Chrysalis and Ryan

The best niece and nephew in the world visited us this weekend! Michael calls them "my friends", because we hang out so well together and have a really good time, every time!

They arrived very late Friday night (or very early Saturday morning, depending upon your interpretation of the time) @ 1:30am...

We spent all day Saturday with the angels. First we went to Yumiko (http://www.yumiko-online.com/en/about2.php) a dance store on the upper west side that produces hand made dance leotards, etc. Ryan needed to visit a dance store for his class. So he modeled a few items, then bought what he needed.

Afterwards, we were all very hungry...all that dance activity...so we went to Carmine's (http://www.carminesnyc.com/) for lunch for the BEST baked clams and linguine with white clam sauce-we also shared 2 stuffed artichokes.

Following lunch, we went down to Soho to walk and explore and shop! Then we got hungry again :) so we came back to Forest Hills and went to Barosa (http://www.barosas.com/) for dinner. No, too much Italian food is not a bad thing (not in NYC anyway). We shared Barosa Calamari (yum) and chopped salad (yum). Chrysalis and I shared Chilean sea bass oreganata (yum), Michael had chicken scarpariello and Ryan had a personal pizza with mozzarella, ricotta and onions (yum). Can't complain about anything!

We all came home and fell asleep :)

They are gone and I've been doing laundry. Michael went for a bike ride with Jill this morning (so good for them!!!). And then I decided to make spaghetti all'amatriciana: tomato sauce with pancetta and onions and red pepper flake (thanks Steve). Michael helped roll out the dough.

Jesse is happy at school and with his roommates and friends. We are happy at home. Hope I didn't speak too soon...

xo

Friday Night

Friday night we went to Dumont (http://www.dumontrestaurant.com/) with Joe and Denise and Tom and Monica.

Service is friendly, wine list a bit pricey but we found a Cal Siscon 2004 Monstant -Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Cariñenanice cabernet-for $44 and had 2 bottles.

We had: Marinated beet salad with Greek yogurt, roasted red pepper, feta, arugula and a sherry vinaigrette; Crispy baby artichokes with preserved lemon, herbs, Parmesan, arugula and garlic dressing; DuMont salad with Danish blue, radish, haricots vert, pecans and balsamic vinaigrette; Peekytoe crab cake with tomatillo, avocado salad and cilantro; Smoked barbecued spare ribs St. Louis-style with ginger molasses; Dayboat cod with sweet corn, fava bean, cherry tomato and pancetta; Rock shrimp & cavatelli with stewed heirloom cherry tomato, arugula and aioli; DuMac & cheese made with cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, bacon and radiatore pasta; The Dumont burger; and a side of sauteed spinach. Dessert was: Blueberry Crumble made with blueberry compote, streusel topping and mascarpone ice cream and Vanilla Panna Cotta made with rhubarb & strawberry compote and candied pistachios.

The big hits were the Mac & Cheese and the Blueberry Crumble (in my opinion). Every thing was good. There was only one problem and it was very telling (in my opinion): Michael asked for sauteed onions on his Dumont burger and the chef said NO. What the fuck is that about?

Anywho...Saturday was our last beautiful day at the beach :( Later we went to Barosa for one of our favorite meals: First, their bread basket is out of this world, then we shared a chopped salad, a stuffed artichoke and a Barosa calamari. Michael finished with chicken scarpariello. If the 2 women sitting next to us at the bar and (because there's a conspiracy) also sitting behind us at dinner could have shut up for at least five seconds, it would have been a better meal!

Sunday we cleaned out the cabana with Roy and Laurie and came home for all of our leftovers in the fridge for dinner.

Last night I made Michael Chicken Marsala. Photo to come :)

Tonight is Spanakopita, tomorrow Arroz con Pollo. Then cooking is finished until next Monday...

Quickly

Friday night Michael played softball and they had a BBQ. I made and brought Caesar salad and Greek pasta salad and ate a turkey burger (surprise).

Saturday was Michael's birthday. He went for an early bike ride with Jill, then we went to the beach and later had dinner with Lenny at Barosa. I had the appetizers: stuffed artichoke, chopped salad and calamari. Michael had that and chicken scarpariello and Lenny had veal milanese. No dessert, no coffee. Too stuffed. Good food!

Sunday we were at the beach for a short time, then went to Monica and Tom's for a BBQ with Joe, Denise and all our boys! Good food, good company. Nice little going away dinner for the boys!

Tonight I am making mushrooms and onions in cream sauce over pappardelle with grilled chicken and tomato and mozzarella salad. That's if anyone comes home for dinner. Otherwise I'll eat soup :)