Petites Amourettes

Ladies Who Lunch

2012-02-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

In the continuing quest to eat at all of the best of NYC restaurants, Mer and I ate at Le Bernardin. It was delicious except for the dessert but more on that later.

We ate there for lunch and it was fun to look around at the other customers in the restaurant. We opted for the City Harvest Menu which is only three courses but a portion of the money is donated to City Harvest. Neither of us like fish enough to eat six courses of it.

Mer in the bar area. I did not feel comfortable taking too many pictures in this setting but I sneaked a few shots of the food. The presentation is just beautiful.

This was my favorite course - Hamachi Tartare; Marinated Cucumber, Aged Citrus Vinegar. It was probably the best raw fish dish I've ever eaten. The citrus was perfect with the fish.

Our main dish was Sauteed Cod; Green Papaya, Lime, Coriander, Sambal Sauce. The sauce smelled delicious and I loved the Asian influence.

This was the disappointing dessert - Maralumi Milk Chocolate Parfait; Pear Sphere, Ginger Caramel. The pear tasted like canned fruit. It made me sad how unexciting this was after the fish courses were so delicious.

Why I Love Paris - Food

2012-02-23T21:15:00.001-05:00

There are so many reasons why I love Paris and the food there is in the top 10. My last trip to Paris was September 2010 with incredible friends and that is a very good way to eat your way through the city.

One of the first things I bought in Paris was Ladurée macaroons to confirm that they are still delicious and they are. But I like Pierre Herme even more.

This is the only picture I took of one of the best meals we ate in Paris at Cocottes. Ty, Jo and I went after we were evacuated off of the Eiffel Tower due to a bomb scare. The food is served in little Staub cocottes (dutch ovens) and it was amazing. Apparently the dessert was the only thing I felt needed to be documented. It was a waffle with chocolate sauce and cream. We ate it all.

Another meal was at Brasserie Lipp on Boulevard Saint-Germain. The waiters were kind, funny and very tolerant of our lack of French. The food is very French.

We should have gone to Berthillon every day. The ice cream was a dream. We went enough times to get a good sample of the flavors.

Trish eating the best falafel at L'as Du Falafel in the Marais.

Waffles with chocolate sauce from the Latin Quarter.

We drank a lot of hot chocolate and some of it was at Angelina's - a must go in Paris. Actually all of these places must be visited. I should have an entire post on pain au chocolat alone because they really are the best in the world. Other bests in the world - baguettes, butter, nutella (it's made differently for each country) and chocolate from Jean Paul Hevin.

Dinosaurs are Delicious

2012-02-22T19:39:00.000-05:00

What do Syracuse, Troy, Rochester and Harlem all have in common?

I have lived in NYC for over 3 years now and I'm ashamed that it took a trip to Syracuse to eat at this very delicious place. I don't know if Harlem is like this but we arrived at 5:45 on a Tuesday night and did not get seated until 7 pm. It was packed and the place is huge. I spoke to some locals who said 80% of the people in the place are tourists. I understand. I am so grateful that Ryan recommended this place and my friends loved it.

The crowds anxiously waiting to be called by the hostess for a table.

The fine and fancy decor.

I allowed a flash for the food because it was perfect - Texas brisket, pulled pork, cornbread, mac & cheese and barbecue beans. I was so fat dog happy after eating this meal.

Better than the Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity

2012-02-21T20:00:00.004-05:00

Ice skating on Wollman Rink in Central Park on a sunny winter day is the quintessential New York experience. I admit to wanting to come here because I saw the rink in Serendipity and probably in Love Story as well but I can't remember that movie as well. But the experience surpasses the hollywoodized version of NYC. The views from the ice are beautiful and I couldn't help but smile because I was ice skating in Central Park. The crowd wasn't too overwhelming and the music was actually good - it varied from ACDC to Oasis. Skating here was probably in my top 5 of must dos in NYC.

Thank goodness for friends that were willing to venture out with the crowds on President's Day. We are all decent skaters and none of us fell.

Polariod Means Fun

2012-02-20T21:23:00.001-05:00

I actually own a Fuji but it's the same idea as a Polaroid. I bought it Summer 2009 before the Just Dance party. Since then, I've snapped pics at the Throw Back Birthday party shared with Steve, Sadie Hawkins, various dinners and get togethers and the Christmas parties - Roaring 20s, Support the Troops, and Christmas with the Kennedy's. I love having this reminder when I enter my apartment of incredible friends and great times.

Ones I love include Hyeku kissing Ty's faux-tat.

Amber just being Amber. And Alpha looking so 1940s.

Any picture with Amber.

Miss Ev and Fran so much.

It's An American Weekend

2012-02-19T19:47:00.000-05:00

Happy President's Day! In honor of the day, I visited The Metropolitan Museum's new American Wing. The wing was expanded and reconceived and is absolutely beautiful. I took lots of pictures and unfortunately don't have detailed descriptions (or any) of many of them. Look through the pictures and plan to visit very soon.

This is the Charles Engelhard Court and it reminds me of areas in the Lourve. The sculptures are gorgeous and I appreciated the idea that all of the works of art in this wing are done by Americans. I understand that it's called the American Wing for this reason but I was inspired by the history and beauty of American artists. We are a relatively new country.

The Mourning Victory from the Melvin Memorial by Daniel Chester French. I'm amazed by how fluid and alive the marble looks.

Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii by Randolph Rogers was the most popular American sculpture of the nineteenth century.

I then moved into what looked like the entrance of a house to begin the tour of actual interiors of homes from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. The pictures are in the order of earliest to more contemporary. I focused on the fireplaces as they really are the center of the parlors.

The detail on the staircase is beautiful.

A room designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Followed by one of his stained glass windows. His work has become so familiar now that I've toured through some of his homes.

The art galleries were gorgeous. I did not take pictures of many of the paintings but there were a couple that I had to take. I did not take any of the gallery of John Singer Sargent's portraits as they are so beautiful and must be seen in person.

I bought a postcard of this painting when I was in college and have always been enamoured of it which may be because it's titled Repose.

A very dignified President Lincoln.

Mullets on the boys and the girls. It's a perfect mulleted family.

A beautiful winter day in NYC.

pj harvey

2012-02-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

PJ Harvey's music is the soundtrack to me walking down the street in NYC. I have as close as a strut as possible when she comes on my iPhone. I think I just want to emulate one of the coolest musicians ever.

Every song on her last album "Let England Shake" is good. But not a tepid-kind of good. It's more like a mind waking up good.

I recommend watching In The Dark Places or All & Everyone.

I recommend even more listening to it on your headphones while walking anywhere in New York City.

Bondir

2012-02-17T18:33:00.000-05:00

Boston. Unusually mild weather so I didn't mind walking a fair distance to Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art on the waterfront. I think the best part of the museum was the building and the views from the building.

The museum is right by Louis Boston which moved a couple of years ago from Back Bay. It's a very expensive store that I like to walk through and admire.

Cameras were not allowed in the museum and I was the only one walking through it at the time. It was always me and a security officer in every room. I felt very watched. But I was able to take a picture of the view from the museum. It was a beautiful clear day.

View of downtown Boston walking to the T line to get to the next place.

Remember this post and also this one where I talked about the Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants in America 2011 list? I finally ate at number 10 on the list which is Bondir in Boston. I got a 5:30 reservation and Meliss met up with me.

It is a small restaurant with only 28 seats. I felt like it had been specially decorated just for V Day since we were there the day after but I think pink is always in the decor. The ceiling is beautiful.

