Self Proclaimed "Foodies"

There are those who eat to fuel their bodies and then there are the "Foodies"! Epicure, defines a foodie as, "a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment of food and drink". I'm not sure how you get to be a 'foodie', but perhaps it's genetic??? You know you're a foodie if:

* you begin making plans for dinner right after breakfast
* you order what's in season at Starbucks
* you know the name of the chef at the local diner
* you worry about the "terroir" of chocolate - or even know what terroire is~

Our friend Steve always kids us when we get really involved in a discussion of food, where the best places are to eat and what we love about the combinations certain foods and wine. He would never consider himself a 'foodie', but we've noticed that he's come to appreciate a better quality of wine and occasionally is willing to try something outside his comfort zone!

This past week we joined premier 'foodies' Sheila and Joe at a fine resturant they discoverd in Chelsea. "Crispo" is undistinguished at first glance and realtors would not say that it had 'curb appeal'. However, don't be fooled. This is a wonderful place; cozy, with a long, comfortable, bar as you walk through the door, inviting tables in the main room, but the real secret is the garden with a retracting roof AND a wood burning fireplace. The back wall has an incredible collection of meat slicers from past eras and it was a relaxing to sit out there on a warm spring evening with the sound of a trickling fountain in the background. Sheila and Joe had been to Crispo before, but had not yet enjoyed the garden so it was a delilght for the four of us. Joe and Paul quickly made decisions about the appetizers and both Sheila and I agreed that we could have happily made a meal of those selections alone. For this night we were unanimous about the favourites: Rice Balls served with marinara sauce (be sure to ask for this when making this selection), stuffed hot peppers and sausage wrapped in sage leaves. We also liked the ricotta with truffle oil and the eggplant caponata.

Everything on the menu looked good and there were at least three things on the nightly specials that I would have been happy to have. We all started with the same pasta course of "pappardelle with a wild mushroom ragout". Thank goodness that we shared this dish because the entree was yet to come! Christina and Sheila selected the seared scallops served with a 'carrot risotto cake' and roasted peppers--both agreed this was outstanding. Paul was happy with his choice of roasted chicken on the bone with a serving of polenta and some sweet peas. Joe raved about his Roast Pork Shank and especially liked the accompanying crispy onion rings. The meal was perfectly accompanied by a less well known red wine selected by Joe (Numanthia-Termes, Tempernillo '03) and topped off with coffee and a shared serving of warm chocolate chip cookies! Needless to say, we were happy to have a long walk after dinner!

This is a fine neighbourhood resturant with friendly staff and reasonable prices. By the way, if you enjoy drinking Cosmos, don't pass up the "Blood Orange Cosmo" on their special spring cocktails list.

So, send us your definition of a 'foodie' and let's compare notes!


Crispo
West Village
240 W. 14th St.(bet. 7th & 8th Aves.)
New York, NY 10011
212-229-1818

Zagats says...
Full of “robust flavors”, the Northern Italian food at this “hopping” Villager is served in “warm, romantic” quarters that light up an otherwise “drab” block; add “affordable” wines and a “transporting” “outdoor garden” and you’ve got a clear winner.