Bleu Evolution
January 15, 2012
I ventured uptown to the neighborhood I explored last summer, but have yet to familiarize myself with all the hidden gems, like Bleu Evolution. An eccentric restaurant tucked into Manhattan’s Washington Heights, it has great brunches without the typical Saturday crowds and lines found further downtown. We were able to relax with some great tunes and enjoy hearty omelettes, duck and potatoes.
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Broccoli and feta omelette and a Bloody Mary
Bacon and cheddar omelette
Tacombi at Fonda Nolita
January 10, 2012
My friend and I recently checked out the Carsten Holler exhibit at the New Museum (which I recommend), and finished off our afternoon with tacos from the nearby Tacombi at Fonda Nolita. This city loves its food trucks, but even more when it’s a vintage Volkswagon parked inside an industrial garage, with decor to make you feel as though your someplace much more tropical than Manhattan. Still in the brunch hour, I opted for the chorizo and egg breakfast taco, and my friend went with Mexico City’s favorite– the Al Pastor, marinated pork with roasted pineapple.
Al Pastor- Mexico City's favorite taco with marinated pork and roast pineapple
Huevos Con Chorizo Breakfast taco with homemade chorizo, potatoes, eggs and avocado
Homestyle beans flavored with epazote
A side of chips
Land & Flowers
January 8, 2012
My friends and I took advantage of the unseasonably 60 degree sunny January day, and threw a little afternoon roof gathering with some of my favorite Thai food from Land and beautiful floral arrangements done by my friend, Jess. Using an old Pantone book and library books as inspiration, we shot Atlantic baked salmon with bean paste, napa cabbage, snow pea, carrot and caramel soy sauce, caramelized chicken curry puffs, root vegetable egg rolls and satay beef and chicken skewers before chowing down and catching those summer-like sun rays.
Chicken Satay Skewer and Baked Salmon
Baked Salmon
Vegetable Egg roll
Vegetable Egg Rolls
Floral Arrangements
Salmon & Chicken Curry Puffs
Chicken Curry Puffs
Beef & Chicken satay skewers and Vegetable egg roll
Bringing in the New Year
January 4, 2012
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the start of 2012 than with great food, friends and skiing. I’ve been pretty bummed because a photographer’s worst nightmare came true when my card with all of the Christmas holiday food shoots was damaged, and even after attempting recovery at New York’s top repair services, there was no such luck. But that just gives me an excuse to revisit some of the locations, like Elderberry Pond Restaurant, to enjoy yet another great meal. Well, enough of the disappointments, it’s time I look forward in the New Year and share with you some amazing meals from this past weekend spent at Killington. We were lucky enough to have a friend/personal chef join us for the 3 days and prepare all the meals– I should add for 16 people– with more enthusiasm than anyone I’ve seen. Here’s the menu we had, and check out the highlights below:
Taco Night–Pulled Chipotle Chix, Ground beef , Soft and hard shells, Assorted toppings, Black beans, Rice and Corn
Steak and Scrimps’ Night–Filet wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, Grilled Ribeye with fried onion strings, Marinated grilled scrimps’, Roasted Garlic Parm potatoes, Broccoli, Dilaurios butter rolls
That NYE staple known as Champagne
Filet wrapped in applewood smoked bacon
Sunday's pre-pasta meat and cheese plate
Lobster Bisque
Lobster Bisque
Baklavah
Killington
A skier's breakfast
Bacon, Egg & Cheese sandwiches
Berries & Yogurt
Homemade croutons
Pasta & Cheese
Loster Bisque
Shrimp & Broccoli
Hitting the Slopes
December 30, 2011
I’m off to Vermont this morning to bring in the new year at Killington. Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2012… be back next week! x
Perfect snowy day snacks- hot cocoa and cookies
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2011
Christmas Cut-outs
Frosting the cookies
‘Tis the Season
December 24, 2011
I’ve been meaning to share these delicious looking brunch shots from a Sunday afternoon spent at Tipsy Parson recently. Tucked in a bay window seat on a cold but sunny Sunday afternoon, a friend and I enjoyed their comfort American menu with a southern flair. If you happen to be around New York for the holidays, I highly recommend stopping in. Closed for the weekend, they re-open on Monday.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday, and I look forward to bringing you some festive feasts I’ll be partaking in throughout the week in Syracuse!
