Birthday in a Boat

I had a magical birthday. And my birthday was a magical day. It started with a cozy breakfast at Sant Ambroeus on the upper east side. Pancakes. Latte. Bacon and Eggs.



Then we walked through Central Park. It couldn't have been more beautiful.



We were magnetically drawn to the boat pond. There was no line so we hopped into a row boat.



Mike rowed.



I oooohed and ahhhhed.



Every rock was populated by sunbathing turtles.



The views



were spectacular.



Not a cloud in the sky. Happy Birthday to me!

Woolly Pockets

Union Square is in bloom thanks to the amazing creation Woolly Pockets, in collaboration with the New York Restoration Project and NYC Grows Festival. I discovered Woolly Pockets, an innovative and ambitious LA-based company, through my good friend Alex and I was so thrilled to see that they would be making a grand appearance in NYC for Earth Day. Woolly Pockets are flexible, breathable, and modular gardening containers, that make green space possible where there is very little space at all including cities and schools. In Union Square they've installed a forty foot long living Woolly wall, their largest ever. It features 400 Wallys planted with edible plants and native species. It's up through today and I highly recommend a visit.

Croton Petra (Codiaeum Variegatum)

Nothing is making me happier right now than watching my Croton Petra (thanks Ben!) plant grow. It is much more exciting than I imagined. Sadly, I've managed to kill most of the other plants I've brought home. I bought this Croton Petra at the Union Square Green Market back in January and it recently started sprouting new leaves. Now it grows a little bit every day and I check on it every few hours when I am home so I can see all the small changes. I will continue to document the progress and the birth of all new baby leaves.

You say you want a revolution

Jamie Oliver, chef-activist and recent recipient of the TED Prize given exceptional individuals to grant their "One Wish to Change the World," has a new show about revolutionizing the way American families eat (frozen pizza and chicken nuggets) and the way schools feed (frozen pizza and chicken nuggets) our children. It's called Food Revolution and everyone should watch it. I know it is reality TV. But it's real. He is bringing major issues to the forefront on a major network. It's horrifying and it often feels that he is hardly scratching the surface, but it also feels like the beginning of what really could be a revolution. He has a list of Food Heroes on his site and I think he belongs right there with them.

Sunday

This Sunday was lazy and wonderful. Greenpoint was bustling with doors open at old, new, and brand new businesses.

We ventured out for lattes and other treats at the brand new Le Gamin (a previously Manhattan-based) french restaurant. It is opening any day now and they are currently serving crêpes and omelettes from a truck parked outside. It's a cozy atmosphere and simple but special food. I'm sure there will be lines out the door for brunch and dinner especially this summer when they open the garden in the back, but on this Sunday, we just walked right in.





I dropped by at my favorite wine store Dandelion Wine to stock up on rosé (including one from Long Island's Wölffer Estate) because 'tis the season.


Had dinner at Paulie Gee's around sunset. The pizza only gets better. We had the Mootz, the Arugula Shmoogala, and the Jimmy the Greek (a special).



And I finally checked out the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop on Manhattan Avenue. It's very cute and I'm sure I will go often, but the ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory still has my heart.

All Over Greenpoint

Greenpoint is all over the New York news right now. New York Magazine ranked it New York's 5th most livable neighborhood in its most recent issue, followed up by a New York Times follow up, not to mention the shout out in Time Out's "Best Indie Shops" issue. And I am all over Greenpoint. We were in the neighborhood all weekend, mostly laying low, on the couch, with movies, but stepping out every few hours to walk, eat, or see the gorgeous skies we've been experiencing lately. One of my favorite things about Greenpoint is that, because we are so close to the river and because the buildings are low, the sky is more expansive here than anywhere I can think of in the city.

Waygu Brisket

At The River Barrel - a divine presentation and a delectable dish. This was our treat after driving to and from Washington DC in two days. Waygu brisket, braised into submission, served with bibb lettuce, dressed scallions, house-made kimchi, and rice. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Around Greenpoint

We've been away a lot lately


Spring sprang


Looked one way


Then the other


It's good to be back for a while

Charm City Crabs

On our way home from DC this weekend, especially as Wire obsessed as we are, we couldn't not stop in Baltimore. I was scouring Road Food for a good craft paper crab place and the one they recommend wasn't open on Sundays, so it was onto Yelp which steered us right to L.P. Steamers for meaty crab cakes, fried oysters, well-seasoned steamed crabs, and ice cold beer. This was the perfect experience. Until next time, fair Baltimore!



Side note/question for road-trippers: Why would you ever stop for fast food when places like this, brimming with local fare and hospitality, are alongside highways across the country?

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”

This quote from Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin opens an article in today's Times about people who photograph their food, which anyone who has eaten with me, knows I do. Wait! Don't eat yet! I have to take a picture. Click. Ok. Go.

I am always happy to see anything that tells us people are being conscious and conscientious eaters, so snap away. Think. Cook. Eat. Write. Photograph. Share. I turned to my un-blogged archives after reading and came upon my unforgettable first meal at the locavore haven Fore Street in Portland, Maine. My meals certainly don't all look or taste quite like this one, but it's something to aspire to!

LA is

Passover, Huevos Rancheros, Griffith Park, Heathie and Alex, Joan's on Third, Fish Tacos, the Santa Monica Farmers Market, The Getty Center, and views, views, views...


Mommy's chopped liver, served with Yehuda Matzos

Gefilte fish with avocado and roasted beets in blood orange dressing


Seder plate, afikomen, and grandma's cross-stitch tablecloth


The Passover meal - brisket, Weiser's potatoes and carrots, Zuckerman's asparagus, and Aunt Sandee's applesauce


Sticky morning bun at Joan's


And a decadent strawberry shortbread muffin


The pendulum I remember from elementary school field trips at The Griffith Observatory


Up, up, and away...


Looking at the mountains from Griffith Park


Looking at the ocean past the city from Griffith Park


Fish tacos and insane chipotle sauce at El 7 Mares in Silver Lake


Waiting to take an architectural tour of The Getty and messing around with the new G11


Richard Meier's design on a particularly glorious day


The 405 never looked so good. Really. Never.


Robert Irwin's garden in bloom at The Getty


Welcome to La Abeja


The La Abeja Huevos Rancheros, exactly as written up in Saveur's amazing LA Issue


Zuckerman's asparagus, ruling Santa Monica (steamed them later and served with butter and sea salt, Read More)


Mommy, in her element at Weiser's stand


There is no beating the incredible citrus selection at a Farmers Market in LA


Unbelievable roses from Heathie's garden set the scene for our farewell dinner


The cozy couple (Heathie and Alex) in front of an intricate cut-out piece by Taylor De Cordoba artist Chris Natrop


They made a mean Mexican potato soup


And crunchy tostadas with avocado served on plates straight from a lodge in Sun Valley