Destination: Wordpress. And Another Doughnut

I've been with Blogger/Blogspot for over 2 years now.  And it's been great.  But I've been using Wordpress for another little project and really like the functionality.  So the goal this week is to move Jillie of All Trades over there.  I'll be honest, they make it sound pretty easy, so figure I can import it in about 5 minutes.  I'm not sure what that means for my email followers or anyone reading via RSS.  But will figure that out and provide the link to the new site.

In the meantime, why not end the weekend with this week's doughnut?  The Pumpkin Cake Doughnut from Doughnut Plant.  Not really pumpkin-y enough for me, but still enjoyed it with my Lavazza at Eataly.  When they put out a seasonal doughnut, I feel the need to try it (if you remember, I had the pumpkin yeast doughnut a few weeks ago).  But still need to get to the Tres Leches and a few of the other standards. 

Noodles in Chinatown: Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle

Our Sunday lunch discussion started with Red Farm, a new dim sum place, in the West Village.  You know, Chinese food that appeals to the professional Chelsea/New York crowd.  It was closed for lunch.  So we jumped right to very authentic, in Chinatown.  Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle.


4 stars on 228 reviews?   That's pretty darn good.  4 stars on at least 100 reviews is Mark's minimum.  We jump on the F train and head south.  We get to 144 East Broadway and think "this is it?".  But they had an "A" rating, and the cool little wine bar near us got a "C".  So it can't be that bad.  I'll admit, the beef had some beef parts there were chewy, which I kind of expected after having eaten calf's calf muscle soup in China.  But I left some broth to cover that at the end.  The noodles and broth were so good, though.  The dumplings were great.

They rolled out handmade noodles on the table next to me (it's loud, the banging of the dough, sort of a "thwack thwack" every time it hit the counter).  And they wrapped dumplings behind me.

And you can't beat the prices.  Now, I hear the place to go for really authentic Chinese is Flushing, it's not even Chinatown.  But we are starting to test the limits of our comfort zone.  You basically pay by walking to the back of the store when you are done and handing over cash.  I'm not sure a tip is even really necessary.  Prices are great. How can you not order a dozen dumplings for $3?

Apples Are Fall

It couldn't get any more "fall" than bins of apples.  I grew up in Ellington, CT.  We apple picked all the time, riding the tractor up to the orchard (or just walking), and filling a tote full of apples.  As it became September, then October, new varieties were ready for picking.  I took it for granted, apparently, because people spend hours trekking out to NJ or Westchester from the city for the same experience.  Just more crowded.  Good 'ole Johnny Appleseeds.  I think some of the orchards have become developments and it's not quiet the same experience, but good memories.

Madison Square Eats, Get There Soon!

In the fall, the pedestrian area near the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park becomes a little festival of foods.  For about a month, vendors sell their goods.  And people like me buy them to eat.  For the most part, it's all food and beer, but the spice table was too colorful not to capture.   Marimekko also just moved in next to Eataly, so they must have provided the umbrellas.  I recognize the print.

Both trips involved just wanting a snack as we were walking through.  Two weeks ago, we stopped for a vegetarian bun from Hong Kong Street cart.  Today it was a snack on the way to Restoration Hardware and ABC Home in Union Square.  We've had the pretzels from Sigmund at the cart outside of the Met, today we tried the Truffle Cheddar.   Sigmunds is in Brooklyn if you want to visit the original location.

I love the activity, the people eating, sitting in the pedestrian friendly area...but you better head there this week.  It closes up this Friday.

Pumpkin: Macaroon

I love October because I think it gives me a license to eat all things pumpkin.  Cookies, candy, drinks, muffins, bread.  Anything.  So lets get started with the pumpkin items!


I just started out on my pumpkin eating adventure today.  I was supposed to make Attempt #2 to Lauderee for the macaroons today (look back at Attempt #1 in September).  But the threat of rain stopped AK and me in our tracks, and we just walked a few streets to Macaroon Cafe. 


So cute!  I mean, I've been here before for lunch.  But was reminded how cute it is.  And they had pumpkin macaroons.  So of course I had to get one.  Just the right cookie and amount of filling.  Not too sticky or gummy.  So doubly delightful treat today:  pumpkin AND the start of our official macaroon tasting adventure (not that I wasn't already on one, I will always eat one given the opportunity.  


What I'm really waiting for is the pumpkin donut at Doughnut Plant.  Please make one for me.

More caramel sauce.  What's wrong with that?  I picked up this litte jar at the Hester Street Fair earlier this summer.  After sampling a few flavors, I picked up the Chai right from the the owners of the business.  They use the same basic ingredients in all of their caramel:  organic cane sugar, organic cream and butter.  Herbs and spices come next.  And it's made with love in Brooklyn.

