Birthday Cake w/ Pistachios

great tip about the additional pistacihos! I'm actually going to make a practice cake this weekend. If I'm overwhelmed by the chocolate ganache, i'll revise after. If it isn't a total debacle, I'll let you know how it goes.

skigirl in Home Cooking

Birthday Cake w/ Pistachios

Thanks for the helpful input! If that's the case, maybe I can swap out the marzipan for pistachio marzipan. RLB has a recipe for it. Any thoughts on that approach?

I do like the chocolate on the outside. Otherwise, would make Baked's Aunt Sassy cake (described by another poster and I already have that cookbook).

skigirl in Home Cooking

Birthday Cake w/ Pistachios

Found it! Pistachio petit four cake! Anyone make it?

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/pistachio-petit-four-cake

skigirl in Home Cooking

Birthday Cake w/ Pistachios

My mom turns 65 in two week and one of her favorite things is pistachios. I'm therefore in search of a fabulous birthday (frosted) cake recipe that includes/highlights them. Leads appreciated!!

skigirl in Home Cooking

Need rec: WV friend invites the UES "grownup" crew below 57th St for dinner

Thanks all! I really appreciate the ideas.

I think S&P is a great call. Have been to RedFarm, and appreciate the appeal but personally wasn't all that impressed.

And, just to be clear (in case you see me on other posts), I personally love EMP and Craft and are well within my idea of fun (particularly EMP). However, for this crowd, it's not quite right. Those are places they'd associate with client dinners and as venues that are too "fancy" , rather than hanging on a Saturday night with their downtown pal at somewhere interesting/new (to them).

Happy New Year!

skigirl in Manhattan

Need rec: WV friend invites the UES "grownup" crew below 57th St for dinner

ah. sorry!

skigirl in Manhattan

Need rec: WV friend invites the UES "grownup" crew below 57th St for dinner

Ha. Actually, I think the two of us traded comments about Recette when I first reviewed it soon after it opened. I like it there alot. Live right nearby. I didn't say it was quiet -- I just don't think it has the sensibility / type of energy I'm seeking for this particular group.

Anyone been to Hudson Clearwater? Just read something interesting about it and I think my friends would think the speakeasy vibe of the whole thing would be cool. Haven't made it there myself yet.

And I guess there's L'Artusi if I strike out with everything else (Have ODed on Barbuto, I think).

-----
Barbuto
775 Washington St., New York, NY 10014

L'Artusi
228 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014

Hudson Clearwater
447 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

skigirl in Manhattan

Need rec: WV friend invites the UES "grownup" crew below 57th St for dinner

Thanks. Recette -- I know it well and personally like it there but it is way too precious and not enough fun for this night out. I want lively. Fun. I'm working on a table @ dell'anima, which is always a good bet. I personally would like Fatty 'Cue but am concerned its a bit too meat-focused for one of the folks in my crowd.

skigirl in Manhattan

Need rec: WV friend invites the UES "grownup" crew below 57th St for dinner

The more staid contingent of my pals rarely ventures downtown for a meal. I inevitably have to come uptown to them and am, inevitably, disappointed by the pleasant but has-been and relatively unimaginative fare I eat when we're out. This time around, we're going out on a Saturday night and they've agreed to head down my way. We're 5 40-somethings. As I dine out alot and am the only single one and will have to bear much discussion about their kids' soccer leagues, one personal priority is a solid cocktail. Price isn't an issue. Can be in pretty much any neighborhood though I'm particularly fond of my general vicinity and they won't want to venture to the outer boroughs. I'm not keen on stuffy or fussy. I don't want something completely off the walls. I am seeking a place with a great vibe and equally good food. Finally, I want a place that isn't so incredibly loud that we can't hear the conversation (went to Empellion the other night and this was my big complaint. I came back from dinner hoarse.). I have a few places in mind (maybe Tertullia or ABC Kitchen...) but would appreciate your input. Something sort of new-ish, cool and fun would be great.

Much thanks in advance.

skigirl in Manhattan

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana -- Reviews?

I can't say that I share the complimentary sentiment about La Mar.

First, I wasn't a fan of the room. Downstairs was okay, but upstairs, two tops were way too close together (a pet peeve of mine when dining somewhere of this caliber) and for such an airy room, I felt cramped. I also thought the vibe was rather cold, particularly in comparison to it's predecessor's. I don't mind modern and sleek, but this was just pretty blah and soulless.

Second, the service. Bussers were quick to pull plates away, and the waiter couldn't take our order fast enough. When I wanted a second glass of sake, however, no one was to be found. Pretty erratic.

