Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Charleston

Filed Under: Life, Travelon August 29th, 2010

The one bad thing about my job, well I guess it’s the good thing about my job too, is that it never stops. After spending a week in Charleston I had eaten and drank my body weight in pig, butter, bourbon and all things southern. All for research of course. I knew when it was time to go home.

The wonderful thing about Charleston is that everything is do-able in a week. Actually, you could do it in even less time but you’d be eating and drinking so much I hardly imagine it would be enjoyable. The culture is so rich, and the food is richer.

Craft beers and water at The Blind Tiger

The plan was to relax, eat good food, drink, and try not to melt (from heat). As much as I appreciate all the historical aspects, I learn best in bars. Quote me on that: “I learn best in bars.” Possibly my book title? That being said most of this so-called research was conducted doing just that, eating and drinking.

The first evening kicked off with seafood at S.N.O.B. which stands for “slightly north of Broad [St.]” and ended with the most delicious chocolate bread pudding. A dessert that wasn’t matched for the rest of the trip and was the last stop I made before heading home … they were out.

The next day I proposed a happy hour bar crawl, figuring this was the best way to eat and drink on a budget while getting to see everything. It’s also a great idea for someone like myself that’s hardly ever satisfied with eating everything at one spot. How often does a restaurant have a wine/drink list, excellent food, dessert, and a cool vibe? You’d be surprised, not that many.

The problem was I didn’t eat much prior in the day, which if you know me, leads to one thing, low blood sugar. That version of myself isn’t pretty. I wouldn’t be friends with her.

That being said about halfway through the bar crawl, after hitting up The Blind Tiger (had to, as homage to my neighborhood spot), Pearlz Oyster Bar, and Vendue Rooftop, my partner and crime and I stopped at Moe’s. A local joint with lots of on-tap beers and bar food. Not so classy, but it had to be done.

The following day we divulged in BBQ tacos at my favorite downtown Charleston BBQ joint and ate enough cornbread to suffice until dinner. Following meals included Cyrpress, lost hopes of bread pudding as good as the first night at High Cotton and Blossom, and an afternoon boozy lunch at Fleet Landing where we sat on the water and ate seafood.

There was hardly room for dessert as we finished up on the last day before boarding the plan. Somehow I managed a slice of key lime pie though …

My Daily Indulgence

Filed Under: Food, Life, New York Cityon August 5th, 2010

Some people need help getting out of bed in the morning. Coffee, cigarettes, foreplay … you name it, everyone has a ritual.

My problem isn’t so much getting out of bed (sleeping really isn’t my thing) but staying perky throughout the day. Now, while I don’t indulge my adrenal glands with an afternoon espresso, I do need a sugar fix.

Shockingly I have not done a list of my favorite dessert places in NYC yet, no time like the present!

So after being asked by a friend what places I go to eat dessert, I came up with a pretty good list.

  1. I detest Magnolia Bakery cupcakes (sorry New York). The method of reaching over people, serving yourself, the ridiculous line filled with Carrie Bradshaw fans, and the I-need-to-brush-my-teeth feeling after one dip of a finger in the icing. Yick. BUT their Hummingbird Cake (which they sell by the slice) is the only version of the cake (I’ve seen) above the Mason-Dixon Line, and it’s a pretty good one at that. All you carrot cake fans may be converted. (401 Bleecker St., Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, 200 Columbus Ave.)

