Detour to NYC
It’s been a while, SF! Club Rambutan has been on a month-long hiatus since we published Issue 3, but we’re back into the swing of things!
I’m taking you all on a little detour from our usual Bay Area content, as I just returned from a one-week trip to New York City.
*cue Alicia Key’s part in Empire State of Mind*
RSVP here!
“But for the San Francisco newsletter? Really?”
I mean… this article might be helpful if you find yourself going to the Big Apple or are considering joining the all-too-common SF-to-NYC pipeline (or vice versa). Also, in case you haven’t heard, Club Rambutan is expanding to its third branch in Brooklyn come Fall 2025 (if you happen to be in Bushwick on April 3rd, pull up to our one-night-only pop up)!
So without further ado, this is what I did for my first time in NYC.
A LOT OF FOOD
Prepare yourself for a lot of sweet and savory combinations that I’m still dreaming about!
Mei Lai Wah
Pineapple Bun with Roast Pork - $3
Where do I even start? The golden crackly crust of the pineapple bun is the perfect sweet contrast to the tender cha siu glazed in a savory sauce on the inside. The bread is soft but not soggy, the ideal medium to hold the delicious filling on the inside.
Soothr
Panang Duck Lychee Curry - $27
I’m telling you right now, you have to ration the lychee. The lychee, arguably, is the star of the show here and completely changes the dish. I never imagined lychee to be found in a curry but it honestly makes sense. My perfect bite is a spoonful of rice with curry, a piece of roasted duck, and a sliver of lychee on the top.
L’Industrie Pizza
L’Industrie Pie and Fig Jam and Bacon Pie - $38 for half and half
Oh, wow. The fig jam and bacon pie is the best of both worlds. Crispy, flavorful bacon contrasts with the sweet, sticky jam… a lot of textures to take in. Creamy burrata and fresh basil are always welcome on top of the pizza. Looking for something more classic? The L’Industrie is a tomato-based pizza with slabs of prosciutto and burrata on top for a more classic slice.
Ravagh Persian Grill
Koobideh Kebab with Albaloo Polo - $31
I’m still thinking about this Iranian restaurant on Madison Ave…the beef was so incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth, and my friend and I made the best decision of substituting white rice for albaloo polo, which is basmati rice cooked with sour cherries. Juicy kebabs on a bed of purplish rice dotted with cherries… a joy to see and taste.
A LOT OF MUSEUMS
You can spend an endless amount of time in different museums around the city. I stopped by the Metropolitan Museum of Art ($17 for students, $30 for adults) first. Ranging from European paintings to American art, I needed a few days to hunker down and go through every room. but I tried my best to look through as many as I could in one day. There was a special exhibit for Caspar David Friedrich, most famously known for his painting, Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. It was a treat to be able to dive deeper into his work and see how his interests and desire to illustrate vast landscapes changed over the years.
Another museum I enjoyed is the Cooper Hewitt Museum, which is right by Central Park. Focused on historical and modern design, it was really interesting to see the different exhibits and how design plays a role in shaping our communities. One exhibit dived into the design of senior living communities and how to help retired and older generations stay connected, while another exhibit dove into a high school Spanish teacher’s design process to create opportunities for students to interact with the local Spanish-speaking community. I found myself pausing and reflecting as I walked through each of the exhibits, seeing how design goes under-noticed but can play a huge role in shaping our lives.
Andrew Carnegie’s library in the Cooper Hewitt Museum
A LOT OF METRO
If you’re going to NYC, you’re going to be taking the metro. For me, I paid $34 up front for a week of rides (but you can also tap-to-pay with the same card to up to $34, and all other rides in that same week are free - just as you continue to pay with the same card every time!). It took one or two rides to get used to the station and the lines, but as long as you follow the signs, it’s pretty easy. Service does change at late nights/weekends, so pay attention to the signage if so.
Needed a photo because the museum was so good…
It’s a change from BART as the NYC metro has more stations, more lines, and more riders. Although BART was once hailed as an example for other transit systems, its financial model depends on rider volume and is now its Achilles heel, which was especially hit hard during the pandemic. And although you can go practically anywhere in NYC with the MTA, you can’t say the same for BART, as you have to use Muni and/or AC Transit to get around.
I got the chance to explore the history of the NYC metro through the New York Transit Museum located in Brooklyn. Spanning back to the 19th century and detailing how the metro system continued to grow and expand over the years, the museum is a great chance to learn more about the history of the city through public transit.
That’s it for my New York City trip! Stay tuned for more in the upcoming months as we prepare for our usual Bay Area programming. But don’t worry, you’ll be seeing Club Rambutan soon in the Big Apple.