Third, the food....Nothing was terrible but nothing wowed me. My friend and I each got a ceviche. i chose the tuna (nikei). It was lovely but it the tamarind didn't add quite the zing I expected. Certainly the best part of my meal, though. As for mains, my friend -- who is peruvian -- got the lomo salato. He had been so excited to try it but was really disappointed. Not being a lomo salato expert myself, I can't compare to other versions but can say that the dish did nothing to make we want to try it again. Would much prefer a nice seared flank steak not drenched in rather tepid gravy. My entree was arroz con mariscos. It was the disappointment of the night. Basically a salty fried rice with lots of peas and a really paltry array of seafood. The menu describes the dish as containing "fresh calamari, Spanish day-boat octopus, shrimp, scallops, mussels, market vegetables, ajies and salsa criolla." I found NO octopus, about 5 tiny leathery rings of calamari, an equal number of dried out mussels (out of shell), 3 small/,medium shrimp and a topping of one large scallop. This might have been an adequate side as served, but it certainly wasn't a main given the meager and completely unimpressive seafood in contained.

We didn't bother with dessert. Besides, the waiter had shown back up and seemed pretty anxious to turn our table.

-----
La Mar
11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

skigirl in Manhattan

Salt Pork?

Though I go it elsewhere, just an FYI that USQ Market doesn't have, at least not on Friday. Flying Pigs doesn't carry.

skigirl in Manhattan

Salt Pork?

I need some on Friday for lardons. I'd rather avoid the smokiness of bacon. Anyone know if someone at the Union Square greenmarket sells it? Any other downtown suggestions? Many thanks!

skigirl in Manhattan

Jian bing guo zi?

Am craving, craving, craving a jianbing like the ones I used to get near from a little cart near the Wudauko subway station. I read on another site that the jianbing at 818 Shao Kao aren't the same thing. Ipsedixit or someone else, can you confirm that the ones at Huge Tree or Four Seas are the legit street food treat that I miss so much befoe I schlep out there? Thanks from a once-upon-a-time-Bejing-expat!

-----
Four Sea Restaurant
2020 S Hacienda Blvd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

skigirl in Los Angeles Area

Downtown Delivery

Thanks! Which sushi/itzakaya do you like best for solo in little tokyo?

skigirl in Los Angeles Area

Downtown Delivery

I'm a New Yorker (West Village / Chelsea) temporarily relocated to downtown Los Angeles. I plan to be out and about quite a bit but certainly will need dinner delivery now and again. Who's got recommendations? Sushi is key. Thai or other SEA would be nice. A good big salad. Something local/organic. Perhaps a bit of Mexican. Open to all -- good food that need not be fancy. No vile fast food or national chains please. Give me the info, left-coasters!!

skigirl in Los Angeles Area

Business Late Breakfast / Early Lunch Tomorrow -- Meatpacking or Lower 5th Ave

I need a place (not Pastis or 202) where I can have a long, relatively undisturbed late brunch or lunch tomorrow. I need a not particularly fancy but nicer than a boho cafe sort of place.

Thanks!

skigirl in Manhattan

What food gift do I want from NYC?

Thought I'd chime in as the originator of one of the threads Kathryn IDs. My SEA friends were most enthused about the bagels and the Katz's pastrami w/ Moishe's Jewish Rye, which traveled very well (just wrap the meat properly and, if you can swing it, have your bro get one of those soft-pac"refrigerator" bags for a couple of bucks). They also remember very fondly the chocolate babka I've brought back before. FYI - NO WAY I'd slice and freeze the bagels.

skigirl in Manhattan

West Village - seeking sexy, subtle lighting, good for conversation and, of course, great food

Yerba Buena might be just the thing....I haven't been there and would love additional feeback from others.

As for EO, the drinks are good but not sold on the food.

A couple of years ago, I used to hit Centro Vinoteca quite a bit. And word on how it is these days?

-----
Centro Vinoteca
74 7th Avenue South, New York, NY 10014

Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

skigirl in Manhattan

West Village - seeking sexy, subtle lighting, good for conversation and, of course, great food

The places that keep popping into my head don't quite fit the bill for dinner...or they are wine bars.....

Recette would be good but I've been there recently and, frankly, the tables are on top of each other. Perilla would be wonderful, but I think it may lack a little of the vibe I'm seeking.
Little Owl too cramped and, I don't want to have to wait ages for a table.

Yep. I'm a picky one.........

Help!!

-----
Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014

Little Owl
90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014

Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

skigirl in Manhattan

Nougatine....meh.

Lazslo - this is a reviews board. I merely shared mine. I would never suggest that you not come downtown, where I live. So, you share your views. I'll share mine. Eat what you want, where you want, and have whatever opinion you want. Insults are unnecessary.

skigirl in Manhattan

Restaurant / Cafe / Bars with Wi-Fi (Ridgewood / Hillsdale / Westwood / Montvale area)?

