5.31.2011

Long Weekend


When you live in New York, sometimes it's better to stay home on a holiday weekend than go away. While others flee, you can spend three glorious days going on adventures and falling in love with your crazy city all over again. Take it from me, since that's exactly what we did this weekend. It is the way to go.

We started our weekend at home made bklyn, a sweet spot in Red Hook with comfy white couches and a serene garden. We sipped fresh lemonade, cubes of watermelon bobbing in each of our cups, and shared a big bowl of local yogurt with Early Bird granola and sliced pears. The sticky buns, almond croissants and other breakfast foods were tempting, but we had our hearts set on lobster rolls from the Lobster Pound, a place that brings fresh Maine lobster to Brooklyn. The rolls were as classic as they come, served on toasted hot dog buns with either a hint of mayo and some spices or tossed with butter, Connecticut-style. We tried both and agreed they were a million times better than the mediocre ones we ate at the Ditch Plains Drop-In at Brooklyn Bridge Park last weekend. After, we hung out in a community garden, met a woman who grows hops for homemade beer and a guitar maker who told us about Valentino Pier where Nico and Daniel played by the water and Leo napped in the shade. On the walk back to our car, we spotted a cool bar on a cobblestone street that we want to check out some day.

That night, Daniel and I had a date at Rucola, a new Italian restaurant in Boerum Hill where we split gnocchi, soft shell crabs, brook trout, an arugula salad with radishes, ricotta pudding with greenmarket strawberries buried at the bottom, and a second dessert—a warm rhubarb cake with a buttery toffee sauce—at Seersucker, another restaurant that was a 15-minute walk away. 

There was a family trip to a bike shop followed by jelly donuts, a fresh fruit tart and a bear-shaped financier at Colson and an afternoon visit to Rockaway Beach, where Nico dug in the sand and Leo discovered the ocean. Green smoothies with kale, granny smith apples and lemon from Veggie Island were sipped and stories about armadillos and a big, bad wolf were told while we waited on a long line for tacos (two with fish, one with chorizo), a bean, cheese and plantain quesadilla, and a spicy jicama, mango and cucumber salad at Rockaway Taco.

An air conditioner was installed, winter clothes were happily put away and summer ones were yanked out, loads and loads of laundry were done, tons of sunblock was applied, photos were taken, cameras and wallets were sometimes forgotten at home, Leo's bike seat was installed and yesterday, we rode to Pier 6, one boy on the back of each bike, helmets on, wind tickling our legs and the blazing afternoon sun stinging our eyes. We climbed, splashed, swung, dug and ran around, welcoming summer with open arms and happy for the place we call home.



5.27.2011

Madison Square Eats


I had an appointment in the city yesterday, so after walking through Madison Square Park, mesmerized by a giant 44-foot sculpture of a girl's head, I decided to finally check out Madison Square Eats, the pop-up food court that opened earlier this month. There were so many places I wanted to try, but since most had long lines and I didn't have much time, I went with a vegetarian Lebanese wrap and green lemonade, made with cucumber, lime and lemon juice from Ilili.

Madison Square Eats is open every day from 11am-9pm and ends on Friday, June 3. That leaves me just one week to go back and try Roberta's, the Bushwick pizzeria that everyone raves about, Sigmund pretzelshop, Asiadog, ice cream from Goat Town, plus a wine and chocolate tasting from Nunu Chocolates, a place I already love.  Daniel's birthday is next week and an early dinner at Madison Square Eats could be a fun way to celebrate. I bet it's even nicer at night all lit up with the Flatiron Building looming in the distance.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We're thinking about heading to Rockaway Beach at some point. I want to finally try Rockaway Taco and some of the other cool concession stands that are opening there tomorrow.



5.26.2011

My Blue Bedroom

We’re moving in a few months and as excited as I am to have more space (and a washer dryer!) I’m going to miss our itty bitty, 600 square foot apartment so much. I’ve already told you about our kitchen, Nico’s room which he now shares with Leo, and here are some shots of our bedroom and a little something that helped spruce it up.


