Always Hungry

'NOLA

2012-01-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Silka & Jake gave us a jar of homemade granola. Needless to say it was delicious and so didn't last us very long. As soon as they filled us in on the recipe I made my way over to Kalustyan's on Lexington to pick up all the ingredients for Nigella Lawson's totally perfect granola.

Chai Time

2011-12-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

A while back I had posted about my love for the Shah-family chai, and now I'm excited to share the recipe. I'm in the habit of picking up ginger and mint with each trip to the grocery store so that I can make the tea on a regular basis.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp. Wagh Bhakri brand tea, a granular black tea found at Indian grocery stores
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 inch ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 6 fresh mint leaves

Makes 3 cups

In a small saucepan, combine the water, milk, tea, sugar, and ginger. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the tea reaches a boil, reduce heat and stir in the mint leaves. Return the tea to a boil and then promptly remove from heat. Strain tea and add more milk and sugar to your desired taste.

Oat Meals

2011-11-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

They say the closer you live to work, the more likely you are to be late. I can attest to that! Recently I’ve been waking up 45 minutes earlier so that I can take my time at home and still get to work on time. When I was living in Brooklyn, I spent that extra time commuting-- now I use that time to catch up on reading, write lists and make breakfast, the best perk of working so close to home.

This new routine of mine coincides nicely with our joint goal to eat healthier breakfasts. This week we started each day with a bowl of McCann’s quick cooking oatmeal. Oatmeal can be a bit boring, so to keep it interesting we've been changing up the toppings:

Monday: Bananas with Toasted Pecans & Brown Sugar

Tuesday: Blueberries with Brown Sugar & Flax Seeds
On this day, I had an ripe banana lying around so I mashed it up, and mixed it right into the pot of cooking oatmeal. Delicious! (Thanks to Phoebe for this tasty idea!)

Wednesday: Apples & Cinnamon.
To make the apples: Peel, core and dice 2 medium apples. Place them in a small pot with 2 tablespoons of water and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cover and let simmer until the apples are soft and the juices are mostly evaporated. About 5-7 minutes.

All this healthy eating has us thinking about the bagels, eggs and bacon we’d like to have this weekend!

Pop on Over

2011-11-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

On Friday I received my December issue of Real Simple. As I flipped through I came across a recipe for "Secretly Simple Popovers" which inspired our breakfast for Saturday morning. We happened to have some bacon on hand, so I got to experimenting... and I have to say, the result was absolutely delicious.

Bacon & Parmesan Popovers
(adapted from a Real Simple recipe)
Makes 12

Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and cut into 1/2" pieces
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Cook the bacon: Line the bottom of a broiler pan with foil. This will make for easy cleanup later. Arrange the bacon slices on the top broiler pan and place in a cold oven. Turn oven onto 400F. Walk away, and come back 17 to 20 minutes later. As soon as the bacon is golden brown and crispy, it's done. Drain on paper towels. Once cool, cut the bacon into 1/2" pieces and set aside.

Keep oven on at 400F. Brush the cups of a 12-cup non-stick muffin tin with butter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, eggs, butter and salt until only a few lumps remain (do not overmix). Gently stir in bacon.

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups and sprinkle each cup with a teaspoon of Parmesan cheese. Bake until puffed and a deep golden brown, 30-35 minutes. (Do not open oven door before 30 minutes or the popover will collapse. Serve immediately!

Tried & True

2011-10-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

When we're entertaining and deciding what to make for dessert, the recipe for Banana Tarte Tatin is one we go back to time and time again. It looks impressive and is bound to get a lot of ooos, ahhs... and mmms. It's a cross between Bananas Foster and Tarte Tatin, two of our absolute favorite desserts. The tart is best served slightly warm or at room temperature so it can be made a couple of hours ahead.

In the past we've served it with vanilla gelato, but this time around we opted for a dollop of Ronnybrook Farm crème fraiche. The perfect pairing!

Good 'n Plenty

2011-10-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

While at Stone Barns last weekend we picked up a new cookbook: Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi. At first we wondered if we really need yet another cookbook, but after flipping through the mouth-watering photographs we quickly decided 'yes, we do!' What we were missing in our collection was a good vegetarian cookbook, one with recipes that inspire us to eat more healthily, but still manage to fill us up.

Last night we made the cover recipe Eggplant with Buttermilk Sauce, after all it was the cover image that sealed the deal on our purchase. The ingredients were few and simple, and all together created a very tasty dish. Served alone, the eggplants make a great starter, but for a more substantial main meal we served them over rice. Thinking about it now, next time I'm going to use Israeli couscous which would be an even better compliment to this middle-eastern dish.

Peared Down

2011-10-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

This time of year seckel pears make their grand entrance at the farmer's market. Their small size and sweet crunch makes them irresistible. I tend to buy too many knowing that even if I don't get around to eating them, they will at least look pretty on the kitchen table.

Last night I found a recipe for Upside-Down Pear Tartlets . The selling point-- it only calls for only 4 ingredients, all of which I had on hand. Puff pastry, butter, sugar and pears. I substituted seckel for d'anjou so slicing the pears wasn't necessary, just a quick lop in half. I reduced the overall size of the tartlet by using standard muffin tins (the recipe calls for jumbo) and cutting the puff pastry rounds to fit. I found that a 1/2 cup measuring scoop makes the perfect 'cookie cutter'.

Warm and sticky, we ate them right out of the oven... and then of course, the rest for breakfast.

Cheers!

2011-10-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Ron's launch on CNBC's "Trading the Globe" at Imperial No. Nine located in the Mondrian SoHo Hotel. Lucky for us, our friend Leah is the head hostess there. She greeted our party as if we had arrived at her own home and escorted us to a low-lit corner, away from the bustle, but still in the heart of the ambiance.

The space is warm and enchanting, and fully enclosed under a glass roof. Leah told us that the décor was inspired by Jean Coucteau’s 1946 film La Belle et la Bête. She didn't have to tell us who runs the kitchen. We already know that: Sam Talbot of season 2's Top Chef. Even though we didn't see him, we had the chance to taste his much talked about dishes. Our favorite dish was the Cauliflower Fritters made with ricotta, sunflower seed-olive brittle and white balsamic. They literally pop in your mouth. Leah really outdid herself when she had the waitress bring us a selection of desserts-- on the house! How sweet! Spoons were passed around, glasses were clinked and smiles exchanged. The energy that evening was truly celebratory.

On Tour

2011-10-08T11:27:00.001-07:00

Our good friends Silka and Jake, aka the Butcher & the Baker, do almost all their shopping at the Union Square Farmers Market. I admire their knowledge of seasonal produce and dedication to supporting local farmers. While I know my way around the market when it comes to buying plants, vegetables and fruits, I often pass by the meat, fish and dairy vendors. It's not that I'm not interested, but the prices tend to be higher and less items are on display, allowing a pile of jewel-like radishes to grab my attention instead.

I'd like to learn more about these vendors so today I shadowed Silka and Jake on their weekend shopping trip. They gave me a run down of their favorite places to buy meat and dairy, and let me in on their favorite selections from each.

I came home with a pint of half & half from Milk Thistle Farm, a bouquet of zinnias, homemade cider donuts, and seckel pears-- still no meat. I've decided that I'll go back this week more prepared with a recipe in mind and list in hand.

Café Colette

2011-10-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

"Babe, I'm gonna take you out!" Words that I love to hear. On tonight's adventure, Sara decided to take me to Café Colette, which is just across the river in Williamsburg. As soon as we rolled down Berry Street, I discovered my new found love for Brooklyn.

