Stuff we consumed #02
Things we ate, read, or otherwise took in that brought us joy
Dishoom x Pastis NYC pop-up
Ube
The Crane Wife, CJ Hauser
2021 Bonterra Zinfandel
Dishoom x Pastis NYC pop-up
This iconic British mainstay is modeled after the old Irani cafes of Bombay. It is by far one of my favorite restaurants in London, and not just because of the spectacular food. It’s a gathering place that calls in such a unique range of people. If you ever go, take a minute and look around at the other diners, the energy in the environment is palpable and rare.
Dishoom is popping for weekday breakfasts at Pastis in New York from August 19-30th. They’re taking walk-ins and you’ll bet I’ll be in line. They have a fantastic vegan menu and you can get the same food just this once without the transatlantic flight.
Our order: the vegan bombay, chili broccoli salad, vegan sausage naan roll, okra fries, basmati kheer
Vada pav and sweet potato chaat, Dishoom Canary Wharf, London. Late February 2024
Soapbox Project
The Soapbox Project is an incredible organization focused on creating joyful community spaces to heal climate anxiety and loneliness through connection, learning, and action. Their piece on food sovereignty does a great job demonstrating the urgency of empowering communities to control their food systems and provides a clear 7 step action plan you can take to play your role in the reform movement.
They also have a membership program which we love with weekly facilitated events, non-icky networking sessions, live fireside chats and so much more. We’ll be working with them to do some events in New York in the coming months, so stay tuned!
Soapbox x Rethink event, New York. Early May 2024
Ube
Even though it’s been warm outside, the rain has had us craving something cozy and comforting. Ube is a sweet purple yam originating in Southeast Asia that we put on top of our mushroom and lentil shepherds pie, stewed in tahini and shichimi togarashi.
Ube on mushroom and lentil shepherds pie with tahini and violets
The Crane Wife
This CJ Hauser essay-memoir is an honest and charming recount of love, heartbreak, and identity. In the title essay, Hauser joins a crane research expedition after calling off her engagement, using the experience to explore the myths and narratives we construct about relationships. She reflects on her journey toward self-acceptance, challenging societal expectations, and redefining what it means to live authentically.
There’s nothing I love more than a book with a disillusioned female protagonist, and this one, like most others, will make you both laugh and cry.
“I had never seen the moon so up-close before. What struck me most was how battered she looked. How textured and pocked by impacts. There was a whole story written on her face—her face, which from a distance looked perfect.”
2021 Bonterra Zinfandel
This is a great medium bodied organic wine that has dark berry flavors and hints of white pepper and oak. Bonterra practices organic, pesticide-free farming that accounts for the health of biodiversity in their terroir. Their vineyards are also carbon neutral and they divert over 98% of all their waste from landfills or incineration. This 2022 vintage pairs wonderfully with dishes with complex spices and bold flavors.
