Best meal of 2011: Vesta in Astoria, NY. Started with housemade bocconcini di mozzarella, greens + crostini ($10); slow braised meatballs, parmigiano cheese + tomato sauce ($12); vintage Bavette steak, sweet potato puree + asparagus ($24); penne pasta with butternut squash, brown butter, and sage ($14); cavatappi with cauliflower, mint, seasoned breadcrumbs & shaved parmigiano ($13); lasagna three-meat ragu ($15); a perfectly baked + pureed brown sugar date cake drizzled with toffee sauce and served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream — called the Baby Jesus Cake; and finally, a pumpkin cheesecake ($10).
12.31.2011
12.27.2011
12.24.2011
12.22.2011
Holly days.
Various homemade pates and foie gras ($20) by Laurence Mate; assorted cheeses from Art Mart ($20); organic egg nog ($4); and fresh lemon juice ($9) for a real Old Fashioned.
12.18.2011
Brunchin' @LongmanAndEagle. (pics)
Market scramble: Werp Farms arugula, mushrooms, fromage blanc and served over a croissant with a side mixed greens ($12) and an excellent croque madame ($12).
12.16.2011
Long time coming @BigStarChicago. (pics)
Al pastor + 2 tacos de panza ($9), sonoran hot dog ($7), vegetables en escabeche ($1), an old fashioned + a Bakersfield Buck ($7), and late, but, piping hot queso fundido ($7).
12.14.2011
@firstavenue stars.
Outside: a wall full of past performers. Inside: the big star for Prince's Purple Rain.
5-8 Club in Minneapolis.
A juicy lucy is unique to Minneapolis. It is a half pound burger stuffed with cheese. Basically, it is a cheeseburger and not all that special, $6; and a bowl of chicken noodle soup, $4. Not impressed, Minneapolis.
12.11.2011
Preparations.
Mise en place with house made maraschino cherries and candied ginger for cocktails, knives, and a homemade mozzarella with braised pork and arugula pizza; $40 for six.
12.06.2011
Earrings from @WolfbaitBGirls.
Stones, unicorns, and black feathers on long earrings from Wolfbait & B-girls by The Hunters Kiss, $40.
12.05.2011
Giving thanks.
Glenlivet, pumpkin pies, turkey, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, Sunday gravy + mostaccioli, and a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape ($37).
12.04.2011
12.02.2011
Las Palmas (@laspalmasdining) on North Avenue.
Pan-seared tiger shrimp over creamy chipotle sauce with sautéed spinach, baby carrots & saffron rice.
11.27.2011
A whimsical Midwestern supper.
Angel Food goat cheese ($8) from Prairie Fruits Farm, crackers, apples, and a homemade sunchoke ($2) + leek ($3) soup. For dessert: a warm, roasted honey crisp apple ($1) topped a scoop of brown butter almond brittle ice cream ($9) from Jeni's.
11.26.2011
A long way for ingredients to travel.
White bean ($1.50) and kale ($3) stew with roasted pork ($8 per lb) brought home from Guavate, Puerto Rico.
How it was made: sauteed an onion, an Anaheim pepper and kale stems in olive oil and chicken stock. Simmered cannellini beans with the kale.
11.22.2011
Flo
When I went to Flo Cafe this weekend, I ordered the best Huevos rancheros ($6.95) I've ever had. How it was prepared: a heaping ladle of red chile on top of enchilada filled with cheddar cheese and surrounded by two soft fried eggs, with black beans, pico de gallo, and a folded tortilla on the side.
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