So Little, So Long Ago

Yes, totally slacking off...

Busy with Jesse and Clayton...

Michael and I have been to:  Dani's, Station House, Dee's, Dirty Pierre's, Ayhan's Shish-Kebab (Port Washington).

I've cooked: Meatballs, Rigatoni, Pork Tenderloin with sauerkraut, Chicken Francese (I've been using boneless, skinless thighs instead of breast cutlets-more flavorful and juicy), Mahi-Mahi (some with tomato and capers, some with butter, lemon, capers), Chicken Wings, Chicken cutlets, Turkey tenderloin roll ups with ham and cheese, Filet Mignon and lots of different veggies.

Some weekends at the beach, some at friend's backyards, some at home.

That's all for now...

Totally Slacking Off

That's what I have been doing with this blog.  I admit my laziness.  It's summer. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

We've been out to eat tons:  Lobster Joint in Greenpoint, Sunswick in Astoria, Sato in Forest Hills, Agora Taverna in Forest Hills, Keuka Kafe, a wine bar, in Forest Hills, Don Peppe on Lefferts, Dirty Pierre's in Forest Hills, El Quijote in the city, Gypsy Wolf Cantina in Woodstock, Cafe Ole in Astoria. 

Especially liked Keuka Kafe, it's on Queens Boulevard past Ascan Avenue towards Union Turnpike.  Nick, the bartender/host/waiter was great.  Jill and I sat at the bar, had wine and appetizers and loved it.  Salmon carpaccio with mango salsa was totally yummy.  I must have more.  So much on the menu I want to go back and try.

Grilled octopus at Agora Taverna is still my favorite.  Went to dinner with Jesse and he loved it also. I had shrimp saganaki appetizer and he had seared scallops.  We shared octopus, salad and soup too.  Fun!

Tonight I am going with Jennie and Barbara to Barosa, then we are going to the casino at Aqueduct.  Never been and hope to strike it rich at the penny slots :) :)

Dirty Pierre's, Surf Bar and The Meatball Shop

Last Friday night Michael and I sat at an outside table at Dirty Pierre's.  Our first al fresco meal this season :) I had 2 glasses of their $5 red sangria which is pretty good and Michael had margaritas.  We shared clams and chorizo, which is really good and dipping bread in the sauce is even better.  Michael had grilled chicken on a muffin with caramelized onions and I had mesclun salad with goat cheese.  Great night!

Saturday night we went with the Wisners to Surf  Bar in Williamsburg (http://www.brooklynsurfbar.com/).  Sand on the floor! What could be better.  We walked in and got a table right away.  Half inside/half outside.  Margaritas, Red Stripe beer and vodka and soda all around.  We had lobster rolls (they were passable. but SO much better at Lobster Joint in Greenpoint); shrimp tacos; pappardelle with lobster and cherry tomatoes; monk fish in banana leaf and clams and mussels in white wine.  All yummy and what a cute place. Dominic our waiter was terrific.

Afterwards we walked to The Meatball Shop for ice cream sandwiches!  Another great night!

Dirty Pierre's

 

Shrimp Quesadilla

 

Goat Cheese Salad

 

 

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

 

Tito's Vodka with Cranberry and Extra Lime

 

Mitch, the bartender is great! We had Margaritas, Vodka and juice, Vodka and seltzer.  Quite a buzz was going on for all of us and the food was good, as usual.  Service too. Really nice Friday night with Jill, Lenny, Steve and Sue. Thanks guys!

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...

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...

After Wednesday

Thursday night I went to El Quijote on 23rd Street with my friend Christian from Jury Duty. It was as good as always.  He'd never been there and he liked it a lot.  A large pitcher of red sangria to share :)  Garlic soup, salad and lobster for me :)  salad and arroz con pollo for him.  Two cafe con leches and we were done.  Yum!

Friday night Michael and I went to Dirty Pierre's with Jill and Lenny.  We tried to get into 5 Burro (again) but the wait was too long so we wandered to Dirty Pierre's and waited 15 minutes while having beer and margaritas.  We had:  clams with chorizo (never had before, they were yummy); portobello mushrooms topped with roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella and white cheese empanadas.  More beer, more margaritas and even a cosmo! Then we had goat cheese salad, jerk chicken and a burger.  All good and we had a great time!

Saturday night Michael and I went to Ovelia Psistaria in Astoria with Dina and Dmitry.  None of us had been there before but we would all go back.  Out waitress was Erica and she was terrific!  We had:  Tzatsiki; grilled kalamata; saganaki and village salad (typical Greek).  Everything was really good.  We shared a bottle of Greek Syrah (very good) and Michael had two frozen mojitos that were amazing!  For dinner we had:  Garides ovelia which was sauteed shrimp wrapped in roasted eggplant baked in tomato sauce and broiled with feta and rice on the side; stuffed chicken breast with kafteri cheese and creamy tomato ouzo sauce; and grilled octopus with lemon potatoes.  All yummy, all around.  Dessert was:  Yogurt with sour cherries and fried dough balls (similar to zeppoles) but with honey drizzled over the top.  So sweet!  I had Greek coffee too.  Loved the whole evening, food and friends!

