Last Friday night, Michael, Jill and I went out and headed to Austin Street. Our destination was 5 Burro, and we even left our name for a table for three even though the stated wait time was THREE HOURS. Of course, we were not actually going to hang around the sidewalk for THREE HOURS so we went to Marianella's Taqueria near the railroad station for margaritas. Michael and Jill had two each and I had two beers. We also shared nachos, guacamole and empanadas. The food is nothing to speak about, but the margaritas were good.
Now that we had drinks in us, we looked around for food and didn't bother going back to 5 Burro. We ended up at Bare Burger which is a new place on Austin Street. Of course, they had no liquor license (boo hoo), but we stayed anyway. Michael ordered turkey burger sliders. Jill and I shared one, and we all shared french fries and onion rings. Hopefully they will get a license soon so we can go back. Michael wants to try different burgers next time. The wait staff is really nice, and even though it was crowded, we didn't wait for a table.
I am still on jury duty...seems like forever...and have been cooking this week: Turkey sloppy Joe's (Michael seems to like them) with salad; Old Bay chicken wings with leftover salad; panko breaded cutlets and tomorrow is chicken sausage with broccoli rabe and farfalle.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Another Week of Jury Duty and Dinners
Today was my twelfth day of jury duty at Queens criminal court in Kew Gardens. The other jurors and I have become friends. We play crosswords and other games while we wait (and wait (and wait) (and wait) (and wait) for court time to catch up with reality time.
Dinners this week have been: Turkey burgers and Greek salad; chicken sausage, penne and broccoli with garlic and oil; chicken marsala with sauteed spinach; and leftovers. Tonight is undecided as are Saturday and Sunday.
Monday is back to jury duty. Have a good weekend :)
Dinners this week have been: Turkey burgers and Greek salad; chicken sausage, penne and broccoli with garlic and oil; chicken marsala with sauteed spinach; and leftovers. Tonight is undecided as are Saturday and Sunday.
Monday is back to jury duty. Have a good weekend :)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Last Week
 |
| Jerk Chicken Monday was chicken cutlets with panko breading, baby spring mix with goat cheese, beets and dijon vinaigrette. Tuesday was chicken sausage, peppers, onions and a wedge salad on the side. Wednesday was a flat iron steak with carrots, butter and rosemary and portobello mushroom caps. Thursday was Jerk chicken with sauteed broccoli and cauliflower with garlic, oil, red pepper and bread crumbs. Friday night Michael went to see the Jerry Garcia band at Brooklyn Bowl and I went out to Leslie's for pizza, and to see her dad, Bruce, since he just had a stint put in and he's doing very well! Saturday night...how can I explain this without peeing in my pants? Michael and I had a coupon for Piccolo Italia on Metropolitan Avenue. It's the only reason we went and we'd never go again. Picture walking in to an Italian restaurant and the only Italians there are Michael and possibly myself :) The host was Indian (possibly), the servers are Indian and Russian (maybe), the tablecloths are green (yes, it was St. Patrick's Day but still), the guy singing, yes singing with a microphone no less, is Indian with a screaming Kelly green sequined vest--and he's singing--wait for it--Frank Sinatra. Can you believe we actually witnessed all this and still sat down? Anyway, cold antipasto was iceberg lettuce topped with sliced salami and ham, cold tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and a handful of jalapenos (seriously). I ordered a pizza because I was afraid of everything else and it was just as good as Stoufer's frozen. Michael had chicken cardenalle (some made up name) with red peppers in a cream sauce that was not too bad. We did leave immediately after we ate. The singer was killing us, we couldn't stop laughing. Needless to say, just walk on by. We did note, however, that a few doors down, a Turkish places will be opening soon and that we will definitely try. Have a good week! |
Irish Soda Bread ala Maureen
THANKS Maureen for the best Irish Soda Bread this side of the Emerald Isle!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Fat Goose
It's the name of the restaurant we went to with Joe and Denise on Saturday night (http://fatgoosewilliamsburg.com/).
We had: Mixed mushrooms in Oloroso cream over goat cheese bruschetta (Way yummy-a bit too salty-I can't believe I said that); Beet salad in textures-roasted, pickled and flan over baby spring lettuce with goat cheese and walnuts and Spicy tuna empanadas that were great.
Dinner was: Braised rabbit with cheesy vegetable farro risotto and spicy shrimp over grits. Also a side order of root vegetable risotto.
A bottle of red and a few scotches; some decaf coffee in a french press and we decided that the food here was really good. We also decided that the service could use some improvement. It took about an hour to get a soda; no one paid attention to our bread or water-or lack thereof; it took about ten minutes to be asked if we wanted a drink after we were seated. However, on the good side, the waiter improved with time and was knowledgeable about the menu and made very good suggestions. Ambiance is really nice too.