Bondir changes the menu daily and I especially love it because it offers 1/2 portions of all of the dishes. I think all restaurants should do this. It was the perfect amount to try two main dishes and split a dessert. Our bread choices - 9 Grain, The Sea (with bits of shrimp in it), and White Corn with Duck Cracklings. The White Corn bread was my favorite.

I immediately knew I wanted this dish - Fresh Spaghetti with Duck Confit, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Oregon Mushrooms, Garlic Chives, Fresh Ricotta - and it was delicious and the plating was beautiful as well.

The restaurant used mismatched china and it fit well with the decor.

I honestly did not know what to order for my 2nd dish but I knew I did not want the Beef Tartar or the Scallops. The server told me to order the Rouen Duck with White Flint Cornmeal Cake, Fresh Onion, Kumi Kumi Squash, Black Lentils. The cornmeal cake was so unexpected and just a perfect compliment to the duck and black lentils. I was well pleased with the dish.

Bondir is receiving high praise for its desserts as well. We ordered the Tangerine Dream which is Genoise, Vermouth-Infused Tangerine, Thyme Buttermilk Ice Cream, Meringue Brulee. I could eat the Brulee alone and be perfectly content. The dessert was made up of delicious layers and it wasn't until the sixth bite that you tasted it as a whole. The whole wasn't better than each layer but just a different dessert.

Third Trip to Brooklyn for Food in One Weekend

2012-02-16T22:33:00.000-05:00

I love it when Phor visits because we eat a lot and she is always willing to travel for this food. It's sad that she lives in DC and is willing to travel to Brooklyn but certain friends that live in Manhattan won't travel to Brooklyn.

Sunday morning brunch at The Farm on Adderly. We arrived pretty close to opening time and got a table within 30 minutes.

Waiting for a table gave me the opportunity to check out the ceiling which is often seen in NYC and I continue to like.

One of my favorite eating partners. We always share our food which is the best way to dine.

A combination of the French Toast with Apples and the Chocolate Brioche with Sea Salt and Butter. We ran out of plates for the eggs.

1/2 a portion of the Farmer's Breakfast - scrambled eggs over swiss chard, brioche, parmesan and home fries.

We had to order a side of bacon when we saw the table next to ours get it.

I can't wait for Phor to return in the Spring for more food adventures. She's my favorite type of visitor. But maybe next time we'll have time to make it to the museum.

Clear Eyes, Full Stomachs

2012-02-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning. Brooklyn. Goal to eat at Mile End Delicatessen.

We put our names on the list and they offered to call us when a table was available. We walked back to Brooklyn Fare which we had passed on our way to Mile End. I want to get a reservation there so much but it's impossible. Calling at 10:30 am on Monday morning for a finite set of reservations 6 weeks in advance is frustration. The restaurant is attached to a wonderful market and Phor bought two chocolate croissants that were the best I've had in NYC yet.

Mile End serves smoked meat and it is delicious. Please go for this alone.

The very friendly chefs. We had the best seats looking right into the kitchen.

I remembered to take a picture before we started eating. This is the Smoked Meat Hash with two eggs, brisket, potato and onion. One of the top 3 things we ate over the weekend (the chicken biscuit at Pies N Thighs was another one.) The brisket was perfect.

I love breakfast sandwiches and this one was special. First, it is served on a Montreal bagel which is different from a NYC bagel. It's smaller and I like the taste. Second, the bacon is probably some of the best I've ever had. It is made in the kitchen and it is smoky sweet bacon. Third, the Quebec Cheddar was a great cheese.

This was our view and we couldn't resist ordering a Cheese Bagelach to finish the meal.

This pastry is only served at brunch and maybe breakfast (not sure) but it is delicious.

Just some beautiful flowers in the store next to Mile End.

We left Brooklyn and headed to Fabulous Fanny's in the East Village where both of us bought sunglasses. I found two pairs of Christian Dior vintage glasses. They remind me of Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair. I want to always look like Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair.

Dinner that night came way too early but Tertulia is one of those restaurants that are way too popular and does not take reservations. I'm glad we went but I was ill with food by the end of the day.

I could see the meat cooking in the wood oven.

The pictures are dark but this is the Coles de Bruselas - brussels sprouts, pork belly, mojo picon. I first ate brussels sprouts three years ago and now I will always order them if they are on the menu. And I'll most likely always order anything with dates and duck as well. And of course anything with pork belly is delicious. Momofuku taught me well.

Ensalada de Invierno - winter salad of squash, kale, mushrooms, Idiazabel cheese, mushroom vinaigrette.

Suquet - monkfish, shrimp, root vegetables, almond picada, saffron all ioli.

And our weekend of eating was still not finished.

I Need To Eat Here More Often

2012-02-13T20:30:00.001-05:00

Pies N Thighs in Williamsburg

Brussels Sprouts with bacon

The perfect chicken biscuit with honey butter and hot sauce.

The cherry pie was eaten before any pictures could be taken.

Chocolate & Cheese At Its Best

2012-02-12T18:52:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to take a class at Murray's Cheese Shop for months and I knew that I had to go to the Cheese & Chocolate Pairing class when I saw it advertised. Phor felt similarly and came up from DC for the class on Friday evening. The shop alone is a place that everyone should visit.

I had 7 cheeses in front me with 6 chocolate pieces chosen specially for each type of cheese.

It was a lovely setting with unlimited wine/water, nuts, bread, and dried fruit to eat with the chocolate and cheese.

The instructors took us through each pairing starting with the chocolate. We would smell it, feel it and then break it in half before tasting it. The cheese was then described in a similar manner by sight, smell, touch and then taste. We would then taste the chocolate, letting it melt in our mouth before eating a piece of the cheese. I didn't love all of the combinations but the ones I did love are very good.

Also, the chocolate is all Madecasse Chocolate made in Madagascar with some very interesting flavors.

The first pairing was Nettle Meadow Kunik which is a triple creme from the South Adirondacks. It's perfectly creamy and it was paired with the Sea Salt & Nib chocolate. The cheese balanced out the saltiness of the chocolate.

We ate the cocoa bean before even starting the tasting to get an idea of where chocolate comes from. It was very acidic.

The cheese was so creamy and the rind added a pleasant taste to the cheese.

The second pairing was Westfield Capri, a fresh chevre (yes I want to taste this with honey) from Hubbardston, MA. This was my favorite pairing with the Pink Pepper and Citrus chocolate. The citrus is from a Madagascar lime and it almost tastes like a Thai curry.

Phor's notes - she found it Amazing! as well. We bought the chocolate in the store after the class. Our only sadness was that the larger chocolate bars in this flavor were not available.

The third pairing was Salva Cremasco which to Phor smelled like old shoes. It tasted much better than it smelled and I really loved the combination with Arabica Coffee chocolate. It's a milk chocolate with chunks of Arabica coffee and sea salt. The coffee does not overpower the chocolate.

The fourth pairing was Scharfe Maxx from the Swiss Alps. It tastes like garlic and has a major funk. I was chastised by the instructor because I said it smelled horrible. Apparently I need to be more descriptive in why I think it's horrible. It was paired with the 70% chocolate which is lovely because it has a nice cherry/red berry taste in it. I finished the chocolate but let Phor eat the cheese.

The fifth cheese is Ossau-Iraty Vieille, a raw sheep cheese from the French Pyrenees. It's paired with the Cinnamon Sakay chocolate. I liked this pairing. Very strong but the chocolate was so layered. The instructor recommended taking 10 seconds to taste it from beginning to end.

