Back in college my friend, J, who went to Syracuse would rave about this magical cookie place that one could go and fetch warm, just out of the oven at Grandma's house cookies. Take a moment to let your mouth begin to salivate. Whilst J's sister and I were out at Amber last week we, as normal sweet seeking women were in search of dessert after our sushi filled dinner. As we ambled up through Murray Hill we suddenly both stopped, looked up at the sign and without a word to each other raced to beat each other into Insomnia Cookies. K had the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie and I indulged in the s'more cookie. Both the deluxe edition of the cookies. Let's just say people gave us looks as we attempted to land the cookie from the wax bag, all warm and gooey, into our mouths.
A few months ago a co-worker was lucky enough to get Insomnia Cookies for their birthday and Ronnybrook Farm Milk. A divine combination if you ever pick up a bottle at Chelsea Market and make your way to Murray Hill for a cookie.
5 out of 5
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Back in the City
DBGB
Now back from traveling to Colorado I am able to focus all of my eating energies back on NYC. This past week a group of us traveled to DBGB Kitchen and & Bar of Chef Daniel Boulud. As a group of 7 this meal was destined to take many hours to complete. In preparation of this jaunt I donned a dress with no elastic around the belly so that I could dine in comfort. Nothing is worse that sitting there, stomach expanding, threatening to take over the table and you haven't had your main yet. No! I would not succumb to this! Here is my menu for the evening:
Drink(s): WHITE COSMO (vodka, st. germain elderflower liqueur, white cranberry, lime). An attempt was made with the PEAR SIDECAR (old weller bourbon, pear liqueur, lemon, rhubarb bitters) but the bourbon was a little to pungent to continue drink that. My cohort gladly took over finishing it for me.
First: BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP spaghetti squash, pumpernickel croutons caraway cream, pumpkin seed oil.
Sausages (shared, listed in order of favorite): (1) ANGLAISE pork banger with sage & white pepper yorkshire pudding, english peas a la francaise , (2) THAI pork, lemongrass and red curry links, green papaya, basil fried rice, chili sauce, quail egg, (3) LOUISIANE new orleans-style garlic & pepper andouille crayfish & ham gumbo, fried okra
Main: HOUSE-MADE GNOCCHI "PARISIENNE" apple cider braised veal breast, parsnip puree
pearl onions, mushrooms, gingerbread crumbs brussels sprouts. When the waiter presented me with the dish I challenged him and said, no I ordered the Gnocchi. This reaction was caused by the fact that French Gnocchi is a different shape then Italian Gnocchi. My first thought of the French Gnocchi was that they resembled mozzarella sticks. But oh, were they creamy and delicious.
Dessert: CHOCOLATE-MALT malted meringue, cookie dough, brownies chocolate fudge & whipped cream. It looked enticing but I did not need this dessert. Nor did I love it. Turns out I am not a malt fan. Don't tell me co-eaters but I only ate the cookie dough and brownies - definitely a childish move but it was necessary.
I do hope to return to this location to sit at the bar and people watch. We arrived early so we could see the parades of people walking in and the intense raise in volume and our voice levels. The bathrooms were clean. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly.
4 out of 5
Amber
LivingSocial coupon! My friend and I each printed out the deal for Amber. You may think, hey she has already been to Amber, this is breaking one of her rules of going to the same restaurant multiple times! Alas my friends I thought I was going to the same Amber. As I was on the subway K texted me saying she would see me at the 27th street location. Good thing because I was headed up to 80th. So yes it's the same restaurant, but a different location. We had to sit on the ground floor underneath a loud speaker. Lucky for us we are loud talkers and easily yell at each other. Our table was barely big enough to fit our 'Sushi For 2' platter but we made it work. K sipped on a Red Samurai martini while I had a Mango Martini praying that I would not break out in rashes as I did last time a mango entered my body. The Sushi for 2 was the perfect amount of food for the two of us and included some of my favorites including eel which I can never tire of. Some of the fish tasted a little too 'fishy'. Don't give me and eye roll. It did. With the coupon we only paid about $23 each.
