7.30.12 Lady Mendl's Tea

Today, I went to Lady Mendl's 5 course tea service at The Inn at Irving Place (56 Irving Place, New York, NY). It was lovely. All the food and the tea was absolutely delish!

On my way there, I noticed this plaque on the building across the street. Washington Irving lived here! I guess that's why it's called Irving Place. I never knew that ...

Washington Irving's house ... not so shabby ...

The pretty table setting at Lady Mendl's ...

The amuse bouche ... a delicious butternut squash tartelette ...

Second course ... Finger sandwiches ... I had the smoked salmon and egg salad.

Third course ... Cranberry scones with clotted cream and preserves.

Fourth course ... Layers of crepes with raspberry sauce. Delish!

Fifth course ... Assortment of cookies and chocolate covered strawberries

Afterward, I went home and changed my sheets. Exciting stuff.
Chewie is as excited as I am about our new lamb sheets.

7.28.12 Cocktails at the Waldorf and insanely good food at Txikito

My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary this weekend. Our actual anniversary is on July 24th, but my husband was away for work, so we celebrated a little late. First stop was Txikito - a Basque-style pintxo (aka tapas) restaurant in Chelsea. It's the best restaurant in NYC ... at least in my opinion. I'm transported back to San Sebastian every time I eat there. *sigh*
                          (Txikito is pronounced [chi-key-toe] as the "tx" is a "ch" sound in Basque.)

I'm happy because I know what I'm about to eat.

Lucas is also happy ... We ate the roasted peppers before I could snap a pic.

Kroketas ... boom chica bow wow ...

Pulpo ... heavenly.

Berenjena ... traditional Basque eggplant dish ... This might be the best thing I've ever eaten ... in my entire life. I almost ordered a second one. It was a special that night.

Pochas (this is my fave dish from their normal menu) ... Perfectly cooked mussels. Perfect.

Lucas had the lengua. He loved it.

Quesos for dessert and wine in proper Basque glasses. I die.

Cocktails at the Waldorf Astoria after a bottle of wine at Txikito ... oofah!
The Bull and Bear bar ... Admittedly, not as fancy as I had hoped, but just as pricey as I had anticipated. womp womp.

Manhattans for two ... Trouble. ;)

7.24.2012 through 7.27.2012 ... Trip to New Jersey

I grew up in New Jersey and a lot of that time was spent at the Jersey Shore. My parents have a house about a mile or so away from Seaside Heights. I use this to excuse all sorts of bad behavior.

My first stop was to visit my 93 year old grand Aunt Mim. She's my favorite relative and a very interesting lady. She used to live next to a circus performer and she would go over and do trapeze stunts with him. Need I say more?


Then, I took my two girlfriends down the shore for a few days. I purchased my favorite NJ snackie treat right away. I'm going to have to go on a cleanse after this summer of unemployed excess is finally over. We nearly polished off this whole box along with a few bottles of prosecco and some St. Germain.

Lounging with the pooch and some prosecco ... We're living a rough life at the moment. (My husband sent me an arrangement for our anniversary with little dogs made out of flowers. Perfection.)

Chewie loves relaxing beachside.

I've passed this tattoo shop for the past 30 years.
I always daydreamed of getting a NJ-related tattoo there, so I finally did.

My permanent "birthmark" of my birthplace.
Yes, I got a spray tan the day after I got this; I'm not even joking.

7.19.12 Basil in Crown Heights

Tonight, my friend Leah and I went to Basil Pizza & Wine Bar in Crown Heights. I had been there once before for a work function and I couldn't wait to return. The pizza is amazing! And, bonus, it's certified kosher!

This time, I opted for the seasonal special with no regrets. I had pan seared hake with tempura battered zucchini blossoms stuffed with brandade atop fava beans and sauteed morel mushrooms (hells yes!).

My friend Leah got the Daurade-Roman style which appears on the dinner menu regularly.


Once again, I can't wait to go back! Delish!

Chewie, my yorkie, also got a haircut today. Looking smart, Chewie, looking smart ...

7.17.2012 Schiaparelli and Prada at the Met

I went to see "Impossible Conversations," the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit, at the Met today. It wasn't quite the Alexander McQueen exhibit, but it was certainly fabulous. They didn't allow photography in the exhibit, so I couldn't snap any pics. It runs through August 19, 2012, so go if you can!

Here's the link to information about the exhibit online: http://www.metmuseum.org/impossibleconversations/

It was a dream come true; I got to see Schiaparelli up close! Too bad I didn't get to try any on. ;)
Elsa Schiaparelli outdoes Miuccia Prada in my opinion, but make up your own mind.

