3 on Thursday

This week has absolutely zipped by.  I can't believe it's already Thursday and for once, I wish the weekend wasn't so quickly approaching.  I haven't had enough time to run all the necessary errands to prep for the Halloween party I am throwing tomorrow.  For now, I'm just going to breathe and assume it's all going to work itself out.  Until that magically happens, here are this week's 3:

One of my dear girlfriends got engaged on Friday and because she has decided to get married in Savannah (even though both she and her fiancé are from Atlanta), I got to give her a few pointers.  Luckily, I received a copy of Town & Country Weddings at the office on Monday, so my head is now stuffed with ideas.  I'm gonna throw it out there - wedding/party planning is super fun.  Any ideas how I can do this for real?

On Thursday, I attended a benefit for Outward Bound at the Museum of Natural History.  Ever since I read about a wedding reception in the whale room in the NY Times society pages, it has been a goal to go to an event there.  It was just as gorgeous as I expected.  All kids love the chance to run amok in a museum, and I think the experience is only enhanced by black tie and an open bar.  The event itself was top notch, but I also loved being able to give back to Outward Bound.  When I was 13 years old, I went on a week-long Outward Bound canoeing trip in the Florida Everglades and it was an intense adventure.  If I could do it all again, I would; but for now, I'll donate to the organization so they can gift as many people as possible with the experience I was fortunate enough to have.  And donate I did!  After a few glasses of wine, my table-mates and I were more than happy to bid in the silent auction for a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico that we WON.  Adios, amigos! 

I lurve Halloween and to get y'all into the spooky spirit, I would like to share a new blog: Halloween or Williamsburg.  I am happy to poke fun of those kooky Williamsburg hipsters all the livelong day.  Thankfully, someone else noticed the absurdity of the Williamsburg dress code and chronicles it here.

Socialeatzing

After going up and down the island of Manhattan searching for a perfect apartment (oxymoron?), we were left with a short window for a late lunch yesterday before my parents had to leave for the airport.  I chose Social Eatz because it was a short walk from my apartment and because I knew my parents would appreciate the Asian twist on comfort food.  I'll be honest, I also chose it because the owner is Top Chef alum Angelo Sosa, and my goal is to try as many of the Top Cheffers' restaurants as possible - this being one of the few I can easily afford.


We started with the edamame fritters simply because they sounded interesting (as does anything fried).  They were served with cilantro, dill, pickled onion, and garlic aioli.  The dill made it!  I think dill is an underused herb (until someone decides to cook salmon) - but it really worked with these fritters.  Although they have won awards for the Bibimbap Burger, my Daddy decided to go with the Bulgogi Burger, based on the waitress' suggestion.  My Daddy is a big fan of kimchee, so the Korean flair to this burger had him hooked.  My Mommy got the Chop Chop salad and was surprised by how much she liked the gooey six-minute egg on top - we have a convert!  I ordered the korean beef tacos, which had a spicy bean sprout kimchee that gave the sweet beef a kick in the gut.  Since it was my parents' last meal in the city, we were feeling a tad gluttonous so we also ordered the curry creamed spinach and the mac and cheese side dishes.  I thought both were great and well portioned for the price.  My Mommy commented that even my brother, who tends to avoid spinach would have piled this version on his plate. 

When you want your Mama's version of comfort food, go to her house.  When you want to experiment with those classic dishes, go to Social Eatz.  

Yum Yum at Pio Pio

Since my parents were exhausted after a full day of travel and apartment hunting, we decided to stay close to their hotel for dinner on Friday night.  Lucky for me, a branch of Pio Pio, a chainlet of Peruvian restaurants was just around the corner.  I had never been there but had heard enough raves about the chicken that I felt confident in recommending it.

We started with the ceviche mixto that included sizable chunks of whitefish, octopus, shrimp, and calamari, tossed with lime juice, cilantro, and red onion.  It was a great ceviche, but I particularly liked the corn nuts that were served on the side.  For the main course, we got the Matador Combo, which was the chicken pio (a whole, Peruvian spiced chicken, much like really good rotisserie chicken), tostones (fried plantains), avocado salad, salchipapa (sausages and fries), and rice and beans.  It was all good but made even better when dipped in the green sauce they place on the table before the meal.  The Matador Combo was easily enough food for four people (I have the leftovers in my fridge to prove it) and only cost $34.  We washed that sweet deal down with one of the best pitchers of sangria I've had in a while.

With access to food like this, I can see why the Incan empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.  With two locations on the East side and another two on the West, it should be easy for you to check it out for yourself.      

Doughnut Day

My parents arrived in NYC bright and early this morning. After grabbing coffee and running a quick errand, we began the quest of the weekend: the apartment hunt. We checked out quite a few today - some good, some bad, and one in a neighborhood so awful, it wasn't even worth walking into the building.