3 out of 5
Earl's Beer & Cheese
Here's an embarrassing fact: I went to the Quidditch World Cup on Saturday. It was hilarious. Even if you are not a HP fan it is quite entertaining. Between the improv announcers who commentate on the people rather then the game, the shirts being sold that read 'Occupy Gringots', and the snitches dressed in all gold spandex running around the pitches it is a funny event. As the evening faded to dark and we turned and appreciated the beautiful view of the skyline from Randall's Island and realized, we were hungry! And cold - my plaid, fur lined, elmer fudd hat only kept me so warm. E (not E from Entourage, I wish though) suggested we go to Earl's Beer & Cheese as she described ' the hip new cheap place in nyc'.
As I would trust her with my life, I trusted her with this decision. We took the water taxi to Manhattan and ventured up to 97th and Park. With no sign I had to ask the patrons in the front if this was Earl's. After they said yes we four ventured in. I approached the small bar in the back and asked if there was a list and was told that it was first come, first sit. We ended up splitting up two at the bar and two at the wall rail. E and I split the Beer-Cheese which had NY State Cheddar, House Lager, Fresh Garlic With Toast and the NY State Cheddar with Pork Belly, Kimchi, Fried Egg on Sourdough. With no menu to look upon we relied on the chalk board and the good word of other patrons in this packed shoebox. I literally did not know what was on the Grilled Cheese sandwich until later when I looked a stray menu sitting at the bar. I don't know if I would have indulged in the Grilled Cheese knowing there was Kimchi on it and on Sourdough. Turns out it was amazing.
E departed and L and P and I were left at the bar. If I hadn't had enough carbs I thought, why not get the bread pudding? Ha.Ha.Ha. Thank the Lord on High that I did. I asked our bar woman/wench how was the bread pudding. It was loud. So I thought she said apples, bread, and topped with cotton candy. Alas when the dish arrived many minutes later it WAS cotton candy. And because everything was still very hot it disintegrated into the bread and apples which then proceeded to burn my tongue as per usual. I drank a Pale Ale with my meal. This place reminded me of London as you order at the bar, pay, and are done. If you want more you can get more, if not you don't sit around waiting for the check to arrive, you can just leave. Very enjoyable experience.
4 out of 5
I think there is a holiday approaching that involves a lot of eating? Oh wait, that's right, my dad and I have already started menu planning for Thanksgiving. I worry about us sometimes.
Now back from traveling to Colorado I am able to focus all of my eating energies back on NYC. This past week a group of us traveled to DBGB Kitchen and & Bar of Chef Daniel Boulud. As a group of 7 this meal was destined to take many hours to complete. In preparation of this jaunt I donned a dress with no elastic around the belly so that I could dine in comfort. Nothing is worse that sitting there, stomach expanding, threatening to take over the table and you haven't had your main yet. No! I would not succumb to this! Here is my menu for the evening:
Drink(s): WHITE COSMO (vodka, st. germain elderflower liqueur, white cranberry, lime). An attempt was made with the PEAR SIDECAR (old weller bourbon, pear liqueur, lemon, rhubarb bitters) but the bourbon was a little to pungent to continue drink that. My cohort gladly took over finishing it for me.
First: BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP spaghetti squash, pumpernickel croutons caraway cream, pumpkin seed oil.
Sausages (shared, listed in order of favorite): (1) ANGLAISE pork banger with sage & white pepper yorkshire pudding, english peas a la francaise , (2) THAI pork, lemongrass and red curry links, green papaya, basil fried rice, chili sauce, quail egg, (3) LOUISIANE new orleans-style garlic & pepper andouille crayfish & ham gumbo, fried okra
Main: HOUSE-MADE GNOCCHI "PARISIENNE" apple cider braised veal breast, parsnip puree
pearl onions, mushrooms, gingerbread crumbs brussels sprouts. When the waiter presented me with the dish I challenged him and said, no I ordered the Gnocchi. This reaction was caused by the fact that French Gnocchi is a different shape then Italian Gnocchi. My first thought of the French Gnocchi was that they resembled mozzarella sticks. But oh, were they creamy and delicious.