When it comes to color, I'm most drawn to blues and greens. For our bedroom, I chose Benjamin Moore's Sweet Bluette, a soft, soothing blue. It looks best during the day when natural light streams, but I also like how it's more mellow and subdued at night. It's the kind of color that has calming powers and tries to convince you to stay in bed just a little longer, even when your kids come barreling in to wake you up. (On that note, Daniel and I watched Date Night last weekend and although we fast forwarded through a lot of scenes, I loved the opening one so much. That's how most of our mornings start.)


We keep  most of our clothes in two dressers that I've had since I was 7.  Which means that for over 25 years, I've been opening and closing their drawers. They always make me think of my mom and how she used to nag me whenever I'd fill them with too much stuff. Old habits die hard, I guess. They're all still filled to the brim. They were originally a shiny blonde wood, but about five years ago I gave them a make-over. I applied a few coats of blue paint, followed by a coat of white and then sanded some spots for a shabby chic look. Something tells me these dressers will be in our family forever. When we move, I'm passing them on to Nico and Leo. I'm sure it won't be long before I'm scolding them for over stuffing!


Leo slept in a little corner of our bedroom for his first 8 months and since we didn't have much space for his stuff, I relied on this Ikea unit. I bought a bunch of blue and brown West Elm baskets and filled them with onesies, blankets and burb cloths. Now I want to buy a few of these for our new place and use them in different rooms for winter gear, shoes and art supplies.


We have a sapphire blue light fixture we bought during a trip to Morocco. It cost less than $10, but it’s something I treasure. It reminds me of our twenties, those carefree days when it was just the two of us. 


There's only enough space for one nightstand and I found this one at a thrift shop in Cobble Hill. With its thin legs and pretty glass knob, it has a feminine feel. I considered painting it white to match the dressers, but decided to keep it blue, liking how it both blends in and contrasts with our walls. The lamp is from Crate and Barrel and sadly, it's been discontinued. I'm bummed I didn't buy two. Daniel built our bookshelves and it was his idea to use pretty antique brackets.


We have one window and a pretty dismal view. I used to have long linen curtains, but they accidentally ended up in the garbage when they were en route to the dry cleaner. We were living with a bare curtain rod and a cheap venetian blind from Home Depot that’s a little lopsided for the past two years, but a few weeks ago, our window got a little love. Curtainworks sent me a sample of their new Caress Voile Sheer. Made from 100% recycled items, it’s a fitting replacement for someone who threw away her last pair. On average, one panel of the Caress Voile saves seven 16 oz plastic bottles from a landfill.

The curtains are semi sheer and they provide some privacy while letting in a lot of light. Our linen ones were kind of limp and lifeless, while these have an ethereal quality. They even sway a little when fresh air sneaks in. I'm not the type to splurge on fancy window treatments. I prefer to save up for an important piece of furniture that'll last for years, so I think affordable curtains like these (they are sold separately and cost $9.99-19.99) make a lot of sense. Roman shades or something similar are more my thing, but for a light and airy bedroom, these really work.


Our bedroom looks out on our kitchen and when the door is open, this is what we see. I saw Breathless in a film class during my semester abroad in Paris and my friend Kristen (who was also in the class and used to eat a few bags of Haribo candies before falling asleep) gave me this poster from the movie. I hung it up in my house senior year, the house where Daniel and I first hung out, using that wall tack that looks like a wad of gum. Framing it after graduation made it feel a bit more grown-up even though it has a little tear in the corner. It'll always remind of me Kristen, my college days, falling in love, and my love for Paris and New York. 

For our new bedroom, I'm inclined to go with blue again, but am now leaning toward a really bright white with fun accent colors like bright yellow for a change of pace. What color are your bedrooms and what do you love about them?

{I was not compensated for this post. I did receive the curtains for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own.}



5.25.2011

An Afternoon at Ample Hills


Today was beautiful in Brooklyn. With a blinding blue sky and not a cloud in sight, it was the kind of weather that begs you to have a picnic in the park followed by a trip for ice cream. And since Ample Hills Creamery—the new Prospect Heights ice cream parlor—officially opened this afternoon, that's just what we did.

