Union Square Farmer’s Market!
Oh my gosh, I could move in. At Union Square, one can find everything from organic kale to juicy strawberries to… purple basil?! If only I lived in New York and therefore had a use for the incredible array of fresh vegetables and fruits at the market.
After browsing, Jess and I got dinner at Souen.
Souen, a macrobiotic establishment, is one of my favorite restaurants in the city for its serene environment and nourishing, comforting food. However, it is important to go to the one at University Place. I’ve dined at their Soho location, and its ambiance just does not compare!
I ordered what I always order at Souen: the kuzu stew, which boasts broccoli, cauliflower, nappa cabbage, kale, snow peas, shiitake, and onion in a ginger-tamari broth.
This is not your average soup.
The kuzu is used as a thickener, so it basically tastes like you’re eating a huge bowl of veggies smothered in thick gravy!
Feeling adventurous, Jessica went with the bento box.
She decided it would be a good detox from her Crumbs cupcake! The bento featured: brown rice, hijiki seaweed, steamed veggies, marinated burdock in miso paste, tofu okabe, and pickled radishes. It also came with miso soup. The bento definitely wasn’t something I’d order. That’s the fun thing about different people: we all have unique tastes. Both of us were thrilled with our choice of dinners.
I wish Souen would open in Texas.
But at least I have my own Homemade Kuzu Stew.
Later in the hotel, I broke into a new chocolate bar. Unfortunately it was awful! It tasted like I was eating flowers. In the bar’s defense, it was lavender-flavored. What did I expect?
I quickly switched to my favorite.
oh wow, those both look good. But comfort in a bowl is the best way to go!
I’ve always wanted to try lavender chocolate… hmm but flowers haven’t always been my favorite to eat (haha)… maybe I’ll skip it!
Whether a person should live in NYC involves how that person feels about crowds.
It’s one thing to be pushed against other people on the subway during a one-week visit and not mind.
But would you mind if for years you were pushed against other people twice-a-day in the subway?
Lavendar flavored chocolate? Hmmmm..where did you buy it?
Lifethyme Cafe
I have eating lavender chocolate only once but it didn’t taste like flowers. Maybe the guys from Lindt do it better 🙂 . It was dark chocolate with lavender and blueberries. Amazing!
I wonder if they put sugar in the NYC hijiki too. This thing has a big potential but the Japanese love for sugar ruins it.
I’ve been wanting to try the Antidote chocolate, disappointing to hear that you did not like the lavender flavor. My favorite raw chocolate (and chocolate of all time) is Fine & Raw Cacao & Coconut (at Organic Avenue in NYC). Check it out if you’re near one!
Souen is a regular haunt for me – love the Macro plate!
Oh my gosh, I will definitely keep an eye out for it. That sounds SO good!
I am LOVING this two posts a day thing. I’m sure I can’t be the only one? You rock, CCK! 🙂 🙂
Seconded!
That stew looks so creative; out of the box for me! …Flowers + Chocolate = AMAZING; however Flowers IN chocolate = probably not my thing… HA! 😛
Union Square Greenmarket is DEFINITELY my favorite!
I love that you travel with chocolate bars! My friend once bought the lavender kind as well but really liked it! I can’t imagine what it tastes like but not sure I want to know.