We’ve been to The Filling Station a couple of times now, but it hasn’t yet been warm enough for us to enjoy our burgers outside at the picnic tables. Well that time has come, friends.
The players, after the jump.
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Outside at The Filling Station
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Burgers and Bitches at Joe Allen
Friday, April 13th, 2012I don’t curse too often here on SCF, but here is a time when the words are well deserved. Here we are, heading to see Clybourne Park and it’s 715 p.m., 45 minutes before curtain. We walk into Joe Allen, wondering if we can get two seats at the bar. Unlikely, we know. But we are in luck! Two seats, count ‘em, one-two, on either side of three women who appear to be dining together. How can we get them together? Asking the women to slide down would seem to be the first logical choice, but as I approach them, their faces turn snarly.
So I turn to the bartender. Would there be any way — and as I’m asking, I hear Ms. White Shirt here turn to her left and, in a stage whisper: “Don’t. Make. A. Move.”
Pho Saigon in Mankato
Thursday, April 5th, 2012Surprise, surprise: there’s good Vietnamese food in Mankato, Minnesota! Our pho at Pho Saigon was really very good!
And it’s a great place to take a big group for a family dinner, too.
Sunday Brunch at the Hudson House
Sunday, April 1st, 2012A little after-church toad in the hole never hurt anyone, did it?
And stunning cherry blossoms as the centerpiece of the restaurant:
At o lar, Once More With Feeling
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012The polenta with mushrooms and a soft egg was a new one. Not that we needed an excuse.
Oh and also, Tom had been raving about the tuna, fresh from the docks at Montauk:
Wow. More, including the runny egg, after the jump.
Sunday Evening Sips and Snacks
Sunday, March 11th, 2012The spring weather has arrived — at least temporarily. And so there I was, pruning the blueberries in the front with Sam in her newest neglect-a-tron —
— and Tasha pops her head out the door. Feel like a cocktail? She says. Why, yes indeed I do, Tash. Thanks for asking! Hudson House it was, then.
Sam had milk.
Brunch at Barcel: We Go For the Sweet Stuff
Sunday, March 11th, 2012How many times do you sit down with a brunch menu and say.. hmm? Breakfast or lunch? And then, once you say breakfast, you have to decide: Am I going sweet or savory. Well, nine times out of ten, I go savory. You’re much more likely to find eggs on my plate than pancakes. And most of the family is like that, too. But this Sunday morning over brunch at Barcel, both Mom and I went sweet. I got French toast and she got waffles. Bizarre? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely.
Lunch at the Filling Station
Saturday, March 10th, 2012The Filling Station, which SCF fans may remember from our trip there on New Year’s Eve day, has such delicious burgers. After a trip to the Palisades Indoor Farmers Market, we were powerless to resist stopping for lunch. Yes indeedy.
That little one is a short rib slider. The patties are entirely made of short rib meat, which is ground then shaped into a patty. The slider is then smothered with caramelized onions and American cheese. Oh yes it is. Right, Sam?
Sunday Night Supper at Wasabi
Sunday, March 4th, 2012Finally! The neighbors and I hadn’t really seen each other since the holiday season, and we finally got a chance to catch up. We walked down to Wasabi and had a lovely supper of sushi and other delishy Japanese foods, such as this duck dish:
Lunch at Pastis and a Walk on the High Line
Friday, March 2nd, 2012Our good friend David, whom SCF fans may remember from this summer in Charlottesville, is in town for a holiday. We met him for a delishy lunch at Pastis, which we chose because 1. David is a Francophile; and 2. It’s near the High Line and we wanted to walk along it after lunch. Success on both accounts. To wit, a terrific frisee aux lardons salad:
More French food and High Line walking after the jump. But here’s a cute one of Greg and Sam, just for kicks:
Irene’s Birthday Dinner at o lar in Piermont
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012I almost wouldn’t post this meal if it weren’t for the wonderful time we had celebrating Irene’s birthday. I mean. How many times can you go to a restaurant in just one month? Three, I guess. The answer is three. So here’s o lar again.
These goat cheese croquettes are not the most beautiful things in the world, but man were they delicious. Just a mouthful of oozy, melty, yummy cheese and a nice bit of pork in there, too. Yowza.
