Jack's Wife Freda Birthday Brunch

We are BACK at Jack's Wife Freda. This place is super popular. I apologize in advance but you will have to wait if you go. The food and atmosphere are usually worth it so stick it out if you can. I suggest heading there with a smaller group. I met some friends to celebrate the beautiful Meg Woods on her Birthday.

I'm always so in love with their sugar packets. I love when restaurants pay attention to the little details.

Jammed into a communal table, we all dug into a number of delicious brunch dishes. This is the Madame Freda, a play on a Croque Madame, it is a sandwich packed with duck prosciutto, gruyere, cheddar and a fried egg. 

This dish is the Mashed Avocado on Seeded Bread. Who can resist the side of fries?! 

Bit of a sweet tooth? Try the Rosewater Waffles. Topped with Lebanese yogurt, mixed berries and honey syrup.  

I decided to nosh on the Grilled Eggplant Baguette - tomato, eggplant, mozzarella, pesto...come on! 

After lunch, we wandered over to the luxurious Mondrian Soho for a little afternoon libation. A girl can't help but feel luxurious under this canopy. 

Happy Birthday Meg!

xoxo
naturally ginger

Market Table Brunching

I love when I can squeeze in a proper brunch on a Sunday. After church at HillsongNYC, my Fran Hannah and I headed to Market Table in the West Village. I was pleasantly surprised by this new dining experience. It was an excellent recommendation and I can not wait to head back for dinner. The cuisine is very seasonal American, farm to table. 

Nestled into a cozy corner, we sipped on coffee and tea to warm up and chatted about life, love and the future. 

After much deliberation, I decided on the Lentils, Kale, & Braised Ham Hock. It was topped with a red wine poached egg meurette. I was a bit freaked out by the color, but the taste was wonderful. 

They have a variety of unique vegetable sides. I opted for the Baked and Sliced Sweet Potato covered with brown sugar, sage and a mini roasted bok choy. 

This deliciousness is the Orange Blossom French Toast. It is smothered with blackberry sauce, almond butter and vanilla cream. 

With Han preparing for her wedding and living back on Long Island for a few months, time with her is so precious. It was wonderful to have some girl time with one of my best frans. I'm so excited for what's to come for her over the next few months!

(Jacket: Zara / Shirt: Madewell / Hat: Hatattack)

Restaurants are getting more and more creative about how they deliver the check. Market Table slips the bill in a journal which dinners are encouraged to write about their experience. It was fun to read what others wrote and leave my mark.

Bon Appetit!

Naturally Ginger 

Happy Birthday Mochie with Biscuits & Fried Chicken!

It is a very special day today (well April 30th at least).

Today is the birthday of Mr. Bryan "Mochie" Mochizuki. 

Mochie is the male version of a "Fran". We love him like family and were excited to get to celebrate him at a birthday brunch the beautiful Hannah planned (aka Fran aka his girlfriend aka one of my best friends). 

It was a clashing of the clans as Hannah brought together friends from both sides of their relationship. Overall, it was wonderful to get to put faces to the names we have heard so much about. 

Hannah picked Back Forty West as the brunch spot. Back Forty has locations in the East Village as well as Soho. It is a farm-to-table American cuisine restaurant with a southern flare. The East location has an awesome outdoor dining space, perfect for those summer nights. The West location has a farm house feel and a sunlight second floor.

Hannah arranged a family style four course meal for the thirteen person birthday brunch. 

Had to get a shot of Hannah & the "birthday boy" looking stunning as always. 

Hey! That's my Fran.

Cheers to Mochie! Back Forty has a unique wine selection and really great cocktails.

First out...Sticky Buns & Biscuits.

Next, came the greens...Watercress Salad with apple and radish.

Now for the protein...Fried Chicken and make your own Sliders on biscuits. Yes, you heard that right...more biscuits.

Needless to say, once dessert got to the table, we were stuffed. But, not too full to sing Happy Birthday at the top of our lungs.

They brought out Cappuccino Creme Brulee and Chocolate Mousse.

Not ready to call it quits, we sauntered through Soho into Nolita.

We ended up at The Wren. I love bars like The Wren because they are what I call "fancy casual". The crowd and decor are a bit posh, but the atmosphere is very chill. The same group that owns The Wren also owns a few of my other favorites - Wilfie & Nell and The Penrose.

Mer & I were excited that they had a bottle of orange wine from Channing Daughters. This Ramato is one funky wine, but it tastes great and makes me nostalgic for wine tasting in the Hamptons during the summer. Can't wait to head out there again soon!!

Love these two. Happy Birthday Mochie. Cheers to many many many more to come.

xoxo

Fran