Dessert: CHOCOLATE-MALT malted meringue, cookie dough, brownies chocolate fudge & whipped cream. It looked enticing but I did not need this dessert. Nor did I love it. Turns out I am not a malt fan. Don't tell me co-eaters but I only ate the cookie dough and brownies - definitely a childish move but it was necessary.
I do hope to return to this location to sit at the bar and people watch. We arrived early so we could see the parades of people walking in and the intense raise in volume and our voice levels. The bathrooms were clean. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly.
4 out of 5
Amber
LivingSocial coupon! My friend and I each printed out the deal for Amber. You may think, hey she has already been to Amber, this is breaking one of her rules of going to the same restaurant multiple times! Alas my friends I thought I was going to the same Amber. As I was on the subway K texted me saying she would see me at the 27th street location. Good thing because I was headed up to 80th. So yes it's the same restaurant, but a different location. We had to sit on the ground floor underneath a loud speaker. Lucky for us we are loud talkers and easily yell at each other. Our table was barely big enough to fit our 'Sushi For 2' platter but we made it work. K sipped on a Red Samurai martini while I had a Mango Martini praying that I would not break out in rashes as I did last time a mango entered my body. The Sushi for 2 was the perfect amount of food for the two of us and included some of my favorites including eel which I can never tire of. Some of the fish tasted a little too 'fishy'. Don't give me and eye roll. It did. With the coupon we only paid about $23 each.
3 out of 5
Earl's Beer & Cheese
Here's an embarrassing fact: I went to the Quidditch World Cup on Saturday. It was hilarious. Even if you are not a HP fan it is quite entertaining. Between the improv announcers who commentate on the people rather then the game, the shirts being sold that read 'Occupy Gringots', and the snitches dressed in all gold spandex running around the pitches it is a funny event. As the evening faded to dark and we turned and appreciated the beautiful view of the skyline from Randall's Island and realized, we were hungry! And cold - my plaid, fur lined, elmer fudd hat only kept me so warm. E (not E from Entourage, I wish though) suggested we go to Earl's Beer & Cheese as she described ' the hip new cheap place in nyc'.
As I would trust her with my life, I trusted her with this decision. We took the water taxi to Manhattan and ventured up to 97th and Park. With no sign I had to ask the patrons in the front if this was Earl's. After they said yes we four ventured in. I approached the small bar in the back and asked if there was a list and was told that it was first come, first sit. We ended up splitting up two at the bar and two at the wall rail. E and I split the Beer-Cheese which had NY State Cheddar, House Lager, Fresh Garlic With Toast and the NY State Cheddar with Pork Belly, Kimchi, Fried Egg on Sourdough. With no menu to look upon we relied on the chalk board and the good word of other patrons in this packed shoebox. I literally did not know what was on the Grilled Cheese sandwich until later when I looked a stray menu sitting at the bar. I don't know if I would have indulged in the Grilled Cheese knowing there was Kimchi on it and on Sourdough. Turns out it was amazing.
E departed and L and P and I were left at the bar. If I hadn't had enough carbs I thought, why not get the bread pudding? Ha.Ha.Ha. Thank the Lord on High that I did. I asked our bar woman/wench how was the bread pudding. It was loud. So I thought she said apples, bread, and topped with cotton candy. Alas when the dish arrived many minutes later it WAS cotton candy. And because everything was still very hot it disintegrated into the bread and apples which then proceeded to burn my tongue as per usual. I drank a Pale Ale with my meal. This place reminded me of London as you order at the bar, pay, and are done. If you want more you can get more, if not you don't sit around waiting for the check to arrive, you can just leave. Very enjoyable experience.
4 out of 5
I think there is a holiday approaching that involves a lot of eating? Oh wait, that's right, my dad and I have already started menu planning for Thanksgiving. I worry about us sometimes.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Conquering Colorado
I ventured out last weekend to the wild lands of Denver, Colorado. Upon pulling up to the train station, I saddled up and rode into town ready to conquer a new city. Ok, that's not entirely true. I have been to Denver before but it was quite a long time ago. Whilst there I tasted the most delicious yogurt my taste buds have ever been exposed to. My cousin, friend, and I were at a farmers market when they both encourages me to taste this 'Noosa'. I yelled out my customary 'sweet potatoes!' when I tried it, which stopped a woman who inquired if the yogurt had sweet potatoes in it. I had to inform her, no it did not. I have written to Noosa to try and get them to the East coast. I may start going to stores here, like Whole Foods and inquiring about it. Noosa will find it's way East!
