Ballin' at Balthazar

I've had tons of reminders of Balthazar in my 8 years living in New York. Its the kind of restaurant that men respect and bring women to glee. It is certainly a Soho fixture and a New York City landmark. Its red awning is unmistakable and its next door bakery fills the street with the delectable aroma of butter and dough. I knew that one day, my day would come....

On this day, it was unexpected. We were, as usual, starving after a long day of work when we decided to meet up in Soho to run a few errands. As we passed by Balthazar, a smile widened on both of our faces and we figured "there is no way we'll get a table now".... but we thought we'd give it a shot. We walked in, beaming, and requested a table for two. They told us that there would be a long wait for the next table available table. Our smiles persisted; within seconds, they offered us a table near the bar which had vacated. Within two minutes, we went from defeat to ecstasy as we sat down. We shared laughs as we admired the bustling restaurant, its smells, vintage branding and impeccable design.

We decided to share the skate and branzini plates. The branzini was well prepared, but not very memorable. The skate, on the other hand, quickly turned into one of our favorite dishes of all time. Served with piquillo peppers and pine nuts, we believe the perfectly crisp skate was lightly pan fried in salt and butter. The result was soft, silky and delicious morsels of fish that are unforgettable. We capped off the meal with a caramelized ricotta banana tart which set us off into never-never-land.... and cemented the mystique of Balthazar in our minds forever.

All Dressler'd Up

Searching for a restaurant in Williamsburg is no easy task. The different layers of options, from price ranges, to cuisine, to motif presents a palate of diverse options. We wanted to choose something special to top off our amazing day in Brooklyn.

The menu and reviews of Dressler drew us in. Its proximity to a few of the nightspots we wanted to try made it an easy choice. The restaurant's mirrored halls gave space and depth to the narrow venue. The decor felt slightly more trendy than our usual taste, and the service was spotty, making us wait over 20 minutes for our bread and water which definitely brought out the beast in both of us.

Eventually, the food tamed our growling with its simple, hearty, American fare. To start, we had the diver scallops fixed with sunchokes, cauliflower and bacon... finished with wild striped bass, leeks, chanterelles, and truffled sherry vinagrette. Beautiful menu options that were decently executed, in a nice setting. Felt like Manhattan transfixed in Brooklyn, which left us slightly longing for a more authentic experience, either way.... The highlight: dancing off the food at nearby Bembe, a hot latin bongo-drumming nightspot just two blocks away...

Whats up Doc

Sometimes, the best things in life just pop up on you, and you just fall in... such was the case when we fell into Rabbit Hole, a quaint Williamsburg fixture set deep in the heart of Bedford Street.

The table runners were affixed to the kitchen service window which set the entire space a sizzle. The scarves, jackets and sweaters were flying off, but the feeling remained warm and serene. The restaurant valued vintage relics and ascetic purpose: small soda bottles, classic sandwiches, set against unfinished brick.

The inattentive service tried our patience, but we were immediately pacified when our burger and reuben finally arrived. The reuben had juicy, thick cut corned beef and the burger had a homemade taste. The vintage floors of tarnished mahogany squeaked under our foot steps and the garden outside looked inviting. The feeling was classic Brooklyn, and it was a perfect lunch stop for Williamsburg day-goers to hole up and rest their paws....

We 2, Flee 2, Brooklyn Flea!

As a first stop on our rainy Brooklyn weekend, we stopped by the famous Flea Market in Fort Green.

Our hunger brought us to the mexican stand, where we got some homemade fish tacos. The fish was battered on order, and cooked in a tabletop deep frier in front of our eyes. The result was a bit bland, but the salsa verde and red cabbage definitely helped! Set against the gray skies, the colors of our plate seemed even more vibrant and saturated!

Our next food stop was the south American stand, where we got cheese and jalapeno stuffed corn pancakes (cachapas)... now, these were greasy but absolutely delicious treats that made us feel like we were in the streets of Venezuela.

Nice and full, we wandered around the event... the rains brought in less vendors and crowds, which set the tone for a nice leisurely stroll. We were enchanted by the globe terrariums, each with their self sustaining eco-systems of wildlife. At that moment, with our stomachs full, enjoying the sites, sounds and smells, amongst the diverse crowd, we realized that the Brooklyn flea was a terrarium of its own and all at once, we felt satisfied and complete.

