Brunch Anytime

2009-11-10T15:43:00.000-05:00

From Grubstreet about one of my favorite restaurants: "At last night’s party for Food 52’s Piglet cookbook competition, we were reminded that Peter Meehan’s Momofuku follow-up is another cookbook, this time with the Frankies of Carroll Gardens. And now it has a title: Come May 2010, look for The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion and Cooking Manual, which, yes, will include the recipe for their addictive cavatelli and sausage."

2009-10-20T12:32:00.000-04:00

vote here

2009-10-18T14:38:00.002-04:00

craved this weekend (pugkin)

2009-10-12T11:12:00.004-04:00

I made Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting last night. It was delicious and the cake was not overly sweet or buttery. Great and easy fall recipe from the fallen Gourmet magazine (R.I.P.)

2009-10-12T11:12:00.001-04:00

cuddlebug.

2009-10-08T12:31:00.002-04:00

a 25K cupcake car, really?

2009-09-30T16:54:00.001-04:00

Sophie Blackall's illustrations of missed connections (via Kottke)

2009-09-30T16:47:00.002-04:00

I love Iphone apps and this site features the home screens of some of the best designers, developers and tech writers... oddly interesting to me.

2009-09-30T16:43:00.002-04:00

Looking forward to Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr.Fox"

2009-09-24T16:23:00.000-04:00

off to michigan for my last wedding of the season... (i think)

2009-09-24T16:11:00.002-04:00

2009-09-24T11:33:00.001-04:00

New Miranda July photo project on Vice.

2009-09-24T11:31:00.002-04:00

I've done some jamming and pickling classes at the BK kitchen lately that I need to blog about... so fun! more soon.

2009-09-18T14:31:00.003-04:00

Former Gucci designer, Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man is all the talk of the Toronto Film Festival and if the trailer is any indication, I can see why.

2009-09-18T14:27:00.002-04:00

I made some bran muffins this week on request and they turned out pretty good. They made about ten good sized muffins. I kept two out and froze the rest for the coming week's breakfast. I like to defrost them while I am getting ready and smear some peanut butter on them for a fiber and protein filled breakfast on the go. Here's the recipe.

2009-09-18T14:23:00.002-04:00

Steven Alan's clothing is pretty simple but it has great lines and fits really well. Refinery has a sneak peek at his spring line and its pretty dreamy.

2009-09-18T14:22:00.002-04:00

some mornings i feel like doing this... (via swissmiss)

2009-09-17T15:15:00.002-04:00

You can watch the first full episode of HBO's Bored to Death on Fancast. I just watched it and thought it was super charming and shot really well. Worth your 3o mins.

2009-09-14T12:38:00.002-04:00

We went to check out the Greenpoint Food Market this weekend. It was its first weekend open and has some potential. The vendors were all sweet and generous with their samples although a bit more variety would have been appreciated. Too many baked goods and kimchee products. The set up was a bit claustrophobic too but it might be good to check out again in the fall. We also went to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this weekend (photo left). It's huge and the site of the 1939 Worlds Fair. Can't wait to go back and explore more of its 1200 acres.

2009-09-10T13:40:00.004-04:00

We made old fashioneds on Sunday to commence with our Mad Men watching. They were delicious.

2oz whiskey (we used makers)

1 sugar cube

1 dash bitters

1 slice lemon

1 cherry

1 slice orange

Combine the sugar, bitters and 1tsp water in an old fashioned glass. Muddle well and add whiskey, add a twist of lemon peel and ice. The add slices of orange and a cherry.

2009-09-10T11:17:00.000-04:00

What NYers are reading on the subway

2009-09-09T14:07:00.004-04:00

I am feeling a bit under the weather so Justin treated me to a fantastic homemade dinner of seitan curry stirfry. It was so good I took the rest for lunch. Mushrooms, onions, carrots, broccoli, seitan and simmering sauce on a bed of brown rice - YUMmmmm...

2009-09-09T14:05:00.002-04:00

Image released today by NASA, taken from the refurbished Hubble Space Telescope, showing stars bursting to life. (AP)

2009-09-09T13:00:00.002-04:00

"The number 9 is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system." (wiki)

2009-09-03T15:06:00.002-04:00

the cool, dj-loving, buddhist french chef, eric ripert has a new show coming to pbs this weekend. here is the trailer:

(via grub street)

2009-09-03T10:30:00.002-04:00

I have been hotly anticipating Where The While Things Are but until it comes out in October, I will have to be happy with the looooong NYT Magazine cover story this weekend that delves into the whole backstory of getting it made. Preview here.

