Friday, January 28, 2011

In Ithaca

P.S. I forgot to mention the adorable wait staff at the restaurant uptown on Monday night :)

I have been in Ithaca since Wednesday night and it has been wonderful! I love visiting our family and especially spending time with Chrysalis!

So far we have had: Spaghetti all'amatriciana, spinach with garlic, garlic soup with egg and croutons. Today I made: Sweet and sour meatballs, chocolate chip cookies and artichoke spinach dip. Tomorrow is pancakes and bacon. And I am going home on Sunday to see my honey.

Monday, January 24, 2011

"My heart was in my underwear"

That's what the guy at the next table said to his date as we were eating at a new uptown Italian restaurant tonight. Bettolona (http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/09/bettolona.html).

I have no idea what he was talking about, but it was a laugh for us!

We had ASPARAGI AL FORNO baked asparagus with fontina cheese, parmigiano and a hint of white truffle oil; ZUPPA DI CAMPAGNA white bean and vegetable soup, Butternut Squash soup with goat cheese; PENNE SICILIANA penne, eggplant and soft ricotta cheese, tomato sauce; INTEGRALE whole wheat pasta, garlic, olive oil, seasonal vegetables and 3 kinds of pizza: REGINA MARGHERITA tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil; PROSCIUTTO imported Italian prosciutto, homemade mozzarella and tomato sauce and AFFUMICATA tomato sauce, smoked mozzarella, hot sausage and cherry tomatoes.

We shared a bottle and a half of Montepulciano for $30 (not a bad wine, not a bad price). The service was very good, the ambience was lovely-exposed brick walls, wood tables and floors, heat lamps and a nice long bar area with bar height tables and chairs. Dessert was Tiramisu -good, but not like mine :) - and crepes with nutella and banana.

Uptown Monday Night is alive and well!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Tapas (not topless)

Tonight we went to Tapeo 29 with Joe and Denise (http://www.tapeo29.com/main.html). A nice tapas bar downtown, very near Clinton Street Bakery.

We had: Marinated olives, spanish omelette with potatoes, cheese plate with Manchego, Mahon and chorizo, shrimp in garlic, vegetarian paella, marinated hangar steak and a bottle of Malbec.

It's a very cute place, with good service and good food. We were very happy!

Earlier today I made a big pot of chicken soup (very good especially on a very cold day).

Tomorrow we are going to Glenn and Eileen's until half time, then to Lori's brother Joe's house for the rest of the Jets game. Cross your fingers!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

As Time Goes By

Well, I certainly have not been keeping up with this blog. Sorry to anyone who bothers to check in to see something new :(

Last Thursday was Sato! Last Friday was Ham Dinner with the Wisners! Both were yummy and fun! Saturday I visited my brother then went to Glenn and Eileen's. We ordered in Chinese, Japanese and Thai (from the same place-how cool) and it was all pretty good. Sunday we were at the Shapiro's for the Jet game!!! Lori made really good pasta fagioli and there was also tons of food from Iavarone, some sushi and a few desserts. The game was the thing!!! Can't wait for this Sunday!!!

This week I made chicken and rice on Monday and last night we had turkey tenderloin, cous cous and collard greens. Tonight we'll be at 5 Burro for Mexican food and my new favorite beer - Red Stripe -

Friday night we are having Michael's mom and some of her friends over for a dinner/birthday celebration. I am making: Sweet and sour meatballs, mini quiche, country Greek salad, campanelle with mushrooms and onions in cream sauce, ceviche and brie en croute. Chocolate chip cookies and apple strudel for dessert. Hope it all goes well...

Friday, January 14, 2011

Success

Tonight was a success. Jill, Lenny and Brett came for dinner. It was an entire family affair with the six of us. We have been friends for over 11 years and we do not tire of each other. We laugh and eat and drink and tell stories.

The ham, mashed red potatoes with butter and heavy cream, spinach with garlic and oil, cranberry sauce from a can and apple cobbler went over very well.

Jesse went out with his friends afterward. Brett, Michael, Lenny and Jill went downstairs to watch the movie Dinner with Schmucks -thought we just did that :)- ha ha. And I am here letting you all know what went on.

It has been so wonderful having Jesse home. I adore him and every minute spent with him.

I wish all our college-age children love, luck, success and happiness.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sato

My favorite Japanese restaurant in Forest Hills is Sato. I ate here tonight and discovered that they have subtly made changes to their menu. I used to order a spicy tuna martini for an appetizer. It is not a drink, but spicy tuna, chopped small with caviar over chopped vegetables in a martini glass. This time they have added a hot white martini to their list. White tuna with crunchy flake and mayo over chopped vegetables garnished with caviar and a lemon swan. Yum!
We also had salmon sashimi and a shrimp tempura roll, along with chicken teriyaki , salad and 3 hot sakes.