And while we didn’t go crazy for the pizza the first couple times, maybe we didn’t get the right pizza. This one, with speck and potatoes and fontina, was delicious. We also asked for it well done — and it still could have been done more. Next time — because let’s face it, people, there will be a next time — we will ask them to burn it.
Slow Food Snail of Approval at Restaurant North
Sunday, February 19th, 2012Restaurant North, which you’ve no doubt seen a few times here on SCF and Small Bites, was awarded a Snail of Approval by Slow Food Metro North, and threw a dinner to thank the farmers and friends of the restaurant. Yes, eggs were involved.
You can read all about the Slow Food Award and the farmers on the Small Bites post over there. I’ll post a few photos of friends and family here on SCF.
Breakfast at Harry’s Burritos
Sunday, February 19th, 2012After church on Sunday, Sam, Mom, Leigh and I had some eggs, er, excuse me, heuvos, at Harry’s Burritos. My huevos rancheros:
o lar in Piermont
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012OK. We’ve been twice now. And yes, it’s that good. The shrimp in garlic sauce:
We meant to just go to have a quiet dinner for three (with srimp), but when we walked in, we ran into some friends, and between the five of us (not counting srimp), ended up trying a good part of the menu. All those photos, after the jump.
Brunch at The Breslin
Sunday, February 12th, 2012Wanting to take a look at an apartment that Boo might buy, we headed in to the city to check out an open house on the place. (Thumbs up!) Afterward, we were planning on having Korean food for brunch, but as we were walking there, I remembered we were awfully close to The Breslin, and decided we needed lamb burgers instead.
Outside at the Art Cafe on a Winter’s Day
Saturday, February 4th, 2012Yes, folks, it’s February. And we’re sitting outdoors at the Art Cafe, drinking delicious coffee and having a lovely lunch. Incredible.
Pizza at the Mountain House
Friday, February 3rd, 2012Boo came to spend the weekend at Sour Cherry Farm, and we made supper on Friday night easy by heading out for pizza at the Mountain House. You’ve seen photos of the pizza there already (link here) and good thing, because I forgot to snap photos of our food. But here we are!
And here’s the rest of the folks:
Supper at the Standard Grill
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012So we tried to go to the top of the Standard for drinks. Yeah, that doesn’t work with a stroller. At the Standard Grill, though, you can sneak in to a table near the bar.
But not at the bar. If you have a baby at the bar, they won’t serve you. I had ordered my Carjack, above, before they realized. Once we got srimp’s bottle out and were shipped over to our table. OK, I get it. No babies at the bar.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns Sausage and Beer Dinner 2012
Sunday, January 29th, 2012This, my friends, is just about the most delicious thing you will ever put in your mouth. Pork liver pate sandwiched between two thin, crispy layers of bittersweet chocolate. I kid you not.
If you’ve been reading SCF for a while, you’ve probably seen this particular hors d’oeuvre before. Yes, friends, we are now celebrating the 7th annual Sausage and Beer Dinner at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Previous dinners are here. And here. And here. And yes, here, too.
The dinner was, as usual, incredible. The food was really beyond. Though we were a little bit more distracted this year. Greg was working, and Irene invited me to bring the baby, so ….
Yes, there’s Sam at her first Sausage and Beer Dinner. May she see many more.
Merguez in Brik
Lamb Neck and Carrot Puree
Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project “Baby Tree”
More, after the jump.
Dinner at o lar in Piermont
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Everybody around Nyack and Piermont has been buzzing about O Lar, the new restaurant with the wood-burning oven just north of downtown Piermont. We snuck in early one weeknight and snagged a table, but otherwise, hard to know whether we would have gotten in — especially toting Srimp along. We were glad we did. Eating there is like visiting a (very talented) friend who makes you feel welcome, serves you some really good food and sends you away happy and well fed.
Great Pizza at Polpettina in Eastchester
Thursday, January 26th, 2012I’ve been hearing good things about Polpettina in Eastchester for the past year or so — and for good reason. The pizza at is terrific. It’s not cooked over a coal fire — not even a wood fired oven — just a regular pizza oven. But the ingredients are excellent and the care they take in making the pizza is obvious. They even hand snip the basil to order.