It was tasty, especially warmed and over ice cream with Morello cherries.  My favorite way to eat caramel sauce these days.  I'm a huge fan of the Fleur de Sel from TJ's, but this was a nice change.  It was a little spicy.

Check out their site:  Herbin' Spoonful  and catch them at the Hester Street Fair.

Olive Oil: A Familiar Face in a New Place

Last night I mentioned we were in Eataly (for a fresh loaf of bread).  We were browsing the aisles of olive oil, talking about how hard it was to pick.  We we schooled in the under notes of grass and pepper from the sales person at O&Co last year.  Well, what do you know, he was at Eataly doing a little sampling!  I recognized him from the glasses.  Nicholas Coleman did a few classes for Mario Batali, and apparently created his own role at the mega Italian store/restaurant.  He is the official Olive Oil Specialist.

He told us they have great oils for half the price at O&Co, and you don't need the $7 spout they sell (thanks, we bought one).  These are all Italian olive oils, from a variety of regions.  We tried a great oil that starts out grassy and ends with a nice peppery finish.  It's bold, I guess you could say.  And is great with bread.  So we decided it needed to live at home with us.  

Nicholas runs a class at La Scuola di Eataly.  He takes you on an Italian tasting tour of oils, and you sample some dishes cooked/made with the oils.  Something I'd definitely consider in the future.  

Free Foodie Things, Back at Gansevoort Plaza

It's the NY Food & Wine Festival this weekend.  We didn't plan ahead for any events I don't have E here to try wines (especially those at the $10 price point for a certain retailer).  So, we checked the schedule and opted for a few random pop ups to stop into on our way to lunch.  


First we stopped at the new Dream Hotel.  It's right behind the Maritime Hotel, is a new hot spot for celebs, and pretty nice inside.  The pool is above the lobby ceiling, so you can see through the glass holes into the pool.  We are definitely coming back here for a drink just to enjoy the space more.  I'm not sure you'll catch me hanging out at Ph-D, though.


Then we moved on to a discussion with old and new chefs.  I recognized Daniel Boulud immediately, so we sat for an hour and listened as they discussed the restaurant business.  This was in the same plaza as the Singapore Takeout I reported on 2 weeks ago.  It's always a go to for something new and interesting.  A nice space in the middle of the meatpacking.  You never know what might pop up here, especially in the fall.

Last was a stop back at the Dream Hotel on our way to the Greenmarket, and post lunch at Bill's Burger Bar.  Arianna is definitely all over the place these days.  I sampled a blueberry beet smoothy, watched yoga in the event space (too full from burgers to participate) and heard all about this guy's artisan bottled tea.


We were supposed to go to the Bronx Zoo with our Google Offers (have I mentioned they have some really good deals for some of our favorite NY places?), but with the threat of rain, we postponed that venture.  But we will make it, M. really wants to see the red pandas!

Brazilian Treat: Alfajor Havanna

It's hard for me to pass up a treat.  So when Mariana, my coworker, returned from Brazil and came around with these dulce de leche cookies, my response was "yes please!".  These are traditional, with the meringue coating.  But it's a layer of dulce de leche sandwiched between two soft cookies.  Dulce de leche is slowly heated sweetened milk.  Heated to the point where it becomes caramelized and oh so good.  Try one if you have the chance.

Singapore Takeout: The Meatpacking Version

M read about the Singapore Takeout this past week.  I ran into a colleague this weekend and she said she was heading as sell.  So we walked through to check it out, since it's really not that far away.  It was a pop-up in Gansevort Plaza in the Meatpacking, serving traditional Singapore food.

I had the Laksa, a coconut curry based dish.  M had the Buah Keluak, or the beef ribs.  With a little seating, some waters and a beautiful fall day, we were happy campers.  And did I mention this was a free event?  Granted, I did hear about Singapore with a video in the background.  But it was really good, lots of spice and taste.

The area they made the food in was a converted shipping container.  So, pretty cool.  A nice little Sunday lunch activity before we moved on to Soho for some browsing. Where I attempted to find jeans, but gave up and decided I needed to focus another day.  I've given Gap and Joe's a try.  Next up is Madewell and Paige.  Why is it so darn difficult?

Morning: Breakfast, Coffee, Friends

One of the things I enjoyed this weekend was getting up at LC's house (after sleeping well in her guest bedroom), coming downstairs, and having coffee and breakfast at her kitchen table.  The coffee was already brewing.   There are windows in the corner of her breakfast "nook", so when you open them all up, the breeze blows in.  It was just so relaxing.


Saturday we had a little McD's, Sunday we went the sweet route.  Mr. C brought us back treats, what a nice guy!   Ahhh, good friends make a good weekend.

Rainy Sunday = Coffee & Doughnut

Rain.  More rain.  But it's Sunday and we like our coffee. So we geared up (me with umbrella, M is too much of a man to carry an umbrella apparently) and set off.  


