Tuesday, April 13, 2010
wine recommendation
I spent this past weekend in Baltimore with friends. I have more to tell you but for now I'll limit myself to just one recommendation: If you can, have a glass of the Rioja Alavesa, Ostatu (Viura, Malvasia) from 2008. I had it at Pazo -- it was delightful. I am going to buy a bottle of it in New York and drink it myself. Yes, I'm that selfish.
New Traditions Part 2
I suppose I should get to the Part 2 of this blog post and tell you about the new Easter Traditions.
Well, to be perfectly honest, this Easter 2010 was rather anomalous for my brother, sister and I were all in the same place at the same time, and what with the sister and brother-in-law having recently moved to Australia, that's unlikely to be replicated soon. But still, the day merits recollection.
But before I get to Easter Sunday, a pause on Saturday. In anticipation of my brother-in-law and sister moving to Australia on Thursday, April 8, they decided to have a sort of open house the previous Saturday whereby their friends could just drop by and say au revoir. Thinking that they probably would not have had much time to do any cooking, what with the packing! and the cleaning!, I decided to make some food.
And boy did I cook. First, I made a three-cheese-lasagne-with-sausage-beef-and-spinach. Yes, you got that right: I said three different kinds of cheese (mozarella, ricotta (well, I couldn't find ricotta in my supermarket, oddly enough, so I used some regular generic cottage cheese, which I think is more or less the same thing) and parmesan), spicy sausage, ground beef, and then about 10 ounces of spinach. That lasagne packed quite the mighty wollop and, if I dare blow my own horn (as though I have ever stopped myself before), was quite tasty!
Also, I made a pumpkin cheesescake. Yes, you got that right: think creamy deliciousness (oh, and by the way, a lot of creamy deliciousness in the form of three 8 oz. cans of cream cheese) mixed with pumpkin puree and just pinches of tasty ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, vanilla essence. Of course, the experience required me to jaunt off to Williams-Sonoma to buy an electric mixer (for I have been informed that no, one could not whip 24 oz. of cream cheese together to get the right consistency for cheesecake), which is one hell of a scary shop: there are kitchen things everywhere you look! Fortunately, I was able to ask some customer representative to point me in the direction of electric mixers. I came across, oh, say 4,580 of them, but fortunately saw a sign which said "Kitchen Aid," which I seem to recall from somewhere meant that the product was decent. And thus was my process of elimination.
Now, back to the point of this post, which was about Easter Sunday. So, my brother and his girlfriend stayed over on Saturday night rather than return to New Jersey. We all woke up on Sunday, and quickly dressed. We met my sister at Church of St. Apostle at 60th and Columbus Avenue -- it was actually very nice to attend mass with your family. I enjoy doing that at Christmas time when I am home in India. Thereafter, once the religious obligations were done, off we went to . . . Tiffinwala, down in Curry Hill at 28th Street and Lexington. Since we were done opening our hearts to the Lord, we opened our stomachs (through our open mouths) (everything seems open in this sentence, doesn't it? Rather disturbing). Anyway, we scarfed down piles of South Indian food (and when I say "scarfed" I mean "scarfed." I think my brother's girlfriend was seriously disturbed to find out that she was but half-way through her meal and the rest of us were done.
So that's what I did on Easter Sunday.
Well, to be perfectly honest, this Easter 2010 was rather anomalous for my brother, sister and I were all in the same place at the same time, and what with the sister and brother-in-law having recently moved to Australia, that's unlikely to be replicated soon. But still, the day merits recollection.
But before I get to Easter Sunday, a pause on Saturday. In anticipation of my brother-in-law and sister moving to Australia on Thursday, April 8, they decided to have a sort of open house the previous Saturday whereby their friends could just drop by and say au revoir. Thinking that they probably would not have had much time to do any cooking, what with the packing! and the cleaning!, I decided to make some food.
And boy did I cook. First, I made a three-cheese-lasagne-with-sausage-beef-and-spinach. Yes, you got that right: I said three different kinds of cheese (mozarella, ricotta (well, I couldn't find ricotta in my supermarket, oddly enough, so I used some regular generic cottage cheese, which I think is more or less the same thing) and parmesan), spicy sausage, ground beef, and then about 10 ounces of spinach. That lasagne packed quite the mighty wollop and, if I dare blow my own horn (as though I have ever stopped myself before), was quite tasty!