2009-09-03T10:27:00.002-04:00

A coworker's girlfriend does the gift guides for a couple magazines and he has started to bring in the leftovers. Today's discovery was Yoku Moku cookies. Insanely buttery, delicious and individually wrapped. Apparently they are currently backordered everywhere.

2009-09-03T10:25:00.002-04:00

okay, this looks a little complicated but panda bear bread! recipe here

2009-08-27T14:04:00.002-04:00

ikea catalog circa 1965 (via kottke via ikke)

2009-08-25T12:52:00.002-04:00

Fish taco war #2 happened last Friday. Every taco was delicious and quite different. Mine was a citrus shrimp taco, Maurico's was a ceviche taco and the winner, Jill, went traditional with a beer battered taco. Plus there was a fantastic bean dip that Justin made. Yummmmm!

2009-08-25T12:36:00.001-04:00

Obama's Reading List

This morning, White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton shared these selections from the president's reading list during his vacation this week.
"The Way Home," by George Pelecanos
"Hot, Flat and Crowded," by Tom Friedman
"Lush Life," by Richard Price (love this book!)
"Plainsong," by Kent Haruf
"John Adams," by David McCullough

(via realclearpolitics)

2009-08-24T17:46:00.002-04:00

for some reason, i like rainbow, child-like cakes. here's one from whisk kid -recipe there (via the kitchn)

2009-08-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

i kind of cant stop drinking these...

2009-08-17T17:18:00.002-04:00

As with all things Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) I can't get enough of his new side project, Volcano Choir. Check out the single, Island, IS here.

2009-08-17T17:16:00.000-04:00

(via this isnt happiness)

Nabe News

2009-08-17T16:10:00.004-04:00

* I am a bit behind on this so bear with me...
-The new beer garden in Fort Greene, Der Schwarze Kolner is open and supposedly quite good although the outdoor area is still under construction.
-The old Barbette on Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights will soon be the new Pequana. Love their plantain and black bean quesadillas.
-Also new on Vanderbilt is Milk Bar, a new breakfast place (via Brownstoner)
-A new fancy hot dog place, Bark on Bergen (near Flatbush) is now open. A friend went to the opening and said they were delicious.
-Everyday on my walk to the subway I see the construction progressing on Cafe Mei Mei, a new restaurant taking over the old spot where Jill's was on Court St.
- Rumor has it that the much beloved pizza joint, Lucali is opening another location in the South Slope (via Brownstoner)
- Both Bonitas (in the Burg and in Fort Greene) are closing, although rumors are that Marlowe & Sons might take over the FG space.
- The Franks (of Prime Meats and Frankies 457) are interviewed about their favorite things on the NYT Moment blog here

2009-08-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

This is my kind of bank: Italian Bank Accepts Parmesan as Collateral (LA Weekly)

2009-08-17T15:13:00.002-04:00

2009-08-06T15:48:00.002-04:00

be still my heart. lyell is making a line for urban outfitters!

2009-08-06T15:46:00.000-04:00

this amuses me : skinny girls with big sandwiches.

2009-08-05T17:47:00.002-04:00

2009-08-03T17:32:00.005-04:00

A fish taco showdown was had this weekend and it was delicious. I used my standby recipe but this time I also pickled some red onions to go with it which was so easy! I used this recipe from David Lebovitz and it couldn't have taken more than five minutes to whip up. I think my fierce competitor bested me though with his secret sauce of avocado crema. We finished the meal with ice cream sundaes with fresh berries, peaches and cinnamon. I call for a rematch (soon)! More pics here.

2009-08-03T17:28:00.001-04:00

via icanread

2009-08-03T17:22:00.004-04:00

Super cool art by Kevin Dart. More on his site. He also made a trailer for this nonexistent film. Check it here

2009-08-03T17:15:00.002-04:00

As a self admitted Twilight fan, I totally appreciate this. (via Videogum)

2009-08-02T23:24:00.003-04:00

I went to check out the Francis Bacon retrospective at the MET and it was fantastic. If you're in NY, definitely make an effort to check it out before it closes. Oh, and I also fell in love with this Klimt painting.