The sixth pairing was with two different cheeses. If you know me, you know my feelings on blue cheese and I was very happy to have an alternate tasting option. The cheeses were Roquefort and Roomano which is similar to Gouda but has a lower butterfat. The chocolate was the 80%. I thought the pairing was a cop out - the strongest cheese with the strongest chocolate.

Murray's has multiple cheese class options. I'm game if you ever one to take one.

An Early President's Day with Jeff

2012-02-11T22:27:00.001-05:00

This day did not happen on 20 February, the real President's Day, but rather on 4 February. It wasn't even a planned President's Day but it all worked out exactly as it needed to work out. And we didn't celebrate the typical Presidents that are celebrated every February but ones that deserve to celebrated nonetheless.

I knew I wanted to go to President Theodore Roosevelt's Birthplace and that Jeff Butler had to come with me. Jeff loves TR and history and this makes him a joy to be around.

TR's Birthplace is not the actual house he was born and lived in until he was 14 years old. That house was torn down soon after TR's death. But TR's wife and sisters wanted to rebuild the house as a remembrance of their husband/brother. They furnished the house with 60% of the same furnishings that had been there during TR's life.

This is the front room where the Roosevelt's had many social gatherings. Apparently TR's father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., was a great philanthropist and people knew to bring their checkbooks whenever they came over.

I did not know this but the Roosevelt's made their money in plate-glass importing. TR Sr. sold the business and became a philanthropist.

There's me and Jeff.

The bed that TR was born in but not the same mattress.

TR's mother, Martha Bulloch, who I think TR looks like.

Our second stop was right down the street at Beecher's Handmade Cheese. We watched some cheese being made.

We then boarded the subway and rode to the upper west side to see Grant's Tomb. Jeff told me to see Napoleon's tomb in Paris in preparation for this visit which I did back in September 2010. It is very similar but just smaller.

I love that President Ulysses Grant loved his wife so much that he demanded they be buried right next to each other.

Jeff with one of his favorite Civil War Generals - William Tecumseh Sherman.

And then Jeff surprised me by recommending that we also go to Alexander Hamilton's home The Grange. I had no idea that it was so close and that it had moved three times before it was settled in its present location in 2008. It finally opened last year for tours.

Portrait of Hamilton in the entry way of the home.

Apparently these portraits of Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth resemble them the most.

Hamilton's story is very sad. His son was killed in a duel two years previous to Hamilton's own death in the same location.

I recommend going to all of these places if you can and with Jeff. But also going to see the Royal Tenenbaum House which is not located on Archer Ave but rather at 144th and Convent Ave in Hamilton Heights.

Gorgeous and Delicious Yogurt

2012-02-11T11:22:00.001-05:00

I bought these last night at Murray's Cheese not having ever heard of them before. I was drawn to them by the flavors and the packaging. I love the glass bottles. And now I know they are delicious - the right combination between tangy and sweet. And White Cow Dairy comes from Blue Hill Farm so of course it's delicious.

The Canyon of Heroes

2012-02-09T20:03:00.001-05:00

Super Bowl 2012. The 49ers lost to the Giants in the playoffs so I was not really invested in the game but it's a good excuse to see friends.

But I want to start with the last part first. I saw a part of the parade honoring the Giants but I loved seeing the paper flying through the air. I finally left the parade when a boy in front of me dropped trou to urinate on a roll of toilet paper to add the right amount of heaviness to it so as to throw it farther. I identified where the line was that needed to be crossed for me to leave.

For the actual party, I provided sundaes and Little Debbie snacks from Pittsburgh. I admit not typical Super Bowl fare but I don't like to always be obvious.

Other people brought homemade bread, hummus, fruit, veggies, popcorn, and turkey jerky. I was teased at work for not providing wings, spinach dip, chili, etc. but this is how we roll.

It was at this point where the Pats fans were a little upset with what was going on in the game.

Suvi's disappointment.

Paul's elation.

Pittsburgh's Mattress Factory

2012-02-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

I was in Pittsburgh last week and had a wonderful dinner with Adam and Liesel. While at dinner, I was trying to figure out what to do the next day with the three hours in between my meeting and catching my flight. Adam insisted I go to The Mattress Factory Art Museum. I had never heard of it before but now I'm a fan. It's like a museum that's as close to a cool toy store for adults as possible. I had no idea what to expect which was another nice part of it. No expectations are sometimes a relief. I traveled from floor to floor to look at room-sized exhibits. Some of them can be photographed and some just have to be experienced. I also walked through the museum completely alone. Some of the exhibits are in very dark rooms and I was on the edge of freaking myself out multiple times. It's a nice change from being in overly crowded exhibits in NYC.

I exited the elevator on the 5th Floor and saw lots of hands with real bread placed on them. It's My Offering by Than Htay Maung. You can buy a hand for $100 and 100% of the money is donated to a food pantry. It's a really good first exhibit to see.

This was one of those very dark rooms that I walked into and it took a long time to figure out what was going on. It was like Tron watching the lights move and then later light up the wall. It's Para-Site by Pablo Valbuena.

Probably my favorite room. I was asked to put on booties over my shoes before entering the room. Infinity Dots Mirrored Room and Repetitive Vision by Yayoi Kusama.

A crazy room that could take hours to look at all of the details - It's all about ME, Not You by Greer Lankton.

I loved this glowing red square. An entire floor was dark and you just had to feel your way through the rooms to find the art.

Now I know why Adam was so excited for this museum. But I have to go to Andy Warhol's Museum next. I can't believe that I've been to Pittsburgh 5 times already and have yet to see it.

dia:beacon

2012-02-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

Back in January, I dragged myself out of bed to visit Dia:Beacon with Jendar. It was her last day in NYC and I really wanted to see her before she left.

The museum is right off the Metro-North train line and an easy walk from the station. It's housed in a former Nabisco box printing facility and is only open during the day since natural lighting is the only lighting used. You can see from the pictures how much the space still resembles a factory but now a factory filled with art.

Dan Flavin. Not one of my favorite artists but I liked the look of this piece in the setting.

Lots of lovely Sol LeWitt which really reminded my of the art by my friend Jess. Take a look and you'll know what I mean. I hope she agrees with me.

Both pictures from different directions and you can see the change of lighting on both sides. Works by Imi Knoebel. I loved the vast spaces.

Michael Heizer's Long-term installations. I would think so since they are large holes in the ground. I was told by a friend that you can take a tour for a closer look but it happens early in the day and we were too late. They were still impressive to look at from behind the barrier.

I wish I could remember the artist of this work and I don't know if you can tell what it is from the photo. I turned the corner and thought I was looking in a mirror and I was at an angle where I would not have appeared in the mirror. I walked much closer to realize they are lines from the ceiling to the floor and it created an optical illusion at least for me that they were mirrors.

Louise Bourgeois. I love her spider sculptures. There was another one in front of the Guggenheim Bilbao.

Richard Serra. He makes me so happy. I love running into his works unexpectedly like the sculpture in the first two photos. The last two photos are from a large room full of his works.

This was the best setting to say goodbye to Jendar for a little while at least. I'm excited to visit her art space in Salt Lake City when it opens.

Running through Lincoln Center

2012-01-31T23:10:00.000-05:00

I love going to the symphony (I used to have a wonderful connection at the Kennedy Center in DC and went a lot back in the day) and I decided it was time to finally see the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall.

The program included Beethoven's Violin Concerto, Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements and Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2.

I received an email and phone call reminding me that there was no late seating. Sam and Alpha arrived on time. I was late. We ran to our seats. It added to the romance of the event. The theater is absolutely beautiful and I loved looking down on the musicians.

Sam and Alpha looking appropriately elegant for the night.

I loved the chandeliers/mobiles in the lobby of the theater.

