This is like asking me to choose a favorite child. Hmm. An amazing polenta with mushrooms @ Little Giant (NYC), a killer Thanksgiving my dad made when I was in college, bruschetta in Ischia, Italy, bolognese cinghiale in Sienna, my pistachio-strawberry wedding cake from Cafe Leopold (DC), my first Kaesekrainer and Tafelspitz in Austria, chocolate chip pancakes growing up, scallops on butter-leek sauce @ Marvin (DC), enchiladas rojas @ Habana Cafe (NYC), my first homemade coq au vin, mom's fettucinne alfredo, my husband's grilled Porterhouse steak, family friend Len's lobster bisque, Filipino lumpia made by an elementary schoolmate's mom, my first palak paneer, Banketstaaf.
My current drink of choice:
Amaretto with club soda and lemon, Aperol Spritz, G&T, any martini my husband makes me, a really good sidecar. Pinot noir or this white wine I adore, Torres Vina Esmeralda.
I really wish I could:
bake.
My "Go-to" dinner party dish:
Sweet potato ravioli in sage butter, coq au vin, some sort of mixed grill, usually a hearty soup.
My favorite comfort food:
mac 'n cheese. chances are 100% I will order this if it's on a menu.
My most tattered cookbooks:
I have way too many. Spending time on Chow has assured me that my penchant for reading cookbooks for pleasure is (relatively) normal. My favorites are old, dated cookbooks. Hideous photos and some priceless copy. Love it!