Rainy Days & Tarallucci

Don't you love it when people from your past who you love reach out to you to catch up? In college I was in a sorority. I had the most amazing "little sister" but we lost touch over the years. This past week, she sent me a sweet message via Facebook and suggested we meet for lunch since she is in and out of the city a lot more these days. I couldn't wait! She was staying in Harlem, so my neighborhood, the Upper West Side, was the perfect location for our rendezvous. I picked one of my go to lunch spots, Tarallucci e Vino. There are three Tarallucci restaurants in Manhattan. They each have a unique vibe, one is the wine bar (where we were), another the cafe, and the third the restaurant. I usually go for lunch because they have an amazing selection of Italian paninis for a very reasonable price. Tarallucci is a favorite of locals and attracts an international crowd. 

We both opted for Paninis. Kellie got the Marziano (zucchini, mozzarella, and parsley dressing) and I, needing some protein, opted for the Terra (rosemary chicken, arugula, and black olive pate. Each come with a side salad and they have an incredible bread basket. We both got french pressed coffee...always nice and strong.  

It was gloomy and rainy, but catching up with Kellie brightened my day. There are tons of little local places like Terallucci that people miss when visiting NYC. Sometimes it's important to go off the beaten path and explore the neighborhoods that are less traveled by tourists to experience some of the best and affordable cuisine in Manhattan.

Just because it was rainy out, did not mean I wasn't going to put thought into my outfit for the day. On these sorts of days, you actually have to think more in order to be fashionable, comfortable, and prepared for mother nature. The milder temperatures and slight drizzle allowed me to use accessories to navigate the weather and still feel comfortable for the day.

Every New Yorker needs a compact but strong umbrella. 

My scarf not only kept my neck warm, but it served as an accessory to my ensemble once I was inside. This scarf is actually an old beach sarong that my mom never used. I love the dark tie-dyed pattern and fringe. 

Beenie (H&M) / Nautical Shirt (J.Crew) / Black Trench (Etam) / Grey Studded Boots (Vince Camuto)

The day ended with the most amazing night with friends. We ate a lot of cheese (so much for watching my cholesterol), played Heads Up (my new favorite game - a particularly enjoy the Act It Out and Hey Mr. DJ categories), and laughed our faces off.  

d.eileen

On Mondays We Have Family Dinner.

About a year and a half ago my friends and I started a tradition called Family Dinner. In a busy city like New York, we decided it was important to set aside one night a week to spend together. When we move at a million miles an hour it is necessary to prioritize where you delegate your time. The group of woman I started Family Dinner with were and are priorities to me. We are each others NYC family. They are my forever friends who I hope to do life with for a long time.

This is the Family.

(Meredith, Jenny, Hannah, Me, Natalie)

We expect the family dinner attendees to grow over the years (can someone say if you like it than you better put a ring on it!) and even downsize (Jenny has already left us, moving to LA to pursue her career and what God has for her there), but the heart will always remain the same...once your are in the Family, you are always in the Family. 

Through cooking, we care for each other on a weekly basis. You could say cooking a meal is our love language towards each other. Each Monday, someone volunteers to host and cook family dinner. Those not cooking bring drinks (aka wine), maybe a pre-dinner nibble (aka cheese), or bread. We rotate weekly who cooks and are sensitive to those weeks when money is low...the heart of family dinner is taking care of one another. 

Sometimes we remember to actually wear our aprons...

Occasionally we invite people to join us for dinner. We like to celebrate birthdays, have a laugh, and care for people we love...we also appreciate manual labor. 

It is our goal to save a years worth of Family Dinner recipes to compile a cookbook at the end of 2014. As life moves forward and things draw us apart, we want to hold onto this tradition the best we can. Also, my friends are all amazing cooks...we never have a bad meal! 

I encourage you all to find a way to stay connect to the people in your life that make you better. I'm more of who I want to be today than I was a year ago, and it has a big part to do with my Family Dinner friends. It's a place you can come as you are - laugh, cry, share your fears and hopes and dreams.  

There's a lot of love in this Family. 

Feet up...that's a sign of one good Family Dinner.

Cheers to meals with the people you love and a really great glass of wine.

Stay tuned for Family Dinner posts...they will be a regular on the blog.

d. eileen