At an Ample Hills fundraiser a month or so ago, I wasn't eating sweets because of Lent and had to just watch as Nico slowly ate a few scoops. I made sure to sample a bunch of flavors today, loving how they're all made from scratch in the shop (with lots of local ingredients!) and are packed with fun mix-ins like chocolate covered pretzels, brownies, and cookies. I finally settled on Peppermint Pattie—peppermint ice cream with homemade peppermint patties and a dark chocolate fudge swirl—a nice spin on classic mint chocolate chip. I wanted something refreshing and it really hit the spot.

Ample Hills is ultra kid-friendly and has plenty of space to park strollers, a changing table in the bathroom, and even a small ice-cream themed play area that Nico loved. In fact, he and Fox had so much fun playing with pretend ice cream that they didn't try any of the real stuff for a while. Eventually, Nico made his way over to the counter and requested a scoop of dark chocolate. He really wanted it on a cone but they were all out of them at the time. They started making fresh ones as we were getting ready to leave and I contemplated having another scoop just so I could try one, but talked myself out of it knowing we'll be back again soon. Maybe even this week since it looks like the good weather is here to stay, for a little while at least.

(A big thanks to Karlyn for taking all these photos with her phone, and for always being up for long walks for food with me!)

Ample Hills Creamery
632 Vanderbilt Avenue
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn



5.24.2011

Manic Monday


Yesterday, I took Nico and Leo to a Cookies for Cancer event at Moomah, a cool cafe in Tribeca (that happens to be owned and operated by Jon Stewart's wife, Tracey, who seems so down-to-earth). I'd written about the event for Mommy Poppins and wanted to show my support even though it started at 2pm, a tricky time for a baby and toddler.

I left home right around naptime, hoping both boys would sleep in the car and that I'd find street parking in the city. Of course, I had to fork over $31 for a garage, Nico never fell asleep, and Leo woke up the minute I tried to transfer him to a stroller. The event was crowded and even though there was an art project and a small play area, I felt like I'd made the wrong decision by schlepping them both there. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson about overzealous outings after the Gwyneth Paltrow book signing, right?

The funny thing is that they both had a great time. I was the one who felt frazzled, perhaps because I was trying to feed Leo in the Ergo while chasing Nico all around, a trail of crumbs marking my tracks. I also felt like all of the Moms around me seemed more put together and relaxed, perhaps because they chose to come on their own or with only one child. That's life as a parent, I guess. It's easy to feel like you're trying to do too much or not doing enough and even when you have the best intentions, guilt and doubt find a way in. The important part is that we helped raise money for a very good cause.

Oh and did I mention that I'd forgotten cash and couldn't even buy a cookie, the only food available for sale at the event? Tracey was selling some outside when we left and I sheepishly asked if Nico could have one, explaining that I only had some change before emptying about 84 cents straight from my wallet into her mason jar, adding that we'd come all the way from Brooklyn hoping that would somehow make me look less lame. She was sweet and gave us two.

Afterward, we went to Daniel's office since he was taking the boys home so I could meet friends for dinner (yet another reason for my guilt: "Here honey, you take our two tired little boys and deal with bedtime all by yourself while I enjoy a few free hours in the city!") Luckily, they were both on their best behavior for him.

My dinner wasn't until 7pm and I had an hour to kill, so I went by Sweet Lily. With big, cozy chairs, white buckets filled with fresh fruit, mint and water for ultra relaxing pedicures, plus a heavenly homemade sugar exfoliant and other natural products and polishes, it's been my all-time favorite nail salon for years. It's also the cleanest one I've ever been to with individually wrapped utensils that are disinfected using hospital grade procedures. I used go to Sweet Lily a lot when I was working in the city, but these days I rarely get my nails done and when I do, I just go somewhere close to home. Sadly, they didn't have any openings, but I found out that the owner hopes to open a location in Brooklyn some day and that she now offers complimentary glasses of wine in the evening. Which means I need to get back to Tribeca soon and finally use a gift certificate I got for Christmas. Columbine is a good lunch spot across the street from Sweet Lily whose lemon cake I love, but I noticed a new place, Grandaisy Bakery that I want to try next time, too.

