Spring, Will it Ever Show Up?

Has this winter been sooooo long or is it me?  I can't get the chill out of my bones and I am longing for warm sunshine!

Easter is this Sunday and we always go to Glenn and Eileen's.  Such a special treat to celebrate and share delicious food with our close friends (Framily).  Glenn makes lamb soaked in garlic on the grill and the smell is amazing.  Tonight, as is our annual ritual, Michael and I will go to Ferrara's (http://www.ferraracafe.com/home.php) to pick up Easter Bread for Sunday.  Afterwards, we have a reservation at La Paella (http://www.lapaellanyc.com/) on East 9th Street.  Review to follow :)

Recently I've had Tom Yom soup from Asian Bowl on Queens Boulevard twice.  I ask them to add tofu and they do and it's pretty good.  The vegetable spring roll was so small it was cute, but not worthwhile.  Their Pad Thai wasn't too great either, but I am willing to try other things.

Michael and I were at Cronin and Phelan last week.  I usually order their Shepherd's pie, but changed to roasted turkey dinner instead.  It was yummy.  A bit salty (but I like that) and the gravy had the right color, consistency and flavor!

We've been to Oktoberfest on Yellowstone also.  Went with junior high school friends to hear a  band called Jagged Edge (good and fun) and had dinner too.  Pastrami Reuben, Caesar salad..just what you'd expect.  Fine for what and where it is.

A few weeks ago I was at the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side and afterwards we ate at Congee Village (http://www.congeevillagerestaurants.com/restaurant-village.php).  It is a staple New York Chinese restaurant that I've never been to before (odd, I know).  I've passed it often and somehow thought it was Vietnamese (not that it matters).  Anyway, got there at just the right time, huge line when we left.  Food was good, place is decorated in Chinese kitsch and servers are average.

And lastly, but certainly most importantly, announcing our new grandson CLAYTON:

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!

Triangolo Pizza, Wing Stop, Cronin & Phelan and Dani's

We have had a busy weekend.

Friday night we got haircuts then went to Greenpoint and had a quick slice of pizza before meeting Jill and Lenny for their friends gallery opening.  We went to Triangolo Pizza on Manhattan Avenue.  We each had a Sicilian slice then shared a regular slice.  Both were really good!

We left there and met Jill and Lenny at Greenpoint Gallery on McGuiness Boulevard.  Up one flight of metal stairs to a room with long curtains, couched areas, live music and not so fabulous art :(  Jill's friend is Robbii and his art is sculptures in wood and reclaimed metal along with the stray doorknob.  The paintings, which were not his, were of birds and were hung on the walls with thumb tacks, yet still had price tags next to them of $1200.  Please!  There were real-stuffed-spray painted birds hanging from wire as well. Anyhoo...

We left there and drove to LIC Bar, you guessed it, in Long Island City.  We had a few beers and a glass of wine then went home to go to sleep.  Seemed like a long day.

Saturday night, I was in the mood for Shepherd's Pie and after reading several scary reviews for Donovan's and Morrison's, we ended up back at Cronin and Phelan on Broadway in Astoria.  Their website sucks, the outer building is just a brick wall with a door inset, however, inside is really nice.  Wooden bar, comfy booths and tables, decent menu and good Shepherd's pie.  Michael had a French Onion soup and a chipotle chicken sandwich.

We wandered Steinway Street afterwards, bought a sweater in the Gap and found a cool looking wing joint called Wing Stop (http://www.wingstop.com/).  If you're ever in the mood for wings, I would check this place out.

Tonight we went to Dani's for an early dinner:  Eggplant parm casserole, eggplant parm hero (I only ate a 1/4 of it), salad and we shared a slice of pizza.  Yum!

Tomorrow Barb and I are trying to go to Bryant Park again, but it is supposed to rain, so we'll see.  Jesse is coming home Tuesday !!!! and Wednesday and Thursday are cooking and family days.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A New Irish Pub!

Michael and I found a new (new to us anyway) Irish Pub in Astoria on Saturday Night.
For some odd reason, I have been craving Shepherd's Pie. We looked on line and found pretty favorable reviews for a pub called Cronin & Phelan (38-14 Broadway in Astoria). The outside leaves all to be desired, but the inside is nice. Ceiling fans, tin ceiling, long wooden bar, Irish waitresses and Irish customers and Irish food ie; Shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, etc... The Shepherd's pie was good, we shared French onion soup and Michael had a turkey burger with blue cheese and sauteed onions. The fries were really good, as was Michael's Black and Tan. I had my usual boring Coors Light :). We will be back though. Service was good and the food was good and plentiful.

After dinner we walked a bit and found Cream Bakery (http://www.creambakeryny.com/). Michael had a banana cupcake and we took home 3 others for the Wisners to share (red velvet, carrot cake and chocolate with Oreo cream).

We also passed a place I'd like to try: Pomme Cafe (http://www.pommecafeny.com/). The ambiance and menu look like what you'd expect from a French-styled Brasserie/Patisserie. Elegant, semi-dark, candles on the tables. Maybe next weekend!