October 7, 2009

Irving Penn, We’ll Miss You

 

 

He made frozen food look cool...

He made frozen food look cool...

 

He celebrated the coolness of women...

He celebrated the coolness of women...

 

He was an artist who loved food and fashion.  Thank you, Mr. Penn.

He was an artist who loved food and fashion. Thank you, Mr. Penn.

October 7, 2009

Dreaming of a Picnic

It’s lunchtime, which means it’s time for me to start thinking about where I’d rather be right now.

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I’d like to be on a romantic picnic.

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I’d like to be in this cool alcove, eating chicken milanese and staring out the window.

dreamy

I’d like to be in Italy, or the south of France, eating cheese.

October 6, 2009

View from the Chef’s Counter at Aldea

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Here’s a hidden gem… Aldea is a little restaurant in the Flatiron serving up a sort of modernized Portuguese food, with some Spanish touches and seasonal and local produce.  The menu is tight,  gracefully toeing the line between high-end (foam on stuff) and rustic (my duck/rice dish was out of this world). We scored a couple of seats at the chef’s counter, which sounds deceptively fancy but really anyone can call up and reserve.  Go with a someone who appreciates the function of a professional kitchen- it’s like theater.  I’d take a date here, or my food-loving parents, or my best friend for a night out.   Here’s dinner…

 

foie

foie

 

amazing dish of bacon, soft poached egg

amazing dish of bacon, soft poached egg, peas and summer truffles.

crudo

crudo

super delicious take on arroz con pollo... but it's with duck and chorizo

super delicious take on arroz con pollo... but it's with duck and chorizo

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roast pork tenderloin

roast pork tenderloin

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Aldea: 31 w. 17th nr Fifth.  Read Platt’s very good review on nymag.com and the great review in the New York Times.

October 6, 2009

Ciao, Summer. I Mean It. Scoot.

 

photo via Lolaisbeauty, via ThemThangs

photo via Lolaisbeauty, via ThemThangs

 

 Today as I walked along Broadway, I realized you are gone.  The sky has been that robin’s egg blue that only occurs in the crisp air of autumn.  It was cold in the shade.  And there are pumpkins and mums EVERYWHERE.

That’s okay, I’m ready for nights by the fire and crazy cozy Inhabit sweater (just got it today).  But still.  I’ll miss you.  I really did my best to enjoy the last moments of your stay…

 

I sat in the sun and ate meat and cheese with hunks of crusty bread and olives

I sat in the sun and ate meat and cheese with hunks of crusty bread and olives

Those few weeks of meteorological bliss, when summer gives way to autumn, might be my favorite time of the year.  The sun is warm, the shade is cool, the air becomes dryer, more crisp, and it smells of leaves and wood and sunshine.  The sky turns a shade of blue so deep you rub your eyes and think you’re seeing things.  You are.  It’s the sky, sans haze.  I drove around the North Fork of Long Island, eating at North Fork Table and Inn, collecting white pebbles at Orient Point State Beach,and collecting fresh vegetables from Sang Lee Farms on the way home.  It didn’t suck that I was the passenger in a sweet convertible.

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Above, the smoked salmon with radishes and corn blini.  Below, fluke crudo.  Way below, a coconut tapioca pudding.  All from North Fork Table and Inn.

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Above, the scene at Sang Lee organic farm.  Below, the beauty and freakiness of organic… look at the little critter I found in my heirloom tomato!

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September 22, 2009

Lunch Break at Gramercy Tavern

the bar at Gramercy. photo by Zagat Buzz  

 

 

the bar at Gramercy. photo by Zagat Buzz

 

I have a friend,  Shannon, who is really quite amazing for a number of reasons.  One of the things she inadvertently taught me was the art of spoiling oneself.  It’s summed up in one simple phrase, and it applies to all situations of spoiling one’s self.  Shannon’s Gift: To Shanny, Love Shanny.  That’s it.  It’s easy.  You give yourself something, and you write yourself a little note.  You really want those Jimmy Choo’s?  To (insert your name here), Love (insert your name here).  