After window shopping in SoHo, I met Karlyn and Alexandra at Osteria Morini, a lively (or should I say loud?) trattoria on Lafayette where we caught up over pasta (the one with braised mushrooms was the best), veal cutlet and a really vinegary salad flecked with mint before ending our night with dessert, digestifs and good ol' girl talk at Caffe Falai.

Talking to them helped me realize that I'll probably never learn my lesson about trying to do too much. What I need to work on is accepting myself for who I am: someone who likes to keep busy and try new things, even if I sometimes exhaust myself and those around me in the process.



5.23.2011

Ample Hills Creamery Opens This Week!


Remember that fundraiser for Ample Hills Creamery I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well, Nico and I went and he had fun sampling a few flavors while reminding me that I couldn't have ANY because I had given up sweets for Lent. I've been waiting to try the ice cream myself ever since and will finally have my chance when the Prospect Heights parlor opens this Wednesday. For more information about Ample Hills—the only ice cream parlor in New York City that makes all of their ice cream from scratch, on site—read the post I wrote for Mommy Poppins last week.

Ample Hills Creamery
632 Vanderbilt Ave between Prospect and Park Places
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn



5.20.2011

Smorgasburg: A Brooklyn Food Flea Market


Daniel and I tried to snag a table at Marlow & Sons a few months ago when we were in Williamsburg for our Mast Brothers Chocolate tour, but didn't have any luck. We ended up at Fatty 'Cue instead, but for months, I've been meaning to try again, and I want to pick up some stuff at Marlow & Daughters as well.

Now I have another reason to go back. Smorgasburg, a food flea market opens this weekend! The New York Times recently shared a list of all the vendors  and I continue to be both amazed and overwhelmed by how much incredible food is made in Brooklyn. But the fact that so much of it can now be found in one place is very exciting. I'm not sure I'll make it there this weekend, but it looks like I'll be spending more time in Williamsburg very soon.

Smorgasburg
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
27 North Street, between Kent Avenue and the East River (near East River State Park)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn



5.19.2011

Blythe's Blueberry Muffins


Nico begs me to make blueberry muffins a lot. The obsession began after my Mom gave him the book Henry In Love, a sweet story about a cat named Henry and his crush, Chloe. At the end of the book, Henry swaps snacks with Chloe, handing over a blueberry muffin his Mom baked in exchange for a carrot. I refer to Henry a lot when trying to teach Nico to share. It doesn't usually work, especially with food, but I'll keep trying.

This recipe comes from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook and it's the only one I've tried so far. It's her Mom's recipe and probably a bit unhealthy for Gwyneth's standards since it includes a stick of butter and close to a cup of sugar.  Gwyneth offers a healthier version of them which I also want to try, but I need to find some spelt flour first.

Until then, it looks like these will be a staple in our house. They're quick and easy to make and I usually have all the necessary ingredients on hand, plus some ground flaxseeds which I like to add for a nutritional boost. And as much as I love my standing mixer, it's refreshing to rely on a simple wooden spoon and good old-fashioned stirring every now and then.

Blythe's Blueberry Muffins
Makes 12 muffins

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 organic large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with papers.

Whisk the butter, eggs, and milk together in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, the 3/4 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold in the blueberries. Divide among the muffins cups and sprinkle the muffins with the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bake until a toothpick tests clean and the muffins are golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Best to eat these warm.



5.17.2011

Little Piglet Links


A Blogger outage followed by a bachelorette party last week slowed me down a bit and the dreary weather we have in New York right now isn't helping matters. The photos above are from a lovely Sunday we spent at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago. I can't wait for more warm spring days like that one. And I really hope all this end of the world talk is bogus, because I have a very important wedding to attend in June. Considering how much fun I had toasting the bride-to-be with 17 hilarious ladies on Saturday night, I know we're all in for a very good time.