We arrived at Café Colette and the vintage charms won us over right away. With its green bead board walls, globe light fixtures, large mirrors and checkerboard tile, we felt welcomed back to an older era.

The drinks were well planned. I had a tequila based cocktail infused with pepper syrup, which was small, but outstanding. For starters, we ordered the fried corn (YES), which was covered in lime aioli, cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese, resembling Mexican street food. After thoroughly licking our fingers we started on the grilled sardines, which was the knockout dish of the evening. The sardines were marinated in lemon and salt, char-grilled, and coupled with the roasted vegetables. For the main course, we shared the brick chicken set on top of chorizo hash and potatoes. Needless to say, it was slamming. We finished the meal with peach crumble à la mode, which was large enough for us to share. Overall, an incredible experience, and one we would like to repeat again soon.

Keep on Stallin'

2011-10-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Madison Square Park bi-annual food stalls have become a regular stomping ground of ours. The standout at this Fall's stalls is Roberta's Pizza, straight outta Bushwick! Delicious personal pies. We also tried the Wafels & Dinges (first time for me), and ended our visit with a truffled mozzerella crêpe from Bar Suzette, which we ate on our bench just across the street.

Birrrreria

2011-10-02T16:21:00.001-07:00

Okay, maybe it wasn't so birrrr yet, but it was getting there. The entire summer had passed and as we approached the end of September, Sara and I decided to try Birreria -- Eataly's rooftop beer garden.

A color palette of red for the chairs; deep mahogany brown for the wooden trim, and dark metallic grey for the framework of the space. The ceiling seemed to be retractable, but we weren't quite sure. The space, indeed, was very impressive. Surrounded on all sides by NYC landmarks, from the MetLife clock tower to the Empire State (prompting our usual question about what the colors represent that night).

The beer was also impressive. The space was adorned with cask barrels for brewing their own beer, right on the rooftop. The drink selection outside of beer was also vast, and ranged from an elaborate wine list to my favorite-- grappa.

The food, much like many of Eataly's other mall-like outposts, was well conceived and constructed, but relatively uninspired .... and expensive. We enjoyed a cheese plate to start and crispy chicken thighs served over sweet corn, though felt a little "jip'd" by the grilled portobello dish. On the upside we sat next to some SNL alums. All in all, you visit Birreria for the beer and the views, and in that regard, it doesn't disappoint.

Building on Bond.

2011-09-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Open Air

2011-08-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

London has its fair share of open air markets. We sampled our way through Borough Market and Camden Lock, tasting homemade Toulouse sausage, ginger-grapefruit iced tea, piping hot churros filled with dulce de leche, and chunks of salted caramel fudge.

Summerlovin'

2011-08-22T20:45:00.001-07:00

Our first morning in London we ventured out to Camden Town to have brunch at The Summerhouse along the Union Canal. Between the white-washed walls, blue pinstriped upholstery and warm breeze coming off the canal, the essence of summer vacations lives on here year-round.

Fish 'n Chips

2011-08-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

We had our obligatory English meal of fish 'n chips at Golden Union Fish Bar, just around the corner from Liberty on Poland Street. Freshly battered and cooked to order, the fish was crispy and golden just as their name promises.

DISHOOM!

2011-08-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Six years old, asleep in flannel pajamas, it was always the rapid successions of the sound “DISHOOM” which woke me up. I’d open my eyes to find my mom watching a Bollywood film. Dishoom is the sound of a punch making contact during a fight sequence in any Indian movie during from the 1980s. When Sara and I walked by the sign for DISHOOM in London, it immediately spoke to me in that primal part of my gut and brought a huge smile to my face. We decided we would have to go there for breakfast the next day.

The restaurant is the pinnacle of creative execution in both ambiance and food – with strong connectivity to the lost times of comfort food across Mumbai – Dishoom calls itself “A Bombay Café” in the same vain of that tradition. The menu is full of Bombay classics, with a beautiful modern touch. Case in point – our breakfast: Bacon Naan (oh yes, naan with m’f’n bacon in it, along with a light yogurt and cilantro), Bombay Omelette (a fluffy omelette with tomatoes, onions and masala), paired with masala chai and coffee in classic Indian café glasses. The food was perfectly prepared, the naan was very fresh, the bacon was crispy, the portions were reasonable as were the prices.

The décor is a whole other conversation. Pure class. Mahogany wooden trim panels, accented by large mirrors. Beautifully arranged collages of Indian families (mostly the owner's family), and vintage advertisements. A seamless, graphic print on the floor. Small touches, too: an old Indian apothecary cabinet in the bathroom stalls, a lower-level dining room which feels like a underground club in 50's Bombay.

The visit touched our hearts, and made our creativity soar. Our time there concluded when I spoke with the owner, Shamil, and spent a little time trying to convince him to open up Dishoom in New York. We’ll see what happens next….. but in the meantime, he asked us to visit his other location in London's Southbank…. (see below)

Chowpatty Beach on the Thames

2011-08-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

While still digesting the amazing wonders of Dishoom 1 (above), our next stop was Big Ben, well maybe. Secretly, we really just wanted to check out Dishoom 2. So we went to Big Ben, took the requisite pictures and hastily walked across Westminister Bridge. Strolling along the waterside, our eyes were on the lookout for Dishoom…

In the distance, in pink letters we saw “Chowpatty Beach”, the Dishoom pop-up restaurant on the waterfront of the River Thames. Since Sara visited Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai, both of us grew very excited.

At the front entrance there was a cutout board so we took a moment to pose as vintage 1960's Bollywood models... Further along there was a wooden ramp, painted to look weathered with pastel paints, and blue plastic streamers. Very Bollywood beach party. The party and creativity continued inside... There was a wall of rolled up vintage Indian newspapers, brightly colored bottles across the bar, hand woven canvas wallpaper, spray-painted chairs and old relics of “found items” lining the walls. The bathrooms were wall papered with plastic Indian mats and authentic vintage signs.

For food, we wanted to order the spiked coconuts (coconuts full of water and spiked with rum), but they were all out. So we opted for Limca and Thumbs Up, the classic Indian sodas. Since we had just eaten breakfast, we ordered a small appetizer – bread crumb calamari, which was perfectly seasoned and delivered to our table in a kraft paper cup with wooden forks. The space truly evokes the colors, and the feeling of Chowpatty Beach, but with a modern and fun twist. Truly a restaurant experience not to be missed in London.

Sakagura

2011-08-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Our impromtu dinner at the elusive Sakagura, which is located on the basement level on an indiscriminate office building in mid-town.

Catch of the Day

2011-08-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

After two days of pure relaxation in Turks & Caicos we were up for a little adventure. We signed up for a guided tour and set out for snorkeling and conch-diving with the sea breeze on our faces and Bob Marley strumming from the speakers. A flock of seagulls followed our boat, knowing we would lead them to the fish.

After spending most of the day in the water, we made our last stop at Iguana Island. We kicked back with a couple of local beers and watched how to extract conch from its shell. Pretty unappetizing, but with some tomatoes, peppers and Caribbean hot sauce the conch was surprisingly delicious.

Summertime Salad

2011-08-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

We used the jalapeño and cucumbers from our garden to make this refreshing watermelon-cucumber salad. The recipe makes about 6 servings, but the two of us ate the whole bowl in one sitting.

