Since the current dinner challenge du jour is to do something interesting with a loaf of gourmet bread (Pearl Bakery ciabatta) over a course of four days*, I wanted to experiment with making a tasty spread to put on the bread ( Read more... )

I just received word from a fellow colleague that our employment status will be revealed tomorrow. I'm not stressing out about the final decision one way or another, since I will eventually be moving to New York. Whether that happens in nine months or 3-5 years from now will depend on tomorrow's news ( Read more... )

While grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market late last night, I was very curious that their 365 store brand sugar was labeled as "Vegan Cane Sugar". I found that labeling to be extremely interesting. Upon further investigation this morning, it turns out that some conventional sugar manufacturers use animal bone char for filtering/whitening the ( Read more... )

Only 40 more minutes until the cooking class at Sur La Table begins! I am looking forward to the hands-on Pasta Dishes to Welcome Spring class! :)

Oh yeah, I am contemplating going to the Spring Beer and Wine Fest. I may go on Saturday.

And speaking of Saturday, it's the National Corndog Day (I said "corndog," not "horndog")! Time to stock up on ( Read more... )

Holy shit. The purveyors of my favorite Hunza dried fruit snacks have a website up--GoHunza.com! The last few times that I've visited NYC, I brought back dried fruit goodness known as Hunza golden raisins, Hunza mulberries, and Hinalayan Monukka raisins. They are all soooo good! I also suspect that Hunza Goji berries are pretty yum-eaux too ( Read more... )

Brunch special at Essex Restaurant in Lower East Side. The "three glasses of mimosa" turned out into a "bottomless cup of mimosa". ;o Photo was taken by G. I miss NYC already!


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Earlier tonight I had one of my best gym workouts ever. Even though I ran through the same repetitions on the same machines that I usually use, I felt that my endurance and energy level were ample enough to last me through the entire workout. I even started the session with a 25-minute cardio session on the elliptical machine, increasing the ( Read more... )

Today has been very mellow and fun. We slept in late (again), and had New Year's Day brunch at the Essex restaurant. The endless cup of mimosa was delicious! After visiting the fromagerie at Whole Foods in the Bowery, we went home, watched TV, cooked dinner, and just relaxed. This is a nice change from going out a lot during the week. Tonight's ( Read more... )

Earlier today, we discovered the joys of H & M clothing store, and Bo Concept home furnishing store. Thankfully we didn't buy anything at either of the stores....

We're off to have a New Year's Eve dinner, then hit the town for the New Year's. Happy 2008 everyone!

Today was yet another exciting day of fine dining and shopping. The adventures started out with a delicious brunch at Wild Salmon Restaurant near the Grand Central Station. The salmon was moist and flavorful, and the Baked Alaska Igloo dessert was cute, quaint, and quirky. Sadly, the restaurant is closing its doors for good after Monday. I picked ( Read more... )