September 11th

Yesterday marked the eleventh anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. I mention this not because I think you missed it but because that day means a lot to the staff of Foods of New York Tours. Based in lower Manhattan, we are a company full of people who love New York, so much so that many of us have devoted our lives to sharing that love with others.

September 11th being part of the fabric of New York history at this point reminds me a little bit of dinosaurs. When you’re young, you’re taught about dinosaurs as a part of history, and you accept that fact the way you accept geography and math and grammar. And then they’re there, dinosaurs, in your head as a part of history. But at some point, if you stop to really think about dinosaurs and the fact that they literally walked on this earth and now are completely gone, your mind might get blown a little bit.

And I think September 11th is kind of like that: a part of history that’s too difficult to grasp on a daily basis, so it gets blended in. And in moments when I really stop to think about it — on the anniversary, or walking in the Financial District, or even looking back at the Manhattan skyline from a rooftop in Brooklyn — it’s hard to believe there was such a moment in history and that I lived through it.

Never forget? No problem. But it’s important to take some time to actively remember, as well.

Foodspotting

On a significantly lighter note, I want to make sure you know that Foods of New York Tours has our very own Foodspotting page! This is less “news” and more just something to note (it’s been going on for a couple of years now, actually).

You may be asking yourself, “Foodspotting? What’s that?” I’m glad you asked. Foodspotting is this great little company based in San Francisco that takes the “food porn” internet trend and organizes it. Photos of dishes are tagged by location so you’re receiving recommendations for specific foods, not just places to eat. This way, you don’t just have to look at your friends’ food and drool over it; you can actually go out and get it yourself! As they put it on their website, “It makes finding good food as easy as looking in a bakery window.” Only the bakery window is, you know, the whole world. Thanks, internet!

Cheese Time!

In other news, I decided to take my own advice and drop into Murray’s Cheese Bar for a Cheesemonger’s Choice flight.

Meat & cheese Cheesemonger’s Choice flight at Murray’s Cheese Bar
(click to enlarge the photo)

I dragged along my two cheese-lovingest friends, and we enjoyed several courses of some serious cheese action. Three cheese spreads, some fried buffalo cheese curds, a bunch of sparkling wine, and a fondue course later… well, needless to say we were fairly catatonic. My advice? Take it slow. And ask your waiter questions; no one is more cheese-knowledgeable than the staff at Murray’s.