2009-08-02T23:23:00.004-04:00

2009-08-02T23:23:00.003-04:00

Feeling under the weather and a trip to the west coast has kept me away but now back to regularly scheduled programming...

2009-07-23T17:21:00.000-04:00

fast food mafia

(via silentsketcher)

2009-07-23T16:42:00.002-04:00

Threadcakes is an online cake-baking contest where bakers turn their favorite Threadless designs into amazing cakes.

2009-07-23T16:40:00.000-04:00

how awesome is this, i want to be in this wedding. (via iamledgin)

2009-07-15T11:55:00.003-04:00

Fancy Fast Food - These photographs and recipes show extreme makeovers of actual fast food items purchased at popular fast food restaurants. No additional ingredients have been added except for an occasional simple garnish. Kinda of crazy. (via VSL)

2009-07-15T11:54:00.000-04:00

Pretty spot on for about every movie I am a sucker for...

My Mother's Red Hat w/Alicia Silverstone & Alanis Morissette from Alicia Silverstone

2009-07-15T11:18:00.000-04:00

2009-07-14T10:49:00.001-04:00

swoon worthy clip - BSS (even with feist and emily haines!) from this past weekend! More here.

2009-07-10T09:58:00.002-04:00

(via i can read)

2009-07-10T09:55:00.003-04:00

Friday's nonstop listening session is Discovery. I'm really enjoying (almost) the whole album. A boy from Vampire Weekend meets a boy from Ra Ra Riot and get influenced by R&B and add in some synthy electro pop. You can stream it here.

2009-07-10T09:50:00.001-04:00

pretty cute.

Jenny Lewis "See Fernando" from Team G on Vimeo.

Nabe News

2009-07-09T11:39:00.004-04:00

- I just got word that a second edition of Eton, the dumpling and shaved ice place on Sackett and Henry, called Eton II, will be moving into the empty space behind Zaytoons on Sackett and Smith that was briefly the hookah bar, Sheesha. Look for it by the end of the month. Yay! (thanks JD)

- As reported in the BK Paper, Whole Foods have abandoned their plans to build a store in Gowanus at 3rd and 3rd.

- In better news, the long empty Blockbuster storefront on Court Street has now been rented... to Union Street Market! (via Brownstoner). This place will be right across from me so I have a feeling I will be there often :)

- Sadly, there was a fire at Lucali's which will shutter it for about one week. A commenter on Brownstoner is also saying that a 2nd location is coming to 20th St and 6th Ave (via Slice & Brownstoner)

- A new taco joint has opened on Smith between DeGraw and Douglass, Oaxaca. I have heard mixed things but am going to try and check it out tonight.

- Bastille Day is upon us and activites abound on Smith Street. As with every year, Bar Tabac hosts an annual Bastille Day celebration that includes a serious patanque tournament at Smith and Dean. More activities on BK Based.

2009-07-09T11:35:00.000-04:00

Totally looking forward to this, the script was great!

2009-07-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite books, Middlesex, has been optioned by HBO as a potential series. Based in Detroit and by Jeffrey Eugenides, it follows the life of Calliope Stephanides and the epic family history that may hold the answer to her complicated sexual identity.

2009-07-07T11:01:00.001-04:00

4th of July was pretty much the best. Eat. Drink. Nap. Repeat.

More pics here.

2009-06-30T15:23:00.002-04:00

i'll be here soon... counting down to the weekend!

2009-06-30T13:41:00.001-04:00

i havent been able to get enough of this song lately and now comes the video...

2009-06-30T12:18:00.000-04:00

who wants to see this? me!

2009-06-29T15:11:00.001-04:00

on repeat. florence and the machine.
Florence And The Machine - Dog Days

2009-06-29T14:37:00.000-04:00

beautiful new fleet foxes song. sigh.

2009-06-29T14:30:00.004-04:00

This weekend was catching up with friends, seeing movies, gardening, stoop sales, a rainbow, a bday party in red hook and sunday recovery.

2009-06-26T18:44:00.001-04:00

Any Fun - Coconut Records - Music Video

2009-06-26T14:28:00.001-04:00

by Justin Bilicki

Also a friend wrote a great piece for The Atlantic. Check it here.