Sunday was Louis' 20th Birthday party and as always, good food, good friends and good times! Thanks Leslie!  Always our pleasure to share your special occasions.

Last Weekend through This Weekend

Last weekend was The Weekend of the Wisners.  Could be a movie title :)  Friday night we joined Lenny and Jill at Sato, a regular haunt of ours for Japanese.  We had some of our usuals:  Salmon sashimi, shrimp coated with crunchy garlic, naruto roll (no rice or seaweed-fish rolled in cucumber) and WAY too many large hot sakes.  Fun, Fun, Fun!

Saturday night, once again, we went out with Jill and Lenny to one of our favorite places in the City:  El Quijote on 23rd Street:  Garlic soup (of course), salad with blue cheese and their house vinaigrette; lobster-broiled and out of the shell in green sauce, mariscos in green sauce (mixed seafood) and Michael's favorite: Arroz con Pollo.  We took a walk through Eataly and all was well.  

Sunday was Mother's Day and Michael and I went to the cabana to finish opening, and lo and behold: Jill and Lenny showed up! We spent an hour or so with them and they left for their cousin's house and we went to Dani's.

I made a new recipe from a new cookbook this week:  The book is:  Food and Wine Quick from Scratch Chicken and the recipe is:  Chicken thighs over lentils with chorizo.  Yummy!

This Friday night we met Jill and Lenny :) and Sue and Steve Boyle and Lisa and Evan Spilke at Dirty Pierre's on Continental Avenue.  I know what you're thinking...yes we've been advised of mice BUT it's been so long since we've been there that we felt it was safe to try it again.  The mussels are amazing (so everyone says, I don't eat them) but the broth they are in is really good.  I had goat cheese salad which is terrific with bacon and onions, Michael had Jerk Chicken.  Others had burgers, chicken breast and fajitas.  They all enjoyed margaritas (several), vodka with club soda, vodka with a splash of 7-Up and I had two Red Stripes. Yippee!  Afterwards we walked to a pasticceria nearby for dessert and coffee, said our goodbyes and Michael and I stopped at Joe and Denise's new house to wish them congratulations on moving and also to wish Joe a happy birthday!

Tonight Michael and I are going to Leslie's daughter Isabelle's birthday party!  We are bringing the usual Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano, Ciao Angelo cheese and bread.  It will be a fun evening with good friends!!

A Few Days Late...

I have no idea where I've been. Please excuse the slacking off :)

Last week there was Risotto Bianco and rosemary lamb chops. Michael has photos he will place here later, but I can't remember the rest of the week. I was busy and stressed.

Yes, me stressed. I took the Department of Education Secretary Test. I drove to Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, actually found a spot on the street. From arrival to conclusion, I was there about 2 hours. I had practiced my steno (actually my very own scribbled version) for 2 weeks prior.

Who dictates letters anymore? It's completely outdated (sounds just like the DOE). Anyway, it's not so easy to listen to someone speak at 70 words per minute, write it all down (no you cannot type it while they speak-would be MUCH easier), then type it back perfectly in business letter format using WordPad (a minor and limited version of Word).

Additionally, I had to copy a Teacher Observation Report (not difficult) and re-type a hand written letter with all corrections made (not difficult either).

Hopefully after the stress (certainly gone now), and the driving to Brooklyn, I can peacefully wait EIGHT weeks to find out if I passed. Then I only need to find a school with openings.

Friday night we went with the Wisners, Spilkes and Judy to Dirty Pierre's. They have very good mussels, and their fries were right on the money. Judy and I had Black Bean Soup and Goat Cheese Salad (Jill too). Lisa had portobello mushrooms with mozzarella, Lenny a burger and Michael had the Jerk Chicken. No idea what Evan had, sorry. My glass of Cabernet was GROSS and they won't make pitchers of Margaritas. But otherwise it was good and fun!

Saturday we opened our cabana at Silverpoint, came home and ordered pizza and salad from D'Angelo's on 108th Street. Yum!

Last night I made Rigatoni with sopressatta, calamata olives and basil in a milled tomato sauce. Michael and I liked it, Jesse did not. Can't win all the time....

Tonight will be pork chops with charred peppers and salad with Green Goddess dressing (who remembers that one)? It was my mom's favorite when we lived in California.

Don't know about Tuesday and Wednesday yet. But Thursday, Jesse and I are driving back to Ithaca so he can make his college advisor appointment on Friday morning. Then we'll drive back afterwards.

And Mother's Day with the Figliolias!

xo