Whenever I like something,
I really like something. My enthusiasm cannot be hidden. I want to brag about
it to anyone I see and show them my pictures. Now that I have this blog I
mostly try to save my best descriptions for my writing. I feel that if I share
too much in person I won’t have enough zest for reporting back on my blog.
There are only a few rare experiences that I can get all heated up talking
about no matter how many times I rave about them. Blue Smoke in New York City
is definitely one of them.
About three or four years
ago I went to Blue Smoke in their original Flatiron location, which at that time was their
only location. I had read many great things about them and I was so looking
forward to going there. I was there with my family and we were going to
celebrate Father’s Day. My father absolutely loves fried chicken and can eat it
any day of the week. I was interested in seeing how good their corn bread,
chicken fried steak, creamed spinach, and macaroni and cheese would be too.
Everything just sounded so good it was leaping off the menu and dancing around
in my mind.
Since that first visit I
have learned many things and experienced many different kinds of food. I have
been to Memphis for example and their BBQ and fried chicken are among the best
in the world. It is not a fare comparison to any other and so I leave it in its
own class. As I have been writing more and more food blogs, I have often
thought about Blue Smoke. I had not been there in quite awhile and I wondered
if I would still feel the same way about it. The ultimate test would be,
knowing what I know now, would I still feel the same way about it? Would it
still hold up as a go to restaurant for me?
Well I got my sign. A new
downtown location has just opened up. I took that as a sign and excuse to go
and check it out. This way I was getting to see the old and new restaurant at
the same time. Now this menu is slightly different than the one I had
previously ordered from so I was not able to order the fried chicken for lunch.
But this may have been a blessing in disguise. I otherwise would have ordered
my staple, go to meal. But now I had to think outside the box and try something
new. I would not be disappointed.
My eating companion and I
decided to share two entrees and sides so that we could taste each other’s. We
ended up going with the pulled pork sandwich, half an order of Memphis style
baby back ribs, cornbread and of course the macaroni and cheese.
My friend had never been
here before so I wanted to make sure he got the full effect of the food. Of
course I have wonderful taste so he need not have worried but still I wanted to
see the joy in his eyes with his first bite and sure enough it was there. We
tore through our food with barely any words exchanged between us, always the
sign of a good meal in my book.
For dessert we could not
pass up sharing a piece of bourbon pecan pie topped with crème fraiche. This
homemade topping was so good I need to buy a case of it. It was not your
regular whipped topping although it looked exactly like Cool Whip. But this
tasted more like a mix of sweet and sour creams. It gave the pie more of a
bite. Sometimes pecan pies can be too overwhelming sweet or stick to the inside
of your mouth. This pie was incredibly delicious but it was this topping I
believe that put it over the top.
As a coincidence I saw
Blue Smoke on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” not too long ago.
On the “Finger Foods” episode, Chef Susan Feniger was promoting their warm
barbeque potato chips that are served with blue cheese and bacon dip. That is
so good you can literally lick the bowl clean of that dip and always crave
more. No matter how full you get it will always be a good idea and way to
properly start your meal. It was certainly the way I always did.
This new location was
smaller and cozier than the original. Since there is no jazz club attached to
it as the midtown one, it stands on its own. There are some adorable and
brightly colored seats outside perfect for a nice day. I loved the red seats as
they reflected off the blue neon Blue Smoke sign. Down near the World Financial
Center, Saturdays are usually very calm and quiet. There was this day for the
most part too, except for the packed house having lunch at Blue Smoke.
So just like I saw on a
t-shirt on my very first visit, I am proud to say “this little piggy went to
Blue Smoke.” You should too.
For your next meal:
http://bluesmoke.com/blue/
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