Gemma some mo'

Driving from Brooklyn via the Manhattan Bridge back to my apartment on 22nd street has become a regular ritual for me and Sara... for the past 7 months, each time we drive through Bowery Street, I've told Sara "I've gotta take you to Gemma"... Finally, our time had arrived.

As you enter the beautiful space, laden with wooden fixtures, Edison-bulb candelabras and antiquated Italian furniture, the warm glow is immediately soothing.

Its the type of restaurant that serves you warm focaccia, with a carafe of NY's finest tap water, as soon as you sit down. The food isn't very innovative, but its simple and well-prepared. You have your choice of antipasti, crostinis, pasta and whole entrees.

After making new resolutions, we decided to be budget conscious that day. We ordered a small meal to share, consisting of the Tricolore salad, Caponata crostini, Branzini and just one glass of delicious Montepulciano wine. The waiter was amazing, and poured us 2 full glasses despite just ordering one glass. The food was flavorful, authentic and fresh. A great stop that brings a new memory to our usual route home....

Cha-ahhhh...

In my family drinking tea is a household ritual. After school my sister and I used to curl up on the couch and engage in typical teenage gossip while recounting our daily dramas. In the evenings my mom made tea to gather the family from our respective corners of the house. Having lived away from my family home for 11 years now and lived with countless roommates, I've always sought to continue this ritual wherever I am (possibly force-feeding tea to a roommate or two).

But alas, I have found a family that also honors this tea-drinking tradition. Visiting Ronak's family for the first time, riddled with nerves, I was greeted with kindness and a cup of steaming hot chai. While ordinary to them, chai is a novelty tea in my home, where Lipton is the norm. The experience inspired me to recreate the chai using Ronak's family recipe, one that is simpler than I would have expected: a blend of loose black tea, water, milk, grated ginger, fresh mint and sugar. A simple formula that stirs up a nostalgic sense of home.

The Other Side of the Coin...

On our first date, I whisked Sara away to some art galleries in Chelsea. Our favorite was an exhibit that arranged wooden colored pencils into sweet symphonies, as we whispered the same into each other's ears. As our senses enthralled, so did our appetites (naturally). For dinner, there were two choices... we flipped a coin and ended up at the uber romantic candlelight bistro, "Allen & Delancey"...

So, on our six month anniversary.. I decided to surprise Sara by going to the other side of the coin, Cafe Cluny. Set deep in the heart of the West Village, Cafe Cluny is a modern french bistro, famous for earthy home-grown creations, white-walled wooden motif... and most notably, for the giant stuffed tarantula hanging from the ceiling. Unlike Allen & Delancey's intricate flavors and deeply romantic setting... Cafe Cluny was warm, comfortable and easy, much like our relationship has become. Sitting by a perfectly framed picture-window, on a cute street in the West Village, we laughed knowing that the coin always lands where it is supposed to....

At Last...

The first time we pursed lips about Buttermilk Channel, it was a hot day in July. Jessica recommended it to Sara, then we went to the website and immediately the aesthetics won us over. And just like that, it was an addition to our list...

But no matter how hard we tried, our visit to Buttermilk Channel, in the heart of Boerum Hill in Brooklyn, kept missing us. Eventually, it slipped to the back of our subconscious. And with that, my chance arrived.... The opportunity for a surprise. I wanted Sara to enjoy the first meal of her 29th year with her family and a few friends. And the surprise worked out wonderfully...

A table for 14 in the bustling restaurant seemed chaotic, but when the bloody marys arrived, the chaos faded. The bloody marys were absolutely perfect, an impeccable production of fresh tomato, spicy horseradish and vodka, with a sour pickle. They served it four ways (one with an oyster on top). You cannot find a better Bloody Mary in NYC.

The Eggs Huntington was a nice variation from Eggs Benedict, but ended slightly dry. The scramble dishes were unique and well formulated, but the star of the menu was the Pecan Pie French Toast! With this dish, we were touring golden straits of bourbon molasses syrup and homemade cream, adorned with bits of toasted pecan, rafting around mountains of challah.

Almost like a foreshadowing for the future, Sara started her 29th year surrounded by love, and on a trip she never expected...

I-Ron Chef

The first time I met Chef Morimoto, there was no mistaking that he was a true artist. While we were meant to discuss a business venture in Bangkok, all he did was focus on his love for Thai food and the elements that could be infused for Japanese-Thai melodies. This was my first clue that his awareness of art in cuisine was unparalleled and his success was well deserved.

