FOOD IS LOVE. One More for the Road

When things get tough in married life, I ask myself, "WHY?".
Then, my husband gently reminds me with things like PIZZA.
Exhibits A and B are two of the recent examples of why I married my husband. They are examples of WHY I LOVE MY HUSBAND.
The pizza you see here was made BY MY HUSBAND and it was, by my VERY HIGH STANDARDS- PIZZA STANDARDS- D E L I C I O U S. Homeboy got a bug up his ass late in the day to make some pizza using the pizza stone he had recently purchased. We had been out shopping and running errands all day and I was FAMISHED. Famished+Me=a very bad situation. I kept my mouth shut, not really, as he questioned me about what ingredients he needed to purchase from the market and how to make the sauce, etc. I proclaimed myself not part of the situation. He was on his own. I was hungry, I could not think straight and I certainly could not wait another couple of hours for him to run all over Brooklyn trying to locate the necessaries involved in creating his masterpiece.
Nevertheless, I rattled off a list of what we did not have at home and instructed him on the makings of a simple pizza sauce.

Sometime between me crashing on the couch and popping "City of Women" in the DVD player and dosing off and on an aroma, much like the ones in the cartoons that look like a ghost and travel under the cartoon characters nose and then form a finger beckoning them forth, did just that. When I entered the dining room there it was looking up at me. Mozzarella-homemade from the ninety-something year old Italian lady up the block, prosciutto (San Danielle), fresh basil, San Marzano tomatoes (are there really any other?). I remembered the dried Sicilian oregano and my Calabrese chilies and the arugula that was sitting in the fridge and made a run for them. Armed and ready for dinner I sat down to the most wonderful gift a man can give a woman: Homemade Pizza.
How could it be so good if it was his first time? What about the dough? I am sure you are wondering, and what I ask you is this: Have you ever eaten something made with so much passion, excitement, and care? All of these are absolutely imperative when cooking. One could argue they make anything one engages in better, or more complete. There is nothing worse than food made with no emotion. We eat it everyday, unfortunately. Maybe that is why we are so sick and fat and depressed and on all these pills all the time? I am sure that must be part of a much bigger equation. Nevertheless, that night I sat down to one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. The boy is good and I am fortunate.
I could have eaten the whole pie and would have had he not rescued two pieces to share with our landlords downstairs.
Now, I am on to my next adventure. I will have much to report on this very special trip. In just a couple of days, I will return to the land of my ancestors. It is a mystical island that has a rich and colorful history unlike any other. No, not Long Island. I will be in Sicily eating and drinking myself silly and documenting every part of it. Panelle, cassatta, nero d'avola, calamari, pulpo, lemons, anchovies, sardines!!! AHHHHHHHH!
No doubt I will return to the States depressed and unable to eat anything "Italian"- and broker than a mo'fo'. However, I will be rich in experience, exotic and strange amaros, and probably a little more, how do you say in english? Oh, fat.
Bring me the CURED MEAT!

2006, BUH-BYE!

All my life I waited until the last minute to do any assignment in school. Why change things now?
So , here it is. The ubiquitous, YEAR IN REVIEW 2006.


Let's just get on with it? All right then?

2006 began with a black Moleskine book that I was determined to scribble little things in about wine I tasted that I liked, delicious cheeses I encountered along the way, restaurants I would like to visit listed by city, etc. Mission accomplished. I also started a list. A very long list. I wrote down every meal I ate out. Truth be told I stopped tracking the $3.00 Oasis falaffels about 3/4 of the way into the year. Otherwise, I complied a very healthy list. What I really wanted to do was to prove to my husband that I do not eat out too much. After the first month it became a little obsessive and I was tracking what I spent. That had to be stopped about a quarter of the way through- TMI(too much information).

