Summer Refreshments

We’ve had a hot spell here in NY for the past few days, and I’ve discovered my new favorite lunch to make it all better—Gazpacho! I’ve always loved the Spanish-inspired dish for special occasions, but I was so excited when I saw a small cup at Pret a Manger (the extremely convenient and super-quick lunch spot across the street from work). And – it’s only 100 calories! I’m absolutely loving it. Some other refreshing foods for summer:

• dill pickles
• flavored seltzer
• sliced Jersey tomatoes
• pears with cheese
• beer/margaritas
• sweet corn

What do you reach for on really hot days (other than ice cream, of course!)?

Love This Marketing Idea

If somebody sent me this, I’d pretty much be a customer for life. I’m easy, I know. Way to go, Swich.

Gearing Up for the Picnic Club

Yesterday was beautiful here in NYC—hit the 70s for the first time in forever. Thus, I got spring fever and consumed approximately a million calories to celebrate the warm weather. There goes the diet! But I came across two really cute picnic sets that got me extra excited for future picnic-ing this spring and summer. The Eco Picnic set (via Dose of Design) is all fully biodegradable/compostable, and the Steady Stick Table and Wine holders (via SwissMiss) are less eco-friendly, but more likely to keep your food and drink away from the ants. I can’t wait to picnic!

Happy Picnic-ing!

I just read about the NYC Picnic Club—it’s a group of people who want to promote picnic-ing and overall enjoyment of the NYC outdoors in the spring/summertime. I think this sounds like a fabulous idea. Although DBTH posted that they are a members-only club, the picnic group is actually all-inclusive. As mentioned in rule #1: If you show up to an event, you become a member. Nice. I’m gonna show up. I actually own a picnic basket, and I’m dying to buy some french baguettes, meat, cheeses, and fruit to fill it for a sunny Saturday afternoon. Picnic Club, here I come.

Photo via.

Chipotle Drops the L-Bomb

As I’ve mentioned before, I work in the foodie-wasteland of Midtown East. Therefore, I frequent Chipotle… frequently. And today I learned that they love me back. When I ordered my lunch online (if you haven’t done this, you must! It totally avoids the ridiculously long line), my confirmation email said:

Hello,

Thank you for placing an order with Chipotle!… blah blah blah

Love,

Joe

Umm… who is Joe? And why does he love me?

Photo via.

Sick Day…

I had to call out sick from work today—sore throat, stuffy nose, and a general feeling of crappiness. But at about noon, I forced myself out of bed to get lunch and walked over to Piada for a panini and iced coffee. As I sat there, eating my freshly pressed mozzarella, prosciutto, red peppers, and arugula, and reading my current book, Kiss and Tango, I had one of those “I LOVE NY” moments. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m eating yummy food, and somehow it makes all my sickness melt away. Those moments are few and far between, but they erase all my pissed-off moments, like last night when I waited 15 minutes for the F train only to get on and find out it was running on the A line. Awesome.

PS, if you’re in the neighborhood tonight, Piada is celebrating it’s 2 year anniversary with some free wine and food.