UNCLE MO & J.CREW
July 2, 2009
Heaven in a Corn Husk
Okay, I realize I have been MIA, AWOL, incommunicado, blah, blah, blah for quite some time now. The truth is I have just been really busy. Between trips to London, auditions and the day to day responsibilities of a single mom, I’m lucky I still have a brain in my head. Okay, that’s debatable!
I’m in the city almost everyday, auditioning or working, and love exploring every inch of New York. “The city that never sleeps,” is an entire universe unto itself; a melting pot rich in cultural diversity. There is some new treasure yet to be explored around every corner.
Winter has finally tucked her icy fingers back into the depths of her snowy pockets and danced away to another continent, while spring has, quite literally, “busted out all over!” There’s an energy on the street, a buzz, you can feel the minute you step out of your car, or out of the subway, and it catches you up in its primal beat and pulls you into its current. The street vendors are out in force with their $5.00 sunglasses, pashminas and knock-off purses, along with the farmers’ markets and food carts, providing a never-ending source of entertainment which is bound to entice any one of your five senses. People have come out of their dwellings, shed their winter coats and exposed their skin to the warmth of the first summer sun, charging the cores of their internal batteries.
I was in the city today, cruising up 5th avenue after a visit to one of my favorite stores, j. crew. I love j. crew and should probably own stock in the company; God knows I have invested a small fortune in their merchandise. I keep expecting a letter in the mail from their stock holders inviting me to an annual meeting. That’s not a complaint by the way, quite the contrary; I view the pieces that I buy from them as an investment in my wardrobe. The quality of their product is superb, without question, and stands the test of time.
As I was heading back up 5th, my stomach shot me a grumbling reminder that I had not eaten breakfast and it was well past lunchtime. My blood sugar dropping, the 19th street sign lit up like the Holy Grail. I was right around the corner from one of my top five favorite places to eat in New York City. I am a California girl, born and bred, and grew up eating authentic Mexican food, not the Americanized version, and need to get my “fix” every so often. Uncle Mo’s on 19th street between 5th and 6th avenue is like taking a quick trip down to, well I suppose in this case across and down to, the border. A couple of years ago I happened to be walking by as someone was walking out, when my nose caught a whiff of Mo’s. I was suddenly caught in some kind of extra-terrestrial beam pulling me through the front door. Clean, bright and casual, the food is fresh, authentic Mexican and very easy on the pocket. I love their super tacos and almost always get the portabella mushroom, carne asada, or pork. This comes with homemade salsa, sour cream, cheese and guacamole. Everything is put right on top of your meat or veggie and is seasoned to perfection. . If you’re really hungry, go for the Watsonville burrito, it’s big enough to feed a small army. I wouldn’t be doing Mo’s justice if I didn’t mention their tamales; can heaven actually exist inside of a corn husk? Apparently so. Try the chicken, their yummy! They also have a small condiment bar with salsas ranging from mild to very hot, as well as chopped onions mixed with fresh cilantro. The staff is friendly, which makes you feel welcome, and I always leave feeling like I have just visited an old friend. I have taken many people to Uncle Mo’s and have always gotten the same reaction, “How did you find this treasure?” If you haven’t been, I suggest you go, or you’ll be missing out on one of NYC’s undiscovered gems. A sunny day in the big apple, a confident audition, a pearl cuff bracelet that I have been eyeing for months, (I love j.crew!) and a tasty tamale from Uncle Mo’s, this was a good day!
