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Feature!

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

Fashion inevitably runs into beauty, which runs into style, which runs into … well, in my case food.

I think food is fashionable, not that it looks good on everyone, I actually DON’T think that’s true even for me, but with today’s pop-culture of Food Network, celebrity chefs, and restaurant openings being bigger deals than political acts, food is most defiantly fashionable.

As much as I wish I was a little more stylish, I’d rather spend money on gourmet grocery store finds than lip gloss and purses. But my friends don’t …

Thus, I must thank Alison Brod PR and my good friend Meg Young for featuring me as a “read blog” and connecting the lines of beauty and PR. So for those of you readers who enjoy the fashionable side of food rather than the cooking side … give it a whirl …

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Posted in Life, New York City | 2 Comments »

When it Rains, it Pours

Filed Under: French Culinary Institute, Life, New York Cityon March 20th, 2010

This week has been insane to say the least. I operate on two speeds, lightening or snail. It’s either all day 5 am to 2 am or in bed at 8 pm. I’m not good at moderation. This theme reigns true for everything from work, to travel, to boys.

And when it rains it pours. As the infamous Carrie Bradshaw says, “The only thing a girl needs to get a date, is another date.” And it couldn’t be more true. And for someone with an obsessive personality, it takes its toll.

One of the skills of a good ballet dancer is the ability to keep their eyes focused on a steady point. Without it, they lose their balance and fall of kilter … hardly graceful. And since I’ve been blessed with such amazing grace … errr … I have trouble and lack a steady point. As a 20-something girl living in Manhattan on a limited budget, the notion of a “home base” is as elusive as Prince Charming.

So this week, my second to last of school, crunch time began. Attitudes are flying, tempers are roaring, and more cuts, bruises and scrapes have occurred in four days than in the last 5 1/2 months. And with the conclusion of school nearing, the hunt and interviews for jobs piling up, and my inability to do anything in moderation, what did I do? I went out every night, barely slept, ran way too man miles, spent way too much money, and thought about nothing.

Because if I thought about anything I’d have to think about decisions. More than think about decisions, make decisions. How to decorate a cake? What job to take? etc. And if you just keep ignoring the decisions you have to make, they eventually make themselves …

or … the cake bakes itself, shapes itself, and gets build, you get through it, and in the end it doesn’t turn out half bad.

Excuse the pictures they’re from my phone, better ones to come later.

Our wedding cake was due today at 1:30 pm. The theme: nautical, the outcome … hmm fishy? No, wait, that was the methods behind the cake’s construction …

Cheating? You bet.

I hate short cuts, back cuts, and people who take them when it comes to producing an “original” product. Grow a sack, make your own shit. (Pardon the language, but yes I was that mad inside).

If I could explain how incredibly ODD everyone in my class is, I would. Let’s just say this, some cheated, one burnt caramel (did I mention we weren’t even making caramel? or sugar? why someone was making sugar I haven’t the slightest clue), another swore she pulled a muscle in her forearm and used a cake mold (from the freezer) as an ice pack on her arm WHILE decorating her cake, and the list goes on …

Some cakes were good, all were okay, and none were bad. Mine … was okay. Instead of a classy yacht club wedding, my cake looked more like a 1st grade Sponge Bob birthday party cake. My sugar paste flowers were good though.

So on top of constructing the cake, half the battle was taking the cake home. The cake was bigger than my Soho kitchen … So I had to give away some tiers. So on the one day New York decides to be 75 and HOT, I wear a wool blazer and Timberland boots. Carrying my 25 lb cake up Broadway in broad day light to my friend’s office at BroBible to drop off a layer … I looked like an idiot.

To give you a visual. I had a large J. Crew dress on. The kind that can be either a beach cover up or a boho dress. I was (trying to) pull the latter. Carrying two large cake tiers, and wearing sunglasses that my sister Kellie would think were way to big for my tiny head. Suffice to say Broadway was packed at 4 pm on the sunniest day we’ve had in weeks. Walking in any piece of sidewalk I could, I was struggling to mingle through the crowd.

