Feasting at Feast

I have wanted to eat at Feast in the East Village since it opened over two years ago. Feast is a seasonal America restaurant that offers a modern spin on the traditional dinner party. All plates are served family style. You pay a fixed price for a multi-course feast. 

It pays to know the owner, who created a custom Feast for my friend Kwabena's birthday celebration. Kwabena is the best of the best and it was an honor to be amongst his guests to celebrate. 

We started with a sip of Cava and a cheers to the birthday boy. 

The feast began with a salad and soup as well as bread. Simple yet luxurious. 

We watched in amazement as the table quickly filled. Fish, chicken, potatoes, and multiple vegetables including spaghetti squash, brussels sprouts and mushrooms littered our table. We ate until we were stuffed. Incredibly full and blessed. 

It's not a birthday without dessert. This is a butterscotch vanilla custard number that was melt in your mouth delicious. 

Happy Birthday Kwab. Hope it is the best year yet!

xoxo

naturally ginger

Catch with a side of Christian Louboutin

The #thirdee celebration continued into the evening. After a rest and quick change following an afternoon of sunshine and rose, the Frans (plus a few others) headed to Catch in the Meatpacking District for dinner. Catch is a contemporary American seafood restaurant who's chef, Hung Huynh, won season 3 of Top Chef. Most dishes are meant to be shared family style, which made it just right for my birthday dinner. 

Mer pre-ordered, so the menu was set, and I waited in excitement as each dish arrived. We sat out on their newly opened rooftop, which was incredible but slightly chilly as the sun set. I was grateful when they switched on the heat lamps. 

(Photo c/o emmgrp.com)

Feeling adventurous, I started with a cocktail. They have a delicious cocktail menu, right up my alley, but I ended up choosing the Pink Sangria - Rose, Hennessey, Apricot & Peach. This is the Seraphina - Ginger infused Bombay Sapphire Gin, Watermelon Juice, Lemon & Agave. 

Michael and Lindsey (love them) treated the table to a bottle of bubbly in honor of my birthday. What a delicious gift!

First out were the Parmesan-Truffle Fries. Truffle...cheese...french fries? I died and went to heaven.

We were treated to a couple sushi rolls next. First, is the Hellfire Roll - Spicy Tuna two-ways, pear and balsamic. Second, the Catch Roll - Crab, Salmon and Miso-Honey.

These little bites are the Crunchy Rice Cakes - Tuna Tartare over a rice cake.

This was a show stopper - Macaroni & Lobster Cream.

Finally, the Sake Chicken Lettuce "Cups" - Marinated Chicken, Hoison and Crispy Sweet Potato.

Next, came presents. The Frans truly out did themselves this year. I have many "love languages", but "gift-giving" is definitely a way I enjoy being loved.

This is very shallow, but nice shoes are the perfect gift to get me (note to future husband). I know I can't take any of them with me when I die, but man do they look pretty on my feet and make me feel fierce.

A girl never forgets her first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Elegance. Red Bottoms. Luxury.

After contemplating my wish, I blew out the candle, my heart overflowing with gratitude and joy. I had an overwhelming sense of love in my heart and I don't for a second take for granted this beautiful life I get to live.

You could say I was the "lady in red". Gosh my Frans are gorgeous.

xoxoxoxo

Well now I'm 30.

Well everyone...I'm now 30 years old. 

The day was destined to come sooner or later. Approaching my 30th birthday, I had numerous people ask me how I felt about turing 30 or if I was "ok"...most of these people were still in their 20's. For some reason there is this looming negativity about moving from one decade of life to the next. Society wants us to conjure up thoughts of all the things we didn't accomplish or opportunities we missed; there is a sense of pressure to compile memories from the past years, weeding out failures and regrets. 

But why does it have to be like this? The older and wiser individuals in my life hummed a different tune when they reflected on their 30th birthday. All these people expressed nothing but positivity and encouragement. They built up my confidence with remarks like, "you will have a new sense of authority in life" or, "it is like you finally know who you are". 

In the end I made the promise to myself to walk with strength and dignity into my future. I decided to choose joy when fear and doubt crept in, and I let optimism win. Whether you are 30, 22, 58 or 40, life is about focusing on what blessings you have, not on what is missing. 

So this birthday I focused on the full half of the glass. I remembered that God promoted me into a job I could have never dreamed up for myself, I have friends that care for me fiercely and boldly, my family loves me selflessly and sacrificially, I am healthy, I get to serve and do life in the most incredible church, God allows me each day to care for others and help people see their full potential, and I live in the greatest city in the world.

So here you are 30 and I love you already. It is cliche, but seriously...the best is yet to come.

What better way to celebrate by birthday than with pictures in Dumbo with the city skyline in the background, and in front of really awesome colorful wall! It's my birthday and I'll take a lot of #selfies if I want to. 

Dress: Joe Fresh / Shoes: Banana Republic / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: C.Wonder & Coach

My amazing mom took these pictures. She helped make my birthday extra special by being here. Can't wait to share all the fun adventures in posts to come!

Thirty Flirty Fabulous.

xoxo