Mer's Food Design

2012-01-30T23:14:00.000-05:00

I had a small get together and Mer was there to put out the food. Her work is always worth documenting.

My fruit box came with lots of avocados so I made guacamole but no cilantro. I never choose to cook with cilantro. It's still delicious.

I bought the cheese from Lucy's Whey in Chelsea Market. I bought a lovely chevre which I doused with honey, a manchego (but made in the US since that is the only kind of cheese sold at Lucy's), and a really nice sharp cheddar. The cheese was served with dried figs and California almonds.

Bread bought from Amy's Bread and crackers from Chelsea Market Basket. You can always find some amazing food item or gift in this shop.

I also made this a lemon tart from a recipe found on Smitten Kitchen (one of my go to sites for recipes) but I forgot to take a picture of it before digging into it. It was also delicious. I received Meyer lemons in my box and I was so excited to bake with them.

Franny's in Brooklyn

2012-01-30T23:05:00.000-05:00

I walked into Castor & Pollux in the West Village close to 3 years ago and met the very lovely owner. On her recommendation, I went to Franny's in Brooklyn with Brigham and Hillary during the summer of 2009. I remember eating outside and enjoying the lovely evening. We finished off the night seeing a pseudo-Smiths band at the Bell House with Nick and Chateau. It was a classic evening.

And I knew I needed to return to Franny's to taste the pizza again. I met up with Suvi and Jess last Monday night and barely waited for a table.

Suvi and I split the wood-roasted pork sausage with sweet potatoes but the picture just did not look right enough to post. The pizzas were as good as I remembered. My co-diners couldn't wait for the pictures to be taken before eating.

Suvi and I shared the tomato, mozzarella and sausage.

Jess ate the extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.

I won't compare it to Roberta's because they are different from one another but both are good in their own way.

WEEGEE

2012-01-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

I've been fascinated by the photographer Weegee for years. I was so happy to see his pictures of crime, death and spectators at the ICP this weekend.

A.P.C + Anthropologie =

2012-01-25T21:29:00.000-05:00

The perfect item on a cold winter night. It's helped me through the flu and bronchitis.

Banana Walnut Pancakes That Made Trish Cry

2012-01-23T22:36:00.000-05:00

Trish and I decided to grab food on Saturday. It was later in the day and I mentioned the possibility of Clinton Street Baking Co. only because I thought the line would not be long. Typically it can be a 90 minute wait if you're lucky. It was also snowing and sometimes New Yorkers like to stay inside on those kind of days. Trish had never been so we decided to meet there. I hadn't been since Spring 2009 but it still a place I think about on a semi-regular basis.

Trish arrived before me and put our name on the list. She had the horrible experience of having to wait for me in a semi-empty restaurant while watching every table become occupied because I was late. She was also hungry. The restaurant also has this absurd practice of letting people put their names on the list but then letting them leave for an hour but getting the first table when they return. We saw everyone and their baby get seated before us even though we were standing there for 45 minutes.

By the time we sat down we knew exactly what we wanted. When the food came, we barely spoke. We just enjoyed.

Trish ate eggs benedict which is so much better than typical eggs benedict because of the buttermilk biscuits cradling the ham and eggs.

I had the buttermilk biscuit sandwich with eggs, cheddar cheese, homemade tomato jam (it's like salsa but better) and bacon.

And these are the banana walnut pancakes with warm maple syrup that tasted more like caramel sauce. Trish cried when she had her first bite. These pancakes are worth dreaming about. We already have plans to return and they serve pancakes all day long.

And I asked for the raspberry jam. This is jam that is the perfect combination between sugar and fruit. I put it on everything.

We ended the outing by going to see Haywire. The pancakes were so much better than the movie.

Duck Duck Pork

2012-01-22T18:02:00.000-05:00

I believe it was last summer that David Chang moved The Milk Bar across the street and opened a duck bar in that area of the Momofuku Ssam restaurant (I think that is changing to a real bar soon). With that development, the restaurant offered up a large format meal serving rotisserie duck similar to their bo ssam meal. I love duck or rather I love eating duck. It's one of my favorite dishes and I knew this meal was in my future. I also knew Brigham and Dave would be right there with me.

It took a few weeks to find a 6:30 reservation but I finally got one for January 10. I had just recovered from the flu and was in the beginning stages of bronchitis during this dinner which explains the long time lapse between the event and the post.

The cast of characters -

It took me a few tries to get this pic of Brigham. Check out his not so dark photos of the dinner here.

Trish doesn't like duck but she came for the catfish and the company.

Evan and Alpha.

Claire.

Dave.

And me with Alpha.

The dinner comes with a whole rotisserie duck, chive pancakes, bibb lettuce, hoisin sauce, duck scallion sauce and crispy shallots.

For sides, we chose the fingerling potatoes with spicy black bean sauce.

And the broccoli with bluefish dressing.

The duck platter was a work of art in itself. Underneath all of that greenery is an entire delicious duck with sausage rice.

One of Alpha's creations.

That one last piece of duck breast was later eaten by Brigham. It was too delicious to not eat.

My one picture using a flash. It does look so much better but so much more annoying.

So the server mentioned this delicious large format dessert to finish the meal. He described it as a s'more and immediately we all said yes. I think this is one dessert that we'd rather have taste like a s'more rather than the "idea" of a s'more. The greek yogurt ice cream on top was not a crowd favorite.

Excellent meal with excellent people. I also love that a large portion of our conversation dealt with Blue Ivy, the meaning of the name, and people who twitter late at night.

Husk

2012-01-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

Remember this post where I mentioned Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants 2011? I finally went to number one on the list in Charleston, SC - Husk with my brother and his very lovely wife. I'd also read about the chef Sean Brock in the New Yorker (article not online) and was looking forward to the outing.

At the entrance, we saw this sign that explains the origin of every food item on the menu. It's exciting because Brock is growing his own vegetables and grains with seeds that haven't been grown since the 19th Century in the South.

The server put this on our table and explained it was turnips grown from Brock's crops.

The restaurant's decor wasn't very exciting but the food made up for it.

For starters, I had the Mepkin Abbey Mushroom Stew with Baby Red Mustard Greens, Poached Egg from Celeste Albers and GA Parmesan. We all voted and my dish won for best starter at the table.

My brother had the Celery Root Bisque, TX Wagyu Brisket, Brioche Croutons and TN Perigord Truffle. It tasted much better once Hot Sauce that came with the next dish was added to it.

And the last dish was Southern Fried Chicken Skins with Husk Hot Sauce and Collard Green Marmalade. I thought this was incredible but I stopped after one bite.

I once again ordered something amazing - Adam's Pork Chop, Toasted Farro and Kale, Charred Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Marshmallow, TN Chocolate Demi Glace. As my brother said, it was like smores with pork. And it was delicious.

The second best main was the Golden Tile Fish, Wood Fired Brussels, Ambrose Farms Baby Carrots, Meyer Lemon Milk Whey Vinaigrette. The fish melted in my mouth.

And the only disappointment was the Border Springs Country Fried Lamb, Smoky Sea Island Red Peas, Black Cherry Tomatoes, Ham Braised Collards, Red Eye Gravy because the lamb was very fatty and kind of bland.

We also ordered a side of Ambrose Farms Broccoli with Pickled Garlic, Lemon and Chilis which I really liked.

For dessert, I think we all wanting chocolate but there was none on the menu. Instead, we ordered two dishes of Oatmeal pie with salted caramel ice cream and chocolate syrup. This pie is the cousin of Momofuku's crack pie.

