By Katie Blocher

After searching three out of five of the boroughs (sorry Staten Island and the Bronx) for the perfect place to live I have realized that New York apartment hunting is truly a double-edged sword.  Yes, there is a surplus of available apartments and real estate agents ready to open doors at your beck and call, but by the same token there are so many options that you could literally look at apartments forever and never make a decision.  

Of course deciding on an apartment all comes down to your own personal priorities and agenda.  For me, the kitchen is first and foremost.  Right now, I live in a studio uptown where my bed is less than five feet from my kitchen counters and my “office” is directly across from that.  It’s been fine for the past two-plus years, but as my life continues to revolve around food, restaurants and chefs I have vowed to find a new space in 2010 that reflects the house I grew up in and the home I want to build.

Growing up, the kitchen was always the center of my family’s home.  My fondest memories sprout from watching my dad fry eggs on Sunday mornings and helping my mom roll out sugar cookies during the holidays.  On Thanksgiving, we have the whole family over with food sprawling across every inch of the counter tops; on Christmas Eve we start drinking beer at 11am and shuck raw oysters all day long; and on January 1st we ring in the New Year feasting on Maryland crab cakes. 

Now I’m living and working in a place where I am constantly inspired by the best chefs and restaurants this country has to offer.  I see people like Michael White become the number-one Italian chef in the country and am there when he creates new menus and recipes.   Thanks to The Mermaid Oyster Bar I have tasted nearly 16 different types of oysters and can’t wait for Christmas Eve to brag to my family.  Even a mobile food concept, The Taco Truck, has become part of my life and inspired me to think about the ingredients I cook with.   I carry around Bon Appétit in my purse and The New York Times Dining Section is my Bible.

After looking at dozens of apartments, most of which were completely disappointing, I am happy to say that I have finally found my New York home — and the kitchen is perfect.  It opens up to the living room, has plenty of counter space and an island for friends to belly up to while I cook.  There’s ample space for a dining room table and windows aligning the kitchen walls.  Alright, so there’s no dishwasher, but come on, it is New York City. 

What I’m:

Eating: Rosemary Pork Loin with roasted fingerlings

Drinking: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Reading: Food Network Magazine Christmas Cookie Guide

Watching: Top Chef Finale

Listening to: Hanson Holiday