Now generally speaking I hate walking over grates. Maybe it’s a fear of falling through, or maybe just because I’m usually wearing heels and the thought of ruining shoes or getting stuck is embarrassing enough. Oh, and because it’s not classy to pull a Marilyn Monroe pose …

Yep, full skirt around my hips, hands full with cakes. Thank GOD I was wearing underwear. Boy-shorts, phew, even better. Yep, panties out for Broadway. Best part, no one even turned a head.

No wonder I love New York so much, everyone is as fucked up and self obsessed as myself, not even a little afternoon butt cheek shocks anyone …

Then I went to the new Bowery hot spot Pulino’s for pizza and bubbly, enjoyed the sun and well you know “life,” because as confusing as life is, there’s always cake, there’s always sun, and there’s alway champagne, even if there are job-problems, school-drama, or boy-confusion.

Happy first day of spring!!

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Good People

Filed Under: Life, New York City, Workon March 15th, 2010

I’m like a solider when it comes to gut reaction. Literally. My ability to predict the next move and act on instinct was probably one of the largest factors in my past athleticism … most likely compensating for the fact that I’m an absolute klutz. But, none the less, this skill had come in hand time and time again, and is now helping me pick my future job.

When I meet someone I can tell almost instantaneously if I’m going to get along with them. It works for friends, teachers, bosses, and boyfriends. Stop, pass go, collect $200. Or don’t collect $200. I know. Harsh, brutal, but true, I won’t pretend to be anyone’s friend if I’m not.

Chemistry isn’t everything, but for me, and for a kitchen, it’s about 90% of the battle. That’s why when I first met my boss Kimerbly Belle and Erin Fritch of The Dinner Belle, I knew I was meant to work for and with them.

So giving credit where credit is due, these two make catering seem fashionable, fun, beautiful, and of course delicious. Tonight I’m heading uptown to help them cater at the Park Avenue Armory.

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Let’s Get Hoppy

Filed Under: New York Cityon March 13th, 2010

New York is brutal in many ways. Constantly changing and evolving, and yes, surprising you when you least expect or need it. It’s like running into an ex-boyfriend at Duane Reade while you’re buying Athlete’s Foot powder sans makeup, and just overall not being your most fabulous self.

So after a week of perfectly clear, blue, and unseasonably warm weather in New York, Mother Nature hits us with a monsoon. A perfect day for lounging in bed, nursing your hangover, or sipping a little hair of the dog …

One of my favorite things to do in New York is find little hole-in-the-wall restaurants, shops, and more importantly bars, and hunker down, drink, and soak up the authenticity. It’s even better when you have a buddy or two.

As much as I love wine, (and I do more than most people I know), I also love beer. Beer is the new wine. Chef’s are pairing beer with cheese, plates, and even desserts. So when I frequent a bar on a rainy afternoon a beer is most certainly a must. And just as with wines, I don’t drink the two-buck chuck. I like my beers as complex as my wines, and that’s probably one of the biggest misconceptions about my favorite carbonated beverage …

Now, I just want to put out there that Food and Wine Magazine (my Bible, sort of speaks) calls “hoppy” beers the next trend in brewery. Sorry Food and Wine, but I’ve been drinking hoppy bears for years, not because they’re trendy, but mostly because they’re my favorite!

Hops are added to bear to create a bitterness that counteracts the sweetness of the malt flavoring in the brewed batch of beer. The longer the hops are allowed to remain in the brew, the more bitter the beer tastes. Hops also can flavor a beer either  in a floral, aroma, or citrus way.

So here are my favorite hop beers. Go check out your local pub on this pre-St. Patty’s Day rainy Saturday, it couldn’t be a more perfect day. And check the green beer at the door, become as picky about your beer, as you are with your wine, and toast yourself with a hoppy beer before they become too trendy.

Best Hop Beers

1. Dogfish Head (DE): these IPA pack up to 9% alcohol and for a little girl such as myself, one pint is enough to turn any rainy afternoon into a sunny day at the beach.

