Foie Gras & Floyd – Prague Part 2
January 25, 2012
More lovely photos from Donna D’s travels..
It has been said that Prague’s lifeblood is not beer, but music, which is why I traveled across the Atlantic to see the Australian Pink Floyd band perform at the Tesla Arena. Well not exactly. Those of you who know me know I’m less of an English Rock and more of a Hip Hop type of gal. But my trip to Prague was all about doing things I wouldn’t normally do like eating foie gras and rocking out to the The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. In order to fully embrace Prague’s music scene I headed over to the music themed Hotel Aria, which I think is the only hotel in the world with a musical director, to dine at Coda. The food was flawless and the service was unreal. I felt like music royalty. My waiter, George, even brought out his camera and a surplus of lenses for me to use. Coda truly delivered on its name as it was the perfect meal to conclude the day.
Smooth Cream of Fennel with Roasted Pancetta and Milk Foam
Tuna Tartar seasoned with Lemon Rind and served with fresh Ginger Salad
Velvety Foie Gras Terrine with home-made Apple & Ginger Chutney
Seared Scallops served with Mango & Thai Basil Salad and home-made Chilli jam
Molten Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Liquid Centre topped with a home-made vanilla bean ice cream and berry coulis
Donna D. A Vegetarian No More – Prague Part 1
January 24, 2012
Another feature story from Donna D. Read about her week of travels as she ate her way through Prague…
After 15 years of vegetarianism I decided to relinquish my duties as a plant eater and jump face first into the land of Beer and Meat – Prague. I started my journey at Lokál for some traditional Czech cuisine and made on-site beer. The interior was reminiscent of the 80’s, long wooden cafeteria benches and child-like doodles sketched onto the walls. The food and unpasteurized beer was tasty, filling, and cheap. It was the perfect spot to kick-off my 5 day meat eating and beer drinking gluttonousness adventure in Prague.
Prazdroj Beer
Homemade Bread & Wall Art
Goulash from Beef Cheeks
Prague Ham
Lokál
All You Can Eat Potato Dumplings
Saint Vitus Cathedral
Special "Talián" Sausage by the Dolejší Family, Horseradish, and Mustard
A Taste of Russia
January 22, 2012
Last weekend while up in Washington Heights we made a stop to a Russian specialty food shop, Moscow on the Hudson, to prepare for a dinner in celebration of the traditional Russian Old New Year. A friendly small shop, the cashier and a customer were chatting at the counter when they gave us all the insider tips needed to have a successful meal. After I explained I was going to photograph the dinner, they even gave me a traditional Russian cuisine calendar as a gift, and made sure I left with everything I needed. Top on the list was Pelmeni Sibirian, Russian style ravioli with Lithuanian sour cream, and Vareniki stuffed with cheese, similar to the Polish pierogi. They also recommended we get a side of the Russian beet salad, sausage and their milk cookies for dessert. Приятного аппетита!
Russian raviolis, ring pretzels and sausage
Pretzels and Russia's version of salsa
Beet Salad
Vareniki and sour cream
Beet salad and ring pretzels
Raviolis and pickles
Sausage
Cookies
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
Olives Eatery
December 29, 2011
A perfect way to spend a lazy winter afternoon while on holiday is at Olives Eatery in Baldwinsville, NY with good company. The welcoming front porch of an old home is enough to draw you in, but then the aroma of the eatery and the beautiful selection of Mackenzie-Childs homegoods in the giftshop makes it that much better. We had multiple courses starting with spinach artichoke and chicken dip, followed by soups, salads and ending with delicious paninis. Unfortunately too full for dessert, we’ll have to save that for the next visit.
French Onion Soup
Tomato cannelini bean soup with kale
The dining area
Smoked turkey, swiss, bacon, spinach and mayo panini with a side of orzo du jour
Greens, oranges, walnuts, cranberries and feta salad
Spinach artichoke dip and hot shredded chicken dip with chips and toasted bread
Tomato cannelini bean soup with kale
Greens, oranges, walnuts, cranberries and feta salad
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2011
Christmas Cut-outs
Frosting the cookies
a camera in the kitchen 