They don't rush you and keep topping off your hot green cup of tea, which is SO necessary on a cold night like this. Walked home and became a Popsicle!

Tomorrow night is ham night with the Wisners. Quarter baked Virginia ham, mashed potatoes, mixed greens and apple cobbler for dessert. Too cold to be trekking outside.

Saturday I am visiting my brother, then we'll have Chinese with Glenn and Eileen and Sunday...JETS game at the Shapiros with friends and food and wine. Can't wait!!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Since Friday

Friday night was Italian night with the Wisners. We had Sunday gravy with braciole, meatballs and sausage; garlic bread; salad; broccoli rabe with garlic and oil; wine; homemade iced tea; and cheesecake for dessert. Yum!

Sunday was eggplant parm. Monday was stir fry chicken with vegetables (baby bok choy, red pepper, broccoli florets, snow peas, baby corn, water chestnuts, onions, garlic) in a marinade of soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic. Today I made pasta fagioli. Tonight is turkey burgers and salad and tomorrow is penne vodka and spinach with garlic and oil.

Friday night is Ham night with the Wisners; Baked quarter ham; mashed potatoes; mixed greens, cranberry sauce and something for dessert I have not yet decided upon.

Saturday I am visiting my brother and Sunday we will be at the Shapiros for (you guessed it) the Jet game. J E T S Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Brennan and Carr

Michael has been watching Man vs. Food on TV lately and...of course...we have to go check out his newest discovery :)

We went to Brennan and Carr (http://brennanandcarr.kpsearch.com/df/default.asp) last night. I drove into Brooklyn to pick up Michael from work and he drove us to Brennan and Carr. They are famous for their roast beef sandwiches (me eat roast beef?) well, yes I did! Not so happy later, but not so bad either. We each had a double dip, which is a roast beef sandwich on a hard roll. First the beef is dipped in the au jus, then put on the roll. The the whole thing is dipped again in the au jus. We even had juice on the side, along with onion rings. I had 2 Bud lights on draught ($2.50 each-wow) and Michael had a Corona and a diet coke! We brought sandwiches home for Jesse and he was happy!! No ambiance to speak of, a bit pub-ish but cool nevertheless.

Next on our list is L & B Spumoni Gardens, also in Brooklyn, but Lenny says they have an outside so summer seems better. They are famous for their Grandma pizza, and I CANNOT wait.

This past week I have made shrimp saganaki with Greek salad and Reuben roll-ups. The roll-ups are made thusly: Take egg roll skins and lay Swiss cheese, corned beef and sauerkraut in the center. Roll them up, closing the sides as you go along so nothing drips out, and lightly fry in canola oil. Dip in mustard or Russian dressing. Jesse was very happy! I liked them too :)

Tonight I made chicken cutlets, veggies with garlic and oil and also borscht with meat bones (no actual meat).

Tomorrow is a snow day, so they say...I am making a big, fat Italian dinner with meatballs, sausage and braciole in a pot of sauce with broccoli rabe and salad and rigatoni. Red wine (Chianti) and garlic bread too. Dessert is caramel cheesecake I made this afternoon. Hope the Wisners will be happy :)

Have a nice weekend!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Ciao Baby and Aegean Cove

Get ready for food!!

We were at Steve and Lori's Thursday night and we decided to order take out from a restaurant Michael saw on an episode of Man vs. Food. The place is Ciao Baby in Massapequa. They are famous for ginormous rice balls (at $15 a pop) and meatballs. So we ordered 2 rice balls, fried calmari, salad with mango and gorgonzola, Nonna's special with macaroni, 3 giant meatballs, hot and sweet sausage all covered with marinara sauce.

I don't think we even finished half of what we ordered. Jesse was happy with leftovers we brought home :)

New Year's Eve we went to Aegean Cove with Joe, Denise and Chuck. 3 times our reservation was confirmed and yet when we arrived, the table by the fireplace was not reserved for us. So...we waited until it was. Not more than 3 minutes anyway :)

We had Greek wine, 6 appetizers and 4 dinners, coffee and Greek yogurt and baklava for dessert. Denise's salmon was really good! The joke of the evening was that the yogurt is always gratis. They just bring it to you after your meal, but tonight, well...it was $7.50. Who knew? We had a very good time, even took photos.

Next New Year's Eve we've decided on Abbracciamento. Denise seems to think it's a whole party event and she wants to go. Who knew that either ? :)