Get your mango fix at MADD

As a middle of January resolution, I decided to write a daily blog post. Most people want to hear about coffee and food they can get in New York - the non-touristy places. Since I’m not in New York until next week, I’ll start with MADD (Mango Addiction), a new dessert lounge just off Shaftsbury Avenue.

[caption id=”attachment_1575” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”Jonathan really loves mangos.”][/caption]

Dessert lounge you ask? Yes. A dessert lounge. A concept mostly known in Singapore and Thailand, this is the perfect place for someone with a sweet tooth. It’s theme, as you can tell by the name, is mangos. Mango puddings, cakes, dessert bowls, cocktails and smoothies. The front of the shop glows with it’s yellowy-orange flesh.


Jonathan Sivak, co-owner of Mango Addiction, gave me a little background on this new addition to the London landscape when I stopped in for a coffee and a double chocolate brownie (ironic - yes - and mostly eaten by my mate Nick). Little did I know but mangos, which are grown around the equator, are always in season. So if you follow the adage that food has more nutrients when in season, then mangos are perfect to eat anytime.

Their grand plan is to open locations in London then move to China and perhaps the West coast of North America, where this type of bar is more common, but they’ll come with a European twist, and an established brand.

[caption id=”attachment_1576” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”They were rebelling from the mango brand”][/caption]

So for those of you looking to find a respite from the pubs and like a sweet bite to end your work day, do stop by MADD. I thought the coffee was spot on. I like it strong and the brownie, was gooey in the middle and crispy on the outside. I’m going to assume anything mango flavoured was even superior. It also has free-wifi and retro games, like Connect Four and Jenga, on every table. The one thing lacking in my eyes, is a bit of the savory stuff. Something bready would hit the spot. But as it’s a dessert lounge, that’s only my tastebuds talking.

Go check them out at 53 Rupert Street in Soho or on Twitter @wearemadd.

PS A little side not for the team. If they do decide to go to the US and Canada, they may have to rethink the name. MADD stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. A great cause but not something I associate with mangos.

My first week in New York - food, food, food!

As I sit in Newark International Airport on my way to London, I thought I’d reflect on my first week in New York.

It’s been a strange trip for me as this is going to be one week of many in New York. By March, I should be fully settled into New York as a Brooklyn resident working in Manhattan. So I didn’t go nuts on the touristy stuff and instead just enjoyed myself (in a slightly jet-lagged state). I did make it to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and am now officially a member. At $25 a visit, the $70 annual membership (including free films) seemed cheap.


The sublet I got through my friend Hannah is cozy but also creaky, old and the walls are paper-thin. It’s one of those old houses where the tub won’t drain, and the electricity shorts out, but the area is good, easy to get to and my flatmate Catherine seems really great. She’s a content producer for an education station as well as a poet. We had a natter yesterday and I know we’ll get on just fine. My landlord is planning on some renovations so I’ll probably only be there till April or May when I’ll get my own place.

I work just off Union Square in a space called Tech:Space. A number of start-ups and small companies are based there. On my first day, I was taking the lift down with another girl. I introduced myself and we got to talking. When I asked where she worked, she responded “Oh you probably haven’t heard of us. Do you know Technorati?” Yep. I have. Blogger resource I’ve used a million times and they are 3 offices away. Ace.

My team is great and most are new to the company which means we’ll all be shaping the way the company goes in the US. This is a million times easier than being the last one in or coming into a well-oiled team where you have to prove yourself – inevitably they will bring up all the ways your predecessor had done what you are doing. Like the sheen you give to a long departed ex, everything they did was amazing.

Outside of work and home, most of my activities revolved around food. Here are my top 5 in the food department this week:

1. Lunch
   There are tons of food places around my office. One of the two top places I found were the 24 hour deli with the most humongous food counters. Hot and cold food galore, including Vegan Dumplings, BBQ tofu and greens.
   