Over the last few years, Morimoto Restaurant has become my mecca for dependable high quality, high-end Japanese-fusion cuisine. As we started to take in the contemporary decor and backlit glow, the meal was introduced to us by Chef Morimoto himself. It was a warm greeting between two old acquaintances, that sent all the right signals to the rest of the staff...










































Fortunately, we sat the Sushi bar and enjoyed watching Chef's apprentices at work, carefully slicing and preparing fresh cuts of aquarian delicacies. The seared scallop appetizer was topped with spicy tokyo scallion, revving our engines for the main course. It was cruise control with the sashimi tasting, each piece delicate as flower petals with a negitoro roll that melted in our mouths (favorite roll to date) to create a gorgeous landscape. The DIY Ishi Yaki Buri Bop was served, then finished by the waiter who sizzled yellowtail strips on the edges of a hot clay pot, and mixed rice with egg and soy. A steamy treat to warm the soul. Finally, the molten chocolate birthday cake was served with green tea ice cream over red beans and garnished with coconut gelee cubes. This meal was true art delivered by a skilled master.... a beautiful feast to kick off Sara's birthday festivities.

Kind Buds

This Mari Vanna is not your ordinary outdoor variety. The new restaurant on 20th street between Park and Broadway is adorned with relics of old Russia, from rustic hanging chandeliers, to porcelain statuettes and weathered wooden fixtures. The service and Russian accents immediately embrace you, as the setting nearly stamps your passport. Its hugs and double-kisses all around, in a brand new "old world" establishment that we hope lasts long enough to match its antiquity. The TV screen plays old Russian footage while the low electronic music sets a festive but slightly Brighton Beach aura. My old friend Dmitry joined us, guiding us the way with his Russian fluency while our new Russian friend, Elle, soon arrived. The restaurant feels like a hidden Moscow hangout, complete with the underworld cache.

Yet, we started out with a cliche: of course, vodka. We ordered the horseradish and watermelon shots, but the flavors were overpowered by the pungent vodka. The dishes were a real treat. The classic Russian herring, served on crisp toast with dill and potatoes, was a nice kickoff. The potato and meat pierogies were flufffy buttery buns with a hearty middle, our favorite of the night...

We nibbled on some beet salad and steamed dumplings to complete the full flavor. The meal ended with a delicious strawberry smetannik (thanks Dave, for pronouncing that one...), and of course, a few more vodka shots. It was a nice tasting of flavors, perhaps not a complete meal, but the dishes were authentic and the atmosphere was charming. And with that, we finished the full rotation and passed Mari Vanna to the left hand side...

La Boca Loca

The first day I hung out with Sara, she told me all about her trip to Argentina with Kari. She walked me through the aesthetics, the culture, the sights, the coffee, and of course, the food. To her, it felt like a European metropolis but with third world prices and a Latin groove. That day, and those descriptive words, all i could think was "ay, mamacita... tell me more"

Much like her trip, our experience at Industria Argentina in tribeca was legendary in its own right. When you walk into this place, you feel you've arrived in Latin America. The wood accents, artistic montages, deep hues and muted glow transports you, while the Argentinean music and Tribeca crowd strums your senses. Everything about this place is home grown - from the floors to the ceiling, its all imported from A-tina. We had the 4 four course pre-fixe, with wine pairings for the steal of $55 each... The meal started with scallops on a bed of seasoned tomatoes and pesto roulade, next up a lamb stew served in a baby sugar pumpkin, followed by hand carved steak and potatoes. Each of the 3 glasses of wine was a variation Malbec, perfectly selected to highlight the tones of each dish. By the third course, our taste buds were on a raft in the middle of the Atlantic, right off the coast of Uruguay... and out of no where, we hit a brick wall... dessert! The candied pumpkin dish was a syrupy concoction, drenched in thick sugary sweetness. A bit too much for us...

Overall, our trip to Greenwich St in Tribeca felt like a getaway to Buenos Aires, but without the cheesy "La Boca" district... definitely makes you wanna say "Ay, Mamacita... tell me more"

Zeus' French Toast!