First stop:  Doughnut Plant.
We didn't even check to see if it was open, we took our chances.  As we approached, the blackboard was not out, but I saw movement inside.  YES!  I hadn't seen the oatmeal cake doughnut out before, but had heard good things.  M got his cinnamon bun.


Second stop:  Lavazza at Eataly
This is one of our favorite coffees in the city (I still want to check out the west coast Blue Bottle in Brooklyn).  Yes, we brought our own pastries.  I like the Italian ones at Eataly, but not as much as my Doughnut Plant doughnut.


So a quick report out.  This doughnut was really really good! I didn't know what to expect with the oatmeal, but it created a crispiness on the outside.  And the outer edge of the doughnut has a crisp crumb to it.  And the glaze soaked in to make it moist.  Loved it.  There were some fruits or something in there.  Delicious.  I was doing research on the other flavors and saw the Carrot Cake has cream cheese in it.  That's my next one.

It Started at Buvette

Back in May we had one of the loveliest dinners I can remember.  It was a spring night, we wanted to try something new, so picked a restaurant from our Yelp bookmarks...and walked to the West Village.  We landed at Buvette.  There was a line, but not too long. Inside it was cute and charming.  Very welcoming, a place you'd come with friends.  

Our French waiter guided us through some cheese selections (a hard, a soft, something in between) and a few other smaller plates.  Honestly, every single bite was tasty.  There was just the right amount of food, not too much.  I loved the duck confit that arrived in a little jar.


Our waiter chatted with us a bit, told us we'd love Paris.  He's been all over, recently new to New York.  What was nice is that he never once made us feel rushed. It was like I was in a friend's house.  He did share the the woman behind the restaurant thought very carefully about every detail of the layout.  She did a good job, I thoroughly enjoyed it.




Getting to the wine, though...

At Buvette, a quick pic so I can remember the name

We're both fond of the rose, especially in summer, so opted for a bottle of the French Whispering Angel.  I'll admit, I didn't love the name, but I did love the wine.  It was good to the very last drop.  Our waiter looked at the color before he poured and said it was going to be good (now, who knows if he really knew anything, but it certainly sold me).




So good in fact, that we sought it out after.  Mark found it near Grammercy and we bought a bottle to La Follia (great Italian).  I found it at Sherry-Lehmann near the office.  When we were in Chelsea Market and saw it again...we decided we might need to own a case.  


I told Mark that it is a wine you enjoy the entire way through.  Some wines I get tired with and by the end of the bottle, I'm sort of glad it's the end.  Not my Whispering Angel.  We'll be enjoying a nice chilled glass, or many glasses, all summer.

Whispering Angel at Home

To me, June is strawberry month.  And strawberry shortcake.  I remember as a kid, going to pick strawberries with my mom and sister.  And we'd eat lots of them.  And have strawberry shortcake.  My mom made it with bisquick biscuits and cool whip.  Super easy.  I think I might have to make some soon.


These are from the farmer's market.  For shortcake, I can live with using Driscoll's from California (because if it's not Driscoll's we can't have it in the house, per M).  But I bet these are good.

Saturday.  Saturdays now mean 7 am brick workouts at Riverside Park.  Honestly, I like it.  I like the team training, I like to see everyone else out there, I like the tips from coaches along the way, and I like pushing myself. Four miles running and about 25 on the bike, not so bad.  And a bunch of hills mixed in.  Oh, and they made us do all these core exercises at the end.  I wish I had the picture of me in my snazzy Team in Training shorts and singlet.  Next week.


But I also like to enjoy good food after some tri training.


This week we headed east towards Alphabet City, with the goal to try something new.  I have this Food Network Guide to Summer Dining a colleague sent me...so when we walked by one of the falafel places in there, Cafe Rakka, I threw that out as an option.  I'll admit, that guide is interesting, there are some places in there I would definitely disagree with and it tends towards commercial or larger names.

I'm not lying when I say I felt like I was in a little place in Cairo. The music, the decor, the back kitchen.  Our falafels were handmade to order.  And crispy on the outside.  I took everything on it.  It was pretty good and you couldn't beat the price.  It's a little different than Taim, which is Israeli, and comes with some sort of salad mix inside.  The pita is a little thinner here.  Delicious, though.  But I think my go-to is still Taim in the West Village. Check out my April 2010 post for more details.

And as I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas. I couldn't resist Butter Lane when we walked by.  This was also in the guide.  I've made it known that cupcakes are hit or miss with me.  They can be really pretty and very dry.   They can be too big with too much going on (um, Crumbs?).  These were very moist, just the right size. And the cream cheese frosting won me over.  I wasn't smiling in this shot, but I was certainly a happy girl.