Ingredients:

4 cups watermelon seeded and cut into generous 1/2 in cubes
2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 in pieces

3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce (I didn't have any on hand)
2 teaspoons seeded and finely diced jalapeño, or to taste
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Cracked black pepper

1. Combine melon and cucumber in a colander set over a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

2. Transfer melon and cucumber to serving bowl. Whisk lime juice, hoisin sauce, jalapeño and salt in a small bowl and pour over cucumber and melon. Add parsley and toss gently. Add black pepper to taste and additional salt if needed.

Currant Affair

2011-08-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

White currant tomatoes are 1/2 the size of cherry tomatoes and unbelievably sweet, making them the perfect addition to a summer salad. Ours were growing so well at first, but like so many of our plants this summer the heat finally got to them.

Blue Hill Café

2011-07-30T19:29:00.001-07:00

We had lunch at Blue Hill Café near Tarrytown this past weekend for Dad's 65th birthday. We shared savory open-faced sandwiches, barley salad with roasted eggplant and corn, grilled chicken legs, freshly baked cookies and vanilla bean panna cotta topped with gooseberries. Only thing we didn't have was a birthday candle!

Saucy Chick

2011-07-26T13:50:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure where Bonne-Maman first came across this BBQ sauce recipe (possibly from a magazine clipping) but she's been making it for so long that it has become a family staple. The smell of this tangy sauce conjures memories of the backyard barbeques we used to have at her house in North Brunswick.

Makes 1 cup (Serves 2)

1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp lemon juice
1 large onion (sliced in half, then in thin half-rings)
1/4 cup salted butter
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Place the vinegar, water, sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, lemon juice, onion and butter in a small saucepan. Stir together and simmer uncovered on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Bring back to a simmer and serve over grilled chicken. If you find the sauce to be too thick or too tangy, add a little more water to loosen it up and mellow the flavor.

Cucumber Cool Down

2011-07-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Last week's heat spell took a toll on our once-thriving cucumber vine (not to mention our ability to function). It no longer looks as lush, but it's still producing cucumbers so I can't give up on it completely. To cool us down a bit I harvested a few cucumbers and made refreshing 'kachumber' coolers:

4 Cucumbers, Peeled and Seeded
Juice from 1 Lime
1/2 cup Simple Syrup
6 ounces Gin
1/2 cup Club Soda
Fresh Mint

Liquify the peeled and seeded cucumbers in a food processor. Press pulp through a fine mesh strainer to capture the cucumber juice. Discard solids. You should have about 1/2 cup of cucumber juice. Add an equal amount of simple syrup. (To make the simple syrup, bring equal amounts of water and sugar to a boil. Turn burner off and let liquid cool.)

Add the juice of one lime to the cucumber and sugar water, about 2 Tablespoons. Fill a large tumbler with ice and add one and a half ounces of gin, two ounces of the cucumber/lime/sugar water. Top off with club soda and garnish with a cucumber wedge and muddled mint. Ahhh... so refreshing! The remaining cucumber mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a shake before using as the fine pulp settles to the bottom.

da Conch Shack

2011-07-19T17:49:00.001-07:00

In Turks & Caicos we had our first experience eating conch at the popular da Conch Shack. Feeling fearless we dove right in and ordered it two ways-- Conch fritters and Conch in a creole sauce. The fish itself is rather chewy and tasteless, but absorbs all the flavors of its surrounding ingredients. We found it also pairs perfectly with another island favorite-- rum punch.

Patio Pickles

2011-07-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

I chose to grow kirby cucumbers this year for one specific reason: Pickles! I love pickles and anything soaked in vinegar. Our four plants have already produced about a dozen cucumbers. The best thing about watching them grow is that they already look like pickles while still on the vine.

I made three different pickle recipes, each very different from the other: Quick pickles, Refrigerator Pickles and Half-Sours.

I'm most proud of the half sours because they taste like "real" deli pickles and involved a 2-day fermentation method, which sounds way more complicated than it is.

Boston Market

2011-07-09T17:50:00.000-07:00

We snagged a few carrots (and photos) at the Harvard Square farmer's market while we were in Boston last Sunday.

Peet & Greet

2011-07-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Josephine first introduced Peet's Coffee to me when we were living together back in 2004. It's flavor is rich and bold, yet very smooth. Since then, Ronak and I have adopted it as our own favorite bean and brew it at home.

Unfortunately Peet's is a west coast chain with only one location on the east coast: Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lucky for us we were able to go twice during our trip to Boston last weekend and gladly paid $4.00 for an iced latte. So good!

In Season

2011-06-28T13:14:00.001-07:00

Late June brings us sour cherries and scapes at the farmer's market.

Sweet (& Salty) Tooth

2011-06-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

Both of us love caramel with its perfect balance of salty and sweet. I never thought of making it myself until I came across a recipe for confiture caramel beurre salé and decided to give it a whirl. It calls for only 5 basic ingredients: Sugar, water, butter, salt and cream.

I should mention that patience is also a necessary ingredient. My first batch of sugar crystallized into a hot gooey mess and it was then that I realized that the recipe wasn't as straightforward as I thought. I took a deep breath, studied a few tutorials on YouTube, and was able to successfully caramelize the sugar on the second attempt. It was easy from there on out and fun to watch the molten liquid become actual caramel-- and more importantly taste like actual caramel.

Family Recipe

2011-06-06T14:45:00.001-07:00

One of the perks about going to Ronak's house is eating an abundance of delicious homemade Indian food. His family is Gujarati vegetarian so the flavors are very different from the Punjabi dishes I'm used to ordering in Indian restaurants.

Another perk is that we can have one-on-one Indian cooking lessons anytime we like. I recently took advantage of this generous offer and spent the afternoon cooking with Ron's mom. I learned how to make Batata Suki Bhaji (potatoes with tumeric, mustard seed, cilantro, lime juice & green chili peppers), as well as roti and parathas. Once we get set up with the necessary spices and cooking tools, we're going to have a lot more Indian food at home.

Seasonal Greens

2011-05-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Last night we picked our first leaves of lettuce greens. The red mustard and frisé benefited from all the recent rain and were finally big enough to pluck without leaving them too bare.

To make a simple salad, we combined the tender greens with a little olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice and sea salt.

Smorgasburg.

2011-05-21T15:14:00.001-07:00

Today we went to Williamsburg to check out Smorgasburg, a Brooklyn Flea food market.We were so happy to be outside in the warm weather that we didn't mind waiting in line at Porchetta for the slow roasted pork sandwich, marinated in herbs & spices and served on a crusty cibatta roll.

After that, in need of something cool and refreshing we mosied over to the People's Pops for a red-plum shaved ice. So good. Still feeling peckish we waited in line at Nana's for a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and rolled in shredded coconut.

Finally, we couldn't escape the market without grabbing a wedge of Dorset cheese from Consider Bardwell Farm.

Oven-to-Table

2011-05-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

We bought the ingredients at Eataly to make these homemade pizzas. Freshly baked foccacia, prosciutto, homemade mozzarella, cipollini onions and tomato paste (the imported kind in the tube so we can have it on-hand). We topped them off with finely sliced basil, Maldon salt and cracked pepper. After 5 minutes under the broiler we had ourselves a simple and tasty meal.

Talking Shop

2011-05-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

The opening of the High Line in 2009 coincided with the early days of our dating history, and so it made for a great after-work date. We walked from Gansevoort Street to 20th St, enjoying the balmy air and working up our appetites. When we descended at 20th St & 10th Ave, we stumbled across Cookshop which seemed like an ideal place to satiate our hunger... Or so it would have been had we had reservations.

