Meat Magic

In yesterday’s post I expressed my deep feelings for Wegmans. Normally when I shout out loud how much I love someone else, my hubby would be jealous. It doesn't happen with Wegmans...simply because he loves it just as much as I do!!

We took a trip there this weekend for dry aged beef so we could make a burger at home like the Minetta burger.

Our attempt was pretty successful. While we certainly didn’t duplicate the Black Label Burger exactly (we refused to used 10 gallons of clarified butter), I’d say we came pretty close to at home burger perfection. I think the balsamic carmelized onions added insane flavor with the dry aged meat.

Step 1 - form patties with dry aged beef that you grind yourself:


Step 2 - Cook burger in a cast iron skillet to rare and top with Cheddar:


Step 3 - Add balsamic carmelized onions:



Step 4 – call/text/email Michael if you need more info. I can be of no assistance! haha

P.S. – Why am I saying “we” throughout this post!? Truth is – it was all Michael! I had nothing to do with burger execution aside from watching my husband work his magic.

Love Letter

Dear Wegmans –

I absolutely adore you. Please please please move closer to my home. If you do, I promise I will shop with you weekly!

Your hot bar (complete with Asian delicacies) makes my knees buckle. Your bakery section makes me swoon and I’m head over heels for your meat case complete with DRY AGED BEEF.

I remember our first meeting like it was yesterday. My eyes almost fell out of my head when I saw all you had to offer. It’s been a while....but you still make my heart go pitter patter!

XO
G.

Away Too Long

I’ve been blogging about three months now and haven’t mentioned Houston’s Restaurant yet. I realized it is because I haven’t been there in three months (GASP) and I’m not quite sure how I let that happen?! It is undoubtedly one of my all time favorite dining spots. Houston’s holds nothing but great memories for me because I’m always there with people I love to be with. Sometimes just the hubs and I go for a date, but usually we are with a larger group since my brother dines there WEEKLY (yes, every week) with his buddies.

Houston’s is a chain restaurant and it has franchised, Starbucks-style....but somehow it has a reliable satisfying “non-chainy” chain restaurant feel. The food is always spot on (honestly never had a bad meal) and the environment is just so seductive. The plush leather banquettes, large modern paintings, and hardwood tables conjure a certain Pottery Barn aesthetic.

The wait staff bring dishes, refill drinks, and bus tables in what seems like record time. I guess it also doesn’t hurt that my brother is on a first name basis with everyone in the place!

Houston’s has a limited menu but I personally think that’s why it is so good. They buy into the Mickey D model - do only a few things and do them well. Everything is consistently tasty from the hickory burger and the famed spinach and artichoke dip, to the fall-off-the bone ribs, grilled chicken salad, french dip au jus and salmon.

Last visit, Michael had his standing order of salmon and I got the veggie burger in an attempt to be healthful, which was pretty good. Usually though, I’m all about the French Dip. The sandwich is made with PRIME RIB. Yep, no roast beef here. Houston’s heats a generous cut of its delectable prime rib under a salamander and then thinly-slices it and places the juicy slices inside the roll, serving it with a mug of au jus for dipping. The prime rib is moist, tender, and tasty. The bread is squishy soft and bakery fresh but is sturdy enough to hold together even dipped in the broth. Dunk those shoestring fries and you will really be in heaven.



Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce the Prime Rib French Dip:


I should mention their side veggies are stellar if you want to skip the fries. They usually have things like green beans with olive tapenade, red cabbage with goat cheese, or fresh heirloom tomato salad to name a few.

Desserts – the five nut brownie is crazy good as is the key lime pie. I could go on and on about how delicious all of the food is because I’ve probably tasted most menu items so I’ll end this post now with one final bit of advice:

Go to Houston’s. Bring people you love.

P.S. – Get the Houston’s Salad with blue cheese dressing as an appetizer. It’s full of fresh corn, bacon, bright red tomatoes, and giant chunks of blue cheese with a cheesy toast on the side. Need I say more?

Major Awards

I figured I would skip talking about food today to congratulate all the EMMY winners!!!!

It was a fantastic show and I thought Jimmy Fallon deserved major props as a host. I’m so happy about Mad Men, Modern Family and Top Chef taking the statues and also GLEEful about Eric Stonestreet (yay!), Edie Falco, Jane Lynch (double yay!), Betty White and Mr. Pacino winning! Wow – what a show.

Yes, Yes, Lea looked goooorgeous. I thought Julie and Sofia did too :-)

Pop Rocks and Chocolate?

I found two new sites that I love:

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/
http://www.bakeitpretty.com/

I read about Sparkler Pops on both sites. Apparently, the pops are a combination of chocolate and Pop Rocks and they’re a trendy, new fad with gourmet chocolatiers. Everyone loves the nostalgic fizz of Pop Rocks, right?

Sprinklebakes said:
The Voltaggio brothers (of Top Chef fame and Volt restaurant) have been treating diners to chocolate fizzy lollipops as an end-of-the-meal surprise. Sure, it's probably a fad and some would say gimmicky, but I think it's a lot of FUN!


(photo from Sprinklebakes.com)

Feel the Heat

By now I’m sure you realize that my hubby loves long hot peppers. I do too, but sometimes I’m a wimp and can’t take extreme heat.

We haven’t had these peppers in a long time:



Look good? They are because they're stuffed full of sopressata and provolone – need I say more? We’re overdue. I feel a trip to Lodi coming on to visit Vitamia.

(photos courtesy of Offthebroiler.com)

Food on Wheels

Food trucks seem to be everywhere these days. Remember I posted about this one in Los Angeles?

Well, among the gazillion in New York City, I’m dying to try Schnitzel & Things . They serve......wait for it.......schnitzel platters with two sides! Sides include stuff like Austrian potato salad or roasted beets with feta. My stomach is growling.


And are you all watching this show? It’s pretty good.
Long live the food truck revolution!