New Waves..The Bronx

The Bronx, like the rest of the city is going through changes. Specifically in the South and West Bronx which are still,  predominately Latino and Black. But gentrification and the intense need for affordable housing in New York City,  is bringing in alot of diversity.  I am finding myself shopping for Asian produce and condiments etc. in the West Bronx.  
There are things I can't find in Chinatown or Jasmart.

I also walk by a Halal meat markets, middle eastern food shops, Mexican and Vietnamse resturants.  I see several Indian families, African, Asian, as well as Eastern Europeans in these communities.  These new faces, makes me think, this must have been how things began places like, Jamica, Queens.  Queens for folks who don't know,  is the most densely diverse Borough in the City of New York.  Take the 7 Train to the last stop of Jamica (for example) and you will walk out on to a platform, with so many diverse, dialects and languages, its amazing.  It will baffel you.   I don't know how in the world the MTA (Public Transportiaton) doesn't have signs up and announcements in at least, the 3 most common languages in this area of the city alone.
  As I look at the Bronx today, I can see another potential Queens in the brewing. Along with a touch of Brooklyns Artistic, well to do, vibe in the South Bronx, Mott Haven area.  And most important to me, is the amazing foods, they bring with them.  I will be writing about these awesome adventures. Stay tuned.

A few little gems

I have been meaning to write about some of the cool resturants I have had the opportunity to enjoy in the city.  I will be bringing this section  of my blog "A Few Little Gems" once a month.



PONTY BISTRO in Gramercy
218 Third Ave
Btwn. 18th and 19th street
NYC
www.pontybistro.com



A great little bistro that mixes the  French Mediterranean and African influences and culture of the two chefs.  The food is just delicious.  I mean, they have Duck Confit Omelets for Brunch, for crying out loud!   I have yet to taste anything that was bad, the services is great. They are very attentive and the cocktails are tasty too.  They have 2 for 1 happy hour cocktails. It is small place but you will love it.  Great for Dates, night out with the ladies and small birthday parties.



LIDO in Harlem
2168 Fredrick Douglas Blvd. (at 117 street)
www.lidoharlem.com/




This place truly is a little gem in Harlem. I have known about it for over a year now.   Its known for its crazy bottomless mimosas brunches but outside of that, its also has an amazing dinners and cocktails menu.    The cocktails are, so far, the best I have had on the Golden Mile of restaurants on Fredrick Douglas.  A few things about LIDO, when you walk in, you immediatley feel, like your downtown. The atmosphere, just makes you feel as if your not in Harlem. Not that there is anything wrong with the World Famous Harlem, but sometimes you want to get away. Get a lovely meal out of the neighborhood. Except you don't have to leave it.  Second thing about LIDO is that the menu sounds good, but then you have your meal and its EVEN BETTER!   The  its also a lovely space to met up with friends or date.


MAIALINO in Grammercy
 2 Lexington Avenue
 Grammercy Park Hotel
 http://www.maialinonyc.com/




Really lovely Italian Trattoria at Grammercy Park Hotel.  They are alwasy busy for Brunch (which is sooo good like everything else).  They make whole pigs and cure their own bacon btw.  The services is wonderful.  They also have a private room that fits 20 for parties.  You have to be aware that they get booked months in advance  for that big dinner/party room.  So plan ahead.



ASTOR ROW CAFE
404 Lenox Ave
New York, New York
Harlem




Great little spot to have a cup of coffee, study, have a meeting, do some work, have a little meal.  The staff is really friendly.  The spot is really laid back and open.  Its also cool that they have a DJ on Sunday and Tuesdays.

Ethiopian Delight

Ethiopian Delight

I mistakenly removed this blog. Forgive me.  I also noticed that Yelp now has made it easier to find Ethiopian restaurants on their site, since I first posted.  So here is a link to YELP with details of directions etc. to these places in the city 

It has been toooooo long since last I have posted. I am currently working on a number of projects. However, I want to get back into the swing of things and write about my current obsession. I'm having or have been, for the last few months, a lustful obsession with Ethiopian food. I dream of Injera, the stable bread that accompanies all dishes. ( It resembles crepes but has a softer fuller and slightly tangy taste.) I dream of the collared greens , the split peas and oh the lamb, the beef tartar and chicken. As I have obsessed with this wonderful food from East Africa.  I have put up a link to Wikipedia if your not familiar with this very aromatic and spicy food.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_food

I have had Ethiopian in DC, Maryland, Philly and New York City.  I don't think you could ever go wrong with Ethiopian food.  If you like spicy and very aromatic foods that is. Its always delicious and great to have with others.  Having that said, there are some places that knock your socks off and others that are good but are more geared for the American palate.   Here are my take on the places in NYC.  I am aware that there are a few more places for me to try and will be reporting back on those. But, for now, these are the best places I have tried in the City. Bati and Queen of Sheba where the best.  Hands down, out of all the resturants I have tried period.  That includes, DUKEM in Washington DC btw.  DUKEM is considered the best Ethiopian resturant in DC, but I did not taste that when I was there.  But I like to give places a second chance so I plan to revist.  There was two more places I tried last time I was in DC but, I did not take down their information.  But I also know, that the food was good but not good enough for me to remember.  :(