I hope to be up and running again with some new posts soon, but for now, here are a few links I've been meaning to share.

Jordan Ferney is a blogger who is spending the year in France with her family of four. All of her posts are making me so nostalgic for the city I lived in for almost a year and I wish I could whisk my family away to these tulip fields right now.

Her sister Gabrielle also moved her family to France this year, and the house they're renting in Normany looks incredible. This photo of her cruising through the airport with her 6 (!) kids makes taking two little boys to Brazil seem like a piece of cake.

I'm already having trouble keeping up with all online design mags out there and now I have a new one to add to the list.

I think I mentioned that I kind of like Glee. I lied. I love it. And just like my Dancing with the Stars obsession (which I'm happy to report is over), I'm thinking about buying tickets to this. Does that make me a Gleek and a Glerd? 

On the rare occasion that we order in, we always want Thai. We mixed things up a few weeks ago and tried this new risotto place in Windsor Terrace. The two we tried (sweet gorgonzola, apple and arugula; and broccoli rabe, garlic and sweet sausage) hit the spot and if I didn't have a big pot of soup in my frige, I'd be trying them again tonight.

During Lent, I saved a bunch of dessert recipes I want to make. This pound cake, these chocolate cupcakes and these carrot ones are at the top of the list (and I found them all on The Wednesday Chef).

I've been making this granola for the past few years, but now I want to try every single one of these.

Based on today's weather report, it won't be warm and sunny till Sunday. Good timing, considering the inaugural NYC Food Truck Rally will be taking place at Grand Army Plaza that day.

Last week, I was craving cupcakes. Today, I really want donuts and I wish the Brindle Room was just a little bit closer because their cakey donuts sound amazing.

See you soon!



5.14.2011

PicklePetunia Made: A Sweet Surprise


Last Friday, I was craving a cupcake. Not just any cupcake, but one from Butter Lane, the bakery that should be opening in Park Slope any day now. I settled for a sugar cookie and while I was eating it, my buzzer rang. I wasn't expecting anyone and when I looked out the window I didn't see any Fedex or UPS trucks. When I asked who it was on the intercom, someone said "A box from Simone." Unsure what that meant, I hesitated before buzzing the person in, wondering what my friend had sent me.

Simone, my lovely, serene friend with the coolest New Zealand accent and two of the cutest little kids, must have sensed I was needing some sweets. She sent me a surprise from PicklePetunia Made, a Brooklyn bakery started by her friend Annie Gallo. Annie has a full-time job, two young children and runs PicklePetunia on the side, handling every aspect of the business—from baking to delieveries—herself.  She uses the best local and organic ingredients and makes brownies, muffins, granola, bread and gluten-free goodies, too.

Most girls get giddy over a dozen roses or a surprise shipment from their favorite clothing store, but hand me a beautiful box with a sunny "Baked with Love" label brimming with mini cookies and I'll go weak in the knees. I'm serious. I was like a three-year old who had just been given the world's coolest fire truck.

I sampled Petunia'O's, Annie's take on Oreos which were brawnier than the classic cookie but still as comforting and sweet; shortbread with orange and Earl Grey which were perfect with a cup of tea; soft and wobbly rose lime marshmallows which were the prettiest shade of pink; alfajores-pies, cakey cookie sandwiches with dulce de leche, a fun and less saccharine twist on whoopie pies; and salted peanut butter and chocolate cookies whose deep flavor and crunchy texture made them my favorite.

I'm always so inspired by Brooklyn entrepreneurs like Annie and wish I was brave enough to start something of my own. Maybe some day I will, but for now I'm happy to spread the word about amazing small businesses such as this.

Annie's treats are available through Etsy and on her website and she's offering my readers a 10% discount: use the code LPIGLET when you place your order. If you're shipping within New York City, use the code NYCDELIVERY for free delivery, but note that this can only be used on Etsy.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to visit Annie's site for the 78th time to decide what I want to try next.

*Unfortunately, the original version of this post was deleted during Blogger's blackout on Thursday, so I just put it up again. I know many people had shared it on Facebook and I'm sorry that your friends were most likely led to a broken page, but it's all fixed now.