If I had the time I would transcribe the entire list. January 1, 2006 starts with brunch as CLINTON STREET BAKING CO.
You know when they say there are signs everywhere and we all have a third eye and to go with your instinct and all that crap? Yeah, BELIEVE IT!!! I can track mine through food. Are you surprised? Or just a little freaked out? Maybe a little of both!? Anyway, while we waited and hour and 45 minutes for our table we walked down to the then new Falai spot and I tasted the FOUR pastries the boys got to kill some time. That Iacopo Falai! How dare he! I kid, of course, as I love him and all that he does.
Now, if I continue to go through the list one experience at a time the whole year, this is going to turn into a book- uh-oh- is my mother reading this? I'll never hear the end of it...

Here are some highlights, low lights and in-between:

January 2006
VERITAS
Lord, have mercy on my soul. Even though they'll never hire me, I still love that Scott Bryan. Cheeky bastard! WHAT DID I PUT IN MY MOUTH THERE???!?!!! uuuuhhhhhh, red, red wiiinnnneeeeee QUERCIABELLA CHIANTI 2003- and some pork belly maybe and CHEESE.

February 2006
MOMOFUKU
My first time. I was a David Chang virgin. PIG PIG PIGGEDY PIG PIG. (I'm not talking about the owner anymore.) SEASONAL.
HITACHINO, my favorite beers.
Thank you, you pompous son of a bitch.
Others worth mention that month: Atlantic Chip Shop. I didn't realize there was CRACK in fish and chips.

March 2006
BLUE HILL
We got an offer to cook from the chef and we of course said in our finest Rockefeller speak, "F%&@# YES PLEASE". Only when the server asked what or if we had any dietary restrictions she misunderstood and thought we said vegetarian but we eat fish. I can only imagine that could have been the case as I am pretty sure I said I eat pork and there was no pig in my food that night. I am also pretty sure that I will never eat anything so elegant, clean, fresh, bright, and savory then what we had that night. But, no cheese plate. Two desserts. There is always next time. Did I mention they have the best wine director in the city? CLAIRE PAPARAZZO. Remember that name. Do you think it would be weird if the next time I went in for dinner I would wear a rhinestone shirt declaring, "I HEART CLAIRE"?

April 2006
PRUNE. TIA POL.
Sweetbreads!!! I ATE SWEETBREADS!!! With capers and bacon and butter. AND I LOVE THEM!!!
Looking back on this was a great food month. I spent time with some really fantastic eating companions. The visit to Tia Pol turned into a visit to Del Posto. Yeah, that was rich. At Del Posto the gentleman who took our order in the "bar room" explained a cocktail to me by declaring that it would, "knock me on my ass". There the eating and drinking continued. My husband ordered a dish of pasta and they sent out two others with it. One of them was tripe. The seasoning tasting like there was nutmeg or cinnamon in it. It was beautiful.
I also made my first trip to the newly opened Dressler in April. AND I NOW TAKE BACK EVERYTHING I SAID. (I returned in October and the food was MUCH MUCH M U C H better). Prune I wound up at after drinking one too many Champagnes after work. We sat at the beautiful bar and ate like kings. The sweetbreads changed my life and I think I might have cried a little. Monkfish liver- not so much.

May 2006
CHEZ M#$@%er F$)%@)* PANISSE
I ate out 18 times. I was on vacation in San Francisco so this counts breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, Bovolo. Bovolo is in Healdsburg, California. Slow food all the way. Black pig bacon, egg, carmody cheddar sandwich. (see above pic).
Chez Panisse was LOVELY. Stinging nettle pizza. I think I might have had an outer-body experience while I was there. The service was PERFECT. I wish I could go there every season.
(Birthday dinner at Hearth...what is the hype about and why is it so cold in there? And why did wine guy not talk to me about wine when I asked? Underwhelming.)