    Compliments of DinnerCakes.com

  2. Sweet Revenge is a cupcake bar. Literally, a bar. Here you can have your cocktails and your Cupcakes. Marlo, the owner, is gaining ground in the NYC food world with her signature Mohawk cupcakes and wine/beer pairings. Favorite flavors: Crimson and Cream and Sweet Revenge. (62 Carmine St.)
  3. As much as I hate the French tourists, over-rated French Fries and constant go-go-go of Balthazar’s scene, I often indulged myself after a long day at school with their “Late Afternoon Menu” which includes some of my favorite things on the menu. To finish the meal I’d have their Warm Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Ice Cream. I know the middle isn’t cooked even close to where health code would permit, but all you do-gooders, keep your mouth shut and eat. Don’t ruin the one good thing about this place. That, and if you dine alone (as a lady) you get a free glass of bubbly. (80 Spring St.)
  4. There’s nothing better than afternoon tea. In fact, that’s part of my dessert ritual when the temperature dips anything below 70 degrees. I should have been British! Alas, my ears and teeth are too small and straight respectively … but one thing I can enjoy is tea and the best Scones in the city at Alice’s Tea Cup. Remember the saying, “Don’t eat anything bigger than your head?” Well, I have a tiny head, and these scones are head-size, and I DO eat them. These scones are more like cake slices, the British would be appalled! Best bets are their Strawberry (or Raspberry) Chocolate Scones and whatever the daily special is. (102 W. 73rd, 156 E. 64th St., 220 E. 81st St.)
  5. My favorite dessert of all time has to be Ice Cream. I could eat it for breakfast, late night, in bed, and in just about every country on this planet … considering I lived on packaged ice cream in remote China. But I’m a picky bitch, and only the best will do. As a Jersey Girl, Hoffman’s Ice Cream (holla, I know you know it, Jersey) IS home. I actually love the stuff so much I once had an ex-boyfriend bet me that if I worked there (I was basically there all the time anyways!) he would take me to Per Se … Thinking back on it I should have! But in New York, as I mentioned earlier this week, Grom is the best. Also the most expensive (according to The New York Times), but in my opinion, worth it. Best flavor, Cioccolato Extranoir, i.e. Extra Dark Chocolate. My second spot is Emack and Bolio, the (I hate to say this) Boston chain come New York. Again, freshest ingredients and a staff that knows me so well they slab on an extra scoop. (several locations for each)
  6. For Pies and all Breakfast Desserts (biscuits!) the only place I love going is Bubby’s. I’m not a brunch person. Again, New York is going to hate me. Maybe it’s the chef in me that thinks about the over-worked, often cranky staff that’s serving the chef’s left-over Saturday night special scramble. I’m usually not this cynical, but instead of waiting in line with other cranky (and hungover) New Yorkers to pay $12 for an omelet, wouldn’t you rather be in bed with the one you love, or the guy you met last night at 4 am … ? Luckily for me Bubby’s is open 24/7 and serves breakfast most of the day as well. If you’re feeling sinful get their Banana Pancakes and THEN a slice of the Cherry Pie (my person favorite, especially during the summer). (120 Hudson St.)
  7. City Bakery invented one of the most sought out foodie items for a New Yorker; the Pretzel Croissant. They also make some of the best desserts and breads in the city. Their off shoot, Bird Bath Bakery, in my hood makes the best Bourbon Apple Sauce Cake. I can’t begin to describe how incredibly intense this dessert is. They MUST soak, correction, allow the cake to BATHE in a buttery/bourbon mixture. Reminds me of North Carolina faster than I can eat it. They only make it during Bourbon season (which I wasn’t aware of). Come to think of it, maybe they ran out because I ate so many … (160 Prince St.)
  8. This breakfast option will put all doughnuts to shame. El Quinto Pino’s housemade Ensaimadas are lard sweet rolls. Enough said right? Oh, and they’re covered in powdered sugar. Go West my friends and grab them with a coffee before 2 PM. (401 W. 24th St. nr. 9th Ave)

There are also two places that I’ve been meaning to try and will remort back about next week: Clinton St. Bakery and Pies and Thighs.

Give Me Some Ice Cream

Filed Under: Lifeon July 19th, 2010

I have an obsession, and it has nothing to do with the Calvin Klein perfume.

Here are my hints:

I eat it everyday, there can never be enough, and when in doubt if a shop exists in a mile radius of any current location, rest assure, I will find it.

My sixth sense is finding ice cream.

When I was in China I sustained myself on white rice and packaged ice cream when we traveled sometimes for hours/days without legit meals, in my neighborhood I had every spot figured out by the close of my first week, and I have been known to disappear from parties, dinners, events and magically reappear with a cone.

For me, any time of year, ice cream is the ultimate dessert. And I’m one picky bitch when it comes to what constitutes as “good” ice cream.

Eating with a fork is better than a spoon (although this is an odd behavior) because it allows for more of your taste buds to experience the food. I prefer a cone. Lick it up.

