Les Halles meets EATALY - NYC USA

When I had the opportunity to go to Les Halles in Avignon, France...On the advice (sort of) of Peter Mayle, author of "A Year in Provence" and several other literary wonders I went as he said, early and enjoyed a culinary experience (see post).

When I was making plans to head to New York for a quick weekend away, my friend Will an excellent albeit YOUNG chef suggested heading to EATALY. Such great advice! Areas for meat, cheese, dairy, produce, bread, pasta et al! Each area with its own restaurant! There is even a bookstore and after my own heart...a treasure chest of craft BEER!

I was so excited to see each section of the MASSIVE open market. Finally I

planted myself at the Market with the Cheeses and Cured Meats and Wine...SHOCKING, I know...

I enjoyed a tasting platter and the finest most expensive glass of wine I have ever had. A Barolo from the Piedmont Region of Italy...smooth, delicious and a perfect accompaniment to the meal. Served with warm bread wrapped in paper it was a fine culinary experience!

Finish this culinary adventure with a TRUE macchiato! My new pal here made it to positive perfection. And shhhhhh I found in him the possibly only Boston Red Sox fan in the entire city, wooooohoooo!!!

Great great place to visit; make sure you have an empty belly and PLENTY of time!

Sarabeth's NYC

You may recognize the name if you are a fan of perhaps the greatest jellies and jams the world has ever seen! On a stroll near my hotel across from Central Park south, I stumbled upon Sarabeth's Restaurant...I cannot say I knew there was a restaurant. So on my first day when I happened by the restaurant, I vowed that the morning of my departure home I would eat breakfast at Sarabeth's. My friend who was all too eager to join me and I may say this was one of my most enjoyable experiences ever. I am a stickler for customer service, if you read this blog regularly, you know that. On a very busy Sunday morning, the last weekend of summer vacation, my friend and I went to get a table. The wait was a long one but when offered two seats at the barista bar we hopped right up. We sat and watched the Barista make up order upon order of coffee, mimosas, bloody marys and plenty of other drink selections. She gave us our menus and put in our orders and the order of the others who were at the bar. With swift precision she managed her time with grace and perfection. Our food arrived almost impossibly fast.

Outstanding beyond words.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon and my friend ordered the Almond encrusted French Toast. Positively delicious! Poached eggs are not an easy task and mine were cooked perfectly! My friend's French Toast was also outstanding.

I got to thinking as we sat there enjoying this amazing breakfast. This place is larger than it looks and packed. Plus there is a line waiting for 20-30 minutes. The staff is quick, precise and clearly IN LOVE with their jobs. My friend even noted before me that it is a pleasure as a patron to have each employee do his or her job. No person is standing around, commenting with another waitress how the barista bar girl isn't doing her job. No gaggles 0f employees lurk around any corner talking about a recent liaison gone bad. Everyone has a job and everyone is doing it. The kitchen is equally as efficient. I love when a place is this busy and everything is going well. It begs the question why when you do go out and the staff is filled with excuses about why the food is late or sucks, or about why they just stuck there finger in your glass or how they just broke up with significant others. It's not necessary. Run a restaurant. Do it well. Surround yourself with great people who WANT to be there and you won't be sorry.

Sarabeth's truly gets remarkable outstanding marks:) It is truly a wonderful meal and moreover a wonderful experience!

N.Y.A.C - A weekend to never forget!

Let it never be said that I am not a lucky gal! I had the incredible opportunity to visit New York City a few weeks back and the stories I must share are amazing! By the grace of those around me who love me, I was able to spend my nights at the New York Athletic Club! A private club around the world I can honestly say it helps to know people in the know...and furthermore be lucky enough for those in the know/membership to bestow such graces on the likes of me. I am reminded once again that this is a food blog and rest assured I will speak about my breakfast from room service...I must first however give my heartfelt gratitude to those who made it happen. Remaining nameless it is truly a pleasure to know you and be invited to participate in the musing you know as life. You are truly beautiful and generous and I could never thank you enough for all you have done. From the bottom of my heart, Love & Thanks...

As for my room service...with a short 48 hours available time to see and eat all that was possible, one breakfast from room service was all I could fit in. I adore smoked salmon and so I ordered the smoked salmon plate. The salmon was delicious and let me tell you, as a chef who has ordered the salmon and seen a lot of garbage pose as smoked salmon, I was thrilled that it was delicious. Complimenting my room service was the outstanding service of the hotel itself. The entire staff was all too eager to please and the amenities are endless! Alas, unless you are a member or know a member...Ces't la vie!

Nick's On Broadway...A true Culinary Experience

I have mentioned before, as early as the previous post, that I sometimes don't want to write about particular places. Not that they are not noteworthy, rather they are just a meal, out, one you probably won't be cooking at home. I couldn't quite explain what I meant until I happened to be lost in Providence, on my way to a completely different destination. Once I realized that I would never find where I was SUPPOSED to be going, I decided instead on dinner out and champagne:) Although "Derek", Executive Chef, and I met a LONG time ago, when I was working at Castle Hill, I doubt he has followed my career the way I have followed his. He doesn't even remember me...This I can say with certainty! Nick's on Broadway is something to write about. Derek is an outstanding chef. In the new location you can see the kitchen staff, Derek included, work tirelessly on culinary creations. With a calm and confident air, I suspect he learned from the same Chef I learned it from, Chef Derek runs the dinner service on Saturday night. He is an outstanding Chef. This friends is a culinary experience. My meal was extraordinary to say the least. Partnered with local farmers, fisherman, cheesemakers and the like, Derek Wagner turns out a meal that leaves you breathless. When the bartender came to me to see how I was enjoying my meal, i told him completely honestly that I was making love. One of the best parts of this meal, the staff. The bartender taking excellent care of me has been with the restaurant since the beginning. This is a testament in the restaurant business. Happy employees, happy food, what more can you ask for?? I ordered The house made Charcuterie Plate and Roasted Shartner Farm Tomato Soup. The salad was a gift from the bartender. For dessert, the chocolate tasting, OUTSTANDING. Forgive my photos as I was unprepared and had to use my cell phone. Make the trip, you won't be disappointed. This is an experience in feeding your soul, feeling full at the end of the meal is merely an innocent bystander.