   Second place I went to a trendy hole in the wall where they serve Cambodian sandwiches called Num Pang. There are a few seats upstairs but most people queued at an open window for their sandwich. They are a bit on the pricey end but I couldn’t resist trying the catfish. Ever since my first encounter with Cajun food and especially after my time in New Orleans, I have to order catfish if I see it on the menu. The sandwich was small but tasty – more coriander than I thought would be good, but it was lovely and fresh with the grilled fish. Yep – all grilled and not fried. A big bonus for me.
   
   
2. Korea town
   After a photography exhibition at a coffee shop near Madison Avenue, I headed to Korea town with some filmmakers (and the photographer whose show we were at). We all went to Arirang Korean for kimchee cakes to share and the specialty - soup.
   
   I had the seafood combo which is a combination of long noodles and “dough flakes” which are square flat noodles. I liked the noodles but there was way too much broth and the squid was a bit overcooked. I’d try it again mainly because I was jet lagged and food never tastes quite right when you are out of sorts. So I’ll reserve my main judgement for another time but will rate it 3 stars for my experience that night.
   
   
3. Secret cocktail bar
   Supposedly there are a number of these places dotted around New York. Little hidden speakeasies. Now, this may be frustrating to some of you, but I’m not telling you where this is. Yep. No telling from me. If you come and visit, I’ll take you there. I tried Cousin Mary (the first Bloody Mary I’ve EVER liked.) And a Passion Dance which had Jalapeno-infused Tequila and coriander. Which, once again, tasted great. Maybe it’s all about the coriander…
   
   
4. Sushi
   Supposedly, during the really bad moments of the recession in New York, a lot of sushi restaurants in the East Village had all their sushi on 50% off. Luckily for us, more than one place still has this amazing deal including the fantastic Village Yokocho in Japan town. We over indulged to point of sleepiness on quality fish and whatnot. Everything was extremely fresh and the shrimp Tempura roll was to die for. We even went for a second order! I can’t wait to try the adjacent streets of Thai, Indian and my personal favourite, Ukrainian!
   
   
5. Beer! And Coffee!
   I’m going to say something controversial. I’ve been enjoying the craft beer that the states have to offer. I’ve tried the Goosehead IPA, Dogfish Head and a few others. I’m actually looking forward to my Brooklyn Brewery tour. I promise none of them will ever replace Brewdog but until they open up in New York I’ll have to make due with places like, Good Beer, in the East Village:
   
   I’m also trying all the coffee joints around work. So far my hands down fav (so far) is Joe’s Coffee. Too small really to plan to meet someone there but great for a take away. And your 11th coffee is free. As it’s near The New School, I’d probably avoid 3 onwards if you’re in a hurry. It took almost 15-20 minutes to get an Americano Misto. But it sure was tasty. And don’t forget to bring cash - they don’t take cards!

Little adventures to start myself off and there’s only more to come – comedy, theatre, food, events, meet-ups – the whole shebang.

PS Stopped by Magnolia Bakery near 30 Rock. Though it was cute and everything looked beautiful, I ate a bit of the cake itself (red velvet if you please) but it was a bit dry to be honest.

As I couldn’t eat the icing, maybe it would have added more moisture. But for me, it was too much icing and the cake was dry. Not quite what I expected from the mecca of cupcakes. Please don’t hate me everyone.

On the way to New York (and new beginnings)

[caption id=”attachment_1562” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”The Hallelujah moment.”][/caption]

As we approached New York, the sun broke through the clouds Very new beginnings-esque. I have to admit I was teary as I watched the water sparkle under us. I was arriving in the place I’ll soon call home. This is step one. I’ve come over to meet my US colleagues and will spend the first week in my new home.

[caption id=”attachment_1562” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”So many cabs, so little time.”][/caption]

I’m in a New York cab and I’m trying to sound like I know where I’m going. My landlord and new flatmate gave me directions so hopefully I’ll make it there all OK.

