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.

Family Dinner at the Ng's

A few weeks back the Frans were treated to a very special Family Dinner. Our sweet friends Kevin & Christina asked if they could cook Family Dinner for us one Monday. Not ones to turn down a dinner invitation, we ventured to the Eastside for a very special Family Dinner. 

As much as I want to give Christina credit for the food (she was a lovely hostess), Kevin was the mastermind behind the Malaysian-Asian themed meal. We were blown away by the flavors of all the dishes as well as the quantity. Kevin may or may not have been preparing multiple days for this meal. Feeling spoiled before we even arrived, we came to the meal with major expectations. Our hosts did not disappoint. 

Our wonderful hosts. 

Here we have 3 of the dishes. The two in the front are Chicken Curry (one spicy, one mild), on the back left is 5-Spice Pork and the back right is Beef Rendang Curry.

The 5-Spice Pork was packed with melt in your mouth sweet potatoes.

Can't forget the veggies!

Here we have the Steamed Fish. This was probably my favorite dish.

I had three full plates of food.

A little dessert digestive.

Here is a rundown from Kevin on how to prepare some of these dishes.

Beef Rendang Curry - Purchase Beef, slice, put in a sauce pan with a little water. Cook on very low heat for many hours. The secret to this dish is using a spice mix from Prima Taste.

Chicken Curry - Purchase Chicken and use a curry paste from Malaysia. This can be found here.  You pretty much cook it at the same slow pace as you do the Beef.

Steamed Fish - Purchase whole fish scaled, Kevin used Branzino. You rub the fish with salt and then steam it over a Wok (you can also wrap in foil and bake for about 20 minutes). You then add in some green onions, ginger, parsley and the special ingredient, a Seafood Soy Sauce from Lee Kum Kee. The super secret ingredient is crunchy garlic over the top.

Can't wait to try these on my own, but I'm sure they won't be anywhere near as good as what we were served. Thanks again!

Balaboosta and the end of #thirdee

Always up for a new food adventure, mom and I headed to Balaboosta for dinner on the eve of my actually birthday. Balaboosta is a middle eastern/mediterranean spot in Nolita. Balaboosta is Yiddish for "perfect housewife", it made me chuckle a little when I found that out. This cozy restaurant has a homelike feel, but the food is anything but simple. The dishes are interesting, full of flavor and absolutely delicious. 

Mom and I were really excited they had a bottle of Rose we loved from the Nuit Rose boat cruise.  It was a 2012 Coteauz D'aix En Provence.

You always get complimentary Yuka chips. These were crunchy and light with a slightly spicy seasoning.

We started with two appetizers. The first was the Fresh Ricotta Bruschetta topped with bresaola, grilled figs, arugula and toasted pecans.

Next, we shared the Market Salad which was simple, crisp and refreshing.

Mom decided on an entree special, Saffron Spaghetti with mussels and roasted tomatoes.

I settled on the Braised Short Ribs with sauteed okra, oven dried tomato, spinach and a chickpea cake.
SO MUCH FOOD.

We ended the night with dessert (of course).

Welcome to my actual birthday...June 16th. Mom and I started the day at the wonderful St. Balmain in Brooklyn.

I decided to have the Saints Salad with Grilled Chicken. I convinced mom to have the incredible Avocado Toast aka my favorite.

Since it was my birthday, we hopped in a cab and headed to Dumbo. I was in search of this view and luckily found it.

We wandered to Brooklyn Bridge Park for some incredible views of the city. 

Ready to go back to Manhattan, we jumped on the East River Ferry. The Ferry is a great option to get around western Brooklyn and then back to Manhattan. The views of the city are incredible.

The day ended with Family Dinner. I can not imagine a better way to ring in #thirdee. I'm so grateful for the people in my life who helped me feel celebrated and loved.

Cheers.