The Marrow Spoon

I was in New York last week, on a budget, so there is no visit to Per Se or Nobu to report.

There is something about those hot dogs, though. I'd love to know how many kajilion hot dogs are sold in NYC every day from carts. Through that vast quantity, I have to say that they have come to perfect the hot dog. I usually don't even eat forcemeat, but the cart dogs in NY are truly something else. They carts also continue to sell coffee for $1. It was interesting to me to consider how Starbucks might be doing in NY. I mean, sure there was a small line at each Starbucks I went into (many, my traveling companions insist on visiting Starbucks at least twice a day.) But the line was for the bathroom. Seven Eleven coffee might be a dollar here, and still not much of a threat to Starbucks dominance, but there is already a hot dog/bagel/nut/coffee cart on EVERY corner of Manhattan. It is right there, and cheap, and not altogether bad.

Finally, Trump Tower, in all its oddity. The place is completely consistent with Donald Trump's image. Everything is nice and demonstrates wealth, but in a little tacky "Atlantic City" way, and totally accessible (not snobby).

Despite the bling, it's very very nice. For example, they sell Trump branded neck ties, in 100% silk in the lobby for practically nothing, and the posh salon is Avon. But it really is a lovely salon, with sparkling pitchers of ice water and sliced strawberries just sitting there for whoever wanders in off the street. You get the feeling you're in the foyer of his house, which I guess technically you sort of are. Donald Trump is a pretty awesome host.

Anyway, the important food news from Trump Tower is the ice cream parlor in the basement where they serve donut ice cream. You may remember the competition on the Apprentice a few years ago where teams had to create an ice cream flavor and sell it on the streets of NY. Well, both flavors from the show are available there, but only the donut is worth eating. (The red velvet flavor is gross and artificial.) The donut ice cream is surprisingly spectacular, and I conclude that they should make more ice cream flavors based on fried stuff.