Holiday time is, naturally, a food fest! I guess we are reverting to our primal ways, or acting as bears do, stocking up for a long winter's nap. We eat-too much, we drink-too much, we sleep-too much, but we do have a good time. And since life is short, as we all know too well, eat, drink, nap and be merry! 'Tis the season after all.
Other than huge meals for Thanksgiving, friends and Christmas, I've been cooking just for the three of us: Pasta fagioli, Chicken noodle soup, Muffaletta sandwich (crusty bread warm from the oven stuffed with prosciutto, hot cappicola, ham, genoa, provolone and smothered in crushed olive salad), Chili with rice, cheese, scallions and sour cream on the side, Chicken cutlets, etc...
I still have on my list: Borscht with meat and matzoh balls, White bean and spinach soup, Shrimp scampi over linguine, Rack of frenched lamb chops with rosemary and Cioppino with garlic bread.
Tonight, however, I am not cooking :) and we are going to Glenn and Eileen's for a big "framily" Chinese dinner. New year's eve we are going out to dinner at Il Poeta with Joe and Denise and Monica and Tom and then we are off to Leslie's for a party!!
Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.
xo
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Cronin and Phelan
Last night Michael and I went to Cronin and Phelan for dinner with Lenny. We had a few beers :) and French onion soup, honey bbq wings and potato skins with bacon and cheddar. Dinner was: A burger with blue cheese and fries, a burger with sauteed onions, blue cheese and salad and a roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. The service was outstanding!
Today Fresh Direct is coming with my Christmas Eve dinner delivery and I will also bake a cheesecake and clean my house.
Can't wait for Santa!
Today Fresh Direct is coming with my Christmas Eve dinner delivery and I will also bake a cheesecake and clean my house.
Can't wait for Santa!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Since December 10, Where Have I Been?
Well, we had our tree delivered (Thanks Joe). We decorated the tree and wrapped gifts for underneath. We filled our stockings (and those for the cats too). Jesse came home for the holidays! I finished Christmas shopping. I did more laundry than humanly possible. And then I got sick. I feel better today, Thank heaven, because there's still so much to do and I have no time to feel poorly.
I've made: chicken cutlets, teriyaki steak, roast rack of pork, chicken soup, orecchiette with chicken sausage and spinach, four cookie sheets of Old Bay wings for the Creutz' annual ornament party.
We went to the Creutz' for their party and it was GREAT fun. We came home with wonderful new ornaments for our tree and we did it in an honorable style without stealing from anyone (even though that is always done in the spirit of the game). We went to the Shapiros for dinner and to see Michelle in her first stage production of "13." She has joined a theater group and I am sure we will see more of her on stage in the future.
Christmas Eve, unfortunately, will not be the same with the Wisners who will be in Costa Rica (lucky devils), but The Figliolias will join us and that is great!! We will have: Bread, cheeses, olives, red pepper skordalia with fried ravioli for dipping. Dinner is: Balsamic chicken with cippoline and fingerling potatoes, string beans, ziti (with no ricotta-Ian's fav) and Caesar salad. Dessert is: Cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies.
...and to all a good night...
I've made: chicken cutlets, teriyaki steak, roast rack of pork, chicken soup, orecchiette with chicken sausage and spinach, four cookie sheets of Old Bay wings for the Creutz' annual ornament party.
We went to the Creutz' for their party and it was GREAT fun. We came home with wonderful new ornaments for our tree and we did it in an honorable style without stealing from anyone (even though that is always done in the spirit of the game). We went to the Shapiros for dinner and to see Michelle in her first stage production of "13." She has joined a theater group and I am sure we will see more of her on stage in the future.
Christmas Eve, unfortunately, will not be the same with the Wisners who will be in Costa Rica (lucky devils), but The Figliolias will join us and that is great!! We will have: Bread, cheeses, olives, red pepper skordalia with fried ravioli for dipping. Dinner is: Balsamic chicken with cippoline and fingerling potatoes, string beans, ziti (with no ricotta-Ian's fav) and Caesar salad. Dessert is: Cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies.
...and to all a good night...
Monday, December 12, 2011
China White
Saturday night Michael and I met Chris, Margo, Mike and Chrysalis for dinner at China White (http://chinawhiteusa.com/gallery_purchase/img001.html) in Purchase. Ryan was performing in The Nutcracker later on that evening.
