February's Food

In no particular order:  We've been to Paulie Gee's (http://www.pauliegee.com/home.php) in Greenpoint with Dina, Denise and Dimitry.  We shared: The Gates of Eden salad with
Seasonal Greens, Gorgonzola Cheese, House Candied Walnuts, Sliced Red Onions, Dried Cranberries, Bosc Pear and Red Wine Vinaigrette; and The Arnold Brothstein soup made from
Parmagiano Broth, Pasta, Fresh Escarole and Italian Tomatoes.  Both were delicious. We shared three pies too: The Hellboy - Fresh Mozzarella, Italian Tomatoes, Berkshire Sopressata Piccante, Parmigiano Reggiano and Mike’s HOT Honey; The Spectacle 261 – Our tribute to Roberta’s Specken Wolf - Fresh Mozzarella, Speck, Sliced Cremini Mushrooms, Sliced Red Onions and Milled Black Pepper and the 12Greenpointer - Fresh Mozzarella, Baby Arugula, Olive Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice and Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano with vegan housemade sausage added.  Two bottles of  Montepulciano D'Abruzzo and great friends!  We would all go back in a minute.  The service was good, place is full of families with kids, young couples, hipster types.  Just beware, it's rustic (nice) and dark (very). Hope your phone has a flashlight app :)

Moving along:  We went to Nan Xiang Dumpling House (http://www.yelp.com/biz/nan-xiang-dumpling-house-flushing) in Flushing with Jill and Lenny.  We shared Pork soup dumplings and Pork and Crab dumplings (they cal them buns).  They have more soup in them than any other soup dumplings I have had, and the flavor is great too.  We also had cold cucumber with garlic, wontons with spicy sauce, which turned out to have peanut sauce on it (wow, quick smell and taste and we ripped the chopsticks out of Michael's hands), but they were good (maybe they can make them without peanut next time) whew...Also, Shanghai Udon noodles and scallion pancakes.  Everything was great and we plan to go back.

Then:  Trattoria 632 with Ryan (our nephew) and Emily (our niece) in Purchase (http://www.trattoria632.com/).  We drove up to take the kids out to dinner.  It was a great evening.  We had:  Fried calamari and escarole and bean soup; then a Margherita Pizzette with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and artichoke hearts; Chittara pasta with veal meatballs and shaved ricotta salata; two pork chops with cherry peppers; and penne ala vodka.  Dessert was a cannoli and a nutella pizza.  Food was good, service was good, cute place, but the bill at the end seemed way higher than expected.  The wine was $10 a glass. Pretty nervy for a small town.  But...we had fun and we will, of course, take the kids our for dinner anytime they want to go with us.

I stopped by J and S Pizza (http://www.yelp.com/biz/j-and-s-pizza-rosedale) in Rosedale on my way to an oil change at Valley Stream Acura.  Michael turned me on to this place a few years ago.  Only Sicilian slices (no round) and regular heroes and such.  Good if you're nearby.

I've also been to Don Alex recently (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pollos-a-la-brasa-don-alex-forest-hills). Many think of it as strictly take out, but they have white tablecloths and candles with make it a cozy spot for a meal.  We had a 1/4 chicken with rice and yellow beans along with maduros (sweet plantains), more rice and beans and an avocado salad.  They do not serve alcohol, but you can bring your own, so I did.  It was a nice meal.  Everything was good, I would go back or order in.  Their green sauce is good too (not sure it rivals Pio Pio, but totally fine).

And, of course, I have been cooking:  Borscht with matzo balls (this time with organic beets from my farm share) and also a crock pot of chicken and stout:  I browned boneless, skinless thighs in olive oil on the stove, then put them in the bottom of my crock pot.  Next I sauteed bacon in the pan and added flour to make a roux.  Then I added a bottle of Oatmeal Stout and scraped up the bits. That went into the crock pot.  Next I added sliced carrots, onions, mushrooms and garlic.  Then a cup of chicken stock and dried thyme, salt and pepper.  It cooked for 7 hours, then I added frozen green peas till they were soft and served it over rice.  Even I ate some. It was good :)

Jennie and I did our volunteering bit for the farm share the other night.  It was like old times, working together and laughing and talking.  This time I donated my rutabagas and watermelon radishes to the food pantry.  I just don't know what to do with them. 