I really enjoy To Noria, Love Noria moments.  Haters will say I’m spending too much time and money loving myself, but the reality is I don’t do it all that often, and I like to think it’s within reason.  Lunch at Gramercy Tavern is totally within reason (lunch anywhere nice is a very good present, see my post on Union Square Cafe here). I had a break between shows, enough time for lunch,  I was hungry, I was tired, not only did  I want something completely delicious but I wanted to feel taken care of.  So I sat in the bar at Gramercy Tavern and splurged on a fantastic lunch.  To Noria, Love Noria.

 

pulled pork sandwich

pulled pork sandwich

coolest dessert ever: corn ice cream with caramel corn and bluberry compote.  yum.

coolest dessert ever: corn ice cream with caramel corn and bluberry compote. yum.

 

Gramercy Tavern: 42 E. 20th St.  Visit the website here.

September 15, 2009

Party at SD26

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SD26 is a brand-spanking new boite on Madison Square Park, and last night they (along with Eater) hosted a kickoff party for the New York City Food and Wine Festival.  The space is pretty luxurious, most notably this amazing crystal curtain designed by the same group who did the crystal curtain at last year’s Oscars.  It was a family affair of sorts, as Tony May, the owner, flew in a gaggle of awesome chefs from Italy (the Michelin-star types) to cook.  Each chef contributed a special dish, like a creamy risotto with balsamico or a super fresh tuna tartare.  In true Italian party style, everyone ended up in the (huge and gorgeous) kitchen, eating family style and telling stories.  It was the perfect commencement to the annual food festival.  

 

in the kitchen at SD26

in the kitchen at SD26

New York Food and Wine Festival: October 8-11th.  For more information visit the website.

SD26: Read more about it on nytimes.com and metromix.com

September 12, 2009

Fashion Week Restaurant List

For those of you who don’t know, I work in fashion.  And this week… IT’S FASHION WEEK! That means a bunch of us run around like crazy all day attending an endless lineup of mostly cool shows, and when it’s all over for the day we unwind with a cocktail and some really good food (because we deserve it).  A lot of people have been asking me where I would go for a bite, so here’s the list:

Boqueria- the 19th St location is around the corner from the Altman Building, where there are a ton of shows, so it’s the perfect in-between drop-in spot for that glass of rose and some tapas.  I get the salt cod brandade and the blistered shisito peppers, and I’m revived.  It’s perfect.  They also have a location in Soho, which is perfect for the end-of-the-day celebratory glass of cava.

Locanda Verde: I just wrote about it so my love for it is obvious, but I crave comfort food during fashion week, and Locanda serves it up with their easy Italian food.  Aperol spritz, ricotta with grilled bread, pasta, gelato, then wheel me home please.  

Ed’s Lobster Bar: I’m going to sit at the marble bar with a glass of Sauvignon blanc and slurp oysters until I’m ready to devour a lobster roll with french fries. The clean and simple New England vibe is  wonderful and very refreshing after a day of fashion.

Ippudo: Pork buns and ramen.  Yesterday it was cold and rainy here, and I literally dreamed of a steaming bowl of ramen noodles all day long.  Momofuku could also make me very happy in this case.

Standard Grill: I feel compelled because it’s the new spot and it’s RIGHT IN THE MEATPACKING, which is where a good portion of fashion week events are happening.  The great news is, the restaurant inside the Standard Hotel (in case you didn’t know) is actually really good.  The bar is fun, if a bit raucous, and the dining room is comfortable, if a bit scene-y.  Still, if I had to recommend that in spot, it would be Standard Grill.

Blue Ribbon Bakery: Fried Chicken and the Lousiana Crawfish boil.  Done and Done. 

Sorella: it’s a darling little wine bar/restaurant in the Lower East Side with zero pretensions, nice vibe, and a comforting sensation of being hidden away.  I love the lamb tajarin, and last time I was there, a little pea salad with ricotta was super fresh and delicate.  

Keste and Pizzeria Veloce: I’m a pizza addict, and these are two spots I’ve not yet tried but people are all excited about.  So I’m writing them down here in case you just happen to be at a show with me, and we’re both hungry, and you say, “Let’s go get pizza!”