First off, there is valet parking. Immediately I thought that wasn't necessary, but after dinner when we went to get our car out of the lot, I realized how necessary the valet was. The restaurant filled up quickly and the lot is small. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a lovely home, inside it is more Zen-like with white table cloths, muted tones, paper light fixtures over the bar and lighting that got progressively lower during the meal, causing me to state the age-old comment "I feel like Bette Davis in Dark Victory."
Let's discuss the prices for a) a restaurant NOT in New York City b) a Chinese restaurant and c) on a dark quiet road in Westchester: Egg drop soup $6-very average-gelatinous and mildly flavored; Hot and sour soup $7-more flavorful yet still gelatinous and Won ton everything soup $8-not quite "everything"-just baby bok choy and mushrooms added-actually had more of a Japanese flavor than Chinese. Vegetable spring rolls $8-greasy; Chinatown roast pork $9-NOT, may I repeat NOT like Chinatown at all. Roast Pork chow fun $16-REALLY GOOD; Black pepper beef $26-REALLY GOOD; Spicy fried rice $10-Good and a chicken dish I can't remember (because I didn't try it) but everyone liked it.
The service is attentive and nothing to complain about. The organic red Cabernet was good yet Michael asked for 2 cubes of ice in his McCallen, and it came on the rocks, so their bar skills are not up to par.
We will NOT be going back strictly due to the prices. $26 for beef and Chinese vegetables, I don't care how good it is, is a ridiculous price. However, the best part of the evening was seeing Ryan perform in The Nutcracker and that was what the evening was all about!
First off, there is valet parking. Immediately I thought that wasn't necessary, but after dinner when we went to get our car out of the lot, I realized how necessary the valet was. The restaurant filled up quickly and the lot is small. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a lovely home, inside it is more Zen-like with white table cloths, muted tones, paper light fixtures over the bar and lighting that got progressively lower during the meal, causing me to state the age-old comment "I feel like Bette Davis in Dark Victory."
Let's discuss the prices for a) a restaurant NOT in New York City b) a Chinese restaurant and c) on a dark quiet road in Westchester: Egg drop soup $6-very average-gelatinous and mildly flavored; Hot and sour soup $7-more flavorful yet still gelatinous and Won ton everything soup $8-not quite "everything"-just baby bok choy and mushrooms added-actually had more of a Japanese flavor than Chinese. Vegetable spring rolls $8-greasy; Chinatown roast pork $9-NOT, may I repeat NOT like Chinatown at all. Roast Pork chow fun $16-REALLY GOOD; Black pepper beef $26-REALLY GOOD; Spicy fried rice $10-Good and a chicken dish I can't remember (because I didn't try it) but everyone liked it.
The service is attentive and nothing to complain about. The organic red Cabernet was good yet Michael asked for 2 cubes of ice in his McCallen, and it came on the rocks, so their bar skills are not up to par.
We will NOT be going back strictly due to the prices. $26 for beef and Chinese vegetables, I don't care how good it is, is a ridiculous price. However, the best part of the evening was seeing Ryan perform in The Nutcracker and that was what the evening was all about!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Deviation from the Norm (and no, I have not been drinking)
Usually I speak about food, mine or others, fresh or prepared, take out or dine in. But I am going to deviate from the norm (not actually so unusual for me).
It is the "Holiday Season" and/or the "Christmas Season" and for many it is a very stressful and difficult time of the year. I am sorry so many actually feel that way and I have friends who have expressed just these feelings to me over the years and lately.
I can understand why many feel this way: Expectations-great and small; rushing; hurrying; smiling; parties; obligations-familial and otherwise; decorating; participating...Also many miss their closest loved ones the most during the holidays.
I, on the other hand, have tried (really hard, for a long time) to make this the happiest time for me and my family and friends. I have many loved ones who are gone, but I remember them fondly and not with a tear in my eye. I run and rush and decorate and participate (and cook). I try to be involved in "holiday" activities like seeing our nephew perform in The Nutcracker, shop for presents only after the stores have been decorated, eat at restaurants that are seasonally ornamented and other such things.
Our Christmas tree is stored at Joe's garage (not Zappa's-haha). Every year it comes into our house and I can't help but smile. The ornaments that we hang each year are all memories of past events, times, places and people. The gifts that are placed underneath are all for our most loved friends and family. Even the plate of cookies for Santa which we put out every Christmas Eve is a reminder of holidays past when Jesse was little and still believed in the fairy tale.