If the Greek gods were eating breakfast after a rough night of celestial galavanting... THIS is what they'd eat. Food for thunderbolts & lightning rods indeed. The concoction is inspired by Martha, but designed by Sara.... a double layer of challah bread, stuffed with bananas, chopped walnuts and a brown sugar sauce... crunchy, sweet, soft, and savory all at once.

To me, this is a cure-all dynamo to soothe away all pains and make any Sunday morning feel like Saturday all over again...

Funkmaster Flexin' Schwarzenegger

In our last trip to Flex Mussels, we saw Al Roker sitting at the bar with his wife. Now, as you can guess, Al really knows his food. Immediately, we figured we must be doing something right...

As you look around the restaurant, the expressions say it all. Every few seconds you hear the "pop" of metallic pots being opened by waiters, as steamy aromas of regional broth seep out & fog up your glasses. The restaurant feels like Martha's Vineyard meets Manhattan. The service is nice and attentive, and the mussels are fresh... So far, in two visits, we've tried the Maine, San Daniele, Italiano and the Spaniard (always with fries)... each represents a broth with a set of different regional selections... the maine has lobster, the san daniele has proscuitto, the spaniard has chorizo... you get it. The meal is completed with freshly made donuts, filled with creamy choices like salted caramel, praline and chocolate.

Its basically the kind of place you go with your best friends, roll up your sleeves and pull an Al Roker!

El Cafecito - St. Martin

A Spanish named, foreign-owned, international restaurant on the French side of the Caribbean island of St. Martin... diversity is the lifeline of this place.

Searching for a meal at 10pm on this lazy tourist island was getting hectic, as each restaurant kept turning us away and it was our last night on St. Martin... Sara's hunger was multiplying and our patience was running low. When I suggested Burger King, Sara almost lost it.

But she just 'knew' that something was ahead, that soft muted glowing restaurant that we passed several times, but never approached. She always had a good feeling about this place... as my mom taught me very early on: never ignore a woman's intuition

This time, as we approached the restaurant, they invited us in. We passed table after table of hookah and French conversation. Wine glasses were full and laughter was in the air... something just felt right. Even Sara's dress was perfectly coordinated with the pastel interiors of the eclectic decor. The menu was laid out in school composition notebooks with a nostalgic handwritten font. Each page represented a different nation and each nation was brought to life through a palette of signature tastes. We chose France and Spain and all of a sudden, the table was full of amazing morsels of duck, potatoes au gratin, gazpacho, tortilla, serrano ham and chorizo. The French owners were warm and told us about the entrepreneurial adventure which led them to opening this restaurant. Inspiring story, but with dishes that large and diverse we couldn't comprehend how they could ever turn a profit.

Sara and I were already dancing in our seat after the tarte tatin and ice cream dessert... then, they decided to blow us away completely. They had me raising the roof when they came out with shots of flavored rum! Imagine it: strong homemade rum soaked in natural fruits from the island... we tried the bananas foster rum (our favorite), as well as the passion fruit and coconut rum.... El Cafecito, "the little cafe", is a place we'll always remember.

Children's Play

There is nothing like a sunny morning on Bergen Street in Brooklyn, under the spell of a crisp September breeze, to bring back childhood memories. And there is nothing that brings back childhood memories like hot dogs. So it was fateful that the two intersected for us on this fine day.

Ultimately, as childhood evolves into adulthood, so do our hot dogs - and our hot dog joints. Bark Hot Dogs was nothing like the Gray's Papaya or the famous street vendors of our past.

It was an impeccable shop, with a comfortable and non-threatening commercial quality. Felt clean and organized, and the staff was charming. A hot dog with a smile.

Did we mention, the dogs were amazing! Fresh beef and pork. Crisped to perfection. As you can see, we got the Bark dog and the Kraut dog. The White Birch Beer (among an assortment of Foxon Park varieties) was a nice touch. The bun had a flawless bounce. But, at $18 for 3 dogs & a drink, those delectable bites came at a premium.

For me, it reminded me of all those moments I would hang out at the hot dog stand outside of my dad's office, gobbling meat as fast I could, knowing I'd never get any at home..

And at Bark, for a brief moment, we were home...

Marvelous Miraculous Mango Pops

Fresh Mango Puree

Coconut Milk

Fresh Lime Juice

Sugar

Shredded Coconut

Adapted from a recipe by Sara's M.S. (main squeeze, a.k.a. martha stewart). We guessed that Martha came up with this recipe in jail, because no matter what your circumstances, these little bad boys make you smile!