Aside from Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles, Paneras and the like, are there other places in the vicinity that have wifi? Ideally, it would be somewhere that I could eat something decent in pleasant environs while working for a few hours.

Thanks!

skigirl in New Jersey

Best Bakery in Northwest Bergen County (i.e. Ridgewood area)

Head the other direction to Fair Lawn and Zaide's. Best babka and other kosher baked good. YUM!

skigirl in New Jersey

New ideas for NYC food gifts that can travel well.

This is the postmortem. Thanks for all the input!

I brought.....

Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey.

3 lbs of Katz's pastrami. Purchased the night before. Sliced and stored in waxed paper, foil, and bagged. Packed in a soft cooler with ice packs and put in my suitcase.

1 Moishe's jewish rye.

A dozen black and whites (also from Moishe's).

A giant basket full of NY-made foods, including among other things, Anarchy in a Jar jams, honey from the greenmarket, and Brooklyn Brine pickles.

A dozen NY bagels.

Salt water taffy from the Jersey Shore (I'm originally a Jersey girl).

Tins of homemade brownies in two flavors: Bourbon candied bacon (SO yum!!!!!) and espresso cream cheese.

It was all a big, big hit. BUT. I recommend NOT traveling with B&Ws late summer. They didn't hold up well.

skigirl in Manhattan

75th Birthday Party in Chinatown for 11 on Oct. 2nd, a Saturday at 4PM

In late 2008, I hosted a wonderfully successful banquet for 12 at Amazing 66 on Mott in honor of my dad's 70th. I like lots of things on the menu, but the whole chicken with preserved vegetables and the longevity noodles with lobster were particular hits. I went to the restaurant a couple of days before and planned the menu in advance. They even were cool with me bringing homemade lemon tarts for dessert.

-----
Amazing 66
66 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

skigirl in Manhattan

Winthrop, WA to Portland, OR

I'm taking this drive on Friday -- via Wenatchee. Once I get outside of the Methow, any suggestions about good stops for food and drink?

Many thanks!

skigirl in Pacific Northwest

Recette review

I had a really nice dinner at Recette last night. Did the 5 course tasting with wine pairing ($50 addt'l). There was an amuse of hamachi with uni and harissa (wonderful flavor combo), a tomato with burrata (served with a bit of broccolli - fresh and bright and summery), the single best bowl of corn soup I've ever had (served with foie gras - what's NOT to love?), two perfectly cooked scallops,and some pork belly that thankfully was a bit too sweet for my taste -- I was too full. Dessert included a nicely made raspberry sorbet with peach, and "smores". The wine pairing was really nice and interesting, including a Ramsay Pinot and an Austrian Gewurztraminer, among others. I wish I paid better attention (and had not drunk as much...)

I have only two minor criticisms, other than the somewhat too sweet pork belly.....First, there are a couple of too many tables in the place. My companion was constantly bumped and jostled. Second, the room is loud that the runners serving some of the dishes had thick accents, making it really difficult to hear descriptions of the dishes.

Other than these two things, it's definitely a "go again." It was significantly better than my dinner at Nougatine last week (see my earlier review).

-----
Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

skigirl in Manhattan

New ideas for NYC food gifts that can travel well.

So funny! Last night, I actually decided to bake, box, and bring various brownies using local ingredients, including...candied bacon bourbon brownies, cheesecake brownies, and caramel sea salt brownies. and...I found the Mari's site AFTER I made this decision. While I won't be buying from there, I will be walking by there and and doing a bit of tasting for inspiration. I'm still gonna bring some purchased goodies as well, though. :)

skigirl in Manhattan

New ideas for NYC food gifts that can travel well.

Thanks for all the good ideas!

I'm thinking I may broaden to my original NJ roots since I'll be down the shore the week before I go, and get some good salt water taffy to bring along. I also really like the halvah idea. More pickles wood be good, but as this trip requires more traipsing around that earlier ones (why chocolates and other perishables aren't as good an idea for this trip as for prior ones), I worry about those glass jars. Pickle juice. Seriously risky. I'm a pretty decent baker, so plan to bake and bring tins of assorted brownies (sea salt, coffee, cheesecake, peanut butter) to bring. Wrapped well, the should hold up okay.

These generally are people who appreciate good food, but they're not "fancy." Momofuku treats, Payard, etc., while I'd love to get, would likely be just plain pretentious to them. For example, the JT chocolates were my least successful gift thus far. :)

Feel free to keep the suggestions coming!!

skigirl in Manhattan

Your favorite places near 16th St & 8th Ave!

My neighborhood faves include:

Cookshop
Itzakaya Ten
Le Bergamote
O Mai
Gascogne
Tia Pol
Le Zie
Murrays Bagels

-----
Tia Pol
205 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Gascogne
158 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Le Zie
172 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

skigirl in Manhattan