tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57348865714463373632024-03-05T19:10:56.813-08:00RUNNING ERINSInstead of spending my days commuting to and from work, and facebooking in between, I've decided to try something a bit different... a bit more creative. For all you who are as bored with the day to day errands as I am, I'm hoping this will provide a bit of reprieve to our daily grinds. Here goes nothin...Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-83264405773482332612011-06-13T17:01:00.000-07:002011-06-13T17:01:35.873-07:00La BirreriaI think I should change my blog to something along the lines of "Reasons I love Mario Batali". Here's yet another post of another Batali experience that impressed!<br />
<br />
I've been waiting for the Eataly beer garden to open semi-patiently. If it was half as cool as Eataly itself, I knew it had to be good. It finally opened about a week and a half ago and my friend Nicole was 5th on line when I met her. They took our name and cell phone number down on an ipad- so advanced! They sent us a text when our table was ready. Pretty perfect, considering you can have a glass of wine while you walk around the place.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXrfdTita5TWJRcUIcitwj5zTODLdOEvfZ3QU69aKjiRRKU0xTrm10O0BEPFO2NT2ylFIY254n3NmGpdomLHGDi0euEQDEF5Hz0kA2D_0xiCnZTeRHH9uq_iTh7kMfPb8AG-sJ1Zya1A/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXrfdTita5TWJRcUIcitwj5zTODLdOEvfZ3QU69aKjiRRKU0xTrm10O0BEPFO2NT2ylFIY254n3NmGpdomLHGDi0euEQDEF5Hz0kA2D_0xiCnZTeRHH9uq_iTh7kMfPb8AG-sJ1Zya1A/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pretzel bread was deee-lish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We got up there before sunset, the sun was gleaming off the Empire State building (perfect view) and the Credit Suisse cathedral top that overlooks Madison Square Park. It was beautiful. Eataly brews their own beer up there. I don't even like beer, but this beer was definitely worth drinking. I tossed the allergy out the window (or off the side of the building) and started with a great light ale, then gradually worked our way through more darker beers. We ended with a darker brew with "Christmas spices" that was pretty fab. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoAQ1G_P2M2m_nwtVTrlPYULd_aqPFLKyirBo9Pbsl6qm9knNH6dmIZkpCyWLSIfmWxMbpGnCWtJSv-R_CbXyiAqxAp4Az3mW7DEKsCizMqNKk4hrv3H5ElSkfTaWU2NT81vHOw7Fmio/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoAQ1G_P2M2m_nwtVTrlPYULd_aqPFLKyirBo9Pbsl6qm9knNH6dmIZkpCyWLSIfmWxMbpGnCWtJSv-R_CbXyiAqxAp4Az3mW7DEKsCizMqNKk4hrv3H5ElSkfTaWU2NT81vHOw7Fmio/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fovP1fZOIlKsnx2uszYUQsb8e5pkJBAiA6OqdCYpzdndkbiu2rxLe2wrWP4Bjd_lZobAo7BPUge0k6RaxpnqCI_ZhVR1N64dq4W5T4iMzxN95a2oIPAcenrGQ2XRd7HdufLU0cNRokY/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fovP1fZOIlKsnx2uszYUQsb8e5pkJBAiA6OqdCYpzdndkbiu2rxLe2wrWP4Bjd_lZobAo7BPUge0k6RaxpnqCI_ZhVR1N64dq4W5T4iMzxN95a2oIPAcenrGQ2XRd7HdufLU0cNRokY/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
We shared meat and cheese plates, sausages (what's beer without sausage?), mushroom salads, and shrimp. The meats, cheeses, and mushrooms were the star.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE-FoMSWNQHoWmCEz5PRywBiXRQi9lIph5tGt6p0jo_WO7rERNCmc7AryyvjWjquke0lfHkxhcTt9UBOsZ39Q3KI2D8cKpxZAxdwuw8x1qatFABMhU31U6SNmaXiGZjhWBBefJdYhzJ0/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE-FoMSWNQHoWmCEz5PRywBiXRQi9lIph5tGt6p0jo_WO7rERNCmc7AryyvjWjquke0lfHkxhcTt9UBOsZ39Q3KI2D8cKpxZAxdwuw8x1qatFABMhU31U6SNmaXiGZjhWBBefJdYhzJ0/s320/IMG_0016.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bologna and Bacon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_UEigIH_FEMcSJo7Am9JZHXncHvbq_XrR3ZuWGFbSGntosrB0MMNWlTkDp9bFzqIxmFkvhhPR6psxkTJi9NOYbGW0RUWip5SQ4nS411k9_CWEL42ZDKi8kaecMMyKbemBKSBruoykxY/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_UEigIH_FEMcSJo7Am9JZHXncHvbq_XrR3ZuWGFbSGntosrB0MMNWlTkDp9bFzqIxmFkvhhPR6psxkTJi9NOYbGW0RUWip5SQ4nS411k9_CWEL42ZDKi8kaecMMyKbemBKSBruoykxY/s320/IMG_0018.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NAbwQm6sNrJKR1EJMatc2QALj5YKs7tCn9PZaPXhX_nP3eNFySkEhhZlthttw0sK_pzB_DlUFnpHrhiXlKDGndHVUTEAFqBp-CszCKUplzVeHwW2ME7s5CFIbQdQozu4MO6D75j4fck/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NAbwQm6sNrJKR1EJMatc2QALj5YKs7tCn9PZaPXhX_nP3eNFySkEhhZlthttw0sK_pzB_DlUFnpHrhiXlKDGndHVUTEAFqBp-CszCKUplzVeHwW2ME7s5CFIbQdQozu4MO6D75j4fck/s320/IMG_0024.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO9foO-HbQU_bADV0EDPK7qHQu9rbiSH8GLBcoHLMRCpRdrJSe-LkcSPIGYvzPOsG4ulx-JzauR9vlORPom-zV33oLmIjHRMRFVNSl6FOAS19p5jY85-iDAFks6-oLiJG5bnxnflCvdA/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO9foO-HbQU_bADV0EDPK7qHQu9rbiSH8GLBcoHLMRCpRdrJSe-LkcSPIGYvzPOsG4ulx-JzauR9vlORPom-zV33oLmIjHRMRFVNSl6FOAS19p5jY85-iDAFks6-oLiJG5bnxnflCvdA/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia was there on opening night. She agreed so nicely to take a picture with us... such a great ending to a wonderful night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-10054124161910817592011-06-02T17:07:00.000-07:002011-06-02T17:07:53.547-07:00The First Anniversary- Sagaponack and Babbo in NYC!!After a few hours at Laguardia last Thursday night, realizing we were never getting out to San Fran, we planned an impromptu anniversary weekend by going to Sagaponack. Thank God for family! Joe and I spent 2 wonderful days in the Hamptons with Matt and Nicole and little Matthew, then came back to NYC for a lovely dinner out and city exploration.<br />
I'm covering a lot in this post, as not to force myself to have to write multiple posts.<br />
<br />
We arrived, after getting over our initial disappointment of not being in SF, with the little one and his mom waiting patiently on the porch. All was immediately A-OK. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLhAjXnL13mm0514U8IyLIohNOU5pGrPBSRMP2H72EQlphE80QCxoBN3DYKvoxEKwpilnR2w9wNupGrciwusnBfwbtJ0vaUz6xdmcYjKGpFKJBH1O30k0qSB0xYhM4UvslpEAPiHeoWU/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLhAjXnL13mm0514U8IyLIohNOU5pGrPBSRMP2H72EQlphE80QCxoBN3DYKvoxEKwpilnR2w9wNupGrciwusnBfwbtJ0vaUz6xdmcYjKGpFKJBH1O30k0qSB0xYhM4UvslpEAPiHeoWU/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We basically spent the next 2 days or so, staring at Matthew. We went to Channing's Daughter Winery on Saturday, and tasted some lovely local LI wines (surprisingly very good). We ate some lobsters and mussles and waited patiently for the sun to come out. It came out on Sunday about 30 minutes before we were set to leave and head back to the city. Thank you.<br />
<br />
A few shots from Sag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjnU-A1SxOrqmnkTZ1IXe3mVbdQNgXPRH3hh2MugdYY6epG3f3XLECILFEs_cl-jdaFAWSI1nMIrcp3URGrGOvK9LXKCRy4AdcUS-GrqraEGrPDoFKshZjcCgVtNHeIZGKB3PuS8WMiE/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjnU-A1SxOrqmnkTZ1IXe3mVbdQNgXPRH3hh2MugdYY6epG3f3XLECILFEs_cl-jdaFAWSI1nMIrcp3URGrGOvK9LXKCRy4AdcUS-GrqraEGrPDoFKshZjcCgVtNHeIZGKB3PuS8WMiE/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3DwDM6D61oqeA5NHnikyJ3CfbVFGoNjti0t9uNr_kN_R4mnzKVBJg2TwJWxX8XKwZeYgXbLaCAigURdr8KYSqYoFbDnefO1C405dpKZoJvmNJFKw3k3o4dTxdFo6yVx19H7wKPQA9Ow/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3DwDM6D61oqeA5NHnikyJ3CfbVFGoNjti0t9uNr_kN_R4mnzKVBJg2TwJWxX8XKwZeYgXbLaCAigURdr8KYSqYoFbDnefO1C405dpKZoJvmNJFKw3k3o4dTxdFo6yVx19H7wKPQA9Ow/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CkeZYAJeguXyWUiAV7uTiP5vsfAzgGQyetldeUzWGdMpZJlxW256CzBSZHjc8sjm0WtWgCWYOvlm0oj5SBIfI8W6GZmh0qKtEuCbu7FADcJsR8r5M7tLqwBW5IRGch5sCfdJj5fYvHI/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CkeZYAJeguXyWUiAV7uTiP5vsfAzgGQyetldeUzWGdMpZJlxW256CzBSZHjc8sjm0WtWgCWYOvlm0oj5SBIfI8W6GZmh0qKtEuCbu7FADcJsR8r5M7tLqwBW5IRGch5sCfdJj5fYvHI/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY68EeWLcJzUJZKDQ_XYnrlBVsgG4lLGCCs0M7XQG54DqhctnGdZc9mqmCEizLDqrDgEP1jVEDhSRt0N6BYdULCCykyYBtgk_BJbUy0WfIfEqo9PBAugxqiUyswSLuINDcCG-_fZlT2RI/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY68EeWLcJzUJZKDQ_XYnrlBVsgG4lLGCCs0M7XQG54DqhctnGdZc9mqmCEizLDqrDgEP1jVEDhSRt0N6BYdULCCykyYBtgk_BJbUy0WfIfEqo9PBAugxqiUyswSLuINDcCG-_fZlT2RI/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Joe and I decided to go back to the city and spend the rest of the weekend in quiet NYC. The city is the best when everyone leaves for a long weekend in the summer. We decided to take advantage of that and attempt to get into <a href="http://www.babbonyc.com/">Babbo</a>, a Batali restaurant that we've tried MANY times to get reservations. We walked in and decided to stand in the corner and wait the hour and a half the host told us it would be before anything opened up. It was already that crowded at 5:30pm, which if you know NYC nightlife is about 3:30pm everywhere else. Coincidentally, there ended up being a cancellation right away. Convinced the host tested us, if we were prepared to stand and wait in a corner, he'd have to give us that last available table. It worked.<br />
<br />
We then proceeded to have one of the best meals of our lives.<br />
<br />
The indoor camera setting STILL needs work, but here are some shots of the feast. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLX5M9LYb2EsgeVUxdhAw59e-SP_9dX1_c8CyhCBHw1yP5LIqLYM0FNLIgO3YezTVZmIM8V21WxeTm3NdzzlJ81GwevZgHAZVV8yZ0PFpXdw_UN40Z0JGqF0wyLAZlZf4_-l9_uRiR1xg/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLX5M9LYb2EsgeVUxdhAw59e-SP_9dX1_c8CyhCBHw1yP5LIqLYM0FNLIgO3YezTVZmIM8V21WxeTm3NdzzlJ81GwevZgHAZVV8yZ0PFpXdw_UN40Z0JGqF0wyLAZlZf4_-l9_uRiR1xg/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjXMSebdv0R60UjmqIx48tHQZxki-l4pl7PTexo8_VmUwatIVYKxYcZgIt4sXkKr6JUOhKhBHeXF_fel24uyw88eckaq2DcwSJrtCebhnNxb6SQHJBoEuGvmMjEU7MBT2RkLS0Hukt2I/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjXMSebdv0R60UjmqIx48tHQZxki-l4pl7PTexo8_VmUwatIVYKxYcZgIt4sXkKr6JUOhKhBHeXF_fel24uyw88eckaq2DcwSJrtCebhnNxb6SQHJBoEuGvmMjEU7MBT2RkLS0Hukt2I/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+059.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled octopus with a spicy limoncello vinaigrette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-6tgg3JVGu5v2Dm8aeQykYoxRNY2dwd7OdP1aPLmGFXIXWaO6wfbh6qoaXHcOALcRlVNZAwIR-Ul2h6cS61pIXC-iSWinB7wa-ZEcGwgt2BkF95mkzKuAEp3Z3vZ3CGZ1S2rcnPa8g/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-6tgg3JVGu5v2Dm8aeQykYoxRNY2dwd7OdP1aPLmGFXIXWaO6wfbh6qoaXHcOALcRlVNZAwIR-Ul2h6cS61pIXC-iSWinB7wa-ZEcGwgt2BkF95mkzKuAEp3Z3vZ3CGZ1S2rcnPa8g/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+062.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we split 2 pasta dishes- this was the homemade Garganelli with Funghi Trifolati</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVlbqzso-4qdSolmYwVeCqUXWruP_3unQgn8gHCqjgsB6UIj794c4mfJY0o-2SJcb2RVE31aIn7oSVtC5bGgSdoZrs0_G6Zfki23al0CdeIBrZyQ1g0j6LrvDIEkwCyZnZmugI0tPTiY/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVlbqzso-4qdSolmYwVeCqUXWruP_3unQgn8gHCqjgsB6UIj794c4mfJY0o-2SJcb2RVE31aIn7oSVtC5bGgSdoZrs0_G6Zfki23al0CdeIBrZyQ1g0j6LrvDIEkwCyZnZmugI0tPTiY/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+063.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the amazing lamb brain homemade ravioli with lemon and sage- yes, lamb's brain.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmBfwOVeOpCAuxyE6yO9O7cx7jgqOXkaOCKK2N7hzSkXQP1sGTLfpKD2wHC8memrsxnIagEsTe2BqDiSgMTuFK3cintHtO79I3Xkn6a3vqtfpBel3cgh8eRrH0KaEv-FHqlyatZhfMpA/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmBfwOVeOpCAuxyE6yO9O7cx7jgqOXkaOCKK2N7hzSkXQP1sGTLfpKD2wHC8memrsxnIagEsTe2BqDiSgMTuFK3cintHtO79I3Xkn6a3vqtfpBel3cgh8eRrH0KaEv-FHqlyatZhfMpA/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+064.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brasato al Barolo- braised beef with mushrooms over polenta</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHazMyfOUoNb9r5JmgwNcYZs6oHrcHP4EM7-2TgkV_jUhCiyAja_vmRrr8PLXbMvhGAr3ZRJc6ypTNs_fsgsDq_Zy6hYpgzjfEM1Un4MAErMHyioYIU2AiYrMf1c1TCG5LIK7_z4tO2dM/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHazMyfOUoNb9r5JmgwNcYZs6oHrcHP4EM7-2TgkV_jUhCiyAja_vmRrr8PLXbMvhGAr3ZRJc6ypTNs_fsgsDq_Zy6hYpgzjfEM1Un4MAErMHyioYIU2AiYrMf1c1TCG5LIK7_z4tO2dM/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+065.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe ordered pork jowl!!! Flavor punch of greatness</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BPA6h74-6IxboFQtefOE1BGrubECMCNDqcAfSjl6PmWSxJrL3zT7BY7XyOtASqoI6cLw8T-jh53Cr8Hnk4aFSNhEeDEqvO5Ukcird0Sh4Rf-vkQoVoE8uvqsDJS8GXS374GCMmRrl8s/s1600/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BPA6h74-6IxboFQtefOE1BGrubECMCNDqcAfSjl6PmWSxJrL3zT7BY7XyOtASqoI6cLw8T-jh53Cr8Hnk4aFSNhEeDEqvO5Ukcird0Sh4Rf-vkQoVoE8uvqsDJS8GXS374GCMmRrl8s/s320/Sag+Anniversary+wknd+067.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recommendation from the water: Maple and mascarpone cheesecake- to die for!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thank you Mario Batali for the experience that was Babbo. Can't wait for my next opportunity to sneak in. <br />
Overall a fantastic anniversary weekend on a whim!Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-73837432646061603372011-05-23T17:58:00.000-07:002011-05-23T17:58:46.862-07:00The Dutch!Another long overdue post. These things are getting harder and harder for me to keep up. I could promise I will try to do better, but I really cant guarantee that. Just being honest.<br />
<br />
Last Friday I was supposed to have a "Meeting of the Minds" with my 2 besties Amanda and Nicole. Unfortunately Amanda wasn't feeling so hot, so it was just a Meeting of 2. We've coined the "Meeting of the Minds" phrase a few years back because usually the 3 of us go a few weeks in between seeing each other. Usually that means tons of "stuff" has happened in that time and we need a MOTM to help get our thoughts together. It sounds funny, but these past few years with these girls have been the greatest support system anyone could ask for.<br />
<br />
The MOTM is almost always over food. and drinks. Obviously.<br />
<br />