This past weekend, two years later, we finally returned to Cookshop to celebrate our 2-year anniversary and reminisce on those first shared moments.

Here's what we had on this special night:

Kumamoto Oysters

***
Montauk squid, pickled shishito peppers, yukon gold potatoes, parsley & harissa aioli
***
Spinach, crispy onions, soft farm egg, bacon & sherry vinaigrette
***
Golden Wreckfish, wilted escarole, black olives, lemon, anchovy, toasted almond sauce
***
Idaho Potato Gnocchi artichokes, spinach, braised leeks, royal trumpet mushrooms & ricotta
***
Caramelized banana bread pudding with bourbon ice cream

Pit Stop

2011-04-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Out in Napa we had lunch at Mustards Grill along St. Helena Highway, just down the road from Cakebread Cellars where went for a wine tasting. It was the perfect fix after sipping wine on empty stomachs. We had the "Ever-Popular Seafood Tostada", Grilled Mushroom Burger, and ginger beer...we were driving after all.

Italianese

2011-04-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

There's a moment of confusion for people who step into Basta Pasta without knowing the restaurant's concept. Here Japanese and Italian cuisine cross-pollinate, creating a unique menu: Linguine with fresh sea urchin & basil in pink sauce... Spaghetti with tobiko (flying fish roe) and shiso (japanese basil)... Unlikely combinations that make it hard to get a table any night of the week.

We had the Spaghetti with parmigiano reggiano & prosciutto, served table-side from a half wheel of parmesan cheese (!) and Cavatappi with Shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. Two dishes that were Italian in flavor but undoubtedly Japanese in presentation.

When it Raines, it Pours

2011-04-21T10:50:00.001-07:00

We must have passed Raines Law Room hundreds of times, but we didn't notice this subterranean speakeasy until our friends Max & Joanna pointed it out to us. It's a place you'd expect to come with an attitude, but we experienced nothing close to pretension.

After ringing the unmarked doorbell, the host quietly greeted us and ushered us to a semi-private alcove which we had reserved. The waitress told us she would remain scarce so as not to interrupt our conversation, but if we needed service to pull the chain on the wall. How utterly civilized. Even the menu was something to treasure-- a worn red leather album with gold photo corners and vintage type. I sipped on the French Affair while Ronak enjoyed the somewhat stronger Philadelphia Story.

Crowd Pleaser

2011-04-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

I found this Martha recipe for chocolate macaroons about 7 years ago, and ever since it's been my go-to dessert for all kinds of events. I'm always left with an empty plate and numerous requests for the recipe, so it's about time I share it:

Ingredients

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut (I use sweetened)
3 large egg whites
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Reduce heat, and allow it to simmer. Place chocolate in a small bowl, and set over saucepan. Stir until chocolate is melted, and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine cooled chocolate, cocoa, sugar, coconut, egg whites, vanilla, and salt. Use your hands to mix well, completely combining ingredients.
Dampen hands with cold water. Form 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixture into a loose haystack shape, and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture, placing macaroons 1 inch apart.
Bake until just firm to the touch but still soft in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven to a wire rack, and let cool on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Brooklyn Larder

2011-03-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

When I was living in Park Slope, Ronak and I frequently drove back and forth between the two boroughs-- across the Manhattan bridge, down Flatbush, and right on 7th Avenue. One warm day we decided to continue on straight to Prospect Park for a picnic. We pulled over and popped into Brooklyn Larder, an epicurean oasis on one of Brooklyn's busiest traffic arteries. We grabbed egg salad & bacon sandwiches, tabasco potato chips and fizzy lizzies-- a combination that still makes our mouths water.

Irish Goodbye

2011-03-16T11:51:00.001-07:00

Ronak and I had a pre-St Paddy's Day meal before he left for his trip--reuben sandwiches, Guinness, and green tea mochi (not so Irish, but definitely green).

North of the Border

2011-03-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

If there's one thing about winter that we can get excited about it's hot chocolate-- drinking it from a paper cup on the street or from a mug cozy on the couch. Either way, it has to be made from scratch.

I usually use dutch cocoa, but the alluring packaging of Taza Mexican Chocolate inspired me to try something different. I didn't know this, but Mexican hot chocolate is traditionally made with water. Since we prefer milk, I used skim to maintain a thin consistency. It also takes a bit more work to make than I expected. The discs have to be finely grated and gradually added to hot milk, then continually whisked for 2 minutes straight. The result did not disappoint... the hot chocolate was rich, but not too sweet, with a perfect frothy head of foam.

The Tasting Room, Mumbai

2011-02-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ronak's friend Christina invited us to the Tasting Room in Lower Parel for her birthday dinner. Nestled off the main road, behind a parking lot and upstairs, we entered what felt like a well-kept secret. A perfectly weathered space with candles and warm hues. It was an evening of great food and lively conversation amongst fellow Americans, locals and ex-pats.

Indian Style

2011-02-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

While we played it safe for most of our meals in Mumbai, we couldn't leave the city without eating at a couple local eateries. After sari shopping at Amarsons on our last day we headed farther down Linking Road to have lunch at Only Parathas. Parathas are whole wheat Indian flat-breads stuffed with various fillings- we ordered cauliflower (gobi), onion (pyaz) and potato (alu). Piping hot and delicious.

Up until this point we had miraculously made it through our trip without any bouts of "Delhi-belly"-- and were afraid to push our luck. As curious as we were to try those saucy side dishes, we decided to leave them alone rather than pay the price on the flight home.

Worth the Wait

2011-02-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

For as long as Ron and I have lived in New York, we've each known about One if by Land, Two if by Sea. It has a reputation for being one of the city's most romantic restaurants, but also one of the priciest. NYC's Restaurant Week gave us the opportunity to eat here and enjoy their prix-fixe menu at a reasonable rate.

The Menu

Calamari a la Plancha, roasted vegetables, red peppers, capers, basil
***
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, cranberry coulis, pecans
***
Grilled Bavette Steak swiss chard, pearl barley, roasted cipollini onion, beef jus
***
Gianduja Mousse caramel compressed bananas, banana bread, banana bread ice cream
***
Crème Fraiche Panna Cotta sable breton, citrus medley, blood orange caviar, tangerine sorbet

Forbidden Fruits

2011-02-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

After hearing numerous accounts of people getting sick from uncooked food in India, Mumbai began to feel like the Garden of Eden-- street vendors selling rainbow-colored fruit, freshly cut and beautifully arranged over palm leaves. Tempting, yes... but supposedly one of the many forbidden foods for a western stomach.

I couldn't help but approach the fruit at our hotel with the same apprehension. Ronak repeatedly reassured me that the food in the 5-star hotels is safe to eat. This was exactly what I wanted to hear as I was longing to taste two fruits I had never seen before: mangosteen and dragon fruit. Strangely, as beautiful as dragon fruit is with its fuschia skin, the flesh is unexpectedly dry & mealy. Mangosteen on the other hand is not at all pretty, but inside its hard shell holds sweet & juicy segments that taste much like lychee.

EN Again

2011-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

Sunday Bloody Sunday

2011-01-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

Today Bonne-Maman, Arlette and Mom came over to our place for brunch. Since it was Bonne-Maman and Arlette's first time visiting we prepared a special menu for the occasion, starting up spicy and ending on a sweet note.

