Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences: From all the places I've traveled to, some I can never return, others I cannot wait until my next trip. Don't get me wrong, all have had bee...

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!: There's not many tings I enjoy best than a dinner with the girls; and this occasion was for a dear friend's BDay celebration. The location y...

Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!

There's not many tings I enjoy best than a dinner with the girls; and this occasion was for a dear friend's BDay celebration. The location you ask? Toloache on 50th st. Now I know there are 100's of so called Mexican restaurants, which in reality are nothing but the Americanized version of what Mexican food should be. Not Toalache, Yes, their food has a French presentation, but the flavors, ingredients, and Tequila are straight out of a real Mexican household with noise level and all!
Be ready to see, and enjoy traditional plates such as chiles rellenos (stuffed poblano chiles with ground corn, cheese, tomatoes, pork), tacos de chapulines (dried grasshoppers), and a varietal of ceviches. Their margaritas are also great, and it can be cause is not a cheap tequila used. We enjoyed the night special flavors of pomegranate, mango, and watermelon one that I swear taste just like those watermelon shape lollipops from the 90's.
And to finish off our night, we had a nice shot of Riazul Tequila with a side order of red velvet tres leches.. yes, tres leches cake made out of red velvet... How can you go wrong?!

It was a bit pricey; however I think that had more to do with our choice of drinks and tequila shots (we love love love tequila) than with the food itself. Pay a visit, and you will not be sorry!



Our Riazul Tequila shots, tres leches red velvet cake and our amazing Margaritas!



With the BDay girl :o)

 I now wonder where our next girls night out dinner date will be. Until then, I hope you take the leap and visit Toloache.

Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences

From all the places I've traveled to, some I can never return, others I cannot wait until my next trip. Don't get me wrong, all have had been memorable, but there are a select few which are unforgettable. It does not matter is is a 1 day or 20 day trip, there will always be that one (or few) places which you can't wait to go back. The reasons we are attracted to discover new and exciting places could be the history, the locals, the food, or that it is "in fashion" to go. Whatever the reason may be, one thing is always true; no matter where, why, or whom you go with you can rest assure it will change and/or shape your life from the moment you set food on that far away place. There are places that can and will hold your heart hostage, will make you feel like you belong; some of us are lucky to go there at least once in our lifetime, to me, that place is Firenze. As soon as I stepped foot on the ancient cobble stoned streets, I felt as if I belonged - like I had arrived home. For some strange reason I was able to navigate the narrow streets, find myself where I needed to go or be. Both myself and the hubby said Florence is a place we must return ASAP to immerse ourselves in their daily living. I'm in the look out for a rental (vacation for now) place in which we can go and spend at least 10 days. We want to be able to live and breath  like the locals. Go to the Mercato Centrale, and create a meal from the daily products brought in by the farmers in the Tuscan Hills. be able to drive our rental up the winding roads in between enchanting villages to Montepulciano or Montalcino and buy some of the most amazing wines you can ever taste. BUT of course I am dealing with a workaholic, and if trying to get 3 days days our of him for a quick getaway is difficult, imagine 10. But I am certain we will go soon, I refuse to believe it would be another year before I return "home"

Costa Rica, a short trip to visit one of my bff's. 4 days full of adrenaline & relaxation all in one



Morocco, A land of great people, spices & amazing history



Florence; I would return to eat, learn & live

Roma, where past & present meet everyday



Venezia; a piece of living art

 

 

My homeland, a land  like no other





Grandma's palce, where I feel the most grounded



There are many places which are yet awaiting our visit, but for the mean time the above pictures are so far my favorite places in this earth.

So tell me, what is that place in which you feel at home?



"Sunday Dinners"

Yes I married a chef... No; he's not the one cooking every single (if any) meal. It is the perception that a chef; who's passionate about his craft does spend his free time whipping some delicious meals at home right? well you are WRONG! lol

I do 99.9% of the cooking at home, and at first DH (dear hubby) excuse was that our kitchen was not up to par with what he's used to, and once we renovated and got a new stove it would be different. OK, let's get one point clear in here; as much love as I have for food, and I've been told I can cook a mean meal I am not a kitchen lover. I only started cooking once I left the comforts of my mommas house and do it cause my DH does not like to eat what he cooks. Back to the story LOL, so I caved in and decided to not only update the kitchen, but to provide him not only with the stove/hood he wanted but the fridge / dishwasher / etc he had chosen as well. By the way we did everything (with the exception of gas conversion) ourselves :o)



The before (during construction)





The after



If you think DH kept his promised, let me tell you he did so; BUT only for a month or two. I had to re-learn how to time my rice so it didn't burn; how to cook at a faster BTU (which I now love, love, love) and at the same time hear him preach about having to clean "his lady" (the stove) quick so the oil wouldn't stick to it.

