Lunch Hour: Grab a Popsicle!

Ok so my friend over at Bookish NYC sent me a link to NY's newest craze:  POPSICLES! Seems like even The New York Times is impressed.  Check out their article here!

Image by Nataliedee

Seeing that Lunch Hour in NYC is really more like 30 minutes, I figure what harm could be done by just grabbing a Popsicle instead?  Sounds like a yummy plan to me!

Check out these locations to get your Popsicle Lunch to go! 

Popbar, 5 Carmine Street (Avenue of the Americas), (212) 255-4874
People’s Pops, Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (15th Street), entrance at 425 West 15th Street;
La Newyorkina, Hester Street Fair, Hester and Essex Streets; (SAT & SUN only)
Griff’s Gelato, 157 Duane Street (West Broadway), (212) 732-5555

EAT AT HOME: Chickpea Salad

In my efforts to both save money and eat healthy I have put myself to task for taking my lunch to the dance studio! This can save upwards of $75 a week in NYC so its no small idea!  This week I was really kind of tired of the same old, same old (Banana, Almond Butter, Vegetable Soup, HB egg), so I decided to play a game: I looked in my cupboard and found one main ingredient (this week, A Bag of Chickpeas) and then went over to my favorite food blog Smitten Kitchen to search for a recipe.  What did I come up with? The most divine chickpea salad ever! Check it out here.  Adapted from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone  I was originally won over by Smitten's glorious photographs -- so colorful, so spring!

After I made it, I was won over by the most delicious flavor -- and even better, mine looked just as beautiful!

I definitely recommend this recipe -- and even think its fun to make!  And roasting peppers, while a bit time consuming (Roast clean peppers whole for 60 minute on 375, turn every 20 minutes), well it makes your home smell so home-y! It's wonderful!

Bon Appet-B.!

Raving Glad: Levain Bakery's Double Chocolate Chip

 

LEVAIN BAKERY

167 West 74th St New York, NY 10023 

T: 212-874-6080 • F: 212-874-6413 

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-7pm 

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Everyone knows that a woman without her daily allowance of chocolate could be dangerous -- and so I do my best to be a good girl and force this little nutritional supplement into my diet daily.  Last evening, I had the pleasure of interviewing our first Man About Town subject (I'm swooning!), and as it goes he too recognizes the daily benefits of chocolate and as such had dropped the hint that he loved Levain Bakery's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.  And so of course I thought it would be ideal to go and get some of them to break the ice for our interview.

The interview went splendidly, going on even longer than planned. I got home sort of late, and pretty much went to bed  'all talked out'  and ready for a full evenings rest.  I didn't eat a proper dinner, because I was feeling sort of full after our chocolate indulgence.  But I didn't think much about that.    So I went to bed last night -- 'all talked out' -- tired and feeling rather great about our interview... ready for a full evenings rest.  I didn't eat a proper dinner, because I was feeling sort of full after our chocolate indulgence.  But I didn't think much about that.    THEN however, I woke up this morning and do you know what the first thing on my mind was? THAT COOKIE!

I know that Levain Bakery is known as one of the best cookie bakeries in the city!   Correction:  IT IS THE BEST COOKIE BAKERY IN THE CITY!  Tucked into the basement corner of 74th Street & Columbus, it is right by the dance studio where I take classes, so for me it is really easy to indulge.  They make 4 basic kinds of cookies -- Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip & Oatmeal.  I myself drop in there about once per month to get the Chocolate Chip Walnut, and well that can last me 2 days! I have never ventured to try the double chocolate chip because well, I just assumed it would be TOO SWEET or TOO SOMETHING -- and considering that I get hot cocoa all the time, I figured why bother to have yet one more temptation to avoid? I sort of took a stand with myself -- "you don't need it" I would say to myself -- "it's just a dangerous step in the wrong direction!"

And I was doing well --some years of going to dance classes there and I had just been a very good chocolate walnut girl -- instead of being a very naughty double chocolate gal!  But now, well NOW -- after reluctantly sharing this most divine chocolate gooey mess with my Man About Towner, I am ADDICTED!  These cookies are so good you just feel like you have entered some sort of dream state where chocolate goo is the air you breathe! Completely balanced, these cookies are a chocolate lovers dream and yet somehow they are not one tad over sweet -- not at all toothy! How do they do that? I mean I can make some good cookies -- but everytime I try adding more chocolate it gets too sweet --  or won't stay together in the oven!  Hmph.