Nabe News

2009-06-25T14:28:00.006-04:00

-Bar Reis in Park Slope is opening up a sandwich shop next door, Reis 100 Sandwich Factory, "it will serve 100 varieties of mini-sandwiches made with custom baguettes from Caputo Bakery." (Grub Street)

-The much anticipated bar/coffeeshop/restaurant, Fort Defiance is set to open in Red Hook this weekend. (Eater)

-Paninoteca on Smith Street will close this Sunday. We heard that business has been terrible so it makes sense but sad to see this one go especially with their backyard. (Grub Street)

- One of my favorite brunch places, Loulou's in Fort Greene has also closed due to the economy. Boo. (Brownstoner)

- On the non-culinary tip, homeware guru Jonathan Adler is coming to Brooklyn, Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets in Boreum Hill to be exact. (Racked) (his pillows pictured)

-Also there are rumors that Marc by Marc Jacobs will be coming to the area. I saw construction that mirrored the Marc by Marc look in the old Cafe Dore spot on Smith with people checking out the progress holding Marc tote bags. Mmm...

2009-06-25T14:25:00.002-04:00

how cool is this- make your own awesome dress! (From Refinery29)

2009-06-25T14:21:00.002-04:00

From Marcus Buck, imprints of demolished houses left on other houses.(Via Kottke via Pruned)

2009-06-24T11:31:00.002-04:00

jam making class at BK Kitchen yesterday!

2009-06-22T22:16:00.002-04:00

home sweet home

2009-06-19T11:38:00.005-04:00

three amazing shows recently, band of horses at carnegie hall, metric and phoenix (last night). all good but phoenix blew me away last night. such a fun show. (forgive the wretched iphone photography)

Nabe News

2009-06-16T11:50:00.004-04:00

- There is a new addition coming to the hood via Bayridge, Nature's Grill. Located on the Court, a couple doors down from Trader Joe's, there is no opening date just yet. From the menu at the Bayridge location, it looks like a lot of smoothies, juices, healthy sandwiches and paninis.

-According to Time Out, the much anticipated Calexico will finally open on Union Street. "The team behind the Vendy Award–winning, California-style Mexican street carts opens this brick-and-mortar spin-off in Carroll Gardens. Expect favorites from the cart menu, as well as shrimp and grits and expanded vegetarian options."

- From Grub Street comes word that Enoteca on Court will screen wine-inspired movies in its back garden on Sunday nights, beginning with Bottle Shock on June 28 at 7:30 p.m.

-Bronwstoner reports on the opening of "Since 1963" - a BBQ joint that has opened up in the old Trout location on Smith Street. Let's see how long Alan Harding and Jim Mamary keep this place open.

2009-06-16T11:33:00.001-04:00

Fallen Princesses (via Kottke via Jpgmag). The artist places Fairy Tale characters in modern day scenarios.

2009-06-14T21:25:00.006-04:00

Besides baking, this weekend was an unfortunate Red Wings loss of the Stanley Cup (not a sports fan just a Detroit fan), a going away party for a friend, brunch at Char 4 on Saturday and then Alma on Sunday and then dogsitting for my favorite dog ever. I took Stella for a long walk through Brooklyn Heights to Dumbo to the massive dog park and then stopped at the new flea market underneath the Brooklyn Bridge (where i got a greenmarket strawberry popsicle). It was a super fun but exhausting weekend. Oh, and I also hit up Asiadog at trophy bar on tuesday, dont miss this weekly culinary treat, i promise you, you'll intend to eat one and end up eating three!

2009-06-14T21:19:00.002-04:00

I made cupcakes and key lime pies this weekend for my a baby shower my cousin was hosting and for a going away party I was helping with. I used the Billy's Bakery recipe for the frosting and I used the Steve's Key Lime recipe for the pies. Both turned out great.

2009-06-14T21:18:00.001-04:00

my friend's breakfast this weekend, i really liked this photo for some reason plus it reminds me to make tofu scramble again soon.

2009-06-12T12:23:00.000-04:00

i wish this was my porch, well actually i just wish i had a porch.

2009-06-12T12:22:00.000-04:00

2009-06-11T14:00:00.002-04:00

How to start a dance party! Thanks, J.

2009-06-10T12:01:00.003-04:00

Eat Me Daily is featuring the food photography of Kevin Van Aelst. You can see more here.

