Yesterday was my day with Hagan Blount, doing the 93 Plates Project. He’s eating 93 plates (93 different restaurants) in 31 days (January) and that’s impressive. When he first told me about his project, I was like… Why didn’t I think of that? But after about two straight weeks of holiday gorging, I’m near done. I still have a few more lingering holiday dates trickling into January but my stomach, colon, and even my esophagus need a break. (Somehow that didn’t stop me from baking today, but I swear, I have good reason.) He’s only on Day 6 and I think he’s starting to feel it.
Here’s how he looks Day 5, still smiling. I will see him again on the last day, Jan 31st, and possibly once more in between. Let’s see if there’s visible strain.
I happily tagged along for two meals yesterday, starting with lunch at Tuck Shop 68 East 1st Street, New York, NY 10003, where we met Niall and Lincoln, owners of the Australian Pie shop, who have generously provided the food you will see. We started with a sausage roll. Greasy meat rolled up in flaky dough for $3 is a decent but forgettable winter grab and go.
Instead, grab a seat (despite it being not too pretty in there) to have the Spicy Meat Pie Floater. The Spicy Beef Pie is turned upside down and pea soup poured right on top. Drizzle with sriracha (as advised by Niall) and it’s so much better than I expected. Sloppy looking mess, but the texture of flaky pie crust, crumbly but moist ground beef, sitting in a pool of mushy peas (not fancy fresh peas) is somehow so comforting. (Perhaps, I could go to Australia and become a trucker. Not!) Along with that slowly building spice, it does cure the winter chills (until your forced outside again by lunch partner who is looking for wi-fi).
The Thai Chicken Pie with sweet chili sauce is not bad. Chicken is tender, lighter than the other options, but just didn’t interest this picky gal.
For dessert, their vanilla slice, which Naill described as a rustic Napolean, is that, but the cream inside has a controlled sweetness, making the glaze on top actually useful. The resulting balance is nice.
For me, the clear winner is the Meat Pie Floater ($9), and make sure to get one of their fresh house-made orange seltzers. It’s refreshing and cleans the palate.
Stay tuned for our dinner at Caracas Arepa Bar (with their new rum bar) in Brooklyn.
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Awesome! I look pretty cute, huh? 😛
What a fun outing with a fellow blogger!
Maybe you should choose a vegetarian/raw restaurant as part of the roster for some cleansing. 🙂
Happy New Year Jessica! What a great way to start the new year! All the pictures look awesome, specially the meat pie with the glaze…yummie!
Hagan, I hope you’re not using this project to pick up girls.
Kim, what’s your favorite vegetarian restaurant in the city? Want to be my guide?
wow! I have my eyes on the sausage roll!
Hi Jessica,
if I had the expense, I would try Candle 79, The Candle Cafe, Pure Food and Wine. Also heard good things about Blossom. If you want the Asian route, go for Gobo and Souen. I’m not into fake meat and ‘fried’ vegetables, so no Dirt Candy for me. And I love the mezes in Middle Eastern and Greek restaurants. 🙂
I also want to try this new place on the UWS called Peacefood Cafe. Slow service, but good vegan/vegetarian food.
This is a feat for sure. October through December are already packed with eating, so if he can pull off one more month, that’s impressive!
Ooooh, I’m so excited. I’m having Breakfast with Hagan soon and hopefully dinner somewhere in Brooklyn. Such an awesome project, but you’re right, an awful lot of eating rich, restaurant food! See you at the end-of-project party?
Wow, 93 restaurants in 31 days! So neat, I will have to check out his website and follow along!
Excellent sweater on Hagan. Go Bills!
Kim, I’ve been to Candle Cafe , cheaper than Candle 79, and it was pretty good. Decent pricing. I’ve been to Gobo (good but sometimes oily) and Souen (bland) too, but I guess it was before this blog. I’ve wanted to go to Pure Food & Wine but it looks very pricey for vegetarian.
My brother’s girlfriend loves Buddha Bodia. Have you been?
Eat it Brooklyn, yup, look forward to meeting you in person!
Yes. I used to go to the one in Flushing a lot. Mainly for dim sum. The chef often came out to chat with the patrons.