Thursday, December 29, 2011

Go

My husband and I enjoy cooking. I am always trying to create new dishes or changing up basic recipes based on ideas I get from watching ‘Iron Chef America’ or from tasting different flavor combinations when we go out to eat. We do enjoy eating out when we can as it allows for a specific time to connect. But it also opens our eyes to the different wonderful foods out there.

We have a couple of neighborhood favorites for cuisine that:

1) Neither of us can cook
2) We want to eat but are too tired to cook
3) We can not match no matter how hard we try.

One of our favorites is Vai (Upper West Side on Amsterdam Avenue between 81 and 82nd).

We have been frequenting the restaurant since it opened in its earlier location on 77th Street. It is a cozy, romantic place with a lovely wine selection and even more amazing food. The first dish that I had there was a crudo of fish and basic salad - both of which were simple in description. However when I ate them, the mélange of flavors lit up my mouth and I had to inhale deeply as I thought I might die from the exquisite dance happening on my taste buds. I was hooked from then on and continue to be. I have never had a bad meal there.

Recently we went and I had their osso buco pasta special. The minute I put the lamb in my mouth, it melted like a fine-crafted piece of chocolate. It coated my tongue and throat and I just wanted to curl up from the warmth and comfort I received from the delicious morsel of food I had eaten. I then combined the marscapone and tarragon quenelle that was on top of the pasta into the dish. I took a bite of it. Whatever I had just experienced, it was obliterated. I now had this fantastic blanket of cream and luscious herbs dripping into my belly. It was as if I had just eaten two completely different pastas and both had saved my life. After a few more bites, I had pretended to cuddle up with my coat because that’s just how comfortable and toasty I was feeling inside my tummy.

A couple of dishes that have always stood out in my mind that are occasionally on the seasonal menu are:
1) Whole Roasted Branzino – the right amount of crispy skin and delicate flesh with a hint of subtle flavors that are light and refreshing and enhance the fish.
2) Creamy Fingerling Potatoes – the first time I ate them, I thought someone had served me cake batter. It was so smooth and creamy that I could eat a pint of them instead of any ice cream that can come to mind
3) Any crudo – the blend of the cold fish, the citrus that accompanies it and the heat and/or cream that is added along is a wonderful blend of textures and/or flavors that the small portion (normal portion) never seems enough. I always either drink the liquid that is left over or sop it up with a piece of bread. I can not give that plate back! It is a waste of savoriness that is a sin.

On top of the magnetic menu, the host/owner is always so welcoming. He greets you at the door with a smile. If he you are a regular, there is a hug involved. He generates such enthusiasm that you begin to glow before you’ve even had a drop of wine or a taste of food. He makes you feel like you’ve returned home after years of being away. It’s a perfect place to go and every time we eat there it feels like we are celebrating a special occasion. I wish that everyone could have the same feeling about a local place that they frequent. It really makes you treasure those moments when you go out for a meal with your partner or your friends. Thank you Vai for so many wonderful meals!

Where the Locals Go

I have had a couple of very tasty meals this year. One of which was at the EN Japanese Brasserie. I was immediately intrigued by the fact that many native Japanese people were walking into the restaurant ahead of me. I thought ‘if the natives come here, then it must be good.’ Indeed it was!

After giving our name the host walked us through traditional wooden sliding doors to our table. I decided to try the Sake flight. I love the sweet and crisp flavors of sake and the three that I got were all amazingly different. We proceeded to order some green clams which were briny and sweet and were enhanced by the light and slightly bitter sake that I was drinking.

My husband went for the sushi while I was intrigued by the Clay Rice Pot. I had to wait a bit before it would be ready but that waiting time was well worth it. When it arrived it was pure bliss. There was very little seasoning except for the fantastic herb shiso. The flavors that melted in my mouth were based on the basic tastes that came from the rice, the salmon and the roe that were blended in the pot. The simplicity and subtly of the dish is what won me over completely. I have been craving this clay pot since I had it a number of months ago.

In addition I have been on an obsessive search for a shiso plant so that I can grow it in my garden. It is a lovely mix between cilantro and dill and it enhances the flavor of the food surrounding it. If I could have it with every meal, I think I could die very happily.

I am looking forward to going to EN again very soon. The ambiance and the food were eye-opening; the service was attentive yet not overbearing. I hope to experience more new flavors in the New Year. I am looking forward to 2012 with an open palate!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Bird Watching

I never paid much attention to birds because the pigeons I frequently encountered freaked me out. They would appear out of nowhere. Then sweep down very close to my face in attempt to either clip me with their wings or to defecate on my hair or jacket.

However a couple of years ago when I was in Vermont, I heard something knocking on the door. I went out to see who it was but didn’t see a thing. Upon closing the door, I heard the knocking again. But instead of opening the door again, I noticed something moving outside the window. It was a woodpecker. It was shoving it’s beak into the bark of a tree and it looked nothing like the famous woodpecker than I knew when I was growing up.


