Day 1 in NYC.... Eataly!

After a severely delayed train ride Sunday night that finally delivered me to my new home around 10:45 pm... I was spent. I successfully managed to get myself into a cab, and make it to my sister's apartment in 15 minutes.

We exchanged some brief greetings (it was past her bedtime) and then I climbed into my temporary bed (aka... the air mattress). Obviously still being on California time meant I was awake watching Law and Order: SVU on Hulu until about 4 am... despite the fact that I had an interview the next morning at 9:30 am.

I returned from the interview the next morning and immediately fell into a sleep coma until about 4 pm when I finally decided to wake myself up and order some delivery. This consisted of wings from Dominos. Enough said. When my sister finally returned home around 7 pm I felt like her cat.... starved for attention and craving a nice bowl of pasta and a big class of red wine (her cat clearly has drinking problems and a love for Italian food... I try not to judge). Kayla and I mulled over where to go, and eventually she suggested that we walk to Eataly, located around the corner from her apartment.

Eataly is amazing. Literally if I die and go to heaven... heaven will be Eataly. Eataly marries the idea of a specialty supermarket with the enjoyment of taking your time and enjoying good food (and wine). Communal tables allow for customers to purchase wine, cheese, gelato, and just enjoy the food before they continue shopping.

Our walk was quick, and we were actually able to secure two seats at the bar of Manzo. Manzo, which literally translates to beef, is a Mario Batali restaurant that centers around the sustainability of meat, but also offers a plethora of other Italian items.

I wish I had done my homework a little more before going here because I definitely would have ordered a meat dish instead... unfortunately my decision to order pasta was an incorrect one.... at least the one I ended up ordering.

Kayla and I decided to start with an appetizer, which was delicious. We began with the Mozzarella with pea pesto, guanciale & fresno chile oil for $17. (I had wanted the veal sweetbreads... but Kayla was craving some Mozzarella). This antipasti came with three large chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese, as well as a beautiful and vibrant pea pesto, sprinkled with pine nuts and topped with crispy pancetta.

Mozzarella with Pea Pesto

After we placed the order for the appetizer, the waitress came back and asked us what we were thinking about for wine. I said I was looking for a pinot noir. She asked me a few questions about the kind of pinot I like, and then brought over something for me to try. I will say.... after being in California for so long and dealing with such terrible restaurant service (because everyone is actually an actor, not waiter), it was nice to see someone act professional and take their time with a customer. The wine was great and my sister and I polished off the bread, and the appetizer, and waited for our main courses. We both ordered the "Vesuvio" under the Primi section of the menu. This was vesuvio pasta, with peas, soft shell crab & pancetta for $19.

Vesuvio with soft shell crab 

The texture of the pasta was perfectly al dente, however I wasn't really a fan of everything else. The sauce was slightly oily, and there was an off putting aftertaste that I couldn't quite figure out what it was. Also, I just didn't really understand how soft shell crab matched with this entree. It felt like the pasta, crab, and pancetta were just separate, non-harmoneous components. I was disappointed, but since everyone around us seemed to be thoroughly enjoying what they were eating, I will definitely be giving Eataly, and Manzo, a second chance.

All and all I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with my sister an our favorite environment... an Italian restaurant! I can't wait until my next NYC food experience. Stay tuned!

A New City, A New Life, A New Chapter...

In two short weeks I will be moving to New York City, aka The Big Apple, aka The City That Never Sleeps, aka My New Home (my favorite name). I look forward to this new (and long overdue) chapter in my life, and hopefully this will bring forth new inspiration for my blog.

California definitely had it's ups and downs. I made some great friends who I will truly miss. I reconnected with old friends who will be hard to leave. I was in love.... and then.... well, you get the picture. Although it was all a great learning experience, it was also a huge distraction from my blog (that and the fact that shortly after arriving I broke my laptop and blogging was a lot less fun on an iPad)!

Although my credit card statements may prove otherwise.... I didn't really get to eat out at a lot of fun places like I used to in Boston.... so I look forward to seeing all that NYC has to offer in terms of culinary experiences, and I hope you guys can all enjoy along with me!

In the mean time... I am going to share some of my favorite dishes that I enjoyed while here in California..... so stay tuned for one coming up shortly!

NYC Danielle! (Yes I'm wearing a construction worker vest... long story).