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to be feeling. I’m in the in-between place. I had my leaving do where I cried too much, packed bags to come to NY for a week and then I’m back again to the UK as I sort my visa. But it’s exciting to have a bed and a roof and new shops and coffee haunts to try out.

I know this isn’t going to be easy nor is it going to be the same. I’ve moved continents before and though I do see some people from back home still, it’s mostly my family and a few good friends. There are so many amazing people in my life in the UK, I don’t want to lose that connection to them. I love that I can go out in London and run into someone I know.

But maybe now that we’re in a different age, I’ll keep those connections. Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc, etc, will make those people closer than they would have been even 5 years ago. It’s just about making the time. And having space to be with new friends and old. Hello New York. Pleased to meet you.

[caption id=”attachment_1562” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”A view from my office - how more New York can you get?”][/caption]

No bought noodles New Years resolution

So as we wandered Paris yesterday we discussed my Kryptonite - cheap noodles. You know the kind. 35p noodle packs that come from the newsagent. I’ve been addicted since I was a kid and they truly hit the spot. I’ve had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner - they go good with any kind of day.

But they are oh so bad for you. So bad.

As I start toward my half-marathon/ marathon training, I’m quite aware that I need to eat better. My cousin and I have made a “lose 25 pounds by 16th April” pact, I’m determined to drink the right amount of water every day and I am running 3 times a week starting this week. WITHOUT FAIL. So this means the days of the quick and unhealthy snack of empty calorie, MSG filled noodles, are over. (as are crisps but that’s a given)

Instead, I’m going to make my own.

In preparation for this mission, I headed over to Recipease in Clapham to take their Pasta Making course.



All you need are eggs and ‘00’ grade flour. Though often recipes call for a larger quantity, we made a small batch of pasta (as in, could feed 3-4 people) using 2 eggs and 200g of flour.


First you put the flour in a largish bowl, then add the eggs in the centre. Poke the yolks with a fork and stir the egg in by stirring around the outside and pulling the flour into the middle where the eggs are. Keep stirring until the mixture resembles scrambled eggs.  You then tilt the bowl a bit to the side, drag your fork through the mixture and pull it into the side of the bowl. This will get the lumps out and mix the flour into the egg better.

Don’t worry if all the flour doesn’t make it into the dough.  It all depends on the moisture in the air. The more moist it is, the more flour the dough will take, and the less moisture, the less flour it will take. Get me?

Once it’s mixed enough, it’s time to kneed. A great way to get some aggression out.

Place the ball of dough on the table, hold the side closest to you and stretch it out with the heel of your hand. fold it back over towards you, turn 90 degrees and do it again. Keep doing that until you can’t see a divot when you poke the ball of dough. It should just bounce right back.

Wrap that sweet ball of goodness with plastic wrap (get out all the air) and put it in the fridge. This can be for 5 minutes or a few hours but don’t leave it too long or it will dry out.

This is the perfect time to start making your sauce and to get your water on to boil.

Your sauce is now simmering, so it’s now time to roll the dough out into pasta. First thing first. You got to silkify the dough.*


Using your pasta maker on setting 6, you roll half your ball of dough through the machine, fold in half and roll it through again. If it’s sticky, add a bit of flour before you fold but ONLY if it’s sticky. Remember, we don’t want to dry it out. Another tip is to never feed in the dough with the fold at the top. This will trap air in your pasta dough which will burst your pasta when you cook it. Kaboom.

Once the dough feels silky smooth to the touch, you’ve silkified it! Tadah! Now you need to run it through the machine once at each setting from 6 down to 2 (if you are making ravioli, then go to setting one as you double the pasta).

At this point, you can run the long, flat dough through the cutter. It’s 500 times easier if you cut the pasta dough in half first.


As you cut the pasta into noodles, flour it so it doesn’t stick together. You can either freeze it (lasts for months), dry it (lasts for a couple weeks) or cook it (only takes a couple of minutes).

Tasty! And so begins the year of homemade pasta.

*Yes. Silkify is not a word. But I don’t know what else to call it.