NEW YORK CITY

BATI 
Ft. Green, Brooklyn

 747 Fulton Street,
 (Between Elliott Pl & Portland Ave)
 Brooklyn, NY 11217 
T. 718.797.9696

www.batikitchen.com

So Far best I have in the city.  Queen of Sheba was my world until I tasted Bati.  It was really close but Bati won hands down.  Only issue they don't give you enough food as compared to most other Ethiopian restaurants I have  been too.  But it still slap your mama good!

QUEEN OF SHEEBA
Hells Kitchen

650 10th Avenue

btwn. 45 & 46th Street

NY,NY 10036

http://www.shebanyc.com/

Great food.  It gets really busy during the weekend.  The food also seems to be even richer and more delicious on the weekends too.  So get a reservation!  Considered the best in the city and they ain't lying, but for me Bati, was  even better.

The Following Places, are all good but the Majority are geared towards the American palate.  

MESKEREM

Greenwich Village

124 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012

(212) 777-8111

MESKEl

Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

468 W 47th St
New York, NY 10036

(212) 399-1949

Massawa

Morning Side Heights

1239 Amsterdam Ave
(between 120th St & 121st St)
New York, NY 10027
Neighborhood: Morningside Heights

(212) 663-0505

http://www.massawanyc.com/

Loved the Honey Wine I had there. They serve both Eritrean and Ethiopian.   

ZOMA

Harlem

2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10026

(212) 662-0620

http://www.zomanyc.com/

Zoma has a great interior and a friendly atmosphere.   Cash and American Express only.

AWASH

East Village

338 E 6th St
New York, NY 10003

(212) 982-9589

http://www.yelp.com/biz/awash-new-york-6

ABYSSINIA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

Harlem

268 W 135th St
New York, NY 10030

(212) 281-2673

http://www.yelp.com/c/nyc/ethiopian

Small little place on 135 street between Fredrick Douglas and Adam Clayton Powell. You can take the 2, B, C train there.   Lovely owners and staff.  You can also buy Injera (bread for your meals) there as well.  

WASHINGTON DC

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

Washington DC

1114-1118 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

(202) 667-8735

http://www.dukemrestaurant.com

Thanksgiving Turkey

The Holidays are here!  So is one version of my Thanksgiving Turkey.  Since I had already practiced it earlier this year,  I had an idea as to how to work with a 15 pound bird.   I did not need to soak the bird overnight in a marinated or as its called BRINING the bird.  (Here is a video on the subject of Brining : http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/turkey-brining-secrets/866.html)

I defrosted the bird, cleaned it seasoned it lightly, moisturized it and then wrapped it in bacon and stuffed it with Italian sausages, nuts, brea, fennel.. well you get the idea. I roasted the bird for several hours on low heat.  The end results were amazing.  Served it with roasted Parsnips and Potato puree.

The drippings were reduced in oranges and cognac.  I then put the sauce over the breast and other parts of the bird.  Then I divided up the bird and delivered food to all of my friends who were working.  the eve of thanksgiving and the day after.   Received great reviews.

I also want to mention, please take out time this holiday to give back to those  in you community that are in need this holiday.  The holidays can be very hard on folks on so many fronts and giving to someone who can really use your friendship or your ear or some clothes or food can be good for them and your heart as well.

Washington DC

WASHINGTON DC 

The Metro

Yes it was an extremely long long wait. But, finally my take on DC is here.
There where many lovely places to check out in DC.  All of them wonderful and ooohh so  YUMMY.

GUMBO
TruOrleans
www.truorleans.com

The Wharf

Fresh Fish, AMAZING Boston Chowder and Fresh Shucked Oysters.

              Pies are all fresh made,  including the meat pies.

                     Dangerously Delicious Pies
                  http://www.dangerouspiesdc.com

Then there is  Market Lunch.  Oh Market Lunch was just lovely.  Great Services, every time and the food is just wonderful.

Market Lunch at Eastern Market
www.easternmarket-dc.org

The Market Lunch, where breakfast is amazing (buttered grits eggs bacon or fresh pancakes and buttered rolls and even friend green tomatoes... ) and so is the lunch.    Soft Shell crab sandwiches, friend green tomatoes, even burgers.  all soooo delish.

Market Lunch at Eastern Market

Soft Shell Crab Sandwich
Market Lunch at Eastern Market
www.easternmarket-dc.org

                                                                                  

                                                                           

Of course I could not go to DC and not take advantage of the large Ethiopian community there.   I had a lovely meal at DUKEM which is named one of the best Ethiopian in DC.   (Personally I still prefer Queen of Sheba in NYC)

Ethiopian Delights at

DUKEM

http://dukemrestaurant.com

Yes, I made sure to go to Ben's Chili Bowl and have a beef dog with chili.  