This weekend is all open, maybe cooking, maybe going out, maybe ordering in.  It's nice not to have plans sometimes.

Have a good one!

Bistro SK

Bistro SK has great reviews on Yelp and I don't want you not to go because of me, however, once again, it is the company you spend time with, and not the food, that really makes the evening.

Bistro SK is a small, very cute French cafe on City Island.  The owner greeted us at the door and took our coats (but he wasn't aware that we were 8 people, even though he called Denise to confirm).  It was a bit chilly, the butter plates were on the wrong side, the water came in tall plastic glasses, the bread and butter took forever, and there is only cold water running in the bathroom sink.  There was one waiter, not serving us, we had the owner. We had to ask for him to take our drink order before taking our food order.  He recommended a decent red and we obliged by having three bottles.  Also a few glasses of chardonnay, that Tom said weren't great.

We had:  Sea bass; salmon; duck confit; coq au vin; stuffed chicken; onion soup; salad; excargots; creme brulee; apple tartin and a floating island of merange.

Everyone enjoyed what they had, the sides of roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes were very good.  My salad was bland and my soup had barely any broth, too much bread and onions, but the flavor was good.

It was our annual pre-Valentine's Day dinner with Joe and Denise, Joe and Penny and Tom and Monica.  Would I go back, no.  Would I go out with these friends again, any day of the week!!!

Happy Hearts to all.

Canterbury Ales

Canterbury Ales in Huntington (http://www.canterburyales.com/) had it's Annual Winter Tasting on Sunday February 10, 2013.  Our friends JoAnn and Britt have been going for many years.  This year we joined them along with Glenn and Eileen for an afternoon of food and drink.

We began with baskets of warm pretzels and mustard accompanied by Fire Island Beer Company Frozen Tail Ale.  Next came the winter wild rice soup with beef and root vegetables along with a Brooklyn Brewery Winter Ale and a Goose Island Mild Winter.  This was followed by a grilled mango salad and a Brooklyn Blast and a Blue Point Hoptical Illusion.  Next was an appetizer of prosciutto, mozzarella and potatoes with Greenport Brewery's Anti-Freeze and a Heavy Seas Winter Storm.  Next was the entree of berry BBQ short ribs and tostones accompanied by a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and a Shipyard Brewing Old Thumper Ale.  Lastly we had espresso pecan pie along with a Long Ireland's Black Friday Imperial Stout.

Wow.  Ten beers with lunch.  It was fun, got a buzz, didn't love the food.  They should really stick to what they do well:  Bar food ie; Shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, etc..  As for the beer, you all know I am Coors Light girl (not saying much for beer) but I did enjoy the different flavors and even liked a few of the less malty/hoppy ones.  Michael missed a Bourbon stout or a Breakfast stout, but otherwise he liked the whole event.

It was a nice way to spend a winter's afternoon with friends.

Since Jan. 24

Obviously home from Ithaca, actually been there and back again. Anyway...

Michael's mom had surgery (and she is doing really well, home from Beth Israel in one day).

We've been to El Quijote, Dani's, Bonfire, Artichoke Basile's, 5 Burro, Dirty Pierre's, Exo Cafe and Canterbury Ales.

I've made chili, pork roast, mushroom soup, chicken soup, and assorted minor dinners.

Tomorrow we are going for our annual Valentine's Day dinner (but never on Valentine's Day) to Bistro Sk on City Island.  Friday night is pizza night at the Creutz' and we have no plans for the weekend.  I think we need a rest.

xo

PS: Sorry for the minimal details. Maybe I will get a second wind...