2009-06-10T11:56:00.002-04:00

IFC has a new wacky "cooking show"- check it: Food Party is a mind-bending, non-reality cooking show with Thu Tran as your hostess, a cast of unruly puppets as culinary aides, and a cavalcade of fictitious celebrities as surprise dinner guests. Shot on location in a Technicolor cardboard kitchen as well as other foreign and exotic cardboard locations, each episode will or will not instruct you on how to prepare wild gourmet multi-course meals with ingredients you probably have on hand in your kitchen already, such as pretzel rods, eggs, narwhal lungs, bizarre plot twists, secret ingredients, and pizza. After all, you never know who might show up for dinner.

2009-06-09T11:12:00.002-04:00

via fffound

2009-06-09T10:33:00.002-04:00

for all those, including myself who loved saved by the bell, mark paul gosselaar brought by the zack attack on last night's jimmy fallon.

2009-06-08T13:25:00.003-04:00

I am not a big fan of frozen meals but they do in a pinch sometimes and one that I picked up and am loving is Kashi's Mayan Harvest Bake. Plantains with roasted sweet potato, black beans and kale. Spicy ancho sauce with pumpkin seed garnish served over seven whole grain polenta, plus amaranth. Surprisingly delicious.

2009-06-08T10:37:00.004-04:00

This weekend was Detachment Kit at Union Hall with some rounds of Connect Four for good measure. Then a lovely summer day in Greenpoint at the Renegrade Craft Fair and dinner at Caracas. Finally brunch on Sunday at DuMont (huevos rancheros above- yum!), an amazing shoe sample sale from my friend's line Devotte (blue shoes above were purchased) and then hanging at the Yard with some of my favorite people. Another ace summer weekend in Brooklyn.

2009-06-08T10:34:00.001-04:00

Grizzly Bear with Feist (in Toronto this weekend) - Service Bell and Two Weeks (via Stereogum)

2009-06-05T17:11:00.003-04:00

My brother failed to mention to me that the documentary him and his friend Oren have been working on for some time about Detroit public schools actually has a trailer now so check it out here. He was on the cinematographer on it- I'm so proud of him!

2009-06-05T17:10:00.000-04:00

The Muppets do Reservoir Dogs

2009-05-31T18:41:00.006-04:00

three reasons i love sundays in brooklyn in the summer... here is what was on today's docket...

the yard

stoop sales (i picked up some records as a bday present for a friend)

brunch at new places (today it was jack the horse tavern)

2009-05-31T18:39:00.006-04:00

i finally made ice cream! i decided to try something super easy for the first time so i tried david lebovitz' lemon ice cream. super simple and super delicious. can't wait to try other flavors this summer.

Lemon Ice Cream
Zest of 2 organic lemons
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 lemons worth)
2 cups half and half
Pinch of salt

Put lemon zest and sugar in a blender together and process until zest is fine. Add the lemon juice and process until the sugar has dissolved completely. Blend in salt and half-and-half until smooth. Chill for at least an hour, then process in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions

2009-05-28T11:22:00.002-04:00

Tacos at the Library! BK Paper is reporting that "Spencer Rothschild, the man behind much-loved Park Slope restaurants Barrio, Playa and Cabana Bar, is now serving his Latino-influenced beach cuisine on the plaza in front of the central branch of America’s fifth-largest public library. The concept is classic Rothschild: breakfast, beginning at 8:30 to serve incoming library workers and some commuters, will consist of homemade granola, espresso drinks, muffins and croissants. At 11 pm, the menu expands to include lobster salad sliders (a bargain at three for $8.75), mini pulled pork sandwiches (three for $5.95), chips and guacamole, tacos, quesadillas and salads."

2009-05-28T11:12:00.011-04:00

Have you seen Peter Weir's ethereal Picnic At Hanging Rock? It is about a trip by a party of girls from Appleyard College, an upper class private boarding school, who travel to Hanging Rock in Victoria's Mount Macedon area for a picnic on Valentine's Day 1900. I saw it a few months back and just came across these stills that seem appropriate for the coming summer months... it felt like it could be a Au Revoir Simone video.

2009-05-28T11:10:00.003-04:00

Strawberries and Pimms are two of favorite summer treats so here is a recipe from Jamie Oliver that combines them both... grilled strawberries with pimm’s and vanilla ice cream... mmm...

2009-05-26T15:44:00.000-04:00

i kind of can't wait to see pixar's up this weekend.

2009-05-26T12:50:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned below, I went to an amazing wedding this weekend for two dear friends. Everything came together beautifully and I couldn't be happier for these two. Plus I must pass on that the food was out of this world delicious, make sure to book reservations at Zahav the next time you're in Philly. more pics on flickr