Bloody Marys
***
Arugula , Bacon and Gruyère Bread Pudding
***
Swiss Chard with Pomegranate Seeds
***
Molten Chocolate Cakes en Cocotte
***

Pasta-Making Machines

2011-01-22T22:34:00.001-08:00

For our mom's 60th birthday Rachel and I treated her (and ourselves) to a Homemade Pasta workshop at the Viking Cooking School in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ. I know, I know, this blog is where Ronak and I write only about our joint culinary experiences, but on this occasion we're making an exception because 1) this workshop was far too amazing not to record and 2) I recreated two of the dishes for Ronak so he has already benefited from the recipes learned. Here's what we made that day:

Lobster Bolognese Sauce with Fettucine
Pansotti with Tomato, Onion, Basil Sauce
Lasagna with Tomatoes, Mushrooms and Bechamel Sauce
Fennel Salad with Red Peppers and Cerignola Olives
Lemon Walnut Biscotti

We had our hands in preparing all the dishes on the menu, though some more than others. For instance, we were more than happy to pass off the job of shelling the lobsters to the Fish Monger on staff. The class was 3 hours long and because we were making our own lunch (and were very hungry), we felt motivated to produce quickly and boost the quantities wherever possible- especially when it came to the pansotti. Once the dishes were plated and served, we ate every last bit but still yearned for a just a small hunk of bread to wipe our plates clean. The lack of bread however did not prevent us from resorting to use our fingers to get those last drops of sauce.

New Devotees

2011-01-21T11:06:00.001-08:00

Bhakti, the Sanskrit word for "devotion", is a fitting word to describe our experience this night.

Friendship is all about devotion. And our friend Kristen pretty much sums it all up. A devoted runner, spiritualist, yogi, and all around amazing friend...

Her invitation to dessert at Bhakti Cafe was our entrance back to India. Full of colorful Hindu portraits and a warm vibe, Bhakti was a solace from the frigid temperatures outside.

The cupcakes we had were outstanding. Orange infused with a smooth & creamy icing... so good we had a hard time believing they were vegan.

Kem Cho, Kimchi?

2011-01-15T07:06:00.001-08:00

Reva and Samir introduced us to Kunjip, a Korean restaurant in the heart of K-Town, on 32nd between Broadway and Fifth.

Crowded. Warm. Chopsticks. Real authentic.

Tons of little plates arrived at the table instantly - spicy pickled vegetables. Followed by the seafood scallion cake. Then, we got the highlight.... Korean BBQ. A NYC classic and a new favorite for us.

Mamie Gateaux, Paris

2010-12-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

With its plaid paper tablecloths, vintage café lait bowls, and adjoining antique store-- Mamie Gateaux has the kind of charm you would expect to stumble upon in Paris.

After days of passing by shuttered windows, we decided that if we wanted to eat here we would have to give in to their odd hours of operation. We slept in one morning (not a problem) so we were in the neighborhood for breakfast when they opened at 11am. By then of course we were hungry for lunch.

We ordered the vegetable crumble -- a savory take on the berry version... and like any crumble, the topping was the best part, a golden crust of parmesean cheese and toasted pine nuts.

Parisian Patisserie Checklist

2010-12-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

1/ Chausson au pomme

2/ Pain au chocolat

3/ Canale (Fab's is still our favorite)

4/ Macaron

5/ Croissant d'abricot

6/ Fougasse aux lardons from Paul

Check, check and check!

Ciao Bella

2010-12-27T17:58:00.000-08:00

We had our last meal in Paris at La Laconda, an Italian restaurant located in the 6e arrondissement. We were initially lured by their sign advertising a truffle-tasting menu, but instead settled for their classic, and less pricey, pasta dishes. Hardly settling though, they were delicious!

Morning Glory

2010-12-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

Day after day of breakfast bliss at Chateau des Alpilles in St. Remy de Provence.

La Brasserie du Commerce, St-Remy

2010-12-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Ronak still teases me about how we shared a burger after our 33k bike ride through the provençal countryside-- as if we didn't each deserve our own after that.

Ripe for the Picking

2010-12-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Roadside Pique-Nique

2010-12-26T18:31:00.000-08:00

There's no better way to eat in France.

Bistrot d'Antoine, Nice

2010-12-25T18:54:00.000-08:00

Bistrot d'Antoine seemed unassuming at first... a charming bistro offering traditional French fare... but after walking in and being turned away night after night, we realized that this was a special place that required a little more forethought.

We finally made a reservation and ate here on our last night in Nice. A perfect farewell dinner before we headed to our next destination, Saint-Remy de Provence.

La Glace

2010-12-24T18:25:00.000-08:00

Going to France in the summer gave us a good excuse to have ice cream every place we went. The most noteworthy flavor we had was in Nice: caramel au beurre salee (big surprise) with nibs of gooey toffee throughout.

As Happy as Clams

2010-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

Since last May, Ronak and I have talked about recreating the meal we had at Esca on our 1 year anniversary: Linguine with briny clams, hot red pepper and pancetta. A few nights ago we finally did, using Chef David Pasternack's cookbook, Young Man & the Sea, as our bible. It seemed appropriate to go to Eataly for the main ingredients, since Pasternack has his hand in the produce selection (and his cookbook sits perched on the fish counter there).

Despite the hub of the lunch-time crowd, the fish monger gave us his full attention and explained the difference between mahogany and little neck clams-- The recipe called for either, but since the two types of clams are so different in size we had trouble deciding. In the end we went with mahogany-- a good choice! The clams were delicious and succulent, though it was the smokiness of the pancetta and heat from the peppers that left us with the most memorable taste in our mouths... once again.

Uncom-pear-able

2010-11-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

8am. Awake early on a Sunday morning. A beautiful rarity for me. The city was sweepingly serene and quiet. As I pretended to still be asleep, I heard the usual sounds of rummaging in the kitchen. The master was prepping her instruments...

10am. Sara's family arrived and warmth suddenly filled the apartment. Théo's big blue eyes lit up the room. Everyone's laughter filled the air. Sunrays flooded our windows that day.

11am. Breakfast was finally ready! It was perhaps the best french toast all of us have ever had. Thinly sliced bosc pears, caramelized in sugar, tucked inside bread dipped in a pear-liqueur-spiked egg batter... then crisped to a golden brown, and topped with powdered sugar. As if it couldn't get any better, out came the crispy applewood bacon. The result was all smiles and a lot of "mm-mmming". A wonderful day for Rachel, Fabien and Théo to visit, for Sara's pear-ents to be there, enjoying the delicious pear-ing that was so ap-pear-ant (sorry had to to do it!).

Green Day

2010-11-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

Friday afternoon at the Union Square Farmer's Market.

The Beat

2010-11-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

To me, life's best relationships have always carried a rhythm. The hum of your favorite teacher. The sound of your mother fiddling around the house. Flipping the pages of an exciting book. Well, the rhythm of our relationship has always been food... and on this special night, we were enchanted by the BEAT of the Tabl a. (Tabla is the word for Indian drum)

Tabla is a Danny Meyer-owned restaurant just a block from our apartment, with the brilliant Floyd Cardoz as chef. The waitress characterized the meal as seasonal ingredients using Indian spices and French cooking techniques. A perfect fit for me and Sara.

This was a truly notable meal. We shared everything, starting with the Five Onion Soup, a tangy broth with a delicious light spice to whet the palate. For the main course, we had the Fawa Crispy Skate with Peekytoe Crab Biryani (!!) and the Goan Beet Salad. The skate was perfectly prepared with a Fawa breading that gave it great texture and glimmer. The beet salad had crispy bacalao chips (salted cod) with an intense saltiness that heightened all the flavors. For dessert, we ordered the Mango Ice Cream Sundae, which is something I will never forget. Topped with mascarpone, meringue 'kisses', hazelnuts and crumble, the mango ice cream was perfectly creamy and not too sweet.

