Until I Retire

If you want to sample Thomas Keller's food for far less than it costs at Per Se (uh, doesn't everybody?!) then you need to visit Bouchon Bakery. Bouchon's open cafe setting in the middle of Time Warner mall in Columbus Circle is ideal for people watching while you eat superb food. Fantastic sandwiches, salads and quiches await you at this awesome, airy hot spot. The sandwiches will run you about $15 a pop but are soooo worth it and the impeccable plating screams Keller.

There's also a storefront accross from the restaurant that offers sammies to go and tons of baked goods. The large homemade oreo cookie will literally knock your socks off. No joke.

Truth be told, I'd rather be hanging at the Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, which is set in the heart of California's Napa Valley. I guess until I retire to that area and have my own vineyard, New York's Bouchon will have to suffice.

Classics like Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup are irresistible:


Check out Mike's Smoked Salmon Sandwich on home baked Brioche:


P.S. - Good news - Bouchon offers wine too!

Heart-poundingly Good

It is no surprise I love Morandi, the Italian restaurant belonging to Keith McNally. After all....he is the genius behind Minetta Tavern and we know how I feel about Minetta (hear my heart beating loudly?)

I see a pattern here with McNally restaurants which amounts to simple math: x (cram them in) times y (turn them over) equals z (money machine). Did I mention that the mathematic formula also uses delicious, reliable food?! I’ve been to Morandi a few times and sampled a bunch of menu items - Sicilian style meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, lightly fried artichokes, escarole salad with fava beans, Cacio e Pepe pasta and the spicy grilled chicken with chilies (Pollo alla Diavola). I’m happy to report the food is always mouthwateringly delicious. My husband loved the Pollo alla Diavola so much he tried to make it at home more than once.

Last visit, I ordered a light appetizer for dinner – the hand stretched focaccia caprese. Superb? You bet ya.


Keith, my friend, it seems you can do no wrong.

Original Inspiration

Back in June, I visited The Plaza Hotel and Todd English's Food Hall. I was so impressed with the whole venue that it served as inspiration to start blogging about food.

Last weekend, we stopped in again for a mid-afternoon snack of charcuterie and cheese. The wooden board full of goodies before was perfection and made me remember being completely inspired.


The charming American food hall offered so many tantalizing options and featured so many intoxicating smells last week that it was still hard to decide where to pull up a stool - just like on my original visit.

Who Needs a Vacation?

Staycations are the newest thing. In case you haven’t heard, a staycation is an economical alternative to a conventional vacation. Instead of jetting down to Disneyworld or some exotic locale, a staycation might consist of barbecuing around the backyard pool, visiting a nearby museum, or relaxing with a day trip to the local park.

I say forget all that. Wanna feel like you are someplace tropical and NOT in The Jerz? Just head to Cuban Pete’s in Montclair. The walk to the outdoor garden seating takes you far away from the bustle of Bloomfield Avenue with every single step along the wood planked, palm tree-lined walkway. Sitting outside with warm breezes, dining on chimichurri skirt steak and coconut rice all while listening to Gipsy Kings will make you almost forget entirely that you're in Jersey.



On the last trip, our huge group dined on appetizers of Ham Croquettas, Goat Cheese Fritters, Chicken Empanadas, and Chicaron De Pollo (chicken lollipops)......and it was all really really good. I can’t resist their garlic shrimp with rice and fried plantains for dinner. I always order it. My husbands fave is the crispy whole fish!



I think it might be physically impossible not to have fun at Cuban Pete’s. They offer many different types of sangrias, the waiters are wearing tropical shirts and Cuban hats, and the eatery evokes the mood of a full blown tropical vacation.

So like I said – forget the whole backyard staycation thing. Just go grab a seat outside at Cuban Pete’s!!!!

Vanilla Bean Doughnuts

Do you have one of these?


If not, you're going to want to purchase a doughnut pan so you can make these:


I mentioned last week how much I enjoy Sprinklebakes.com. I love the website even more now that I've made her recipe for Vanilla Bean Doughnuts.

Holy Freakin' Delicious Batman.

The Convivial Campfire

Labor Day weekend brought lots of end of summer fun – BBQ’s, NYC eating and another Borgata excursion.

I'll start with Saturday which was spent BBQ hopping(thanks D. thanks Ang.)

One BBQ was in honor of a D.C. visitor. Whenever Luke returns to Jersey, a bunch of us get together for dinner. This time instead of going out to eat “Frangela” (our Hollywood couple name for Mike and Ang) hosted a BBQ. There were no hot dogs and hamburgers in site though....these guys bought everyone a steak!!!!! Oh, and did I mention there was pork loin and plenty of salads too?!? They really went all out.

One of the best parts of the evening involved making S’mores by the propane fire pit in their backyard. I’m still wondering if there will ever be a greater combination of flavors than those in a S’more. Continuing with the evening’s plenty of food theme, the S’mores weren’t alone on the dessert table - there was also strawberry pie and homemade doughnuts.



Sharing massive amounts of food with good friends always equals a stellar time! The iced cold shots of Patron XO Cafe probably didn’t hurt either. Coffee flavored tequila is definitely my new favorite drink.

MAJOR THANKS AGAIN FRANGELA!

Blog Break

.........but even bloggers need a break to enjoy the holiday weekend!

Happy Labor Day. See ya next week.