Flaxseed & nut granola, berry compote, berries
Pigs in a Poke-- stone ground grits, andouille sausage, poached eggs, toast soldiers
Side of eggs
Gifts for the Foodie
December 20, 2011
This time of year is always a whirlwind for me. Between holiday prep, recent traveling for work, gift buying and festive gatherings, I haven’t had any time to spare, and am just getting around to sharing some of my favorite gift ideas this season– brought to you by my amazing friend, Leslie. She recently launched Gifts Curated, a collection of carefully handpicked items from independent artists and vendors, ranging from food to body products, candles, bags and more. Last weekend she hosted a brunch and trunk show at her apartment. Not only selling her items, but giving customers a taste of her products and leaving them with inspiring ideas of recipes they could try at home. On the menu was grilled chicken and tofu sandwiches using the spicy pumpkin ginger and tomato apple chutney sauces, popcorn with sea salt, cookies with raw organic cacao chips and her grandmother’s homemade pound cake recipe with caramelized bacon using barrel-aged maple syrup. I also included shots we did for her website of my other favorite products that I couldn’t resist sharing with you. Happy Holiday Shopping! x
Gold rimmed spoon and bowl perfect for olives
Alta Cucina's Basil Olive Oil is perfect dipped in a fresh loaf of Eli's bread
Oil & Bread
Spicy Ginger Sauce and Sandwiches
Saucy By Nature Spicy Pumpkin Ginger & Tomato Apple Chutney
Sandwiches, Pretzels and Saucy By Nature
Popcorn with Salt Farm's gourmet sea salt
Vandalia Street Press Card & Salad
Pancakes with Langdon Wood's Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
Pound Cake, Bacon and Maple Syrup
Homemade cacao chip cookies
Graham Crackers and cacao chips
JC Hot Sauce
Sydney Hale Company Candle & TM1985 Hand bag
TM1985 Handbag
Aromatherapy bath salts
Annie of Gift Shop Brooklyn makeup bags
Donna D Goes to Seattle
December 16, 2011
For Donna’s second featured post, she took us to Seattle. Here’s what she has to say…
“I hadn’t been back to Seattle since I was in the fourth grade, so needless to say I jumped at the opportunity to go visit my cousin, her fiance and their oh-so stinkin’ cute daughter. My cousin and I are huge fans of oysters, so naturally our first stop was to Pike’s Place Market to find the freshest, fattiest, most juiciest oyster shooters around. We ended up getting a bit side tracked en route and sampled delicious crepes from Crepe De France, one of Nicki’s favorites. We also hit up Piroshky-Piroshky, a Russian bakery; however, the piéce de résistance of the market (besides the oysters) had to have been Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. Pure heaven. These donuts were warm and fluffy but had a marvelous crunch on the outside. I was eating them like popcorn– by the handful. Maybe that’s why I wore sweatpants on the remainder of my trip?
Spinach, Goat Cheese and Tomato Crepe at Crepe De France
Donuts being fried to golden perfection
The smell of donuts permeates the air
Russian pastries from Piroshky-Piroshky
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie
December 13, 2011
Following the signs in Red Hook, I made my way through some quiet industrial streets before finally landing upon the lively spot of Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. The sounds of the crowd told us we arrived, and upon ordering our pie were also kindly invited to join in the opening party celebration for the Mexican Folk Art gallery next door, Manos De Mexicanos. What a good time to come by. The party went on, as the view of the sun setting over the Verrazano bridge provided the perfect backdrop. And the best of all was a taste of some of the most delicious key lime pie I’ve ever had.
4" Tart
Key Lime Pie
Inside the party
a camera in the kitchen 