September 12, 2009

Loving Locanda

 

Roast Chicken at the Bar at Locanda Verde

Roast Chicken at the Bar at Locanda Verde

 

 

In the last month, I’ve been to Locanda Verde three times.  When you can choose to eat at a new restaurant every night, and my list of restaurants is long enough to fill a book, that’s saying something.  It helps that Andrew Carmellini’s simple Italian food is delicious and crowd-pleasing, and I’ve loved it since his days at A Voce.  It helps that they mix an excellent Aperol spritz, that they serve perfectly roasted chicken for two, that their ricotta with grilled bread is lip-smackingly, groan-inducingly wonderful.  And it’s a nice suprise that after you eat dinner, you’re not going to be disappointed with some afterthought dessert menu (important for a sweet toother like me).  I dream of the gelato, it’s creamier and more pure in flavor than anything- even Ciao Bella or Labratorio- I’ve had in the city.  The huge, rustic space is comfortable and conducive for group dinners, as I had one night, but the bar is great for drinks and a bite (if a little crowded with the afterwork banker scene and the women who love them).  Also, they serve a reputedly awesome, totally peaceful brunch on weekends!!!  Imagine, a cool brunch spot that hasn’t yet been attacked by brunch hordes.

 

Fried Artichokes

Fried Artichokes

Pate on Grilled Country Bread

Pate on Grilled Country Bread

Pasta with Pesto, Fresh Cherry Tomato, Olive and Pine Nuts

Pasta with Pesto, Fresh Cherry Tomato, Olive and Pine Nuts

 

dessert- trio of gelato and sorbets; semifreddo

dessert- trio of gelato and sorbets; semifreddo

 

Locanda Verde: To read the menu, visit their website.

377 Greenwich St, at N. Moore.  It’s attached to the Greenwich Hotel.

September 4, 2009

Cocktail Inspiration from Public

public drinks

I’ve loved on Public for awhile.  The cool design, the creative menu, the amazing cocktails.  Since we’re on the cusp of a three-day weekend, which promises to be full of fun and maybe a party or two, I thought I’d share a couple of photos from my last cocktails there (thanks Noah, totally rad bartender from Boston).  Maybe it’ll inspire you this weekend.

On the cocktail menu at Public:

 

Strawberry and Thai Basil Mojito
White rum muddled with fresh strawberries, thai basil, aged balsamic, lime and soda
USD 12
Guava and Red Chili Margarita
Sauza Blanco tequila infused with red chili, lime juice, orange liqueur and guava puree
USD 12
Grape and Apple-Mint Caipiroska
Bison grass vodka muddled with apple-mint, grapes and vermouth bianco 
USD 12
Kiwifruit and Green Tea Fizz
42 Below kiwifruit vodka with kiwifruit, green tea, honey, lime and soda
USD 12
Strawberry and Thai Basil Mojito
White rum muddled with fresh strawberries, thai basil, aged balsamic, lime and soda
USD 12
Guava and Red Chili Margarita
Sauza Blanco tequila infused with red chili, lime juice, orange liqueur and guava puree
USD 12
Grape and Apple-Mint Caipiroska
Bison grass vodka muddled with apple-mint, grapes and vermouth bianco 
USD 12
Kiwifruit and Green Tea Fizz
42 Below kiwifruit vodka with kiwifruit, green tea, honey, lime and soda
USD 12
Clear Ginger Cosmopolitan
Ginger infused Tito’s vodka shaken with orange liqueur, white cranberry and lime juice
USD 12
Bitter Grapefruit Martini
Plymouth gin with sweet vermouth, grapefruit juice, Aperol and egg white
USD 12
Maple Hook Manhattan
Sazerac rye whiskey with maple syrup, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice
USD 12
Loomi Lime Gimlet
House infused 42 Below black lime vodka, with a cassia dust
USD 12
Visit the restaurant website at: www.public-nyc.com

September 4, 2009

Food Surfing

 

photo by Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers

photo by Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers

 

 

On this lovely Friday before Labor Day, I share with you an incredible food blog that you should read (in addition to reading mine!).  Sunday Suppers revolves around cooking classes/supper with friends.  Each post is devoted to a meal or a dish, and the incredible photographs will make you swoon (with hunger and desire to have a Sunday supper of your own).  If you’re hosting this weekend, you’ll undoubtedly be inspired to cook something from this website.  I had a hard time choosing just one photograph to feature here, so I suggest you click to visit Sunday Suppers.  If you’re lucky enough to live in NYC, you can even sign up for one of their cooking classes.

 

photo by Karen Mordechai for Sunday Suppers

photo by Karen Mordechai for Sunday Suppers

 

 

http://sunday-suppers.blogspot.com/