Babushka

A Cryin' Shame

RIP Falai, one of my fave restaurants in NYC. Twas the best meal I've had this year and among the best ever. Closed due to "technical difficulties." Rip my heart out.

Sweethearts don't even taste good

gag me.

It is now 10 days past Valentine's day and Rite Aid has finally trashed their Russell Stover overstock. That's a good thing. I don't like Valentine's day. It makes me feel weird. Here, be romantic. Now. Like something red-plastic-lacy-frilled-chocolate-covered-store-bought "special romance" should be happening. Just because it's Valentine's Day.

This V-day, I was sick with a flu-like plague and Zach was too. It was the perfect excuse not to participate. I was totally relieved when we moved our dinner reservation to the following Saturday and decided to drink OJ and watch the 'Cuse game on the computer. Delightfully lame and so appropriate for two sickies.

I like special things. I just don't like doing them when everyone else is doing them. It makes them less special. I like bike rides and picnics. I like Whole Foods dates w/ the an exciting recipe in hand. Or getting gussied up and going out for cocktails at a new spot. Or even better, when we scope out a new restaurant and finally get to try it, which is exactly what we did on Saturday at Falai.

We sprung for the tasting menu and wine pairings. The dining experience was incredible. It felt as if the chef and staff were showing off (and isn't that how it should always feel?) Starting with an amuse bouche and a sampling of a potential menu item (pici pasta w/ mushrooms and truffle oil) we moved through a foamy marscapone, decadent ricotta flan, my first sweetbreads experiment (I got over the whole brains thing. We eat legs and butts, why not brains?), and absolutely perfect pork w/ pears, savoring bites and swapping swigs of vino with each passing course. The wine pairings were specific to the dishes in front of us- Zach's glasses tended to be white (his dishes were lighter, seafood, cheeses) and mine red. I somehow managed 3 different types of meat in one evening (sweetbreads- from what? no idea, kittens maybe... boar and pork) Om nom. cavewoman. more barbera d'alba please! Before dessert we had a palate cleanser course of a mini macaroon, mint ice cream and candied ginger. Delicious, refreshing, and ready for profiteroles!

Profiteroles w/ cardamom & orange rind. MmmMMm

We had an evening that was exciting, experimental, and special. There were no sugary sweet romantic pretenses; it just happened. We also made a deal not to celebrate Vday on Vday, but to have a baller date in February. Stupid? Maybe, but that's the way, uh huh, uh huh I like it. 

P.S. Thanks Pat & Lydia :)

Rip off!

Went to San Marzano for pizza last night. I had been underwhelmed by their Margherita pizza that I had delivered a few months ago, but was excited to give it another shot. They've got a hip, clean interior that makes you feel pretty swank even though you're only out for pizza.

We got the Pomodoro pizza and the Caprino pizza. The Pomodoro did exactly what we needed it to do: deliver a really good traditional style pizza. The excitement though, came from the Caprino: carmelized onions (dare I say, onion jam?), mushrooms, goat cheese, truffle oil. Twas delicious. Simultaneously sweet and savory. Enough to rip off for tonights appetizer. The onions are caramelizing right now and smell delicious. I added a little balsamic vinegar just to see what happens. I'll let you know how it goes.

Tis the Season

Xmas in New York. Delightful and full of love. Tingly and buzzing. Highly annoying in some areas and at the wrong time (Union Square Holiday Market, I'm looking at you). Here are some spirited little snip its that I've run into in the past few weeks:

Lookin' sexy in your holiday lights, LES. Proud to call you home.

My classroom door. Thank you, child labor, for the snow flakes.
We are going to need about 1,000 more to get the full effect.

Doughnut Ornaments at Doughnut Plant. They look more like
Dunkin Donuts than the real deal in the case below.

Our Festivus Pole

Santas on Delancey during Santicon. 

I was so annoyed that I had to go to Herald Square today, December 19th.  I was dreading the tourists and the shopping bags. But then I got to the park in front of Macy's and couldn't deny how pretty it is when done up in bows and lights.

A beautiful light installation at Madison Square Park.
It was calling me to go run through it.

I wish I had a backyard with all of  these hanging lights in it.
They feel special :)

Aaaaannd, drum roll please. Best for last. Today there was a fantastic, Gatsby-esque band playing at the 2nd Ave. F/M subway station. I heard it as the doors opened, hopped off my train, watched for a few minutes and got on the next one that came by.

Atlas

It took one year, but I just found my go to neighborhood bagel shop. Atlas is a 5-7 minute walk from my apt. Quiet. Cozy. Wood benches. Mismatched mugs sporting airline logos. A mobile made of globes. Friendly people. Just right food. Exactly what the neighborhood coffee shop should be.

Everything bagel (h&H bagel that is) with cream cheese, pesto and tomato. Chai Latte w/ Soymilk. Perfection .