And for the record, gelato vs. ice cream? Good ice cream is better than gelato, but gelato is better than about 90% of the ice cream you can get in shops. Gelato typically has a lower butterfat content and less sugar, but done well, is better than frost burnt stale Friendly’s-type ice creams.

A few years ago I wrote an article for Kimberly Belle about the best NYC spots for ice cream. Being inspired, as a I just ate a double dark chocolate cone from GROM, I thought I’d share. I’ve made some adjustments, but it’s a good start for your summer fun …

Summer Grilling

Filed Under: Lifeon June 28th, 2010

In my opinion, summer is the best time to eat. Everything is fresh, the air is warm, and there’s nothing like cooking outside. People seem happier when the weather gets warmer and I’m no exception. Barefoot grillers, cold beers, night sky, and tons of camaraderie, who doesn’t like it?

Grilling, in my opinion is sometimes a little too overexposed. Everyone and their mother becomes enamored with the mystique of grilling the second Memorial Day arrives. I would grill in the winter, the fall, the summer, you name it, and not because it’s the “it” way, but because, let’s face it, it’s tastes SO GOOD!

I’m not a hunter, but I imagine it must feel similar to shooting your own game, cooking, and eating it. Or catching a fish … Grilling takes us back to almost a primordial period of time. Connecting us to the outdoors. Okay, I’m being a little dramatic … I mean I just said there was a “mystique” around grilling, so I guess there is some room for over-exaggeration …

One of my favorite things to do is grill pizza. Sometimes I top a grilled dough with grilled steak, done minutes prior on the same cooking surface, sometime I go sans meat, with tomatoes and basil.

Simple, summer, satisfying. This is a creation my Dad and I made last week. It has steak, caramelized onions, blue cheese, and balsamic vinegar.

In honor of Meatless Mondays, try something vegetarian, using your grill for more than just meat? Well, that’s a new spin on an old summer standby.

Hot Child In the City

Filed Under: Life, New York Cityon June 22nd, 2010

If you’re like my girlfriends and I, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear these lyrics (“hot child in the city”) is the fantastic rooftop party with drag-queens, onesies, and  ”flirtinis” in “Sex and the City.” Despite the fact that “Sex and the City” makes it seem like every young woman in New York is dating Mr. Big and buying Manolos (although we are trying), this scene is somewhat true.

Fact: A certain truth of New York City life … if you have no moola you ain’t leavin’ this summer.

And if you do? You’re not on a roof making your own cocktails and flirting with men living lives as women. But that’s neither here nor there, I guess.

What summer in the city does mean though is this, HOTNESS, everywhere. In your apartment, on the subway, on the streets. Forget wearing makeup, drinking coffee (unless it’s iced), or blow-drying your hair.

But …

Here are some perks to summer living in the city:

  1. There’s a Mr. Softee on every corner, in every neighborhood, and ice cream is only about $2.
  2. Street fairs, concerts, events, and festivals are almost every night or weekend, and they’re affordable.
  3. Everyone leaves, making restaurants easy to eat at, get reservations at, and not been seen at.
  4. Parks are way less crowded than during the spring. Even WITH construction in Washington Square Park you can get an entire bench, not an 1/8 of an ass cheek, as it occurs in the Spring.
  5. Heat is a great equalizer, everyone is sweating, everyone is hot.
  6. Interns are everywhere, all you cougars. And you know what I’m talking about. Naive, not-yet-stressed “Wannabe Bankers” from elite schools are just dying to spend all there cash and time (‘rents still paying their rents) on young, fun, and recently experienced single ladies of the city.

The cold beers, fresh street mango, grilled corn, iced coffees, outdoor seating, bike rides, and empty streets don’t hurt either …

Personal Time

Filed Under: Lifeon May 23rd, 2010

For a mother with three crying kids, “downtime” might be an hour to read a book … get a manicure … drink a glass of wine … or all three, depending on your income level I assume?

Regardless, everyone needs a “moment” to themselves. The student, the banker, the bartender, and the chef all need a little break every once in a while to prevent burnout.

Some people enjoy a nice cocktail or meal out with a loved one. Others enjoy cooking an elaborate meal or zoning out in front of the TV with a bag of potato chips, but for me, one who is surrounded by food 24/7 I sometimes need a break from ANYTHING food related.