I still believe, not in Santa of course, but in goodness and friendship and man's humanity towards man. Although these qualities are not always apparent, I do believe that they exist and I look for them and forward to them.
So now you are asking yourself "What is she on?" and "Can I have some?" The answers are: Nothing and you already have it. So, I have deviated not only from my food conversation but from my customary scrappy, rational self. Surprise! And in closing, remember and believe that...All you need is Love!
It is the "Holiday Season" and/or the "Christmas Season" and for many it is a very stressful and difficult time of the year. I am sorry so many actually feel that way and I have friends who have expressed just these feelings to me over the years and lately.
I can understand why many feel this way: Expectations-great and small; rushing; hurrying; smiling; parties; obligations-familial and otherwise; decorating; participating...Also many miss their closest loved ones the most during the holidays.
I, on the other hand, have tried (really hard, for a long time) to make this the happiest time for me and my family and friends. I have many loved ones who are gone, but I remember them fondly and not with a tear in my eye. I run and rush and decorate and participate (and cook). I try to be involved in "holiday" activities like seeing our nephew perform in The Nutcracker, shop for presents only after the stores have been decorated, eat at restaurants that are seasonally ornamented and other such things.
Our Christmas tree is stored at Joe's garage (not Zappa's-haha). Every year it comes into our house and I can't help but smile. The ornaments that we hang each year are all memories of past events, times, places and people. The gifts that are placed underneath are all for our most loved friends and family. Even the plate of cookies for Santa which we put out every Christmas Eve is a reminder of holidays past when Jesse was little and still believed in the fairy tale.
I still believe, not in Santa of course, but in goodness and friendship and man's humanity towards man. Although these qualities are not always apparent, I do believe that they exist and I look for them and forward to them.
So now you are asking yourself "What is she on?" and "Can I have some?" The answers are: Nothing and you already have it. So, I have deviated not only from my food conversation but from my customary scrappy, rational self. Surprise! And in closing, remember and believe that...All you need is Love!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Dinner at the Polikoffs
Saturday night December 3rd, we had fifteen (yes, count 'em...15) friends for dinner.
We started with: Ciao Angelo and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses-as usual-with balsamic glaze for dipping; olives; pepperdews; soppressata and bread. We also had a plate of smoked salmon over caper-dill sauce on brown bread-way yummy! Of course there was red wine, white wine, cocktails, bourbon, beer and scotch (and soda for the under 21 crowd).
Dinner was: Country Greek salad; string beans with garlic and oil; roasted fingerling potatoes and a ten pound boneless prime rib roast slathered in mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Au Jus on the side of course.
We had a GREAT time. Photos to follow!
We started with: Ciao Angelo and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses-as usual-with balsamic glaze for dipping; olives; pepperdews; soppressata and bread. We also had a plate of smoked salmon over caper-dill sauce on brown bread-way yummy! Of course there was red wine, white wine, cocktails, bourbon, beer and scotch (and soda for the under 21 crowd).
Dinner was: Country Greek salad; string beans with garlic and oil; roasted fingerling potatoes and a ten pound boneless prime rib roast slathered in mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Au Jus on the side of course.
We had a GREAT time. Photos to follow!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mon Petit Cafe
Friday night Michael, Barbara, Paul and I attended the opening of Maurice Badler Fine Jewelry at 485 Park Avenue. (www.Badler.com). The store is lovely! The lighting shows the gems brilliantly. And they have a full line of Pandora. Champagne, finger sandwiches, cheeses, photos, mingling. Just what an opening should be!
Afterward, we went to dinner at Mon Petit Cafe (http://monpetitcafe.com/) at 801 Lexington Avenue. We called for a reservation while we were at the opening, and even though we called again to say we'd be a few minutes late, they held our table. The restaurant is small and cozy, nicely decorated for the season. They do not rush you and they were very accommodating. We had French onion soup (more about that later); Croque-Saumon Frais et Fumé avec Emmental -Hot sandwich with fresh and smoked salmon and emmental cheese with house salad; Steak Haché Rossini -Hamburger topped with foie gras mousse with French fries (minus the foie gras mousse and add sauteed onions); Ratatouille-Provincial mixed vegetable stew and Saucisses de Canard au Grand Marnier-Grilled duck and grand marnier sausages with sautéed onions, apples served with a basket of sweet potato fries. Everything was very good.
