Site I Love: Pinterest

So, remember my post about digital design magazines and how I said I missed ripping pages from my favorite ones? Well, scratch that. Since discovering Pinterest, a site that lets me collect images from anywhere on the web and create online inspiration boards, I'm a happy girl again. Finally, I have a place to store design ideas, cool color combinations, pretty fonts, dream homes and more. Similar to Flickr or Twitter, I can also follow other users and browse, post comments on, or repin their images to my own boards.

To use the site, it's best if you download the "pin it" bookmarklet. That way, all you need to do is click on an image, choose or create an inspiration board and Pinterest will save it there. Best of all, Pinterest automatically sources each image making it easy to remember where I found them.

I heard about the site from Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken, a blog I mentioned last week. She had shared the image above on her site and I loved the pink and orange combo. After I asked her how she found it, she invited me to join Pinterest, warning that it was highly addictive. She was right. I stayed up way too late on Sunday pinning photos from some of my favorite sites and exploring other people's boards. If you'd like to join, leave a comment or email me and I'll send you an invite. The first five images in this post are some I pinned on Sunday and I plan on saving many more. 

{Photo credits: #1 Cupcakes and Cashmere, #2 Lonny, #3 Betsy Dunlap, #4 Pinterest, #5 Bolog Magasinet}

A Cool Way to Store Toy Cars

I've always thought it'd be cool to use a magnetic strip for my knives, but with two little boys and more toy cars then I can count, this is a much better idea. It would make it a lot easier to find Nico's ice cream truck, G train, lamborghini or any of his other transportation vehicles once the lights are out and he's in bed and decides he just has to have one of them. Usually, we rifle through the big basket we keep them in, hoping the one he wants isn't buried at the bottom. It usually is and the cars, trains and trucks that we just begged him to clean up often gets dumped back on the floor. Letting him snatch one right off the wall would be wonderful. He has a lot of cars and they wouldn't all fit on one rack. I guess we'd have to install a few, or use the strip for his favorites.

{Spotted on Swiss Miss}

Shopping for Sweets

If you haven't noticed, I really enjoy shopping for sweets. I believe it's much more fun to order a dozen ice cream cupcakes before you've had breakfast than to search for shoes or clothes. These dark hot chocolates on a spoon (or a stick) that I saw on Say Yes to Hoboken have my name written all over them. They'd make it so easy to have the kind of hot chocolate I love, the kind that isn't too thick, rich or the consistency of hot fudge. I prefer deep dark chocolate swirled into steaming milk. I'd even use these to turn my decaf lattes into mochas. I sometimes put a pinch of chili powder in my hot chocolate, so I'm curious about the three-chili flavor, too. I love supporting small businesses and this one was started by two moms in California. What's even more impressive is that they have seven children between the two of them.
These fat, fluffy marshmallows from Whimsy & Spice, a Brooklyn company that sells handmade sweets with a hint of spice would take my hot chocolate to new heights. They come in cool flavors like cardamom, caramel, maple, espresso and a few others. I've been meaning to take a trip to the Brooklyn Flea to try them and some of Whimsy & Spice's other sweets, but if I don't make it there this Sunday, I think it's time to just place an order. I should probably throw in some biscotti and shortbread, too.

(I'm so in need of a sweets intervention.)

Have a great weekend!

Photo credits: #1 from The Ticket Kitchen, #2 from Whimsy & Spice

Taking the boys to Brazil

We're going to Brazil this summer. I'm excited to sip cold coconut water, fresh juice, caipirinhas, choppinhos, go to my favorite places for breakfast, eat sweets in the street, listen to samba, add new places to my list of favorite bars and restaurants in Rio, and more. The last time I was in Brazil, Nico was just 8 months old. He crawled for the first time in his grandfather's house in Bahia. Now he sings songs in Portuguese and is a big brother. I can't wait to see him and Leo on the beach together.

Blue Marble Ice Cream Cupcakes

Nico and Leo's birthdays are still a few months away, but I bought 12 ice cream cupcakes yesterday for one of them. I got them through Doodledeals, a site that has cool offers for kids and moms. I'm subscribed to their newsletter and get an email each morning. When I saw yesterday's deal, it was 6:55, and I hadn't even eaten breakfast. That didn't stop me from buying some before it was 7:00. Most people who read my blog regularly know I love Blue Marble and who doesn't like cupcakes?

