He made frozen food look cool...
He celebrated the coolness of women...
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.
I’d like to be on a romantic picnic.
I’d like to be in this cool alcove, eating chicken milanese and staring out the window.
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
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
amazing dish of bacon, soft poached egg, peas and summer truffles.
crudo
super delicious take on arroz con pollo... but it's with duck and chorizo
roast pork tenderloin
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
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
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.
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.
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!
September 22, 2009
Lunch Break at Gramercy Tavern
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
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
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
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
Loving Locanda
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
Pate on Grilled Country Bread
Pasta with Pesto, Fresh Cherry Tomato, Olive and Pine Nuts
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
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
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