2. Captain Lawrence (NY): this is another strong brew, but a little bit heavier than the latter. More spice to its kick.

3. Smutty Nose IPA (NH): Smutty Nose Brewery is probably one of the best most largely marketed boutique breweries, think Magic Hat before they started to mass produce.

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Happy Olympics

Filed Under: French Culinary Institute, New York City, Restauranton February 26th, 2010

Like everyone else, my teacher was caught up in Olympic frenzy and themed our 2-cake cake stand, “Vancouver 2010.” So after a week of pouring, pulling, and blowing sugar, when our hands were just blistered enough to weather ONE more project, we completed our sugar unit with these stands.

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We were all incredibly bitchy. Who knows whether it was because it was our last day, because the project was challenging, or because as we pulled and blew fake Olympic sugar, the snowflakes of New York’s latest storm were gusting down hard – with absolutely NO chance of an earlier dismissal or cancelled class.

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To release the stress of the day, (although I have to say that all our stand are really impressive considering we’ve only been working with sugar for SIX DAYS!), my friend Vanessa and I headed out into the winter wonderland to chase some pizza.

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Pizza recently has gotten the press that burgers were getting last spring and this fall. In a city where there’s a pizza place on every corner, what makes something better than another? Is it the cheese? Nah, all cheese taste good. Is it the dough? Debatably. Is it the sauce? Possibly. Or is it just the flavor combination?

For me, it’s a little bit of all of them, with the focus on dough and sauce. As I kneaded my own dough the other day without as much success as I’d liked, I wanted so good pizza. We headed to Co., the west side artisanal pizza joint that just barely lost to Mortorino’s infamous spot in this year’s food buzz.

This pizza was PHENOMENAL. Out of this world. Vanessa is a food snob – more so than me – but not in a bad way. She just knows A LOT, and knows what she likes. So when her and I can both walk into a restaurant, whether it be for burger and beers or an eight-course tasting menu, and love everything about a pizza pie … that says a lot.

The Stracciatella Pizza was beyond. Beyond, beyond.

That, and we spent the entire next day drooling over it, thinking about it, and making plans to go back … that very day. And although we didn’t go, I’m sure there wouldn’t have been a moment of hesitation if I had said to her, “Wana go back when we get out of school?”

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Hope everyone can learn to relax this lazy Friday, enjoy the snow, and embrace what winter is about. I know we’re all sick of it, but life’s too short, enjoy the day … and the snow! Maybe your nearest artisanal pizza place will still be delivering, worth a short right?

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Posted in French Culinary Institute, New York City, Restaurant | 3 Comments »

Meatball Madness

Filed Under: Food, New York City, Restauranton February 20th, 2010

Just like cupcakes, pizza, and street food, meatballs relay a certain “comfort” that we all know and love. So when times got tough in New York and restaurants began revamping menus, cutting expensive items, and offering discounts, Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow thought up a new idea …

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Opening a restaurant that served just meatballs. Well, not just meatballs, but basically just meatballs. The new hotspot, The Meatball Shop on the corner of Allen and Stanton gives the city a taste of (in essences) mini-burgers with all the comforts of Italian-ish home cooking.

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Venturing out last night with my city-girls, we were prepared for the lines, the wait, the snooty hipsters, and yes, meatballs.

Ironically in dire need to use the ground turkey in my refrigerator before it went bad, I made meatballs before going out. I didn’t eat them, but I had to make something fast and easy with the meat, so I guess great minds think alike!

The wait was “an hour to an hour-and-a-half” which in hostess terms means, “Thanks, but try again another day.” I love when subtle context clues start flying.

In a restaurant where the tables are closer than people on the subway, and the communal table allows your to rub shoulders with not-always-so-friendly beatniks it was hard to stand and wait.

But if the hostess didn’t want us, the owners sure did, and after meAting (sorry, I had to play on that pun) we were sure our wait would be less. And worth it.

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Offering a splattering of meatballs such as vegetarian, beef, spicy pork, chicken, and a special (last night’s was lamb) that can be dressed in a “sauce” and/or sided, served under or “slidered.”

The best part of the evening is the atmosphere, the prices, and the family style food. Oh, and the sauces, which came to near perfection from simple tomato to parmesan. The meal is simple, delicious, and crowd pleasing.

