I went to Spice Market the other night for the unveiling of the newest Tabasco product, an Asian-inspired Sweet & Spicy Hot Sauce. It was appetizers and open bar from 6-8, and I somehow managed to chug three glasses of cava in a little over an hour. I was pretty tipsy and loquacious when Shannon showed up at 7:15, prompting him to ask, "Man, what'd you guys do, get here at 5:59?"
It was my first time at Spice Market, which is quite a pleasant space despite the hordes of Upper East Siders -- lots of stained wood, lots of bare waitress skin. After the Amanda Hesser circle jerk review, I was a little dubious. But I have to say that the finger foods they were passing around were pretty damned delish. Crisp, wonton skinned samosas with spicy chicken filling; plump shrimp peeking out from between two crunchy coconut batter discs; dainty index finger sized shiitake spring rolls; and coconut milk-marinated satay skewers. We dipped everything in the Sweet & Spicy, which is like a chic, deseeded version of that Thai sweet chili sauce they pour over fried fish. I bet it's excellent doused on fried chicken wings.
Let me be the first to suggest that they use the Cibo Matto song "White Pepper Ice Cream" in the commercial:
Which is the first word?
Sweet or spicy?
ça m’est égal
ça m’est égal
It’s all the same to me
No need to get all self-righteous indie rocker on me, people -- somebody's going to make money from the commercials, might as well be one of my well-deserving friends. Then maybe somebody can take me to Spice Market proper.
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