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Drinks in the living room
entertaining

Dinner with Pete and Jeannine

It’s been a long time! A year! But Pete and Jeannine were in town for Thanksgiving and we were finally able to catch up with them again. We had our SCF usual: Roast chicken. Yes, a little gravy and a […]

cooking

Cooking for Thanskgiving

We decided to mix up Thanksgiving a bit this year. Instead of the same traditional dishes we’ve been having for years, each family took on a few new responsibilities and made a brand-new recipe. Greg and I took on stuffing, […]

Making Thanksgiving Gravy
recipes

Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy Recipe

A Thanskgiving turkey gravy recipe from Robert Horton of An American Bistro in Tuckahoe, which was published Nov. 26, 2003 in The Journal News. We’ve been using it ever since! Related posts: Jane Brody’s Turkey Carcass Soup Beef and Barley […]

restaurants

Pre-Theater Dining at Casellula in Midtown

Casellula, a cozy little wine and cheese bar, really is an oasis in midtown for pre-theater dining, especially if you’re heading to a theater that’s a little north of Times Square. I’ve covered Casellula several times already, so I won’t […]

restaurants

Drinks at Barcel in Nyack

We were a little early for a party at the church this Saturday evening, so we took advantage of having a babysitter and enjoyed a cocktail at the bar at Barcel beforehand. A martini for him; a “Barcel Sidecar” for […]

outings

The Russian Holiday Boutique

One of our favorite annual events is the festival at the Russian Orthodox Church around the corner from the farm. The food is incredibly delicious: beef stroganoff, stuffed cabbage, borscht, and lots of other great stuff. Related posts: Lunch at […]

outings

Gorgeous Sunset

The evening after the snowstorm, we had a sunset to marvel at. There’s nothing like a November sunset in the Hudson Valley. Related posts: A Beautiful Sunset What a Sunset Chappaqua Farmers Market: Duck, Yogurt, Greens and Sweets Cocktail Recipe: […]

restaurants

At OVI, Watching the Election Returns

Wings, salads, you’ve seen those before. But here’s a new one: Samantha chewing on, well, I don’t even know what that is. Happy Election Day, all. Related posts: Election Night at O’D’s Samantha’s First Presidential Election Concert in the Park […]

recipes

Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Greg got a beautiful ham from our farmers market from Kiernan Farm. What goes better with ham than scalloped potatoes? Here’s how we made them. Related posts: Beef and Barley Soup Recipe Recipe: Beef Stock Recipe: Braised Short Ribs Cocktail […]

recipes

Korean Fried Chicken

Light, crunchy batter. Spicy, firey sauce. What’s not to love about Korean Fried Chicken? This is the second or third time we’ve made this recipe, which originally came from the New York Times. Since then, we have found that you don’t […]

restaurants

At the Yard House for Lunch

A little lunch with the family at the new restaurant at the mall. The Yard House is a chain that prides itself on craft beer. And TVs. We were happy for the crayons. Related posts: Lunch at the Union Oyster […]

recipes

Recipe: Braised Green Beans

When you think of braising, it’s usually meats, right? A pork shoulder, bubbling for hours in a bath of milk? Or a brisket, getting so juicy and tender in tomato sauce? Well one of my favorite braising recipes could be […]

restaurants

Pre-Theater at Brasserie Athenee

This is not a food recommendation. But if you’re going to the theater, and you just want a quick drink and a little something to hold you over, Brasserie Athenee is a pretty darn convenient spot. There is a nice […]

restaurants

Supper at o lar in Piermont

I think — I’m not absolutely certain, but I believe — that this is the first date Greg and I have gone on where we left Sam home with a babysitter. We have gone out and left her with a […]

recipes

Recipe: Baked Polenta

Absolutely brilliant call, David Tanis, bravo. Making polenta for a crowd has never been so easy. Related posts: Braised Lamb Shanks with Baked Polenta Irish Soda Bread Saturday Night Supper: Polenta and Roasted Mushrooms Recipe: Franklin’s Espresso BBQ Sauce

recipes

Braised Lamb Shanks with Baked Polenta

Thank you, David Tanis, for showing me the light. Here I have been stuck in front of the stove each time I want to make polenta, stirring, stirring, stirring. Even the supposed “no-stir” polenta recipes always require attending. No more. […]

outings

Visiting The 9/11 Memorial

With Karen in town covering the UN General Assembly, we thought it a good time to visit the 9/11 Memorial for the first time. We met her down there for a quick visit. Related posts: On a Hot Memorial Day, […]

garden

The First Real Sign of Fall

Orange tree at the corner of Cedar Hill and Franklin: Related posts: Fall is Here, and We Have Squash for Supper Pre-Theater Dining at Pam Real Thai in Midtown Back to the Real World, Sort of A Tree Comes Down […]

restaurants

Wednesdays at Dunne’s

Some JN colleagues have a tradition of after-work drinks at Dunne’s every Wednesday. I joined them for a Manhattan and some (very good!) wings this week. Ed, Jill and Alisa: Good times. Related posts: A Weekend with Boo Back at […]

garden

The Patio Project is Complete!

After a long hard summer working on Elizabeth’s Folly, enduring a pit in the backyard, jackhammering a boulder to the ground and laying more than 1,000 bricks, the patio is now done. We are beyond thrilled. More photos, after the […]