This week I’m meeting up with a new friend, Preeti Vasudevan, at one of my favorite spots, Bánh Mì Saigon on Grand Street. One of the oldest Bánh Mì shops in New York (it famously used to operate out of the back of a jewelry store around the corner on Mott Street), it’s the kind of place that feels unchanged in the best possible way.
We ordered the Bánh Mì #1 — barbecue pork, extra spice — layered with cilantro, jalapeño, pickled vegetables & that perfect crusty bread. It’s what they’re best known for, and it delivers every single time.
For the pairing, we went with Dönnhoff’s Estate Riesling, a dry Riesling from Germany’s Nahe region. The crisp acidity cuts through the richness of the pork, while the wine’s lift plays beautifully with the herbs & heat. Cilantro, jalapeño, bright acidity — it’s a combination that rarely misses.
We took our sandwiches to Elizabeth Street Garden and talked about Preeti’s journey — from training in classical Indian dance at age five, to founding her own dance company, Thresh, now 20 years strong. Her work bridges ritual, history & contemporary expression. It was such a pleasure to hear her reflect on that evolution.
She mentioned that pairing alcohol with food isn’t traditionally common in India, it’s more of a Western ritual, but that certain wines absolutely sing with Indian flavors. And honestly, that’s what this series is about: finding those unexpected harmonies.
Sandwich, Riesling, conversation & a pleasant afternoon in the city. Sometimes that’s all you need.
🥪 Bánh Mì #1 (BBQ Pork) — Bánh Mì Saigon
🍷 Dönnhoff Estate “Dry” Riesling — Nahe, Germany
👥 Preeti Vasudevan
🌳 Elizabeth Street Garden — Nolita, NYC
🎶 “Lazy Bug” by Bladverk Band
Follow us for more sandwiches + wine pairings across NYC. What’s your go-to Bánh Mì order? 👇
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