Around New York, chefs are treated like celebrities who also have superhuman powers. So who are these Croc-wearing food wizards? Where do they find their bites on a budget? And where do they go to splurge? In this series we ask top NYC chefs where and what they eat. Today we ask Nicholas Wilber of The Fat Radish for his foodie secrets.
Name: Nicholas Wilber
Astrological sign: I was on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer, now I don’t know
Hometown: Durango, Colorado
Current neighborhood: I live in Bushwick and work in the LES/Chinatown
Signature dish at The Fat Radish: Celery and black garlic pot pie
Your signature dish at home: Puttanesca
Favorite vegetable or herb currently in season: So many in spring––chrysanthemum, asparagus, peas, ramps... I could go on and on.
Best spot for dumplings: Vanessa's Dumplings in Chinatown
Best spot for a spicy dish: For Thai I like Sripraphai in Queens, and for Indian Curry Leaf in Murray Hill
Best spot for pasta: SD26
Food trend you're over: Celebrity chefs
Hangover cure dish: Chilaquiles al pastor con huevos at Taqueria Cocoyoc in Bushwick
Best food market: Union Square Green Market
After a long day, what do you make for yourself: A BLT on good bread with avocado and a fried egg
Celebrity chef crush: Padma Lakshmi
Favorite cooking show: An old school PBS show called Great Chefs of the World
Last meal request: Fried chicken and my mom’s cucumber salad
Any horror apprentice stories? The list is long! I have seen a lot of weird shit happen throughout my career, including preparing buckets of disgusting, nasty stuff to dump on a cook for his last day.
______________________________________________
Vanessa's Dumplings- 118 Eldridge St MAP
Sripraphai- 64-13 39th Ave, Woodside MAP
Curry Leaf- 99 Lexington Ave MAP
SD26- 19 East 26th St MAP
Taqueria Cocoyoc- 211 Wyckoff Ave
Name: Nicholas Wilber
Astrological sign: I was on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer, now I don’t know
Hometown: Durango, Colorado
Current neighborhood: I live in Bushwick and work in the LES/Chinatown
Signature dish at The Fat Radish: Celery and black garlic pot pie
Your signature dish at home: Puttanesca
Favorite vegetable or herb currently in season: So many in spring––chrysanthemum, asparagus, peas, ramps... I could go on and on.
Best spot for dumplings: Vanessa's Dumplings in Chinatown
Best spot for a spicy dish: For Thai I like Sripraphai in Queens, and for Indian Curry Leaf in Murray Hill
Best spot for pasta: SD26
Food trend you're over: Celebrity chefs
Hangover cure dish: Chilaquiles al pastor con huevos at Taqueria Cocoyoc in Bushwick
Best food market: Union Square Green Market
After a long day, what do you make for yourself: A BLT on good bread with avocado and a fried egg
Celebrity chef crush: Padma Lakshmi
Favorite cooking show: An old school PBS show called Great Chefs of the World
Last meal request: Fried chicken and my mom’s cucumber salad
Any horror apprentice stories? The list is long! I have seen a lot of weird shit happen throughout my career, including preparing buckets of disgusting, nasty stuff to dump on a cook for his last day.
______________________________________________
Vanessa's Dumplings- 118 Eldridge St MAP
Sripraphai- 64-13 39th Ave, Woodside MAP
Curry Leaf- 99 Lexington Ave MAP
SD26- 19 East 26th St MAP
Taqueria Cocoyoc- 211 Wyckoff Ave