Videos in the exhibit are directed by Baz Luhrmann. Fun!

I purchased a poster to hang on the wall in my office when I finally open my private practice for psychotherapy. All the better to help visualize my goal ...

7.16.12 Madonna's UES Compound

Today, I met my friend Marc for breakfast at Penelope (yes, breakfast on a Monday ... ahh ... the joys of vacation).

Penelope serves breakfast from 8am until 11:45am on weekdays. I got the penny egg sandwich which was scrambled egg, american cheese, and pesto on an english muffin. It was pretty damn tasty, but $9? I'll recreate it at home next time. I also got the "soysage" and that was pretty good for just $1 more.

After Penelope, we went up to Central Park and hung out for a bit. It was nice to just sit on a bench while enjoying the weather. After the park, the plan was to go to the Met to see the Schiaparelli/Prada exhibit, but I forgot that the museum is closed on Mondays. womp womp. So, we made good use of our time by walking past Madonna's mansion on the UES. mu ha ha. She's not home; she's on tour. I felt her presence though; yes, I did.



I <3 Madonna!

7.15.12 Chewie, your hair is a bit mussed.

Chewie, my yorkie, has decided that he now likes to tunnel under the blankets on the bed during nap time. He enjoys it. I do too. heh.

7.14.12 Coney Island!

I grew up in New Jersey and my parents have a house at the Jersey shore, so I never saw any reason to make it out to Coney Island. But ... seeing as how this is my month of new adventures ... and my friends were playing a show in Coney ... I made the trip. I should say that I've been to Coney Island before; I've been to Garguilo's both in this life and a past life. I seem to find myself around South Brooklyn Italian-and-Greek-Americans (some might say guidos and/or meatheads) a lot.

My verdict ... Coney Island was much like I imagined it would be; a dirtier version of the Jersey shore. I'll stick with the Jersey shore. I decided to splurge and order pizza on the boardwalk - worst pizza I've ever had ... inexcusable NYC! I gave up and didn't waste the calories.

Ground zero ...

45 Adapters play Coney Island! Check them out! NYC Oi punk band ... Good tunes. Good times. Certainly, their show was the highlight of my trip to Coney Island.

7.13.12 Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO

On Friday, I met up with my friend Marc and we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to DUMBO, Brooklyn. The bridge entrance in Manhattan is right across from the 4/5/6 City Hall stop. Once we got to DUMBO we chilled in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a while and then got ice cream from Jacques Torres. I went with the pistachio marzipan ice cream; it's very rare that I have dairy, full fat ice cream. This was a worthy exception. Delish!

There's a carousel! I didn't go on it, but I think I'll go back to DUMBO for a ride on the carousel
and a trip to Grimaldi's pizza. :)

7.11.12 Surf City Bar and Restaurant in Jersey City

Today's adventure was to Surf City - a bar and restaurant in Jersey City, NJ. They open at 4pm, so I met my friend Kris there early to beat the after-work crowd. I was pleasantly surprised that their lobster roll and cole slaw was delicious. It was only $14.95 for the lobster roll and, in the vicinity of NYC, that's pretty damn good. Kris and family ordered the burgers and I don't think the burgers were as good as the lobster roll. They have an area of the bar with sand and some fire pits around, so I imagine it's also quite nice to drink by the water at night here.

The walk there was a little weird. If it weren't for the giant sign ahead beckoning me forward, I wouldn't have thought I was headed in the right direction. If you pass some questionable construction and parking lots, you'll find a little harbor with loads of boats. Sitting right on the water with boats passing you by makes you feel like you're not in the city for a minute ... well, until you look up and see skyscrapers. :)

It was cool; I'll go back there ... and get another lobster roll.

The walk there ... You see what I mean ... but well worth it!

But then you get there, and it's nice ...

Bar right on the water

The lobster roll ... Mmmm

7.10.12 The Cloisters

Today's trip was to The Cloisters at the tip of Manhattan. It takes a while to get up there because it's at the 190th Street stop on the A train, but the park up there is really lovely. It would be a great place to picnic someday.

So, I knew that the unicorn tapestries were there, but I had no idea that the Campin altarpiece was there! I LOVE that altarpiece. I'm a big fan of Medieval art, but I actually own a replica of the Campin altarpiece that I put out every Christmas. What a cool surprise.

Here's some of what I saw ... It made me want a little well-manicured potted tree. ;)



Below is a small statue base which features Eve and the serpent. Cool!


The Campin altarpiece! (crappy photo, sorry)


I ended the day at French class. I'm taking a few classes at Rennert International to brush up on my French skills. It was a nice way to end the day. I felt like I was in Europe at The Cloisters and then I got to speak my favorite european language that evening. :)