Also, I made a pumpkin cheesescake. Yes, you got that right: think creamy deliciousness (oh, and by the way, a lot of creamy deliciousness in the form of three 8 oz. cans of cream cheese) mixed with pumpkin puree and just pinches of tasty ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, vanilla essence. Of course, the experience required me to jaunt off to Williams-Sonoma to buy an electric mixer (for I have been informed that no, one could not whip 24 oz. of cream cheese together to get the right consistency for cheesecake), which is one hell of a scary shop: there are kitchen things everywhere you look! Fortunately, I was able to ask some customer representative to point me in the direction of electric mixers. I came across, oh, say 4,580 of them, but fortunately saw a sign which said "Kitchen Aid," which I seem to recall from somewhere meant that the product was decent. And thus was my process of elimination.
Now, back to the point of this post, which was about Easter Sunday. So, my brother and his girlfriend stayed over on Saturday night rather than return to New Jersey. We all woke up on Sunday, and quickly dressed. We met my sister at Church of St. Apostle at 60th and Columbus Avenue -- it was actually very nice to attend mass with your family. I enjoy doing that at Christmas time when I am home in India. Thereafter, once the religious obligations were done, off we went to . . . Tiffinwala, down in Curry Hill at 28th Street and Lexington. Since we were done opening our hearts to the Lord, we opened our stomachs (through our open mouths) (everything seems open in this sentence, doesn't it? Rather disturbing). Anyway, we scarfed down piles of South Indian food (and when I say "scarfed" I mean "scarfed." I think my brother's girlfriend was seriously disturbed to find out that she was but half-way through her meal and the rest of us were done.
So that's what I did on Easter Sunday.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
New traditions
When I was young and lived in India with my family, we typically went for Easter Mass together and then headed over to my grandmother's house for lunch. In fact, we do the same thing for Christmas (although in later years we moved to attending midnight mass instead of going for mass on the 25th morning). The routine is quite typical at my grandmother's house: we ate -- a lot -- and then we played Scrabble, slept, watched TV, chatted, and then ate leftovers for dinner. In other words, heaven: Jesus had indeed been born and had risen from the dead (as applicable to Christmas and Easter, respectively).
With regards to foods --
First, at the 11am hour or so, normally my grandmother, mother and aunt would have a "Rum 'n' Coke." As children, we typically drank Indian soft drinks (like Rasna or Tang, sometimes Thums Up, the Indian Coke) and now I might go for a beer or a glass of wine. We eat sweets, too, just to whet the appetite. I know, you're thinking it a bit odd to be eating sweets before lunch but, especially at Christmas time, we would have been waiting for weeks to bite into Christmas marzipan (Indian-style, totally different from the European "real thing") or kalkals (doughy-rolled up things that are covered in sugar) or milk sweet.
Second, at around lunch time, we normally would eat (a) roast pork, (b) chicken curry, (c) sorpatel, (d) pulau (fancy rice) and a salad (normally, this would be my aunt's contribution to the feast, the other dishes typically having been prepared by my grandmother in earlier years, and now my mother helps in more recent years). Delicious. I mean -- utterly delicious. We would have seconds and thirds, and the meal typically would linger on and on . . .
After a few games of Scrabble (intense competition between myself, my siblings and my aunt) and/or reading and/or watching TV and/or snoozing wherever one could find a spare bed or space on the couch, it would be time for the evening meal.
Quite possibly, at the 7pm hour, there might have been another round of drinks (again, rum 'n' coke for the grown-up ladies, possibly a whiskey for my dad when he used to drink) and then leftovers for dinner. And somehow the food, which had marinated in itself during the afternoon, was even tastier. Night would fall. We would sit in my grandmother's dining room, which has two windows looking out on to the terrace. The terrace lights were rarely on, so outside was very, very dark, while inside, the dining room was lit up with bright, fluorescent lights, almost too bright. We'd sit there, our elbows occasionally bumping into each other (indeed, we had to pull an extra chair to the table when the complete family was eating together (this would become two extra stools when my sister's husband accompanied her to India, although admittedly, we've only eaten together -- all eight of us -- a handful of times)).
When I was a child, I typically would fall asleep right after dinner. My dad would have to carry me to the car and then from the car up to the apartment. I remember sometimes being told, "Lift your arms straight up," and my shirt would be pulled off. Then, lying on my back, I would raise my legs, and off would come my pants. Oh, the sweet life of a child.
Which reminds me, I titled this post "New Traditions" but haven't told you anything about how I spent this past Easter Sunday. But I'll leave that for a Part 2 - this post is long enough.
With regards to foods --
First, at the 11am hour or so, normally my grandmother, mother and aunt would have a "Rum 'n' Coke." As children, we typically drank Indian soft drinks (like Rasna or Tang, sometimes Thums Up, the Indian Coke) and now I might go for a beer or a glass of wine. We eat sweets, too, just to whet the appetite. I know, you're thinking it a bit odd to be eating sweets before lunch but, especially at Christmas time, we would have been waiting for weeks to bite into Christmas marzipan (Indian-style, totally different from the European "real thing") or kalkals (doughy-rolled up things that are covered in sugar) or milk sweet.
