As anyone who has been following this blog knows, I am very interested in food, not only in how it looks and tastes but in the role it plays in our lives. Let’s call it the culture of food. Whether you are eating at home or in a restaurant or at a fast food counter, the experience of food is one of life’s great pleasures. The most expensive places don’t always make the most memorable connections. It is all about context and company. That’s why people who market meals are not only selling us the taste and texture of the food but the whole experience, from the moment we order to the time we leave. Fortunately, they are helped by the fact that we are all constantly thinking about food. In his fascinating book, Mindless Eating, Brian Wansink tells us that while the average person usually thinks they make about 15 food-related decisions a day, in fact they make over 200. That’s about one decision every five minutes when we are awake. And let’s face it, some of us dream about food too!
If you happen to live in Tribeca like I do, those dreams often come true. In Tribeca we have some of New York’s best restaurants at our doorstep. I live in the same building as Mr. Chow, half a block from Nobu and Chanterelle, three blocks from New York’s finest Bouley Bakery and only seconds away from the best in French, Portuguese, Greek, Spanish, Italian and German dining. If you’re in the neighborhood you should try, Thalassa, The Odeon, The Harrison, Danube, Blaue Gans, Landmarc, Walker’s and Il Giglio. Life is good.
