Since Forever :)

So...

We've been to Dee's twice.  Once for Michael's birthday and then again for Jesse's.  Their pizza is always good, service as well.  Michael favors the rosemary turkey burger and Jesse usually tries a new pasta dish.

We've had take-out Chinese twice.  Once from Panda (near the fields on Yellowstone) where they took an hour to deliver (I know, waiting for Chinese for an hour, unthinkable). And the food was cold, not surprising, and they wouldn't give us a discount.  They are on the boycott list.  The other time we ordered from Hop Bo Palace right here on Queens Boulevard.  Average food, quick delivery. Just what you think it will be.

Moving along, we had a night of leftovers and a pot of home made pasta fagioli.  Yum!  Then a night of take-out from Press 195.  Their Belgian fries are great with chipotle mayo (although they don't travel so wel).  We had two sandwiches:  Spicy Buffalo panko breaded chicken with blue cheese and julienne carrots and celery and a Grilled portobello, arugula, goat cheese and roasted garlic and  black olive spread.  You can figure out which one of us ate which one :)

We tried a new Greek place with Joe and Denise called Psari (www.psari-restaurant.com)  but I wouldn't recommend it.  Cute place, really good grilled octopus, but average everything else.

Michael and I went to the Smorgasburg (www.brooklynflea.com/smorgasburg) on a Saturday afternoon.  The day was beautiful, the food was great.  We had Sunday Gravy (just what you think it is) and way yummy! Chocolate coffee stout cookies from the Cookie Guild.  Great horseradish from ISH.  Iced coffee from Grady's cold brew coffee concentrate. A chicken sandwich from Schnitz (Michael liked it a lot).  A brisket sandwich.  A lobster roll (but they are better at the lobster joint in Greenpoint).  A lobster and shrimp ceviche Yum! And I can't remember anymore right now.  But well worth the visit.  Afterwards, when we were stuffed, we took the East River Ferry to Governor's Island and walked around.  On the island they were hosting a roaring 20's party.  It was so cool to see everyone dressed up like flappers and gangsters.  The ferry ride was great because the weather was perfect.  Later that night, Chrysalis came to stay over and we went out to dinner at Dirty Pierre's.  Chicken sandwich, salad and quesadillas!

We've also been to take Jesse up to school so we ate in Ithaca at Viva Taqueria and Yogurtland.  Both are good and just what you think they are.  We also visited Sarah at Oneonta on the way home, so we took her to dinner at the Red Caboose.  Good American food, nice bar, good service. 

Since we've been home I made turkey/Italian sausage meatballs with braciole in sauce and a pot of lentil soup.  And that's all folks...

Since July 24-Where the F Have I Been

Well...Sine July 24 we've been to the Shapiros, the Creutz', the Gandiellos and the Brennans.We've also been to Dee's and West End Bar & Grill.  I've also cooked.  So here goes:

I went to see Michelle Shapiro in her showcase.  She sang and danced with a cast of other children.  It was great.  Best kids show I've seen so far!  Afterwards, Michael took the train to Wantagh and we ate dinner at Steve and Lori's-Steak and shrimp and goodies from Iavarone!

Pizza night at the Creutz' is always great.  Pizza from Emilio's!!! We also watched the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympics.  We also went crabbing, but were not successful.  Glenn tied chicken drumsticks to long pieces of twine, we stood in the wavses and threw in our chicken and slowly dragged the line back.  Sarah caught two and no one else caught shit! We were going to eat our full bucket, but we didn't have a full bucket :) We will be back for more again.  It was really fun!

At the Gandiellos we shared in Joe's 50th birthday celebration and Diana's graduation from high school.

At the Brennans we had a BBQ with Tom at the grill.  Good conversation and the best shrimp I've had all summer-orange marmalade did the trick!

We had our Annual Polikoff Family Beach Day on August 2.  29 people this year, a record for us! Great weather, great friends, great drinks (pineapple vodka-two cut up pineapples soaked in vodka for 3 days in the fridge) and great food from Mother Kelly's.  We celebrated birthdays for Joe, Michael, Glenn and Jesse!

We went to Dee's on August 7 for Michael's 51st Birthday with the Wisners.  Pizza was great. Company was better :) Happy birthday Michael!!!

We took Michael's mom out to dinner on Wednesday.  It was a nice family evening!  We went to West End Bar and Grill on 48th and 8th.  Our friend Mike is the manager.  The food was really good and the service was perfect!  http://www.westendnyc.com/.  Their menu is perfect.  Not too many choices and not too little.  Total recommendation from me :) and we will be back with friends!

I also cooked a bit:  Kasseler Rippchen with Sauerkraut (smoked pork chops braised in sauerkraut, onions and white wine).  Got the meat from Fresh Direct, it was terrific.  Also made Pat LaFrieda's dry aged beef hamburgers (also from Fresh Direct).  They were a bit overdone (sorry guys) but the flavor and texture were awesome.  If you haven't cruised Fresh Direct's website lately, go back and look around.  I also made broiled chicken drumsticks in an Oaxacan bbq sauce.  Chicken cutlets, beet, bacon and goat cheese salad, a bit of take out and here we are.  Another Friday night and I am not cooking. 

Have a good weekend!