Unlike other food bloggers at the restaurant (there were many, cameras in tote), I didn’t take personal pictures, but do not let that deter you from trying this spot. Maybe give it time to calm down, or go at an off hour, BUT go!

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Ok, not the best meatballs in the city. Sorry, Locanda Verde’s lamb sliders still win despite the restaurants rising prices, pompous hostesses and long waits. Little Owl’s come a close second, and the Num Pang sandwich on 12th still takes the cake on the veal, BUT for what its worth this is the place to get meatballs if that’s what you’re hankering for …

Posted in Food, New York City, Restaurant | 3 Comments »

Back to the Grind

Filed Under: Food, French Culinary Institute, Life, New York City, Restauranton February 15th, 2010

I’ve been bad. And by bad, I mean, not posting as often as I should or could.

Last week I had SO MUCH to write about, but considering I was in a “live it” not “write it” mode, I was a little sub-par, so apologies.

Let’s say as a wrap up, I went a little crazy – all out.

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Spotted Pig burger on Tuesday night, snow day trip to Locanda Verde on Wednesday night for lamb meatballs, herbed ricotta cheese, and toffee date cake, Friday trip to Bar Farnelli with more Brooklyn Lagers than I care to admit, Saturday afternoon a trip to the

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Blind Tiger and pit-stop at Murray’s Cheese for a like ‘njua, Saturday night at Colicchio and Sons and Sunday brunch at Bubby’s.bubbys

You’d be surprised that I had time to do anything else but eat, huh? But I did, don’t worry. Although eating was a HUGE part of last week, and every minute of it was fabulous. Can’t say there was a sour note!

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In terms of finishing up plated desserts from last week, we chocolate sprayed out Mint Domes and plated a white chocolate citrus parfait, a tiramisu, an exotic fruit soup, and a goat’s yogurt panna cotta.

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The panna cotta and tiramisu were vomit-worthy. DISGUSTING. So much so, that if I actually ordered either of these at a restaurant I would have sent them back. And I don’t think soup should be next to the word “dessert” but that’s just my opinion …

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Be wary of the pictures though, these were “unpretty” desserts of our large batch.

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The unattractive pieces are used to practice plating while the immaculately clean looking ones we have to save for either the restaurant, school functions, or our “Afternoon of Desserts” where our friends and family come for a tasting.

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And since ours is tomorrow afternoon, we had to be very particular to leave all the “good” ones for them.

Hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend!

Oh and like a true nerd of food, on my day off what am I doing, cooking? You named it. Greatest find of the city thus far? Israeli grocery store downtown where a butcher hand grinds lamb for $3 a lb. Um, hello! Give me all of it and let’s see what I can do with it! Isn’t it great how the small things in life make your day?

Maybe I really am back to the grind, now that I have my meat …

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Posted in Food, French Culinary Institute, Life, New York City, Restaurant | 2 Comments »

Mid-Winter Blues Cures

Filed Under: Food, New York City, Recipeson January 31st, 2010

I’m always cold. Always. I’ve been graced with a particularly odd illness which causes multiple fingers of mine to turn white so that they resemble those of a dead person, or a member of the Adam’s Family. I’ve been known (yesterday case in point) to have ALL ten fingers void of blood circulation. The only cure being really hot water.

So obviously winter is not my favorite season. But I don’t hate it. I love the pretty white snow, the twinkling Christmas lights, the family and friends during the holiday, and the allowance to drink as much red wine as your teeth (and lips) can handle. Skiing, sledding, hot toddies, sweaters, cozy socks, all aren’t bad too.

But, it’s around this time of year when things begin to feel and look … well, a little blue. Mood included. On the eve of February first, (the most dreadful month of all) I find myself in need of a jolt of sunny weather, a summer cocktail, and a little bit of spice. With a lack of money, layers, and sheer will-power to venture out into the single digit winds New York seems to be cradling, I opt for a Sunday in.

I love how people love when you invite them over for dinner. “Do you want to go get dinner tonight?” I check the weather … um, 14 degrees WITHOUT windchill … um, “Why don’t you come over here and I’ll cook!?”