This time we got lucky with someone who knew someone, who knew someone else, who knew a popular NYC chef, who got us a reservation at one of NYC's hippest, hottest restaurants that just opened a month or so ago. I'm being slightly sarcastic, but this was pretty lucky of us. It's a pretty big deal in NYC when press gets a hold of a new NYC restaurant. It usually takes 15-20 tries of calling and getting "we have either 5pm or 10:30pm available next Monday", when you finally give up and stop calling and wait for the hype to subside. So I was pumped when Nicole told me we got resys at <a href="http://www.thedutchnyc.com/">The Dutch</a>! The chef was also from one of my other favorite spots in NYC, <a href="http://www.locandaverdenyc.com/">Locanda Verde</a>. I knew it had to be good.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEH8k2m0NDYJLdFAB-1AURwhdHE3ziFRKNH_EW0khGVVKu0pOumK_9PyyRPYYXGRGxK3Ivpj7TJfClkm-HTkRo8rcg9uY6IzylkOSgQmFoYz7dTAa0puGAdz0h2exrAHvqoAKLGVh5Zw/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEH8k2m0NDYJLdFAB-1AURwhdHE3ziFRKNH_EW0khGVVKu0pOumK_9PyyRPYYXGRGxK3Ivpj7TJfClkm-HTkRo8rcg9uY6IzylkOSgQmFoYz7dTAa0puGAdz0h2exrAHvqoAKLGVh5Zw/s320/MATTHEW+JR+069.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dutch, Soho</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicole stays away from meat, but it was fine by me, we had a seafood feast that was spectacular! We ordered our first bottle of rose wine of the warm season (even though it hasn't been all that warm). Then we were greeted by a fabulous waiter and some awesome jalapeno cornbread. Gluten or no gluten, I ate it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh61XK9YUCe98smVRjyAYn4ZJ6kvg_EdZ6UktbO4KueW5pee74c9fxQJ2VcpzkOZDfkCP5sOl8LByehQ0oTMt8m-i1XBn8QYWrXLI23wvjfJ6noowXI39Dto6CympYQO2nL3TOlMqZSSE/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh61XK9YUCe98smVRjyAYn4ZJ6kvg_EdZ6UktbO4KueW5pee74c9fxQJ2VcpzkOZDfkCP5sOl8LByehQ0oTMt8m-i1XBn8QYWrXLI23wvjfJ6noowXI39Dto6CympYQO2nL3TOlMqZSSE/s320/MATTHEW+JR+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nic and I, mid feast- it was a lot busier than it looks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicole had heard their oyster sliders weren't to be missed, so she nabbed one of those (not only do I have a gluten allergy, but the oyster allergy is even worse!). Then we split a crab appetizer with a bloody mary "broth". They called it Dressed Crab, Bloody Mary, Green Goddess. It was definitely one of the best crab dishes I had ever had. Thank you waiter for the suggestion! We also had a seafood ceviche of calamari, shrimp, lime, champagne, lime and red onion that was great.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNp5M4myHRnhvZmidjhfajq6ltSD-sAM7BsqLJGXOKUuoNPD0GkBzP2hP0Xb3r3jExrkspQGUvnjaNRUJSOr8QgUjaLWOaOvC9jRkxBLcN8WAjYd6yO-S5Km4OU3AHfs1v2c6k4-7m7M/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNp5M4myHRnhvZmidjhfajq6ltSD-sAM7BsqLJGXOKUuoNPD0GkBzP2hP0Xb3r3jExrkspQGUvnjaNRUJSOr8QgUjaLWOaOvC9jRkxBLcN8WAjYd6yO-S5Km4OU3AHfs1v2c6k4-7m7M/s320/MATTHEW+JR+056.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oyster slider and an aggressive flash.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs-xAq7LObwUaNA6hyphenhyphenNnlLR36z87tMvIuq5uF85vVAKbnhCYeEON_NLg-MUNcKEGqGJbewV1aNQIAiGPXfnuTHc3FKFomC1Ko4pu2SfO2-SHn2ZSqIA5bBoFz1gaJbTh3ivLmfFD0Wr4/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs-xAq7LObwUaNA6hyphenhyphenNnlLR36z87tMvIuq5uF85vVAKbnhCYeEON_NLg-MUNcKEGqGJbewV1aNQIAiGPXfnuTHc3FKFomC1Ko4pu2SfO2-SHn2ZSqIA5bBoFz1gaJbTh3ivLmfFD0Wr4/s320/MATTHEW+JR+058.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody Mary Crab and the Seafood Ceviche</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We decided on scallops and escolar for our main courses. Another benefit of eating with another foodie.... you can split everything and try twice as many things as you would if you were alone! The escolar was grilled with yellow eyed pea chili and scallion. Whatever that means, it was pretty fabulous. We also chose the Sea Scallop with Spring Peas, bacon (although with Nicole not eating meats, our waiter assured us it was still fabulous without the bacon, and it was!) and ramps. Maybe the best scallops I've ever had... and for those of you who know me, I HATE peas. HATE, HATE, HATE peas. I think people that eat peas are weird, people that like them are even weirder, and the idea of putting peas into dishes is just wrong. All wrong.<br />
Well not only did I like the peas in the scallop dish, I went back for more and filled my fork with ONLY peas to make sure I wasn't dreaming.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAShY5GzQ2ELgOmzy0MFNYUbSF28QsVpsBPGcwSiWlO5ZZ701BgjjDpT6Uyft5o2PoBRjT2R2X4tIvJAekvpeYAXIXNddD98mGyp4RMdjsovaeBQ00wWD-xyvabp3648TzFJSJvj5oCqs/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAShY5GzQ2ELgOmzy0MFNYUbSF28QsVpsBPGcwSiWlO5ZZ701BgjjDpT6Uyft5o2PoBRjT2R2X4tIvJAekvpeYAXIXNddD98mGyp4RMdjsovaeBQ00wWD-xyvabp3648TzFJSJvj5oCqs/s320/MATTHEW+JR+061.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Escolar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRL9ZUdnqAj4g85yElT1Ja3UB5FWIMf2jQmjtL4Gvt8gruFSSPmW3NRmGhZgNkkhlUb9q6sVGkAXM73r7xh6E0C-s0lpqyVN2Z1x095qUTdfRywllOusGTo8pgWS2ajmNhfzRoQp9bdo/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRL9ZUdnqAj4g85yElT1Ja3UB5FWIMf2jQmjtL4Gvt8gruFSSPmW3NRmGhZgNkkhlUb9q6sVGkAXM73r7xh6E0C-s0lpqyVN2Z1x095qUTdfRywllOusGTo8pgWS2ajmNhfzRoQp9bdo/s320/MATTHEW+JR+062.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scallops and the PEAS!!!! and more terrible camera flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Just to top it off, we had to try the desserts... along with a late harvest Riesling that was fabulous!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu3gQSYmtHQmuKiFYVhXl3HLskaK9eKfN29xtGBaVo99BGotCI5ksapWFE2s8AxIGX0KAW74GUDR3sgWTa-ppcLBdy4_MDxAcmC98IcO3z816LplIsf8QYj9Z73l9u_pITUiQE-ZeAus/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu3gQSYmtHQmuKiFYVhXl3HLskaK9eKfN29xtGBaVo99BGotCI5ksapWFE2s8AxIGX0KAW74GUDR3sgWTa-ppcLBdy4_MDxAcmC98IcO3z816LplIsf8QYj9Z73l9u_pITUiQE-ZeAus/s320/MATTHEW+JR+066.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, the flash...... forbidden black rice pudding, with mangos, pineapple, passion fruit, macadamias and coconut sorbet.... AMAZING!!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13AiTHRY-YzwqAjeUFbvxfepbIsXg2SlDNChuKzG-He4M6-_uTjXdO39Kkhhyphenhyphen7jXrPDq5XoLFV17VTK446CakVd2OeK31LIamMfSO1BnJ8Nfa0fwXwCZUOMQ4fmNAO4tgUhHnCLShNUM/s1600/MATTHEW+JR+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13AiTHRY-YzwqAjeUFbvxfepbIsXg2SlDNChuKzG-He4M6-_uTjXdO39Kkhhyphenhyphen7jXrPDq5XoLFV17VTK446CakVd2OeK31LIamMfSO1BnJ8Nfa0fwXwCZUOMQ4fmNAO4tgUhHnCLShNUM/s320/MATTHEW+JR+067.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The strawberry rhubarb pie, also amazing!!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Overall.... great food, great wine, great service, great desserts, and GREAT company. Thanks Nicole for knowing people in important places and getting us this resy. Cant wait for the next MOTM.Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-82298121569101989182011-04-29T08:42:00.000-07:002011-04-29T08:42:07.047-07:00A Gluten-filled Gala!Joe and I attended our first "New York City Gala" last night, the 11th annual Taste of the Lower East Side. A fabulous benefit for the Grand Street Settlement. I don't really know true true definition of "gala", but for the sake of this post, I attended a gala. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBmEsX8pNmEu8CGymyIeI8no92NSOPLVJfYfjBRab5atDVrBc3A98EzQEkpZcG3fh0YFBtcOdHTqbrn3vJn4Aphmjqo0YEPb0UTNMkfeW1cEVtnv3PSLMt78gFFitTKWOi9PV4TzaknU/s1600/TLES+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBmEsX8pNmEu8CGymyIeI8no92NSOPLVJfYfjBRab5atDVrBc3A98EzQEkpZcG3fh0YFBtcOdHTqbrn3vJn4Aphmjqo0YEPb0UTNMkfeW1cEVtnv3PSLMt78gFFitTKWOi9PV4TzaknU/s320/TLES+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of people attended TLES<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The <a href="http://www.grandstreet.org/">Grand Street Settlement</a> is a non profit organization that expands opportunities for low-income families by providing cultural services that support community-building, advocacy, self-determination and an enriched quality of life.Taste of the Lower East Side is an event, held in Soho ironically, where the restaurants from the neighborhood come and showcase their food for the benefit of these programs. Essentially you buy a ticket, you show up, your money goes to a great cause, and you get to eat fabulous food for a few hours while listening to a kick ass DJ. My kind of event.<br />
<br />
So many restaurants and chefs gave their time and energy to this cause, it was pretty amazing. My favorite part was getting to meet and chat with famed chef, Wylie Dufresne of <a href="http://www.wd-50.com/">WD-50</a>. Such a nice guy, very friendly, and just solidified the feeling I had the entire night, that I was a judge on Top Chef. Wylie created a cauliflower soup with surf clam, smoked raisin, and crispy caper. It was unbelievably outstanding. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85e02bCuxKuqOTGweFzCqe3H9cTa0zHp8JiwY8-Il6Wl_0doFZHOnAokUUMxoFkC7nUBsKusLIGw-q9S7rXC-Q8eB1AFGHzcWUy-l18hC5SAi16Csdx0oIDgYW56dcKKT3cMlFeJ8BkU/s1600/TLES+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85e02bCuxKuqOTGweFzCqe3H9cTa0zHp8JiwY8-Il6Wl_0doFZHOnAokUUMxoFkC7nUBsKusLIGw-q9S7rXC-Q8eB1AFGHzcWUy-l18hC5SAi16Csdx0oIDgYW56dcKKT3cMlFeJ8BkU/s320/TLES+010.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Wylie Dufresne of WD-50 chatting up the guests</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_pDWr5blS8AE6FlJmo-z-YKsIVSETIHuK6nO1_0omTD1wHQhJoUSiJ5NsSyTsL6iJ8kphyZCEabqYSMjX4HgfC29shXYlRtoll6nGHalIizTsR80FrTimdjiwKPoDWmuOVulmBWXArQ/s1600/TLES+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_pDWr5blS8AE6FlJmo-z-YKsIVSETIHuK6nO1_0omTD1wHQhJoUSiJ5NsSyTsL6iJ8kphyZCEabqYSMjX4HgfC29shXYlRtoll6nGHalIizTsR80FrTimdjiwKPoDWmuOVulmBWXArQ/s320/TLES+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WD-50's amazing soup<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As much as I loved Wylie and his soup, it wasn't our favorite table. Our favorite food of the night goes to <a href="http://www.saltnyc.com/">Salt </a>on Macdougal St. I have never eaten at Salt before, but after doing my research, I found out it's known for seasonal ingredients and being able to customize your meal. We ate the best bacon wrapped date with a honey drizzle that I have ever had.... and I feel I can say with confidence that I've had my fair share of bacon wrapped dates. This was not your every day date! They also had a sample of soup, with a drizzle of truffle oil. Unfortunately we didn't ask exactly what the soup was, we were clearly too busy getting seconds. It was definitely vegetable in nature, and it was one of the best things I've ever sipped on. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-mAZAEGLX7pQz6fOUbDZsly5sLDxNc3krEYthZ0nvrO47Ss2CZqRQk7-JQEvbGKJNKiHlEXq4yhXDp37YjjOVl3IEbJ2dVxFhqErvtx9A14ud8ko_ZZTe8D908tL1dMnC09cDCK_QC0/s1600/TLES+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-mAZAEGLX7pQz6fOUbDZsly5sLDxNc3krEYthZ0nvrO47Ss2CZqRQk7-JQEvbGKJNKiHlEXq4yhXDp37YjjOVl3IEbJ2dVxFhqErvtx9A14ud8ko_ZZTe8D908tL1dMnC09cDCK_QC0/s320/TLES+014.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon wrapped dates and "the soup" from Salt<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Overall the night was really fun. I love these types of events that you can only find in NYC. The quality of food was outstanding and the fact that you were benefiting a great cause made it even better. I guess Joey and I didn't win our bid at the silent auction for a trip to the Virgin Islands, since I haven't received a call yet. Ah well, worth a shot! Overall a fabulous evening, thank you Hadley for turning me on to this! Can't wait for next year. <br />
<br />
Some of our other favorites....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya3YKW_88rlwPgSNLcaBRWzGhsAt9_HUvYUH8kKPNdAKgb1amjmk9oVPXRlNyy1BfhiWtnhVHTjFBIUdK_OgPs4Y5T2edvNVFTshKl_0c5U0uSbWM5-Ladrj7jHG22CRip41TuLeuB38/s1600/TLES+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya3YKW_88rlwPgSNLcaBRWzGhsAt9_HUvYUH8kKPNdAKgb1amjmk9oVPXRlNyy1BfhiWtnhVHTjFBIUdK_OgPs4Y5T2edvNVFTshKl_0c5U0uSbWM5-Ladrj7jHG22CRip41TuLeuB38/s320/TLES+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic meatball and polenta, and a chilled shrimp gazpacho from Gemma</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUdkcoLrH0wMo3qw9i-Tayu1t292eQ7jitypJy_LM4vP5LyTQSA9pMGNC45oEiKqQKf8WR7g5WjJ_UGOLsxmhtGcDGhGcNxvJDXt6Wo-C2aSpzsWeCNiAIzEkki6wyRl1R19luJdYwiU/s1600/TLES+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUdkcoLrH0wMo3qw9i-Tayu1t292eQ7jitypJy_LM4vP5LyTQSA9pMGNC45oEiKqQKf8WR7g5WjJ_UGOLsxmhtGcDGhGcNxvJDXt6Wo-C2aSpzsWeCNiAIzEkki6wyRl1R19luJdYwiU/s320/TLES+006.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sampling of appetizers from Pulino's; olives, razor clam, egg salad, octopus, spiced orange<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisZK5mIOYKYKeNrZENt-7s6PwE198ytm5NIk9B8xH_mbiIkcffM-DI8bOachyphenhyphenDKqsg-x9Ib6RH61uCUoQXbRFjydp0oUAngfjfkqf4_PNCkF2URdvxF_GytYYdYUfeiCUiz05i0c9HLY/s1600/TLES+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisZK5mIOYKYKeNrZENt-7s6PwE198ytm5NIk9B8xH_mbiIkcffM-DI8bOachyphenhyphenDKqsg-x9Ib6RH61uCUoQXbRFjydp0oUAngfjfkqf4_PNCkF2URdvxF_GytYYdYUfeiCUiz05i0c9HLY/s320/TLES+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat Town, need I say more?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-61518732695669506262011-04-07T17:33:00.000-07:002011-04-07T17:33:14.744-07:00An ode to my brand new beautiful nephew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This title doesn't suffice, as I certainly can not write poetry. But Im leavin it anyway, for the sake of getting this post up and running. I have been a huge slacker this last month and a half.... between traveling to Puerto Rico with 2 of my favorite girlfriends and then traveling to Park City, Utah with some of my other favorite girlfriends and coworkers, and then one very exciting family event, it seems I've lost my way with this blog. Must. Get. To. Writing.<br />
<br />
The only thing that could possibly motivate me is the new addition to my family... my new nephew Matthew Jr.<br />
<br />
At approximately 2am on March 20th, my brother and sister in law welcomed their new son Matthew Jr to this world. We spent the previous 9 months DYING to know if this would be a beautiful girl or a boy... can we buy blue Gap sweaters or pink sequined skirts? Will he wear his Yankee jersey proud, or will everyone think the poor little girl is a cute little boy? Do I get to play dress up with her and paint her nails and cover her in makeup at a much too early age? OR do I get to showcase my talents in baseball and play catch and teach him how to win over the ladies? The suspense was killing all of us.<br />
<br />
Well catch it is, and I couldn't be more thrilled. He is the most beautiful thing I've laid eyes on to date... and although I am the proud Aunt, I swear anyone that's seen him would say the same thing. He really is gorgeous! I was so excited to spend that following Monday at The Gap FINALLY able to buy appropriate, colorful blue and green clothes. All the cream and brown really does get old after 9 months. So this kid is already the golden boy of the family (similar to his father and my husband), golden hair and all, and is already about as spoiled and loved as anyone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC82y-GNew3dWyjOdWMe2yrWThN4_STPG0ZHL-yoslbbC-NqfyhOubfD_RiADAyGyhq_mgbWKJ2OLycw6-wUUbEH8ZgVmzah7JLI0iTjWUistCaCRlXx7CFWKaScDSIINR4f7W0AwBEo/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC82y-GNew3dWyjOdWMe2yrWThN4_STPG0ZHL-yoslbbC-NqfyhOubfD_RiADAyGyhq_mgbWKJ2OLycw6-wUUbEH8ZgVmzah7JLI0iTjWUistCaCRlXx7CFWKaScDSIINR4f7W0AwBEo/s320/IMG_1581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's been amazing to see my sister in law and my only brother turn into loving parents. It's also such an amazing feeling to finally be an Aunt. I didn't know it would be so emotional for me, even as close as my brother and I are. But it's really been overwhelming... in the best way possible. To answer all those questions about me being ready to have my own... no. Not yet anyway. It's all about this little guy right now and all I want to do is spoil him and love him and not even think about anything else. It does have me thinking, if I could love him this much, how am I going to handle the love I will feel for my own? Unimaginable.<br />
