one of the first meals i shared with georgia wright was at a pho shop in hanoi when we were undergraduates. it was a nameless place on one of the streets that rippled out from hoan kiem lake, crowded with people inhaling hot soup despite the pervasive tropical heat that hung on even late night. over steaming bowls the size of hubcaps and messy heaps of cilantro we discovered we shared a birthday. i secretly hoped this meant i had some kind of claim on her. georgia, and all that she does, is perpetual verve, though ever humble. reading her blog, ten thousand things, is a visual feast. the girl has such an eye--and her eye has such a soul. i couldn't wait to see food through georgia's lens. her answers do not disappoint. pull up a chair.
breakfast?
perfect white mugs of hot black coffee and a wooden bowl of fresh blueberries. watching the sky brighten with the sun. the first chill of fall coming over the water. today's paper.
food memory?
the worn finish of the 20-person wooden farm table in my grandmother's Cape Cod kitchen and dough for French bread kneaded in piles of silky flour on its surface - family history coming out of her mouth and hands simultaneously. the warm brightness of the oven and the anticipation of watching the loaves emerge cracked and crusty and golden in time to be eaten with soft salted butter and hot soup for dinner.
signature dish?
improvisation. always. (the exception: this Cooks Illustrated recipe for The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie)
five artists to listen to in the kitchen?
frank sinatra. otis redding. nina simone. etta james. ray charles.
neighborhood restaurant?
Castelrosso cheese and roasted carrots and proscuitto on thick slices of sourdough. spicy sausage and sage in brown butter with homemade cavatelli. big glasses of Italian red wine. Frankie's 457. of course.
flavor/texture?
best in pairs. fresh cucumber topped with spicy wasabi. creamy goat cheese with a spoonful of fig jam. chewy dates dipped in grains of sea salt.
picnic spot?
friends and family around a fire on the beach. old sheets and blankets spread on the sand for sitting. surfcasting as the light fades with fingers crossed for a big bluefish tugging the end of the line. roasted marshmallows and chilled white wine and a walk home over cold sand washed in moonlight.
solo meal?
standing on my left foot with the right propped on the inside of my left knee - devouring Vogue editorials and whole-grain pretzels dipped in almond butter.
birthday cake?
summer birthdays get layers of crumbly meringue and sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries. winter birthdays call out for layers of dark chocolate glaze over dense cake with crunchy candied oranges glistening on top.
fall dish to most look forward to?
the confluence of crispness and warmth in both foods and season. apples and leaves; pumpkins and stews. coming home.
notes
* the web address for georgia's addictive blog, ten thousand things: http://www.ten-thousand-things.blogspot.com ... you can also follow her on twitter.
* frankie's 457 is located at 457 court street, brooklyn, 11231 (photo courtesy of menu_pages)