TA Cocina, Washington Heights, NYC

Another Monday morning.  NYCity Mama really can’t complain too much about her lot in life as a stay at home mom.  Sure, it does have it’s downfalls, like she can’t go to the gym as much as she would like…well, actually, at all.  Her husband works long hours and though he often arrives when her gym, located across the street, is still open she can never get the energy or motivation to go there.  And she wishes she could wear nice clothes, that won’t get stained on for more than an hours time on any given day…or she wishes she could go get her nails done, or hair done, or anything that would force her to sit and relax, but she can never sit AND relax, because she is always thinking of the next thing she needs to do.  Not having the kids around just open up a whole other to do list.

So, this Monday morning started with a full list of things to do, except, on this Monday morning her husband stayed home from work and that changes everything.

When he is home, though his goal is most likely to relax, hers is about all the things that they could do since he is around.  And so her mind starts working overtime, looking to accommodate this unexpected surprise, reinventing the to do list for the day.  But he has other plans.

He intends for them to relax and enjoy it. Arg.

So after a slow morning in their tiny apartment, and her husband’s rejection of all her ideas for busy-ness for the day, they settle on going to the park with the little ones. Disappointed that none of the to do lists will be addressed today, Mama gets ready to head out.

As she comes down the steps of her second floor, she can see the sun beaming through the glass door entrance of her building and she feels a breeze, with a hint of Spring smell sneaking in.  Again, another unexpected surprise.  Her dark, small, Washington Heights apartment, formerly a one bedroom broken down into a three, blocks so much natural light she can never really tell what the day is like unless she makes it a point to find out and stick her head out of a window.

“See?  Isn’t this so much better? We can just relax and walk around, it’s gorgeous today”, says her husband as he takes a deep breath. 

The little ones are excited and can’t wait to visit the park.  They venture up Ft. Washington Ave to 182nd St., where they enter Bennett Park.

Mama and the kids really enjoy this park because of it’s size.  It has a playground large enough for the kids to run around i

n, but small enough for Mama to easily manage both boys.  There definitely is a strong click of parent groups, especially stay at home moms, that visit the park, none of which seem to be too interested in getting to know Mama or her boys, or anyone whom they don’t frequent in their buildings or their Mommy and Me classes, but this doesn’t bother Mama at all, she appreciates the independence she is alloted by not being a member of any one structured social group or another (see December 15, 2008 Ramblings, The Lunch Crowd).  

Today being an extremely nice day, they seemed to have hung around a bit longer than normally expected, but didn’t stay too long, which is always so nice.

The boys played and laughed, and like the other kids seemed to really be excited about the warm weather and bright sunshine.  Her 3 year old insisted on taking off his coat, and her 2 year old sat on the swing and leaned back as it went back and forth, closing his eyes and taking in the light and warm breeze.

It didn’t feel like it at all, but they stayed there for quite some time, well past lunch time, before they decided to take a walk, which is something they all enjoy to do around this area, especially on such a beautiful day.

After a couple of stops at the bank and Frank’s Market, Mama and her husband walked by a new Mexican restaurant that had just opened in the area.  TA Cocina was offering lunch specials for $7.95 and the selections were very good.  Since they also passed Mama’s requisite of having a high-chair, they decided to give it a try.

It’s small space, but colorful.  Mama loved that the latin music was not loud and obnoxious like in most latino restaurants in the area, and she liked the bright space and decor.

It wasn’t very busy, but it was also almost 3:00PM, a time when the lunch crowd has come and gone, though a few from the local businesses still wondered in for take out.

Mama was curious about the restaurant since a friend of hers, a native from San Antonio, TX, had told her when she had inquired simply that it was “ok”.

She ordered chicken strips and fries for the little ones ($4.95), a Mexican Sandwich for herself, and her husband ordered the Enchiladas Suiza (both $7.00).

Not knowing if service would be quick or not, she and her husband brought out of their pockets the ever handy iPhones, which they both have loaded up with movies for the kids for all things requiring their undiscovered patience, such as long train rides, long waits in restaurants, or anywhere else where distraction may be key.  How Mama and her husband survived any of those things when they were a child without such commodities?  They will never know.

But, lunch came, and pretty quickly, which is always a nice surprise.  The portions for the kids was large enough that she was able to split one dish between the two boys.  The chicken strips were not fried, but rather grilled with a seasoning of garlic and lemon juice and other hints of flavory spices that made it seem more special than just the ordinary “chicken fingers” dish off of a kids menu.

Mama’s sandwich didn’t look like anything special on a bun, but, as this was a day full of unexpected surprises, it turned out to be a lot better than what it looked like.

Though the ingredients themselves seemed somewhat basic (mayo, cheese, avocado, refried beans, jalapenos, tomatoes, and onions), again it was the seasoning of the grilled sirloin steak that made the sandwich incredibly tasty and enjoyable.

Her husbands Enchiladas Suizas were also quite tasty, and had just the necessary “kick” to satisfy a lunch time appetite.

Now, Mama has never been to Texas, and she’s knows that most people from the South West would have an opinion or two to offer.  Good or bad, she isn’t sure.  But for her Dominican palette the food was extremely tasty, very flavorful. From the cilantro filled salsa that came served with the salty, fresh tasting chips as soon as you sit down, to the last bite of her Mexican Sandwich delight.  It was good.

So her husband and her decided that they would come back again.  Next time for their brunch menu, which, like Mama’s day, seemed to be full of unexpected surprises.

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