June 2006
The Birth of a Blog.
BEST of the MONTH: DEGUSTATION. People who own restaurants should go and learn from that couple on how to treat your guests. And the food was beautiful too. I have the menu somewhere...Anyway, we started out with a couple of cocktails at East Side Bar Co and made our way over there on a whim. We were greeted and charmed PROMPLTY and then given two glasses of bubbly. Just because. We had some far-out rose with dinner that was strawberry mineral bliss. The food was spot-on.
WORST of the MONTH: BLT Fish. shitshow. I can't even capitalize it. I prefer to think no further of the experience. Next....
I ate foie gras in June. I will never eat it again. I had to eat it because the chef/owner at Zoe in Seattle, WA sent it out. That was also a pleasant dining experience although I ordered poorly. I should have had the halibut but I got the pork. Great dining room. You can see the kitchen from most seats, which I love. Casual elegance is how I would describe it. Great service. Great food.
When I touched down in Seattle I made sure to hit SALUMI right off for lunch. We had a blast. Armando stuffed us like pigs and gave us the grand tour. He brought out the culatello and the PIG CHEEKS. Soup, wine, pasta. Another plate of meats. Mind you we had already ordered three huge sandwiches. I couldn't breathe when I left I was so full.

July 2006
Craftbar: Warm Pecorino Fondue with Acacia Honey, Hazelnuts
and Pepperoncini.

August 2006
mmmmmmmmmmm
Babbo
The Farm on Adderly
Al Di La
Blue Ribbon Sushi
I live well, what can I say. (that's not the only 4 I went to...)

September 2006
Thumbs up for Mr. Fish Sauce Packet's dish at Fatty Crab. You know the one, pork and watermelon.
Thumbs down for ALTA. Zero emotion, ambiance, warmth, etc at this place. Great intentions, no love.

October 2006
Dressler: The Francesca Comeback.
Craftbar: Why did I go back? Oh, because I got the cold shoulder at PAREA.
Dumont Burger: THE NEW CRACK


November 2006:
Sweetwater: Please get better food. PLEASE. And lower the music a hair. And talk to your really nice servers about the wine.
Lupa: Still Solid
Prune: Spaghetti Carbonara for brunch. I found Jesus, again.
DiFara's: 1 hour and 40 minutes for two slices of Sicilian pizza. WORTH IT.
The whole month of November I have five dates that I ate out. This is not counting Burriotville or S'Nice or Oasis before work. Still, it seems strange.

December 2006
Do you see the trend? My dining experiences began to plummet around July. Serious nose-dive. The whole second half of this year was full of nice meals but nothing like the first half. This month in particular was me just biding my time and spending $ on gifts for other people. I did have a lovely meal, my last of the year, at Aurora. We had grilled octopus with cranberry beans, cecci bean pasta with baccalao and black olives and a PERFECTLY cooked grouper with artichokes and cecci. Riccardo, the chef, invited me in the kitchen when he "caught me" peaking through the curtain while I was waiting for the bathroom. Very charming, of course. The staff there are all quite attentive and polite. When we got there the music was very loud and the thorns from the rose bush were pulling my hair(we sat in the heated garden). A few minor adjustments and all was well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Good day to you! I hope you had a fantastic time last night, whatever you did or did not do. I personally had one of the best New Years Eve in a long time. Bubbles were a'plently and there were two standouts at the parties I went to:
Homemade LEBONESE CHEESE with cucumber. Now way I had never had this before. The hosts mother made it.
Homemade PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES. Perfect sweet and salty. The texture was the perfect balance of soft and crunch an the width was just right- not too thick and not wafer thin. The hostess mother made these.

Now I have to go get ready for some pork and kraut at Mrs. Valenta's house. Before that let me wrap up and start new. Last year I ate out about 126 times. That a good third of the year. This year will be a little different, I hope. I think I found a new eating companion. They don't know who they are yet. I think by March it may become apparent.
Some places I have to hit:

Little Owl
Little Giant
Parea
Perry Street
Jean-Georges
Marlow and Sons
The Tasting Room
Blue Hill Stone Barns

...any suggestions....?

Reminise!