Chili & Charades

2012-01-02T17:47:00.001-05:00

I had friends over January 1 to eat chili, watch movies and play games.

I love making chili because it is so easy and I get to make it in my Le Creuset pot. The recipe I have is from a dear friend and he's being using it for years.

Guaranteed Delicious Beef Chili

2 1/2 lbs chuck
2 cups chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
3 tble spn chili powder
2 cloves garlic pressed
1 1/2 tspn dried oregano
1 tspn dried basil
1/4 tspn crshed red pepper
1 tspn grnd cumin
1 tspn salt
1 tble spn sugar
2 cans 1 lb whole tomato, undrained
2 cans 1 lb kidney beans, drained
2 cans 8 oz tomato sauce
1 can 6 oz tomato paste

Brown meat and drain.
Add onion, pepper, garlic and dry ingredients and sautee about 20 mins.
Then add beans, tomatoes and sauce. Bring to boil and then simmer for about an hour and bob's ur uncle.

If I can't eat it with Mac & Cheese (an amazing combination), then I choose sour cream and cheddar cheese.

I bought cherry chocolate bread from Amy's Bread which is delicious.

Alpha and Sam enjoying some Martinelli's.

Dave is wonderful and always brings board games to play but we end up with too many people and then we play Charades. I need to remember though that Charades with these people is two hours of non-stop laughter. I wish I could remember the answers for all of the pictures. Maybe others can remember and post in comments.

Erin in an action shot.

Dave is a very good Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Kristina embracing life.

The cutest sequence is Jendar trying to get us to guess Anita from West Side Story.

Sam is Snookie.

Action shot from Alpha.

Alpha made Dave act like a Tin Soldier from FAO Schwartz and we had to guess that entire phrase before Dave could stop.

I think Erin was a skyscraper here or a banana being peeled.

And Alpha doing something which was so great but I cannot remember it.

It Had To Be Done

2012-01-01T01:46:00.000-05:00

The weather was perfect. The group of friends were perfect. We headed to Times Square to ring in 2012.

Alpha bought the too perfect glasses and you can see the ball behind all the people. It's on top of the tall building directly behind every one. And everyone is Ty, Alpha, Ben, Jendar and Erin.

Alpha kind of likes Justin Bieber. Can you spot him in the photo? He was playing "Let It Be" on the stage over from us. Carlos Santana played guitar. Ty guessed that JB would be playing with someone that would be considered one of the oddest pairings ever and he was right.

Can you tell by the look on Alpha's face that she's watching JB?

And 2012 finally arrived.

And then we all celebrated the arrival of 2012.

Slides at Museums

2011-12-31T11:37:00.000-05:00

I finally made it to the New Museum to check out the Carsten Holler exhibit: Experience. It's an exhibit that plays with perception. Read about it here. Or here.

The carousel ride at glacial speed. It has mirrors overhead so you can watch yourself going at a very slow speed. The line for this wasn't too long but you can see the line of people behind for the slide.

In the same room, were the bird cages full of living, singing birds. It's disorienting because it doesn't belong in this setting.

And the slide. It's 100 feet long and travels from floor 4 to 2. I have pictures of the beginning, the middle and the end. The slidee emerges into a room with flashing lights which explains the very white pictures.

Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

2011-12-30T23:00:00.001-05:00

As requested -

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 3/4 c flour            1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp soda              1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt             1 egg
1/2 c sugar              2 T. milk
1/2 c brown sugar    1 tsp vanilla
48 chocolate kisses

Combine flour, soda & salt in sifter. In mixing bowl combine shortening, peanut butter & sugars. Add egg, then mix in flour mixture. Blend together and add milk gradually. Add vanilla.

Roll in balls and roll in sugar in a pan (I usually use a pie plate).

Place on un-greased cookie sheet.   Bake at 375 degrees 10-12 minutes. (Don't over bake.) Top each cookie immediately with a kiss. Press down firmly so cookie cracks around edge. Take off pan to cool.

I'm still working on the Salmon Quiche but I'll post that when/if it becomes available.

My Family Knows/Makes Good Food

2011-12-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

My mom is an incredible baker. Combine that with her skill at care package making and sending and my life is set. And if you've been around me when I open one of these care packages, lucky you. I know a few of you understand the value of this gift.

Thank goodness the family developed or married into cooking/baking skills. This just means that we don't stop eating really good food when we are together.

Some of you have a few favorites but not all of them are pictured here today (no caramel brownies this time). And if anyone wants any recipes, don't hesitate to ask.

Mom hand dipped four different types of chocolates - cherry (shown below), maple, mint and chocolate. My 1962 party inspired her to go through old recipes and she found this one that she hadn't made for probably 20 years. She dipped pretzels and apricots with the leftover chocolate. I could not stop eating all of them while I was home.

Mom has been baking Parker House Rolls since before I was born. These rolls are found in very fancy restaurants but to me they are just what we eat every Thanksgiving and Christmas. To top it off, Mom makes assorted jams through the year. The ones below are blackberry and apricot.

I ask for the peanut butter blossoms as a Christmas present because they are that good.

Mint chocolate brownies are the perfect combination between mint and bitter chocolate. And anything with frosting is automatically that much more delicious.

Christmas day started out with the best pastries.

Followed by a salmon quiche with dill sauce that my sister-in-law makes every year and I start craving in November.

And crabbies which she also makes for us.

Christmas dinner included beef and roasted potatoes. There was a lot more food that day but it was eaten before pictures were taken.

I hope all of you had a wonderful family filled holiday. I'm grateful for holidays as an excuse to be surrounded by those people I'm fortunate enough to call family.

Merry Christmas 1962 Polaroids

2011-12-26T02:39:00.002-05:00

Give me your best 1962 pose. Mer and Brigham win first place.

Jen, Abby, Andrea


Mer


JB and Ty - tres debonair

Steve & Mer

Me & Suvi

Lauri & Marvi

Broek


Jenifer

Claire & Evan "Beale"

Regal Suvi

Jess

JB & Vienna Sausage

Alpha "Far From Heaven"

Sam & Ryan

Laura & Karrie

DJ Extraordinaire

Rob & Sharon

Candice & Friend

Trish

Mr. & Mrs. Soward

Monica

Chaunte & Friend

Ty & Carly

Aja

Andrea & Tracy

Ty & Kristin

Derek

Jendar & a Cigarette Holder

The Men

Broek & Briggie

Jeffrey

Where I Transform into Anne of Avonlea

2011-12-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

I read about the Braid Bar at the John Barrett Salon in Bergdorf Goodman in New York Magazine and knew I had to go. I recruited Mer and Sugar and made an appointment for August 17. It's kind of funny how we got lost in Bergdorf trying to find the salon (we took the wrong elevator) but we finally got there. My stylist was Halli Bivona and she was incredible. I later returned to her to style my 1962 hair which she also amazed me with.

I depended on Mer for her vision on what I should do. She mentioned Anne of Green Gables which made me very happy since she is a childhood hero but I didn't want to look like a 16 year old. Instead we opted for the Anne of Avonlea look and Halli knew exactly what that meant.

Mer wanted the ballerina.

And Sugar didn't think twice about wanting the Heidi. All of these styles pretty much fit our personalities.

I think I ended up with about 15 separate braids in my hair. It was lovely and I was able to keep it in for two days. It could have lasted longer but I really wanted to exercise.

We ended the night at The Modern and it was pretty amazing. I loved the looks and comments especially at work the next day.

Originally the Braid Bar was only an option over the summer but it's now permanent at the salon. I may return.

