My Three Best Meals of December

Two in New York, One in Buenos Aires

These days December is the first truly cold month of the year, with November a joke, so this is when I start to really eat and fatten up for the winter.

My first great meal was at Passerine on 20th Street, which used to be the great Indian place Sona. Well, it’s still Indian, but now it’s even greater. First, the rooms are lush and lovely, with a bar and salon out front where you can warm yourself with one of the amazing drinks (the Singling Lark I’m holding in the photo is vodka-based but literally sings with Indian chili tincture). And as for the food, damn.

Look at the dish on the right, it’s a lamb tartare with fried shiso leaves. And it might be my favorite new appetizer in NYC.

But then check out this scallion uttapam with aged comte. It’s the most fun dish to handle, like an Indian taco that doesn’t leak pork juice. (Mmm…pork juice…)

And while, I’ve recently turned my back on main courses in favor of a dozen appetizers, the sea bass in konkani curry made a reformed man out of me. It’s like plunging into a warm bath after escape from the Siberian winds outside. Like I said, damn.

Oh, and just look at the presentation of their ice cream sandwich with an Indian stamp to seal the deal.

Now let’s do a brief stop in Buenos Aires where you can escape this whole winter thing entirely. El Preferido de Palermo, is in, well Palermo. Now, obviously many Argentines families hail from Italy, but I swear to god this is the strangest and yet most savory vitello tonatto I have ever had in my life.

And also some of the best vermouth!

These clever people also have a Spanish tortilla that is just mind-boggling and a charcuterie list that is already famous (look at that chorizo). The waiter told me someone at the bar ordered me a bunch of dishes, but when I went over to thank them the patrons all denied it. I think the universe is finally pleased with me.

Finally, let’s go back to New York for the best burger I’ve had all year