Second, at around lunch time, we normally would eat (a) roast pork, (b) chicken curry, (c) sorpatel, (d) pulau (fancy rice) and a salad (normally, this would be my aunt's contribution to the feast, the other dishes typically having been prepared by my grandmother in earlier years, and now my mother helps in more recent years). Delicious. I mean -- utterly delicious. We would have seconds and thirds, and the meal typically would linger on and on . . .
After a few games of Scrabble (intense competition between myself, my siblings and my aunt) and/or reading and/or watching TV and/or snoozing wherever one could find a spare bed or space on the couch, it would be time for the evening meal.
Quite possibly, at the 7pm hour, there might have been another round of drinks (again, rum 'n' coke for the grown-up ladies, possibly a whiskey for my dad when he used to drink) and then leftovers for dinner. And somehow the food, which had marinated in itself during the afternoon, was even tastier. Night would fall. We would sit in my grandmother's dining room, which has two windows looking out on to the terrace. The terrace lights were rarely on, so outside was very, very dark, while inside, the dining room was lit up with bright, fluorescent lights, almost too bright. We'd sit there, our elbows occasionally bumping into each other (indeed, we had to pull an extra chair to the table when the complete family was eating together (this would become two extra stools when my sister's husband accompanied her to India, although admittedly, we've only eaten together -- all eight of us -- a handful of times)).
When I was a child, I typically would fall asleep right after dinner. My dad would have to carry me to the car and then from the car up to the apartment. I remember sometimes being told, "Lift your arms straight up," and my shirt would be pulled off. Then, lying on my back, I would raise my legs, and off would come my pants. Oh, the sweet life of a child.
Which reminds me, I titled this post "New Traditions" but haven't told you anything about how I spent this past Easter Sunday. But I'll leave that for a Part 2 - this post is long enough.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tavern on Jane
I met ReL for dinner at Tavern on Jane, a charming restaurant tucked away at the place where Chelsea merges into the West Village. The restaurant is small and cozy, and there is a room in the back which is quieter, and, as we found out, becomes extremely quiet towards the tail end of the night. Which is kind of great when you want to put your feet up on the chair at the table next to you, sip the last few sips of wine, and slowly settle into contentment.
The wine was good -- a $35/- or so bottle of Pinot Grigio, which slipped down the throat quite smoothly, without a complaint. And I ordered a big buffalo burger, with sauteed onions and bacon because I felt . . . like doing so. Yes, I know, it's April tomorrow and I should start my resolutions (go to work early! eat healthily! go to the gym (and by that I mean join a gym) but well, today's the 31st, and I couldn't be bothered.
The burger was tasty. Quite excellent, actually. And it came with home fries. Which weren't too bad -- not perfect because they just weren't crispy enough for my liking, but still decent. I would recommend going if you're in the area. I'm not sure I would go out of my way necessarily but since the location is so convenient (right by the 14th Street subway stop on 8th Avenue) that you might find yourself in the neighborhood frequently enough anyway.
The wine was good -- a $35/- or so bottle of Pinot Grigio, which slipped down the throat quite smoothly, without a complaint. And I ordered a big buffalo burger, with sauteed onions and bacon because I felt . . . like doing so. Yes, I know, it's April tomorrow and I should start my resolutions (go to work early! eat healthily! go to the gym (and by that I mean join a gym) but well, today's the 31st, and I couldn't be bothered.
The burger was tasty. Quite excellent, actually. And it came with home fries. Which weren't too bad -- not perfect because they just weren't crispy enough for my liking, but still decent. I would recommend going if you're in the area. I'm not sure I would go out of my way necessarily but since the location is so convenient (right by the 14th Street subway stop on 8th Avenue) that you might find yourself in the neighborhood frequently enough anyway.
Mad Men Season 3
I just ordered Mad Men Season 3. I've had my misgivings with that show (oh the mysogyny, even if a realistic portrayal of the ad/ corporate world at the time) but whatever. I'm a little obsessive and now that I've watched Seasons 1 and 2, it's time to watch the next.
I look forward.
I also need book recommendations. Because of my former resolutions (that I'm sure I've blogged about before) where I resolved to read more books, watch more movies, listen to more music, cook more food, just so that I could give the impression that I have an entertaining life. So please recommend in the comments.
I look forward.
