrapped elegantly in white towels, working the stoves.
I passed so many people, all of us living in these same streets. A lot of days, most, I'd say, I don't even bother to look up, so focused am I on getting to my points of destination. Who isn't? But yesterday, it felt like a small crime to let things go unnoticed. So I took notice. The Italians walking through the flower district, the Africans at the flea market on 25th Street, the construction workers in SoHo, the little girl in the stroller watching a hand-held video game, the bearded guy my father's age dressed in skater clothes walking past the Strand, pretty girls at Union Square, I saw them all.
On days like that, New York is so good it hurts.
yes! It was a lovely day. We were in Central park and it felt like Spring. Everyone was out and loving it. If it wasn't for the tragedy on E50th street it would have been a perfect new york day.
Posted by: gemma | March 16, 2008 at 10:38 AM
i was born and raised in forest hills - moved to manhattan at 19 and left at 25 for australia, i came back at 29 for 2 years and then i headed south. i go home 3x a year. i'm 46 and it's still "home" and always will be. i am so very in love with that town there are just no words... when i go back i soak it up as though it's with my last breath.
it is to me, the most beautiful, interesting and amazing place on earth...
Posted by: Claudia (cook eat FRET) | March 16, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Very well said. I live in Brooklyn and was having one of those days that can only be described as "The Fog Has Finally Lifted!" kind of days you wait for the whole, long winter. Everyone was in a good mood, and everyone was out and about. The best part about those kind of days in the city are the noises you hear - birds, traffic, laughter, different types of music, restaurant clinks and clanks, various languages being spoken. It's just a mish-mosh of stuff that you somehow hear with cleaner ears when you're in that "spring is a-comin'" kind of moods!
Viva nyc...
amy @ http://www.weareneverfull.com
Posted by: We Are Never Full | March 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I felt like I took a walk with you as you were describing the streets of NYC. All the wonderful people to watch and see. NYC in the springtime might be one of the best places in the world. It's been a year since I enjoyed NYC but I wish to go back. In fact, its been my secret dream to move out there but the warm coast of California has me wrapped around her finger right now...
Posted by: a | March 16, 2008 at 01:06 PM
wow! that's one of my favorite posts of yours! so beautifully written...
Posted by: charlotte s | March 16, 2008 at 01:59 PM
i loved reading this.
Posted by: emily | March 16, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Greetings from Helsinki!
What a wonderful post! It's tough to read all these New York based food blogs and resist the temptation, as even my Europe-obsessed friend wanted to see New York after reading your post. Poor students don't travel much but I hope I'll get the chance to spend a year or so in New York some day :) Thanks for boosting the feeling!
Posted by: Pekka Tolvanen | March 16, 2008 at 07:19 PM
I love days like this. Whenever I stop to look up, and see the world (actually see it), I wonder why I hurry so much on the other days.
I love this post. Keep them coming, my dear. WE just want to hear you.
Posted by: shauna | March 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM
well, my guess is that your readers actually care about it more than you think. (how many times do I obsessively check a day? how many recipes have I explored/cooked since discovering your site a mere six months ago?) but anyway, you gotta live! so I'll content myself for now by being fed with your words. really enjoyed this post. the few times I've visited, NYC has always overwhelmed me. but your descriptions made it seem so much more *friendly.* even ... livable!
Posted by: jenny | March 16, 2008 at 08:34 PM
This post made me feel warm, even from 3 hours south of NYC. It was simply lovely.
Posted by: Jenna | March 16, 2008 at 09:35 PM
If obsessively checking your blog is any sign of how much how much we care, my guess is that you shouldn't underestimate your readers! We miss you!
Posted by: Neen | March 17, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Love your writing, and also that you cited a Winnipeg-based bookstore...where I'm from. Keep up the great food writing!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 17, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Thanks everybody! What lovely readers I have.
Posted by: Luisa | March 17, 2008 at 08:35 PM
You're writing is brilliant. I love it just as much as your cooking.
Posted by: Honeybee | March 18, 2008 at 06:27 AM
"Your", rather.
Posted by: Honeybee | March 18, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Your writing is gorgeous, my dear, no matter what the topic!
(how funny, I was just this morning thinking of your lovely post about going to the nature preserve last fall--the imagery still stays with me).
I've been having blog restlessness as well. One day I want to write not about food, another day I want it to be a photo only blog with no writing at all. Can I blame that on spring as well?:-)
Posted by: Tea | March 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM
i think i may have had the same day as you, done the same things, and purchased moro east, as opposed to casa moro. FANTASTIC.
Posted by: jenny | March 19, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I love when you write like this, and I hope you do more often.
This post reminds me of a letter I wrote years ago, to a friend. I ended up photocopying the letter before I sent it, because of the description I'd written of my walk through New York, from the East Village up into Central Park. It was one of the best walks I've ever been on, and I wanted to remember it always. Even with that photocopy, though, I forget it sometimes. Reading your post here made me vividly remember taking the walk and then sitting down at the bottom of Central Park to write the letter.
I just wish I'd been as smart as you and had gotten some ramen.
Posted by: Leah | March 20, 2008 at 12:30 PM