The Best Frozen Yogurt (is it too early to claim this?)

Every Friday I have a lunch appointment.  On my calendar it says 40 CAR GO (a little play on a company ticker, if you are familiar with a Terminal, you'll understand. Oddly, Blogger won't let me put the < > around the GO).  My next door neighbor and I have been to Forty Carrots at Bloomingdale's twice now to sample what I think could be the best frozen yogurt in New York. 


Ok, I need to try other places, I know.  But they keep disappearing:  Red Mango, 16 Handles.  Flavaboom just opened an outlet, but it could be gone soon, too.  Remember the days when TCBY was everywhere?  I never see those anymore.


Yes, I've written about it before (see my March Post).  But I didn't really try it then.  And now I've had it.  The coffee with chocolate, the coffee with plain....maybe plain and peanut butter on Friday.  


You know what it is?  It's just plain creamy, with a healthy serving for the right price.  Pinkberry seems overpriced now.  My cup below is $4.50 if you are curious.  


And while I've always been so so on the tangy thing, this one is tangy AND creamy.  So it's perfect.  


Look at this yummy treat.  And then look at what some tourist got.  Talk about yogurt and fruit. I had to take a picture it was so funny to see.

And just so you can see how much I enjoyed it, this is me digging in back in the office.  Forty Carrots is connected to a little lunch spot on the 7th floor.  Definitely a ladies who lunch crowd.   Me, I need to head back to the office...

I will admit, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Arch's in Charlottesville.  They had super low cal flavors and something called the Archer with all kinds of mix ins.  Oh, how I loved those in business school.  But I can't get there as quickly, so until my next Charlottesville trip, I fondly remember those afternoons with the girls.

Doughnut Plant: Blueberry

I couldn't pass this up this morning.  We were on our way to Lavazza at Eataly (some of my favorite coffee, I'll admit).  And Doughnut Plant was calling me, especially with new flavors on the board out front.  I couldn't resist the Blueberry yeast donut, covered in a fresh blueberry glaze.  And it tasted SO incredibly fresh.  I've been stocking up on the $2 pints at the fruit stands, I can't get enough so this was totally in my wheelhouse. 

It also came in the cake version, but the yeast doughnut and I have become best friends at Doughnut Plant.  I was never ever a yeast doughnut girl in the past.  The lavender doughnut was a close 2nd, just because I was so curious.  Maybe next week.

Made my day, and gave me just the energy I needed for the 22 mile bike ride in central park.

Melt Bakery: Melts in My Mouth

What happened to me?  It's nearly the middle of June and I haven't posted this month.  No great reason, just busy with work, enjoying the city and triathlon training.   But to kick things off again, going to talk about our little adventure today. 


It was a bit dreary today.  Too dreary for me to be excited about that 7:30 am Team in Training run for the Tri, but I got myself ready, biked up to Riverside Park....and finished a 9 mile run when all I thought we were doing was running the race course (6 miles).  I had no idea I had it in me, I'll be honest.  Especially since 3 miles on the treadmill last night was incredibly painful.


And the dreariness continued, but it was not going to stop us from walking over to the LES (Lower East Side) and checking out the Hester Street Fair.  With one very particular stop at Melt Bakery's outpost.  I've known they sell their goods here for awhile, but somehow never made it.  

Below is Kareem, one half of Melt (Julien came later).  I know Kareem from work (his other full time job during the day).  There were a few showers so we hung out under the tents, watched the customers come, talked about the business and flavor combinations.  A pretty good afternoon, despite the dreariness.  I even covered the stand while Kareem ran home for a minute. You can find Melt items on the Sweetery truck (whoopie pies!) and at Melt (the grilled cheese shop on the UES), and soon near the High Line (and lots of other places).

I went for The Elvis (peanut butter cookies and banana ice cream).  M went for the very popular Morticia (chocolate cookie rolled in turbinado sugar with chocolate rum ice cream).  And because we hung out for quite a bit and worked up an appetite, I had the opportunity to sample the Cinnamon Toast Crunch (snickerdoodle cookies and cinnamon ice cream).  Yum.

I told Julien there could be a Jill...some accompaniment to The Jack (pumpkin for October).  Maybe it's Candy Corn inspired.  Just thinking out loud here.

The storefront on Orchard is going to open soon.  I heard the peach inspired ice cream sandwich is delicious, we just need to wait for peaches to be in season.  I'll be back.

Melt is stationed at the Hester Street Fair.  If you've watched Bethenny on Bravo, you may know this from the episode where food blogger Nick took her for a food tasting.  Lots of little shops, things to eat, things to buy.  I bought Chai Caramel Sauce at another stand, so you'll be seeing a report out on that soon.

Melt Bakery (they'll ship to you if you aren't in NYC): http://www.meltbakery.com/