Conversation of the evening: Is the waitress really French? Is the accent real? Maybe she's French-Canadian?
Additional conversation: Are they gay? Are they a couple? Did she have plastic surgery? Did her husband leave her for a younger woman? No one escapes our...curiosity.
So, the onion soup didn't come before the meal, but with it, so Michael sent back the burger, yet when it did arrive, it was warm and flavorful and just as he ordered it. The bread was a HUGE disappointment-it was cold and spongy yet it looked deceivingly warm and crunchy-bummer. Also, I ordered a glass of Vin de Pays d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon, Jean de Roze 2009 and it was very smooth with no tannins (I am not sure it really was a Cabernet). The profiteroles for dessert were yummy. And the company, once again, was what made the evening!
Afterward, we went to dinner at Mon Petit Cafe (http://monpetitcafe.com/) at 801 Lexington Avenue. We called for a reservation while we were at the opening, and even though we called again to say we'd be a few minutes late, they held our table. The restaurant is small and cozy, nicely decorated for the season. They do not rush you and they were very accommodating. We had French onion soup (more about that later); Croque-Saumon Frais et Fumé avec Emmental -Hot sandwich with fresh and smoked salmon and emmental cheese with house salad; Steak Haché Rossini -Hamburger topped with foie gras mousse with French fries (minus the foie gras mousse and add sauteed onions); Ratatouille-Provincial mixed vegetable stew and Saucisses de Canard au Grand Marnier-Grilled duck and grand marnier sausages with sautéed onions, apples served with a basket of sweet potato fries. Everything was very good.
Conversation of the evening: Is the waitress really French? Is the accent real? Maybe she's French-Canadian?
Additional conversation: Are they gay? Are they a couple? Did she have plastic surgery? Did her husband leave her for a younger woman? No one escapes our...curiosity.
So, the onion soup didn't come before the meal, but with it, so Michael sent back the burger, yet when it did arrive, it was warm and flavorful and just as he ordered it. The bread was a HUGE disappointment-it was cold and spongy yet it looked deceivingly warm and crunchy-bummer. Also, I ordered a glass of Vin de Pays d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon, Jean de Roze 2009 and it was very smooth with no tannins (I am not sure it really was a Cabernet). The profiteroles for dessert were yummy. And the company, once again, was what made the evening!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
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| Seared Sea Scallops with Artichoke Lemon Pesto |
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| Asparagus wrapped with Prosciutto and Hollandaise Sauce |
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| Coffee Table Pre-Dinner |
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| Ready for the Oven |
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| Almost Done |
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| Sweet Potatoes for the Sweets |
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| Corn Chowder with Nodine's Bacon |
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| THE main event |
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| Organic Rainbow Swiss Chard |
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| "Special" cookies |
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| Carrot Cake...yum! |
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| Our Table |
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| A Great Family Thanksgiving! |
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Agora
Last night I went with Barbara, Dina and Dina's mom, Nora to Agora on Austin Street. I have been there a few times before, and other than the whole branzino which was dry and terribly thin (had it on a previous visit) everything was great!
The grilled octopus is the best I've ever had. Their Horiatiki salad is good, plate of different spreads are all yummy and comes with warm pita. The shrimp saganaki is flavorful, but could possibly use a touch more feta, and we also shared a dinner portion of Mousakka. Dessert was honey balls (vaguely resembling the taste of zeppoles). And don't forget our bottle of Greek red wine.
We spent the evening catching up on each other's children (all our boys have known each other since kindergarten-and so have we). It was great to see Nora, it's been a long time and I am glad she is out and about after falling during a trip to Jamaica.
Thanks for another night with good company and good food!
The grilled octopus is the best I've ever had. Their Horiatiki salad is good, plate of different spreads are all yummy and comes with warm pita. The shrimp saganaki is flavorful, but could possibly use a touch more feta, and we also shared a dinner portion of Mousakka. Dessert was honey balls (vaguely resembling the taste of zeppoles). And don't forget our bottle of Greek red wine.
We spent the evening catching up on each other's children (all our boys have known each other since kindergarten-and so have we). It was great to see Nora, it's been a long time and I am glad she is out and about after falling during a trip to Jamaica.
Thanks for another night with good company and good food!
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