So maybe the apartments weren't all winners today, but I'll tell you what was: the afternoon snack. One of our appointments put us in close proximity to Doughnut Plant, and I told my parents they absolutely had to give it a try.

There is plenty of variety, but I recommend the PB&J and creme brûlée. The PB&J has a creamy peanut butter glaze and is filled with blackberry jam. I can't even tell you how soft the dough was. Even though it had been sitting on a rack, it was as melty as if it had been plucked straight from the fryer. The creme brûlée is smaller than any of the other doughnuts but special because of its caramelized sugar jacket.

It's on the outskirts of the LES but well worth walking the extra few blocks. These are more intense than normal doughnuts but really hit the spot when you're seriously craving something sweet.

3 on Thursday

Why do I love this week?  Because it's a short one.  My weekend kicks off this evening because I have decided to take tomorrow off so I can play with my parents who planned a quick last minute trip.  Here are my favorite things of late that should help move your weeks along, even if they are full, 5-day work weeks.

On Monday, I was invited to join a publication at the table they had purchased for the MS Brain Games, a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis.  The event was very well done with wonderful hosts and a generally jovial atmosphere.  If you haven't participated in a fundraiser, what are you waiting for?!  There are so many worthy causes and in New York there seems to be some sort of philanthropic event every night.  Not only will doing good give you the warm fuzzies, these events are always fun and held in gorgeous places like Gotham Hall, pictured above. 

Knowing me, it should be no surprise that my family members are smart, witty, and a general great time.  With that, allow me to introduce Manifestos for Everything, a blog by my cousin, Greg, a copywriter at a top ad agency, and Robert, his art director partner in crime.  This tumblr final gives credit where credit is due and serves as an homage to those things you only think you don't care about, like designer doggie sweaters.

 

First of all, the person in the video above is a dude...I didn't get that at first.  And he is so off the wall that you may actually end up liking this obnoxious guy's status by the time you're done viewing.  Watch this to put a little wacky in your weekend.

Sliced Sprouts

Today I tried out a new recipe that called for sliced Brussels sprouts.  I have been waiting to find just the right sliced sprout recipe - slaw style - since I usually just halve and roast them with shallots and maybe bacon.  My regular method is good, but I've been looking for a way to mix it up.  I was surprised to find the perfect recipe in Ladies' Home Journal, but they were the only folks that brought me a recipe that was easy and incorporated fun flavors. 

After thinly slicing the Brussels sprouts, I tossed them with red wine vinegar and the juice of an orange.  I sauteed them in a pan for about two minutes and then added garlic, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and orange zest.  Once all those flavors got nice and happy together, I transfered the sprouts to a bowl and tossed with sliced almonds and raisins.  The citrus and garlic made a nice pair and the crunchiness of the sprouts was exactly the kind of variation I was looking for.  

3 on Thursday

I am only now realizing I didn't post 3 on Thursday last week.  I'm so sorry for slacking off, but I hope you enjoy this week's 3!

On 10/1, I attended one of the New Yorker Festival events.  The New Yorker Festival is a three day event that brings culture to the city.  There are writer discussions, panels, and editor/famous person chats.  I had the opportunity to see Chris Colfer (of Glee fame) chat with one of the editors and decided I love him even more than I love his character (if that was possible).  I am a true Gleek so to see him talk up close and personal about all his experiences was exciting.  I highly recommend checking out next year's festival.  The lineup is always stellar and the prices are reasonable.  (Many of these 2 hour events are only $30.)

On 10/6, I headed to Joe's Pub for the CMA Singer/Songwriter Series event.  This is something they do once a month (ish) and is a god-send for a Southern girl like me.  One thing I've found difficult about living up here is the lack of country music.  There isn't even a radio station - quelle domage!  Thank goodness for this event because it is one of the few times I get to hear real country (no, Taylor Swift is not country).  They bring 4 songwriters for about an hour and a half to two hours of music.  All of these writers have penned the songs for the greats (Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Brooks & Dunn, etc.).  They're the men behind the music.  They tell the history behind the songs and singing along is encouraged.  Each event also features one bigger name - in this case, it was Billy Currnington (second from left), who hails from my small but wonderful neck of the woods.  David Lee Murphy was also there (far right) - not a huge name, but I listened to his song "Dust on the Bottle" literally every single day on my drive to high school.  After the event, they're happy to chat and take pics for a few minutes, so if country is your thing, this is the perfect $30 event for you!  

Behold the shopping bag containing my new slouchy, buckled, low heeled boots.  A steal at $89, these babies remind me that Fall has arrived.  Aren't you enjoying this skirt/no tights/boots weather we're currently experiencing?!