Across the street is a place called Nita Nita (http://nitanitabk.com/) which we want to try out. It has a garden in the back that is supposed to be very nice to hang out in during the summer. Menu has items such as: Gouda mac and cheese; baked shrimp with tomato and goat cheese; polenta dumplings; rosemary and garlic chicken wings...it is a "small plate" place with cheese boards as well as bar snacks, a full bar, various beers and wines.
We had: Mixed mushrooms in Oloroso cream over goat cheese bruschetta (Way yummy-a bit too salty-I can't believe I said that); Beet salad in textures-roasted, pickled and flan over baby spring lettuce with goat cheese and walnuts and Spicy tuna empanadas that were great.
Dinner was: Braised rabbit with cheesy vegetable farro risotto and spicy shrimp over grits. Also a side order of root vegetable risotto.
A bottle of red and a few scotches; some decaf coffee in a french press and we decided that the food here was really good. We also decided that the service could use some improvement. It took about an hour to get a soda; no one paid attention to our bread or water-or lack thereof; it took about ten minutes to be asked if we wanted a drink after we were seated. However, on the good side, the waiter improved with time and was knowledgeable about the menu and made very good suggestions. Ambiance is really nice too.
Across the street is a place called Nita Nita (http://nitanitabk.com/) which we want to try out. It has a garden in the back that is supposed to be very nice to hang out in during the summer. Menu has items such as: Gouda mac and cheese; baked shrimp with tomato and goat cheese; polenta dumplings; rosemary and garlic chicken wings...it is a "small plate" place with cheese boards as well as bar snacks, a full bar, various beers and wines.
Friday, March 9, 2012
A week of Dinners
Yes, the Wisners have their apartment back, sort of, and I am just cooking for Michael and myself these days. Jill needs her counter top put in, a ceiling light fixture and a couple of odds and ends and she will have a new kitchen :)
Monday I made turkey meatloaf with a wedge salad on the side with homemade blue cheese dressing made with Caver Blue cheese. Tuesday was a roasted chicken with a mozzarella and Kumato (http://www.kumato.com/en/Kumato.aspx) tomato stack with balsamic and olive oil on the side. Wednesday was brined pork chops with sauteed mushrooms, garlic and oil; and snow peas and sugar snap peas sauteed with soy, olive oil, rice vinegar, scallions, ginger and wasabi. Thursday was turkey sloppy Joe's (homemade-ground turkey, mustard, ketchup, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and a little tomato sauce) over rolls with sauteed string beans. Tonight will be macaroni with marinara and a side of sauteed escarole.
Saturday night we are going to Fat Goose in Williamsburg with Joe and Denise. Review to follow.
Have a good weekend.
Monday I made turkey meatloaf with a wedge salad on the side with homemade blue cheese dressing made with Caver Blue cheese. Tuesday was a roasted chicken with a mozzarella and Kumato (http://www.kumato.com/en/Kumato.aspx) tomato stack with balsamic and olive oil on the side. Wednesday was brined pork chops with sauteed mushrooms, garlic and oil; and snow peas and sugar snap peas sauteed with soy, olive oil, rice vinegar, scallions, ginger and wasabi. Thursday was turkey sloppy Joe's (homemade-ground turkey, mustard, ketchup, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and a little tomato sauce) over rolls with sauteed string beans. Tonight will be macaroni with marinara and a side of sauteed escarole.
Saturday night we are going to Fat Goose in Williamsburg with Joe and Denise. Review to follow.
Have a good weekend.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Amore!
I cannot believe I almost forgot to talk about Amore Pizza on Stratton Street in the Pathmark Shopping Center in Flushing.
It is the best pizza in Queens. Sorry Dani's - we love you to no end, but Amore's taste is more to my liking. Dani's pizza slices are really large and good, but there is a sweetness to them that is not my favorite. Amore, on the other hand, has smaller slices, but they taste just like pizza did when I was a kid. It's amazing how a certain taste can bring back the warmth of your youth (and there wasn't much of that in my youth, so I am glad I found Amore).
We've been several times, but as it's not in our neighborhood nor on our radar, we don't frequent it that often. Yesterday Michael and I shared 3 slices and I took an eggplant parm hero home for dinner. The hero was average, but the pizza is amazing. I hope I remember it next time I am nearby.
It is the best pizza in Queens. Sorry Dani's - we love you to no end, but Amore's taste is more to my liking. Dani's pizza slices are really large and good, but there is a sweetness to them that is not my favorite. Amore, on the other hand, has smaller slices, but they taste just like pizza did when I was a kid. It's amazing how a certain taste can bring back the warmth of your youth (and there wasn't much of that in my youth, so I am glad I found Amore).
We've been several times, but as it's not in our neighborhood nor on our radar, we don't frequent it that often. Yesterday Michael and I shared 3 slices and I took an eggplant parm hero home for dinner. The hero was average, but the pizza is amazing. I hope I remember it next time I am nearby.
