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

MiMi Cheng's & Snowy Days

For the longest time I have wanted to try Mimi Cheng's dumplings. Hungry and in the neighborhood, Hannah and I decided to pop in for a mid-afternoon snack. This East Village spot is the place to come for homemade and handmade dumplings. It is a blend of Chinese-Taiwanese cuisine for dumplings that taste just like the ones the owners' mom made for them as a child. The meats and ingredients are grass-fed, free ranged and totally organic. Mimi's special sauce is another delicious family recipe. 

I loved being able to watch the dumplings be created in front of my eyes. You can get them stemmed or fried depending on your preference. Hannah and I shared two orders of dumplings. First, The Mimi Cheng, packed with chicken and zucchini. Second, The Reinvented Classic, stuffed with pork, bok choy and cabbage. These tasty bites provided the perfect appetite quencher and escape from the snowy day. 

bon appétit

naturally ginger 

Family Dinner East Village Remix

The Frans ventured downtown to the Easy Village for Family Dinner last week. Bryan wanted to host and show off "his" area of the city. Always up for a food and Fran adventure, we were game. Since it is summer, I get off work a bit earlier, so Mer and I met up for "The Happiest of Happy Hours" at The Mermaid Inn. Their $1 oysters and $7 glasses of wine are on point. 

A few more Frans joined, and we walked across the street to our dining destination. Bryan enticed us with $1 Fish Tacos at Cooper's Craft & Kitchen.

The space has a Gastropub atmosphere and was packed with people eating up the daily deal. They have an awesome selection of beers, ciders and wine as well.

The tacos are filled with a simple white fish and cabbage. It is necessary to add some hot sauce for a kick of flavor and spice.

We also indulged in the truffle parmesan fries.

With one more stop on the itinerary, we headed even more east to The Wayland. The bar has a boho-chic atmosphere, interesting cocktails and live music pretty much every night.

This unique cocktail is the Stirred and Smoked. It is Apple Pie Moonshine, Rye Whiskey, house apple-spiced bitters, and applewood-cinnamon bark smoke. You're supposed to slowly release the smoke near your face and then enjoy the drink.

I got the Essex's Cup, filled with Gin, Pimm's, Strawberries and Ginger Beer. Super refreshing and delicious.

Another successful Family Dinner.