Two tours were completed on this jaunt which included the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory Tour and the Coors Beer Factory Tour. At Celestial Seasonings in Boulder I stocked up on tea taking home Coconut Chai Tea, Blackberry Pomegranate Green Tea, Safari Spice Red Tea, Sleepytime Vanilla, and Honey Vanilla Chamomile. And a travel mug.Meanwhile in Golden I just got drunk on the tour because of the high altitude and dropped my audio guide sending it crashing to the floor.
Next up, the two best food places we went to. After climbing the Flatirons outside of Boulder my friend and I were exhausted (at least I was, hey, it's the high altitude!). So we grabbed some Thai (Pad Thai, duh). And then we went to d Bar Desserts where we ordered 3 cake and shake's: 3-layer choc cake ∙ manjari frosting ∙ vanilla or choc milk shake or malt. I whispered with great shame and awe that this chocolate cake might be better then Wegmans' Ultimate Chocolate Cake. Then she slapped me and yelled, "Lies!".
The second restaurant that we dined at was Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. It was 8am and I was tired. I was thinking about my flight and sad about leaving and the overcast day. Then I entered this warm cocoon of breakfast love. Our waiter realized that it was early so he spoke in a calm voice, even sitting down at the table with K and myself. He informed us that we could do half portions with the menu. My day was made. I drank Chamomile Tea and K had the Chocolate Milk. Now, the only reason I had this dish was for the one ingredients I mentioned at the beginning of this entry: Blueberry Lemon Bar Pancakes Our legendary buttermilk pancakes griddled with fresh blueberries and oatmeal, topped with Noosa honey yogurt sauce and whipped lemon butter AND Sticky Bun French Toast Udi’s French bread battered and covered with gooey, nutty goodness and topped with cream cheese icing. Ahhh let the angels sing out in praise! K had something healthy and not involving as much sugar as mine. Our waiter pointed out that I would slip into a carb-coma after this meal on my flight. Excellent.
Thank you Colorado!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A Day in Food
When the parents come to town it is ALL ABOUT FOOD. Oh wait, it always is but it's just multiplied by three people who love their grub. Here's the run down of where we went today:
Smorgasburg
Brooklyn Brewery
- We partook in the pilsner, oktoberfest, pumpkin beer, wheat...and one that tasted like as my mother described 'mercury...very medicinal'. I agreed with her.
Five Leave
Ah back for the third time. Love it.
- Devils on Horseback: medjool dates wrapped in bacon served w/dijon mustard
- House made Ricotta: w/figs, fresh thyme, honeycomb, maldon sea salt & fruit-nut bread
- Watermelon & Basil drink: gin, St.Germain, watermelon, opel Basil & Peychaud's Bitters
Bare Burger
- Avocado California Burger: raw milk cheddar, hass avocado, romaine lettuce, tomato, raw red onion and cilantro lime dressing
Omonia
Dessert.
I'm full just thinking about this. Too much.
Smorgasburg
Brooklyn Brewery
- We partook in the pilsner, oktoberfest, pumpkin beer, wheat...and one that tasted like as my mother described 'mercury...very medicinal'. I agreed with her.
Five Leave
Ah back for the third time. Love it.
- Devils on Horseback: medjool dates wrapped in bacon served w/dijon mustard
- House made Ricotta: w/figs, fresh thyme, honeycomb, maldon sea salt & fruit-nut bread
- Watermelon & Basil drink: gin, St.Germain, watermelon, opel Basil & Peychaud's Bitters
Bare Burger
- Avocado California Burger: raw milk cheddar, hass avocado, romaine lettuce, tomato, raw red onion and cilantro lime dressing
Omonia
Dessert.
I'm full just thinking about this. Too much.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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.
Monday, September 19, 2011
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.
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.
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