I also need book recommendations. Because of my former resolutions (that I'm sure I've blogged about before) where I resolved to read more books, watch more movies, listen to more music, cook more food, just so that I could give the impression that I have an entertaining life. So please recommend in the comments.
Dinner at Nolita House
After the Joe's Pub concert, Pux and I stumbled down the rainy night looking for a decent bar. We came across a charming and small restaurant that happened to have wine bottle prices 1/2 off. Who could resist? Not us. So without much ado, we climbed the stairs into Nolita House.
After choosing wine (quite a simple choice - what was the cheapest wine, divide by two, is that price acceptable? Wait, $16 for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Why yes please. Don't judge - I'm getting a mortgage shortly (knock on wood, should everything go through properly, and I don't have $ to spare!). They also had a mac and cheese special (three different kinds), so I chose that for dinner.
The food was good. Well, again I'm going to be honest ,b/c apparently that is the thing I do tonight while blogging. I'm not a huge mac and cheese fan: I know that it's comfort food for many, but perhaps not for me simply because I never really had it as a child. It's a U.S. thing for me. But it's tasty, I'll grant you that. Not exactly a sophisticated meal out -- although some would argue who needs sophistication when you've got warm cheese melted on your, hmmm, mac, but still. Tasty and I was happy and I would probably order it again, but only if it were available as a special and I got to order the different samplers (there was a lobster flavor, a popeye chicken flavor and something else, which escapes me).
A decent place -- GREAT music (a lot of the Beatles, for example). I would recommend, particularly if you are in the area.
After choosing wine (quite a simple choice - what was the cheapest wine, divide by two, is that price acceptable? Wait, $16 for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Why yes please. Don't judge - I'm getting a mortgage shortly (knock on wood, should everything go through properly, and I don't have $ to spare!). They also had a mac and cheese special (three different kinds), so I chose that for dinner.
The food was good. Well, again I'm going to be honest ,b/c apparently that is the thing I do tonight while blogging. I'm not a huge mac and cheese fan: I know that it's comfort food for many, but perhaps not for me simply because I never really had it as a child. It's a U.S. thing for me. But it's tasty, I'll grant you that. Not exactly a sophisticated meal out -- although some would argue who needs sophistication when you've got warm cheese melted on your, hmmm, mac, but still. Tasty and I was happy and I would probably order it again, but only if it were available as a special and I got to order the different samplers (there was a lobster flavor, a popeye chicken flavor and something else, which escapes me).
A decent place -- GREAT music (a lot of the Beatles, for example). I would recommend, particularly if you are in the area.
Live music on Tuesday night
I went to Joe's Pub tonight. I like Joe's Pub but I rarely go. I tried once a couple of months ago to get impromptu tickets to some event but my spontaneity was thwarted: the concert was sold out. Ah alas and damn.
Anyway, this rainy night found me rushing there after my class at Columbia (yes, I know, all the way from the upper upper west side to the lower east side). But still I persevered. After all, $12 tickets to listen to Julia Haltigan. If you haven't heard of her before, worry not - you're still cool, neither had I. But late on a Monday night, while lying in my bed, instead of sleeping, I went on to Village Voice to figure out what was playing, and I likek what I heard.
I missed a bit of her performance (she started promptly at 7:30pm, who does that?). So that was a bit unfortunate. But I liked what I heard. She has strong, strong pipes, and she's not shy of using them. Which is great because actually when you have to belt it out, you tend to look a wee bit unattractive (you know, that whole stance thing where everything is centered at your core so you can BELT IT OUT, and that whole OPEN MOUTHED POSE where you force everything you have inside you out into the audieence). And I like people who are willing to give up vanity for their art.
Overall: an excellent performance. I hear she performs in New York quite a bit, so I'll have to follow her concert schedule.
Anyway, this rainy night found me rushing there after my class at Columbia (yes, I know, all the way from the upper upper west side to the lower east side). But still I persevered. After all, $12 tickets to listen to Julia Haltigan. If you haven't heard of her before, worry not - you're still cool, neither had I. But late on a Monday night, while lying in my bed, instead of sleeping, I went on to Village Voice to figure out what was playing, and I likek what I heard.
I missed a bit of her performance (she started promptly at 7:30pm, who does that?). So that was a bit unfortunate. But I liked what I heard. She has strong, strong pipes, and she's not shy of using them. Which is great because actually when you have to belt it out, you tend to look a wee bit unattractive (you know, that whole stance thing where everything is centered at your core so you can BELT IT OUT, and that whole OPEN MOUTHED POSE where you force everything you have inside you out into the audieence). And I like people who are willing to give up vanity for their art.
Overall: an excellent performance. I hear she performs in New York quite a bit, so I'll have to follow her concert schedule.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)