I meant to share this sooner, but it turns out the deal is available until tomorrow at 5am. If you live in New York City and want some awesome sweets for an upcoming birthday or just want to treat yourself to a dozen ice cream cupcakes, don't pass this up. For $27, you'll get 12 artisanal cupcakes made with organic ice cream and you have until June 30, 2011 to order them.

Hot Chocolate and Crepes

Nico used to always ask "Where are we going today?" Winter brings his Brazilian side out and lately, he's been begging to stay in. Even though the sidewalks are still full of snow, he now likes to ask "Is it spring yet?" Monday was fairly mild, but it still took awhile to get him outside. I assumed we'd just go to the park or call a friend. Instead of asking to walk, he hopped in his stroller and requested hot chocolate. On the way, we spotted this sweet house with a white picket fence. Wedged in between apartment buildings it was an unexpected sight. A little piece of country in bustling Brooklyn. Determined to take a photo with my phone, I crossed the street. Trying to cross back, I got our stroller stuck in a mountain of snow. For a moment, I longed to move far, far away.

After setting the stroller free, we made our way to Cafe Grumpy where I quieted my chatty child for a few minutes with a warm mixture of milk and stone-ground chocolate that he drank slowly with a straw before finishing it off with one long gulp.

After that, we went to Crespella, a cute place with crepes that sells Stumptown coffee, Robicelli cupcakes (which I've heard again and again are some of NY's best, but still need to try), a granola made in Brooklyn that looks really good, and a small selection of Italian specialities. 

I planned to get our crepes to go, but we ended up sitting on stools and watching all the action on 7th Ave while eating them there. Danny, the friendly guy behind the counter even took photos for us with his phone. He also held the door when it was time to head home, a big help since Crespella is tricky to enter and exit with a stroller.

Blackberries and blueberries with a hint of honey for Nico

Spinach, mushroom, ricotta and olive oil for me

Spring really can't come soon enough. But adventures like these make winter a bit more bearable. Luckily, Leo likes this weather so far. Let's see how he feels about it next year.

Cafe Grumpy
383 7th Ave
Park Slope, Brooklyn

Crespella
321 7th Ave
Park Slope, Brooklyn

Raising a Foodie

For the record, I don't really like the word foodie. But when trying to describe someone with a deep appreciation for food, it works. It also sounds a lot less hoity toity than words like gourmet or gourmand. Nico doesn't eat enough vegetables, requests most of his meals cold, and craves unusual combos like cream cheese and peanut butter, but it's evident that cooking and eating fill him with joy.

-Recently, I asked him what color my eyes are. His answer? Basil. They're hazel.
-He says his eyes are brown, like brownies.
-When it comes to pieces of cheese, he only accepts aged gouda.
-It's rare that he'll share something sweet. I'm lucky if I get a crumb. If I try to take a bite, even jokingly, he freaks. Unless what he's eating is only so-so. Then he'll have a few bites before gallantly handing the rest to me, explaining that he shouldn't eat so much sugar.
-He loves avocado. With olive oil, a pinch of salt and a big splash of balsamic vinegar.
-Roasted sweet potatoes are a favorite snack.
-Tofu, too. Sprinkled with flax.
-Thanks to the book Eco Babies Wear Green, he likes to talk about composting. Too bad he thinks it means throwing cereal on the floor.
-He loves to flip through cookbooks pointing out all the food he wants to make.
-While making a smoothie the other day, I added some vanilla extract. He exclaimed "But vanilla extract is for baking!"
-When he swipes our iPad, he claims he's searching for recipes. He's really trying to find Daniel's Angry Birds app.
-He loves making lemonade and mastered our electric juicer this summer.
-His sweetener of choice? Agave.
-Squares of dark chocolate make him squeal with delight.
-When I try to sneak sweets around him, it isn't long before he comes close and says "I smell something delicious!"
-And, a personal favorite. While trying to get him to leave a play space recently, I reminded him that we needed to buy cream of tartar on the way home. Expecting to hear his usual, "FIVE MORE MINUTES" he came running like the little man on Fantasy Island yelping "The tartar! The tartar! We need to get the tartar!"

Beer and Chocolate Tasting

Last week I shared an idea for a better way to spend Valentine's Day and today, I have another. Treat yourself and the one you love to a chocolate and beer tasting at Nunu Chocolates in Boerum Hill. You'll get to try three craft beers from Pretty Things, a brewery based in Somerville, Massachusetts that is getting a lot of attention. Check out their press page to read all the good things Food & Wine, The Atlantic, GQ and many others are saying about them. The chocolates are handmade at Nunu in a little kitchen that you can peek into. They're dainty and delicious, too.