As we were leaving the the restaurant, we noted that the 80's decor seemed a bit out of place. It was then that Sara noticed a bin full of huge pomegranates and joked about swiping one... when the busboy told us "its all yours, go ahead and take it! We are closing in a month anyway."

.... and so we left this amazing meal with a bittersweet ending. Another new favorite soon to be gone... yet, we are so glad we had our chance to experience it and will try to go one more time before its gone, even if just for dessert.

Trader Jacques

2010-11-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Trader Joe's, we don't need to go to a patisserie in Paris, or even leave the house to have freshly baked croissants.

JULiETTE

2010-11-08T10:18:00.001-08:00

This past Sunday we went to Williamsburg to see Kristen run in the NYC Marathon. We cheered her on from Bedford Avenue, and spotting her among the thousands of runners felt like an accomplishment in and of itself. As she approached us there were mutual squeals of excitement, and even after she continued on, we couldn't shake the pride we felt from her amazing achievement.

All that cheering made us hungry so we decided to eat lunch in the neighborhood. We happened upon JULiETTE, a quintessential french bistro filled with red flea market chairs, vintage metal signs and Ricard Pernod bottles. How could we resist? There was a bit of a wait, but after one sip of their deliciously spicy Bloody Mary we were pacified. We ordered the Banana Stuffed French toast, and while it was good, it just couldn't stand up to our favorite recipe. We also had the Omelette of the Day, filled with kale & jack cheese. The crispy potatoes cooked in extra virgin olive oil were the highlight of that dish... Oh and another highlight, they served Stumptown coffee.

Our New Stumping Ground

2010-11-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

As an alternative to the numerous Starbucks in the city we decided to check out Stumptown Coffee last weekend. It's located in the Ace Hotel just a short stroll from our apartment. Originating in Portland, the Stumptown brand has thankfully made it's way to NYC, bringing along its charm and its beans.

It was particularly brisk last Saturday, so even though the line was long we were happy to step into this cozy cafe just to escape the cold. Stumptown has a 1940's vibe, with baristas wearing vests and newsies-style caps. Once we realized that we could be served from the hotel lobby we parked ourselves there, shed our coats, and absorbed the mid-century atmosphere. The coffee was rich and smooth and we agreed that once we're out of Peet's, Stumptown will become our new home staple.

Gone Pickin'

2010-10-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Rachel, Fabien, Claire, Jenny, Erik and I spent the afternoon apple picking at Melick's Farm in New Jersey. Ellis and Théo came along for the fun as well. We filled or bushels with golden delicious, granny smith and jonagold apples while eating a few right off the tree.

Sadly, Ron wasn't feeling well so he had to stay home in bed... though he was able to partake in the experience later on in the form of a homemade apple-raspberry crumble.

New York à la Provençal

2010-10-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

For my 30th Birthday Ron took me to Mas (Farmhouse) tucked away on Downing street in Greenwich Village. I had just recently become acquainted with the word "Mas" while doing hotel research for our trip to Provence, and was ecstatic that Ron happened to find the urban equivalent in New York City.

The restaurant was very elegant with rustic textures and simple lines. We sat next to each other at the long communal table and enjoyed taking in the scenery from our central perspective. The menu was seasonal and organic with tantalizing ingredients that made it very hard for us to come to a decision. To make it a little easier we assured each other we would share everything. The lighting was too low to capture decent photos, but I think the descriptions below do the trick.

Sweet Corn Soup with Seared Sea Scallop
Greenmarket Corn, Parsley & Hon Shemiji Mushrooms

Liberty Gardens Tomato Tart
Caramelized Onions, Parmesan Sablée, Toasted Pinenut Dressing

Medallions of Halibut Wrapped in Leeks
Summer Squash & Zucchini Sautéed with Onion Brulée, Chanterelles

Roasted Wild Striped Bass
Green Cauliflower Purée, Baby Leeks & Ragout of Corn & Cranberry Beans

Concord Grape & Apple Cider Sorbet
Honey & Caramel Ice Cream

...And Many More

2010-10-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

A big thanks to all my friends who could join me in celebrating my 30th birthday. Hundred Acres will forever have a warm place in my memory. While the ambiance was beautiful and food undoubtedly delicious, I will remember most the conversations, seeing my friends get to know each other, and just feeling the love from everyone that night.

Savoring Summer

2010-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend our friends Max & Joanna invited us to the Hamptons for a little getaway, and to bid our final farewells to Summer. We never got out our swimsuits, but instead our sweatshirts, and embraced the crisp autumn air and traces of campfire smoke.

On our way out we stopped at one of the many farm stands and stocked up on fresh sweet corn. As soon as we got home we ate the first couple of ears with butter and black truffle salt. Delicious. The remainder of the corn I combined with ingredients from the Union Square Farmers Market and made a Corn Chowder with homemade bacon bits. It may have been the first homemade soup of Fall, but it still had all the flavors of a beautiful Summer.

A Very Nice Dinner

2010-08-29T20:26:00.001-07:00

Bonne-Maman prepared the perfect meal before our send-off to Nice: A classic salade nicoise (with potatoes), bread, cheese, and red wine.

R.I.P. Cafe Colonial

2010-07-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

To our horror, Ron and I just discovered that Cafe Colonial, a Nolita landmark and the setting for our 3rd date, has closed down. Everything was perfect about this place-- the breezy Brazilian atmosphere, the vintage tiled floor and tin ceiling, and of course the food. Its disappearance is not only a loss to us, but a huge loss to a neighborhood where it stood for 15 years.

Allen & Delancey, where Ron and I had our first date has also since closed. I hope a pattern isn't forming where we experience these amazing places together, and then they disappear only to become legendary tales.

Savoring the Salt

2010-06-22T11:31:00.001-07:00

For our 1 year anniversary I signed Ron and myself up for a cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Education. We took the Savor the Salt class which focuses on dishes that use salt in a variety of cooking techniques. Chef Renée Marton explained to us the history of salt and brought in salts from various regions for us to taste. The truffle-infused salt was by far our favorite. Eleven of us were divided into teams and had the opportunity to cook Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons, Spiced-Salt Rubbed Rib Eye Steak, Whole Red Snapper Baked in a Salt Crust and the reason I chose this class... Caramel Ice Cream topped with flaky pink Australian sea salt in homemade tuiles. Ron was especially hands on in making the ice cream. Hmm, I wonder why?

We love you BLUE

2010-06-20T17:28:00.001-07:00

Amidst rolling hills once occupied by America's richest and most prestigious family, the Rockefellers... Stone Barns is now a modern eco-fantasy, full of frolicking animals, rows of lush vegetables, manicured lawns and set deep in Westchester county.

When we drove into the gates, we gasped for air at the sight of endless views of hilly terrain and antiquated wooden fences. A very relaxed voice greeted us as we entered the gate "Oh you're here for Blue Hill? Are you excited?".... Absolutely. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever expect an experience of this magnitude.

As we continued along the drive of the property, we could sense that they take great pride in their level of service. The valet jokingly asked if we wanted the car waxed with Armor All and then explained the property to us. The valet!!! A few steps later, by way of a cobble stone path we approached a barn adorned with stone bricks and ivy growing wildly on the building's facade. We could hear sheep in the background. We smelled fresh air. Wait a second, "Where were we again?"... Only 45 minutes from the city.