<br />
So that's all for my first post in a very long time. More to come this weekend, recipes, etc. I promise! but for now, let's just enjoy this face.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvthhUsMWfkT7DOLe49ncxBU11HxMiCtkp9_rWM_I7kaUgN3aHPjOSYfrWFSLOo5LHos-48MNym_J-NXfxqeIMsv4Czrd40eA6Tdl9TwKVO-mRK62K8QMdunfKekw-3YPT9OqatTMLxW0/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvthhUsMWfkT7DOLe49ncxBU11HxMiCtkp9_rWM_I7kaUgN3aHPjOSYfrWFSLOo5LHos-48MNym_J-NXfxqeIMsv4Czrd40eA6Tdl9TwKVO-mRK62K8QMdunfKekw-3YPT9OqatTMLxW0/s320/IMG_1594.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepin on Nanna<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG88Ues8igYJjhgcz6D4KUnzjbRCTEiM3lNVKoJuvO0q-Dww2qB2-xYOEVrw_acS4vQ4NeVqQyRxJQPjYpMu0UzbrbFuvErRPPmv-3J6TUP9rh_MPnmArD3IObSMc6Y99XWbS8yuLAi8/s1600/IMG_1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG88Ues8igYJjhgcz6D4KUnzjbRCTEiM3lNVKoJuvO0q-Dww2qB2-xYOEVrw_acS4vQ4NeVqQyRxJQPjYpMu0UzbrbFuvErRPPmv-3J6TUP9rh_MPnmArD3IObSMc6Y99XWbS8yuLAi8/s320/IMG_1600.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFjMvGOQJW_0wjVJdGMX7SOSGa8B51GzBUJWO2rH1JZtPh5t03VFIC-2Lox1AELbNNSTG1g8ADOToC1v7_xcYGnp2DsX0uw8mvqIolO_EmZicVNj_NWohdrgS0Vj2dWDWKxM00uIu1UA/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFjMvGOQJW_0wjVJdGMX7SOSGa8B51GzBUJWO2rH1JZtPh5t03VFIC-2Lox1AELbNNSTG1g8ADOToC1v7_xcYGnp2DsX0uw8mvqIolO_EmZicVNj_NWohdrgS0Vj2dWDWKxM00uIu1UA/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Auntie<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-14076310296119806572011-02-22T17:39:00.000-08:002011-02-22T17:39:56.023-08:00Saturday Lugar's. Sunday Funday. I love President's!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h1 class="fn"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Saturday was The Last Supper for DINKS Anessa and Mike, before they leave DINK world and join parent world. Anessa is due March 15th, so this was go big or go home... which is why we chose Peter Lugar's in Brooklyn. You can't go bigger (or better) than a Lugar's steak dinner. It's been a good year or 2 since my last trip out to BK to eat a juicy Lugar's steak. We left the ordering up to Joe, as he is a pro and requires no menu. If you've ever been to Lugar's, you know this is preferred by the waiters. No BS, just eat hard, and get the hell out. </span></span></h1><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2RpcwoWyL8zddpbOUsPkLl2z-oj8rV3S-A5Mc3NsbYboU_z7aifBFgJqVL887iLQxqkpJ5_r3EnO7tNQaKcH14U-WjFbTsIZletfbJy-8C0cQJDkHjXrpBkdFg2iG4dzXwTjINf4TX0/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2RpcwoWyL8zddpbOUsPkLl2z-oj8rV3S-A5Mc3NsbYboU_z7aifBFgJqVL887iLQxqkpJ5_r3EnO7tNQaKcH14U-WjFbTsIZletfbJy-8C0cQJDkHjXrpBkdFg2iG4dzXwTjINf4TX0/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Supper</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Joe ordered the usual appetizers- tomato and onion, shrimp cocktail, slab bacon, and a lamb chop for everyone.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsziaiUbwxRFMoXEpnrSaacI9N6bITKm4fMeIxsmKwAbsiohWHg3Io2fdUT4_xgIZ_UBWYyjKTiFXH9s4j_KSp0_NpQw0hQvZfLm62fONaovsguurixAjDUjHBt2AaPS4kPvLLHRABJFk/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsziaiUbwxRFMoXEpnrSaacI9N6bITKm4fMeIxsmKwAbsiohWHg3Io2fdUT4_xgIZ_UBWYyjKTiFXH9s4j_KSp0_NpQw0hQvZfLm62fONaovsguurixAjDUjHBt2AaPS4kPvLLHRABJFk/s320/IMG_1326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous steak sauce<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhyDOUClwjDAy3YJ4n28_jbG3TzXGYzapphI0HPBJx3W4d2KwwvbZKK8b7A7Jp5kX567hSTQZEB0IGjdv8mUvUdqtn7UfTXCpSzS-_43G7zd2p6IvTteXbA4XL19Ye7Y65FZWk8WR00Q/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhyDOUClwjDAy3YJ4n28_jbG3TzXGYzapphI0HPBJx3W4d2KwwvbZKK8b7A7Jp5kX567hSTQZEB0IGjdv8mUvUdqtn7UfTXCpSzS-_43G7zd2p6IvTteXbA4XL19Ye7Y65FZWk8WR00Q/s320/IMG_1325.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp, tomato, and the slab bacon before I got a hold of it. Its not pretty but its the best piece pig ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvS3DUfKzTJnJEDx6dUKKvcJv5Z91fflxLwQ27oQClfLVyB39AV7JTYF1-6hpR1VxwaIBVYPrBavFcEA_yVku1WFVO_hXHlnxi3hXQOPk88GfsL6yTG6IDDPtx5x9MhoyZfA_1e0zXIE/s1600/IMG_1327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvS3DUfKzTJnJEDx6dUKKvcJv5Z91fflxLwQ27oQClfLVyB39AV7JTYF1-6hpR1VxwaIBVYPrBavFcEA_yVku1WFVO_hXHlnxi3hXQOPk88GfsL6yTG6IDDPtx5x9MhoyZfA_1e0zXIE/s320/IMG_1327.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak for 6 please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h1 class="fn"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The steak was great, the lamb chop was the best chop I've ever had. But the best part of the meal for the ladies may have actually been the dessert. Somehow you have to leave room for the sundae and the chocolate mousse cake, with a side of SCHLAG. German whipped cream so thick your spoon stands up in it. </span></span></h1><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JxaGf5lKbXcU3P-_2AJtamw7S-7E2y11pzUnI5_i4gRz7nPzo3XTFbrmbSLK38Mt8fP0rkZXfKXcDn5Zc0m04G28fA1Pm0eDmIZaqrn9J6-W5WizvAoiD1EtlzQC_iuOEW8bpEF6eyU/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JxaGf5lKbXcU3P-_2AJtamw7S-7E2y11pzUnI5_i4gRz7nPzo3XTFbrmbSLK38Mt8fP0rkZXfKXcDn5Zc0m04G28fA1Pm0eDmIZaqrn9J6-W5WizvAoiD1EtlzQC_iuOEW8bpEF6eyU/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura peering behind the sundae with excitement</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">After our gorging, we went home, slept like babies, and had meat dreams... those dreams are the really wacked out that you have when you eat a ton of food at a late hour- at least that's we we're calling them. Joe's dream- having an extra cramped apartment and having to crawl to get in the door (quite obvious subconscious talk), or mine- taking random people's shoes to a shoe cobbler that was located inside a nurses office, or Jeff being locked in a car while the Cape Cod house (see previous New Years with the DINKS post) being raided for contraband. Thank you Lugar's for providing the late entertainment.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div>Fast forward to Sunday. Laura, Jeff, Joe and I decide to start the day with a boozy brunch at one of my favorite staple-brunch places in the city, Essex on the Lower East Side. http://www.essexnyc.com/<br />
$3 Mimosas, Bloody's or Screwdrivers, along with the 3 free that come with your meal. The day never ends up being productive after this place, EXCEPT for this particular Sunday Funday. After leaving the bar, making sure to get our last $3 drink, we walked to Union Square, stopping on the way to use the bathroom at another bar and grabbing another 2 rounds. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu9NYQqGn23DzhnSDN_e2LMdri14ji2ygoiwN4au_QLMU-6674Iro2lH4YQ3GJ3ZH2NCe3ffbQ1FKusYvxk2qlK6jRSotwNsPJYC-P1Zgv23wjuWIdQ_wpxKM9gZv4kY_JmgTMENr2ho/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu9NYQqGn23DzhnSDN_e2LMdri14ji2ygoiwN4au_QLMU-6674Iro2lH4YQ3GJ3ZH2NCe3ffbQ1FKusYvxk2qlK6jRSotwNsPJYC-P1Zgv23wjuWIdQ_wpxKM9gZv4kY_JmgTMENr2ho/s320/IMG_1336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knickerbocker pit stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>After the pit stop we joined Jeff in his hunt for a shiny new guitar and had some fun in the guitar shop while we were at it. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHC0iuxKLClGNFG-f40R_eb3SrMOO7PAd33IbZmZ9yrHPJ2cv6P2loSxjPVF7bXog3pzkt0QxUGF1erfs8tlTooL8MhNNHRxuseprQacN3K1dRi9w27tjtriQ2WHqo0GfjsguOLSRChY/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHC0iuxKLClGNFG-f40R_eb3SrMOO7PAd33IbZmZ9yrHPJ2cv6P2loSxjPVF7bXog3pzkt0QxUGF1erfs8tlTooL8MhNNHRxuseprQacN3K1dRi9w27tjtriQ2WHqo0GfjsguOLSRChY/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff tryin em out</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz-TFkW4IHyj6vUHR_lixNg9pr7Nb8c9BQmJce4qJ5P5v5Nwy5kfkvTtBYqXHImVMLwfEFoLC4Y9emCeHnEVk92oFSiAhZUzzklHqL1Cqq7BvD0Y_FT9lbwwXsHykZd1d-FKEr8-Lb_E/s1600/IMG_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz-TFkW4IHyj6vUHR_lixNg9pr7Nb8c9BQmJce4qJ5P5v5Nwy5kfkvTtBYqXHImVMLwfEFoLC4Y9emCeHnEVk92oFSiAhZUzzklHqL1Cqq7BvD0Y_FT9lbwwXsHykZd1d-FKEr8-Lb_E/s320/IMG_1342.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, trying to look cool after a few</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h1 class="fn"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Jeff finally found what he needed and we proceeded to the next pit stop, Lillie's. One of my favorite bars in Union Square- actually may be the only bar I like in Union Square. www.lilliesnyc.com</span></span></h1><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">It was here that we decided to cook a family-style Italian dinner together. Jeff and Laura were indeed staying an extra night! After a trip to the grocery store, we decided on the below recipes and went to work shortly after resting at home. Both came out wonderful! Forgot to take pics of the finished products- it was a long day ok?!!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1gwCf90sH_KCEMVVjoRu90Ut6jkfFCrEw4y3WLZfbYuVC5osIrvWbch2__TURiaM6e9zYTYGUVBqx6uQrS2CsbCGT6fdB80UXtacUkN_mGiF4f04l7aznKSGKUcdq3Ywq-V3nDZ5o74/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1gwCf90sH_KCEMVVjoRu90Ut6jkfFCrEw4y3WLZfbYuVC5osIrvWbch2__TURiaM6e9zYTYGUVBqx6uQrS2CsbCGT6fdB80UXtacUkN_mGiF4f04l7aznKSGKUcdq3Ywq-V3nDZ5o74/s320/IMG_1345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makin pasta- gluten free!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><h1 class="fn"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle and Pecorino Romano</i></span></span></h1><ul><li class="ingredient"><i>2 tablespoons vegetable oil </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>3 1/2 to 4 pounds short ribs, each about 2-inches long, cut flanken </i><i>style, across the ribs </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>Salt and freshly ground pepper </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1 dried bay leaf</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 sprigs fresh rosemary</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>5 sprigs fresh thyme </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>4 small carrots, diced </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 stalks celery, diced </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1 medium onion</i><i>, diced </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 medium shallots, diced </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1 tablespoon all-purpose flour </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 tablespoons tomato paste </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1/2 cup ruby port (I omitted this and just used more wine)</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>2 cups red wine, such as cabernet </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1/2 head garlic</i><i>, cloves separated and peeled </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>3 1/2 cups homemade beef stock</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>1 pound pappardelle or other long, flat pasta</i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>Chopped parsley </i></li>
<li class="ingredient"><i>Grated Pecorino </i><i>Romano, for garnish</i></li>
</ul><h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Directions</i></span></h2><div class="instructions"><div><i> Heat oven to 325 degrees F. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Place a Dutch oven </i><i>over medium heat. Add oil, and heat until it is almost smoking. Season short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches if necessary, add short ribs</i><i> to the hot oil. </i><br />
<i>Cook ribs until browned on both sides. Remove ribs from casserole, and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Meanwhile, prepare the herbs:</i><i> Place bay leaf, rosemary, thyme</i><i>, and parsley in the center of a square of cheesecloth (I used kitchen twine and just tied the herbs together, sans cloth)</i><i>. Bring edges together, and tie with kitchen string. Set aside. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Add carrots, celery</i><i>, onion, and shallots to oil in the casserole, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and golden, about 10 minutes. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Add flour and tomato paste, and stir to combine. Add ruby port (we just used red wine here); stir with wooden spoon until all browned bits have been scraped from the pan and the bottom of the casserole is clean. Add red wine</i><i>, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Add garlic, beef </i><i>stock, and the reserved herb bouquet. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Return browned ribs to the casserole. Bring the liquid to a simmer </i><i>over medium-high heat. Cover the casserole, and place it in the oven. Cook until ribs are very tender, about 3 hours. </i></div><div></div><div><i>Remove the cooked ribs from the casserole</i><i>. Set the casserole on the stove top over medium heat, and simmer to thicken sauce </i><i>just slightly. As soon as the short ribs are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones, and shred </i><i>into small pieces. Degrease</i><i> the sauce and discard the herbs. Return shredded meat to casserole, and simmer to reduce sauce by about half. </i></div><div></div><div style="color: black;"><i>Cook until pasta is al dente</i><i>. Drain </i><i>pasta, and serve with ragu</i><i>, sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with freshly grated cheese.</i></div><br />
<br />
<i><b>Ricotta and Mint Ravioli in a Sage Brown Butter Sauce</b></i><br />
<i><b>For the pasta dough (sparing you the gluten free version here):</b></i><br />
<i>3/4 cup semolina flour</i><br />
<i>1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour </i><br />
<i>2 extra-large eggs</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil</i><br />
<i>Pinch of salt</i><br />
<i><b>For the ravioli filling:</b></i><br />
<i>1 pound whole milk ricotta (or homemade; see recipe section)</i><br />
<i>1 large egg, beaten</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese</i><br />
<i>1 small bunch of fresh mint, chopped (about 1/4 cup)</i><br />
<i>1/4 teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)</i><br />
<i>Pepper </i><br />
<i><b>For the sauce: </b></i><br />
<i>8 tablespoons unsalted butter</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh sage</i><br />
<i>Salt </i><br />
<i>Freshly ground pepper</i><br />
<b>˜</b><br />
<b><i>Make the pasta dough: </i></b><br />
