Sweet Blog O'Mine

v. 2.0

  • The Ridiculousness of Yelp

    First, just to be clear, I don't like Yelp. I don't trust Yelp reviews. I can think of at least a dozen other resources that I'd turn to in order to find good restaurants when I travel in any given city. You might be curious as to why I dislike Yelp so much. I firmly believe that it is the goal of the majority of Yelp reviewers to think that they have some power in the restaurant world — they trash places that don't deserve it constantly, "review" places based on one visit, and sometimes use the threat of a negative Yelp "review" in an attempt to get special treatment. And now, the ultimate in ridiculousness — Yelp reviewers have now filed a class action claiming that they are unpaid writers. Might I remind you, dear readers (and all you idiot Yelpers), that writing on Yelp is 100% VOLUNTARY.

    Yet another reason that Yelp truly sucks.

  • Sandy-versary

    I've been spending time today reflecting about my experience during Superstorm Sandy, which took place a year ago today. I was lucky. For me, it was an inconvenience, but it was also an adventure. As someone who has lived in NYC through 9/11 and a blackout prior to Sandy, it was yet another illustration of how the city comes together in a crisis and how people take care of each other. Although I lost power, I cooked, saw friends and neighbors, made it to work, and generally made the best of it. I was also able to help determine where my law firm devoted financial resources, as well as legal resources. I helped get attorneys trained so that they could help the law firm staff who were impacted most severely by the storm in addition to helping those outside of the firm. 

    I'm sure this wasn't the last time NYC will see such a disaster or other crisis, but I have no doubt that we will get through whatever comes next. To Karen, Nannette & Richard (and their family), Dan & Kathryn, Jesse, & Anthony — thanks for helping me weather the storm.

  • Booze You Can Use: Have a Lion’s Tail

    I remember the first time I had this cocktail. Ms. Jane Elkins made it for me at Louis 649 several years ago. I'm not sure I've had one since. I've got some allspice dram at home (made by my mom!) and have been trying to think of ways to put it to good use. This came to mind.

    Lion's Tail
    2 ounces bourbon
    1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
    1/2 ounce allspice dram
    1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
    1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
    Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

  • Fall Foliage (and Farm) Weekend

    Spent the weekend with college friends in the Berkshires. Food, drink, and laughter were all plentiful. The only pictures I managed to take were at the Ioka Valley Farm, where we learned quite a bit about maple syrup.

    PhotoGrid_1382470526201.jpg

  • Winner, Winner, Double Fried Chicken Dinner

    I was fortunate enough to attend one of Hearth's 10th anniversary dinners last night, this one featuring Chef Sean Brock's fried chicken alongside Chef Marco Canora's Tuscan fried chicken. Eat your heart out.
    IMAG1264-1.jpg

  • Booze You Can Use: A Friday Poem

    Was reminded of this lovely poem last night — it's one of my favorites.
    “I like to have a martini, Two at the very most. After three I'm under the table, after four I'm under my host.” ― Dorothy Parker,

  • What’s Cookin’?

    My CSA is still going strong and I'm still doing my best to cook as often as I can (using as much of my CSA produce as I can) while balancing work, a social life, and everything else. In the past two weeks I've made:

    plus salads. I've been bringing lunch to work and eating well at home. I've got a few weeks left, so I hope I can keep it up! Although I'm tired at the end of a day at work, I find it relaxing to prepare dinner as I wind down, and the end results are always worth it.

     

     

  • Blast from the Past — A Night with Joan Jett

    I was lucky enough to go see Joan Jett earlier this week at a small venue in NYC. One of my favorite songs of the night (in addition to her rendition of "Everyday People") was this one:

  • Eating and Drinking NYC’s Best

    Once again it's time for Time Out New York's 100 Best Dishes and Drinks. I wrote a handful of the blurbs, including one in the top ten. Go check them out — both in the magazine and in person. Also, while you're at it, take a gander at my latest in Wine Enthusiast Magazine on coffee cocktails.

  • Booze You Can Use: Have a Real Fucking Martini

    I fully credit T.J. Lynch of Mother's Ruin for this moniker, but this is my take on what a real fucking martini should be. Drink one — you deserve it.

    A Real Fucking Martini

    2 oz gin (for this, I like Nolet's Silver)
    1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
    3 dashes Regan's Orange Bitters

    Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Add cracked ice and stir. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.