Happy Foodie Friday! I was asked to give some restaurant recommendations to a friend who will be traveling in a month or two. They’re going to a couple of cities I know pretty well and wanted me to tell them where they could get “authentic” cuisine. That got me thinking about the whole authenticity thing and I realized that maybe what many of us say we want isn’t really exactly what we mean.
They wanted to see NYC’s Chinatown and I told them about one of my favorite places there. It’s been there forever (always a good sign) and serves authentic Chinese food. Oh sure, you can get the American/Chinese stuff that’s available elsewhere but you can find things here like snails that you won’t find at P.F. Chang’s. They serve 24 different soups – I’m pretty sure your local place might serve 5 or 6. A lot of the “good” stuff isn’t even on the menu.
Of course, to try some of these “authentic” dishes, you have to put aside your preconceptions. Even some of the standards – Kung Pao Chicken, for example (known as Gung Bo Gai Ding here) – are different from what you’re used to. Authentic, yes, but is that really what you’re after?
They also asked for some recommendations in Rome. I am pulling together a list of places I like there but cautioned them to stay away from places that offer a tourist menu. They inevitably dumb down the food and in some cases, Olive Garden would be an upgrade. Of course, one place I love has no English menu and the last time I was there my friend ordered a plate of what I told him translated to “guts”. That was exactly what it was – liver, kidneys, etc. It was delicious and very authentic but is that really what most people want? Sanguinaccio isn’t exactly on the tourist menu (it’s a blood sausage).
InterContinental Hotels did a survey asking travelers in major destinations to select the sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and scents from a selection that provide the best experience for a traveler visiting their city. The answer for New York was fresh bagels from a West Village shop and summer rays while sunbathing in Central Park on a Sunday. I can tell you that while that may be true, most visitors would have a hard time dealing with Central Park on a Sunday and there are endless arguments in my hometown about where the best bagel can be found. Personally, I’d opt for a bodega bacon egg and cheese as being authentic, along with the lesser-known chop cheese. Good luck finding tourists who are wanting those authentic gut bombs (they’re SO good!).
Authenticity may not always be what we want. Honesty, yes. Transparency, of course. But authenticity can be something altogether disturbing. It can precipitate a massive attack of cognitive dissonance (I want the real thing but the real thing is not what I want!). Careful what you wish for!
My epitaph will be “Bodega Sandwich Lover.” And I’d love your take on some of the amateur trends like Instapots, ‘bone broth’ and the cult of worship of food blogger Kenji Alt-Lopez.
It sounds as if I’ve got my work cut out for me! I have opinions on all of those topics along with how they might relate to business more broadly. As an aside, I ordered a Bacon Egg and Cheese on a hard roll here (North Carolina) in a diner. The server asked me if I wanted a stale roll – they’ve never heard of hard rolls here. I’ve got witnesses!
That is PRICELESS Ritter! For the record, huge bone broth fan here. The dogs love it and their entire well being has improved in a substantive way, per our Vet. They were healthy to begin with, but adding bone broth to their food somehow improved their coat, eye health, digestive system, etc. So of course we tried it and saw the same results. Great for your hair and skin from the inside out. Weird, right? I generally make it myself, but found out that Walmart has a low sodium version that I can order by the case online. Who knew? I know you two are Chefs so this will make you cringe, but hey, it works!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sam-s-Choice-Bone-Broth-Reduced-Sodium-Chicken-32-oz/54300736?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2954&adid=22222222227055312358&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=156477461909&wl4=pla-268149390861&wl5=9003437&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=54300736&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9orxBRD0ARIsAK9JDxQbJAskdc8HZPkdZcwYFxk8xOptJWcjggo-iF3ym2b13TMrUXyakDAaAmz5EALw_wcB