<b><i>Joe and I do this by hand, the old fashion way, and roll it out into sheets. We have a ravioli tray to cut the pasta sheets</i></b><br />
<i>Place the semolina and all-purpose flour in the bowl of a food processor. Whisk eggs and olive oil together and pour into food processor bowl. Add salt. Pulse until coarsely combined. If dough appears too wet, add a tad more flour and pulse again. If it is too dry, add up to 1 tablespoon of water and process until it forms a moist ball.</i><br />
<i>Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough by hand until a smooth ball is formed. The dough should be elastic and a little bit sticky.</i><br />
<i>Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.</i><br />
<b><i>Make the ravioli filling: </i></b><br />
<i>Mix the ricotta, beaten egg and parmesan cheese in a medium sized bowl. Mix in the chopped fresh mint. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.</i><br />
<b><i>Assemble ravioli:</i></b><br />
<b><i>Again this can be done by hand- rolling out the dough into long wide strips. then cutting raviolis or using a ravioli cutter specifically. But here are the detailed instructions from </i></b>http://ouritaliantable.wordpress.com<br />
<i>If using a pasta machine, place the rollers at the widest opening. Cut the dough into four equal pieces. As you work with one piece, keep the other pieces covered so they do not dry out.</i><br />
<i>Working with the first piece of dough, flatten the dough and pass it through the pasta machine. Fold the dough in thirds, crosswise, and run it through the machine again.</i><br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_618" style="width: 360px;"><img alt="ravioli-prep1" class="size-full wp-image-618" height="232" src="http://ouritaliantable.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ravioli-prep1.jpg?w=350&h=232" title="ravioli-prep1" width="350" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text"><i>Making the ravioli</i></div></div><i>Repeat this procedure a third time until the dough is smooth. Set the pasta machine to the next smaller opening and run through the machine.</i><br />
<i>Continue in this fashion, using the next smaller opening each time, until the last or next to the last opening is reached. Dust with flour as needed but be careful not to use too much flour.</i><br />
<i>Cut the band of dough into two equal lengths. Spoon mounds of filling, roughly 1 teaspoon, onto the strip of dough, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. Paint the exposed areas of the dough lightly with water. Place the second sheet of dough on top and shape the ravioli with your fingers. Press on the air around the filling to help seal the edges. Cut the ravioli apart with a ravioli cutter or stamp.</i><br />
<i>Place ravioli on semolina-dusted cookie tray until ready to cook.</i><br />
<b><i>Prepare sauce:</i></b><br />
<i>Heat butter in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until foaming subsides and the butter starts to turn brown. Stir in the strips of sage and cook until the sage is crisp and butter is a nice golden brown color. Season with salt and pepper.</i><br />
<i>Cook the ravioli in a large pot of salted boiling water until the pasta is al dente – about 5-7 minutes. Carefully transfer the ravioli with a slotted spoon to a colander to drain. Gently slide the ravioli into the sage butter and cook over moderate-low heat, stirring very gently, for about 1 minute.</i><br />
<i>Dust with freshly grated parmesan cheese and enjoy……..</i><br />
</div>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-90077814134883241252011-02-17T17:09:00.000-08:002011-02-17T17:09:48.565-08:00Risotto- my new favorite comfort food!So this gluten free thing gets me down sometimes, I'm still not 100% used to it and miss a lot of my favorite foods- being able to eat pasta out at a restaurant, grabbing a slice of New York's finest, or grabbing my once-a-month bagel. I know I'm better off for it, but that doesn't mean I don't miss it all.<br />
<br />
Recently I found what will now become my favorite restaurant of the moment, Risotteria in the West Village. This is heaven for those of us who are gluten free. Its a risotto restaurant, that also serves pizzas, paninis and salads that are all, you guessed it.... gluten free! Gluten free breadsticks to start your meal too- pretty awesome! There's also a bake shop that serves gluten free breads, cookies, cakes, and flours. I bought the rolls, soooo excited to finally have a sandwich and they were actually really good. I plan on stocking up. I had a risotto with mushrooms and truffle that was really well cooked, al dente rice- the whole nine. <br />
<br />
For those of you who eat with me often, this will be the next place we go. I promise you won't be disappointed, even if you aren't cursed with a gluten allergy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKSkTi19fIWaPWIm5qWJHIl96lKZejSyZoCwB6ynQorftm_XdO1OtqRQ1bpbB5aU1EC6XUxo8IengT-_IKJwra75nFQ2bicNfexv65IBa5F4hjAhimUkcSeeJEqRtzgIpFE4OIlf6c_E/s1600/risotteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKSkTi19fIWaPWIm5qWJHIl96lKZejSyZoCwB6ynQorftm_XdO1OtqRQ1bpbB5aU1EC6XUxo8IengT-_IKJwra75nFQ2bicNfexv65IBa5F4hjAhimUkcSeeJEqRtzgIpFE4OIlf6c_E/s320/risotteria.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.risotteria.com</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was this restaurant that inspired me to try risotto on my own. I semi-created a mushroom, herb and shrimp risotto. Came out pretty good...<br />
<br />
<i><b>Herbed Mushroom and Shrimp Risotto with Truffle (Gluten free)</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Olive oil</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 shallot</b></i><br />
<i><b>2 cloves garlic, minced</b></i><br />
<i><b>a bunch of herbs, chopped, I used rosemary and thyme because that's what I had in the house</b></i><br />
<i><b>mushrooms- I just used however many I left, I would recommend 1 container or so. Also might be good with a variety of mushrooms</b></i><br />
<i><b>tbsp butter</b></i><br />
<i><b>a few splashes of Truffle oil- optional, but worth having around the house!</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 cup arborio rice</b></i><br />
<i><b>5-8 cups (or so) vegetable broth</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/3 cup dry white wine </b></i><br />
<i><b>10 shrimp, cleaned</b></i><br />
<i><b>Parmesan cheese</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Empty 5 cups of vegetable broth into a large saucepot. Simmer and keep warm with a lid. You will use this for the risotto. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Season shrimp with salt and pepper, saute until cooked through and set aside. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>In a saucepan saute half the shallot and 1 clove of garlic in olive oil. After onion is translucent, add mushrooms and herbs. Saute until mushrooms and herbs are cooked through. Remove from heat and top with a few splashes of Truffle oil. A lot of truffle oil goes a long way, keep that in mind. Set aside with shrimp. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>In a large dutch oven or pot, saute the rest of the shallot and 2nd clove of garlic in olive oil. When translucent, add rice and stir. Turn heat to medium low and let rice get golden. Add wine and let evaporate. Ladle some warm vegetable broth into rice and stir. Allow broth to evaporate almost completely and continue adding broth, ladle by ladle. This process takes a good 25 minutes or so. You have to watch it and stir a lot. But its easy. You are finished when it tastes creamy, it looks more runny than mine does below, and the rice is still al dente. Stir in a healthy handful of Parmesan cheese. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Add mushroom and herb mixture and the shrimp. Top with parmesan and a little more truffle oil for good measure. </b></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DuQwn-F0g1Cu9mOxVHnNEQ3V0-41uaLhhbgVK_yz-BKzMaqo1c5uB8fMztVn6CnbrTK6QKG_Xbe6rIUsXXeLQzxqStBvAub6ZJAP7JOheMosjhohe8pDj3bgHNf5t8YkwRKi0AGoTU8/s1600/mushroom+and+shrimp+risotto+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DuQwn-F0g1Cu9mOxVHnNEQ3V0-41uaLhhbgVK_yz-BKzMaqo1c5uB8fMztVn6CnbrTK6QKG_Xbe6rIUsXXeLQzxqStBvAub6ZJAP7JOheMosjhohe8pDj3bgHNf5t8YkwRKi0AGoTU8/s320/mushroom+and+shrimp+risotto+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top chef judges would say this wasn't soupy enough, but bear with me, next time, more liquid....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-75355525084793136792011-02-03T19:31:00.000-08:002011-02-04T14:20:41.653-08:00Op Ed- Idol Obsessed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5jhO_n4-27awbjFY0j7wOz17D2tvLlT0At5ENB4Sp00nMETS6QLKHJjMtjcAFUAnMY7F1quJ1srDS6xeINzMxbxTkA8knTQJK7NKpS8CvY1b7Lswqzn_xpOor2_QvMAGyOdxrqGMv8E/s1600/idol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5jhO_n4-27awbjFY0j7wOz17D2tvLlT0At5ENB4Sp00nMETS6QLKHJjMtjcAFUAnMY7F1quJ1srDS6xeINzMxbxTkA8knTQJK7NKpS8CvY1b7Lswqzn_xpOor2_QvMAGyOdxrqGMv8E/s320/idol2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So this is my first official Op Ed piece. According to Wikipedia (one of my favorite sites), Op Ed is explained as "An abbreviated from <i>opposite the editorial page</i><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0" style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed#cite_note-0"></a></sup> (though often mistaken for opinion-editorial)". But because I'm lower brow, I'm using this term to mean opinion editorial for the purposes of my blog... just go with it newspaper readers!<br />
<br />
For those of you that know me well, you might be wondering how in the hell have I not expressed an opinion yet on this thing... since I so do love the art of the Soap Box. Well I'm not really sure. But I know for now, we're calling this the Op Ed section of my blog, because I just know there will be many more moments when this section will be necessary.<br />
<br />
On to the goods..... I have been an American Idol fan since season one, still having an appreciation for Kelly Clarkson to this day. I love everything about that show- the try outs, the laughable crazies thinking they can really-truly sing and being devastated and angry when they tell them to give up their dream, sharing in the sad and the happy tears, the voting, and most of all..... the judges.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed watching Randy use the term DAWG and getting a tad ghetto with 15 year olds, Paula slurring her speech and trying to guess what pills she had taken before the taping of the show, and most of all Simon's amazing ability to jump RIGHT into my brain and say everything I'm thinking about every single performance.... except for all those nails-on-a-chalkboard screams by Adam Lambert that all the judges thought sounded like a beautiful melody, I will never understand that. I loved that my former coworkers from Robert Half felt it important enough to do an "Idol Pool" last year.... with more than 30 participants, money involved, and weekly pics- it was more exciting for me than March Madness. <br />
<br />
So when I heard last season that Simon would not be returning, I instantly thought... BOYCOTT (which coincidentally was the first thing I said- and did- when I heard The Situation from Jersey Shore was set to make 5 million last year. I just cannot condone that). I really felt the show was over, its lost its main star, the guy who speaks the truth, its authenticity, the stuff that makes it "legit". I was really disappointed that essentially it was going to a big steaming pile of shit. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBc0j9wgKxjA96vDVOAIrndY_6MUj03X_SmcOK8z9KiZ2l-uoPJ-YFUs_yMFnFbz6R6sbMRcleArTC07DD-PeiYCBPa-OLY9I0bA8H3MAWkcSOHOx3PkO9v8FmDx3gbHttpSMoxR-w7a4/s1600/idol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBc0j9wgKxjA96vDVOAIrndY_6MUj03X_SmcOK8z9KiZ2l-uoPJ-YFUs_yMFnFbz6R6sbMRcleArTC07DD-PeiYCBPa-OLY9I0bA8H3MAWkcSOHOx3PkO9v8FmDx3gbHttpSMoxR-w7a4/s320/idol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Let me just say I've always liked Aerosmith, ever since my brother bought the Pump album and I heard Janie's Got a Gun (which still coincidentally is a song I never skip on my Ipod), ever since Alicia Silverstone made her debut in the Crazy and Cryin' videos, and ever since my besties and I went to see them in concert at The Coors Amphitheater in San Diego circa 2002- greatest concert ever? Perhaps... right after Pearl Jam at Boston Garden in 1994, just when they were at their prime. I digress. So I love Steven Tyler, crazy, cool rock star. I just wasn't sure how I would feel seeing him critique the little tykes on AI. Seemed kind of random.<br />
<br />
JLo, I've had a very love-hate relationship with since 1998. I loved that she got her start as a Fly Girl, thought she was quite stunning, and "Waiting for Tonight" made me want to shake my JLo-sized ass in 1999. Yes, I'm serious. Then somewhere along the line she became someone I couldn't avoid. She was ALL over the damn radio, starring in Domestic Violence movies kicking her abusive husband's ass, kissing Matthew McConaughey in cheesy chic flicks, trying to be "hip hop" and calling her album "On the 6". I'msure it was Jenny From the Block that really put me over the edge. Really, you're hard core now? Enough's enough. It was then I called it quits with JLo. So when I heard she also signed on to be a judge for AI, I thought Ugh. They sold out.<br />
That is until I begrudgingly watched the first episode of Season 10.<br />
<br />
I'm essentially obsessed. I can't get enough of Steven's coolness, the massive feather earring, and his screams that actually DO sound like a beautiful melody. I wait patiently every week to see if JLo can top last week's gorgeous glam look (Where does she get those fabulous extensions done? Who is her makeup artist? I need to know). She also actually seems to know what she's talking about. I love the chemistry between the 3 of them. They really seem like they are honestly having a great time. They thoroughly enjoy- almost to the point of tears- when someone comes in and can really sing. But most of all, I LOVE the judging. They all seem to really get it. JLo is sweet and funny and makes the greatest facial expression when a crazy comes on- seemingly the exact same face I'm making at that same moment. And best of all, Randy has become a complete comedian. I find myself getting goose bumps one moment, tears streaming down my face the next, and hysterically laughing in between. What more can you ask for from a television show?<br />
<br />