Feels like India meets NASA, in a tropical wonderland. The homemade mango puree and coconut bits make a melody in your mouth. Another one please!

Nando's Peri: Connecticut Ave, Washington DC

When Sara describes her first trip to Europe, she recalls fond memories of British scenes, where her world of curiosity and discovery emerged. Amidst this, she felt the bond with her father deepen. And new memories with her sister and mom became etched in her mind. But the most memorable thing that they experienced together, was their trip to Nando's. Food was her memory's lifeline long before this blog was born.

When I told her that I knew of a Nando's in Washington DC, her eyes lit up. On our last day of the trip, having forgotten our discussion about Nando's, the memory awakened upon me, and I realized we were only two blocks away, and very hungry!

We headed there, and immediately, excitement grew within us. A giddiness uplifted us, nearly swallowing us whole amongst the glass bottles of special Nando's sauces. And like Sara's first experience, we took the food to go. As we unraveled "pandora's" cardbox box, the scent of the lemon-herb marinated chicken filled the room, as smiles grew on our faces.

The food at this "quick casual" joint is phenomenal. Fresh 1/2 chickens, carefully marinated through a Portuguese treatment process, lovingly placed on tilted grills. Within minutes, fresh, perfected roasted and marinated delights are served along with classic sides. All for the same price as a meal at Cosi. Surprise to us, Washington is the only city in the U.S. that has Nando's Peri. We hope for many many more... and will be there!

Its the kind of place that makes you feel like family. And thats how we left...

Long Island Vineyards

7:40am: Snooze.

7:45am: Snooze.

8:00am: "its raining, do you think its canceled?" Snooze.

8:15am: S-"Ron, we gotta go!" R- "if you're not feeling well, i can cancel" S- "no, we gotta go, you said you would" R- "alright, lets doooo this!"

As we boarded the party bus at 9am, the strobe lights had Sara pinching me. I told her if she wasn't sure if it was a dream, she needed to pinch herself!

Nonetheless, we made to Long Island, and after a while, we enjoyed the ride. I think the bagels helped.

The splendor of the vineyards was masked by the inclimate conditions, rain stopping us from being able to wander the vineyards and live out our, er, my, Bollywood daydreams. There was no melody as we ran towards each other, arms outstretched on this green version of god's playland. No, none of that.

The wine was good. Although the local traffic was distracting, particularly the bachelorette parties! But it was fun making jokes and drinking wine on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Sara wasn't feeling well that day, but she certainly felt a little surge after Vineyard #2 (of 3), a few sips in, a few hip hop songs on the bus, and the smiles transpired!

We wouldn't compare the LI Vineyards to their peers in California, by any means, but its a fun afternoon with friends. We just always thought that Vineyards gave out samples wholeheartedly..... damn bachelorette parties!

Pink and Peachy

Donning her hair pulled back with a black bandana, Sara was all smiles with this perfect creation... a labor of hard work and love (perhaps a little too laborious to make again anytime soon!)

The Garden State, indeed.

Ron's first trip to "Meet the Parents" for the second time. Excited to see Sara's homeland and even more so to hang with Fabien and Rachel.

We drove by several of Sara's fondest food memories... from Hunan Wok to The Oldwick General Store... funny memories of baby sitting and chilling emerged... with the back drops of green lands, watching the movement of the stick shift, the hands of time seemed to have floated backwards...

My last memory of picking anything was apples, and I must have been 13 years old. It was a class trip, and it felt warm and unbelievable.

The peach orchard at Melick's Farm in Califon was well organized and easy to navigate. The wooden baskets gave us the a u ra of nostalgia, and the rows of peaches were plentiful. And I quickly realized, I like my peaches like I like my woman - good color, firm minded, soft spoken, but delicate... like Sara :)

We collected our peaches, bagged them and got going! Greeting us at home was a game of corn hole, complete with a shiny new scoring kit... I got whooped by Mr. Mills and Fabien (i'll be back...), but so did Sara.

The night ended with a dinner prepared by Mrs. Mills... As the glass with the American flag was filled with Indian beer, and as the crisp corn on the cob was served with a delicious steak, the funny conversations and sharing of stories felt like New Jersey in its truest spirit, born again in us... word born, NJ!