At any rate this Cookie Dinner totally distracted me from my purpose of giving a purely professional interview.  I was trying to hide my most blissful state and was trying even harder to stay on topic -- and well we also had one of the best hot chocolate's ever to go with (Jacques Torres Classic!) but could I at all focus on the hot chocolate? NO! All I could focus on was the fact that this cookie was absorbing my attention and I was somehow supposed to make some sort of sense -- and not take up the entire evening with my incessant babbling!  Officially: These Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies are a Drug.  A Very Happy Drug!

If I didn't know better, I'd think this Gent did this on purpose as a sort of joke -- a sort of way to distract his audience -- like it was some sort of performance stunt he had planned all along to leave me in a gushing, chocolate puddle!

Well it worked.  My head is still spinning from last evening and this morning I haven't had one thing to eat because well, what could possibly be more satisfying -- a normal boiled egg breakfast, or dreaming , I mean uh, writing, about these cookies? Ok. Fine,  I'm obsessed!

Cookie Monsters Unite,

Madame B.

EAT AT HOME: Sunday Supper: Hummus With Steak

So tonight I was able to get home earlier than usual for a Sunday, in time to make my own dinner! Originally I had planned to eat at Nanoosh, a favorite Hummus Cafe (only in NYC!) of mine, but then decided to be frugal and make dinner at home!

What a great idea! Tonight's Menu:

Skirt Steak & Pureed Chickpeas with Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions. DELISH!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Small Can Organic Chickpeas
1/4 lb Skirt Steak
5 Mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 Small Onion, thinly sliced
Shiraz

Olive Oil (or butter)
S&P
Cumin
2 cloves Garlic
Dash of Balsamic Vinegar
Pat of Butter

(Optional: Tahini 2 tsp; Lemon 1 TBS; Red Pepper flakes for heat; red bell peppers 3 TBS; Pine Nuts 2 TBS, etc)

PREP: S&P the Skirt Steak and set aside. Pour a glass of Shiraz. Sip as you cook.

1. Heat chickpeas in juice over the stove; then puree with 2 cloves garlic, cumin, olive oil, s&p to taste. (you can also add in optional ingredients of your choice to the puree) Set aside.

2. Saute the mushrooms and onions with Olive Oil, S&P until very soft and golden; set aside.

3. Saute the skirt steak for a few minutes on each side to Med Rare in Olive Oil (or butter). Allow to rest 3-4 minutes while you drink some wine. Slice thinly

Assemble: Scoop a circle of Hummus on your plate, top with Mushrooms and Onions, and finally steak.

Swirl butter in the steak pan with dash balsamic vinegar to make a light "jus" -- drizzle over the entire dish.

Devour! YUM!

Madame B.

EAT AT HOME: I'm All Snowed In! Solution? Brownies!

If you've been reading at all lately you will know that since my little Beer Bread experience, I've been obsessed with Brownies, realizing that of all things one can buy in a box, this, rather than some sort of bread, is the yummy sure thing! Waking to these huge snow flakes falling about this morning, my oven timer clicked and I immediately realized the best way to spend my day -- my last day of freedom as it were before the madness of The Fashion Intelligentsia sets into action!

Just for confirmation of my little plan I went over to Smitten first thing, and wouldn't ya know -- yet again, she has a wonderful chocolate souffle/brownie recipe right on her first page! It's a sign!

Of course there are a billion of other things I should do today in full preparation for tomorrow -- and I am sure the same goes for you. But, if we unite together in our mission to ease the cold with a bit of chocolaty-warm goo, we wouldn't be in so much trouble, right?!

Right!

XO,

Madame B.

EAT AT HOME: It's 2:31 PM and Time for a Cocktail!

Tuesday Afternoon. The Sky here in NYC is a nuanced shade of Grey, and although quite similar to a Parisian Sky, it is lacking all the charm. Of course, it is still cold! Already I've been out for my Cafe, in effort to gear myself up to attend to all the little details of even MORE preparations for Fashion Week! I have already decided that I will not be attending either the Spring or the Resort Shows, as I can't bear this sort of bother for seasons that actually require very little clothing!