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“Oh my God that sounds FABULOUS! I’ll bring the wine!”

Signed, sealed, delivered. Not only did you just impress your guest, but you don’t have to leave home. Stop. Don’t rush out to the grocery store and buy things to make. Remember, the point is to not have to leave the warm comforts of your home. You can literally make something out of nothing, guaranteed.

So what do I have?

Well for one, a guest who thinks she’s an adventurous eater but she’s really not, craving foods mostly from the Mediterranean region and preferring to keep her wine bubbly and her desserts chocolate. So I already know what’s she’s bringing to drink, Prosecco. I already know what she’s craving, little bits of a bunch of different things.

So tapas, appetizers dinner here we come!

I have pita bread, goat cheese, garlic, an assortment of winter veggies, ground beef, greek yogurt, roasted red peppers, hummus, sun dried tomatoes, and an assortment of random pantry staples.

I’m going to make a goat cheese pizza with roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and hummus on top a whole wheat pita. Maybe I’ll top that with a little bit of lemoned and olive oiled greens.

A side of roasted broccolli rabe with lots of garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.

A great piece of fresh bread I purchased this morning (while I was out …).

And mini meatballs filled with salt, pepper, oregano, red wine, roasted garlic, and a little bit of panko. These will have two sides, a mint yogurt sauce with garlic and a classic tomato sauce.

These things and lots of red wine …

Did I mention one of the perks of it being winter? Pictures posted soon …

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The Frattiest Places in New York

Filed Under: Life, New York City, Restauranton January 10th, 2010

As I’ve said, I wasn’t exactly “good” at college. Despite this, I’ve had my fair share of frat stars, keg parties, and unwarranted cocky attitudes. Docksiders, topsiders, button downs, and enough “flow” to last me until I produce a child of my own old enough to sport a flow under his lax/hockey helmet.

Suffice to say, I thought I was through. Girls, (myself included) come to New York looking for suave, older, more sophisticated men … little do they know they don’t exist. That’s probably why we’re all still single. We’re surrounded but a city of man-boys. Males dressed like men, working jobs like men, that act like boys.

The graduated frat-star. They’re everywhere, and generally a flock of very attractive girls surround them.

So having all my sorority sisters in town this weekend, it’s nice to get nostalgic and and “go with what you know.” And we know how to work this crowd. Been there, done that.

So in tribute to all the man-boys of this city and all the women who chase them, date them, and worship them, I’ve comprised a list of the frattiest joints in NYC. The places where despite the time or day  you go, you’re bound to run into someone you don’t want to see, you’re destine to drink your body weight in beer, and you’ll probably notice that everyone is wearing the exact same outfits in different colors or patterns. Deja vu?

Black Bear Lodge (3rd Ave at 22nd St)

The log cabin bar sports cheap buckets of PBR and makes you feel as though you’re on mountain weekend all over again. Cramped quarters, video games, and a back room complete with beirut tables, where you’re are guaranteed to see someone you know, especially since half of the young New Yorker population lives in Murray Hill.

Phebes (359 Bowery bt. 3rd and Great Jones)

I have a good friend that says this about Phebes, “Phebes with the Dorians of downtown,” and he’s probably right. Completely generic, predictable, expensive and overloaded with college kids from either NYU or the Yale Supper Club. They have one bathroom, unisex, for the HUGE bar, not fun, let me tell you.

Dorians (1616 2nd Ave bt. 83rd and 84th)

It’s a fun, drunk, snobby, fratty good time. And although everyone loves to hate this spot where you’re most definitely seeing friends of friends, it can be a good time if you make it all the way up to the UES. Music is decent and often times you’ll be so intoxicated it won’t matter. Just be wary this is the frattiest of the bars, best bet is to embrace it if you have to. Wall to wall yuppies.

Brother Jimmy’s (Lexington Ave bt. 32nd and 33rd)

Again, another Murray Hill hot spot that sports a college crowd during happy hours and football season. The one selling point is that the BBQ is pretty legit, and delicious. Every now and then a girl from a Southern school misses her BBQ, and most likely will meet a boy there who misses his as well.

