Stepping Out Again

Be it for an art exhibition, a light show, a new restaurant or an existing favourite, or a ski holiday, Monika Patel is out and about, with caution

Full disclosure: the pandemic changed me. Once I began staying home instead of traipsing around the city, I learnt to appreciate the value of 'me time'. But humans are social creatures, so locking myself up in my studio in the sky is not always possible. Memories of pre-COVID life have begun tempting me back into the fold and as things open, I'm gradually putting aside the trauma of isolation and joining the world again. I double-mask, cling to my sanitiser and wade out. Though New Yorkers will take a while to forget the early days, so there are still many like me who veer on the side of caution.

Tartinery at Hudson Eats, Brookfield Place, is set at the back and perfect for social distancing. It is Parisian, Nicolas Dutko’s brainchild, bringing a bit of France to NYC, by showcasing the scrumptiousness of tartines. There are multiple locations in the city combining the Paris café vibe with the energy of New York. Whether you want a breakfast smoothie, a mid-morning cappuccino, a salad bowl for lunch, an early evening apéritif or a light salad for dinner, Tartinery has something for everyone. And the dishes can be shared, which is another plus point. The Roast Beef Tartine with arugula and truffle mayo, served with shredded Parmesan, is a simple blend of flavours that mix so well together. The same applies to the Buratta Tartine served with baby tomatoes, avocado, and basil.

Food is a vital part of New York’s charm, but the city offers many interesting experiences, indoors and outdoors. I love the museums, Broadway and the comedy clubs, but the parks are a great way to enjoy aesthetics and stay safe. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens was a treat for the eyes and a different way to enjoy the garden. Despite freezing temperatures, people strolled after dark, oohing and aahing at the spectacular light show with a curated soundtrack, laid along a specified trail. There were over a million lights, to boggle the mind. My personal favourites were the winter tunnel and the sea of light. And as the weather changes, another not-to-be-missed event is of course cherry blossom season.

Outdoor activities being the mantra, I planned many excursions out of the city, despite a raging Omicron. One advantage of living in this city is the ease of travel. COVID made it cumbersome because of needing to do tests, within a specified time and carry all the right paperwork. But once done, it is a breeze. And is only getting easier with rules being relaxed. Winter means skiing and I sneaked away for a weekend at Killington in Vermont. The resort is like a well-oiled machine with loads of slopes appealing to all age groups. I picked an especially cold weekend so was happy to be at The Killington Grand, whose prices are justified by the fact you can roll out of bed and stumble into the lifts or enjoy a heated outdoor pool and spa to soak your weary body. The ski resort is packed with restaurants and eating places. We enjoyed great wood-fired pizza  at Mary Lou’s and a hearty Sunday brunch at Choices before heading back to the city.

One weekend I hopped onto a train from Penn Station and headed to a hidden gem. Many New Yorkers ‘abandoned’ the city during the pandemic and relocated. A close friend of mine did the same and picked Providence, Rhode Island. The city is restaurant heaven even though, unlike NYC, no one seemed to have heard about masking! Home to Brown and RISDI, it has the charm of a university town, the heritage of New England and the vibe of downtown social life along with suburban living. Sampling the modern American fare at Persimmon is when I realised this is no hick town. I re-ordered the Deviled Eggs with Smoked Trout because I couldn’t get enough of it. Not that I didn’t enjoy the foie gras served more like a terrine, the Beef Tartare garnished with spring flowers, delicately flavoured Scallops with Cauliflower, and Black Squid Spaghetti peppered with Parmesan. Providence is a walker’s delight, and the hilly landscape also makes for a good workout. The art connection means there are great art pieces, sculptures and interesting anecdotes about everything you see. I was lucky to visit during Waterfire. This annual public art exhibition is installed on the downtown rivers and was first created by sculptor, Barnaby Evans. Small fires are lit along the river and boats plough up and down ensuring they do not get doused. By the way, no visit to this town can be complete without sampling the tarts at Pastiche.

Sampling is part and parcel of Chef Neel Kajale’s culinary life. Passionate about cooking, he tweaked a Bernard Shaw quote to say, "There is no sincerer love than the love of making food." Neel saw a cooking show at the age of 13 and decided his way of bringing joy to people would be via the medium of food. After graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Bombay, he worked for prestigious restaurants like Shamiana and Sea Lounge, was a part of the opening team for Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochar’s, NRI-Not Really Indian and worked for the Late Floyd Cardoz at Bombay Canteen. Neel was also a part of the team that set up the first Farzi Café, working there for 14 months before deciding he needed to be in New York City, the restaurant capital of the world. He enrolled and studied at the Harvard of cooking schools, Culinary Institute of America, which he followed up with a dream job at the iconic, 3 Michelin-star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. He not only honed his skill and learnt discipline but acquired crucial knowledge that helped in his next career leap, working at the intersection of food and media. Neel became a test kitchen assistant at Food52, where he cooked on camera, using his professional expertise without the pressure of cooking for 150 people each night. He got to develop recipes, create food content, indulge in styling for Insta posts and still continue with his first passion, cooking. Neel is now a test kitchen manager for Haven’s Kitchen sauces. He joins a growing list of chefs from India forging successful careers in the US.

Another super successful chef who took the CIA route and went on to achieve culinary heights in the US is Ranchi girl, Maneet Chauhan. She has her own hospitality group and not only runs four restaurants in Nashville but has made a name for herself as a judge on the Food Network show, Chopped. She also has 'actress' under her belt, having played a reel life role of her real life, for a Hallmark movie. Maneet’s journey of grit and talent has taken her from working at The Oberoi and Taj groups in India, to a start-up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and becoming an executive chef for Vermillion before striking out on her own. This ambassador of Indian cuisine has even visited the White House where she met Barack and Michelle Obama. Nashville is known as America’s music capital and is on my bucket list, but a huge part of the temptation is also to check out the Indian fare at Chauhan Ale and Masala, gape at the bangle wall and relish Indian street food at Chaatable, indulge in global fare at the modern diner, Mockingbird or try contemporary Chinese at Tansuo. This desi girl has come a long way from her small-town roots.

Many NYC restaurants shut during the pandemic, but many new ones have also opened that I hope to visit. It’s all about getting back on track. Like Robert Frost said, “In three words I can sum up everything I learned about life: it goes on.”