5.10.2011

Summer Scoops and Places to Play


It's official. Nico's addicted to sweets. I guess I shouldn't be surprised—I am too. On Mother's Day, he said to me and my Mom: "I have a great idea! We can get an ice cream or donut today. Which do you prefer?" He paused, then said: "Actually, I prefer ice cream because it's such a sunny day!" (Actually is one of his favorite words. Usually is another.)

With the weather being so nice lately, he's been asking for ice cream a lot. And he's learned that blaming his cravings on the sun usually works. I'm picky about sweets, so he knows I won't settle for a scoop of Mister Softee. He kind of stares longingly at those trucks sometimes, but doesn't even ask me to stop. He knows that I prefer special ice cream parlors.

I shared some of my favorites on Mommy Poppins today, plus fun places to play nearby.



5.09.2011

Every Little Bit Counts


If you live in New York City, you might have heard about Nathan and Elisa Bond, a Brooklyn couple diagnosed with aggressive forms of cancer within nine days of each other. Parents of an 18-month old, they're both battling for their lives. Friends and family have rallied behind the Bonds to help raise money for their staggering medical bills and I wrote about an upcoming benefit on Mommy Poppins yesterday.

I also included information about Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a non-profit organization started by the Witts, a New York City family whose 2 1/2 year old son Liam was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. Sadly, he passed away in January, but in honor of what would have been his 7th birthday this month, there are a few events going on in New York City in the next few weeks to raise money for pediatric cancer.

Unfortunately, cancer is all around us these days. Everyone knows someone who has been affected. Sending money to big charities certainly helps, but putting faces to names makes my contributions feel more meaningful.

Image credit: Betsy Marie Photography



5.06.2011

A favorite block in Brooklyn (and free ice cream, comics and massages!)


One of my favorite blocks in Brooklyn is Bergen Street between 5th Ave and Flatbush. With places like Bark, home of the borough's best hot dogs, and Bump, my go-to spot for maternity and nursing wear, and Sun in Bloom, a cafe with vegan, raw and macrobiotic food and drinks where I once paid $8 for a freshly squeezed juice and balked at the price before realizing I've handed over double that amount for a glass of wine, it's a lively side street full of colorful storefronts and signs. There's also a Lululemon, a comic book store (that you might have seen on an episode of HBO's Bored to Death), a Babeland, and although it's not on Bergen Street, Bklyn Larder is conveniently located around the corner. Many of the business owners on the block plan events from time to time and there are a few things going on this weekend.

Bump is giving out free scoops of ice cream from Blue Marble on Saturday from 2-4pm and accepting (and matching) donations for Providence House, a non-profit that helps transform the lives of homeless, abused, and formerly incarcerated women and their children. They'll also be donating a portion of the weekend's sales to the organization and are offering 20% off all regular priced items. Bergen Street Comics will be giving away free comics (supplies are limited, so go early and bring your kids!) and Lululemon will be giving free chair massages from 2-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. If you live in NYC, come check out a cool part of Brooklyn.

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are and Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there!

Image credit: SaSaDi Odunsi, co-owner of Bump



Comic Relief for Tired Parents


With Mother's Day on Sunday and Father's Day in June, here's a little something that would make most sleep-deprived parents—old, new, or expectant—crack up. Just remember, it's a bedtime book for exhausted adults, not the little kids who exhaust them.

{via A Cup of Jo, via New York Magazine}



5.04.2011

By Brooklyn


Back when I thought we might move to New Jersey, I came up with an idea for a small business. The towns we were considering were full of Brooklyn transplants and and I assumed that they missed all their favorite Brooklyn foods as much as I knew I would. I thought it'd be smart to open a shop that carried things from Brooklyn like Mast Brothers chocolate, Sixpoint beer, Salvatore Bklyn ricotta, treats from One Girl Cookies, you get the idea.