What I did on my whirl-wind glamorous vacation to the ever-popular Dewey Beach, DELAWARE!!???
Talk about taking sexy back...
This jalapeno (where is the tilde on my keyboard?) popper was eater on a sunny Monday under the umbrella at Ed's off the main artery that runs through the Delaware coastline. BYOB, we through back a couple of Dogfish Ales and chowed down on these along with crab cake sandwiches, CORN ON THE COB, you name it. Earlier in the trip we found ourselves further down the way at a place called Sharkey's. Hungry for lunch after a run on the beach with my energetic Pekingese, Fernando, we stopped in and decided on a couple of Cubano's and some lemonade. We were lucky enough to be courted by Sharkey himself who explained to us his roots in television and NYC and how he cam to Dewey Beach. After telling us the wonderful stories of the freshness of his food and the small size of the kitchen he insisted we try some ice cream. INSISTED!!! HE makes the soft-serve on premise and has had the same recipe for years. Three varieties (cremesicle, peanut butter cup, and chocolate) later we were stuffed and on our way back to the beach home for a nap...

A Long Month!

I know, I know! I have been missed. You do not have to tell me!
Where is she? What is she doing? What is she eating? What's going on? Has she left us? Has mainstream media gotten a hold of her golden pen and plied her with freebies and payoffs and taken her away FOREVER!!!!???
No, I was just busy eating.
For somebody with low income and no life I do a lot of STUFF. So much so that I had not a minute to sit and let you all in on all of the food fun and sun!
Let us do a quick review of what has been going on the past month.
Monday, June 12: 11am Moet Seminar at the Mark Hotel "Cork or Uncorked" (thrilling...really)
Thursday, June 15: 5pm Mary Taylor Simeti at Vino talking about Sicily (food, history, culture. mmm, mmm, and mmm). Oh,and Sicilian wine tasting along with.
Friday, June 16: Drinks with an old pal at EAST SIDE BAR COMPANY and an impromptu dinner at DEGUSTATION(yes, please)
Sunday, June 18: Father's Day at my cousin's. (File under: How NOT to GRILL SHRIMP and annoying visits with the family.)
Monday, June 19: Vias Wine Tasting-the full catalogue. Dinner followed at the suck-fest known as BLT FISH. Positively CRAPTACULAR.
Thursday, June 22: "Hospitality 101" by the Batali family in Seattle at SALUMI! Touchdown for a long weekend in the Pacific North West and directly to SALUMI. Big Pig Fun!
Friday, June 23: The ride across the state of Washington. Destination:Spokane. Trying to find a f@#$@ organic PLAIN yogurt on the road and a VEGGIE BURGER at Zips. Burp. Dinner in a bowling alley/casino to follow- NOT SHIT.
Saturday, June 24: Headline, Coeur d'Alene Idaho, "Tart in Polka-Dot Dress Finds Happiness in Mini Orange Bell Peppers!".
PLUS DINNER IN CATACOMBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 25: Finally, beer. Weiss beer flavored with tropical fruit and bananas at The Powerhouse Brewery. BURP.
Monday, June 26: Vegetarian of 10 YEARS served FOIE GRAS...and EATS IT! Dinner at Zoe, Seattle.
Tuesday, June 27: SALUMI sandwich from Thursday the 22nd still good on flight home to NYC!!!
Thursday, June 29: NY Adorned Anniversary Party. MINGSAO beer and mini cupcakes. Mylanta, please.
Saturday, July 1: DINNER AT PEASANT. Amen.
Sunday, July2: "Radish On, Sausage Off', Hoboken, NJ. Shorty makes Best Radish Salad Ever and Faicco's SAUSAGE STILL RULES.
Monday, July 3: MOMOFUKU
Thursday, July 6: Ew, Petraca.
Saturday, July 8: Blue Ribbon Sushi and a goth/punk band in a space the size of my old east village apartment with no sound system. I'm DRY THE WHOLE EVENING!
Sunday, July 9: VICTORY, participation in Italian-American victory parade through the streets of HOBOKEN, NJ. Survey of the scene in Little Italy/Nolita and dinner at PEASANT -amen, again.