I love the contestants that have made it to Hollywood so far, their stories (or their voices) literally tug at your heart. One guy who got engaged and 2 months before the wedding, his fiance was in a horrible car accident. She is now in a wheelchair, suffering major brain damage, yet he continues to stand by her, despite the fact that they haven't been able to marry yet. I think his exact words were "what kind of man would I be if I left her at the time when she needed me the most?".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DFdyaJHolFpUbfQGNi9D6bTNR5zigcOsxTNpKTXuxc8NIqQPRwf1LWg5IJ3PXsWKcR2K7nInXbMcK4bfhKxR4bZaSBpb9_Iqaz2_GchQPC31JkggWq_oWUI0fTlpDRJjZ0Hpz6K5Uo8/s1600/chris-medina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DFdyaJHolFpUbfQGNi9D6bTNR5zigcOsxTNpKTXuxc8NIqQPRwf1LWg5IJ3PXsWKcR2K7nInXbMcK4bfhKxR4bZaSBpb9_Iqaz2_GchQPC31JkggWq_oWUI0fTlpDRJjZ0Hpz6K5Uo8/s320/chris-medina.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cue sobs. Major Niagra Falls people.<br />
<br />
Or John Wayne (yes, thats really his name), the momma-lovin cowboy from rural Texas with a huge genuine heart, deep country voice, and who's not so bad to look at either. No pictures I found will do him justice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMp1wLxF5YVAJYIQyfZEiF1xS7cMZkGT_QSagOpLX6pEh5Sj3uIt92m09-xD1eeJ5mC6MsR4tj3NnOp6TtIwgF7IRCpNR7M2rzp9UHbwTT6b2SId-Q1WFqqT6ncDHCcK5u1AxOJulQnE/s1600/lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMp1wLxF5YVAJYIQyfZEiF1xS7cMZkGT_QSagOpLX6pEh5Sj3uIt92m09-xD1eeJ5mC6MsR4tj3NnOp6TtIwgF7IRCpNR7M2rzp9UHbwTT6b2SId-Q1WFqqT6ncDHCcK5u1AxOJulQnE/s320/lauren.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Lauren Alaina, who's parents wedding song was none other than Aerosmith's "I Dont Wanna Miss a Thing"- she belted it out right in front of Mr Tyler with no shame and nailed it! The next Idol?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl8BybDcJp64HxIpUAQ9jYD5__RDaZCqhvl3yQLIOpNPhNXFFpE49USb4z0tQrI_WHtH_eUfKFVURkI1M5ACHWmuCOH0AX6RsI1Hnj8aL5Xc9Bb0jTZu5arLp497nJrPOWY49c81-XLI/s1600/jacee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl8BybDcJp64HxIpUAQ9jYD5__RDaZCqhvl3yQLIOpNPhNXFFpE49USb4z0tQrI_WHtH_eUfKFVURkI1M5ACHWmuCOH0AX6RsI1Hnj8aL5Xc9Bb0jTZu5arLp497nJrPOWY49c81-XLI/s320/jacee.png" width="320" /></a></div>And of course, <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Jacee Badeaux- the adorable 15 year old, that looks like a friend's unassuming, chubby little brother that you never noticed, singing "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" like he was born to. You instantly love this kid!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;">This list goes on, I'm sure I'm forgetting some of my favorites, but you get the idea. </strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;">Moral of the story, if you haven't watched this show before, now is a good time to tune in and be thoroughly entertained... while also finding a new love for JLo. </strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;">Bring it on Season 10!</strong><br />
<strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</strong>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-88933066198882710562011-02-02T10:12:00.000-08:002011-02-02T10:12:41.164-08:00Joey's 30th BirthdayOur weekend in CT with family went off without a hitch. Thanks primarily to Aunt Jodi and The Deb for over-doing themselves (per the norm) and cooking up a storm the days before the party, ordering 30th Birthday banners, flowers for the tables, balloons, the list goes on. We ate lots of Joey's all time favs from chicken parm, to mashed potatoes, ham, spinach noodle (a Hayes family special) and tapioca pudding and coconut cake.<br />
<br />
Some pics from the party... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkw3DUKGOp4mo47cE77mJ_kVuxEBR6KLJ_LQ2yJbw4GuY8ROK0ydGgxN6Cm9cNbzB7jyI5mVZWr8b9MYARkRkeAOi0rPgZoxJKCUOJBeNuQ4dWRwbADHjUctPOTUZozkIGYKSPj74cE4/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkw3DUKGOp4mo47cE77mJ_kVuxEBR6KLJ_LQ2yJbw4GuY8ROK0ydGgxN6Cm9cNbzB7jyI5mVZWr8b9MYARkRkeAOi0rPgZoxJKCUOJBeNuQ4dWRwbADHjUctPOTUZozkIGYKSPj74cE4/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table, flowers, balloons, banner and all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ME6m2wOFSZ72CiyzOWSwsEQi-i0zroxI2pNyo7jLHTg2D1DQbS0OR4du9u5SxN-Gj5gHKOKskWdNFw1Smk2sxJO_ms-MqW0c-QaeBWblJY8Lfw5UdEd5XkpDskSp8dubPW_RVG150xI/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ME6m2wOFSZ72CiyzOWSwsEQi-i0zroxI2pNyo7jLHTg2D1DQbS0OR4du9u5SxN-Gj5gHKOKskWdNFw1Smk2sxJO_ms-MqW0c-QaeBWblJY8Lfw5UdEd5XkpDskSp8dubPW_RVG150xI/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey, not so surprised</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfuxWgC3jQFKjXUi4zqU1JcWp0xF-CjPisXC5bCT_u90ljg8MHHm9FZJRm2Vd51tLKGzUcflFj43PYzdLPpXR_XbTaQzMJwuuUFCYczSmreNdQizhecKIjGtGuPIojkWWoafPorFSoQE/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfuxWgC3jQFKjXUi4zqU1JcWp0xF-CjPisXC5bCT_u90ljg8MHHm9FZJRm2Vd51tLKGzUcflFj43PYzdLPpXR_XbTaQzMJwuuUFCYczSmreNdQizhecKIjGtGuPIojkWWoafPorFSoQE/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey, Cole and Jeff discussing Oktoberfest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjY_bovC3_2Hs6rBb6-BpwKdCo8IwRNmqmbrwijusjvZBDCk6eNur0SG01m0-mBnvG7WVno_Wr2Y5ydbr9zX_N2uqjXH0onghg4K5qE1_XYHjyYP8P7um6ByjzXK_rYU5JN2zGW8eSGs/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjY_bovC3_2Hs6rBb6-BpwKdCo8IwRNmqmbrwijusjvZBDCk6eNur0SG01m0-mBnvG7WVno_Wr2Y5ydbr9zX_N2uqjXH0onghg4K5qE1_XYHjyYP8P7um6ByjzXK_rYU5JN2zGW8eSGs/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Nicole- proud parents to be, and Pop-Pop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5hn3ESZTznjDD30a126e9A4hY_AMDl51Qcierf-L_IEJ2QNv4aAgVGQFb93c0Iz7CmoQ-6sfuuTVn5ygKYx_iKXEOE-rdqtlvAi1IM-7o3bjPkFtXAuxW8RmiSWKtjwd5dlIXPnCUjI/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5hn3ESZTznjDD30a126e9A4hY_AMDl51Qcierf-L_IEJ2QNv4aAgVGQFb93c0Iz7CmoQ-6sfuuTVn5ygKYx_iKXEOE-rdqtlvAi1IM-7o3bjPkFtXAuxW8RmiSWKtjwd5dlIXPnCUjI/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+021.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey and Kate stirring the mashies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
One of the recipes everyone seemed to love was the Stromboli, courtesy of James Cinque, a close friend of Joey's growing up. So thanks James, it was easy, incredibly tasty (so I heard), and a major crowd pleaser! I will be making this at every party from here on out.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i><b>THE GOAT'S STROMBOLI</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Pizza dough</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Sliced pepperoni (prepackaged is fine)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>¼-1/2 lb. Combination of soppresata, prosciutto, or capicola- or any other cured Italian meats, don’t need to use all of them either.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Grated mozzarella cheese</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Grated parmesan cheese</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Olive oil</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper- optional, etc)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Additional items that can be incorporated:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Broccoli rabe/sausage (steam broccoli before putting in the Stromboli)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>chicken/roasted garlic</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Preheat oven to 375 (if cooking and reheating for a later time), or 400 (if serving immediately).</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Lightly flour working surface and roll out dough, roll out all air bubbles, and form into large circle.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Season dough with Italian seasoning</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Add pepperoni to cover dough</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Cover with mozzarella cheese</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Top cheese with additional cured meats and top again with parmesan cheese</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Add more seasoning here if you prefer, good time to add crushed red pepper if using</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Roll up dough carefully to form the Stromboli</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Add a bit more flour to dough and sprinkle it with olive oil parmesan cheese and additional seasoning</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>On cookie sheet place in the oven and check it around 20-25 minutes to see if its browning. Remove from oven when golden brown</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><i>Let cool before cutting, or if saving for a later time, wrap in foil and place in freezer</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxIY9ubvfVaL-RYi0m65uAGYXuq8x3AOkLIz-uDJfZ0v7DUSQhF1i4YJzyxSIZCH8rd2hhRu7CbQ4zxlt8lggjaR6sAcy0owrS6VjHG9GSd7rkB2HKb9OdJHGpnPyucY8v83UdKpgX6o/s1600/Joe%2527s+30th+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxIY9ubvfVaL-RYi0m65uAGYXuq8x3AOkLIz-uDJfZ0v7DUSQhF1i4YJzyxSIZCH8rd2hhRu7CbQ4zxlt8lggjaR6sAcy0owrS6VjHG9GSd7rkB2HKb9OdJHGpnPyucY8v83UdKpgX6o/s320/Joe%2527s+30th+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We added broccoli rabe to this one. I forgot to get the "after" picture, the party was too fun!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-56176267021770268962011-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:002011-01-27T16:33:35.423-08:00Joe's 30th Birthday- Thai themed!It was Joe's birthday yesterday and he just wanted to stay in and cook a nice meal.... or have me cook him a nice meal. Which of course I obliged. He chose a Tuna dish out of his favorite cookbook, Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen. He is one of Joe's favorite Chefs, from the Seattle area. He does mostly seafood and usually with an asian/thai twist.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuz065J3XyWV0Yasvf42I5byQXBnBfnc4SEFTDKF3o0PBbEjRjERGBA0ceomvwAKK91TgBdmbbMbZ77Fsrlb6r5bU7HbMObvoukK6p7lsT6WUI4cDUlr5Lmqpm19Kjnc6285Dpn7pN90/s1600/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuz065J3XyWV0Yasvf42I5byQXBnBfnc4SEFTDKF3o0PBbEjRjERGBA0ceomvwAKK91TgBdmbbMbZ77Fsrlb6r5bU7HbMObvoukK6p7lsT6WUI4cDUlr5Lmqpm19Kjnc6285Dpn7pN90/s320/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cookbook</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
We've made his short ribs with rosemary cannellini beans that were to die for! So we figured another one was worth a shot. I don't recommend any of Chef Tom's recipes for the beginner cook, as most recipes are complicated and a process. This dish however, was pretty easy. Highly recommend, although I wish the curry sauce had thickened a bit more....<br />
<br />
<b><i>Tom Douglas' Wok- Seared Albacore Tuna with Coconut Curry</i></b><br />
<i>(makes 2 servings)</i><br />
<i>I don't have wok, so I just did this in a large saucepan on very high heat.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>1 bunch cilantro</i><br />
<i>For the curry sauce:</i><br />
<i>1 13 1/2 oz can coconut milk (approx 1 3/4 cups)</i><br />
<i>1/2 cup chicken stock</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup mirin or sweet sake</i><br />
<i>1 tbsp asian fish sauce</i><br />
<i>1 tbsp Thai red curry paste</i><br />
<i>1 tsp asian sour shrimp paste or 1 tsp lime (I used lime and it was great, even though you can pretty much find anything in NYC)</i><br />
<i>For the dish:</i><br />
<i>3 tbsp peanut oil</i><br />
<i>1/2 lb albacore tuna, cut into 2x1/2 inch strips (I used whatever red tuna Whole Foods has, no clue if it was albacore or not)</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 cups Japanese eggplant cut into 1/4 inch strips</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 cups Napa cabbage, cut into 1 inch ribbons</i><br />
<i>1/2 cup zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch thick </i><br />
<i>1/2 cup seeded red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices</i><br />
<i>1/3 cup peeled carrots, cut into 1/8 inch slices </i><br />
<i>2 lime wedges</i><br />
<i>Steamed rice</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Pick off 1/4 cup of the cilantro leaves and set aside.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>To make the curry sauce, combine remaining cilantro leaves and stems, the coconut milk, chicken stock, mirin, fish sauce, curry paste, and sour shrimp paste or lime juice in a medium saucepan.</i><br />
<i>Bring to a simmer, cover, and barely simmer for 30 minutes. (I did about 40 minutes and still couldn't get the sauce thicker- maybe some flour next time?)</i><br />
<i>Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, you should have about 1 1/2 cups sauce.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Heat wok (or saucepan) on high heat with 2 tbsp of peanut oil.</i><br />
<i>When the oil is smoking, add the sliced tuna and sear briefly, tossing, about 1 minute.</i><br />
<i>The tuna should still be rare. Remove from pan and set aside.</i><br />
<i>Add remaining peanut oil to wok or pan, put in eggplant, cabbage, bell pepper, and carrots, and stir fry for 4 minutes.</i><br />
<i>Add the curry sauce and the tuna and simmer for 1-2 minutes.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Serve the tuna and curry sauce over the rice and garnish with cilantro leaves and lime wedges.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmAGxpQX8PzT5n7Ia1_cv3mhm3a7_tixfiz8tmNZmuy8Al8KzX6CgPCHVvDvLQ7XcX-H96KkSuTbseLinvdoC2kYxJ63RgHLQViNDkcZGVYYBkD4qAa1M3JdLndvqbb32FRXa5t_2CQ4/s1600/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmAGxpQX8PzT5n7Ia1_cv3mhm3a7_tixfiz8tmNZmuy8Al8KzX6CgPCHVvDvLQ7XcX-H96KkSuTbseLinvdoC2kYxJ63RgHLQViNDkcZGVYYBkD4qAa1M3JdLndvqbb32FRXa5t_2CQ4/s320/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited about the tuna</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtnJ9au-CahMPFcydw4eVLpBNW-4UY1QMptUIOtfNBqzAnf8W0iaJ50SYZ2WP8garA1ajFPR451aBNl0CftXUWFgQst8ByPD6BMZZ4IE_a_mfARKgCt_esEMUpa7Btje0W1JkoTBvlSg/s1600/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtnJ9au-CahMPFcydw4eVLpBNW-4UY1QMptUIOtfNBqzAnf8W0iaJ50SYZ2WP8garA1ajFPR451aBNl0CftXUWFgQst8ByPD6BMZZ4IE_a_mfARKgCt_esEMUpa7Btje0W1JkoTBvlSg/s320/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything all combined and simmering away</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjIetFTztXHE47s18NCdFZo5XqFIUXFe-LEFknhISMw9BEemIkUH2gLgXBApGw2Ef-tftdTAMmzn6j-HNywy3jGnjo1A5Ubg3hR5MWWMtkQkeF5orkgvv5VCFsy_0NVOXtsL6Q-QXunA/s1600/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjIetFTztXHE47s18NCdFZo5XqFIUXFe-LEFknhISMw9BEemIkUH2gLgXBApGw2Ef-tftdTAMmzn6j-HNywy3jGnjo1A5Ubg3hR5MWWMtkQkeF5orkgvv5VCFsy_0NVOXtsL6Q-QXunA/s320/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had it with a lovely Chardonnay from Italy, but it also suggests a Pinot Gris from Oregon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG6XU3w8JJZq9JLUeZF4qf6Pyf4Wkrjr-WGF2CvkmsGTJ58kya3Fzzt6hGqDVXjmS0xL7qRXi28ctobCXG_T03e-GoseI345VfzjUIh38C8H0_oyOpzz6FCSo7rfCC-BR1zPZWsRd7gc/s1600/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG6XU3w8JJZq9JLUeZF4qf6Pyf4Wkrjr-WGF2CvkmsGTJ58kya3Fzzt6hGqDVXjmS0xL7qRXi28ctobCXG_T03e-GoseI345VfzjUIh38C8H0_oyOpzz6FCSo7rfCC-BR1zPZWsRd7gc/s320/Tom+Douglas+Tuna+Curry+019.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topped off the lovely meal with the dessert Vin Santo we brought back from San Gimignano, Italy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-8053554909712313222011-01-18T17:33:00.000-08:002011-01-18T17:34:44.036-08:00Punta Cana es Excellente!Joe and I just got back from an amazing jaunt to Punta Cana, on the Domincan Republic. We had an amazing time. We stayed at the Excellence Punta Cana. To anyone looking for a nice Caribbean get away, I highly recommend this place. Beautiful grounds, fantastic pools, gorgeous beach views, cabanas, pina coladas, and some of the friendliest staff in history. <br />
