Happy Valentines Day!
February 14, 2011
A fun little V-day party Saturday evening with friends. More shots to come!
Dessert at friend's, Jess and Scott's Valentines party Saturday evening
Superbowl Sunday
February 6, 2011
Cheers to a fun and safe Superbowl Sunday. I couldn’t resist picking up these adorable cookies from Citarella to bring to tonight’s party!
Citarella's Football Sugar Cookies
Robert’s Brunch
February 6, 2011
A weekend brunch at Robert, above the Museum of Arts & Design overlooking Central Park and the lovely Upper West Side.
Ricotta Cheese Pancakes with apples and whipped creme
Love the floral accents on the tables
Grilled Vegetable Wrap with Sweet Potato Fries
Smoked Salmon Benedict with Petite Bagel, Dill Hollandaise and Potato Rosti
Fish Friday
February 4, 2011
In the middle of a snowstorm, my roommates and I, along with some friends from our building enjoyed a local meal at Kefi. Pictured below is the Pan Seared Striped Bass. Flashing back to another amazing fish dinner, check out a home cooked Wahoo evening in Aruba not too long ago.
Pan Seared Striped Bass, String Beans, Potato, Capers, Olives
Local Aruba Fish Market
Wahoo
Cooked and ready for dinner on the ocean
Wahoo Tacos
Café Gitane & Last Week’s Highlights
January 25, 2011
I learned tonight that one of my favorite spots, Café Gitane, tucked into the West Village’s Jane Hotel, not only has a fantastic brunch, but evening menu as well.
Apple, brie and bread
And as a side note, in the past week I’ve gone on way to many unplanned dining excursions that I’ve learned to start carting my camera around with me at all times. I apologize for the lack of photos, but these places were too cute to be left unmentioned. Saturday, while making an attempt to go to the popular East Village brunch hang out, The Smith, a typical 2 o’clock crowd was pulling in a 45-minute wait, so we opted to head down the street and found the much quieter, Barrel, which I highly recommend. Seated immediately in what resembles an actual barrel, I ordered a simple eggs and toast, but it was delicious with homemade bread. Although I haven’t tried the rest of the menu, their extensive list of European tapas looks like something I’ll have to go back for.
Other meals from last week I’d recommend include Organic Veal meatballs from The Tangled Vine, the Egg Casserole with spinach, parmesan and smoked bacon from The Mermaid Inn, and of course I made my way back to Kefi yet again to fill my Greek cravings.
Back to Reality
January 21, 2011
Another fresh coat of snow this morning. Here are a few shots on my way to work, along with a muffin mix and hot cocoa on a stick. A fun gift I put together recently and excellent to make on a cold day.
Huckleberry Muffin Mix
Hot Cocoa on a Stick
Marandi Sunset
January 18, 2011
A little flashback to the warm evenings in Aruba last month. Here’s a dinner enjoyed seaside at sunset in a palapa hut at Marandi.
Shrimp Tempura
Tuna Tartar
Happy Friday
January 14, 2011
Here’s a Sourdough Strata with Tomatoes and Greens dish I made for a brunch with girlfriends in Syracuse. Recipe courtesy of the Food Network Magazine. Have a wonderful weekend! x
Sourdough Strata with Tomatoes and Greens
Italian Chicken Noodle Soup
January 12, 2011
I couldn’t have had a better morning waking up to the sun shining brightly on all the newly fallen snow across the city. It’s a perfect day for a cup of homemade chicken noodle soup.
Combining my favorite ingredients from the traditional chicken noodle and Italian wedding, you get a fantastic mix of the best. I brown chicken, add in the chicken stock and water, and allow to cook for an hour and a half. Then putting in the vegetables- carrots, celery, kale and onions, I cook until tender. Next step is removing the chicken, debone it and add a box of pastina. Finally for the Italian wedding part, I take dime-sized cooked meatballs, stir in the mix and there you have a delicious bowl of soup.
My father's soup recipe made with chicken, mini meatballs, carrots, pastina, kale and some seasoning
Winter Hor d’oeuvres
January 3, 2011
Before my holiday break came to an end, I enjoyed my final day in Syracuse relaxing and snacking on toasted cheese and my father’s famous spanakopitas by the fireplace. While his recipe consists of the traditional spinach and feta cheese combo wrapped in triangles of filo pastry sheets, he adds a topping of raspberry jam that is just the right amount to satisfy your sweet tooth. A perfect treat for a damp winter day.
Honey & swiss cheese on toast with a side of mixed nuts and blueberries
Spanakopitas with raspberry jam
a camera in the kitchen 