I’m constantly moving, connecting, talking, reading, speaking, cooking, or eating food. I have food dreams. When I run along the West Side Highway, I think about meals, menus, recipes and ideas for food articles or jobs. During my non-work related hours I read food magazines, watch food TV, and write recipes in my diary! It’d be safe to say that I’ve got food on the brain.

It’s also probably also one of the reasons why I’m really good at what I (or what I’m trying to) do in life.

But yes alas, sometimes I do get overwhelmed with all things food. I usually need to inject some sort of “other” factor into the equation to make myself calm again, such as travel, reading, shopping, or going out with friends. Inevitably many of these “others” turn into food ventures because of my sheer love for the topic, BUT I have to learn a little more balance.

Last week I was consumed by food. Party planning for friends, interviewing for jobs, eating out, cooking in, catering this, catering that, etc. and I lost sight of why I love this all so much. I needed a vacation.

With the temptation of jumping on the next departing flight out of Newark, but lacking the monetary means, I can literally taste the bittersweet dreams of daiquiris on a tropical island or sweet sake shots in Japan.

The funny thing is I’m not doing that much. I mean I am, I’m doing many different things, but the lack of routine allows me to go overboard with my own personal food research and experiment. Without a daily gig (at the moment, I’m hoping this changes soon), I have the freedom to devote all my free time in the manner I choose. And guess what this food lover does!? You guess it. So I became overwhelmed.

What I learned through last week’s overload was this: everyday I need to do something non-food related.

That means not running to offset weekend burgers and beers, but because I want to run. It means reading or watching something other than a food magazine, newspaper, or TV show for entertainment, and maybe instead picking up a trashy romance novel where the characters don’t even mention the word “kitchen,” “restaurant,” or “chef” in the plot.

Or it could simply mean booking a flight to somewhere exotic …

I’ve accomplished the first two tasks, and number three should be complete by tomorrow. So in the minutes that it took me to write this blog (again another food related activity) and acknowledge what I’ve learned, I’ve already reverted back to my old ways and begun to think about what I’m making for dinner …

I might be a lost cause …

The Allergy Solution

Filed Under: Life, New York Cityon May 2nd, 2010

I was given this tidbit by a foodie friend I work with and I think this piece of advice is invaluable to people who suffer from spring allergies. Eat honey every day during allergy season. Not just any honey, but the most local honey you can find.

New York City rooftop honey. Not Brooklyn, but New York City honey. And since beekeeping is now legal in New York this is easy to do by perusing the Union Square Farmer’s Market.

Think about it, if you eat honey from bees that pollinate the flowers and trees of your area you gain some sort of immunity. It’s worth trying right?

Surprising Myself

Filed Under: Food, Lifeon April 28th, 2010

Tuesday are my day off, unless I’m catering and then I’m shopping and prepping, but generally speaking I enjoy my nice leisurely Tuesday off. Today I was antsy, I’m not good at being idle … or relaxing.

So throughout the day I thought about all the mouth-watering meals and restaurants I wanted to try, and then, kept reminding myself of my limited (aka complete lack-of) funds and my fully stocked refrigerator. My “eating out” fund this week went to “buying specialty groceries.”

Alas, I debated all day.

And when my conscience (and girlfriend) couldn’t be convinced to journey to The Breslin for a lamb burger with me, I decided to cook at home. This is where I surprised myself.

I know I’m a good cook. I also know that I can basically make up recipes with what I have on hand. Ironically, I get less and less reliant on recipes the more and more I cook. So tonight’s dinner of london broil seared in a cast iron skillet with a side of shaved asparagus and zucchini salad was enough to wow me. So simple it’s embarrassing to even mention I’m surprised.

One thing I’m realizing is that I’m not exactly the healthiest cook when cooking at home. Usually for people it’s the opposite. But the thing is, I can be! I can be VERY good, but tonight wasn’t the case … I mean I was taught at a FRENCH school, butter is a must.

Oh and I fried some Rosemary in the skillet with the steak, yum!

I think this meal shows exactly how to fix a problem Americans have that the Europeans have tackled. Look at the portion sizes. That’s only about 3 oz of red meat. When you go to a restaurant there’s no way you’re getting less than 8 oz. And to be honest, I’d be pissed if I didn’t get that much with the amount of money you pay for a steak in New York.

