Emack and Bolios

M and I went to a spa / salon night. As we walked home feeling all pampered and pretty we walked past Emack and Bolios. M exclaimed that their ice cream is delicious. And I questioned why we would pass the chance to try delicious ice cream. I indulged in Chocolate and Peaunut Butter Cup while M had Cake Batter. All was right in the world.

Cupcakes.

My dad sent me this link and it must be shared: Dessert Stalking

Do it.

The Queens Kickshaw

Astoria was S's and mine next destination for one of our famous dinner jaunts. We went to The Queens Kickshaw. Of course there was only one other table occupied upon our entering so we had a choice of where to sit. Sitting next to a huge communal table we selected a high top in the back under a dim light.

For our drinks S stayed with water while this little alchy wanted a beer. Kickshaw has a great beer list. At first I thought I wanted a flight to try 4 of the beers that are accompanied with great descriptions. When I inquired with our waiter as to what I should try he blandly pointed to the menu and said 'this one and this one'. So that helped a lot. Because of his great assistance I decided to go with a glass of Stoudts Pilsner which is described as 'Effervescent, crisp, bone dry, light sweet biscuits.' Anything with the phrase 'light sweet biscuits' has got my attention. We then indulged in the white bean and beer stew. Warm and 'beany' it was the perfect dish to start our meal with in this turning weather.

For mains S went with the Gruyere with pickled and caramelized onions on Rye with Napa cabbage-caraway slaw. It was a quaint little sandwich with a nice toasty look. I had Fontina Val d'Acosta with marinated mushrooms and basil pesto open face on foccaia with green salad with pine nuts. It was very bready. I wish the toppings would have been on the inside of the bread rather then topped on the crust and falling off every time I took a bite.

For dessert I indulged in a delicious bread pudding with a custard brioche and orange caramel. Delicious. I love bread pudding.

Good to know that this place does not accept cards - surprise. We think our waited was an anomaly. It's not fair to attack a person but I am surprised that this hip, new restaurant did not have a hip, happy person helping me with my beer, up-selling more, and making it a more enjoyable experience. 

Yorkville Creperie

2 high school friends and myself met for dinner as the weather turned in one day from hot and humid to windy and cool. This restaurant was the perfect place to sit and relax after a long day of working and walking. Yorkville Creperie offers a wide selection of crepes and panini's both savory and sweet. Lucky for us Thursday and Friday evening's there is a $5 wine special which we were sure to indulge in.

I've probably mentioned this before but there is a certain restaurant food law that is enacted upon my entering of an establishment. A restaurant shall not have my first choice 80% of the time for at least one desired item. All who have dined with me can attest to this law. I kid you not. Right away the merlot that I so wanted was not available. Upon hearing this I threw a fit and ordered a Cab instead. After explaining the law of dining with me to our waiter he informed me that they were out of mushrooms for my crepe. When he saw me grab for my butter knife he assured me he was joking.

Here is what we had:

Me: FUNGI - Sautéed Mushroom, Spinach, Ricotta, Caramelized Onion and Mozzarella (House Favorite)
J: ROMA - Chicken, Mozzarella and Tomato Bruschetta
K: PICNIC - Turkey, Sliced Apple, Caramelized Onion and Brie, with Balsamic

AND of course this lady had to get a sweet crepe. So our good-humoured waiter didn't think I was a fatty I placed the dish in the center of the table 'sharing' with my lady-friends. 'We' indulged in the U.E.S with Brownie, Nutella, Banana, Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. Delicious.

Ovelia

J and I met for brunch at Ovelia this past Sunday. She properly described it as a place that could not decide on the theme. The decorations spanned from artificial legs on the back wall to absurd plant life overtaking the wall we sat next to. I received a few recommendations from my dining partner - The Tiropita Toast, The Stuffed French Toast and the Corn Flapjacks. Always up for as many carbs as possible I selected the Corn Flapjacks. They arrived topped with walnuts and ricotta cheese and filled with corn flour, polenta and corn. And because I want to clog my heart that much fast I added a little sweet with some syrup. J selected the Tiropita Toast with cream cheese, apple slices, and bacon. Normally I don't like bacon (gasp) but in this case the combination of the tasty bread and the ingredients I would consider selecting this dish on my next trip to this bustling cafe. Don't get the orange juice, it was watered down and tasted like some other fruit. Next time you have been out on the town and need a good meal to fill you up the next day definitely consider Ovelia.

Friend of a Farmer, Cavo & Beer Garden

Friend of a Farmer
Yesterday E and I ventured down to Friend of a Farmer. We waited for probably 1 minute in the line outside and were beckoned into a cozy atmosphere of floral wall paper and farm-like tables. The rush atmosphere the servers created countered the relaxed feeling the restaurant was attempting to exude. E ordered Macaroni and Cheese which was your typical mac n' cheese dish - good. I had the Farmer's Special which was...not so special - grilled open face cheese & tomato brushed with a basil & and garlic oil served on a homemade white bread. The dish came with potatoes too. Everything was good but nothing to write home about...the flavor became monotonous after a while. I wish I had gone with the chicken wrap.

Cavo
Although I did not eat here, Cavo offers really tasty sangria. My friend and I split a pitcher. It was good. Get it.

Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
A great place to go with a group of friends and split a pitcher of one of the many beers on tap. The beautiful weather made it so nice to sit outside, people watch, and play some party games.

Dinner at Home

 Of course the joy of returning home is not in seeing my lovely family but also sharing in the fruits of my family's labor over food. For our final dinner together we shared in a - wait for it, long name ahead - truffle oil, pureed cauliflower, macaroni and cheese casserole with lobster. Whew! It turned out a little drier then we wanted but the flavor was amazing. As it cooked in the over the smell of truffle oil wafted throughout the kitchen almost to the point of too much.

My contribution to the meal was a side dish that I saw in my dad's new cookbook, Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc At Home . It is asparagus, prosciutto and a poached egg. Keller gives a great recommendation for preparing the egg and that is to stir the water prior to cracking the egg in the pot so that all of the bits of the egg stay together. The prosciutto was then warmed up unknowingly by my father which I did not appreciate. It became to tough in texture. But I love the

excitement of splitting open the egg and letting the yellow yolk run all over the crispy asparagus.

Lastly, we picked fresh tomatoes from our garden along with fresh basil which we cut the basil in a chiffonade then made a balsamic vinegar dressing, threw in some pepper and sea salt and we had a salad! The freshness of the tomatoes really came through.

All and all it was a great trip home. I miss the fresh food and the availability of a garden. Perhaps next summer I will start a window sill herb garden and grow some tomatoes on the porch? Eh we'll see in 8 months.