Ate my birthday dinner with my family at Perilla last night. Another great meal at a great restaurant — as many of you know, I love this place. I think J had the score of the night by ordering the Three Little Pigs. My father approved of the place (which is rare!) because it has “really clean bathrooms.” Well, if I knew that was all it took!!!
Archive for June, 2009
Fantastic.
June 9, 2009
Just saw this magazine layout on MICHAEL HARLAN TURKELL’S PLOG. As a former magazine editor, I’m always impressed by unique, eye-catching layouts. And this one definitely caught my eye. You can read the full article on NYCers who make their own mozzarella cheese here.
My Relationship… Told Through Food
June 9, 2009
Sometimes I think about replaying mine and J’s relationship through food/restaurants. Like… a walk through all the restaurants and that have special memories from the last 3 years ( both the good and the bad). Here’s what it would include:
Serafina – the scene of our first, very nervous and chatty date. J’s pick, obvs.
Fatty Crab – the scene of our third date (the second was hitting golf balls at Chelsea Piers and was highly embarrassing on my end). My pick, obvs. It was also the place where I ordered a dish that was so spicy my face turned bright red and I had to consume coconut milk to calm down my taste buds… after I had just gone a spiel about how much I hate coconut.
Perilla – where we celebrated our first year anniversary. But actually, more special, where we randomly popped in for dinner on a quiet Memorial Day weekend and had one of the best meals we’ve had as a couple. Plus, we love Top Chef.
Hearth – where we celebrated our second anniversary. And again, one of the best meals we’ve had as a couple. We’re on a role!
Porter House – We got a free meal here pretty early into our relationship (thanks to the perks of working at a magazine). It was pretty decadent — steaks, wine, and oysters. And the night ended with a free hotel stay at the Mandarin Oriental hotel… I wonder if he thought this would be indicative of the rest of our relationship? Maybe I tricked him!
Del Posto – My 25th birthday. Total extravagance. I even wore a flirty dress and heels.
Ninja – J’s 26th birthday (so weird that this is the age I’m turning in a week), and the first birthday we spent together. I took him to Ninja, and he absolutely loved it! It’s where I learned that he’s a sucker for samurai swords and magic tricks.
J… anything I’m forgetting? Weird that there aren’t any places on this list in the LES or in Brooklyn.
The Bittersweet LES Goodbye
June 5, 2009
My dear LES friends… I am leaving the ‘hood. August 1st I’m making the big move to J‘s apartment (where will my clothes go?!) in Brooklyn Heights. I already love this neighborhood, and Cobble Hill next door, and I can’t wait to have brand new eating adventures!
Should I keep this blog: Lower Eat Side? Or should I start fresh with a Brooklyn-based title?
P.S. I think Bar Tabac is my favorite brunch place that I’ve found so far. Photo via.
I Forgot NYC Could Be Fancy
June 1, 2009
Living in my little LES world, I sometimes forget that all NYC restaurants aren’t super tiny, cramped, cozy, and bustling with hipsters. But, over Memorial Day weekend, I was reminded of how opulent and over-the-top some NY restaurants can be. J and I had a gift certificate to Megu (that we’ve been holding on to for over a year), and we finally decided to use it. Megu is one of those super swanky sushi restaurants — not the 3rd Ave, 50% off, type places that I’m used to. We easily spent our $150 gift card and then some, and we didn’t even order wine or sake. But I have to say — there’s something really special about these grand NYC institutions, like Tao, Nobu, and even Cipriani’s. There are insane things like the huge ceilings, wagyu beef flown from Japan, table-side homemade wasabi, and best of all… the Buddha ice sculpture that’s carved daily (see photo). Such extravagance in a recession is a little hard to swallow, but I still love that these little pockets of NYC exist… even if I rarely experience them!
Lower Eat Side 