I gained seven pounds last week and it’s just the beginning. I’m not a rodent, though I do bulk up in the summer and lose weight in the winter. And as the Summer of Gary begins, I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind and to try to eat at all 100 of Pete Well’s best restaurants of NY.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/dining/best-nyc-restaurants.html
The good news for my belly is that I’ve already eaten at 32 of them! Which leaves…how many? Can anyone do math on this thing?
So let the insanity begin.
Here is a list of the 32 restaurants I’ve already eaten at before Wells published his culinary diktat:
Le Bernadin, Via Carota, CheLi, The Grill, Gramercy Tavern, Semma, Jean Georges, Zaab Zaab, Lilia, Birria-Landia, Shukette, Casa Mono, Claud, Koloman, Le Rock, Adda Indian Canteen, Great NY Noodletown, Ernesto’s, Gage & Tollner, Village Cafe, Frenchette, Le Coucou, Yoon Haeundae Galbi, Mercado Little Spain, Aquavit, Marisco El Submarino, Scarr’s Pizza, Dhamaka, Ayat, Barney Greeengrass, Shopsin’s General Store, and S&P Lunch.
#33 on my list is Txikito in Chelsea.
Holy shit do I like Basque food. And freaking Txikito is the best the city has to offer. The “martini” I’m drinking above got vodka, gin, shochu, cap corse and guindilla in it and is smoother than my panties.
Everything on the menu is brilliantly plated and super simple.
Just look at the way those boquerones glisten! And the second dish is a “pochas” a white kidney bean stew (still good even with the warm weather) with red shrimp and garlic.
I can’t even remember what this phallic desert was, but I slurped it up in three bites then wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
Are you ready for #34? It may surprise you.