The pairing will be available February 11th through the 14th, includes bottle and draught beers, four chocolates and costs $15.  If you really want to avoid Valentine's Day, but can't pass this up, you can get your pairing to go. And for anyone who doesn't live in New York, why not put together your own beer and chocolate tasting?

Nunu Chocolates
529 Atlantic Ave
Boerum Hill, Broolyn
917-776-7102

Digital magazines that help me miss Domino less

Like many people, I mourned when Domino folded. Getting their issues in the mail always made me giddy and I couldn't bear to throw a single one away. I have yet to find a replacement for a magazine I regularly read cover to cover, but these four digital ones, and another that's only available in print but can be previewed online, are helping to fill the void. To be honest, they all kind of overwhelm me with their perfect photos of unbelievable homes, cool clothes, and articles on inspiring people. I'm still figuring out the best way to flip through them and prefer holding a magazine in my hands and ripping out pages to fiddling with a mouse or zooming in and out. Web surfing struggles aside, I'm in awe of all the creative and ambitious women behind these publications. If I had more time, I'd click through every page of all their recent issues. For now, I'm just taking quick peeks when I can and saving photos that speak to me like the ones below. I'd love to cook in all these kitchens and am tucking the Paris tips away for a future trip.

Rue

Lonny

High Gloss

Anthology

Matchbook

Butcher's Ragù with Fusilli

After Eataly opened, Food & Wine ran an article with recipes from the Italian emporium. They all enticed me, but the Butcher's Ragù with Fusilli from the pasta and pizza counter really stood out. Even though it was still summer and the warm weather begged for salad and fruit, I liked the sound of its luscious sauce. It was one of the first real meals I cooked after having Leo. Most days back then were kind of bumpy, but on the night I tried it, life with two children felt unusually smooth. The recipe was easy to follow and called for tomato paste in place of canned tomatoes and a cup of white wine instead of red.

Daniel and I expected the recipe to be good, but it was even better than that. I mean, we took some really dramatic bites, savored the velvety sauce that he thinks tastes faintly sweet, and oohed and ahhed a lot. Looking back, I wonder if our amazement had something to do with how tired and overwhelmed we were. In those early months as a family of four, cooking anything felt like an accomplishment. Making a meal this memorable was a major triumph.

We made it for the third time last night and weren't surprised that a sauce so rich and chunky goes well with winter. Packed with pancetta, baked ham and ground beef, it's a stick to your ribs kind of dish. The kind of sauce you want simmering on your stove when the streets outside have turned to ice and you and your kids are battling colds.

Make sure to use fusilli as Mario instructs. We tried it with spaghetti once and realized it needs a shape it can really grab onto and cover with a rich, glossy coating. I think it tastes best right after it's made, piping hot with a messy pile of pecorino. I love leftovers, but this doesn't reheat too well. You're better off just eating it straight from the refrigerator, cold. And one more piece of advice. I don't watch football, but if I did, this is what I'd serve on Superbowl Sunday.

Butcher's Ragù with Fusilli
From Mario Batali via Food & Wine
Serves 8
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 medium celery rib, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
4 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 pound thickly sliced baked ham, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup milk
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds fusilli
Freshly grated pecorino, for serving

1. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil. Add the carrot, celery, onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the pancetta and ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until shiny and rust-colored, about 10 minutes.

2. Add the diced ham, milk, white wine and water to the casserole and simmer the ragù over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is thick and saucy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Season the ragù with salt and pepper.

3. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the fusilli, stirring often, until al dente. Drain the fusilli and add it to the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta. Transfer the pasta to shallow bowls and serve right away, passing grated pecorino at the table.

A Room for My Boys

Nico might be turning 3 in April, but his bedroom still looks a lot like it did the day he came home from the hospital.

{April 2008}

We're hoping to move in a few months and this is the room I'll miss most. (And the kitchen, of course.) I loved transforming our office into a nursery and think we really spruced up the small space. It'll seem even smaller this weekend when Leo moves in.

{February 2011}

When we moved into our apartment, we chose Benjamin Moore's "Serene Breeze" for the second bedroom thinking it would work for a boy or girl some day. At first it felt too icy, but Nico's white and cream furniture helped soften it. Now his room really is the most serene spot in the apartment, when all his toys are put away and he's sleeping at least. 