The Good Fork

...Any excuse to go out to eat! The sun is out. It's the second Tuesday of the fourth month of a new moon. I woke up. I will find a reason. This past week my husband got a new job, which, by law, mandates that I must take him out to dinner.
So I asked him, "Honey, I want to take you out on a date to celebrate your new job! I have place in mind but is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Um, no, not really, hey, yeah, let's go to Momofuku" he answers.
EHHHHH! (Insert game show buzzer error noise) Wrong answer. We have eaten there on more than one occasion. I have a lot of ground to cover and a very limited amount of time and finances to do so. This was no time to repeat a place.
Because I am a twisted human being, I have been plotting the precise time and event that we would warrant a visit to The Good Fork. Located in the "heart of Red Hook, Brooklyn" it had to be the right weather to sit in the cozy ship-like dining room and a night when I did not mind being holed-up in a Brooklyn neighborhood. I could also afford to treat at this place, as the price is right. I informed my husband that we would not be going to Momofuku, again, but spending a night in Red Hook for some celebratory fare with an Asian influence. (That is as "technical" as I am getting on this one, kids). If you want the back-story on The Good Fork read the gazillion reviews it has gotten since it's "quiet" opening recently. Take a moment and google it. (Go ahead, open another window and leave mine open. I will wait...)

I was like a giddy schoolgirl as we pulled up to the restaurant. We had a nine o'clock reservation on a Friday night. Upon entering the teeny dining room I politely paused to be greeted by a host/server/anyone. They were busy. I made my way to the next natural spot, the bar with the window into the kitchen behind it. The bartender greeted me warmly and soon the correct individual sorted my reservation. I was offered a beverage while I waited for my table to be cleared and set. When I inquired about the wines by the glass the lovely bartender, whose name escapes me, gave me wonderful descriptions and then, drum roll please, OFFERED TO LET ME HAVE A TASTE OF THE TWO. (It really does not take much, people.) By the time I sampled my wines and I was offered seating in one of the two cozy booths at the front of the restaurant where I could watch EVERYTHING.
We made our way to the booth with the one menu I had gotten at the bar. Our server immediately appeared in front of us and inquired if we were ready to order. We told her we needed another menu. This seemed to throw her off. She was BRAND NEW. Now, normally, this is totally fine. Like I told her, "no worries". For some crazy reason, maybe because I really wanted to have a nice evening out with my husband, it did not bother me as much as it might have. She was new and she was FRAZZLED. There was no breaking her tension. She was, well, "really busy?!"
After blurting out that she was new and did not, AND I QUOTE, "know the menu", I asked her about a glass of wine. Still no decision on the Malbec or the Rioja, I inquired about the Rosé and my server said, "People like it, they order it. I'm new and I don't know about it. It's really 70's, but Rosé is really in right now."
WHAT?!! I do not mind honesty. However, it is all in the delivery. Furthermore, I don't care if drinking Rosé cures cancer and grants you eternal life. Being "really in right now" is not a reason why I should order it. The ONLY THING that saved her life at that moment was offering to bring me a taste. She did, it was ok, and I ordered the Rioja.
While our server was away another individual approached our table and attempted to take our appetizer order. My husband asked for some recommendations; I was glad he did do because, frankly, I wanted somebody to be engaged at this point. He listed the entire menu, not in order, but what seemed genuinely out of excitement for the dishes. Some polite banter ensued and our app order was placed.
As soon as he was gone our "O.S." (Original server) reappeared with my (sour) Rioja. Having sampled all the wines and, well, the insanity of our server, I really did not feel comfortable sending it back. Partially because I was pretty confidant that it would not return until I was finished with dinner. Moving on, she was not informed that we ordered apps. It happens. She took the rest of our order and was off.
One of the apps we had is not on the website menu- I apologize as I did not write it down (I am not getting PAID. When Ameliah Express is my dining partner maybe then I will write and eat). It was a squash blossom tempura with arugula and ummmmmm, something like membrillo and nuts (blushing). It was DEEEELISH. The pork and chive dumplings were solid pork dumplings. Juicy and firm, with great texture.