The Walrus and the Carpenter and Where I Discovered Chevre and Honey

2011-12-23T20:28:00.002-05:00

If you find yourself in Seattle, please go to The Walrus and the Carpenter. Seattle has a lot of very cute (too cute) restaurant names but they are good places to eat.

I know I wanted to eat at this restaurant because it is on Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants in America in 2011 list. But my lovely friend Nada also recommended that we eat here and I trust her food recommendations.

I apologize because I did not take any pictures but I do have a recipe to share that I love to make at home. I made it for a recent dinner party and it was gone in 3 minutes flat. I should have made more.

There were two dishes that I loved - the roasted medjool dates with olive oil and sea salt and the chevre with honey and rosemary. I'm a sucker for dates but these were some of the best and a very simple recipe. I love recipes where the food is allowed to shine without a lot of sauces.

The chevre dish is very easy to make at home. I only wish I lived in Seattle to buy the chevre at Little Brown Farms.

For my dinner party, I bought chevre at Whole Foods, the finest honey at the Union Square Farmers Market, and used the rosemary that I grow on my window sill. I bought a nice loaf of french bread to accompany the cheese.

I arranged it on a cheese platter with honey poured on the chevre. A very simple and delicious dish that I guarantee others will love. Let me know if it works just as well for you.

I Like Food in Restaurants especially at M. Wells

2011-12-22T23:25:00.000-05:00

I have a few rules regarding restaurants. I don't eat at chain restaurants unless I'm on a road trip. Life is too short to eat sub-par food more than once. I also don't repeat restaurants unless it is really really good. There are far too many places to try. My mom once mentioned that I eat well wherever I travel. I research a lot. I ask friends. I search through Food & Wine. I look at city guides on Design*Sponge. Sometimes I even rely on lists. One that I found this year was Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants in America in 2011.

I don't know if I'll make it through all 10 before the next list is released but I have eaten at three of them so far. Two of them were good and the third was not. I found hair in my food at Mission Chinese Food in San Francisco. I was disappointed. I also felt the food did not even come close to the goodness that I regularly eat at any of David Chang's restaurants. I know they are not the same type of food but it was a comparison I made in my mind and I'm sticking to it.

The number eight restaurant on the list is M. Wells in Long Island City, NY. I was fortunate to eat their twice before it closed this last summer. I'm still hoping that the owners will find a new spot to lease very very soon. The food is delicious. The first time I ate there was with Brigham which he documented very well. I didn't realize then that I would want my own pictures now. This meal made me want to return to eat some of their family style dishes. So I called and made a reservation for a group for 16 August 2011. The restaurant was closing at the end of August so this was our last hurrah.

Once again, Brigham took lots of pictures and wrote lovely words about our meal. I'm still thinking about it now because it was one of my top 5 meals of the year.

The company included JB (not pictured), Brigham and his two brothers. Me with four men worked out really well. We ordered lots of food, I tried a little, and they ate it all. I didn't take pictures of everything but here are some of the company and our table of desserts. The groups around us could not stop looking at what we ordered because it looked pretty delicious.

I hope I'll be able to take more people to eat this food someday.

Christmas at Gramercy Tavern

2011-12-21T23:27:00.001-05:00

Once again I was with these amazing women

eating at one of the best restaurants in New York City. I have had amazing experiences at Gramercy Tavern that always include a fabulous waiter and free desserts and this one did not disappoint. Our four hour dinner began with a few photos.

The decorations were not up to La Grenouille standards but the food was better. I was so excited to get our first course that I forgot to take pictures. I let the server choose my first course and he chose the Smoked Trout with Cippollini Puree and Pickled Onions. Delicious. The girls had a Papperdelle Pasta with Lamb Ragu. Amazing. He also brought out the Ruby Red Shrimp with Cranberry Beans and Brussels Sprouts just because. He chose perfectly and we started trusting all of his choices.

For the second course, I ate the Duck Breast & Confit with Sunchokes, Quince, Brussels Sprouts and Maitake Mushrooms. As Mer pointed out, this is very much my kind of food.

Trish and Mer both had the Red Snapper with Radish, Turnip, Bacon and Beet Broth. There were chunks of pork belly in the broth. Enough said.

Mer's reaction even before the dessert course.

For dessert, we let our amazing server choose them for us and it's like he knew us personally because he chose that well.

He started us off with this delicious taste of Grapefruit Pavlova.

And this is Jason. Our adorable server bringing us complementary assorted pre-dessert drinks.

Our two unexpected desserts were the Chocolate Hazelnut Layer Cake with Sweet Cream Ice Cream and the Carrot Cake with Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Those just sat in the middle of the table for our pleasure.

Our table was full of desserts.

Jason chose the Peanut Butter Semifreddo with a Chocolate Macaroon for me.

Mer had the Chocolate Pudding with Salted Caramel and Brioche Croutons. And for Trish, a Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream. Everything was a dream.

Holidays with Bergdorf & Rockefeller

2011-12-19T21:50:00.001-05:00

I love the holiday traditions in New York City especially Bergdorf's windows and Rockefeller's Tree. The many ways that New York is saying Happy Holidays!

The Best Way to Celebrate December 18

2011-12-18T23:46:00.003-05:00

I love my friends because we celebrate this way.

We gather together.

Eat food.

Including jello made with lots of love.

Gather around the Christmas Tree.

And wave hello to all of our loved ones.

Unexpected Treats from Belgium

2011-12-18T00:49:00.000-05:00

I love gifts. But I love gifts in the mail even more, especially ones I am not expecting. I have these pretty incredible friends that are currently in Brussels. I miss them terribly and hope that I will see them soon. They sent me the most delicious box of chocolates.

I had never heard of Pierre Marcolini before but the Blaylocks know good chocolate.

I'm taking my time tasting all of the flavors. I do know that Caramel Passion is delicious.

One of the Coolest Places in the USA And Where I Found My Perfect Robe

2011-12-16T23:58:00.000-05:00

I love Portland OR. I visited when I was young with the family but our trips were restricted to Beaverton or Milwaukee. I went back last year with a good friend and saw things like -

the Japanese Garden and

Multnomah Falls.

And ate things here. It was a whirlwind weekend with so much to do and not a lot of time but I felt like I saw the touristy things in Portland.

But I returned this year after my trip to Maine. I even had a crazy experience getting from Portland, Maine to Portland, OR which involved a crazy storm, a $200 taxi ride to Boston, and Jet Blue employees who guaranteed a life long love for that airline. I arrived in Portland around midnight and checked in at the Ace Hotel.

I heard so much about this hotel and thought "ok" when I arrived in the lobby. But it was walking into my room that gave me chills (the good kind).

This was all I needed to see. But then I saw the record player with albums and a dream shower and a robe that was the robe I've been looking for my entire adult life. I used to search for softness thinking cashmere was the best but then I realized that wasn't what I wanted. It was when I saw a robe that was like a perfect sweatshirt that I knew I had found the one.

It's made by Wings + Horn. I bought it and when I wear this robe, it is with a sense of complete satisfaction. I found the perfect robe at one of my favorite hotels.

Other things I like in Portland -

Tasty n Sons - my friend swore it was the best hamburger that he had ever eaten. I loved the griddled bacon wrapped dates and the Moroccan Chicken Hash. This is a restaurant where I want to try every single thing on the menu.

Little Bird Bistro - I ate alone at the bar and was completely content with the food and the bartender.

Cacao - an amazing chocolate shop where the owner and I chatted about chocolate for an hour. He gave me lots of tastings and I was able to learn so much about chocolate - how it's made and different US makers.

Canoe - a store full of things I want to buy like Heath ceramics and this coat rack.