Entering the restaurant, we were amped for the Farmer's Feast, a multi-course tasting menu the chef creates around the day's harvest. The waiter asked us to take a look at the ingredients available to the chef, and to list those that we had aversions to and those that 'excited' us. We requested no chick peas, organ meats, lamb or goat cheese... We were game for anything else.

They were generous with the amuse bouches and brought them out one after the other. First up, a sugar snap pea 'burger' which had an incredible combination of flavors in between two tiny bite-sized buns.

After that we had a sampling of two house made charcuterie, thinly sliced bologna and speck wrapped around warm potato, followed by two shots of a cool fizzy lime drink- just what we needed on a 9o degree day.

For our appetizer we were served Maine crab sandwiched between thinly sliced white beets, garnished with diced strawberries, wildflowers, and an inexplicably delicious green sauce. Very refreshing! Next came a farm fresh poached egg served over warm fava beans and topped with bits of pancetta and crispy breadcrumbs.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, out came the main course: Pork tenderloin au jus, served along side a duo of roasted and pickled beets, and a bite-sized cube of crispy pork fat. After that, dessert didn't dare disappoint. We had raspberries & blackberries served atop a cream 'jam', sprinkled with homemade granola and garnished with pink rose petals and lemon zest. An unbelievable finish!

We will definitely visit the Stone Barns estate again (perhaps on a cooler day) and can't wait to spend more time exploring the farm. We never did find the pigs. And next time I think next time we'll try the cafe which is supposed to have amazing sandwiches and be a much easier on the pocket.

Hello Fada

2010-06-07T13:50:00.001-07:00

Ron and I went to The Renegade Craft Fair on Sunday in Williamsburg. We met up with Jenny, Erik, & ellis and when our stomachs started growling we worked our way over to the charming French bistro, Fada, located on the north end of Driggs Avenue. I recalled having been there before many years ago when Jenny was still living on Bedford Avenue (circa 2002). It was nice to see that not much had changed.

Even though it was very hot out (with a chance of tornado), we opted to sit outside in the garden. We were happy that Jess and Matthew joined us there later after having missed each other at the fair.

The menu was simple, with standard french fare-- croque monsieur, moules, salade nicoise... We were too hot for anything warm so Ron and I split the caprese sandwich and grilled chicken salad. Tasty, but really the atmosphere surpassed the food: chipped enamel tables, worn flea market chairs, painted beams in a provencal cornflower blue... It was a mini-trip to Marseille just before the rain began to fall.

Shake Shack Attack

2010-06-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Shake Shack is our infamous neighbor who is always too busy to hang out. We've been yearning to chill there for a while now, but the line that's usually wrapped around the south end of Madison Square Park always keeps us walkin on by. On the prelude to Summer's Eve (Memorial Day dinner to be exact), we decided to go for it... and you know what, the line wasn't bad at all. In less than 15 minutes we were ordering our food. Luck was on our side.

We ordered the shake shack burger, New York dog, french fries and vanilla shake, all for $16, which anyone in New York would consider a real bargain for quality food.

The burger was well prepared and tender, with cheese melted to perfection. The fries were crinkle cut, which we normally hate because of the soggyness factor, but surprisingly, these fries were crispy even after an hour. The shake was like a slowly melting scoop of ice cream with a hint of salt. Needless to say, we passed out soon after eating. A perfect way to end Spring and bring in Summer...

Oxymoron Cafe

2010-06-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Cafe Regular du Nord is nestled on Berkeley Place off of 7th Avenue in Park Slope. The name of this cafe is its anti-thesis, as there is nothing 'Regular' about it. The decor oozes old world European charm and convinces you that it could have been here for at least a century. No details have been overlooked, from the dark wood paneling to the crystal chandelier hanging from a weathered tin ceiling... all done with utmost authenticity.

Even better than the decor is the coffee itself. The iced coffee was probably one of the best I've had (it was actually an iced cafe latte, but same difference :). The frothy milk on top tamed the bold flavor of the Latin American beans just enough.

The outstanding coffee & aesthetic of this cozy cafe really sets it apart from the rest. If we lived in the North Slope there's no doubt we would become regulars.

Kyo ya.... ya ya ya!!

2010-05-29T09:08:00.001-07:00

May 28, 2010: We visited Kyo ya, one of the most mysterious, hidden Japanese treasures in New York City. I first visited this place with my Japanese clients a few years back. Apparently, this restaurant came to fame through inner circles of Japanese New Yorkers, in a hush-hush-pass-it-along type of movement. Certainly "oishi" (japanese for yummy) all across the board.

We started with a pressed salmon sushi appetizer, followed by a corn potage soup (with brussel sprouts), which led us to a panko-breaded sea scallop sitting on top of nori seaweed paste (incredible!), a piece of delicious flaky miso black cod and ended with an entree of magret duck, thinly sliced sitting on top of mache greens. The flavors were classic Japanese - not much 'preparation', but just simple flavorful natural elements. For dessert we had a vanilla custard complemented with caramel syrup, which reminded Sara of french creme caramel. The unique menu choices and presentation, along with the authentic interior design added an element of warmth and comfort. We certainly add Kyo ya to our list of the best Japanese restaurants in New York.

Oshi!!!

2010-05-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ever since I got my first Japanese client in 2005, I've slowly become a Japanese food connoisseur. Partly because the Japanese themselves think that New York Japanese cuisine ranks as highly as Tokyo, and partly due to all my trips to Japan.

The Japanese food voyage I've been on over the past 5 years has been bi-polar: both wonderful and eerie, both comforting and adventurous. It was always my desire to share these experiences with Sara. And one by one, we've been doing just that.

One of our first visits was to Japonais, a French-Japanese fusion restaurant in my neighborhood. Excellent, overpriced Japanese fare, accentuated by great sushi cuts. The star of their menu is their Kieseke options of delicately cooked small plates. The vibe of the restaurant is red, glowing and trendy. Not a particular fit for our tastes, but a fun visit.

Next up, was 15 EAST, a small restaurant off of Union Square which is very good with sushi & sashimi. With Sara, it was my third visit and unfortunately I've observed declining quality each time. What was really unique was the live sea urchin, sitting in its prickly black hollowed shell, which was served on a bed of ice and eaten with with a spoon. While Sara enjoyed the unique experience, she didn't love the texture. Overall, a very good sushi experience but not quite worth the price-tag.

An exclusive staple of the west village, EN Japanese Brasserie, is an excellent choice for a full rounded Japanese experience. One of my clients had pointed out that EN is a semi fast-food option in Japan, but in the West Village, this restaurant is all dressed up and ready to impress. The restaurant features an extensive selection of vegetarian options (almost unheard of within Japanese restaurants), and excellent full rounded choices. The sushi was soft and delicate, and the black cod and other small dishes completed the meal.

Esca- One Year!

2010-05-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

For 12 months, our footsteps have moved closely in sync with flavorful bites as our lives dance together. Always together, and always hungry..... of course.

It was fitting that exactly a year after we met at a food tasting, after a year of amazing food adventures (and other adventures too), after a year of romantic, sense-seizing moments... we celebrated the anniversary of our first meeting at my favorite restaurant in NYC... Esca.

I've been filling Sara's ears with tales of this place for a year... the restaurant's quaint airy feeling brings you deep into Southern Italy. Not only does it have the best wine selection in the city, this place has some of the best seafood & pasta dishes imaginable.

