Somewhat last-minute I decided to take a trip to NYC with some friends over my birthday weekend (it was really their idea). My schedule permitted me to go in Friday afternoon, whereas everyone else wouldn’t have made it until the following afternoon. What luck!? I decided to spend an evening with my running buddy Robin in her apartment like the last time.
What an epic weekend I had in front of myself with only a MegaBus ticket to NYC and a BoltBus ticket back the following Sunday. After work on Friday, I managed to finish two books on my way to the Big Apple to meet her. We went to Caravan of Dreams in the East Village, and it was a meal to remember to say the very least.
We began with a humble-sounding but absolutely delectable appetizer of sprouted wheat pita to dip in a hummus of perfect texture. Not too far on the smooth side to denote a ridiculous amount of tahini, and not too far down the dark side of an under-oiled mash of chick peas. Oh no, this hummus was almost as satisfying to my palate as my very own creation. If only they had used almond butter! ; )
There is nothing more comforting than a delicious hummus to finish off with vegetable crudite, after the inhalation of such amazing pita. The sprouted wheat had a very excellent flatbread quality, though it was served more as a tortilla than as a pita loaf. Regardless of its departure from traditional Middle Eastern style, the za’atar spice brought the traditional flair right back to gently smack us in the face. What an epic blend of spices that enhanced all aspects of the appetizer complete with a tomato and olive garnishing the top of the mound of golden love.
After our appetizer, we continued to sample the goods of the menu in the salad department: the menu was so huge and our funds so tight that we couldn’t manage separate entrees of our own. We enjoyed the Mediterranean salad, complete with sea vegetables, fresh mediterranean vegetables, delicious mixed salad greens, and a lovely house dressing. And the interesting part was the topping of surprisingly delicious grilled and glazed chunks of tofu. We also experienced an all-raw salad with various veggies, nuts and fruits. ‘Twas an excellent choice for her, where I was floating on air with my own decision for hummus and Mediterranean deliciousness.
Saturday morning began with a wonderful 8.5-mile run with some oatmeal and an apple to keep me fueled. Afterwards, we stopped at the Union Square market to browse around for free samples of things, since neither of us had brought any money. We tried all sorts of jams, preserves, crackers, breads, and spreads (the best ever was the spiced pumpkin butter…I loved it!) and found some tomato chunks to munch on as well. Back at her place, we freshened up, ate some lettuce and couscous salad, and I had an apple. After our snack, I said goodbye to my host and zoomed off to my next adventure with some fellow Penn students, culminating in an overnight stay in a Greenwich Village apartment with one friend’s parents!