Terroir, the Wine Bar in Murray Hill
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012Terroir, a wine bar that first opened in the East Village, has a newish outpost in Murray Hill. Owner Paul Grieco, wine geek extraordinaire, is known for his passion — but also his crazy-good wine lists with encyclopedic descriptions and fun storytelling.
We didn’t get much of a chance to peruse the list like a good book, but we did choose a good wine (not hard to do; we found a nice Bordeaux) and ordered some delicious small plates to go along with it. The meatballs were especially good.
Back at MoMA and Cocktails at The Modern
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012Another visit to the Museum of Modern Art? Sure, we’re members, so why not. As Greg points out, MoMA is a convenient way to spend time waiting for cocktail hour to begin. While I was spending my time, I enjoyed this piece. I wouldn’t mind emulating its layout in my rogue’s gallery on the wall of the staircase, too!
And taking Greg’s advice, after the viewing of art, the drinking of cocktails began. These are at The Modern, the Danny Meyer restaurant at the museum.
A martini, left; and The Heights, a special on the cocktail list, right. More art, and a few snacks at the Modern, after the jump.
Lighthouse Ice Cream and Coffee in Tarrytown
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012On the way to the city, we stopped to get a coffee — oh, all right, I got an ice cream, too — at Lighthouse, a new-ish coffee bar near the Tarrytown train station.
It’s pretty cute: a couple of marble tables and wicker bistro-style chairs; a gas fireplace; lots of wood. And a nice coffee bar with a couple of impressive espresso machines:
Ice cream, and a gorgeous photo of srimp, after the jump.
OVI with Matt and Vanessa
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012It had been way to long since we caught up with Matt and Vanessa. Things get in the way, but the great thing about a new baby is that she can often help bring friends back together, too.
Dinner at Hudson House in Nyack
Saturday, January 21st, 2012Apparently there’s a new chef at the Hudson House. I haven’t called to get the scoop on his name or credentials, but from the few things Irene and I tasted, I’d say we’re in for a treat with his cooking!
This was the Green Goddess salad, which was a little like a greek salad, but more sophisticated. Olives, endive, arugula, onion… all delishy!
The Hudson House is undergoing renovations, so we ate in the upstairs dining room, which is really quite cozy and comfortable. There’s a cute little bar in the back, and a raised area that has served as a stage during performances there (and also was used to seat the wedding party at Sarah and Wilson’s rehearsal dinner!).
Lunch at Henry’s Farm to Table at Buttermilk Falls
Friday, January 20th, 2012Henry’s at Buttermilk Falls is a super-chic resort in farm country in Ulster County. Right near Milton, N.Y. — almost adjacent to Locust Ridge Farm, where we once purchased 30 pounds of sour cherries to make preserves for our wedding favors — and along the bank of the Hudson River, Henry’s is a restored old inn with a spa, restaurant and hair salon on the property. There are also several private cabins that can be rented for overnights.
We met our friends Janet and Jerry, the publishers of The Valley Table magazine, there for lunch Friday. The drive, the property and the company were terrific. The food, unfortunately, was just average. But there’s a new chef in the kitchen, so our fingers are crossed the menu will get better as he settles in.
That’s the seared shrimp over braised red cabbage. The cabbage was quite tasty, but the menu promised a combination of cabbage and fennel, and the fennel was missing. At least we couldn’t find it.
Dinner at Danji in Midtown
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012Gastropub? Sounds great. Korean? Sounds great. Small plates? Yes, sounds great. All three, in the same restaurant? Sounds really great. And it was — sometimes. Like now:
Spicy yellowtail sashimi, cho jang, jalapeno
And now:
Bo ssam: braised pork belly, scallion, dehydrated daikon, kimchi cabbage wrap
And now:
Bulgogi beef sliders
Back at the OVI
Friday, January 13th, 2012Sam and I joined Kelli, Sarah and Hugh for an early Friday supper at the OVI. The kids had cheeseburgers and grilled cheese. Kelli and I had pizza and wings. Sam had milk.
My favorite part of the evening was when Hugh asked me whether I was going to take a picture of his food. Of course Hughie! His grilled cheese, after the jump.
Cocktails Turn to Dinner at Barcel
Sunday, January 8th, 2012We just meant to stop by for a drink. But Samantha was sleeping all snug as a bug in rug, and the new menu just looked so darn good. So after a Manhattan and a martini, well, we ordered dinner. Delicious as always.
