The Edible CIA March 29, 2007
Yesterday I visited my old college friend Leslie in Poughkeepsie. We swapped coasts back in September when I moved west to start school and she moved east to get married. Because Leslie and I are both obsessed with cooking and eating, the entire visit centered around dinner at the CIA (The Culinary Institute of America). So after a bit of catching up and discussing pregnancy-related body quirks (Leslie’s 3-months along), we zipped off to the gorgeous CIA campus with her husband Steven to take advantage of the $30 prix fixe dinner at Escoffier, one of several CIA restaurants. The students rotate as both chefs-in-training and wait staff, and are quite devoted to the guests’ comfort. The food was enjoyable, and the views of the Hudson River alone were worth the trip. 
I had cream of asparagus soup, followed by seared salmon with sorrel sauce and mashed potatoes; Leslie had chicken consommé, followed by broiled beef tenderloin with Anna potatoes and fava beans; and Steven tried the beet salad, followed by roasted squab with fresh pea purée and balsamic jus. Then we had a fantastic cheese course (I won’t even try to remember the list of ones we tried…but one highlight was a firm cow’s milk cheese colored with carrot juice), and topped it off with dessert (tarts of the fruit, lemon, and praline varieties).
It’s been under construction for years. The kicker, if you’re a foodie like me, is that they closed the wine store at their Columbus Circle store two years ago in anticipation of opening a bigger and better one in the Houston location. The wine shop employees at the Columbus Circle store were told they could have their old jobs back…when that new location opened…in two years…instead of keeping the old location open until the new one was ready. Why not have—wait for it—TWO wine locations? But no, it was closed, and some yoga/organic clothing shop replaced it.
in the East Village. (Poor Diane was sick and couldn’t join us.) We shared the following spectacular items: Shitake Steamed Buns, Hamachi, Chicken Ramen (in some of the best broth I’ve ever tasted), and Ginger Scallion noodles. And polished it off with a small bottle of sake.
afterwards for our significant others because we’re so thoughtful. Truly.
It’s an amazingly large and airy space, with lovely skylights, and is decorated in an unpretentious, French café style. Like a more down-to-earth Balthazar. They have live music scheduled on weekends, will start serving lunch next month, and in nicer weather will have an outdoor terrace. Check it out.
Then B and I spent the afternoon wandering around the East Village and Lower East Side, something neither one of us had done in quite a while. I miss wandering aimlessly like that. I found a great poster of the old NYC subway system for my father, who still insists on calling the “G” line the “GG.” When we got tired we treated ourselves to tea and dessert at 
under the Williamsburg Bridge. Brian suggested it as I’d never been before. What a great little spot—a bit of a scene, and pretty crowded, but the atmosphere was really fun (a refurbed old diner trailer) and the food great. The permanent menu only has a few items, and they are all red meat, but the daily specials run the gamut from fish to pork to vegetarian. The same folks also own 
