10/14/18: NYC layover

Our flight to Italy in out of JFK, so we took the train down and spent Saturday evening with Muslimah's friend, Tat. Despite some reservations, we opted to eat at a nearby Italian joint, Biciola. Once the menus were set down, I realized it was a franchise sibling of Cotenna, a place I've already patronized in the city. Oh well; the pasta and burrata were great. Not as great, of course, as when we're hoping to get in the old country. 

We spent Sunday doing the Food Network's Wine and Food Festival. I was mildly entertained by Duff (the cake guy) Goldman's cooking his Russian grandma's apple strudel recipe, but there were only a few bright spots among the food vendors. We thought it would be more restaurant heavy, but there was a lot of prepared food. Anyways, slow buildup to what we'll get in Italy. The tickets are way too pricy (especially) if you don't drink like me, unless you're dying to see some FN celebrities in person. Maybe if Alton Brown was there. 

Food highlights:

- some sort of bagel hole. Frozen. This had really good dough and wasn't oversweet 

- French Louie's seared tuna with some caper sauce on crackers. The only thing I went for seconds on

- Khe-Yo's beef noodle soup. It's Southeast Asian, but I don't wanna gamble and say Cambodian and be wrong

- real whole truffles:

Shaved onto ravioli. 

We left with 6h to burn before our flight. We just walked over to Central Park and strolled around. The horse drawn carriages reminded us of Kate and Leopold, one of my fave movies. There was one wedding photo shoot and another engagement shoot. Needless to say, I tried to worm my way into the background. One photog said, "let's wait for people to pass by." Maybe don't go to Central Park then. 

Walked up to the Guggenheim but had no plans to go in. I don't think I'd seen it before. 

We speed walked back to Tat's, packed up, and jumped on a Lyft to the airport. Now debriefing on the plane when I could be sleeping to be fresh for the 11a local arrival. The dinner is Italian dishes, so I guess technically I have to sample it.