Ulysses (58 Stone St)

Don’t be fooled! Just because they’re wearing suits doesn’t mean anything, this is the after work watering hole for all those who work down in the Wall St area. Cheap drinks and outdoor seating and boozing all along Stone St during the warm months. Not a bad option in the limited bar scene of Fidi.

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A Question of Money

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

It’s impossible to get into trouble in NYC when you don’t have any money. I’m talking about the good kind of “trouble” … eating out, gallivanting into the wee hours of the morning, celebrity posse members, VIP tickets, etc.

I’m sure you can find all sorts of bad trouble without money, because you don’t have money … but as I’ve said, I’m a good girl (most of the time).

I always swore that I’d be the type of girl who chose food over cloths. Aged balsamic vinegar over manicures, and good red wine over two buck chuck. And I am … although my resolve is loosening a tad. After spending 8+ hours a day in a kitchen wearing chef whites, all I want is nice blow dry, a Vogue, and a glass of (good) wine.

I can’t help it, I want it all! I want the stocked pantry with real vanilla beans, Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, fleur de sel, AND the nights on the town, fabulous dinners at openings, and cab rides now and then.

Where does it give?!

Well for one thing, cooking for one isn’t very fun, so when I’m at home, I keep it simple. The goal is one new recipe a week, which is easy. Expensive, but easy. Any person (notice I’m not saying “chef”) on the Food Network who says you can cook a meal for four under $10 can bite me. You can’t.

Yes, if you have ingredients in your pantry already, you might be able to cook for under $20. Under $10, in New York? You gotta be kidding me. Especially if you’re trying to eat REAL food. Near impossible, but hey, I’m just telling you a pepper grinder alone in a grocery store runs you about $6, and that’s not even an ingredient included in most recipes, it’s expected!

What you can do for under $10 a day is pick your battles. It’s just like holiday eating … you can have your gourmet cheese, but you can’t take a cab. You can get your nails done, but don’t go out to dinner. As I said, pick your battles.

I’ve comprised a list of the easiest ways to enjoy the city’s best food without breaking the bank, enjoy!

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

1. Eat out at the “hot spot” restaurants either for lunch or right before the dinner rush. The lunch menu offers less expensive items that typically are on their dinner menu. If you eat late in the afternoon, there’s no crowd, you can linger, and might even be given something “on the house!”

2. Stick with the appetizers. The good thing about appetizers is that they usually include starches and proteins in an assortment of cooking methods, so you can satisfy any mood or craving. They’re smaller, better priced, and usually best demonstrate the chef’s creativity.

3. Drink (tap) water. I know it sucks. But trust me, two glasses of wine and you won’t care what you’re ordering, or realize that you’re already about $30 in the hole. If you want to drink, go to happy hours, they have drink specials at happy hours.

4. This holds true with salads, desserts, coffee, and tea. This part kills me, because I love having salads out, and following a good meal with coffee and dessert. $12 for a salad? Desserts, same deal. $4 for coffee and tea? Tea is a tea-bag with water … really $4?

5. Sit at the bar. Bar menus offer “bar snacks” which usually are even smaller portions of appetizers already on the menu. Here you can eat AND drink, since most of your money can be spent on booze.

6. Gourmet trucks are a great way to have a quick and cheap bite without emptying your wallet. No tips necessary!

7. Go to a grocery store with a list. Don’t shop without one, or you’ll walk away with things you don’t need or want.

8. Frequent the farmers markets, at the same time, and to the same vendors. They’ll start to recognize you and give samples and insights to food finds.

9. Become friends with people who like to eat out, cook in, and drink well. People who work in the business tend to know loop holes, befriend them. Usually they’ll be up for searching for well-worth-it foods at a great cost.

10. Never EVER pass up a free drink for a handsome (or ugly, sorry, I mean I am poor) man, skip work paid cocktail hours, free appetizers, gallery openings, catered events, hand outs, whatever. You never know where the next big thing will come from right?

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Posted in Food, Life, New York City | 9 Comments »

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