Ben's Chili Bowl

http://www.benschilibowl.com/ordereze/default.aspx

While at Ben's I took advantage of checking out Bus Boys and Poets.  A cool little spot where there is food, music and books.  

 ://

Why the name?

The name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet./

http://www.busboysandpoets.com

and lastly,



The Chesapeak Room
http://www.thechesapeakeroom.com/index.htm

  Beautiful space and so was the lunch.

Baltimore, Maryland

I took  my food pimping out on the road and the first stop was Baltimore, Maryland.  Land of the Blue Crab and other incredible culinary delights.

Had Alligator and Crab Cakes at GERTRUDES, located in the Baltimore Museum of Art.
For desert, Zeke's Irish Coffee Milkshake with their home made  ice-cream.   YUMMY
.http://www.johnshields.com/restaurant/rest/gertrudes.html





Next was Paper Moon
http://papermoondiner24.com/page/menu
They have vegetarian and meat lovers selections on their menu.

AND they have Bacon Milkshake as well as a Salted Caramel Milkshake my host just loved.  I did not have either.   But if you love bacon,  they have the BACON Milkshake on their menu.  Combine it with their cheese and chili fries and well your done.
The picture below is of the inside  and outside, of this really crazy and eccentric diner.  LOVE IT!






NEXT a small neighborhood pizza shop that introduced me to New Orleans style Po'Boys.  Stuffed with Fried Oysters.. yummy.  And the services was pretty cool.

Tooloulou Pizza

Finished my time in Baltimore with ARTSCAPE!  A major event that takes place in downtown Baltimore Maryland in late July.   Every creative expression possible,  every genre of music, all kinds of entertainment, Arts and Crafts artist, Fine Art, you name it they have it.  Artist come from all over the country to participate in the event.  Including major acts like Brian McKnight who all perform for free.  Here is a link below.
http://www.artscape.org/




The last evening was spent sharing a lovely Australian Pink Moscato 2011, called Innocent Bystander.  It was so light and not too sweet.  It is bubbly and pink and it paired well with strawberries.  Not bad Baltimore..



http://liquorama.net/innocent-bystander-victoria-pink-moscato-2010-australia-375ml-half-bottle-rated-90iwc.html?utm_source=amazon&utm_medium=versafeed&utm_term=5801&utm_campaign=food+beverages+tobacco+beverages+wine&utm_content=2010+innocent+bystander+victoria+pink+moscato+375+ml+half+bottle&v_traceback=c0809_0520_f0809_0524

Becoming a Food PIMP

It began as a way to keep a loved one really happppy.  She was generous to me and I in turn feed her.  In the process, I discovered I was pretty darn good in the kitchen so good my family member had happly called herself a food whore and I her pimp!  Ok, she already knew she was a food whore..to be fair..but she did say I was HER food pimp, period! 

But today after having an actual meal after a week long illness, at Lido's in Harlem,  I realize something that had already been happening more and more in my kitchen without my putting words to it.  Cooking is not  just about preparing a meal and enjoying  the passionate responds of my foodies orgasmic faces.  It's, about the creative process, a very instinctual, process where you become one with the very meal your creating.
What do I mean?
The tomato, for example, has its own scents, taste and textures, depending, on what kind you use and at what point in its development you are use it. You place the lovely fruit (yes its a fruit), on your cutting board and it waits for you to begin the process of transforming it.   
An intutive line of communication  begins between you and  the tomato.."should I cut you this way or that, should I bake you, saute you?  How will it effect the rest of the meal, how are you preparing it?  What kind of cocktail or wine will be paired with it?  
The meal  becomes a conversation that grows and becomes much larger than a recipe or you.  It becomes  a  quite expression of the creative /creator  in balance and perfect harmony.  It is inspiring and each time you make it, its a little different, but still good.  Like life and art.

AND when you are done and your guest is placing the meal in his or her mouth, if you have done it right , the responds will be silence, followed by moans and faces twisted in ecstasy.  They will want more and if your good to your guest, they will beg for it and if your really really good , they will crown you their very own Food Pimp!






Inspired by:
Lido
2168 Fredrick Douglas Blvd.
Harlem nyc

The Shedding

Catered fundrasing event on saturday for the artist Rogiers.  The DJ threatened to smack me, the host had to eat her plate in private, because she was having a private moment publiclyz; the folks who fearrrr food and secretly believe is evil haaaddddd to, just haaaddd to give in.  I think ... Hmmm... I do believe,  I "put my foot in it".  In other words, I kicked some serious you know what!! 
The Menu:
Drinks
Spirited Sangria with Brandy soaked  nectars apples and oranges
Tapas
Cocktail samosas
Mini Chicken mole stuffed quesadillas with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo
Main dish
Farafella in pear and gorgonzola cream
Tomatoe and basil salad


 http://www.fibbymusic.net/html/itinerary.php