I looked at so many cribs and finally went with the Loom from Nurseryworks. To keep toys organized, I lined the space underneath with canvas baskets from Pottery Barn Kids. We also have a big wicker trunk that's full of trains and tracks. I found the glider at a no-frills baby store in Chelsea and it's covered in microfiber with a light green trim. I love sitting there with both boys on my lap and reading some stories.

I chose a crib set from Serena & Lily, a site that has beautiful bedding for babies and adults. When Nico was a baby, we kept stuffed animals out of his crib. Now he has about 10 on average in there, plus other things. He also requests three blankets now, including one that Daniel's co-worker made for Leo.

His dresser is from Pottery Barn Kids and it doubles as a changing table. Above it are West Elm shelves with baskets from Pier 1. The top shelf has stuffed animals that didn't make the cut for his crib.

Across from his dresser is the little corner that will soon be Leo's. Right now, it has this bookcase with a crocheted monkey and lion from blabla and a set of purple speakers we found at Target. Above it is one of my grandfather's paintings. He was an advertising exec by profession and an artist at heart. Since Nico's always been an early riser, the bunny alarm on the wall helped us teach him that 4:30am is not the best time to get up.

Nico's books are usually scattered on the floor, piled up on the windowsill and tucked into his crib. I prefer them neat and organized like this, with Portuguese books on the left and English on the right. Daniel made the radiator cover. Isn't it pretty? I'm lucky he's so handy. On the wall is a ceramic piece from an artist in Berlin that Daniel's Dad gave us. Below it is a picture of Sacre Coeur from my aunt Laurie. It reminds me of my time in Paris when I was just 20.

Nico's room gets the best light and his French door helps distribute it throughout the apartment. Daniel installed a roller shade so we wouldn't disturb him during naps or at night. I like having a way to peek in.

When we move, Nico will be getting a bed and he's already talking about sheets with diggers and trucks. I'll miss this sweet little room, but can't wait to come up with new ideas for my big boy and his little brother.

A Better Way to Celebrate Valentine's Day

{Two of my favorite chocolate bars from Mast Brothers}

For my latest Mommy Poppins post, I wrote about NYC candy and chocolate shops where visitors can go behind the scenes. It made me think about Valentine's Day, a holiday I used to care about. For a while, Daniel and I even celebrated it twice a year since Brazil's Dia dos Namorados is on June 12. But between our two wedding anniversaries, Nico and Leo's birthdays, and other special dates, Valentine's Day has lost its luster.

In NYC, most restaurants serve overpriced prix-fixe menus and the whole thing can feel so hokey and forced. I'd rather just make a really nice dinner at home. Or go out the day before. This year, I'm thinking we'll use Valentine's Day as an excuse to finally tour Mast Brothers Chocolate in Williamsburg. Most dinners at our apartment end with Daniel and I splitting a few squares of the two bars above. He's able to stop after 2 or 3. I usually cut myself off after 8.

Mast has tours on Saturdays and Sundays, so it's a good way to acknowledge Valentine's Day without succumbing completely to a Hallmark holiday. For $9.99 per person, you can watch the entire process at New York City's only bean-to-bar shop and try five types of chocolate. They're already sold out for the weekend before Valentine's Day but the weekend after is available.

Oh and if you're looking for a restaurant in Brooklyn that isn't planning a pricey prix-fixe meal, try Seersucker. Eater included them in their Ultimate Non-Rip-Off Guide to Valentine's Day Dining. They'll be serving their regular menu, plus a few specials. They're also saving tables for walk-ins, just in case you should be taking someone out for Valentine's Day but don't have anything planned yet.

Mast Brothers Chocolate
105A North 3rd Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
718-388-2625

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup from Frankies Spuntino

I bought The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual in December and have been reading chapters here and there ever since. Laid-back, but straight-forward, it's fun and full of stories about the two guys from Brooklyn behind some of my favorite restaurants. Only this weekend did I realize it looks more like a bible than a cookbook. Based on the title, I'm sure this was intentional, and after making my first recipe, I'll be referring to it regularly.

I've been looking for a really good butternut squash soup for a while. Thanks to the Franks, I've finally found one and it's easier than ever. Others I've tried call for coconut milk or chicken stock and all sorts of other ingredients. With sweet potato, white pepper, Chinese five-spice powder and water, their recipe reminded me that with cooking, and most things actually, more is less.