I still dream about this ice cream

2011-12-14T22:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought of what a city must have for you to be happy living there? My three musts are an independent bookstore, an interesting running path and incredible ice cream. I search out ice cream wherever I go. We even tried to find ice cream in Spain but couldn't find what we were looking for which was such disappointment. We did find a very attractive man who gave us directions and regret that we didn't invite this man to join us on our journey.

But there is this one place that I still think about and it is in Bar Harbor, Maine. I spent a great week there with friends in August this year. It's called Mount Desert Island Ice Cream and it is the best ice cream I have ever eaten.

I can't even remember all of the flavors and there isn't a menu on their website. I do remember though Salt Caramel is the particular flavor that I wish I had in my freezer all the time. I seek out this flavor in everything possible and finally found the best representation in ice cream. We would enter the store and try 6-7 different flavors and be amazed by all of them. It was always a struggle to pick what we wanted but I do remember the cantaloupe gelato was also an epiphany of what gelato was capable of being. I also remember finding out that Ovaltine Malt Ball was a good complement to the Salt Caramel.

This is a love that was earned completely. I wish I could try their flavor of the moment - Pumpkin Caramel.

Small Flirtations

2011-12-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

This is a blog about things that I love - people, parties, places, food, and fashion. I'm still trying to figure out the right balance between words and pictures. Please suggest improvements regarding layout, text, content, etc. This is all new and only being done at the suggestion of a wonderful friend.

The name is in a language I love and means small flirtations. It seems apt for the reason the blog was created.

A couple of recent discoveries that I love.

I read about butter london nail polish and loved the names and colors. I first saw them in a store in Seattle and purchased British Racing Green. It was the next month where I saw a butter london booth at Milk Gallery during fashion week. A couple of lovely girls were giving out free manicures and your choice of polish. I chose Marrow with the help of Mer.

I love boots and pretty much live in them during the cold months. The ones on the far left are my Hunter rain boots that I line with fleece when it gets really cold. The middle ones are Paul Smith that I bought in 2008 and wear constantly. I receive loads of compliments and it was a purchase well worth the price. And the ones on the far right are from Billy Reid. It took me years to find a pair of black flat boots. They are beautiful like all things made by Billy Reid. I love going to the store where the salesmen are Southern gentlemen and they have the best treats.

The Best Part About Being in Gramercy Park is Being in Gramercy Park

2011-12-11T19:23:00.001-05:00

Gramercy Park is one of two private parks in NYC. You have to have a key to enter and only those who live around the park and pay a yearly fee can enter. Thank goodness I have friends who meet the criteria. This is one of those things I've wanted to do since moving to NYC.

It was dark when we entered but the Christmas tree was gorgeous.

The Chrysler Building in the background.

A Reason to Travel to Bushwick

2011-12-10T23:54:00.001-05:00

I've been reading about Roberta's for a while and all of it has been very positive. It is in Bushwick but that's only like 9 stops away from me on the L line. I invited Brigham and we made a night of it.

We walked in the restaurant and explored a bit before our table was ready. The garden between the dining room and the 2nd bar was very festive.

The main dining room. I felt good about being there as soon as we arrived.

This is what happens when I hang out with other bloggers. His camera takes beautiful pictures.

Apparently our order got in right after a big party's. My view was of the pizza kitchen and my hunger only increased watching all of the pizzas coming out of the oven and not stopping at our table.

We did receive this delicious carrot salad pretty soon after ordering. I believe it was ricotta cheese, carrots and radishes. I could have happily eaten two of these.

Pizza #1 - Banana Hammock - bechamel, mozzarella, pork sausage, banana pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro (I removed mine since I'm firmly anti-cilantro). Delicious.

Pizza #2 - Good Girl - taleggio, pork sausage, kale, garlic, chili flake. Another one that was delicious. I loved the chunks of garlic baked right into the crust.

Verdict - worth a return visit and with a large group. I want to try more items on the menu.

Food and a Madrid Christmas Market

2011-12-08T23:48:00.000-05:00

I think food is a reason to travel. This was not my driving motivator for visiting Spain but I was very looking forward to eating. Luckily, I traveled with others that also enjoy eating.

The cheese and jamon pics were taken while walking around Madrid. Jamon was everywhere! Including in all of our dishes.

These were roasted potatoes with this delicious spicy sauce. On our first day in Madrid, we ate at Mercado de San Miguel which was like a market of different tapas booths.

We then found our way to Chocolateria San Gines for churros and hot chocolate - a most perfect food combination. The concierge at the Westin Palace told us that it stays open all night because it's the perfect food to consume when one is drunk. None of us could relate.

Gelato in Seville. We were all wearing stripes that day. It wasn't planned.

Our Thanksgiving meal. We started with jamon and melon, salad and Manchego cheese. Trish and I split the paella. And for dessert we ordered three of them and none were all that good. It was disappointing.

We bought delicious cookies in Madrid that may have been from France.

And the nachos were from a tapas bar in Seville. The joke was me trying to say Buenos Noches at a restaurant and saying it correctly but then correcting myself to say Buenos Nachos. I try really hard to be a sophisticated traveler but it just doesn't happen.

A just because picture of Brenda that I love.

And a Merry Christmas from Madrid!

Alcazar of Seville

2011-12-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

For some reason we had the most difficult time finding the entrance to Alcazar. This also led to one of the most embarrassing moments for me but one of the funniest for Trish and Brenda. Let's just say I tried to use International Travel Sign Language (not an official language) to ask where the entrance was but apparently I asked an American. All of my effort did not pay off since he could answer my question in English. It was awesome and it's a technique I'm happy to teach anyone who asks. It may come in handy in a country where you don't speak the language.

We finally found the entrance and once again, Spain completely delivered. I cannot wait to return to explore Toledo, Cordoba and Segovia.

One of the very cool things about the Alcazar is that it's a palace still used by the current royal family when they are in Seville.

This is the first plaza when entering the complex. I love this picture of Trish.

The ceilings were incredible but none of my pictures came out straight. Every room we entered was different and a masterpiece in its own right. I was overwhelmed by the tiles and the precision of the work.

Some of the royal fans in the museum. If I remember correctly, the Alcazar is where Ferdinand and Isabel greeted Columbus when he returned from his travels.

Trish and Brenda near some of the tiles. It's funny how we were at the entrance of the complex for these pictures with no idea what we would be seeing. It was fun not knowing a whole lot of what to expect from tours of these places. We were seeing something for the first time which is a great argument for not researching that much for trips.

This was a balcony from one of the many rooms that we passed through. I loved the brightness of the leaves behind the girls.

The gardens were gorgeous and there were even peacocks. Peacocks are always good.

A very random area of very high bushes which made very good photo opportunities.

Best 1962 Music Playlist

2011-12-07T22:42:00.000-05:00

Please check Brigham's blog for an absolute treat.

So grateful to have such talent around me.

Flamenco!

2011-12-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

I had never seen Flamenco performed live before seeing it Seville. On our train to Granada, an American sitting across from us recommended that we go to this club to see the dancing. We were able to bypass all of the venues playing to the tourists and instead wound up in a club that seemed to be populated by tourists and locals. The dancing, singing and guitar playing was wonderful. We went two nights and saw two different dancers. I only have pictures of the first night and regret not taking any the second but we were too far away for my iPhone camera.

I only wish I could set the post to the music. Or that I actually took the video that I thought I was taking.

Cathedral of the Incarnation aka The Most Beautiful Cathedral I've Ever Seen

2011-12-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

We rushed to the Cathedral after walking through the Alhambra because we heard it was the 2nd most important site to see in Granada, Spain. When we walked into the building, I was overwhelmed by the brightness and beauty of it. The cathedrals I've visited in Europe tend to be very dark but this one was not.

