Ray of light
NORIE UEMATSU, Momoya SoHo / Happy Tuna
WORK • Tuesday Routine
NORIE UEMATSU • corporate pastry chef • Momoya SoHo / Happy Tuna
Neighborhood you work in: Soho
It’s Tuesday morning, where are you working?
I’m usually the first to arrive at the restaurant after the cleaning crew. This quiet time allows me to test my most recent creations and capture content under the morning sunlight. Momoya SoHo faces east, and a row of floor-to-ceiling windows replaces an ordinary wall, so mornings are the best lighting time.
What’s the Tuesday morning scene at your workplace?
Tuesdays are the most relaxed day of the week. Our bi-monthly dessert omakase takes place on Mondays, so Tuesdays are usually my day to regroup. The restaurant also receives a special shipment of rare Japanese fish on Tuesdays, which the chefs allow me to taste test.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I'll be doing a lot of prep and admin work. I'm testing my new recipe using Japan's Beni Haruka sweet potato paste and developing menus for the upcoming dessert omakase. Since its launch in May, the monthly series remains sold out, which is very exciting and keeps me going, despite the hectic weeks of planning prior. I’m also finalizing the winter seasonal parfait, which will be launching later this week. At this point, each parfait aims to outdo the last. I’m also gearing up for a collaboration with Ikigai Fruits, a luxury fruit company based in Japan. This collaboration is so personal and nostalgic to me — I’ve been missing fruits from my country since I moved to the U.S.
What’s for lunch?
I usually order from Happy Tuna, the takeout sushi brand by Momoya SoHo’s owner. I’m a big fan of the “roll with us” sushi box. You can also find me at Sunrise Market on Broome St. or browsing the Eataly market, also on Broome..
Any plans tonight?
I usually grab some drinks at The Mulberry on Tuesday nights with my friends. Tonight I'm having dinner with friends at Torrisi. I love their chicken pate; it has a nice balance of savory and sweetness. After dinner, I often unwind at home with a glass of wine and a movie or show. (Currently: “Suits.”)