I had an enormous butternut squash that took longer to roast than I expected, so I made a big salad to hold me over. By the time it was tender enough to blend, I was starving. I snapped a picture of the squash and sweet potatoes when they came out of the oven, but never got around to documenting the final product. Pureed soup isn't the most photogenic anyway, but looks aside, it was silky smooth and one of the best I've made. The recipe calls for a teaspoon of honey, but it was sweet enough on its own that I barely needed any. I loved it as a light dinner with a piece of buttered spelt toast. It was comforting with a little kick. Healthy, too, which made me appreciate it even more when I came down with a cold the next day.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
From The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual

Serves 4 to 6

1 butternut squash (2 to 2 1/2 pounds), halved and seeded
1/2 sweet potato
A couple splashes of olive oil
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder, or more to taste
1 cup water
1 teaspoon honey, or more to taste

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the squash and sweet potato with a light slick of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

2. Arrange the squash cut side up on a baking sheet, stick the half potato on there with it, and roast for 1 hour, or until both are very tender. Let cool slightly.

3. When the vegetables are cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh from the skin and combine in a blender. Add a large pinch of salt, the pepper, the five-spice powder, water, and honey and blend until smooth. Taste and add more honey if you want it sweeter or a tiny pinch more of five-spice powder to round out the flavor.

4. Pour the soup into a pot and reheat, then ladle into bowls, nice and hot.

Little Piglet List: The Best of Bococa

{One Girl Cookies, my favorite place in Bococa}

When Daniel and I moved four years ago, I wrote a post about my favorite places in Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, a group of neighborhoods known as Bococa. Since some spots have closed and I've found many new favorites, it's time to update the list. I've added categories to make it easier to read and included a few recommendations that aren't food-related. If you've never been to Brooklyn, I hope my list inspires a trip.

COFFEE 
Cafe Pedlar
210 Court Street (at Warren), Cobble Hill
Most people go for the Stumptown coffee. It's where I stop for chai tea and snacks before movies at Cobble Hill Cinemas or trips to Cobble Hill Park. The olive oil cake and blackforest bread are good for breakfast and I could eat their pretzel knot with brie and butter  any time of day.

SWEETS
One Girl Cookies
68 Dean Street (between Smith and Boerum Place), Boerum Hill
By far my favorite bakery in Brooklyn. I love the light blue walls, the swirly brown wallpaper, the buttery cupcakes and the cookies with pretty names. I'm addicted to their homemade yogurt and granola, too.

Nunu Chocolates
529 Atlantic Ave (near 3rd Ave), Boerum Hill
A lovely couple and self-taught chocolate makers, Nunu's owners use a single origin cocoa bean from a family farm in Colombia to make hand dipped caramels, ganaches and and other treats in their small shop. A big window encourages visitors to watch. Unlike other sweet shops, they serve beer and wine and are open till 9pm every night.

Betty Bakery
448 Atlantic Ave (between Bond and Nevins), Boerum Hill
When Daniel and I got married, we met with Cheryl Kleinman in a commercial kitchen on Atlantic Avenue to design our cake. A few years later, she and another cake designer added this bakery to the space. They have a big selection of sweets, but I usually lean toward the lemon bundt cake.

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
513 Henry Street (at Sackett), Carroll Gardens
I'll always think of Brooklyn Farmacy as the place that introduced me to egg creams and Early Bird granola. It's one of those neighborhood sweet shops that everyone wants and kids of course are more than welcome. On my first visit, the owner treated me and a friend to some samples while our boys ran laps around the place. Oh, and the the back room is stocked with boardgames.

Blue Marble
196 Court Street (at Wyckoff), Cobble Hill
I was disappointed when a Tasti D-Lite opened on Court Street and not surprised when it closed and Blue Marble took its place. Best ice cream in Brooklyn, hands down. The sorbets are always tempting, but the strawberry ice cream makes me weak in the knees.

Sweet Melissa
276 Court Street (between Butler and Douglass), Cobble Hill
Before Cafe Pedlar opened up, I'd always stop by Sweet Melissa for six gingernsaps (crispy with an extra spicy kick) and a cup of milk before movies at Cobble Hill Cinemas. Now, I can rotate between the two.

RESTAURANTS
Saul
140 Smith Street (between Bergen and Dean), Boerum Hill
For a special occasion, Daniel and I favor Saul, one of a few restaurants in Brooklyn that has a Michelin star. It used to be a stone's throw away from our apartment, and though it felt funny to walk so little for a fancy meal, we did it any way.

