A Cozy Saturday

Winters are rough in the city. You had a long week and you want to go out with your friends and relax, but that nagging, bitter wind sometimes wins the inner argument you have with yourself, debating whether to face Jack Frost or not... This past weekend, noodles and spiced wine were more than enough to coax me out of my humble abode.

Sometimes I swear I am part Asian considering I tend to eat more Japanese/Thai/Korean food than regular old American cuisine, but I can't help it. The flavors and combination in Asian-inspired food just tickles my fancy more than the average burger joint. As is often the case, I was in the mood for some noodles. However, considering we were on the upper east side, downtown meant a far cab ride away from warmth and comfort, so I decided I would need to make this trip worth the while by hitting up my favorite winter-time bar, Klimat for some "hot" wine.

The noodles at dinner didn't disappoint...full of spices, pork, egg, bamboo shoots, corn and bean sprouts nestled in a pool of steaming broth...there is nothing better on a cold winter's night. As delightful as our main course was though, I have to say the dumplings we had pre-dinner were astoundingly good. Maybe I was just hungry, but they were slightly doughy, filled with shrimp and veggies, not too complicated, yet were the best shumai dumplings I have ever had. Sometimes these sorts of dumplings, the shrimp will be somewhat harder on the inside, but not in this case. Soft, smooth and almost creamy, they melted in your mouth.

Intoxicated by the tasty food and wandering out the door back into the cold, it was a good thing we only had to stumble to get to Klimat for a warm, after-dinner cocktail. If you live in New York and you haven't been to Klimat for their Hot Wine, it's high time to make a pit stop. This tiny Eastern European bar is cozy and delightful anytime of the year, but there is something so wonderful about snuggling up to your significant other with a warm, spicy, sweet glass of mulled wine.

We settled in (almost a little too much) with our warm beverages and got lost in conversation. It's funny how wine and warmth can relax you so much! In the busy-ness of life, it is easy to forget that sometimes the simplest of things can bring immense happiness.

So, even if it is just for a guilty pleasure like noodles and hot wine, it's never a wasted effort to drum up a little warmth and delight in the bitter winter. So next time you think it's wiser to stay in, throw on a comfy sweater and find a corner in a cozy place like Klimat to relax your worries away.