What's for Dinner, Fri., Jan. 9, 2015
Bet we hear about some good heart- and soul-warming cooking projects today, what with the continuing cold.
I'm still recovering from yesterday's extravaganza, where the RG took me to Maialino in NYC's Gramercy Park. Two-and-a-half hour lunch. 
I just have to tell my food-loving friends about it.
One of the most interesting items we had was artichoke hearts. I want to say they were deep-fried, but they couldn't have been because there was no evidence of oil on them. They were so beautiful! Crisp, papery thin leaves with this delicious heart inside.
I had a salad of apples, fennel, hazelnuts & prosciutto. Great combo, which I intend to try it on my own. What a taste burst! I think it also had coriander in it. The RG had salami and olives for his appetizer.
Our main dishes, however, were clams in white wine and garlic, while I had what they are known for (Danny Mayer restaurant), braised suckling pig. This, as I'm sure you know, has a very crisp outside to it. It was served as a "rectangle," and how they did that, I don't know. RG says they to have special equipment to do it that way.
The two wines the RG chose were perfect choices. On the first one, a white, I think I actually was transcended in time to a spring day, even if just for a moment or two. It was that good.
For dessert, we had pistachio biscotti, ginger cookies, and Italian wedding cookies, but the RG also ordered this:
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Torta della NonnaLemon Scented Custard, Almond Tart Crust & Toasted Pine Nuts
When having a bite of this, I would have a taste of the custard and then a bit of the Meyer lemon that they put on the plate. Such a combination of sweet and tart! BTW, this photo is from their website and the tablecloth setup is exactly as it is in the restaurant, a picture of which you can see here:
What a fabulous dining experience; truly the highlight of my week.
Cher
and p.s. Is that a ghost waiter in the last pic?
= new reply since forum marked as read
I could at least make the dough. It will keep or freeze.
I love them as well.
Thanks, cbayer. I think I deserve it, too, LOL.
I'm intrigued by the German restaurant. What did you have? I love German food, being half German myself. Can you buy mosquito coils down there? They work quite well, although I suppose other diners might not like the "aroma."
We used to have a German restaurant here but sadly, it changed into something else.
Cher
I'm guessing that the artichokes were first steamed, then put on a flame grill. 
While in Rhody over break, my brother's family and I drove to Brooklyn to drop off my nephew for school. We did have a chance to grab a subway to Rock Center for the afternoon, but it was soooo damn crowded even I was getting miffed. It wasn't like the last time I went to NYC almost 30 yrs ago, but I'm sure it was just the Xmas vacationers. Next time, I'd like to go during an off-season, and just dinner-hop to various eateries.
OK - tonight, I'm going with a roasted turkey thigh. I awoke with hankering for a turkey salad sangwich, so thus it shall be. A salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. (The turkey salad idea comes from the NASA-Ames cafeteria, who had a kick-ass salad. I had a dream I missed my flight to San Jose for work at Ames, and was PO'ed that I wouldn't get my turkey salad sangwich!) When I awoke, I said, that's it! 
I wondered if you would come into NYC. Too bad I didn't know--we could have maybe met up for a drink!
I am laughing about turkey salad. Who can figure food cravings? Especially those inspired by a dream. 
Cher
My nephew will still be in school, and I seriously doubt he'll leave NYC. He has visions of grad school, so who am I to say different?
He took to that city like a cat drunk on cream. If it weren't him as a tour guide, we'd be lost.
But still it was weird having bloody marys with my (former) kid nephew. - In the afternoon. - With his mom - and dad - sitting next.
As he's fond of saying (after looking at his parents' faces) "...too soon?" We clinked glasses, and chowed on our awesome burgers. We had a great time in the city.
Oh, and what is this obsession with you ladies and shopping for things you cannot possibly afford, in NYC? We guys spent hours just watching the ladies look at things they would never buy, but yet we all went.
We HAD to. Lest we never see another naked woman again, regardless of relationship, friendship or otherwise. Women can be persuasive, if not persistent.
++I can well imagine! I looked at a chair in my house the other day and thought, "I bought that chair 18 years ago. Time to replace it." It didn't seem all that long, and I thought about it and said, "That's enough time for a kid to grow up!" Then I'd be paying for a college education instead of a new chair.
I'm so happy you had a good time in NYC, which is loaded with atmosphere when decorated for the holidays. I am sure it is something you won't forget. The RG has two grandkids in there now, finishing college, and they, too, have taken to it like a "cat drunk on cream."
And yes, maybe next time you come in, we can meet up. I wish I still worked for my client that handled the restaurants at Rockefeller Center. They gave me a house credit card and I never had to pay a penny when I went to those restaurants (except for tips).
Now, to answer your question about shopping, the answer is simple: Ideas. We get ideas and then we go out and duplicate them for far less (because we're clever that way).
Cher