The practical joker that I had met looker more like an oreo cookie – a mixture of black and white - no red or blue.


After that I became more interested in birds – mostly by their colors. I’d occasionally see a cardinal or a blue jay in Central Park during my morning walks with the dogs. While Foxy ran after the squirrels, I was entranced by the flying rainbows in the sky.

This summer on Long Island I saw an two Orioles – one perched on a tree and the other on the roof of my parent’s house – they were engaging in conversations while I moved my head back and forth to figure out who was talking to whom and what they were saying. It was like a tennis match when you follow the ball from one end of the court to the other.

I am pretty sure I’ve seen sandpipers on Long Island as well. The small non-pigeon birds in Central Park are probably sparrows but I have yet to confirm that. While I was in Mexico City, I saw a hummingbird and was in awe of its small speediness. Hopefully I’ll see more varieties of birds in the upcoming year. I do find them fascinating and calming. I guess that’s why people bird watch after all – it’s a relaxing hobby.

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Best Christmas Presents

December has always had a special place in my heart. I tend to love the cold, especially that first snow fall (and if it happens close to the 25th what an added bonus that is). The brisk weather invigorates me and I enjoy wearing all my cozy sweaters. Hot chocolate is the drink of choice and a nice cup of tea can make a great book seem more enjoyable. Of course Christmas is always a great occasion even if my family isn’t always that thrilled with its arrival.

Two of the best things in my life came to me in December. The first was my little (but older dog) Bonnette. She arrived in my apartment on December 1st. She had a lovely red bow tied around her neck and she was just the cuddliest thing ever. Her tiny paws and big eyes won me over from the first moment. She was an early Christmas present that year. She’s since been a great addition to my immediate and extended family (c.f. any of the entries about her), bringing her spunky and loveable attitude with her everywhere.

The other gift that came in December was my dog Foxy. We fostered her a number of years ago after I spotted her after Thanksgiving. But the official adoption date is in December. So, now you can see why December is an important time of the year for me. It’s because I got two of the best Christmas presents ever in this sweet month.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Villains

I’ve been reading and occasionally struggling through ‘Les Miserables’ in French. It’s quite good so far. It’s thought provoking and emotional. I’m enjoying it immensely.

Recent time with the novel has made me ponder what makes a good villain. The hero and villain in this book are Jean Valjean and Lieutenant Javert. As usual, they have a complex relationship and it made me wonder if that is needed for a good book. Obviously one of the basic tenets of a novel should be that there is some tension or an unresolved issue; something that hooks us into reading and, most importantly, completing a book.

But further to that it made me wonder what makes a good villain. When we think of the protagonist, many times we need to feel a connection to them so that we can root for them along the course of the story. And even if you don’t empathize with the main character, we have to be concerned with their plight to some degree. Perhaps it is because we have been in a similar situation and want to see how they will handle it. Or it could just be that we want to step into their ‘footprints’ and live vicariously through them. As long as we have some combination of these items, then we are all set emotionally to follow the hero. But what do we do or feel when it comes to a villain.

I thought to some of the greatest villains that I could think of in recent history and in popular culture - the two that I could think of were Darth Vader of the Star Wars saga and Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. There is an element of fear to both of them. I remember as a kid that I was insanely scared of Darth Vader – not just because he was dressed in black (because that seems common with many villains) but because he seemed so strong and invincible. This is the case as well with Voldemort when I read the Harry Potter books. Yet as the stories developed for both of these arts, the background of each was identified and I was more curious to know how they became evil. I, perhaps naively, believed that they were not born that way. I wanted to know their psychological make-up and to have them sit on a couch with me as I asked them questions to get to the root of their identity and their unresolved issues.

It is this confrontation between the good guy and the bad guy that intrigues us. As we learn about Luke Skywalker and he develops into his full character, we become curious as to why Darth Vader is who he is. This is the same for Harry Potter and Voldemort. In many ways their character development mirrors each other in opposite ways. And they often balance each other out. So we become invested in not only the growth of the hero but in the demise or softening of the bad guy. Can the bad guy be made good? etc.

This same premise has been occurring in one of my favorite shows of the season ‘Once Upon a Time’ as well. As we learn more about Snow White, we wonder why the Evil Queen hates her so much. As their stories are told side-by-side, we become connected to their histories. It also helps a lot that the actress (Lana Parrilla) who plays the Evil Queen is a complete bitch (she’s one of those characters that I love to hate and I think that might be the case with the other examples I’ve provided too). It’s the dichotomy between these characters and the tension that they create that keep us glued to the screen or entranced between the pages. Or perhaps it is something else altogether. It’s definitely up for discussion.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Coffee Shop

Today I walked past a coffee franchise that rekindled some fond memories. One of the locations for this coffee establishment was located right across the street from the entrance to the main building of my college campus.

