kthread / Kristen Taylor

why yes, I’d love another bacon swizzler

Another of my resolutions (or intentions, as my friend Amanda, who you will meet below, frames them) is to spend more time with my friends in New York, and to let them school me in food here.

My friend Dean describes himself as a lover of tacos,

and his Bushwick neighborhood is full of options–I tried chorizo and lengua tacos last night (Dean lapped me with a carne one too, I think) at a place near his apartment. These tacos made the cut with Dean’s criteria of two corn tortillas on each; I’m looking forward to upcoming taco expeditions when the necessary longer walks are warmer.

Over beers we talked cultural divides and weather patterns, I was schooled in the differences between Bushwick and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and you’ll see Dean’s apartment with its expansive kitchen the week after next here on kthread.

…

This summer, I was delighted to find out that my friends Amanda and Jordan were moving to New York, and they found a lovely apartment in the Village where they now freelance and rock out with their dog, Cosmo.

When the (truly, they are improv artists) dynamic duo lived in D.C., Amanda posted a series of “colossal” bagel sandwiches with a complicated Bloody Mary in the background—Jordan’s weekend tradition. Today at brunch I learned exactly how serious Jordan is about both:

Very.

That’s a bacon swizzler in this rich concoction. Many New Yorkers seek it, but I think I’ve found the best Bloody in Manhattan.

And I likely disappointed Jordan by not making it through this towering bagel sandwich of deliciousness, but I did so enjoy the lox from Russ & Daughters, cream and cheddar cheeses, bacon, turkey, egg, and radicchio.

Amanda led the toast to the new year and caught me up on her new interests and projects; we agreed that New York feels like a place that will help us to grow artistically and creatively.

When she launches her new projects, I’ll link to them here (her Creative DC blog was a wonderful resource for surfacing underground performances and events).

I thought my favorite thing Jordan said was, “Could I get you another bacon swizzler?” until he appeared with a plate of ginger cookies (I love when cookies sparkle) with bourbon cream cheese between.

This is a household that understands the art of the sandwich, and lucky for me, this household is now in New York.

Tonight, I may make a simple salad like the one late last night, with soft mache (lamb’s lettuce) leaves, scallions—for a subtle lemon hit, big crumbles of chevre, and crisp slices of local sunchokes (but then again, I do have fresh buttermilk from the butter I made this morning and bowl of purple potatoes that could be friends)…

oso :
January 10th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
How was the stomach doing this morning after the chorizo and lengua?
Amanda :
January 10th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Hooray! Beautiful kthread photos of beautiful Jordan food…the universe smiles….

So great to see you. Looking forward to our bagel quest :)
Jordan :
January 10th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Kristen, it was great having you over, and it was such a treat making my crazy breakfast goodies for someone who so obviously enjoyed both the end result and watching the process! Thank you for your kind words, you are welcome to another bacon swizzler (and/or ginger cookie sandwich) any time.
Kristen :
January 10th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Amanda, me too! Thank you again for inviting me.

Jordan, I will definitely be needing more bacon swizzlers and ginger cookie sandwiches in the future. That’s a new year intention.

David, I felt great–I usually go for cabeza. The company was excellent, so that probably helped. Looking forward to our eating adventures in Feb. You promised scorpions.
Eric S.:
January 10th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I don’t mean to be a poor sport, but honestly, you can’t get a good taco in New York. And I say this having lived in Jackson Heights.
Kristen :
January 10th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Eric, I will be out in LA in Feb, where I know I can find great tacos (partially because you’ve told me that). Really, though, you don’t think much of Bushwick tacos?
Dean:
January 10th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
@Eric Yeah tacos here generally don’t measure up (I’m from the west coast), but there are a few decent places. Best in NY is down in Red Hook at the park during the summer soccer (football?) games. The food trucks there are great. Another taco worth eating is the tortillaria here in bushwick (right off the jefferson stop).
Amanda :
January 10th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
La Lucha in East Village opened relatively recently and is supposed to have great tacos… would be curious for your take, Eric!
Kristen :
January 11th, 2010 at 7:34 am
See Eric? Dean knows. Amanda, I want to try La Lucha soon too.
Eric S.:
January 11th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I’d meant to do the Red Hook thing but moved out of New York before I got around to it. I recall taking a look at a blog devoted to tacos in NYC, and I remember being especially intrigued by some sort of little bodega that sells tacos in the East Village. Not sure where to get good tacos with homemade tortillas, though. Last Mexican meal I had in NYC was at Mercadito.