'Culture'

our definition of culture...

from here on out, expect to see posts with the label 'culture' quite frequently. we're liking the category to refer not only to the arts, literature, music, scholarly pursuits, status of civilization- what have you; but also as shorthand for all things fermented. it seems we can't go a day without hearing more studies about the benefits of bacteria.  the probiotic craze has gone mainstream and we can't seem to get enough of them.

today we started the weekend off with a little foggy day ritual... standing in line at the blue bottle kiosk in hayes valley.  this is one establishment that deserves its cult following--in our humble opinion, that is.  their gorgeous, satiating latte is pictured above- note the way the creamy foam hugs the sides after a few sips.  ahhh. comfort in a cup.

for lunch, a steaming bowl of homemade miso was in order. the health benefits of miso are widely touted but the deliciousness isn't emphasized enough.  sweet white (shiromiso) was the variety of choice today.  miso master organic makes a mild though flavorful broth in which to float wakame, carrot slivers and some fresh watercress. not difficult to whip up and the perfect antidote to the misty, overcast skies of early spring.

when the afternoon lull hit us, we sampled a bit of tcho dark chocolate (70% cacao).  combine sleek packaging, fair trade practices, fastidious flavor balancing- and yes, another industrious SF chocolate maker hits the scene. these guys don't just re-melt- nope, they start from scratch to create their rather addictive cacao creations. 

mmm-- 3 tasty ways to get into fermentation. 

Feb in NYC-the final shots

a few more favorites...

amidst the manic energy so distinctive to manhattan, we discovered a few places to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures.  visiting the union square farmer's market was a delight for the senses--the cozy aroma of freshly brewed apple cider envelops you as your eyes absorb the rich palette of the late winter greens and root vegetables. there's nothing like engaging with folks who spend their days on a farm to help settle you down from a frenetic pace in the city! 

we sampled some local winesaps and juicy mccouns at an apple stand to whet our appetite for lunch at Angelica Kitchen a few blocks away. 

though it's been in new york over thirty years, angelica's was new to us and a welcome respite from the intense flavors we had been consuming all week.  the kitchen showcases the freshest organic produce available and turns out vibrant, soul satisfying vegan meals.  other locavore, seasonal fare restaurants we've experienced during our visits (cookshop, prune, quartino bottega organica, savoy, spotted pig) have tantalized us, but none have approached the mastery of perfect, simple preparation like angelica's. 

to end on an esoteric note, our final new york moment was an afternoon spent ogling vintage wallpapers at secondhand rose in tribeca.  they claim to have the world's largest collection of original vintage wallpapers (damasks, toiles, flocked) and after spending hours there, we wouldn't dispute it.  what a wealth of inspiration... gorgeous colors, textures, and history. seeing the papers up close tempts you to incorporate these treasures in every room.  a definite stop if you're doing any kind of decorating.