Pizza Party

August 27, 2012

It was a pizza kind of Sunday at the apartment. The kitchen was overflowing with fresh ingredients from Whole Foods as three different pizzas were prepped and the neighbors were invited over to enjoy. Option one was your traditional margherita with gluten free crust, tomato sauce, sliced mozzarella and herbs brought back from our trip to Cinque Terre. The second two, also made with a gluten free crust, were vegan friendly. One with pesto, a ricotta tofu vegan cheese, fresh spinach and sliced tomatoes, and another with shredded vegan mozzarella, mushrooms, sautéed spinach and tomato sauce. Bon Appétit!

Pizza & Pesto

Mushrooms

Vegan Pesto Pizza

Margherita pizza and spinach

A Taste of Cinque Terre

August 2, 2012

You can’t get much more Italian than starting off a morning with an espresso, taking a mid-day break for pizza, and cooling off with some gelato. After parting ways with France, it was Italy-bound to the little tourist destination known as Cinque Terre, most famously known for their five cliffside towns, breathtaking views and crystal clear water. Our first day we decided to hike from the town of Monterosso through the cliffs to Vernazza. Breaking a sweat and working up quite the appetite, here is all the deliciousness we were able to enjoy along the way.

Espresso at a sidewalk cafe

Espresso

 

Croissants

 

Lemons for some fresh squeezed lemonade

Honey filled croissant

Pizza

 

Gelato

Gelato

Chocolate Milkshake

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch in Bozeman

July 18, 2011

Bozeman was one of my favorite towns we visited in Montana. With its young and eccentric feel, it gave off a different vibe than the others– the perfect combination of western lifestyle with a hint of a trendsetting city. I heard good things about dining at Plonk Wine, so figured I would try it out for myself. While enjoying our salads, pizza and quiche, we admired the back garden filled with colorful flowers, paintings and sunshine.

Capri Salad

Pizza special of the day with steak and feta

Quiche

Ninety Acres at Natirar

April 12, 2011

I spent Sunday afternoon taking in the fresh air of a countryside farm and indulging in some fine dining all at the same time. Having the honor of getting the full tour of Natirar, a 500-acre property in Somerset County, New Jersey, I certainly kept myself busy in an attempt to explore and taste as much as I could. An ongoing project that will include not only dining, but spas, pools and accommodations, the first phase is currently complete and ready for diners. At the restaurant known as Ninety Acres, Food & Wine’s Best new chef of 2011 for the New York area, David Felton, prepared what seemed like endless amazing dishes until we couldn’t eat anymore. Aside from the food, I couldn’t leave out photographs of the old manor house, with it’s classic antique decor, it’s the perfect venue for an elegant wedding or event.

The farm at Natirar

Natirar Beet Salad with baby lettuces, goat cheese, hazelnut granola & cocoa balsamic and tomatoes growing in the greenhouse

Paprika Rubbed Grilled Octopus with meyer Lemon, baby romaine, parmesan & garlic confit

The Dining Room

Organic Risotto with saffron, sundried tomato, crispy porchetta & fried herbs

Wine & Dine

Imperial Wagyu Steak Tartare with chimichurri, picked red onions, two-hour yolk & frico

Interior of the Manor House

Wood Fired Pizza special of the day-Parmesan flat bread, prosciutto & arugula

Griggstown Quail with chili-apricot compote & brown butter brioche

Farmer's Plates on the menu