Looks like Gaia DiLoreto, the owner of By Brooklyn, a new store that opened last week, had a similar idea. The only difference is that she decided to open up shop right here in Brooklyn and offer the best local products all in one place. By Brooklyn carries food, housewares, jewelry and more. Everything is made in Brooklyn, of course.

Oh, and I still think a store like this would do well in a New Jersey suburb that's full of former Brooklynites. Since I don't plan to leave the city anytime soon, feel free to steal the idea from me.

Image: PB & J bar from Liddabit Sweets

By Brooklyn
261 Smith Street
Carroll Gardens Brooklyn



5.03.2011

It's About Time


I'm not sure what took them so long, but The New York Times finally reviewed the Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. I wrote about the place in November, a few months after I celebrated my birthday there, and was not surprised that Sam Sifton gave it three stars. With an intimate 18-seat space and an incredible 20-course tasting menu, it was one of the best dinners I've had in Brooklyn. I went with a big group and would love to go back one day when I can really focus on the food. I still owe my Mom a special dinner to celebrate her 60th birthday, so maybe it's time to attempt another reservation.

The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare
200 Schermerhorn Street
718-243-0050



5.02.2011

Saturday in the City





At my friend's engagement party this winter, I sat at a table with a bunch of friends, people I grew up with in Westchester, and we all declared how sick we were of New York. Tired of the cold and concrete, we started plotting a group move to California. We fantasized about houses on the same block, trips to the beach, more space and sunny days. When our friend Ginger overheard us, she said something along the lines of, "Yeah, you all hate NY now. But just wait till spring comes. As soon as it warms up, you'll love it here again." How right she was. When it's 70 degrees, without a cloud in the sky, and flowers seem to be sprouting from every street corner and you can finally escape your cramped space and feel the energy that makes NYC so special, there isn't any other place I'd rather be.

This weekend's weather made me think of Ginger and her comment that night. We spent Saturday in the city with my cousin Brooke and her son Blake, starting off in Central Park with a walk along The Reservoir, a spot I used to run around when I lived on the Upper East Side ten years ago. From there, we made our way to a playground that Blake and Nico loved, but with ladders leading to secret tunnels and concrete walls and chains making it impossible to chase after two little boys, Brooke quickly changed its name from the Ancient Playground to the Awful Playground and we got out of there as fast as we could.

With the promise of a sweet treat, we lured Blake and Nico back into their strollers. I wanted to go by Glaser's Bake Shop, a place I  discovered a few years ago. Open since 1902, it smells like heaven the minute you walk in, has an old-fashioned, homey feel and all of the rustic desserts—doughnuts, buns, cookies, pies, you name it—look amazing. On Saturday, I settled on a small black and white cookie, a dessert that always reminds me of New York. The black and whites at Glaser's are a nice alternative to the saucer sized ones sold around the city and I couldn't think of a better way to spend 70 cents.

My Mom lives nearby, so she met us at the bakery and we all walked to Carl Schurz Park, a lovely spot where the Harlem River, East River and Long Island Sound meet. Nico brought along his beloved stuffed bear and was sure to show him the pretty view before we watched little dogs lolling around at the dog run.

We ended our day at the park's playground. Leo's at the age where sitting on my lap while his brother plays just won't cut it. He wants a piece of the action. And on Saturday, he got just that when I let him go inside the sandbox. People without kids are probably wondering what the big deal is while those with just one might be shocked. I don't remember letting Nico go near the sandbox until he was at least 1 and maybe even older, worried about germs and whatever else is lurking in there. But just like everyone told me, once you have two little ones, you loosen up a bit. (Who am I kidding? You loosen up A LOT.) In this case, I'm so happy I did. Leo loved the sand. He loved it so much that he let out squeals of joy while letting it run through his fingers and swishing it around with his bare feet. In fact, he loved it so much that he tried to eat some by the handful, more than once. And that's where this new and improved and laid-back Mom tried to draw the line.

(My apologies for all the fuzzy images. I forgot my camera and had to rely on my blackberry all day. Looks like someone needs an iPhone...)

Glaser's Bake Shop
1670 First Avenue (at 87th Street)
Upper East Side, Manhattan
212-289-2562



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