So I came up with a plan, let's do "Sunday Dinner" we usually invite a coupled friend(s) over mostly my cuz Jenn and her DH Oscar (who happens to be one of my bff since 7th  grade) and my adorable god-daughter Zani. Arvin (DH) then comes up with simple & delicious master pieces for early dinner that leaves us always wanting more, more, more! There are some Sundays in which I become the chef and whip some Dominican staples. BUT I am happy to say that most Sunday dinners are by DH :o)

Below are a few pics of both of our creations during Sunday dinners:



Aged steak with a coffee rub, garlic and olive oil
tossed pasta with goat cheese and garden picked zucchini



Aged steak quesadillas with homemade salsa

Chimis: (Dominican style burger) with picked cabbage,
homemade beef patty. Passion fruit juice

Vegetarian delight: veggie dumplings with a soy-ginger broth
and enoki mushrooms

A true Dominican meal: white rice, fried chicken with picked onions on top, beans, avocado, and yuca fritters

Dominican style deep fried whole fish

Pasta tossed with Porcini mushroom, in a garlic-red pepper sauce 

Tomatoes from our back yard with shaved Parmesan, olive oil, sea salt.

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Per Se

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Per Se: "' When you acknowledge, as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving tow..."

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Food Trucks Mania

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Food Trucks Mania: "We are all very much aware & grateful for the massive turnout of delicious, well prepared, (gourmet even) foods & desserts that comes out of..."

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Morocco: A Magical Experience!

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Morocco: A Magical Experience!: "Many can/or will only associate Morroco with the famous 'Rick's Cafe'. But did you know that the restaurant never existed? and that it was o..."

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Pizza: Trial and Error

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Pizza: Trial and Error: " A slice of good NYC pizza can make your day, no matter how bad of a day it was. One of the blogs I follow is Serious Eats (because food..."

Pizza: Trial and Error



A slice of good NYC pizza can make your day, no matter how bad of a day it was. One of the blogs I follow is Serious Eats  (because food to me is really serious!) has a piece on Forcella, a traditional Neapolitan pizza eatery in Williamsburg, BK. I cannot wait to head over to my old haunts - yes I am a Brooklynite :o) and have the so deliciously described deep fried crust  known as the Montagnara. Now I've had some good  and bad pizzas in the tri-estate area as well as on the motherland (Italia). But until I can make my way to Forcella, and decide for myself if its worth a 2nd trip; here are a few of my all time favorite locations:

Margherita with Pepperoni @ Grimaldi's in Brooklyn is worth the long lines.. even in winter!
www.grimaldis.com



Thin crust, dried tomatoes, mushrooms, & pine nuts from Star Tavern in East Orange NJ.
Even my non-pizza eater of a husband can't deny is out of this world!
 www.startavern.net/

The Capricciosa: Red sauce, fresh mozz di bufala, thinly sliced sardines, & topped with prosciutto
would make me take a flight straight to Il Peperoncino Dispettoso (Roma, IT) in a heart beat!
www.ilpeperoncinodispettoso.it 

Pizza by the Kilo is considered street food in Italy. I cannot remember the name of the place we got the above, however is right across from the Vatican museum. Its the 1st one you see on your right once you enter the street. We got a bit of our top favorites: the porcinni & cream, eggplant & pecorino, fresh mozz & tomatoes. & it only cost under $10U.S

Per Se

"When you acknowledge, as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving toward perfection becomes clear: to make people happy, that is what cooking is all about."  T.K.

In my opinion, my hubby is t he best chef in the world... To him however that chef would be Thomas Keller. About 1 1/2 years ago, we did an inpromtu trip to San Francisco and tried our luck at obtaining reservations at the fabled French Laundry; key word: Tried.  We settled for walking (without permission) the property & taking a few pictures.

Fast forward 1 1/2 years and it is my hubby's big 3-5. I decided that the bes present ever would be to create a series of surprises, starting with flying lessons, and ending with a cocktail reception. What did I also get in between both of the above gifts? Prime time reservations at Per Se! Below, its a brief recap of the most fabulous affair with food either of us had ever had.

Entering the Time Warner Building at Columbus Circle for the thousand time had a new meaning. It was July 8th, 6:30pm and we were 10 minutes away from our dinner reservation at Per Se. We were both excited as to what was awaiting us on the 4th level of the building. Immediately after arriving and taking the obvious picture of the namesake, we were warmly greeted and taken to our table. With its floor to ceiling windows, the restaurant is divided into two levels and has no more than 18 tables all facing the beauty of NYC and Central Park. Once seated we decided to experience the Chef's Tasting Menu; and began our 3 hours culinary journey.
 

View from our table


The night started with a traditional amuse bouche of "Goujeres" or a typical french finger food of puff pastries filled with warm delicious goat cheese; as well as the mini ice cream cone with salmon tartare. From there, the menu continued to a selection of 13 course made of absolute dreams, starting with Thomas Keller's signature "Oysters & pearls" dish; which was Sabanyon of Pearl Tapioca served with Island Creek Oysters and sterling white sturgeon caviar , which I have renamed "my When harry Met Sallie" moment and ending with a "Raspberry Pavlova" which left me wanting more.

