As New Yorkers, we can all boast and brag about going to the coolest / hippest / divey - yet - most awesome restaurants. (Why else would I choose to continue to write reviews on Yelp? *wink*) Still, there are those dining experiences that transcend any of the aforementioned. It's not often that I have had a well-curated five-course meal in a private chef's abode. Scratch that...I never have, until recently.
I was lucky enough to be invited to a private residence in the city to experience the fine cooking of Chef Shuchi, the brains behind 29 Calories. In this particular brunch, she made small servings of some of the breakfasts she remembers from her childhood, but re-imagined and improved upon. She served a story with each dish, and we noshed on various dishes with oats, vegetables, meats, eggs, coffee, and cake, each with a truly unique Indian influence within them. Her hospitality and warmth is pretty unparalleled, and she was very open when we had questions about the food, the spices she used, her background in cooking, et al. The two hours I spent at this brunch was too short!
I can only hope to be lucky enough to be able to eat some of her dishes again! It was all exquisite! I doubt I'll ever have such a unique brunch ever again! What a day, and what a memory to have. Thanks so much, Shuchi! read more