In order to survive I've decided I must have a midday Cocktail! My preference? My own concoction titled, 'The Madame', whereby one mixes a lovely homemade Ginger Syrup with a curled zest of Orange & Champagne, topped with a crystallized Ginger / 5 Spice powder around the edges of the Flute! Perfection!

You too have my permission to go out for a little "smoke break" and get yourself a cocktail instead. Trust me, it makes the day all the more bearable!

If everyone knows you do not smoke, you can also easily create the syrup at home (see the recipe below) and then mask the Champagne as Ginger Ale (just put it into that green tinted bottle Ginger Ale comes in) and Voila! You never have to leave your desk to enjoy!

The Madame's Ginger Syrup:

1/2 cup chopped fresh ginger (peeled, easily with a spoon)
2/3 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons more
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp 5 spice powder
1/4 tsp powdered crystallized ginger

Bring ginger, sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer; cook until liquid thickens to maple syrup consistency, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool. Strain syrup; discard ginger

Mix the 2 tbs sugar, 5 spice & crystallized ginger powders to top the Flutes.
Put a little bit of syrup in the bottom of the Flute, throw a curl of Orange in, & add the Bubbly!

CHIN! CHIN!

EAT AT HOME: What's For Dinner? Chocolate!

So anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE COOKING, but lately things have just been a disaster.

Tonight I tried to make Beer Bread, whereby one adds a frothy 12oz Porter to a neat little box mix from Trader Joes with a bit of sharp Vermont Cheddar to top it all off and VOILA! A MESS! Literally its like trying to eat a brick and even my clever concoction of 80% milk-fat butter with honey didn't help.

So then I went over to one of my love-at-first-sites, Smitten Kitchen and thought I'd give her search engine a whirl on the topic and what did I find???? BROWNIES!

So that's it! For dinner I'm picking up a Duncan Hines Brownie Mix and Vanilla Ice Cream & finishing the night off with a sure bet! And of course, I suggest that you do the same! As any Bitch can tell you, you can never go wrong with Chocolate!

Yummy-Tum-Tum!

Mdme. B.

Wine Me, Dine Me SOHO: Ruby's

RUBY'S / $$
219 Mulberry Street (bet.Prince & Spring)
212-925-5575
http://www.rubyscafe.us/
NY Mag: Critic's Pick
Yelp: 4 out of 5 Stars
Mdme. B.: Damned Good Grub

It's the Weekend. In January. In NYC. The sun is brightly dancing about, so much so that I ended up rising a full hour before I had planned to hit snooze. What to do? What to do? After having been home-bound for what seems like 2 weeks due to colder than cold temperatures, this little break in the weather makes it the perfect day for my favorite thing ever... walking about Soho.

Soho is an acronym for South of Houston Street (pronounced house-ton in these parts). Formerly a neighborhood known to be a hot spot for upcoming and down trodden artists, it has now more than fully metamorphosed into a formidable luxury shopping district, complete with cobblestone streets, windows to drool over, and plenty of boutiques that only Europeans can afford. With rents reaching some of the most expensive in the city, it serves a perfect tableau for an aimless walk on a Weekend Afternoon, where you can engage in one of New York's best sports: gawking. Everywhere you look you will find hoards of Warhol fashionistas trying their darnedest to look like they are not trying. Mismatching an ever so careful array of woolen accessories, this is perhaps the most likely place in America to see Gisele Bundchen strutting about in her PJ's and Uggs, making you wish you hadn't bothered to get out of bed. Yes, the Soho Species is Camera-Worthy. and Tall. and Skinny....KISS MY GRITS!

So after jaunting about the streets for 45 minutes or so you should be well prepared for the accompanying pains, with ankle pain from twisting your ankles on those cobblestones in heels being first and then stomach pain to follow, a tell-tell consequence of viewing far too many Ectomorphs. Duly, as I will investigate more fully as the year progresses, my answer to all pain? FOOD! Which poses the next and more poignant question for today's column: Where Do I Eat in Soho?