Press 195 and Cedar Creek
Press 195 has been a long time favorite of ours even though we do not visit that often. (http://www.press195.com/index.php). We are not in Bayside that often but really wish that a Press 195 would open in Forest Hills. Then we would be there all the time. The sandwiches are amazing. Never had a bad one, and with so many to choose from you can go back again and again to keep eating! Cucumber salad is great. Beers on tap are great. Bartenders are really nice, quick and they pay attention to their customers, unlike the host who took our name then gave away empty tables to others who came in after us. Not such a big deal, we were happy at the bar with an order of Belgian fries (OMG) so good, but I'm just saying. We had: Belgian fries with chipotle jalapeno mayo; a #20-roast beef, marinara, fresh mozzarella and roasted garlic spread; and a #30-turkey, bacon, Monterey Jack, tomato, chipotle mayo and guacamole. WOW!
Saturday night we went to a new place Cedar Creek (www.cedaarcreekli.com) on Cedar Swamp Road in Glen Cove. I discovered it on OpenTable.com and it was a success. The menu is varied and American (when was the last time you went out for American food?)
We had: Buffalo chicken spring roll-Vermont cheddar, scallions, bleu cheese and Frank's hot sauce; Mediterranean plate-hummus, tzatsiki, Kalamata olives, charred feta and crispy flat bread; Salt & Pepper calamari-grilled pineapple, shishito peppers and sweet chili sauce; French onion soup and Lobster bisque.
Then: Chop-chop salad-chick peas, roasted peppers, olives, cucumbers, tomato, feta, onion and red wine vinaigrette; Loaded baby iceberg wedge-applewood smoked bacon, grape tomatoes, shaved red onion with Maytag blue cheese dressing; North Fork green salad-cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots with shallot mustard vinaigrette; and Caesar salad with parmigiano-reggiano and croutons.
Then: Pan seared organic Scottish salmon-shallot roasted cauliflower, sultana golden raisins, toasted almonds, crispy carrots, chive oil; a chicken special which was devoured but I can't remember what it was and a pasta special with angiolotti stuffed with cheese in a cream sauce with peas, onions and bacon.
Dessert was: Warm apple crisp in it's own baking dish with Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, rolled oats and vanilla bean ice cream; Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce and Dark chocolate Oreo mousse with fresh whipped cream. A few glasses of white, a bottle of red, a few cocktails and decaf cappuccinos and espresso and HOLY CRAP we were stuffed.
The food was all very good. We all agreed that it was one of the best all around meals we've had in a restaurant in a long time. The service, however, is rushed. I don't believe they intended to rush us, but appetizers and salads and soups came one on top of the other. Crowded and uncomfortable. Plates being removed while others are still eating. Maybe they just need to advise their staff of proper etiquette.
It was a great night with Glenn, Eileen and Grandpa Bruce. We will have to bring friends back to try it again.
Saturday night we went to a new place Cedar Creek (www.cedaarcreekli.com) on Cedar Swamp Road in Glen Cove. I discovered it on OpenTable.com and it was a success. The menu is varied and American (when was the last time you went out for American food?)
We had: Buffalo chicken spring roll-Vermont cheddar, scallions, bleu cheese and Frank's hot sauce; Mediterranean plate-hummus, tzatsiki, Kalamata olives, charred feta and crispy flat bread; Salt & Pepper calamari-grilled pineapple, shishito peppers and sweet chili sauce; French onion soup and Lobster bisque.
Then: Chop-chop salad-chick peas, roasted peppers, olives, cucumbers, tomato, feta, onion and red wine vinaigrette; Loaded baby iceberg wedge-applewood smoked bacon, grape tomatoes, shaved red onion with Maytag blue cheese dressing; North Fork green salad-cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots with shallot mustard vinaigrette; and Caesar salad with parmigiano-reggiano and croutons.
Then: Pan seared organic Scottish salmon-shallot roasted cauliflower, sultana golden raisins, toasted almonds, crispy carrots, chive oil; a chicken special which was devoured but I can't remember what it was and a pasta special with angiolotti stuffed with cheese in a cream sauce with peas, onions and bacon.
Dessert was: Warm apple crisp in it's own baking dish with Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, rolled oats and vanilla bean ice cream; Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce and Dark chocolate Oreo mousse with fresh whipped cream. A few glasses of white, a bottle of red, a few cocktails and decaf cappuccinos and espresso and HOLY CRAP we were stuffed.
The food was all very good. We all agreed that it was one of the best all around meals we've had in a restaurant in a long time. The service, however, is rushed. I don't believe they intended to rush us, but appetizers and salads and soups came one on top of the other. Crowded and uncomfortable. Plates being removed while others are still eating. Maybe they just need to advise their staff of proper etiquette.
It was a great night with Glenn, Eileen and Grandpa Bruce. We will have to bring friends back to try it again.
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