 

Oysters and Pearls



During one of our conversations, my hubby expressed how he would love to be able to "peak" at the kitchen. Of course 2 hours later me and my big mouth asked our amazing waitress if it was at all possible to see the kitchen, to which she complied very excitedly I may add. I must say that the kitchen is what chef's dream of. One would never guess that a full swing 13 course dinner menu was been created time and time again for the patrons seating outside. It was the utmost quiet, coordinated kitchen I have yet to see.

After dinner, coffee and homemade mini doughnuts were given. And as leaving, we were sent off with nice parting gift bags of homemade French butter cookies (sandwich) filled with a dark ganache.

My one complaint is that there was not many pictures taken during the dinner. I was able to snap a few ones here and there, but otherwise that was it. And to be honest; I am not sure I had the time to concentrate in the task of picture taking as  I was too busy trying to figure out how the next dish would or could top the last one.

So would I come back to Per Se? Yes I would... But first I am setting my sights in getting into the French Laundry next spring for our 5th wedding anniversary, It would be a dream to visit the "mother ship" after having tried the "offspring"

If you are a foodie, I obviously recommend that you dine at Per Se at least once. I will not deny that this meal will cost a pretty penny just for the food alone. However both, the amazing food creation and the outstanding service will transport you to a world you have never imagine existed, and make every single penny you spend here soo worth it!




Birthday Boy







Restaurant Week Summer 2011

Restaurant week is here!!!

This is a great opportunity to eat your way in the city for under $40.00 for two entire weeks!

It all started as a onetime program (back in '92) to welcome the National Democratic Convention into our city, and it has evolved to a twice a year Fall/Winter and Summer event in which all new yorkers take advantage of the dining options available.
More than 300 restaurants will be participating in order to commemorate the start of the 20th year anniversary. I have noticed that new comers have also join in to celebrate the 20th yr celebration such as The 21Club, Le Cirque, & Barbetta; whom were all participants on the first Restaurant Week promo back in 1992.

Visit and indulge in those restaurants you have been dying to try, but are insanely expensive on a average day or night. Make plans for a romantic date, or just grab a few of your girlfriends to have a girls night out in town!
below, see a few of my utmost favorites & tried out restaurants:

• Aquavit: serving lunch, dinner & Sunday dinner
• A Voce @ Lincoln Center: serving lunch & Sunday dinner
• Bar Boloud: serving lunch only
• Centrico: serving lunch, & Sunday dinner
• Cipriani Wall St: serving lunch & dinner
• Dos Caminos (all locations): serving lunch & dinner

You can find all other participating restaurants by following this link: http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek
Or if you have http://www.opentable.com/ account, log in to make a reservation on a participating restaurant while accumulating points all in one.


Please remember to make reservations, you would not like to walk in and be told there will be wait of 30-45 minutes or no table is available the entire evening.

Hope to see you at dinner!!

Morocco: A Magical Experience!

Many can/or will only associate Morroco with the famous "Rick's Cafe". But did you know that the restaurant never existed? and that it was only a created set for the all time iconic movie "Casablanca"?

Morocco is in fact a cultural blend of African, European and Muslim. Although, Morocco is a very religious country, culturally speaking, it´s considered to be the least Arabic amongst other Arab countries. The nationals as they are known are very fashion forward, and although they respect their cultural and religious background, they do not not take a step back to the modern amenities in life. The most amazing thing after the hospitality of its people, has to be the food. The spices, the tagines, and the amazing cous cous are some of the well known staples of the Moroccan cuisine. But I suggest that you venture out (carefully of course) a bit and try some local restaurants outside of your hotel. Now that said, please abstain your self from any mixed greens, or non-bottled water!! I can honestly say that it was indeed a magical experience, and one that I will no doubt relive soon. Over the 1000 pictures I took (yes I know) below you will find a small recap from our magical 12 days in Morocco:

After checking in the Hotel, we hit the Casablanca streets in search of their national drink: "Mint Tea"

 

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. The largest one in the entire country

One of the many "Oasis" we found in our way thru the desert to Fes


 

Front entrance and inside view of the Medina in Fes







You would find many public water fountains with beautiful detailed mosaic work.
And as I said before, step out of your comfort zone and try the local fare!

 

On our way to a traditional tea ceremony.. One thing I learned is that Moroccans do love sugar!





A must do: stay the night in a hotel at the edge of the Sahara.
take a camel caravan and enjoy the sunset from one of the many dunes.



The famous Marrakech Square. Food vendors, snake charmers, and Moroccan music
invade this square every night starting at 6pm

 I hope you enjoyed this one, and when you decide to venture out to Morocco don't forget to become part of it, enjoy its culture, history, and food!!

And remember: Don't knock it until you try it!