What felt like fifteen minutes after we finished our apps the frazzled server-lady came and asked if we got our apps already and if we were done. Then, without offering us more to drink, ran away. MY HEART SANK because that meant one thing to me- and I could have been wrong- she did not "fire" our main courses yet! Meaning, it would be a bit before the next course. We finally nabbed a server and got some bread. Even though everyone who was sat after us already had bread.
Our main courses arrived and I knew I had to start pacing my wine. I had two choices: 1. Drink R-E-A-L-L-Y slow and stretch what little sour Rioja I had left through both plates OR 2. Eat the fish and finish the wine and see how long it takes to get the attention of a server to BUY MORE BOOZE and have a whole glass for the half a plate of pork I was to eat.
I chose option number two. I was in a gambling mood, what can I say? SIDEBAR: If she was around she probably could have sold me three glasses of wine with my dinner.
The first entree I dug my fork into was the pan-seared scallops with shrimp scallion pancakes, asparagus, and soy vinaigrette. The scallops where done just right and the whole dish was harmonious. The pancake did not overpower the delicacy scallop. I wish I had eaten the whole thing instead of splitting it and having the slow braised Berkshire pork with polenta and grilled scallions. My desire for swine got the best of me. We were both disappointed in the dish I would have liked four grilled scallions instead of two. I liked the color they added to the dish as well as the flavor. They brightened the rather muddled polenta/pork (the Berk Pig itself, being a characteristically more "porky" pig). Alas, I did manage to find someone to bring me a glass of Malbec, which I really enjoyed with the pork. On the bright side, it did buy me some time and cause me to slow down my eating, as I tend to eat on the fast side.
(The two photos on top are the main courses.)
After finishing the pork we were presented with dessert menus to contemplate. Now, if you do not already know, I love me a cheese plate and this is my PREFRENCE at the end of the meal and/or before my dessert.
NO CHEESE PLATE.
And that's ok...sometimes it's just not an option and one must move on. So we did to the flourless chocolate cake (with crème anglaise) and "Steve's Key Lime Pie" (Steve is a local who is THE key lime pie maker). All of the desserts, three in total on the menu, are fairly priced at $6. I loved the Key Lime Pie and my husband the flourless-ness.
What really sealed the deal that night was my after dinner drinks. I spied and Amaro Lucano behind the bar while waiting our table. I had that. Though I wish I did not because AFTER we had that someone dropped a gift off at the table. A glass of the Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc late harvest from Chile and the Marolo Grappa and Chamomile.
Both were delicious. My husband suggested I choose one - the grappa. What an absolute delight. It was fragrant and tender. I should have just taken the bottle. Side note: the gentleman who served the drinks gladly went over and brought the bottles to me (bottles pictured above) and a copy of the dessert menu with check marks next to what I was drinking for me to take home.
It was little gestures like that and the one at the bar when I arrived that showed me the people at The Good Fork really care about hospitality and service. Perhaps this is why my server's attitude and overwhelmed presence did not ruin the experience entirely. When I met the chef/co-owner after the meal I thanked and congratulated her and complimented her on the food. She immediately asked, "How was the service? Was the service alright?"
This made my heart smile.
The food coming from the kitchen has soul. If I lived in the neighborhood I would be really happy that it opened. Living in a city with so many dining options it is difficult to gauge good, not good, superior. Is it five-star dining? No? Is it trying to be? No. It is solid, tasty fair that accomplishes a feeling of home and satisfaction for those of us NOT reared on pan-seared scallops and braised Berkshire pork. It does so sans pretension and avec coeur.

A Short List...

...in case you are wondering, of where I want to eat: (these listings do not include French Laundry, Le Bernadin, Jean Georges, etc. as I am trying to set somewhat realistic goals for myself this year)
1. Il Buco
2. Peasant (went to a wedding there- HANDS DOWN BEST WEDDING FOOD EVER)
3. L'Impero (taking Shorty here for his birthday August '06)
4. Pearl Oyster Bar
5. Dani
6. Red Cat
7. Grammercy Tavern (front room, please)
8. Uovo
9. Marys Fish Camp
10. Esca
11. Chestnut
12. Ici
13. Adrienne's Pizza Bar
14. Luz
15. Vini Alioli(?)
16. Sorrel
17. Anthony's
18. Tommasso's
19. Al Di La
20. Savoy
21. Manducati's
22. August
23. Snack Taverna
In no particular oder, mind you.
(photo by: LTD, @The SpottedPig, November 2005)

Now That I Have Yor Attention...

