Missed Some...

Just found notes on my phone for Oktoberfest:  Michael and I had Coors Light (me) and a Black and Tan (Michael).  We shared an Oktoberfest pretzel with mustard (no pickled veggies on the side, disappointed), a smoked Black Forest BLT and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken.  FYI: Female wait staff very nice, male wait staff not so much.

We were also at the Station House again, sitting at the bar this time: Smuttynose Star Island Dry Hopped with Lemon Drop (on cask) (me) and Left Hand Milk Stout for Michael.  Also, Imperial Stout and Blue Point Blueberry (me) and to top it off a Lagavulin 16 (Michael).  We ate:  Pizza (don't order it, it's yucky) and a pulled pork on brioche with slaw (very good).  Joe the manager/bartender was a great!

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:

Oktoberfest

Last night after Michael's game we walked over to Manor Oktoberfest with Lenny and Steve, and were later joined by Jill, Evan and Rick.  We had beer and shared a Super Sampler Platter: A generous portion of pierogies, potato pancakes, onion rings, hot wings and mozzarella sticks.  The onion rings were great. Everything was fried. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Later, I had a turkey club and Michael and Lenny shared a burger. I walked home! I needed the exercise.

A few Days

Last Friday night we met a bunch of Forest Hills friends (and saw some old friends)at Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills on Yellowstone Boulevard. We actually weren't there for the food, Todd Wolfe and his band were playing!

Music was AMAZING! Friends were GREAT! Food was mediocre! I had a turkey burger, which in no way compared to Tower Diner's turkey burger. Michael had Caesar salad with grilled chicken and Tom had pierogies.

Beer was fine :) Michael finished a boot of Spaten in 18 minutes and boy did he have fun afterwards. He was the life of the party, happy and relaxed!

Sunday night, the Wisners came for dinner and I made roast turkey breast, rice and Greek salad.

Last night I went out to Moca Bistro on 70th Road (www.mocaus.com). We had spicy tuna and avocado salad, mini spring rolls, bbq pork and sea bass yakitori (especially good). Everything was good and we'd go back again.

Tonight I am probably going to make dinner. Haven't decided on what yet. Thursday Michael has a game and Saturday is Michael's 49th birthday, so it's all up to him:)

xo