#datethetown

[datethetown]

Solo en Oaxaca & An Adventure in Mezcal y Mole Pairing

I’ve been sauntering and strolling through Oaxaca for the past week. Already in Mexico for 10 days prior (exploring bustling Mexico City, aka CDMX), I landed in Oaxaca and immediately felt the absence of my friends in CDMX. With an Airbnb booked for 2 weeks, I panicked - was this going to be a lonesome trip as opposed to the refreshing reset I had hoped for?

Truth be told, the first two days it was a little lonely. Though my Airbnb was clean and comfortable, it was in a Spanish-style hacienda which meant almost no sunlight filtering through. And in the interest of eco-friendliness, all the lights were harsh fluorescent - not an inviting place to read a book with a nightcap. 

Thus began my frantic attempts to pay for friends - aka sign up for a bunch of classes and tours. And as luck would have it, I made friends the old-fashioned way - free. But wait ‘til I get there.

The first class I took was literally the least conducive to meeting people - but that was all due to timing and luck-of-the-draw. I took my first Airbnb experience - a mezcal and mole pairing class. Much like the Wine Bootcamp classes I was taking in NYC, this was a pairing of yet another alcoholic beverage with a complementary food (I’m noticing a trend here in what I like to do...). The experience and pairing was originally created by Daniel, a sommelier, though my experience was led by Marcelo. Marcelo was an absolute pleasure and had such knowledge about mezcal. He spent the ENTIRE session telling me about the various mezcals and moles, and about the agave plants associated with each mezcal as well. Why ENTIRE, you ask? Because I was the only person there. So alas, as wonderful as the class was, it was not a date the town opportunity. I’m sure under different circumstances and popular class times my impression would have been different. I mean who doesn’t get chattier and friendlier after a few shots of mezcal? I can only imagine the missed opportunity. 

That being said, Marcelo was extremely kind and friendly, and we bonded over shared personal histories in Turkey (my family is Turkish and he spent a year abroad in Ankara). He gave me a few local recommendations for food in Oaxaca (Empenadas del Carmen - I’m coming for you soon).

As you can see from the photo - there were 7 moles we tried. Did you even know there are 7 types of mole?? I’ve always been a fan of mole negro, but I also found myself drawn to mole coloradito and almendrado - they have a very similar deep umami flavor to them. My least favorite was the amarillo, which Marcelo said is a very popular mole flavor to hate. I hear the mole amarillo served at empanadas del carmen is delicious though, so I’m going to keep an open mind.

Thanks to Marcelo for providing me an amazing intro into the diversity of mezcals and moles in Oaxaca, and for some company for a few hours on my first Oaxacan day! You can find out more info about the Airbnb Experience here:

Mezcal and Mole

What was my next attempt at finding friends through bribery? I’ll tell you next time.

[datethetown]

Wine Boot Camp @ Compagnie  des  Vins Surnaturels

I’m dipping my toes into a new wine tasting series I’ve started taking at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturales, in the heart of SoHo. So far it’s been a fun little teaser of the wine world. The first class I went to was about wines from the ancient Carthage regions. I was solo, and when I first arrived I was surrounded by friend groups and couples, sending me into a very minor panic at whether or not this was an appropriate activity to go to solo and was I about to feel incredibly uncomfortable as everyone around me chitchatted about the wines with their wine buddies. Fret not, I snapped the fuck out of that unreasonable thought train real fast and settled in. But now having gone to two classes, it is a good balance of both solo vinophiles and couples/groups. 

The instructor, Vitalii Dascaliuc, is an absolute hoot and joy. He’s a total wine and history nerd, and his passion for these two subjects is out on full display in these classes. With each sip of wine you get an exclusive pass to his inner giddy child nerding out over whatever wine we’re all drinking. That enthusiasm breaks down the traditional stuffiness of wine tasting, and his nuanced descriptions of the wine is an excellent. I haven’t taken any wine classes before, but one of my favorite parts of this class is that Vitalii goes into a bit of the regional history behind the grapes and wine production in whatever region the class is exploring that session. There’s also a small (read one-bite) dish served to accompany the wines and see how the wines pair with the appropriate food.

I’ve still got a ways to go with my wine knowledge, but I give this a B- rating for meeting new people. It’s truly fun, but this is a very activity-focused class. You taste the wine, it’s about an hour, and then you’re done. The onus is on you to chat with Vitalii and the other students there. The session goes by very quickly and it’s a one-and-done unless you sign up for multiple classes (which at $55+tax a pop, adds up real fast). The potential to befriend people who are also interested in wine is there over a longer term, but from a date the town POV, the class vibe is a one and done get some people energy around you before going back to life. 

The wallpaper is pretty nifty.

Schedule and class info can be found at: https://www.compagnienyc.com/wine-bootcamp

[datethetown]

Why I’m Dating the Town

I KNOW, we’re all sick of the virtual book clubs and Zooms, but somehow a lot of them are sticking around. I don’t know about you, but I sure as hell did my fair share of these hellish virtual happy hours, and I am ready to get back out there. Vaxxed, masked (If necessary, I really don’t want to anymore and trust me I will if it’s needed), and tasked with the sole purpose of expanding my social horizons. 

We’ve all talked about the impact the pandemic had on socialization for truly everyone. What started off as transitioning from real-life to virtual socialization for most, slowly turned to us cautiously dipping our toes back into seeing folks in real life again. Some of us have built a new community by helping the community via various volunteering activities and mutual aid groups. Others have entered and ended new relationships, romantic and platonic alike. Most of our pre-pandemic relationships changed drastically. Priorities shifted, friendships ended due to politics or the politics of Covid protocol, or honestly, maybe we just saw the same people too much and we still love them very much but need to see what else is out there. It’s not them, it’s me... 

Speaking of me...I experienced all of the above during the pandemic and at this point, I’m sporting some chic covid blinders. I’m not sure if it’s covid fatigue or an unhealthy coping mechanism, but I am lucky to have returned to a fully normal life where I no longer need to say “socially distanced, of course” when I meet people in the real world. (Thank god, btw). But...who do I meet with after all the social upheaval of pandemic politics? 

So that brings me to today. Follow me as I try every meetup group so you don’t have to. Just kidding, there are some meetups I will never go to nor should I. But I will be trying out new things in the city just to see what’s friendliest. I endeavor to see who else is out there in the most diverse, greatest city in the world. What’s the vibe at this trivia, that salsa club, the other volunteering group. Dare I even try to crash a meeting of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club (possibly the most exclusive club in NYC!)? A lot of what I hope to try will have other foci such as helping build a better community, but it doesn’t hurt if I can chitchat along the way, no? 

Some of my friends will share their findings as well since different strokes for different folks. Follow along...friends!