We arrived on Thursday afternoon, and went right to the beach and had our first taste of the frozen drink. Not much sun left, but not to worry we were on the beach and out of the snow! Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent sunning ourselves at the pool and beach every day, snacking at the Excellence club in the hotel, eating at one of their 9 restaurants, watching a little playoff football, and drinking every and any amazing rum drinks- in and out of coconuts. The staff is so friendly and helpful, you really don't want to leave. So you can only imagine what flying back home into Newark in the dead cold of winter must've felt like. Never again. Here are a few picks from the trip. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvGdWlB03_o683BjeWLdNmCJZ8eGGI64B208EHJOqnnZoUELCV0leCd2ipwE-IHjlOZP5TU1tprdJNQ2RVfwFY6XVp8eebLFtW3kB75GYvtmyfDkJepbL5mIBra8RWrohZSQDvohpHM4/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvGdWlB03_o683BjeWLdNmCJZ8eGGI64B208EHJOqnnZoUELCV0leCd2ipwE-IHjlOZP5TU1tprdJNQ2RVfwFY6XVp8eebLFtW3kB75GYvtmyfDkJepbL5mIBra8RWrohZSQDvohpHM4/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey swimming in the ocean</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh4mgjePDGms90hb7GakbaTyXO1jeqViGz9wFB4X9ZDwAcfxQHr1Wuf5qsdBpANfEExq5a9fRgOC141q82ekvTBhiROUhJjc8qoxU8W_Jx0L-887-yj_nnC9ys0ZGlaMw_uT90IOKC0Y/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh4mgjePDGms90hb7GakbaTyXO1jeqViGz9wFB4X9ZDwAcfxQHr1Wuf5qsdBpANfEExq5a9fRgOC141q82ekvTBhiROUhJjc8qoxU8W_Jx0L-887-yj_nnC9ys0ZGlaMw_uT90IOKC0Y/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey getting sold by Joseph, his brotha from anotha motha, in the cigar shop</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawSqaViuUsDO69O40sC5DYS4hZrkLfhnBgKvdZ2Jp2m5Jg9GcxV0Q6ec-g3hkKyOhaLjboLYu8qzNGgWo8OmxSJnDVytOQZFVvRROF6luRnthlrz32Vt3YQKNvxYBIR0UbLEJJxw60s8/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawSqaViuUsDO69O40sC5DYS4hZrkLfhnBgKvdZ2Jp2m5Jg9GcxV0Q6ec-g3hkKyOhaLjboLYu8qzNGgWo8OmxSJnDVytOQZFVvRROF6luRnthlrz32Vt3YQKNvxYBIR0UbLEJJxw60s8/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, pensive at lunch over the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHICRSRxTW-09XXewKvQ7MVrjOWTDReNWI9qK54JkKcIUfeBxFNktDtENPGtkKSR568Pere8C_vHASbqAfwetWE9QMg0cnBAch6BvC1mDcAETxWgEO-k82VCD733XnlKCYJXdaVafC8Vo/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHICRSRxTW-09XXewKvQ7MVrjOWTDReNWI9qK54JkKcIUfeBxFNktDtENPGtkKSR568Pere8C_vHASbqAfwetWE9QMg0cnBAch6BvC1mDcAETxWgEO-k82VCD733XnlKCYJXdaVafC8Vo/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3AA8RLSQVAmCgY7s64bw1EaoFZlEr28buokPI-nOKGCXiMjgo7CbhftqDuWZXqAc6NLPIas1E-W3Kju-xoImoLTmWKnnSHo31xIbrEDkSeptDye3PbSBlzOjPgaqhCSwPDkx4X7nD88/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3AA8RLSQVAmCgY7s64bw1EaoFZlEr28buokPI-nOKGCXiMjgo7CbhftqDuWZXqAc6NLPIas1E-W3Kju-xoImoLTmWKnnSHo31xIbrEDkSeptDye3PbSBlzOjPgaqhCSwPDkx4X7nD88/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uvero Alto beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0takTIJopFmhByNs584E57jMchyphenhyphenQyPNxNvHNiGQ9FdnRjXurL3yhWMzU71ERWQiWYs6RNcDiPq_u2mmFhpeaZWssNqrYdOYPcc14MZ4s3_dDJVG0hCthyphenhyphen1EUp-hf2da8JE00eOKetDM/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0takTIJopFmhByNs584E57jMchyphenhyphenQyPNxNvHNiGQ9FdnRjXurL3yhWMzU71ERWQiWYs6RNcDiPq_u2mmFhpeaZWssNqrYdOYPcc14MZ4s3_dDJVG0hCthyphenhyphen1EUp-hf2da8JE00eOKetDM/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They will literally bring you anything right on the beach! Joey thinking about a tea sandwich</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ld1Qp7BH8xDL3O2_saJyfftoFPU2F2tsRfGXbNuZP_YfGXRIrMzdWmWhcc9Wnaw7t906clrVLp6B9ubx8MRbiWfGqxJg2kflP-bMvXTaqGV0AJc-cFXT20NRhNrIWm80vIrImoiZ0dI/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ld1Qp7BH8xDL3O2_saJyfftoFPU2F2tsRfGXbNuZP_YfGXRIrMzdWmWhcc9Wnaw7t906clrVLp6B9ubx8MRbiWfGqxJg2kflP-bMvXTaqGV0AJc-cFXT20NRhNrIWm80vIrImoiZ0dI/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey and I in the lobby before dinner</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF3j5B_H6EVIYZ4Fiv4MFdmV2sKmSij0QkaNzPKyxg2ITTh6lJ8Awzug9NMJ5OVoV2EMqDmvfL9cfsydMCyX8Ty8a3ANckuv1Z6w-50j_8KZrx56cXvhX-sBsr5Zs4HUChzY6_ATyuho/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF3j5B_H6EVIYZ4Fiv4MFdmV2sKmSij0QkaNzPKyxg2ITTh6lJ8Awzug9NMJ5OVoV2EMqDmvfL9cfsydMCyX8Ty8a3ANckuv1Z6w-50j_8KZrx56cXvhX-sBsr5Zs4HUChzY6_ATyuho/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only shot of food the whole trip, shocking. Surf n Turf Caribbean-style. Not like Maine, that's for sure</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPU2V4SeP-roZdkUnKn8CxRa_uKXsBHM93gRPkE34_p_9uiNoiuQfxLG2N1iQn8D__EdZcugjCENImvwGoBIVWl2nFRh4J-zkTODoY_i-akIqu9YUWFLrNmJeKXN5GITf0SddferPGEM/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPU2V4SeP-roZdkUnKn8CxRa_uKXsBHM93gRPkE34_p_9uiNoiuQfxLG2N1iQn8D__EdZcugjCENImvwGoBIVWl2nFRh4J-zkTODoY_i-akIqu9YUWFLrNmJeKXN5GITf0SddferPGEM/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+068.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IcjlE_A2Pae_xwu6tJXXa6rqOspl0rqxxfGCghIEuxdXezFaOWR-DLfO09em_SZQ0YD5eTEoSPmTTYD5tfWdhmUGuEjmTnV9fBAau-5zlr4xOBeD-SULoaNYY87WtKf2NluytoDJx5k/s1600/Punta+Cana+2011+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IcjlE_A2Pae_xwu6tJXXa6rqOspl0rqxxfGCghIEuxdXezFaOWR-DLfO09em_SZQ0YD5eTEoSPmTTYD5tfWdhmUGuEjmTnV9fBAau-5zlr4xOBeD-SULoaNYY87WtKf2NluytoDJx5k/s320/Punta+Cana+2011+089.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-84364078949675621142011-01-11T18:51:00.000-08:002011-01-11T18:51:56.763-08:00The Cleanse.I just started a juice cleanse on Monday, figured I'd share the deets.<br />
If you are ever looking to detox, cleanse, jump start a diet, or just try something really healthy for a change, doing a juice cleanse is a great idea. I have done one of these once before my wedding, but never really thought I'd do it again. Until the other day when I realized I have to get in a bathing suit in a few short moments. After the sobbing stopped, (kidding) I thought doing a 3-day juice cleanse could be a good plan to shed a few lbs before the poor people of the Dominican Republic have to look at me nearly nekid.<br />
<br />
The first cleanse I did before my wedding in May was with a company called Blue Print Cleanse (www.blueprintcleanse.com). I lost 4 pounds in 3 days. Pretty good, no?<br />
This time I opted for their competitor Cooler Cleanse (www.coolercleanse.com), just to give it a shot and try some other juices. These are the 2 dueling juice cleanse companies here in NYC. They both have the same idea, you can choose 1-day, 3-day, or 5-day cleanses. Blueprint has different levels for more advanced users, but who am I kidding? I will never be an advanced juicer. They both offer delivery options, or you can pick up your order at various locations in the city. I have only done the 3-day cleanse, thats pretty much all the juice I can handle. They deliver 3 small coolers to you, each with 6 juices that are clearly numbered so you know what order you should drink them in. You start with your breakfast drink, and have a juice every 2 hours throughout the day- to prevent from being too hungry. Oh did you think you drank the juices and still got to eat food? Umm no. JUST JUICE. For 3 days. Toughen up people.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the juices keep in your fridge for the 3 days of the cleanse. Its quite convenient, because you can just take each individual "cooler" to work with you.<br />
Each company has relatively the same types of drinks, with slight variations. I will speak to Cooler Cleanse, since thats the one I'm doing now.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyHXzZt0wjTEZqERYNDyoJr2SDUoWj_xsudCOwq-dxmXDAWurfwZn4n4trEGRAUHvA7_3FIWk5JPA641li3xEZB6-ngX4xrlb0wEIGxedCO8UoDGM0dgE1cWS3umWwUC-tmYhaPykHZA/s1600/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyHXzZt0wjTEZqERYNDyoJr2SDUoWj_xsudCOwq-dxmXDAWurfwZn4n4trEGRAUHvA7_3FIWk5JPA641li3xEZB6-ngX4xrlb0wEIGxedCO8UoDGM0dgE1cWS3umWwUC-tmYhaPykHZA/s320/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juices 1-6 in their order</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Drink #1- Essential Green, my least favorite, but still rather tasty considering what you're drinking. Its essentially all greens- spinach, kale, dandelion greens, with a touch of lemon and ginger to give it a bit of a kick.<br />
<br />
Drink #2- Ruby Red Grapefruit and Mint- extremely yummy and naturally sweet. (Blue Print does a pineapple/mint drink here- which is also pretty amazing)<br />
<br />
Drink #3- unfortunately your back to the Essential Green. Yes, twice. This second one I always have a little trouble getting down. Its during lunch time, when I'm usually pretty hungry anyway. Not to mention, my desk at the office is directly in front of the kitchen. The smells of food my coworkers cook in there from about noon until 1pm is a bit torturous at this point in the day.... is that a cheeseburger someone's cooking? Heating up last night's meatloaf? Did someone just order chinese food? I sadly stare at my green spinach juice but I muster through it, small sip by small sip... with the help of a straw. <br />
<br />
Drink #4- Coconut Water- SO much better than the kind you get in the deli- and I love those kinds too!<br />
<br />
Drink #5- Essential Red, beets, carrots, fuji apple, and lemon. This one has slowly become my favorite. Tastes like the best apple juice you've ever had. I may actually miss this one when it's over. Seriously.<br />
<br />
Drink #6- Almond Nut Milk with dates and vanilla bean- meant to taste like a milk shake for dinner... and actually kinda does, but maybe its just cause at this point in the day, you havent had any food, so milk begins to taste like a crazy awesome treat? Who cares. It's good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyRFLMYHkzafB__nEmbwy7P-MesfcC7vtkM_Y8IgTNiXhY8g4ShJKmDm0ZE_HD2n49gnj2oMPQ0LOFtZs7CkFE2yFdNitKQ5NhDpTdWzsPs3uwT6DjI95itOtFB1UU_-IgjGuVX4-_q0/s1600/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyRFLMYHkzafB__nEmbwy7P-MesfcC7vtkM_Y8IgTNiXhY8g4ShJKmDm0ZE_HD2n49gnj2oMPQ0LOFtZs7CkFE2yFdNitKQ5NhDpTdWzsPs3uwT6DjI95itOtFB1UU_-IgjGuVX4-_q0/s320/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Morale of the story, I'm only through day 2 of this cleanse. I did weigh myself the first morning, and I will weigh myself the morning of day 4 and report the findings. Regardless of actual weight loss, if there is any, it's a good thing to clean out your system every once in a while and not have to cook or meal plan for a few days. And for someone who loves food as much as I do, if I can do it, you can too.Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-78042015014074928702011-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:002011-01-09T18:01:19.150-08:00Looong overdue Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've been slacking on the posts, so I figured I'd combine a few entries into one.<br />
<br />
We spent NYE weekend in the Cape with friends.We planned on spending the weekend with some relaxation, seafood eating, and a good old fashioned new years eve celebration. <br />
<br />
It ended up being a weekend filled of Ping Pong, Beer Pong, HGTV House Hunters (sometimes in addition to the computer showing another episode, simultaneously-- this is what DINKS do) and on top of that...... the 30 year old hangovers (so much more brutal than the 21 year old kind). We did manage massive amounts of seafood (clams, lobsters, and oysters), which along with hopping around to Mumford and Sons and Rod Stewart and playing Cranium and Trouble, was really the best part of the weekend. Well that, and planning a European tour with the other DINKS in the car ride home. That will make for a fun post in October! <br />
<br />
(2 recipes to follow of our NYE dinner of Clams and Chorizo over Pasta and one of the yummy appetizers we served)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Some pics from the weekend</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx919ItdJYdebgh1UzzNd8fAiC30pNB9EnFWCi5k3AsRDp7tbS_h_IQd8mEqwIxY1ALXgdyjpvZsiD3meeAbHD3frbZqz_CJ3_0XykUrwoxjvV43TuP09OBNBUe75o9nLS9PO36Z2HBM/s1600/Cape+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx919ItdJYdebgh1UzzNd8fAiC30pNB9EnFWCi5k3AsRDp7tbS_h_IQd8mEqwIxY1ALXgdyjpvZsiD3meeAbHD3frbZqz_CJ3_0XykUrwoxjvV43TuP09OBNBUe75o9nLS9PO36Z2HBM/s320/Cape+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew ready for clams!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsp5gTL_1usBnMZSioKzV35wH7BDldQN3qcl3I5JGYj5SkD4raeWjwre-8LFy5XwHjWq60I2tmYzMSGfmJVI9jhBfSGYmCXIqgl8StROq5CLMfH_CIuMNuOQOU1U_U4_BqksSa8nrVqw/s1600/winter+cape+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsp5gTL_1usBnMZSioKzV35wH7BDldQN3qcl3I5JGYj5SkD4raeWjwre-8LFy5XwHjWq60I2tmYzMSGfmJVI9jhBfSGYmCXIqgl8StROq5CLMfH_CIuMNuOQOU1U_U4_BqksSa8nrVqw/s320/winter+cape+beach.jpg" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bay at sunset</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrTJlU-JTrY5g_G9j4xA1OExytw9Hw3HAVBFG2r-2NRpdOrKQm7KbXx76qxfTS2qX23tfFQSSzREOV1Y8qtBEzUDHWyShWH9HMoyWC7vMiSDTAjc42TQRghd99GMePruY7C_zfncDxAk/s1600/cheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrTJlU-JTrY5g_G9j4xA1OExytw9Hw3HAVBFG2r-2NRpdOrKQm7KbXx76qxfTS2qX23tfFQSSzREOV1Y8qtBEzUDHWyShWH9HMoyWC7vMiSDTAjc42TQRghd99GMePruY7C_zfncDxAk/s320/cheers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHEERS to 2011!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U8Znmk6B7mLWaXE2DvAdvoelQyQqB_ExZRxMuydSHXBg2FUplADiZNdhNZ-W34ROPEm5dHOC4JIVK-1Xl2rn7RKR537B4KNTtCCd1BF559frzwKqKL9f6bkbIxPAXT-j0Qeona8D1Dw/s1600/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U8Znmk6B7mLWaXE2DvAdvoelQyQqB_ExZRxMuydSHXBg2FUplADiZNdhNZ-W34ROPEm5dHOC4JIVK-1Xl2rn7RKR537B4KNTtCCd1BF559frzwKqKL9f6bkbIxPAXT-j0Qeona8D1Dw/s320/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster races</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1m-ZI06BLQgu1SCZ3IBnR9D-bi9Ne9vkrVdkS_5Z9xbjI5U1rU13V16weKV2_xgquCimBGgg0q_yXev48RMXKfHKXlTmxqEWHbcp4NLJderYJULrmzWvOWKVf3DkcH8fTvg1weAOHak/s1600/cape+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1m-ZI06BLQgu1SCZ3IBnR9D-bi9Ne9vkrVdkS_5Z9xbjI5U1rU13V16weKV2_xgquCimBGgg0q_yXev48RMXKfHKXlTmxqEWHbcp4NLJderYJULrmzWvOWKVf3DkcH8fTvg1weAOHak/s320/cape+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b>Hadley's Chorizo and Clam sauce</b></i> (shout out to my friend Hadley, who put this recipe together with me at the office one random afternoon, it has become a common dish I serve that is certainly well-liked). Since this recipe was created by us, I don't have exact measurements or instructions, but its not hard by any stretch of the imagination.<br />