It bought to mind the many trips I took there to pick up cups of coffee before long hours of reading. And how the people that worked there knew exactly how I liked my coffee. I found comfort holding those cups while trying to understand Semiotics and Philosophy. They often kept me wide awake while reading the 17th century novels. Many times they just kept me warm during the cold months when I was absorbing French history.

For two of my undergraduate years, I would sneak into the graduate lounge with an extra large cup of coffee. It would last through the many hours of writing or reading I was doing. And the graduate lounge was just so much quieter than the undergraduate lounge! Occasionally I’d curl up on one of the sofas and take a nap. And when I awoke, the coffee had cooled down a bit so I could gulp it and get back to work!

I could spend so much time concentrating in those days. Periods of 4 to 6 hours would be super productive with my cup of joe beside me. Now, despite all the coffee I drink, I can barely concentrate on half the stuff happening at work. I would rather go back to those college days – when I was enthralled by most of what I was doing while traveling the world tasting brews from the coffee countries all over the globe.

Friday, December 16, 2011

A Safe Place

I was recently asked if there was a time or a place where I felt happy and I had to think about it for a bit. The first ideas that blossomed in my mind were from high school. I went to a small all-girls Catholic school and I had always had fond memories of it. When I started to consider what about it made it safe for me, I realized the truly profound impact going there had in my life.

Part of what made it safe is that it was small and by the time you finished your 4 years, you knew everyone pretty well. (That intimate knowledge of people could be why people fell out of friendships in the end but I don’t hold that as a bad thing. We evolve and our needs change.) Many of the teachers always encouraged us to question things and to explore and be curious. Being naturally curious, this freedom was very helpful for me. When I was creative, I was supported. Teachers and other students encouraged me to use my talents.

I spent a lot of time in my high school; not only the mandatory school time but also tons of after school time. I was on the yearbook staff, the literary committee, the drama club and choir (to name the ones I remember most). I really don’t know how I got all my school work done or how I was in all the advanced classes either. Somehow I managed.

One year for the annual talent show, I wrote a one act play and performed it with a bunch of my friends. It was a success in my definition; people lauded it and I felt great for having written something so many people enjoyed.

Often when I think about a time that I want to replicate in my adult life, I think of those four years. I had time, despite what it seems like in my description here, to be creative and to use my talents. After that time, it all went down hill. I used my writing less and less creatively. I didn’t feel supported for my decisions or opinions. It was a good time for me and I am happy to have had it; particularly because I know how many other teenagers had such a horrible time in their high schools.

The Apple of My Eye

My little dog has quite the gourmet taste. She enjoys carrots, lettuce and broccoli. On occasion she will bark if I am cutting up an endive. It’s as though she is asking me to share the deliciousness with her. My whole family thinks she’s quirky but I think it is my influence on her. I always ate veggies around her as a pup and she seemed curious. So I shared.

The other day I was eating an apple when I walked to the bedroom. The bed needed a little straightening. So with my free hand, I did flattening of the bedspread and tucked in a sheet. All of a sudden I heard an immense crunch come from the hand holding the apple. I didn’t realize my little dog had followed me into the bedroom. When I stopped making the bed to castigate her, I couldn’t. She looked so cute chomping into the peel of the apple and chewing away. I continued to turn the apple for her while she finished it. At the end of her snack, she showed her satisfaction by belching.

I know I shouldn’t encourage her to eat snacks. As long as they are healthy for her, I don’t see the problem. The apple of my eye happens to like red delicious and granny smiths; and if her eating one keeps the vet away, then I am all for it.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Bedside Manner

Being sick can be horrible. You feel weak, sniffly or achy. The best recovery is usually time. However, sometimes there is nothing better than a cuddly creature to make you feel better.

I wasn’t feeling very well this past weekend so I decided to spend most of the time in bed. I caught up on some television shows and some sleep. The best part of it though was just petting my dogs. They could sense that I wasn’t feeling well from the moment I walked in from work on Friday. So they followed me around and whenever I sat on the couch, they came by to keep me warm.

When it was time to get a couple winks in, they helped with that too. One of them kept my feet warm while the other cuddled into my side. I got a few hours of sleep and felt refreshed and on my way to recovery.

If only doctors could find a way to make you feel as comfortable and safe.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Chicken Juice

I woke up Thanksgiving morning in a panic because I had forgotten a very important element to the yearly meal. I decided to give my mom a call right after waking up to see if she didn’t have some ideas.

After the usual pleasantries she mentioned that she had ‘Chicken Juice’. Some how I knew exactly what she meant but decided to confirm by rephrasing.

“Mom, do you mean gravy?”

“Yes but it’s chicken gravy not turkey.”

I told her to bring it along when she came over. Somehow she knew exactly what I needed and I am happy that I reached out to her.