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How I learned to love avocado. Read on for my favorite summer soup in New York.

Growing up in my family, respect could be earned by making straight-As and liking weird food. My parents weren’t strict, as parents in the south go (because they weren’t from the south, probably), but we had to do our homework before watching television, and we had to try a taste of everything we were served. My parents lived in Hawaii early in their marriage, so my mom cooked a lot of Asian cuisine growing up. While I celebrated Shake ‘n Bake, I rejoiced over Thai curry.

I was actually the pickiest eater for most of our childhood years and arguably still am. (Today, it has to do with maximizing the chances that I’ll love my meal when I’m paying a lot for it, or when anyone else is paying a lot for it, and also with being sensitive to food politics.)

Being picky as a kid is to be expected, but as a teen, I was determined to develop a sophisticated palate. I weaned myself onto greens, bell peppers, eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna and chicken salad, hummus, tea, Mexican food, and finally beer, and now I love them all. Maybe a little too much. I refuse to get my Cholesterol checked on account of what I affectionately refer to as the Incredible Edible.

Avocado didn’t happen until I was 22. I can’t remember the first time I ate gazpacho –my mom probably made it, she made everything at some point– but I can tell you the two best gazpachos I’ve ever had.

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I definitely celebrated my independence on Saturday, my first 4th of July in New York City. I found that I wasn’t the only woman doing this–all day long, I saw women of all ages with books and glasses of wine. It was as though we all agreed, “I know I’ll have a fun holiday if I’m hanging out with me.”

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(Placeholder photo, a better one is coming soon!)

I tell people that I don’t live in Murray Hill, I just sleep there.

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I only have 1 to go to make it to 100 restaurants in New York City!

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NYC Food Film Festival,NYC,Food Film Festival

In short, I loved it! I attended the screenings on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16-17, at the Water Taxi Beach locations on Long Island City and at the South Street Seaport, respectively. Click-through for my mini film reviews, links to online videos, menus, and photos.

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When I’m not eating, and–wait, duh–when I am eating, I’m reading. I’ve come across too many important or funny reads this week not to post them. I’ve already forwarded all of these to at least one person I know. Enjoy.

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Afternoon lighting in Central Park…

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Reading about Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter’s new Midtown venture, Monkey Bar, situated in the Elysee Hotel, I was enticed. By some accounts, it’s his tour de force in Manhattan scene (if not cuisine?); by others, it seemed like a voyage to turn-of-the-century Bombay, an intriguing move, if of questionable taste. Ultimately, Ruth gave it the nod. And I love an adventure. Read the rest of this entry »

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After working for the Virginia Film Festival as a college student (and later a community volunteer), selling advertising for the Austin Film Festival, and staffing SXSW Film, it was a Very Big Deal to be able to go to the Tribeca Film Festival.

All of this I did on my own, of course–when have I ever invited people to see movies with me?–which means I also enjoyed dinner and cocktails in Tribeca as a party of one. Read the rest of this entry »

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I already liked Fish on Bleecker Street for its “Red White and Blue” deal–so named because, well, I don’t know–but my American dream definitely involves a half-dozen Blue Point oysters and a glass of beer or wine for $8 any day and time I want it.  (Added bonus: the homemade creamy ginger soy sauce that’s served with the oysters.)   Read the rest of this entry »