<br />
2 dozen clams, cleaned- little necks or Itushus<br />
2 cans minced clams (don't be put off by the cans of clams, they have great flavor when cooked in this sauce, I promise!)<br />
2 cans whole clams<br />
Plum tomatoes (or whatever's fresh)<br />
Spanish Chorizo, removed from casing (hard to find, but the best kind for this recipe)<br />
Garlic (up to you how many cloves, I use around 4 medium sized)<br />
Dry white wine<br />
Small box of clam stock<br />
oregano<br />
anchovy paste (optional, but gives it great flavor)<br />
Linguine<br />
<br />
Cook pasta al dente, save some pasta water for sauce<br />
Simmer the garlic, some butter and/or olive oil.<br />
Add a tbsp or so of anchovy paste, if using <br />
Add chorizo while breaking it up in the pan, and brown<br />
Add white wine and simmer until it reduces<br />
Add tomatoes and oregano<br />
Add all jarred clams, continue simmering<br />
Add whole clams and clam stock<br />
Cover pot to open clams, add pasta water if need be. <br />
Throw out any that don't open. <br />
Serve sauce over pasta. It should be slightly liquidy, but mostly chorizo, clams, and tomatoes (see picture below)<br />
Serve with a sprinkle of chopped flat leaf parsley if you're feeling fancy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hMXKW0q1Uzcbwku-wpTDKcE_jo1a4Rl_W1AFybZ4kQ0xLut6OG_BRWiQuDvjsNfthMiNDlgxN5Bom1dGv0wE1s5IEr9yWoeM7yYoUw0uR_xSiGHxU-ZFqHKJrLQKkWejfpdKihHCWrg/s1600/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hMXKW0q1Uzcbwku-wpTDKcE_jo1a4Rl_W1AFybZ4kQ0xLut6OG_BRWiQuDvjsNfthMiNDlgxN5Bom1dGv0wE1s5IEr9yWoeM7yYoUw0uR_xSiGHxU-ZFqHKJrLQKkWejfpdKihHCWrg/s320/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+017.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I doubled, nearly tripled the recipe for the 7 of us</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Fake Turtles</b></i> (we made these for just something to snack on, they went fast and were SO tasty- the easiest things to make also)<br />
1 large bag of mini pretzels (the square-shaped ones work really well)<br />
1 large bag Rolos<br />
1 bag pecans<br />
<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350<br />
Arrange pretzels on a cookie sheet and place Rolo on top of each one.<br />
Bake for about 5 minutes, or until chocolate has begun to melt<br />
Remove them from the oven and press a pecan into each Rolo.<br />
Let them cool completely before serving... and watch them go quickly!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8wJd5G8gu7iJQGbjJSl_x3C8f0NdvEA-EtDdooy_ZkqlXRFkWl2TnjoBUMQ1r3rUmQQJkYOGVad6ydff97VchXo3jd-qT8DknQ3bQXZ-CRAq_8sgeqDvYb92SLXETaBzYOa-aSoJDqI/s1600/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8wJd5G8gu7iJQGbjJSl_x3C8f0NdvEA-EtDdooy_ZkqlXRFkWl2TnjoBUMQ1r3rUmQQJkYOGVad6ydff97VchXo3jd-qT8DknQ3bQXZ-CRAq_8sgeqDvYb92SLXETaBzYOa-aSoJDqI/s320/Cape+Cod+NYE+11+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_25315958"></span><span id="goog_25315959"></span>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-27908778003695432882010-12-27T08:37:00.000-08:002010-12-27T08:37:21.665-08:00Gluten-free Pumpkin Spice Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was from my second mommy (or third, depending on how you look at it), The Deb. It was the cook book from Baby Cakes, a gluten-free, mostly vegan bakery in downtown Manhattan. www.babycakesnyc.com<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rM1NFb9b5lAFov0CA9OILcpBrl7u2CsoBZj2dlbjjI-K-BLHkhuQ_2AkeNVqYnh7EOMgxJh3sZPfrVnq0NMzxjXuK7nDudLmh3YKcW5lUCtwseAtnfpyFKyx2wWb80xe6sShyiOjE6o/s1600/Jeff%2527s+birthday+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rM1NFb9b5lAFov0CA9OILcpBrl7u2CsoBZj2dlbjjI-K-BLHkhuQ_2AkeNVqYnh7EOMgxJh3sZPfrVnq0NMzxjXuK7nDudLmh3YKcW5lUCtwseAtnfpyFKyx2wWb80xe6sShyiOjE6o/s320/Jeff%2527s+birthday+040.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The book has all their delicious baked goods from muffins and cupcakes to cookies and cobblers. For someone who has recently been attempting to figure out this gluten allergy thing, this may become my new best friend. At first glance, a lot of the ingredients looked quite suspect and I had no idea how I would find them, because I hadn't even heard of half of them. That is, until I went to the natural foods store and was easily able to find everything with a little help from the store clerk. The gluten free stuff tends to be a tad more pricey than "regular" ingredients, but well worth it to not have to deal with the effects of the gluten!<br />
<br />
The recipe was extremely easy. I did end up adding more cook time to get the toothpick to come out slightly clean, about 4 more minutes or so (and it still didn't come out completely clean). But after letting them sit in the muffin tins for a few minutes, they came out incredibly moist and really tasty!<br />
<br />
I also provided some pictures of the ingredients, so you know what you're looking for at the store. <br />
<br />
<b><i>BabyCakes Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free all-purpose flour </i></b><br />
<b><i>2 tsps baking powder</i></b><br />
<b><i>2 tsps baking soda</i></b><br />
<b><i>1 tsp xanthan gum</i></b><br />
<b><i>1 tsp salt</i></b><br />
<b><i>1 Tbsp ground cinnamon</i></b><br />
<b><i>1 Tbsp ground ginger (this provides a lot of spice, so if you'd prefer more traditional pumpkin and less "spice" you may want to substitute this with something like nutmeg and/or pumpkin pie spice- I might give that a try next time)</i></b><br />
<b><i>1/2 cup coconut oil (this comes solid, but you need to melt it in the microwave first, coincidentally you can also rub it in you hair or on your heels for softness!)</i></b><br />
<b><i>2/3 cup agave nectar</i></b><br />
<b><i>2/3 cup rice milk</i></b><br />
<b><i>2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract</i></b><br />
<b><i>1 1/2 cups canned unsweetened pumpkin puree</i></b><br />
<b><i>1/2 cup hot water</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i>Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Line standard muffin tin with paper liners</i></b><br />
<b><i>In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. </i></b><br />
<b><i>Add the oil, agave nectar, rice milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Stir until smooth and thick.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Using a spatula, fold in the pumpkin and hot water until both are evenly distributed throughout the batter. </i></b><br />
<b><i>Pour 1/3 cup batter into prepared muffin cups, almost filling them. </i></b><br />
<b><i>Bake muffins on the center rack for 22 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees after 10 minutes. </i></b><br />
<b><i>The finished muffins will be soft to the touch, and a toothpick will come out clean. </i></b><br />
<b><i>Let muffins sit in tins for about 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool completely. </i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtmlbi9Q-NqrILDVezN-xQrWVEsF9IOYHVYCuI365pHjIzJ0iLiyG0ERprCRzItrHtn6H1Q8vt90aGOBOen6aLeW3NXNQeNVQXzfak1mDuZ_YGZzhmP6rhifOv2xuj0r88WWqpmnv-BA/s1600/Jeff%2527s+birthday+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtmlbi9Q-NqrILDVezN-xQrWVEsF9IOYHVYCuI365pHjIzJ0iLiyG0ERprCRzItrHtn6H1Q8vt90aGOBOen6aLeW3NXNQeNVQXzfak1mDuZ_YGZzhmP6rhifOv2xuj0r88WWqpmnv-BA/s320/Jeff%2527s+birthday+048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.</i></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zgdHUiR5oha6Fz31y8u2CTjyxHdvzPowoVCfOay2yRPnjZTcWN-MMAMKUh5n2MB416s_37uBSgXTH5jOCyyehl2rSbi2MXddkkP35z-mP7pkq97OcVvrhVFHV9AS4A6lqpAUkkAGJyM/s1600/Jeff%2527s+birthday+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zgdHUiR5oha6Fz31y8u2CTjyxHdvzPowoVCfOay2yRPnjZTcWN-MMAMKUh5n2MB416s_37uBSgXTH5jOCyyehl2rSbi2MXddkkP35z-mP7pkq97OcVvrhVFHV9AS4A6lqpAUkkAGJyM/s320/Jeff%2527s+birthday+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob's Red Mill brand comes highly recommended by BabyCakes, and no, xanthan gum is not really gum.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-8918617029162148162010-12-23T12:34:00.000-08:002010-12-23T13:16:18.508-08:00The joys of living in Manhattan... a tribute to my roommate/husband.My last post before we're all happy and jolly for Christmas and New Years. <br />
<br />
My husband and I have been dealing with the noise-factor living in this great city for about 3 years.... basically ever since I moved away from the peace and quiet of Wall St, we havent been able to find a quiet(er) place to live. Now I know all you suburbanites will want to chime in here and talk about why we should move out to Your Town, USA, but save your breath people, it aint happening... YET. But that doesnt mean that I still can't bitch about some of the stuff that really grinds my gears while I continue to live here. All my other posts will contain things about how great this city is for all other reasons. Like being able to walk out my apartment door and in 4 minutes be at Craftbar and have a great meal created by none other than Tom Colicchio. Or being able to leave work early yesterday to walk a few blocks to go see Jersey Boys. Or being able to walk through Central Park during the holidays and hit the Boat House for a drink on a random Wednesday. The options are endless. Soooo just give me a few minutes to vent.<br />
<br />
When I say we've been "dealing" with the noise, what I really should say is we've been BATTLING and losing the war. We moved to Jersey City when Joey moved back to the right coast, to give somewhere outside the city a try. Proved to be a bad call. We lived directly over the busiest 2 intersections known to man. Bus stop, PATH stop, hospital down the street, honking the second each light turned green, combined with paper thin "windows". Sitting in our living room was literally stressful. Having to pause and mute the tv to wait for the honking to stop, or the sirens to pass. Thank God for DVR. After sticking out a year in JC, attempting to buy a place there (again, than God that fell through), we moved back into the city. <br />
<br />
Stuy Town was great because it introduced me to the East Village. After spending a lot of time on Ave B and St Marks with my 2 besties, moving to 1st Ave opened more doors for me in that great area of the city. The short walk to great, cheap, eclectic restaurants might've been the only good thing about living there. This was also the first time living without a doorman. I dont think people outside major cities understand how important having a doorman is... and this isnt just to have him open the door for you. Having to pick up a UPS package that was "attempted" to be delivered 4 times to your apartment that ends up at the UPS warehouse could possibly be the most annoying thing in the world. Cabbing (because there are no subways that go there) all the way out to the west village, practically ON the west side hwy is NOT convenient. Picking up a huge package when you dont have a car and have to flag down another cab is also, not convenient. How bad do I actually want this package? <br />
<br />
I digress.... our apartment window in Stuy Town basically faced out to what they call Bedpan Alley. Yes, thats correct- a strip of road on 1st Avenue between 4 hospitals. You can't even imagine the emergencies that go on in this city until you live here. Sirens every hour of every day and night. You'd think the reason they dont make solid windows in NYC is because buildings are old... but no, the newer buildings dont have them either because they put them up too fast and dont care about using strong materials. So again, ambulances essentially going through our living room and bedroom at all hours. I havent had a good night's sleep in 3 years. Unbearable isn't even the word. <br />
<br />
The next year, yes thats right, I move every single year... another joy of living in NYC.... we find a great place in Gramercy. We think we've done it, found a quiet place, nice neighbors, good price, great location. YESS!!!!!! Fist pump.<br />
Wrong. <br />
<br />
We now deal with all of the above AND a late night garbage truck and an early morning car alarm... every morning. Joey wrote this to our neighbors this morning. We are thinking of putting it under their door. Thoughts?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello. We’re sure that you are keenly aware of the IESI dump truck that comes between 11:30 and 12:30 every night and rams large wooden objects into the metal dump truck for 10-15 minutes. This has been our only gripe about living here since moving in. That is, until you decided to build a bowling alley in your apartment, which is open from 11:30pm – 1:30am (Monday-Friday). Please close the lanes, or at least bowl without high heels on. Its only a<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> few hours of quiet time before the car alarm goes off at 7am and the street sweeper begins round 1 of 5 at around the same time."</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">Thank you NYC for being my favorite non-peaceful, noisy-as-hell, place to live on the planet. I'm out folks, more upbeat/happy posts to come after this fabulous weekend I'm about to have. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">PS. My apologies, this was the quickest entry ever. lots of typos and bs I'm sure, but needed to get this off my chest. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. </span></span></div>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-70545717347761406042010-12-20T18:57:00.000-08:002010-12-23T07:51:15.142-08:00Dinner with the DINKSIf my first post wasn't about food, this just wouldn't be right. Coincidentally, I may have just had the best meal of my life last night. What a perfect day for my first official blog post!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kpFytOdKgZvAZuLJk-7KTkQsbyh3A95SVgu_KmoiqCPCZfqfl0ltk4vDdK0yGzi5UC1ItDBr_jJwul6Zqo4Z2lByypCW8YvrYYikA27KJCyCkzLJdrNeF-IoGiX2UTzoMCdBxTOu3oM/s1600/BG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kpFytOdKgZvAZuLJk-7KTkQsbyh3A95SVgu_KmoiqCPCZfqfl0ltk4vDdK0yGzi5UC1ItDBr_jJwul6Zqo4Z2lByypCW8YvrYYikA27KJCyCkzLJdrNeF-IoGiX2UTzoMCdBxTOu3oM/s200/BG.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Last night my friend Laura and I took our husbands to Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, NY. This was our surprise Christmas gift to them, kept them guessing up to the moment we pulled in. If you've never heard of this place, you either don't live in the NY Metro area or aren't a foodie. Stone Barns is a complete working farm and greenhouse, with Blue Hill being the restaurant on the property. Blue Hill also has a sister restaurant in the city, but the location at the farm "upstate" is known to be one of the best restaurants for farm fresh food. Everything Chef Dan Barber prepares is fresh off the farm (or other local farms in the Hudson Valley area) from that very day. Whether a picked vegetable, an egg laid that same morning, or some form of mammal or fish. They call the meal "Farmer's Feasts", and they aren't kidding! There is no menu, list of food, or choices. The waiter asks a few questions to see how adventurous an eater your party is (raw fish, brains, tongue, intestines- the list goes on), or if there are any allergies they should be made aware of, etc. They chef has already decided on the freshest ingredients for the day and how he would like to prepare them. All you have to do is tell the waiter if you want the 5 course or 8 course feast. <br />
