The Delis of New York

Here’s an interesting comment coming from someone who, I am guessing is from New York — or maybe not:

Dheena wrote:I REALLY HATE DELI’S. DO YOU EAT IN THOSE PLACES?

Dheena, depends on which deli.  I think your concept of a deli is confined to the run-of-the-mill corner deli store which sells odds and ends (much like our own sari-sari stores) but who sell hot and cold food.  Delis or delicatessens also have different grades and levels of service.  Yes, I eat at “those places” — like Zeytuna (downtown near Wall Street), Mangia (both by Wall Street and on 57th), Dean & Deluca by Rockefeller Center, Cucina Express (both at Grand Central and Rockefeller Center), Cafe Metro, Europa, and ordinary delis alike.

A delicatessen, by definition, is a place that offers ready-to-eat food products — and by New York standards, that can be anything from your Boar’s Head Roast Beef sandwich to your Norwegian salmon with feta cheese on focaccia bread with the chef’s special dressing.

If you’re from New York, try the places I mentioned above, and your concept of a deli will be greatly modified by the difference in quality of food, price (!), ambience and service.  Just like pizza — you have to make a distinction between Domino’s and Naples 45. 

Dreaming of winning the lotto..

I was writing a friend about my dream business — what I would do with my money if I won the lotto. My dream is to put up a boutique in SoHo in Manhattan where I would sell one-of-a kind or limited edition pieces by big name and emerging designers from Manila. It would be a venture of love considering that it will probably be a non-performing asset considering how it could cost a lot just making the rent, but it would be so nice to see a store with everything from the Philippines, or made by Filipinos from home or here.

There is something magical about the Village as we call it and its surrounding neighborhoods.  There is really no tourist landmark to see but the vibe of the whole community is New York at its rawest.  On a clear day, you will see the artists hawking their wares in the streets.  At night, the bars and restaurants come alive and doesn’t really sleep until you find yourself getting breakfast at some deli or other in the same neighborhood.

Guess I better get my lotto ticket later..