Delicatessen

I think of Delicatessen as one of those beautiful people restaurants.  Maybe it's because there are lots of fancy stores in SoHo.  Maybe it's because the restaurant is so crisp and white.  At 28 years old I should not be so easily intimidated.  There was nothing scary about the restaurant and I was pretty enough to fit in there.  Well, at least they didn't turn me away like in Pretty Woman.

They call the menu "international comfort food" and that's just a prissy way of saying basic continental.  Basic is exactly what I want when it comes to brunch.  Give me some properly cooked eggs and I'm a happy gal.  If I'm calling it brunch instead of lunch it usually means I'm tired from the night before and my head is probably a little cloudy.  That's no time to mess with complicated items.  What I'm looking for in that moment is something that has "scrambled," "poached," or "over easy" in the title.  This time, it happened to be an omelette with burrata and roasted tomatoes.  The tomatoes made it.  I added some avocado because I just knew it would make it better.  As usual, I was right.  The potatoes were nice and crispy, which was good because mushy potatoes really kill my brunch vibe.

Bakehouse

It's always nice to try a new restaurant, but it's downright exciting when that restaurant is one you didn't even know existed.  Last week, Lindsay introduced me to Bakehouse.  Even though I've strolled the West Village streets often, this restaurant had never come onto my radar thanks to it's location all the way over by the river.  

The interior is a combo of farmhouse style with the wooden tables and industrial with the exposed pipes.  It made it feel almost communal even though tables were spaced far apart.  While I liked looking around the restaurant, the view through the windows was even better.  The river and skyline scene was nice and relaxing - a perfect thing to look at while trying to relax on a Friday after a long work week.

The bistro style menu is very reasonably priced.  My bethune pizza was incredibly rich - the gruyere was more of a bechemel sauce on the pizza so this would definitely be a good sharing item.  I also tried the Brussels sprouts.  They were a little heavy handed with the pepper, but roasted Brussels sprouts are always good.  Lindsay said her steak tartare was very good and filling since the large portion came with a side of fries.  I wouldn't say the food was "standout", but for the moderate price and wonderful view, I was very happy.

3 on Thursday

As you'll see from this week's background (a screenshot of my instagram), the Konter fam released some pretty major news last week.  My brother and sister-in-law are expecting a visit from the stork in August!  I am so very happy for them and know they will make the best parents.  I also plan to be the best aunt.  Ever.

1. NYC hosted the Super Bowl this year and turned all of Broadway from 34th to 47th Street into Super Bowl Boulevard.  It was a great way to get the city excited, and how can you not be excited when there's a giant toboggan run? 
2. After wearing contacts since I was about 11 years old, my eyes are pretty tired.  My peepers dry out easily and could use a break.  I figured if I bought a second pair of glasses, I would be inclined to wear them more often.  Having two pairs makes them feel more like an accessory rather than a nerdy obligation.  For my new pair I went straight to Warby Parker.  Just look at their annual report and you'll see what makes them such a fun company.  Also great is the price - all glasses are just $95.  And they're socially conscious: for every pair you buy, they give a pair to someone in need.  Don't think you're getting the ugly glasses, either.  They're so stylish they have lots of celeb fans.  So for just $95 you get to look good and do good.  Did I mention they set up their flagship store as a library?  Swoon.
3. This was not the best Super Bowl ever.  I was hoping for a Broncos win since my former Dawgs Knowshon and Champ are on the team, but they were brutally massacred.  It was a pretty boring game to watch, other than the halftime show (I heart Bruno Mars).  I did, however, have fun at the Super Bowl party I went to.  I've only ever watched the Super Bowl on friends' couches, with lots of unhealthy dip and pizza on the coffee table in front of me.  This year I went to a party at a club hosted by a magazine.  There were go go dancers, open bar, a dj, and a performance by DMC.  It was aggressive for a Sunday night, but nice to have so many distractions when the game was kind of a snoozefest.

Chicken with Dijon Tarragon Cream Sauce

Don't you love it when things are so easy and also sooo good?  I certainly do because it's nice not to always have to work hard to cook enjoyable food.  This recipe for dijon tarragon cream chicken took 20 minutes to pull together and tastes like you spent all day cooking it (I find cream sauces usually have that effect).  I recommend using the chicken breast that have been pounded thin - then it will really take no time.

Tarragon is a relatively mild herb, but it does something to the flavor of the sauce.  I know you're probably reading this blog so I can describe in detail just what that "something" is...but I can't.  Perhaps that mystery will entice you to make this dish.  If an air of mystery doesn't do the trick, I'll come right out and say it: cook this!

 

B Flat

B Flat calls itself an "authentic bar".  If a bar serves alcohol, I would consider it authentic...but that's just semantics.  I suppose they consider themselves legitimate because they have a whiskey on the menu that is $28 for 2 oz.  I am not the kind of person that would order that but still found the rest of the drinks "authentic" enough for my liking.

It didn't take long to figure out this was a Japanese bar.  All the bartenders and patrons were Asian and the menu had strong Japanese influences, like green tea and in the case of my cocktail, yuzu and shiso leaf.  If they meant this was an authentic Japanese bar, they have probably earned the title.

It is very easy to walk right past the bar as it is basement level in TriBeCa, but if you're in the mood for a sophisticated evening (and by that I mean low voices and Jazz music playing) this is a great spot.

Monday Reads

1. From temperature to sleep, see this infographic to understand what contributes to your happiness.
2. Esquire used a focus group of 1,000 to determine what makes men normal.  How do you stack up?
3. Former mayor Michael Bloomberg is donating $53 million to restock the fish populations in Brazil, Chile, and the Philippines.  An effort like this will go a long way in helping to feed the growing population. 
4. It's cold and flu season and I want to make sure I avoid getting sick.  Check out these cold remedies from around the world.  I particularly like the hot toddies.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Here in the North, shrimp is never the main meal.  I pretty much only ever see it as a shrimp cocktail appetizer or as the protein in a pasta dish.  But as a Lowcountry girl I'm used to shrimp being the main event.  When you can catch the main course for free off your dock, I'm not sure why you would rather go to the grocery store.  I'm making it my mission to show New Yorkers how great shrimp can be as the main course.  The best way to do that is by appealing to their trendy, healthy side.

I followed this recipe for cilantro lime shrimp and highly recommend it.  I served it over rice with a couple slices of avocado and a fresh salad on the side.  For people who don't think of shrimp as the main course, this meal will probably change their mind.  Follow it up by reminding them how healthy it is and they'll probably request the recipe.  Finally, tell them how unbelievably quick and easy the whole thing was and they'll probably stop at the grocery store for the ingredients on the way home.