Do you even need to ask which we chose?<br />
After much anticipation, they finally started with the vegetable courses. It's plural because throughout this meal, none of us had any distinction which number course we were on. It felt like they just continued to bring massive amounts of food out. The first grouping of vegetables were raw, I don't even think there was any seasoning on them, nor do I know what some of them were. A carrot, a broccoli/cauliflower thing, some sort of cross between an apple/pear/fig/beet thing, grouped with a celery-apple juice and a side of smoked kale (literally a kale "potato" chip). I've never tasted such fresh and juicy vegetables before in my life.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzhONmgfKBUWRld2jWPlM6Mbq_jkFeYpgo1D45SmcLEj6SD6ExweWoXbZApBWuW26IqEG9VHL18YJkKA5OjkOEtyIxhd9pNhuB5No_IWxsQzA5sLZFmmKTqkUb_VmLnhDLXFVfjVhGdg/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzhONmgfKBUWRld2jWPlM6Mbq_jkFeYpgo1D45SmcLEj6SD6ExweWoXbZApBWuW26IqEG9VHL18YJkKA5OjkOEtyIxhd9pNhuB5No_IWxsQzA5sLZFmmKTqkUb_VmLnhDLXFVfjVhGdg/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toasted Kale, Celery Apple Juice, vegetable medley in the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
After we polished off the veggies and did the celery shooters, they threw beet "sliders" at us. Yes, a teeny tiny hamburger looking thing, except it was a beet, that proved to be one of our favorite items of the evening. Salsify (had to google thing one) wrapped in panchetta was next, pretty much tasted like a heavenly, juicier french fry (but there was nothing fried about it). Then some cured Berkshire ham and speck. Maybe the best beet salad with yogurt dressing on one side, leafy greens, and a pine nut "peanut butter" type spread. Put them together and you have culinary fabulousness. The next plate (or slab) they brought out for each of us had a roasted red onion with 3 choices of tapanades (olive, beet, green onion) to top it with. After the onion we had fresh baked warm bread (hello gluten! yes please!) with farm fresh butter and celery root and shitake mushrooms salts to try. Next "course" (what number are we on?) was a second favorite, butternut squash puree, done similar to a creme brulee, torched on top with spiced bread crumbs and ginger foam. This was pretty much the epitome of a winter comfort meal, without all the crap that make a meal considered "comfort". We then feasted on razor clams with celery root puree, followed by Stone Barns' take on breakfast with "today's egg", soft boiled and fried in bread crumbs coupled with homemade pastrami, black trumpet mushrooms, squash, and lettuce froth. This pretty much tasted like a really fancy-adult egg sandwich the second you broke the yolk into the bowl.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaDDTIzSC1yLr-yUsM0X-h6oVMSzkBvuATnAle0pYwyGEJvpwT6eehyYOg3KDL-hra0fb2apHgGW-WOnKOP7UMhT1yuGCnLakYQTgEFHGzTckhe1kt6JLgXSdiCtLnIkCtCKRMh2fiNU/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaDDTIzSC1yLr-yUsM0X-h6oVMSzkBvuATnAle0pYwyGEJvpwT6eehyYOg3KDL-hra0fb2apHgGW-WOnKOP7UMhT1yuGCnLakYQTgEFHGzTckhe1kt6JLgXSdiCtLnIkCtCKRMh2fiNU/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft boiled "today's egg" with pastrami, trumpet mushrooms and lettuce foam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Next course was the venison with herbed grains and brussels. I'm pretty sure Ive had venison maybe one other time in my life. I remember a tough piece of a poor mans steak. This experience was the complete opposite. The venison was cooked to perfection, fabulously salty, and literally melted in your mouth with every bite. Thank you Bambi.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MybO48v02wAxiHQYsVj7vQ5esCMo-hc9hXlol44bbQzPVJJ02-lsJoSnIgUIHosYMBIWiNlqsmYkPJ9YzbSen3P8AVkeTkAu9RApxBpqTrwCmTFvWNhoIUN_IRUIMoRq3V7bZmvzDY/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MybO48v02wAxiHQYsVj7vQ5esCMo-hc9hXlol44bbQzPVJJ02-lsJoSnIgUIHosYMBIWiNlqsmYkPJ9YzbSen3P8AVkeTkAu9RApxBpqTrwCmTFvWNhoIUN_IRUIMoRq3V7bZmvzDY/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfectly cooked venison with herbed greens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This was the point in the meal where we all said to each other "when are the brains coming out? Is this the most outrageous they can do?" To which I got a little nervous. Do I really need to eat brains, or tongue for that matter? This meal has been perfection so far, why muck it up with something too ridiculous? I'll pretty much try anything once, but I'm not one to push the issue. If the chef says the venison is fresher than the brains, let's just go with that. But Jeff and Joe couldn't resist.... Joe summoned the waiter over to ask him when the brains were coming. To their disappointment, brains were not available today. The waiter said they just ask those questions to find out what kind of party they are dealing with, and if the chef has to restrict himself at all. Well certainly not with this table!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Waiter leaves the table, comes back about 5 minutes later with little narrow spoon-like tools and places them at each of our place settings. "The chef has come up with something" he says and walks away. If anyone knows me, you know I hate surprises. They make me nervous and uncomfortable... except with food. I love food surprises, but I wasn't so sure with this one. Well turns out, I've never been surprised with something so scary, yet fabulous before in my life. What felt like another 5 minutes later (surely it had to be longer?!), out come 4 waiters with 4 slabs of wood in their hands. Placed in front of each of us was a "Hudson Valley veal bone topped with liver and duck gizzards. We were to use our tools and scoop out marrow. Now, I've tasted bone marrow before, but this was unlike anything I've seen. Pretty much looked straight out of a horror movie- as you can see from the picture- the veal bone was essentially sawed in half and secured by a metal clamp on our wood slabs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I don't think any one of us even hesitated. We dug right in... literally. The oohs, ahhs, and ummms that came next were actually pretty amusing. To say we were pleasantly surprised would be the biggest understatement of the year. This was amazing. The best fatty, salty, indulgent, goo I've ever had. I hope I haven't offended any of you calf-lovers, but you should've seen my husband. He practically took the bone out of the clamp and started sucking on it directly from his mouth. I wouldn't have wanted to witness what he would've done if a straw was handy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYTJxpNJ_2wvQlkODoyL30oOBdSdcwxsUrVEIqC-IdeBdLdV2WxBBXizrnDM2Oe6LiMeH0pRmS1ExopfXktdPAZeWPMZ9X8L8zsZ3xb9qwU7rxDgCOj2rYm_jLtLX0hzv_amMkODvAA8/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYTJxpNJ_2wvQlkODoyL30oOBdSdcwxsUrVEIqC-IdeBdLdV2WxBBXizrnDM2Oe6LiMeH0pRmS1ExopfXktdPAZeWPMZ9X8L8zsZ3xb9qwU7rxDgCOj2rYm_jLtLX0hzv_amMkODvAA8/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudson Valley veal bone marrow with duck gizzards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6FX0MeowNUS4YACvgSPDJAugP8D6rxlcAUJzQD1SApt6zlKZZbtmuY-N1Fu24msNMQPyrKZaRZNKtglCXGEMDFi-ynjlOl3l9rCgqxKrJ7badKOewf843sQPCB93zhoqWYO7ZHTN2vs/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6FX0MeowNUS4YACvgSPDJAugP8D6rxlcAUJzQD1SApt6zlKZZbtmuY-N1Fu24msNMQPyrKZaRZNKtglCXGEMDFi-ynjlOl3l9rCgqxKrJ7badKOewf843sQPCB93zhoqWYO7ZHTN2vs/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty Hudson Valley bone marrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The desserts, yes there were 2 for each of us, cue full bellies here, were green apple sorbet with cold oats- which went down smoothly. It wasn't until they served the final course, a spiced bread pudding with poached pears that our stomachs were stretched to the absolute max.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfdwAqZD2EkfAQUI9hP62eprHXZRagvHDXDnmkewEOkDRUnGzDVVmA8ndOySc94JMSX2sfHjreGGfFjeVPSIx6KEDAuQR-HBgxf6hpGNeBZZTZ-yVeB2sPz4ZdrDx1O9l9HYkJ-qYXGM/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfdwAqZD2EkfAQUI9hP62eprHXZRagvHDXDnmkewEOkDRUnGzDVVmA8ndOySc94JMSX2sfHjreGGfFjeVPSIx6KEDAuQR-HBgxf6hpGNeBZZTZ-yVeB2sPz4ZdrDx1O9l9HYkJ-qYXGM/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green apple sorbet with cold oats</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnheaELbi-IIJheAroOxAnpgSxnC0I4FNWHbP9qYWof4e8CCN0B9LqQZ0JUroWCWDDdnsdPkJZh9I6L1nZIZjoNmLlwPSzGLS4a3VtQUNhtaL8n4G3jn0oE7vxu7EojbUpMLchxPTx4Y/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnheaELbi-IIJheAroOxAnpgSxnC0I4FNWHbP9qYWof4e8CCN0B9LqQZ0JUroWCWDDdnsdPkJZh9I6L1nZIZjoNmLlwPSzGLS4a3VtQUNhtaL8n4G3jn0oE7vxu7EojbUpMLchxPTx4Y/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiced bread pudding with poached pears and vanilla ice cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Although a few bites were left in my hot skillet, I couldn't have been more satisfied with Dan Barber's culinary genius. Both desserts were perfect endings to an absolutely fabulous winter meal. I think the husbands were more than satisfied, and the best part??? I may have finally introduced Joe to his favorite meal ever. Which if you know him and his food snobbery, is a near impossible thing to achieve. SUCCESS!<br />
<br />
Job well done Mr. Barber. Thank you for making our Christmas gift one to remember. And thanks to Jeff and Laura for being total troopers with us and enjoying every second of that foodie meal. I can already see many more foodie posts in my future, with you both included!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVmw3eeQFO4Tv7tLxaMfc2TepsI5qz0UP0aeZ_CqJ0QW626OFwgWbKrLCaaPLqqayoVsyW2av7gnC3_jw7ORBpJ8bGM0ayqOdEvQM39QK_y9OvplkR6aCR5XIE75xq_9irRrYLKBBLeU/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVmw3eeQFO4Tv7tLxaMfc2TepsI5qz0UP0aeZ_CqJ0QW626OFwgWbKrLCaaPLqqayoVsyW2av7gnC3_jw7ORBpJ8bGM0ayqOdEvQM39QK_y9OvplkR6aCR5XIE75xq_9irRrYLKBBLeU/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+016.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff finishing his meal with his Pansy... oops I mean Peony, tea. Pinky up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6gNmhNeQ3I2frJv5drOykdkwu3FEEJQeExYscARJallmZgXFWdIx2i2yuXA8v2RuJSjqeQLcq3oNe-Ni3qb92Omn74QZdl94-8-_zuPijeMHagqfcpeusqGKr2RrHQJZL2A7BsMI3CE/s1600/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6gNmhNeQ3I2frJv5drOykdkwu3FEEJQeExYscARJallmZgXFWdIx2i2yuXA8v2RuJSjqeQLcq3oNe-Ni3qb92Omn74QZdl94-8-_zuPijeMHagqfcpeusqGKr2RrHQJZL2A7BsMI3CE/s320/Blue+Hill+at+Stone+Barns+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy, purple-lipped and very full, DINKS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'd also like to credit my boss Alicia for the term DINKS. This will be used for MANY more posts, as it seems to sum up my life these days. Double Income No Kids. Thanks to my husband for being able to share these fabulous DINK-memories together.... we know we are very lucky and very blessed. Many more DINK posts to come! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734886571446337363.post-17949230645307040872010-12-14T07:47:00.000-08:002010-12-15T18:34:21.614-08:00Beeney Blogging?For a while I've thought of blogs as someone's excuse just to talk about themselves. Their Facebook status updates, just a lot longer and more detailed. Although I have been one to update my status every so often, the people that do it with every breath, really bother me. No one cares about your bad day at work and the fact that you are having a glass of wine. We've all been there. No one cares that your car broke down the highway and you're waiting for Triple A. I certainly don't care that your water just broke (Yes I actually saw that yesterday- in addition to her every second update on her belly bump, the kids head facing the wrong way, her last day at work, the soreness in her feet, the EPIDURAL DETAILS- her latest update). So the idea of a blog didn't come easily, to say the least.<br />
<br />
Just a few weeks ago, while reading my sister-in-laws overdue blog post about Plum Crunch for the 13th time, I realized I was missing her regular updates. It was then I realized I actually enjoyed reading up on people's "stuff", and thought "Hey, I could actually do this". So I made the official decision to actually go through with it a few days ago. The next issue was coming up with some creative name for my blog. Everyone that was any good at blogging had a cute catchy blog name (Failed Attempts at Being Fabulous, Kathy is Abroad, Escaping the Rat Race, the list goes on). Considering myself one of the least creative people on the planet, this proved to be difficult. So I enlisted the help of close friends and family to try and come up with something. Blogging with Beeney was the first suggestion (thank you Min), Treks in the City (among others) from my creative and artistic-minded brother, and the best I could come up with was Newlywed in New York? Epitomy of lame and boring. Leave it to my husband to list off about 5 in a matter of minutes, and come up with the winner, Running Erins. I felt this one fit the bill the best and am not in the least bit surprised it came from Joe.<br />
<br />
Anyway this blog is my attempt at bringing a little "life" to my life. Don't get my wrong, I love my life. I love my family, my husband, my friends, I even love my job (as much as you can "love" your job). I just felt I needed to do something different, a new hobby to document my life. An online diary, if you will. A place to share some of my favorite people, places, and things. I haven't decided what my first real post would be, this one's more like a disclaimer. I imagine with the holidays right around the corner, I'll do something festive, but who knows.<br />
<br />
All I ask from you lovely readers is to not judge, as I have. I am not a good writer. I don't claim to be. I sucked at Creative Writing, and have always been a solid "B" student in English. So please excuse the bad grammar, the commas in the wrong places, or god forbid a spelling typo. This is not about the actual writing on the blog. It's just me having fun, writing about stuff I care about- the real life stuff.... You know- food, restaurants, fashion, parties, my wonderful city, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Harry Potter. <br />
<br />
Now if I can only figure out how to insert pictures and make this slightly more interesting......Erin Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744653459004804569noreply@blogger.com4