And don’t kid yourself, that pan had tons of butter and olive oil. And see that blue cheese? I’m not skimping by any means, I’m just eating less of the bad and more of the good.

The salad, a shaved asparagus and zucchini salad is dressed with lemon juice, a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper. When you eat what’s in season (i.e. asparagus) it needs very little “extra.” The chance of one EVER finding Ranch Dressing in my refrigerator is as likely as seeing me work in Walmart. I simply don’t believe in it (or Walmart). Stop rolling your eyes boys, there are better things to dip pizza in …

So there it is, the simplest meal ever, and I couldn’t believe that it tasted so good. Hit the spot, and I didn’t even want to cook tonight!

Catering Calls

Filed Under: Life, Workon April 26th, 2010

Over the last week or so I’ve been catering for friends, and friends of friends. With my tiny Soho apt filled to the brim with food, and my refrigerator stuffed beyond its max, my weekend was beyond hectic.

That being said, here are tidbits about the prep I did for the event, which was a friend’s sister’s bachelorette party. Follow? The party was small but we tried to create a spread that was full of different tastes and flavors. Something that looked like a lot of food, without actually costing hundreds of dollars. I hope I succeeded … post to come …

The humorous part in all this is that my refrigerator is hardly bigger than the college dorm size. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration but generally speaking it is NOT very big. Having to house all that food for a few days was quite a squeeze.

The food in my reusable Whole Foods bag (go green!) is for the event and all the extras were our apartment’s personal stock. I have a lot for a girl living in New York on limited means. For most people who live in New York and work long hours like I do, little cooking is done, but that’s quite the opposite of me. I feel like every time I go to the grocery store it’s an opportunity to build on my pantry …

I’m never a “buy and use all at once” kind of person, like fashion, you have to build your wardrobe … or in this case refrigerator. Here are some staples I always have:

1. Champagne: You never know when there’s cause for celebration, or a date, or a dinner party, or life.

2. Mustard: Nothing adds more flavor with less calories. Can be used for dressings, marinades, sandwiches, spreads, you name it.

3. Rotisserie Chicken: I think this is one of the supermarket’s greatest contributions to the working-cook. Fresh, delicious, pre-made, and takes half the work out of almost any meal you want to create in minutes for chicken alone, to pasta, to sandwiches, to tacos. And for under $10 (sometimes even $6) how can someone NOT have one in the refrigerator at all times?

4. Stock: Whether it be chicken, beef, or vegetable although it’s easy to make (wait for my freezer shot later) it’s always good to have stock on hand to make a quick soup, pasta, or stew. Indispensable at all times.

5. Roasted Red Peppers: I love these little things. Get them packed in water, not oil, and save your waistline. Add them to salads, meat dishes, pizzas, and pastas. I don’t think I could live without them.

So here’s a little insight to my catering space issues and my personal refrigerator staples, remember building a perfect meal is like accessorizing an outfit, you have to build a stock to choose from.

Everyday is Earth Day

Filed Under: Lifeon April 23rd, 2010

I missed the ball yesterday with all the Earth Day who-ha, but the thing is, everyday is Earth Day. Well, everyday should be Earth Day.

I come from a very conservative background. My Pop Pop will roll his eyes when he reads this post because he probably doesn’t believe that global warming is happening. But, I assure you, it is. It’s incredible that every time a natural disaster occurs, I call my Mom and say, “See, now do you believe me!?”

I might be a little “hippy” for my family but this is something that is so incredibly important to me, and it should be for everyone. You don’t like coming home to a messy house, why would you want to live on a messy planet?

The question I get asked all the time is, “Well, if I, one person recycles, or eats local, or whatever, what is that really going to do in the grand scheme of things?” Um, everything! Ever heard of the butterfly effect? What if everyone thought like that? Our planet would look like a dump!

But here are some super easy ways to lower your carbon footprint and help the Earth. They’re so easy, I bet you already did one today …

1. Eat local. Shop at the local produce stand when the weather is nice.

2. Eat less meat. Go vegetarian just one day a week and you’ve already helped tremendously.

3. Walk or bike to work. And it’s a built in work out!

4. Take a shorter shower. A 10 minute shower uses about 25 gallons of water.

5. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Your electric bill will thank you.