This article about Joe Bastianich's marathon training sounds a lot like my triathlon training regimen.  A man after my own heart (and stomach).  Super-busy week, by the way, but managed to sneak in a meal here.  Aside from being delicious, it was food-personality central, with the likes of Ruth Reichl, Alfred Portale, and Paul Grieco.  A work colleage asked for my take on the dinner, and here's what I wrote "Overall a lovely experience. Atmosphere and service were very good. I thought everything was beautifully prepared and took great advantage of the flavors of the season. The lobster and foie gras dish, although quite tasty, was outshined (at least in my mind) by a duck dish w/chanterelles, tunips, and an apple-mustard chutney, and the sweetbreads, which had a rye crumb crust, a delectable sauce, and served alongside grapes and cippolini onions. Also, as simple as it was, a course of slightly warmed iberico ham wrapped around Idiazabal cheese with a tomatillo relish was delicious, especially with the paired wine."  I'll add that the pre-dinner cocktail I had (the bella rosa) was damn tasty — a brachetto d'Acqui with vermouth and orange bitters, the soundtrack (from Tom's iPod) lent a bluesy bent, and the company was delightful.  You can find the full menu here.

To sum up:  truffle parmesan popcorn on the couch Friday night, Arthur Avenue Saturday morning for clams, oysters, pizza, tastes of cheese and salami, Sea-Topia on Saturday afternoon for Pat LaFrieda burgers, lobsters, fall cocktails and brownies, breakfast today of fried egg atop provolone bread with proscuitto, mozzarella and basil from Arthur Ave bounty, dinner of calamari, sardines, lomo with shitake mushrooms, pan con tomate, Txakolina, and churros from Bar Jamon, plus a teeny taste of amazing strawberry jam hand-carried from Italy.  To counterbalance:  one run, not even close to being long enough for all that.  Extra special thanks to Tony and family for letting me tag along, to team Sea-Topia for pulling it all together, and to my jam courier for staying awake despite some majorly serious sleep deprivation.  Pictures from Arthur Avenue are here.

Today is my official last day working for Gothamist Food (remember that cute little logo we used to have back in the day?).  When I started writing for them almost 4 1/2 years ago, I had no formal qualifications and no journalism experience whatsoever, but for some reason they trusted me.  It has been an amazing experience overall.  I’ve never had any intention of doing it full time, but I definitely plan on keeping food writing in the mix.  When I started out this year, I knew that my time with Gothamist would be winding down, so I gave myself two goals — to make it to the James Beard Awards (check) and to make it to our 4th anniversary of food coverage (check).  Since then, I’ve been exploring some other food writing options. I have two projects in the works, both of which I will announce when I can. 

I have written over 750 posts (two more are pending and will be published within the next week or so); some of my favorites are here.  I’ve enjoyed some amazing meals, parties, and events. I’ve pickled with two of the city’s best artisanal picklers, been a Vendy Awards judge, competed in the Duckathlon three times, made matzo brei with Marc Meyer, interviewed Mario Batali, hung out backstage at the James Beard Awards.  But most of all, I’ve met people who are passionate about what they do and excited to share knowledge of their craft, whatever it is. 

This weekend was the NYC Wine & Food Festival, which was a perfect sendoff.  Thanks to all who have contributed over the years — Joe, Youngna, Alizinha, GirlyNYC, Beth, Chris, Frost Street, Habeas Brulee, Hugh, and the full-time Gothamist team (I feel like I’m forgetting someone . . .).  Now that I’m done, I’ll have a bit more time to write here — you might even see more food writing — and will let you know about the new projects soon! And for those I’ve met along the way — our paths will still cross. 

As for me today, I’m off to Chicago for the APBCo Academy.  Sadly, I won’t be able to go to Hot Doug’s, but am happy to head to Avec, plus I’ve gotten recommendations for two great cocktail places — The Violet Hour and The Matchbox — so my one night there will certainly be put to good use. 

I know, I know.  Haven't posted in forever.  First, let me put up the recipes from the last beach weekend (because everything was delicious).  We started with peppered pears with blue cheese and fried sage, moved on to crab cakes with a chipotle remoulade, spice rubbed skirt steak served with roasted sweet potatoes, grilled corn with chipotle lime garlic butter, and arugula salad, and finished off with the Magnolia bakery's recipe yellow cake with chocolate buttercream.  Everything turned out well — particularly the steak and the crab cakes.  I barely took any pictures that weekend, but will post them soon. 

Since then, I've just been running around a lot.  Will recap and post pictures soon!

As some of you know, I am participating in a CSA this summer, which means that every week I pick up a hearty batch of produce (and sometimes cheese and eggs) from Norwich Meadows Farm.  Generally, this has been great — I've been eating fruits and veggies galore and I've been cooking more often.  My one problem has been the apricots and plums — I get so many that I can't go through them fast enough.  Last week, I had amassed a ridiculous number of plums, so I decided it was time to make something out of them, rather than trying to eat five plums a day just to keep up.  I ended up making this Plum Torte, which was simple and delicious*.  Of course I ended up bringing about 2/3rds of it into the office so I wouldn't have it lying around the house . . .

*I'm no Smitten Kitchen with the photos, but I try.