Brussel Sprout Inspiration

I happen to love a brussel sprout but this is not a consensus shared by most.  I, too, used to have a negative connotation with le sprout because my only memory was of an over-boiled, mushy sphere.  Yech.  Now they're a most fave veggie, and I'm loving them in salads this Summer.  



Super basic - just tear off the sprout leaves and blanch (about one minute in boiling water and then put into an ice water bath), add currants, hazelnuts, shaved Parmesan and toss in a vinaigrette.  To make the salad a little heavier, add pancetta.

For Fall & Winter, try roasting them with olive oil, salt & pepper.  You'll never stop:-) 

p.s. I crave the brussel sprout salad from Sunda - crispy leaves served with chilis, fried shallots and minced shrimp.  Mmm.

Next's Next Menu - Thailand!

I'm going to NEXT.  Thanks to the hard work of one amazing friend.  Check out Mr. Achatz's Thai menu!

T-15 days!

Gilt Bar

tenderloin steak tartare

Admittedly, I've been a fan of the latest influx of downtown restaurants - Hubbard Inn, Paris Club and GT Fish & Oyster to name several - but my current obsession is Gilt Bar.  Anyone who has been to Maude's Liquor Bar will immediately recognize similarities among ambiance and menu items but Gilt offers a speakeasy vibe as compared to MLB's more Violet Hour flare.

Tonite, I met one of my favorite food companions, Jason, for cocktails, heavy apps and a much needed catch-up.  We started with the burrata over a bed of split peas, arugula & radishes followed by tenderloin steak tartare with a slow poached egg yolk, shallots & capers and the blackened cauliflower with pickled red onion, capers & chili.  These savory dishes were perfectly rounded out with the sticky date cake and coffee ice cream.  Already contemplating my next visit:-)

Pretty Pics

linguine with fresh pesto

campari and soda with a 2 inch cocktail ice cube

Lox on Sourdough

Been luvin' lox since I was a tike and they always remind me of my DAD.  He'd make (and still does) the best scrambled eggs with a side of lox AND he'd let my brother and I have chocolate milk with said eggs and lox.  Best.DAD.ever.  I added sourdough toast to the mix and created an open-faced breakfast sam!