Bar Tabac
128 Smith Street (on corner of Dean), Boerum Hill
A Boerum Hill fixture, Bar Tabac was also steps away from our apartment. The food is standard French fare, but you know what I really miss? The live jazz and bluegrass bands they have on the weekends. During the warmer months, the music would sneak through our windows.

Bacchus
409 Atlantic Ave (at Bond), Boerum Hill
A French bistro that holds a place in my heart for two reasons. My friends Mark and Allison had a lovely wedding there and it was where I celebrated my 26th birthday (or was it my 25th?) with a big group of friends. The food is good, but the backyard garden is better.

Lucali
575 Henry Street (at Carroll), Carroll Gardens
Inspired by Di Fara and way better than Grimaldis, this is one of my favorite pizza places in Brooklyn.

Prime Meats
465 Court Street (at Luquer), Carroll Gardens
Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli are building a mini-empire on Court Street. With Prime Meats, they focus on German-influenced food, old-fashioned cocktails and local ingredients. I love the big, messy salads that are perfectly dressed and homemade soft pretzels. If only they took reservations and the wait on weekends wasn't so brutal.

Seersucker
329 Smith Street (between President and Carroll), Carroll Gardens
I love Seersucker for many reasons. They've brought solid southern food to Smith Street (not another French or Italian place). It's where I discovered Red Hook rose and that scallops and watermelon make a surprisingly good combination. They're steps from the subway and are for open breakfast at 8am during the week. Parents take note: Trips to nearby Carroll Park are best with buttermilk biscuits.

 Chestnut
271 Smith Street (between Sackett and Degraw), Carroll Gardens
I love the huge hidden garden and it doesn't get much better than homemade chocolate chip scones and poached eggs with wild mushrooms, toast and caramelized shallots for brunch.

Frankies 457
457 Court Street, Carroll Gardens
Frankies 457 is best with a bunch of friends because the bigger the group, the more Italian small plates you can sample. I'm partial to the pork braciole (make sure to get a side of gnocchi) and butternut squash ravioli. For a no-fuss dessert you'll never forget, their wine-soaked prunes are perfect. No reservations, lines are long and for warmer months, they have a wonderful garden.

Buttermilk Channel
524 Court Street (at Huntington), Carroll Gardens
Daniel and I like to go here on dates. The food is always top-notch and past meals have included duck meatloaf, fried chicken with waffles and a delicata squash tart. Maybe some day we'll bring the boys for brunch and see what they think of the $10 children's menu.

Breuckelen
268 Clinton Street (at Verandah Pl), Cobble Hill
Formerly Cafe on Clinton, a place where my friends Marie and Joe had one of the most intimate weddings I've ever been to, this landmark building is now home to Breuckelen, a restaurant with innovative food and a rustic fruit tart that my friend Olivia compared to those her French mother makes. Don't forget to check out the pretty row houses and adorable Cobble Hill Park next door. 

Henry Public
329 Henry Street (between Atlantic Ave and Pacific Street), Cobble Hill
Many people go for the old-fashioned cocktails. I prefer the humongous turkey-leg sandwich with fries.

Brucie
234 Court Street (at Baltic), Cobble Hill
A casual Italian restaurant and market that's good for a big group of friends or a quick meal at the bar. The space is warm and funky with mason jars covering light bulbs and cool tiles along one wall. I love Eataly in Manhattan, but would be just as happy with any of Brucie's prepared foods.

Cafe Luluc
214 Smith Street (between Butler and Baltic), Cobble Hill
I've had many long lunches at Cafe Luluc. I love the bright red leather booths and for a French bistro, they make some pretty good fish tacos.

SPECIALTY FOOD SHOPS 
Los Paisanos
162 Smith Street (at Bergen), Cobble Hill
The first year I lived in Boerum Hill, I begrudgingly bought my meat at Key Food. Then a co-worker told me about Los Paisanos. In the neighborhood for over 40 years, this is a place that seems so Brooklyn. After a few visits, I felt like family. I'm a sucker for their specialty sausage, grilled olives and pumpkin ravioli.

Sahadi's
187 Atlantic Ave (between Court and Clinton), Cobble Hill
A Middle Eastern market that's great for olives, coffee, dried fruit, cheese, sacks of spices, nuts, grains, and fresh loaves of bread, Sahadi's just might be the place I've missed most since leaving the neighborhood. I'd always go in for a few things and leave with a cart full of stuff. Go during the week, if you can. Weekends are a nightmare.