Here is the thing: there are a ton of cute little spots to dine in Soho. Many of which have numerous models strewn about for decor and pricey menus based on Eggs Florentine. Some come with white table cloths and many have secret ashtrays where you can discreetly deposit your silt from your too chic to inhale habit. And of course there is Balthazar's, which if you are craving Bouillabaisse or a Croque Monsieur, forget this review and head there immediately! But for me, every time I find myself stranded with hunger pains in this little microcosm of NYC, I find myself thinking Pasta, Burgers, Grub! and for this, there is Ruby's.

Ruby's has the best short menu I've seen , with the perfect choices of Pasta, Burgers, Salads and Panini's. Australian owned, you can also be sure to have at least one or two diner's who are drool worthy, like they've just landed here for a moment's rest from their world surfing tour. Almost always you will be accompanied by someone from England as well, not sure why, but every time I've eaten here, there has been at least one Londoner in the house. You will also feel incredibly cramped. The space is tiny... the kitchen a coat closet...the bathroom...don't even bother. Please be advised that it is best to duck into a bookstore to use the restroom before you get here. Also be advised that in tune with it being Australian owned, the waitstaff is, well, otherwise obliged... and not aiming to please in that "you must be important because you are in Soho" sort of way. There is no ass-kissing. But if you can be bothered to raise your voice and relax a bit, you will have some of the most satisfying, comfy foods ever.

First, the Pastas: Their Creamy Chicken pasta is just delicous... creamy...artery-clogging...divine. Then there is their Spicy Sausage Pasta.... equally delicious leaving you to wonder "how do they make that sauce?!!!!" Then there is the Shrimp pasta -- and the Veggie Pasta -- and the Grandma Ruby's Bolognese! All of these are simple creations made in a tiny one burner kitchen, served in big ol' white bowls that you wish were a bit wider... but boy are those bowls deep. You get well over your fair share, so rest assured that you will not leave hungry.

Then, the Burgers: This is really where they show their Aussie Chops... creative as can be, with a mildly spicy sort of chili ketchup, and trimmings that you wouldn't think of right off the bat, my favorite might just be the Whaley where they add a fried egg and a pineapple to the mouthwatering beef burger -- my only complaint being the $2.50 needed to add in avocado (if you so choose).

My next favorite thing on the menu is their Salads, which are a full meal's portion. Almost every Salad I've tried I've adored and my best advice is to go with a friend and share a salad as an appetizer (not however guaranteed to come out first) and then get a pasta or burger to boot. Both the Tuna and the Apple Procuitto Salad's are my favorites. If you really want the Salad as your only meal get Tuna Salad, or for the adventurous taste bud, try the Pumpkin Salad and add Chicken (for the same $2.50 as the avocado, mind you!). The carmelized balsamic is just so caramel-tasty-yum!

They also offer standard fare panini's (I'm sorry, I'm a bit over panini's right now and I have my favorite guy over in the East Village park for that, but they are not bad by any means), and of course an array of breakfast treats including eggs, oatmeal and buttermilk pancakes (with carmelized plums!).

Overall I recommend this place without hesitation but you must know what to expect. This is a local's spot ...where you would eat if you live in Soho (or technically, it's in Nolita) and want to hang about with friends. The food is meant to satisfy in the manner of going to a good friend's place who happens to be an amazing short-order chef! It's not meant to impress tourists or cranky shoppers who are demanding everything now, right this minute, right away! It's casual -- not just in dress but in feeling and attitude. It's Aussie! So, relax, Mate, and go have some damned good grub!

Eat Up & Eat Well!

Mdme. B.

EAT AT HOME Look What's Cookin! It's 4:50 pm, and...

Here I am making my NY Blog Debut and I am still too cold to Bitch! Yes, It's Plum Freezing here in the Big Apple, and besides that, I am smack dab in the middle of my New Year's Home Re-Organization Routine, whereby I tear my home apart in an effort to throw out, re-gift and re-organize my life, all while doing cute ballet balances besides! Oh just think! If had a video camera, you could share in my madness! (sigh: I don't)

Nevertheless, while one can go without bitching for a day, one can certainly not go without FOOD. And just a moment ago I found this recipe from Smitten Kitchen and thought: "hmmmm, a quick trip to the store and a few hours aside isn't too much of a detour from my tasks, right?" And then I answered with my favorite answer: "You're Right!" -- and so off I go to grab a brisket and a can of tomatoes to get my dinner in the works! I suggest you do the same!

OK! That's All!