After a tiring, early afternoon of stomping around the city, we rested and cleaned up for dinner. Where, of all places, do we go in such a great city of all things eat? Spotted Pig. The Pig is a well-known spot in the Meatpacking District…a fantastic neighborhood.  Not only that, it has some amazing food, and soothes our guilty pleasure of star spotting. But the food, oh the food. Of course we all ordered different items, so each person could at least taste everything at our table. An order of red and white bottles and we hunkered down for dinner; the ladies at the banquette and the gentlemen sat in short stools. From deviled eggs to pig’s ear – we got a real spread. We ravaged our plates, chatted, and cleared the sauce from our faces. After dinner we walked into the cool night’s air, we were ready for the movie.

Though this wasn’t just any movie – it was a rooftop film. We headed to the Lower East side. Out of the cab, we checked in at the door, got our arm bands, and huffed up the six flights of stairs of the lower-east-side school building. The top of the ‘Open Road Rooftop’ was covered by young budding artists in swaths of bright colors across the floor and walls; a pastoral hodgepodge that set the mood. Toss in a live opening band and a cool breeze: the night was set. The rooftop-film people know what they are doing.  This was a fantastic way to spend an evening, and if you are in town, or have the chance to catch a film – don’t miss it.

It had been a long night. Two of us had to get up early, so we ended it there. The next morning we had breakfast in the hotel; really well-made french toast and a bowl of fruit between the two of us. After breakfast, finally, we were off to the show. After getting our badges it was off to judge the 2010 Sofi Awards: delicious food was spread out on the tables, meaning a hard vote for most of the categories.  Some of our favorites won like Lucero’s Peach Vinegar, Rishi Tea, Creminelli meats, Cyprus Grove and more!

After voting we took to the rows and rows of vendors: tons of great stuff from brand new companies and old favorites showcasing fantastic new items. After eating our way through the show, we took a cab back to have a drink and napped. The Pride Parade ended near out hotel and a couple of us still had the energy to enjoy the celebration, while the others had a down night after a long day of walking and stuffing our face.

The following day we had breakfast at Pastis early. Nothing could have been a better top off to our time in NYC – an open patio in summer, and a brunch at one of New York’s ever-more famous french spots. The fruit was incredibly fresh and the french toast was thick with ideal toasty edges, great all around. A short walk back to the hotel, and a quick pack-up of our things…  our time in NYC was over.

Tasty, fun, times in New York City. We’ll be back for sure.

We shipped out on the first plane to The Big Apple Saturday morning before the show. Our plan of attack? Land, check-in to our hotel, and get living like ‘real’ New Yorkers – eating our way though the city. We checked into The Maritime, a Southport Grocery favorite, and headed out for brunch (of course).

We got a tip from our baker to try out Paris Commune just down the street from our hotel – so we huffed the few, short blocks. The sun was on the rise and we could already feel it was going to be a tough day for walking, we spotted the restaurant and walked in. First thing we noticed was it was as if their decor fell out of a small town in France – cute and light during the day and a mellow looking wine bar and a private table or two downstairs for the evening. Then we noticed it was relatively empty, but we chalked it up to our midwest eagerness and hunkered in for some overdue grub. We started with a round of coffee, a bloody mary, and the Oscar Wilde; good strong coffee, just enough spice in the bloody mary, and not too sweet on the cocktail. For breakfast: A Salmon and Spinach Omelet, the Truffled Eggs, the Southern Belle, and their fritata – all great fresh flavors and never overwhelming. A good pick by our baker, no wonder it’s a neighborhood favorite.

After breakfast, we took a brutally long walk to the farmer’s market at Union Square. Late June, with a minor heat wave cascading down the angled streets of NYC, it was unbearable in the sun and sweat-inducing in the shade – we even had to break in NYU bookstore to get some A/C. It was worth it though, we do love our farmers markets and The Union Square Farmer’s Market is huge and great. Lots and lots of veggies, fruits, meats, and one thing we don’t get at our farmer’s markets in Chicago: fresh fish. Not just one stand of small fish either, a plethora of stands carrying muscles, prawns, shell fish, and red snapper – oh my!  Before leaving we picked up some native New York state juices that looked and tasted amazing by Red Jacket Orchards – we got Blueberry Stomp and Raspberry Apple, so refreshing after a long walk.

After the stroll around the farmer’s market, we decided had to check out our New York counterparts; so off to Dean and Deluca then to Magnolia’s. Dean and Deluca is great, they have so much shelf space enough room for everything under the sun – although it does get a tad overwhelming, it is a great place for inspiration. On our trip to Magnolia’s we got lucky, no line. We liked the cupcakes at Magnolia’s, don’t get us wrong – we are just privy to another particular cupcake.

Next NYC post: Dinner and ‘the show.’

One of the highlights of the show is judging for the sofi awards. What are the sofi awards…a honor given to truly outstanding specialty foods: the best of the best. We will be tasting everything from cheese to chocolate and everything in between. Winners are annnouced at the end of the weekend. Stay tuned for what we bring to Southport Grocery.

Some finalists that we already carry:

• Terra Medi Bruschetta with Chopped Olives and Almonds
• Yarra Valley Dairy Marinated Feta
• Poco Dolce Aztec Chili Bittersweet Chocolate Tiles
• Creamnut Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters
• Barefoot Contessa Lemon Curd
• Elena’s Insalata Della Casa Dressing
• Elena’s Mediterranean Stew Steamng Broth