For the past couple of weeks I have been reading sterling reviews of a new restuarant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Dressler. Most recently read was Mr. Frank Bruni's in, of course, The New York Times. Many people who know me already have an idea of my opinion of Mr. Bruni, I mean, of his reviews, as I do not know him personally. Week after week it is ALWAYS SOMETHING with this man. And this week it is no different. TWO STARS. TWOOOOO STARS.
The review itself did not at all read like the review of a two star "joint". On top of that IT IS JUST NOT. I digress...
Now, my feelings on Frank's review is another story, literally. What I am most confused about is the RAVES that Dressler is recieving. I am a wee bit puzzled, to say the least. I went there, granted, I went a couple of weeks into it's opening... I am sick of that being an excuse for ANYTHING at this point..., and I was, well, disappointed. I can see where it could be good but I just do not agree with the press. Surprise, surprise!!!
The design is LOVELY. I very much enjoyed sitting at the bar looking at the snails and little creatures in the beautifully crafted decor. What I did not enjoy was the minimum knowledge of the wine list the bartender had and the lack of enthusiam. It is not rocket science, people, and if you are opening a place like this one, please inform your staff about 1. HOSPITALITY and 2. FOOD AND BEVERAGE knowledge.
Following my less than experience at the bar we got our table and everything was made better on the beverage portion of the evening. I decided to change my varietal and the waiter offered to LET ME SAMPLE the wine with a PRESISE, BRIEF and ON POINT description of it. THANK YOU! And there it was, a great red by the glass. DONE.
Onto the food portion of the evening:
(FYI: One of my dining companions that night is a chef- and the kitchen knew.)

We ordered a lot of dishes one of them being the one that has been mentioned in most reviews I have read thus far, the one with the potato galette. Very delicious- like a nod to the neighborhood. It was the stand out of the evening. Our halibut was cooked like my mother made it-for once that is not a good thing. It was WAYYYYYYYYYYYY overdone.
I am not a food critic, I am not CLAIMING to be a food critic, mind you.
"I'm just sayin'"
I don't understand the hype. I can see what the hype is about but I am just not getting it with the menu.
I cannot concentrate on writing anymore, as I am STARVING. I will return to this topic again, I'm sure. My point: not TWO STARS.

I Have Arrived.

I have a really big mouth. Over the years, with a lot of therapy, I have learened to curb what goes in and what comes out if my mouth. I am, however, no less opinionated and hungry than I was before.
I love food. I love everything about it. I love where it comes from, I love eating it with other people- in fact, that is really the only time I like to have others around me. I love cutting food and peeling food. I love to look at food- food shopping, food in magazines. I love to read about food, I love to photograph food. I love planning meals, I love counting points (for those of you in the club). I love trying new foods, I love reading menus, restuarant reviews, cookbooks. I LOVE to yell at my computer screen or throw the Dining Out section of the NY Times across the room, or whatever periodical I am reading at the moment. Every waking moment I have I am thinking about food.
What will I have for breakfast...in two weeks when I wake up in Spokane, Washington? Where will I go for dinner...in July in Raleigh, North Carolina? Where is the pig whose pork chop I will eat when I am in North Carolina going to come from and how was it raised? Where should I go with Russ for dinner...in San Francisco May 2007? What am I going to make for dinner for Father's Day in nine days? Where did my strawberries I ate for breakfast today come from? When will I have enough $ to join the Slow Food movement in NYC? What time is my dinner reservation tonight? What time should I eat lunch so I will be hungry for dinner later this evening? I could keep going...
I have hit my boiling point! I am tired of sitting back reading what everyone else had to say about food. WHEN IS IT MY CHANCE TO SHINE????
IT BEGINS TODAY...
Anything that I write about in here-pens, radiators, lip balm, eyeglasses-it will all come back to food. Because everything in my life revolves around it.
MANGIA!