Fish Tales
191 Court Street (at Bergen), Cobble Hill
When I lived in Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights before that, I would buy my meat at one shop, my cheese at another, and for seafood, I'd go to Fish Tales. The fish is by far some of the freshest you'll find.

Smith & Vine
268 Smith Street (at Degraw), Cobble Hill
I always make a beeline for their $12 and under table, the perfect place to get a good bottle for cheap.

Stinky 
261 Smith Street (between Douglass and Degraw), Cobble Hill
Opened by the owners of Smith & Vine, Stinky is conveniently located across the street. Cheese is the star here, but they carry all sorts of other gourmet stuff. I like to give their Stinky onesies as baby gifts.

HOUSEWARES
Enamoo
109 Smith Street (between Atlantic and Pacific), Boerum Hill
This quirky shop has everything from plants to armchairs. Our apartment in Boerum Hill didn't have air conditioning so we picked up a few vintage fans that I'm sure we'll have for years. Their selection of Bklyn shirts and sweatshirts is good, too.

A Cook's Companion
197 Atlantic Ave (between Court and Clinton), Cobble Hill
Whenever Daniel and I had big dinner parties, I always found myself running to Cook's Companion for a tablecloth or a ramekin and on one occasion, a 9-quart Le Creuset.

KIDS
Acorn
323 Atlantic Ave (between Smith and Hoyt), Boerum Hill
Full of handmade and wooden toys that don't blink or make noise, this is my favorite place to buy gifts or new foods for Nico's play kitchen.

CLOTHES
Dear Fieldbinder
198 Smith Street (at Baltic), Cobble Hill
Overall, I don't like shopping for clothes, unless I'm at Dear Fieldbinder. The owner and her staff help, but don't hover and I always end up wearing everything I buy again and again. It's where I always go when I need a new dress or something special.

SHOES
Soula
185 Smith Street (at Warren), Cobble Hill
My three pairs of shoes that get the most compliments are all from Soula, including La Canadienne winter boots that my friend Karlyn loves to tease. Looks can be deceiving. They might be suede with a wedge heel, but they're unbelievably warm and waterproof.

GARDENING
GRDN
103 Hoyt (between Atlantic and Pacific), Boerum Hill
At our old apartment in Boerum Hill, we had a lavender tree, roses, hydrangeas and grass that Daniel had to mow. For the three years that we could garden, we splurged on plants and other outdoor essentials here.

HOLISTIC THERAPIES
Element Natural Healing Arts
518 Henry Street (at Union), Carroll Gardens
I started going to Element for acupuncture in 2002. Those days, the owners were working out of a doctor's office in Brooklyn Heights. Now they're in a much bigger space. Acupuncture is still their specialty, but they offer yoga, massages, other holistic therapies and even occasional dinners with local chefs on their roof deck as well. My midwife recommended acupuncture to kickstart labor with Leo. I went to Element for a few visits and wouldn't you know, he arrived right his due date.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares, Take Two

After a pumpkin smoothie experiment failed miserably the other day, I put some leftover pumpkin puree to better use. I made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares, a recipe from Everyday Food that I mentioned here a few years ago. Back then, I managed to sneak in baking sessions during naptime, something I don't think I'll figure out again for a while. This time, I made them at night, an hour before Nico went to bed. He hadn't even eaten dinner yet, so it really wasn't the best timing. Daniel convinced him to have a few bites of chicken and some sweet potatoes before he housed one, fresh from the oven.

I used less sugar again and bittersweet chocolate chips instead of semisweet. I didn't realize we were out of eggs until I needed one. I searched online for substitutions and one site suggested mashed banana. I was skeptical, but it worked surprisingly well and made them even better. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares
Adapted from Everyday Food

Makes 24

2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 large banana, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3/4 package (about 9 ounces) bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in banana and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
4. Lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into 24 squares.

See this post and many other treats on Sweet as Sugar Cookies

Windsor Terrace is Waiting, Blue Marble

Obviously I was excited when Lia's Ices first opened in Windsor Terrace. For one, I loved their sign. It felt like a place just for me, complete with smiley sweets. Close to Prospect Park and The Pavilion, it was on quiet side street with a few benches. I could sit while Nico played on the sidewalk, ice cream dripping down his arms. On occasion, we'd strike up a conversation with another family. In a big, busy city, benches work wonders at bringing people together. I really wanted to love the place. We shared a name after all, but everything I tried was kind of blah, including the soups and smoothies. The gelato always seemed sort of runny and while I ate my fair share of rainbow Italian ices when I was little, food coloring freaks me out these days.