We also visited Capilla Real to see Queen Isabella's and King Ferdinand's caskets.

Merry Christmas 1962

2011-12-04T19:00:00.000-05:00

I wish I could supply Brigham's playlist for you to listen to while perusing this post. This may have been my favorite party ever because of his quality dj'ing skills, my incredible friends who know how to dress, and the food. The early 60s are a great time for the music, the fashion and the food.

I did take lots of polaroids but I'll have to wait to post those until they are scanned. They are quality.

I went to a salon to get my hair and makeup done. It took a long time but the hair was incredible.

Candy cigarettes. We are in the 60s and none of us smoke.

Alpha was going for the frustrated housewife look.

Brigham was the man of the hour. He transitioned from pure 60s to modern dance tunes with the perfect song - Otis by Kanye and Jay-Z. The house went crazy.

The Beales arrived.

Merry Christmas 1962 Refreshments

2011-12-04T13:34:00.000-05:00

Part of the fun for this year's party was planning for the food. I could finally discuss options with Mom since she was one year into her married life in 1962. There were so many great ideas but I immediately decided no hot food since I didn't want to keep refilling the plates through the night. Mom pulled out recipes from her treasure trove and I shopped a lot. But the beauty of the layout is pure Meredith. She has so much talent which is evident in how she pulled the table together.

I think this is my favorite platter - an assortment of sweets from Trader Joe's. I admit it isn't pure 1962 but let's pretend Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's existed then.

Runner up - a platter of pickles/tomatoes and Vienna sausages/pickles.

The crudites platter.

Rice krispy treats with maraschino cherries.

Onion Dip with crackers and tomatoes.

The Deviled Eggs, more sausages and cream cheesed celery.

More views. The secret was lots of tomatoes, maraschino cherries and paprika on the plates.

The punch was pure Mom. I froze orange, lemon and lime slices and maraschino cherries in a bundt pan and used that ice in the punch bowl.

I ordered these napkins.

And of course every house in 1962 had a tree.

Christmas at La Grenouille

2011-12-03T12:17:00.001-05:00

I have two gorgeous friends who love to eat at beautiful and hopefully delicious restaurants. One of them is particularly wonderful at making reservations. We started off our 1962 weekend in a restaurant that opened on December 19, 1962. (You'll see more of 1962 later this weekend). I believe this adventure started due to a fascination with Mad Men.

The food was delicious but we all agreed that the souffle was incomparable. I had the caramel and the others had chocolate. It was a perfect souffle.

Just a little posing.

The Red Fortress

2011-12-03T12:02:00.000-05:00

Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Far too much history and way too many gorgeous buildings, sites, tiles to write about. I'll just post some pictures.

I do love how autumn was still in full force during our visit.

Martin Berasategui Restaurant

2011-12-03T00:23:00.000-05:00

I knew that I had to eat somewhere special during my time in San Sebastian since it has three of the top 50 restaurants in the world according to the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2011.

I arrived at 1 pm to an empty restaurant and sat at a table with this view. The restaurant soon filled up but I enjoyed watching it transition to a full dining room.

The waiter pointed out that I could see the farm where the egg I was eating came from.

I opted for the 12 course tasting menu. Although I ate alone, I was fully occupied by the food, the staff, the view and my thoughts. I did not realize until far into the meal that photos are encouraged.

The Best of Martin Berasategui's Cuisine Tasting Menu

Mille-Feuille of Smoked Eel, Foie-Gras, Spring Onions and the Green Apple
Savage Salmon and Seaweed with Liquid Cucumber and Spring Onion with Red Fruits and Radish
Squid Soup, Creamy Squid Ink Ravioli Served with Squid Crouton
Oyster with Cucumber, Sour Fruit, Kafir and Coconut
Little Pearls of Raw Fennel, Risotto and Emulsion
Corrotxategi Egg Resting on a Liquid Salad of Red Tubers and Dewlap Carpaccio
Warm Vegetable Hearts Salad with Seafood, Cream of Lettuce and Iodized Juice

Curdled of Seaweeds with a Translucent Consomme' of Carabineer
Roast Red Mullet with Crystals of Edible Scales, Tail and Marine Salad with Sesame and Nuts
Grilled Sirloin "Luismi" over a bed of Swiss Chard Chlorophyll and Cheese Bonbon

Cold Essence of Basil with Lime Sherbet, Juniper Ice Shavings and Raw Almond

Chocolate and Acacia Honey with Unsweetened Irish Coffee

The meal was finished with this gorgeous sculpture with truffles, gelato and a drink.

I asked my server if the Chef was in the kitchen and was told no. Later I was surprised with the Chef standing behind me. Neither of us spoke each others language but I smiled a lot. The server took this picture and it's been mentioned that he looks like a giant next to me.

The server also took me on a tour of the kitchen which was incredible. I was told there were 50 people in the kitchen preparing food for 30 people in the restaurant. The food was delicious and looked like art. The restaurant was calm and perfect. The experience was such an introduction to high end Basque cuisine.

Happiness is Serra

2011-12-01T19:12:00.000-05:00

I arrived in San Sebastian, dropped my luggage off at the hotel, and hailed a taxi straight for the bus station to go to Bilbao. I have been wanting to travel to Guggenheim Bilbao since it opened and I read about it in Vanity Fair. I arrived, walked through Bilbao to the museum and thought the building exceeded my expectations.

I was even more pleased to see The Matter of Time by Serra which is a part of the museum's permanent collection. I took some photos before I was stopped by the museum's staff. And even better, the exhibit on display was Brancusi - Serra. I fell for Serra when I saw his exhibit at the MOMA in August 2007 with a friend. I am grateful for any opportunity to see his work including the surprise when I saw one of his sculptures at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.

I also loved seeing Brancusi's work including his birds. So beautiful.

Madrid Art Museums

2011-11-29T20:57:00.000-05:00

The next few posts will be about Spain since I just returned from a 9 day trip and the country is beautiful - the sites, the food, the dancing, the weather. I was overwhelmed by the Prado, Reina Sofia, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Caixa Forum (the Guggenheim Bilbao deserves its own post).

I wish that I had been able to take photographs of the art.

I learned that I love Velazquez. His paintings are so rich and intense.

I was also thrilled that the special exhibit in the Prado were pieces from The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. I've wanted to visit since watching the film "Russian Ark" - a 2002 Russian historical drama film, filmed entirely in the Winter Palace of the Russian State Hermitage Museum using a single 96-minute Steadicam sequence shot.

Seeing Guernica was a moment of such profound feeling. The grief in the painting was tangible and very real. I was so grateful to have seen it.

I saw many paintings at all of the museums that I loved and spent hours wandering, reading, and learning. I also loved the Delacroix exhibit at the Caixa Forum.

A Lovely Madrid Hotel

2011-11-28T20:22:00.000-05:00

I wish I had taken a picture of the hotel as I rolled up in a taxi but I was just so happy to have finally arrived. After a day at work, a taxi to JFK, waiting, a 6 hour red-eye with intermittent sleep, and a taxi driven by a hard rock listening Spaniard, I was so happy. I was made even happier when they told me that my room was ready at 10 am. I walked in and saw this very comfortable bed.

The room was clean and well designed. I love living in this type of space, if even for only 24 hours.

I enjoyed the very large, well-tiled bathroom.

And I saw this before I closed my eyes.

Thank you AC Palacio Del Retiro in Madrid. It was my favorite hotel in Spain where I enjoyed the best night of sleep I had while on vacation.