Such a beautiful post Insia! Gorgeous writing. I especially liked your retelling about Brooklyn's response to the eclipse....the bit about the women yelling out 'Happy New Year!' spontaneously...how fun. So fun riding along and being an observer (as well as part-subject here!) to your POV.
You introduced me to several great eateries in NYC (several near NYU)! I can't for the LIFE of me remember the name(s), but...there was one tiny, quick-'n'-easy Vietnamese place not far from Washington Square Park that had (if I remember correctly) a very small upstairs, counter-lined dining area -- one of the best bánh mì sandwiches I've ever had! Years later, after I'd already moved away from the city and was back for a visit, you and I went (at your recommendation, of course) to this crazy-good place in Brooklyn famously known for their meatballs (very clean and sparse -- white subway tiles lining the walls, maybe). Those are some wonderful memories of food + friendship, for me!
Sam! This is all amazing. So the first place was def the Cambodian sandwich place called Num Pang! Thanks so much for the reminder about this classic joint! I totally remember going there together. By the way, Num Pang went on to become a pretty successful chain in the city (the location we'd go to was the original!), but I just looked it up, and it seems like they went out of business a couple years ago! Which is super sad, because their peppercorn catfish sandwich was so special...
As for the second place, I am totally blanking on what it might be...was it an Italian place?! Hmm...I'll have to think about it. Anyway love these memories, friend!
Saketumi on Montague st. It's a pan asian sushi spot on my block with not a single frill. The food is nothing more than you would expect, but its comfy in their little back yard, it's affordable, easy, never too crowded, healthy, and everybody there is friendly and sort of knows me now which feels sweet. Nice to have a place like that around the corner.
Mother’s Dumplings, on Spadina Avenue in Toronto’s Chinatown. I get off at St Patrick station and then take the 507 down Dundas W and then get off at the intersection where dozens of streetcar wires cross each other.
Lamb shu mai and tomato egg drop soup are my “no questions asked” orders.
Beautiful! Long live the sisterhood❤️
Such a beautiful post Insia! Gorgeous writing. I especially liked your retelling about Brooklyn's response to the eclipse....the bit about the women yelling out 'Happy New Year!' spontaneously...how fun. So fun riding along and being an observer (as well as part-subject here!) to your POV.
Thank you Megs! ✨
I loved reading this post.
You introduced me to several great eateries in NYC (several near NYU)! I can't for the LIFE of me remember the name(s), but...there was one tiny, quick-'n'-easy Vietnamese place not far from Washington Square Park that had (if I remember correctly) a very small upstairs, counter-lined dining area -- one of the best bánh mì sandwiches I've ever had! Years later, after I'd already moved away from the city and was back for a visit, you and I went (at your recommendation, of course) to this crazy-good place in Brooklyn famously known for their meatballs (very clean and sparse -- white subway tiles lining the walls, maybe). Those are some wonderful memories of food + friendship, for me!
Sam! This is all amazing. So the first place was def the Cambodian sandwich place called Num Pang! Thanks so much for the reminder about this classic joint! I totally remember going there together. By the way, Num Pang went on to become a pretty successful chain in the city (the location we'd go to was the original!), but I just looked it up, and it seems like they went out of business a couple years ago! Which is super sad, because their peppercorn catfish sandwich was so special...
As for the second place, I am totally blanking on what it might be...was it an Italian place?! Hmm...I'll have to think about it. Anyway love these memories, friend!
Wow! Enjoyed this very much 🤗😍
Saketumi on Montague st. It's a pan asian sushi spot on my block with not a single frill. The food is nothing more than you would expect, but its comfy in their little back yard, it's affordable, easy, never too crowded, healthy, and everybody there is friendly and sort of knows me now which feels sweet. Nice to have a place like that around the corner.
Amazing! Nothing better than having a neighborhood joint like this. Thanks for sharing Phil.
Mother’s Dumplings, on Spadina Avenue in Toronto’s Chinatown. I get off at St Patrick station and then take the 507 down Dundas W and then get off at the intersection where dozens of streetcar wires cross each other.
Lamb shu mai and tomato egg drop soup are my “no questions asked” orders.
The rest is a bonus.
Love this Aelya--thanks so much for sharing!