It's always sad to see a local business go away, but it's a little less upsetting if another takes its place. I'm crossing my fingers for Blue Marble. Their ice cream is the best in Brooklyn if you ask me. The strawberry is tart, not too sweet, and one of my favorite things in the summer, or on a snowy, winter day. Dark chocolate, root beer, and peach are also out of this world. They closed their Atlantic Avenue location a few months ago, a place with where lines regularly ran out the door. I hear their landlord raised the rent, so maybe a former refreshment shack would be more budget-friendly?

Mondays at Eataly

I have a few things to tell you today, but not much time, so I'll be quick.

1. If you haven't been to Eataly yet, it's time to change that.

2. If you haven't heard of Eataly, I'll assume you don't live in NY. It's been called an Italian emporium. A temple. A foodie mecca. A culinary funhouse (my favorite). Intrigued? Catch up here.

3. If you plan to visit, here's some advice. Go on a Monday night. I've spent a few Mondays there and it's always been somewhat calm and easy to float from place to place. From what I've heard, the weekends are Crazy with a capital C.

4. If you can't decide which restaurant to try once you're there, start at Le Verdure. Don't let the all-vegetable menu scare you. Order the bruschetta. Piled high with roasted Brussels sprouts or acorn squash with sage and butter, each piece will be brawny and require a knife and fork. Le Verdure's the closest thing to this place that I've found in New York. 

5. If you're a food blogger, remember to take photos at the beginning of the night. If you forget your camera, make sure to go with a friend who has an iPhone and make her take photos for you. If possible, make her take pictures when you get there, not at the end of your night.

6. If it's late and you're full and should be going home, end your visit at Caffe Lavazza. Trust me, even if I drink mostly decaf and recently admitted to not knowing much about espresso.

7. If you're lucky, you'll meet Mike, one of Manhattan's friendliest baristas and after you order a cappuccino, a torinese (espresso with chocolate and foam), and a teeny tiny apricot pastry to split three ways, he'll surprise you with samples of hot chocolate that's so thick you'll need a spoon, homemade whipped cream and a cross between a semifreddo and sorbet that you think was called an espressocrema.

8. If you're really lucky, a lady will walk by with a samples of chocolate panettone.

9. If you're crazy, you'll chase after her and ask for seconds.

Eataly
200 5th Ave at 23rd Street
646-398-5100

Mini Pie Maker

If you follow food trends, you might have heard that cupcakes are so 2010. It's all about pie now, people. Considering how much time I've been spending at Dub Pies and Four & Twenty Blackbirds lately, these food forecasters seem to be on to something. If I lived somewhere that didn't have such good options, I would have begged for Breville's mini pie maker for Christmas. A machine that can make four pies (sweet or savory!) in eight minutes sounds pretty awesome to me. Apparently, others agree since I can't find a single site that has it in stock. I don't have space for another kitchen gadget and clearly don't need more reasons to eat pie, but I still signed up to get notified when it's available again. Just in case.

Photos from Williams-Sonoma

Little Piglet List: Three Cookbooks

When I was pregnant with Leo, I started a book club with a group of moms. For our first meeting, we read a book about the Taj Mahal and ordered Indian food. Unlike other book clubs I'd been in, this one was serious. We always talked about the book. We usually hung out together with our kids and had choppy conversations about naps and discipline. It was refreshing to talk without interruptions about other topics. When some other friends heard about that book club, they decided to form one. Inspired to read a lot, I joined as well. We talked a bit about the book the first month, but by our second gathering, we focused more on the wine and food. By the time Leo was born, I could barely even start a book. One of the groups slowly dissolved around the same time and last month, I took an indefinite leave of absence from the other. For now, I'm focusing on cookbooks. On iVillage this week, I shared three of my current favorites.

In other news, I recently started writing for baby gooroo, a parenting site that covers pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition, news and more. Founded by Amy Spangler who has written a number of books about breastfeeding, it's a straightforward site that's easy to navigate and full of really helpful information about babies and young children. 

Fresh Picks is  a new weekly feature I'm writing that explains how to select, store and serve fruits and vegetables. The first one was about apricots. Today, I'm sharing ideas for cauliflower. Now that Leo's eating solids, I plan to refer to all of them a lot. In fact, I've been meaning to make a roasted cauliflower recipe I referred to this week for a while. Bon Appetit describes it as vegetable candy. I hope this is the weekend I finally do it.