It's Tuesday

That doesn't mean very much, not working today, switched with the other secretary for tomorrow. Work's going well. Staff are really nice and I'm getting the hang of things.  Need to learn about payroll, then I'll be all set.

As for going out...We've been to Tuscan Hills with Jill, Lenny, Patty and Vince.  (http://www.tuscanhillsnyc.com/).  Food is pretty good, shrimp dishes not so good (shrimp is canned, maybe, small, definitely).  Service is good.  We had a good time all around.  Same crowd, but with Karen and Brett also, went to Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem after the Avon Breast Cancer Walk that Jill and Brett do every year.  We had the usual:  Chipotle garlic wings, fried green tomatoes, beer, hard cider, pulled pork, brisket, ribs, bbq chicken...Always a special annual outing for all of us!  Jill, Sue Boyle and I met at Bonfire last week.  Drinks and apps at the bar.  We had a really nice night.  Michael showed up near the end for chicken wings and while we walked home, he biked around us :)

As for staying in...I've made pork roast, spare ribs and Guinness stew, along with usuals like roasted chicken, Greek salad, etc...Mike and Margo were here for the weekend.  Glenn and Eileen joined all of us for Chinese on Saturday night.  Love hanging with friends at home.  Need to do this more often. 

Passed a few birthdays too:  Ryan was 21, Sarah was 19 and Barb was 60!!! Gotta love milestones (where would we be without them)?

Since Then...

Since the scotch tasting...I've cooked a bit. Jesse was home for a long weekend and I made chicken meatballs (I don't make them, Costco does) but I made the sauce and etc...The Wisners shared that dinner with us :)   The next day for lunch I made French Onion (soup) grilled Cheese:  Grilled rye bread with rare roast beef, melted gruyere and caramelized onions with spicy mustard (yum).  I also made seafood stew (cioppino) with chorizo, shrimp, scallops and calamari.  These are cooked with fennel and celery root in San Marzano tomatoes and white wine (also yum). 

Before Jesse left we went out for Chinese (http://www.yelp.com/biz/grand-sichuan-ny-ii-rego-park)
at Grand Sichuan across the Boulevard.  We have only ordered in but decided to try it.  They love the spicy wontons in red oil (shrimp and pork).  We also had soup dumplings (which cannot compare to others, but are fine nontheless).  The place got busier and busier as we ate, we had good timing that night.  It's good for take out and it's a real eat-in restaurant.

Thursday night, Michael and I went to Jack and Nellie's (thanks Tom and Monica).  Yummy as always.  Good wine specials, nice beer selection too.  We shared:  Warm olives with lemon zest; spinach and artichoke dip with crostini; veggie quesadilla and a chicken sandwich with mozz and peppers.  Jill and her friends were at the next table :)    Fun night.

Tomorrow is the CT Garlic Festival and we are going again with Ryan.  Last year was so much fun.  Looking forward to it!!

A Scotch Tasting and More

Michael and I met Britt and JoAnn for a scotch tasting at the Flatiron Room (http://www.theflatironroom.com/).  Before we met up, Michael and I were across the street at the Flatiron Hall (http://flatironhall.com/).  Both places are very cool.  At Flatiron Hall we sat at the bar, had beer and a GIANT pretzel (for $9.95 it had better be giant) but it was good.  The place is very colonial looking inside and the bathroom was tiled nicely too (lol).  I really liked the vibe in there, but it was early (6:30pm) so it might get louder later.  They have a large downstairs room with long tables that are shared.  The menu is:

    

 

 

The Flatiron Room was across the street, fancier place, funky live music and cute room upstairs for the tasting.  We had Bowmore.  12 year, 15 year, 18 year and 25 year.  With and without water, which was the theme of the evening.  What water (by varying amounts) can do to the flavor of your scotch. It was pretty interesting and the served a nice cheese board alongside the drinking.  They have a single malt chocolate malted on their menu so we asked if we could try it and they gave us one on the house.  It was delicious and very much appreciated.  Next time you have a chocolate shake or a chocolate malt, add a shot of single malt scotch to it.  It's really good.