La Vecchias - Santa Monica

So I know it's been a while since I've blogged. I guess I've lost a little of my passion for food since living in California... However, there have been a few restaurants that have found their way into my repertoire. One of these restaurants  is La Vecchia Cucina in Santa Monica. My girl Ally and I go there on a regular basis to enjoy enjoy bowls of pasta ... I mean half bowls ... and bottles of red wine... I mean glasses. Since we both live on Main Street it has become our version of "Cheers." Every bartender knows our name, and we are always greeted with smiles and open bar stools.

Last week when my family was in town (the details of that trip belong on a different blog entitled "My Thanksgiving from Hell.") I decided to share with them one of my favorite restaurants. After being greeted by the friendly staff we were quickly seated at our table.

Unlike when Ally and I go, and always order the same thing, this time while out with my family we decided to change things up.

For an appetizer we started with the Melanzane alla caprina. This is rolled slices of eggplant stuffed with goat cheese and herbs, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil, and then baked in the oven. I really enjoyed this app and would definitely order it again in the future.

Baked eggplant 

For an entree I decided to order the gnocchi special. It was homemade gnocchi with fresh ricotta in a red sauce. I take gnocchi very seriously ... so therefore I am always hesitant to order it. A bad gnocchi is a sin.... to an Italian.... fine, half Italian. Regardless, it was delicious. The gnocchi had a perfect texture, the creamy ricotta was a really great touch, and the red sauce offered a really nice sweetness.

Gnocchi w/ fresh ricotta in a sweet red sauce

Chris ordered the veal (shocker) in a red sauce with carrots and mashed potatoes. I mean the veal must have been pretty great because Chris didn't even offer me any of it. So speaking from no personal experience, it seemed pretty awesome. I can vouch for the potatoes however, they are amazing. I am always excited to eat there on the weekends because that's the only time they have them.

Veal w/ red sauce, vegetables & mashed potatoes

My sister ordered a salad (boring) and the rest of my family ordered steak. I didn't get a picture fast enough but next time I'm there I will because Ally and I always end up ordering it. Overall the meal was amazing and I will obviously be back again! Highly recommend it!!

The Tasting Kitchen... Aka heaven

Brunch is hands down the greatest meal ever created. Period.

One of my favorite places for brunch is The Tasting Kitchen on Abbott Kinney in Venice, CA. This industrial looking restaurant has minimalist décor, however the food is anything but. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I decided to branch out from our usual M Street Kitchen brunch, and when 26 Beach had a line out the door, we decided to try The Tasting Kitchen.

We were offered seats at the main bar because the restaurant was filled up, however we had plenty of elbow room and a purse hook underneath (so clutch!) I ordered a mimosa to start, and then we eventually decided on the short rib hash and croque Madame. As we waited for our meals I watched the gentleman next to me devour a bacon-wrapped sticky bun….. enough said.

Our food arrived shortly after, and it was amazing. No complaints. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The brioche was crispy. Chris’s short rib was nice and tender. All and all it was a truly delightful brunch.

That being said, I decided to go for a round two with my girlfriend this past weekend. We arrived and were seated at the overflow bar (it was that or one of the communal tables). We were immediately greeted by our server, ordered two coffees and two mimosas (our standard Sunday drink order) and looked over the menu.

Cheers!

 I will say the menu can be somewhat cryptic to a non-foodie (for example: roasted tomato and white cheddar cheese = tomato grilled cheese), so don’t be afraid to ask questions! I was torn between the chicken ("fried clucks") and waffles or the grilled cheese, but ultimately went with the grilled cheese. My friend Ally went with the bacon stuffed waffles. We sat sipping our mimosas, anticipating our food’s arrival.

When the food arrived it was like the gods delivered it from heaven. (Or more realistically that one of their servants did).

My grilled cheese was pan fried in butter, with white cheddar cheese and roasted tomatoes on thick crispy toast. It was literally one of the most amazing things I’ve ever eaten. Cheesy, buttery goodness.

Grilled Cheese and tomato

Now to Ally’s…. hers was equally as buttery and delicious (well almost as delicious as mine). It was a large waffle, with each crevice filled with butter and syrup, and then when you cut into it there was a thin layer of crunchy bacon to be discovered. The waffles were light and fluffy, and I would definitely consider ordering this to go the next time I have brunch there (since I’ll obviously be ordering the grilled cheese again).

Waffles stuffed with bacon.... iphone on the table.... bad ally

All and all this was another delightfully delicious brunch, and I look forward to trying their dinner entrees in the near future. Stay tuned for a dinner post coming soon! And if anyone has eaten dinner there please tweet me your suggestions! @dyellrutherford