The meal started with an outstanding crudo tasting. Two flights of three tastes each. The crudo is basically sashimi, Italian style. Wonderful cuts of fish, marinated in lemon juice, a touch of olive oil... seasoned with sea salt... in other words, absolute perfection. The pasta dish we shared was linguine with clams and pancetta, and it may have been the best pasta dish either of has ever tried. The waiter warned us that it may be "too briny" or salty due to the ocean elements involved in the dish, which made us even more excited. The mixture of dried chili with al dente linguine left us feeling like we were overlooking the Mediterranean ocean. We complimented the meal with a beautiful bottle of Elena Walsh and finished it off with run raisin fritters filled with orange zabaglione, cappuccinos and a strong vintage grappa.

While Sara was in the restroom before leaving, I quickly snagged the chef's cookbook and had him sign it for her - a little impromptu surprise waiting for her to top off our evening. Our three hour trip to Southern Italy during this special evening filled our eyes with wonder, our hearts with delight, our stomachs with satisfaction and our dreams of many many more exciting food adventures to follow in the future.

Van Leeuwen

2010-04-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ron and I have seen the classic yellow Van Leeuwen ice cream truck parked all over Manhattan (Greene St, 23rd St, 14th St), but it wasn't until we visited Jenny & Erik in Greenpoint that we had a taste of this highly-rated ice cream. The storefront is really charming and the flavors are unique and natural. Jenny had the strawberry which was delicious and very natural tasting--the color wasn't even pink, but a rose-tinted cream. I ordered what I thought to be cinnamon, but received something closer to Red Hot-flavored ice cream. I passed it around for confirmation-- All agreed, it definitely tasted like Red Hots. Unsatisfied, I ate almost the whole thing anyway because I wanted to eat the sugar cone. Even though our first taste of Van Leeuwen ice cream wasn't as great as we had hoped, it will be hard to resist the call of the ice cream truck as hot summer days approach.

Mermaid Inn-lusion

2010-03-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

For months, we anticipated our eventual visit to the Mermaid Inn. But the restaurant, named after the mysterious siren of the sea, kept alluding us. There were several occasions we tried to call in for a last minute reservation, and repeatedly got denied. We even tried walking in a few times. The last time we tried, our get together with friends at the Mermaid Inn on the Upper West Side got canceled. Finally, after the long await, we got our chance.

Upon entry, the restaurant is charming and exciting. The tables are bustling, the east village crowd is eclectic and the aromas fill the space. The oceanic themes are well formulated throughout. When the food arrived, however, we were slightly disappointed. Not sure if it was all the hype, but the dishes just didn't seem as special as we had expected given the space and atmosphere. Sara ordered our favorite (the skate), which was broiled, crispy and flavorful, and I got the dorado, which was over prepared and complex, as well as slightly dry. Nice dishes, but again, nothing spectacular. The restaurant also offers no dessert menu, which doesn't work for me. Everyone gets the same complimentary chocolate pudding with a tuft of whipped cream. Creamy and fun, but certainly nothing special about it. But the prices were reasonable and Sara enjoyed her skate.

This place is special for the experience. This was highlighted at the end when we got this unique fortune fish. Its a thin plastic cutout that you hold in your hand and see how it reacts. I got the moving head (indeed, for being jealous of Sara's skate)... and she got the moving head and tail, which reminded me of what these restaurant experiences are all about. Sure, the food can be win or lose. But its the experience & the love that matters most.. so in that sense, the night was perfect.

Outdoor Markets, Istanbul

2010-03-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

We're still kicking ourselves for not having tried to freshly-squeezed pomegranate juice along Istikal Street.

House Cafe, Istanbul

2010-03-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

Being that it seems so unique, we found it hard to believe that House Cafe is actually a chain with locations all over Istanbul. We only spotted two, and ate at 1, but we would have been happy to have had lunch here every day during our stay.

Delicatessen, Istanbul

2010-03-21T19:01:00.001-07:00

Our last and favorite meal in Istanbul.

Kebab House, Istanbul

2010-03-21T18:51:00.001-07:00

Kiss, Kiss, Madame....

2010-02-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in New York, you just get lucky. Anyone that lives in the city has had their moments, searching Menupages, looking for "what to eat" tonight. The fridge is empty, the evening has escaped from us, we want something not too expensive, but delicious. And often, as New Yorkers, we choose something that we've regretted. Fortunately for Sara and I, we got very lucky this time!

Le Pescadeux is on Thompson Street between Prince and Spring. Its a place you've walked by a hundred times but never noticed. The sign outside looks like this business card. The restaurant is spacious, but has a warm and inviting feel. Deep blue velvet curtains, minimalist decoration and candles.

The food was incredible. The first thing that was us over was the warm bread and French butter topped with Hawaiian sea salt. Then, we got started with the frisee salad and mussels, which were perfectly stewed in a pot with chorizo and tomatoes. For the main course, they gave us a 1/2 portion of two fish dishes. Perfect for us, as we love to try a bit of everything. We got to try the pike, dorado, octopus and cod... and since we always share our plates, we each got to try all four things. Amazing feast!

As we headed out, the owner/head of the restaurant took Sara's hand and kissed it twice, inviting us back to their restaurant "any time", and telling us about the live jazz they have on Wednesdays. All of the staff followed suit and thanked us profusely. We left feeling full, buzzed, and well... loved.

Cha an, and on and on...

2010-01-17T17:22:00.001-08:00

Sara read about this Japanese tea house a while back and wanted to check it out, along with a quick stop at "Sunrise Mart".... both Japanese traditions of the neighborhood, her old Cooper Union stomping ground!.

Cha-an is a fun, authentic Japanese experience with a great selection of teas. The food is Japanese keiseke (which means you won't find sushi there). But the flavors are light, healthy and adventurous. The wooden surroundings are serene, and the atmosphere makes for lovely conversation - a perfect way to start a Sunday...

A "Little Owl" told me...

2010-01-03T15:08:00.001-08:00

For weeks leading up to my birthday, Sara made little hints about our brunch plans. More along the lines of, "make sure you're hungry"... "don't forget"... "shhhhhh"... thinking back, those sounds were quite Owl-like.

I was joyfully surprised when we arrived at the restaurant, Little Owl. It was a restaurant that entered our radar a while back, after numerous friends talked about it, we read reviews as New York's "best burger" and it just happens to be on one of our favorite blocks in the west village. With a dusting of snow from the night before, the scene was set for a hearty meal.

The restaurant itself was quaint and charming. Only about 10 small tables. Extra large windows, a small bar and simplistic design. Sara particularly liked the Owl logo and noticed that all of the restaurant's dishes were from Fishs Eddy. It added to the charm..

Even though it was only 11am, we both of course had to try the burger. A plate of perfection soon arrived. The fresh cuts were accentuated by robust hearty flavors and perfectly grilled, allowing the burger to "breathe". The bun was different, a nice sourdough roll full of nooks and crannies to absorb the flowing juices of the burger. The plate was soon drenched and we were all smiles. As could be expected in a place so small, the waitstaff was extremely friendly. The maitre'd even left me with a memorable message as we were leaving: "Turning 30 was good...its encouraging for all you can now do, if you want to do anything at all". Interesting, indeed.

As soon as we stepped outside in the January 2nd cold, flurries of snow began falling again, and we were reminded not of the past, but of all the things that could follow...

Ballin' at Balthazar

2009-12-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T13:41:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

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'

2009-11-30T14:45:00.001-08:00

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...

2009-11-29T13:05:00.001-08:00

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...

2009-11-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

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...

2009-10-18T15:15:00.003-07:00

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

2009-10-18T15:15:00.001-07:00

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.