Qui Qui Maison Laduree

As soon as I saw that Laduree was opening a full restaurant in Soho, I knew I had to go! I first visited Laduree in Paris during December of 2006. This is when I fell in love with macaroons and all things French. I have yet to eat a macaroon better than Laduree's (and I have tried a lot of French Macaroons in my life). Currently, NYC is the only city in the USA with Laduree Houses (Miami is opening soon). There is a macaroon boutique on the UES and this new location in Soho, which is both a boutique and a full restaurant. 

My friends and I put on our best "french fashion" and set out for a relaxing, girlie and delicious lunch at Laduree. 

The colors are just so beautiful! Every hue of pastel as well as vibrant jewel tones. 

Excuse me! Do you see this leopard carpet and the dark blue velvet tasseled chairs?! Hannah and I rationalized how leopard carpet is totally acceptable for a room in a home and how we will work it into our future living space. 

Even the tea cups were colorful and cheery.

Bonjour mon ami! 

Mer & I both chose the Club Champs Elysees. It is a vegetable heavy sandwich with a side of pommes frites and salad. 

Han and Nat both got the Omelet Laduree. 

They also have a proper tea with sandwiches, macaroons,  and other treats, which I would totally suggest because it looked delicious, just make sure you save up because it is around $50 per person.

Coffee just tastes better when it is served in elegant little pots like these.

And now for the macaroons....

I don't mess around when it comes to Macaroons. I chose the pick 4 - raspberry, chocolate, pistachio, salted caramel. 

Nat & Hannah took more of a risk and got what we were calling the "grab bag" of macaroons with a scoop of sorbet or ice cream. It was a "grab bag" because you were not allowed to choose the flavor of your macaroons. I'm not much of a risk taker when it comes to dessert, but their risk paid off.

Needless to say, we were in great moods after this meal.

Don't worry, the menu boasts a variety of scrumptious looking pastries and dessert options for those who don't like macaroons...but I'm pretty sure that's a sin.

Overall, it was a lovely brunch experience. Even though people were lined up to eat and buy macaroons, we never once felt rushed to finish and get out. They didn't hurry our food and it truly was a long luxurious Parisian style meal. I would suggest making a reservation if you are going to go eat; it is not worth fighting the crowds of tourists. 

Bon Appetit!

d.eileen

Rib Eye, Cornerstone & Bourgeois Bob

Hello again from beautiful Southwest Florida!

Dee & Dad during a visit to FL

This weekend, I (Dee's Dad) volunteered as a Fire Marshal at the annual ACE Classic Championship (Senior PGA players all over 50) at the beautiful Twin Eagles Country Club in Naples, Florida.

This event has raised tens of millions of dollars for local charities since it's inception. ACE is the largest property/casualty insurance company in the world, and this is one of the ways they give back to the communities they are involved with.

Imagine, me, acting as a Fire Marshal! My marshaling duties were assigned to the 18th hole, usually a dramatic spot, and it was again this year. The 18th hole volunteer's nightmare is a playoff. A playoff means we stay to the end, usually getting to dinner at about midnight (well not quite that late, but late for someone who is retired). This year, the 3 leaders were tied on the 18th tee box - OMG. Luckily for us volunteers, only one was able to make a par on the monstrous 457 yard par 4 and things were wrapped up quickly.

ACE Classic Championship winner Kirk Triplett

(photo c/o Octagon Events)

Golf was good and since it is my second favorite hobby apart from wine & food, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Let's not mention the "breaks" I took at the Charles Schwab viewing tent...I'd like to "volunteer" again next year.

Now to the point, the volunteer Marshals are fed with boxed lunches. Unfortunately, they were not quite up to "par" and we were found wanting. Needless to say I was ready to EAT by the end of the event.

Back at the homestead, our local purveyor had provided me with a 1 1/2 pound Rib Eye. This is a hunk of meat worthy of kings, queens or anyone with grilling skills. Inexplicably, I was able to do it (we had the other half for dinner this evening...num num num).

Now, what wine to have with this beast.

Many of the blessed and successful golf professionals have or own interests in vineyards from California to South Africa to Australia and beyond. Most are spectacular, but we looked to one of our favorites for this meal. 

Cornerstone Cellars in St Helena, Napa Valley, California makes beautiful wines. This night, we paired our roast with their 1995 Howell Mountain Beatty Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. The front end cherry, and the toasty tannins were brilliant. Cornerstone is a fantastic family of wines with vineyards in Napa, California and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. They make a fabulously expensive Pinot Noir...check them out if you're willing to pay the bill. It is worth every penny.

(photo c/o Cornerstone Cellars)

That's all for now. To the many of you "Up North" in the cold, our sympathies.

Talk soon.

Bourgeois Bob

A Friendly Farmer & Sunday Funday

I'm beginning to really love these Sunday Funday posts! The freezing temperatures continue here in the Big Apple...this Sunday was particularly unbearable. The winds whipping around the buildings and down the narrow streets sent chills to my core. It was deceivingly beautiful though, the sun was doing its best to shine bright and warm us. 

I started the day with brunch at Friend of a Farmer just south of Gramercy Park. It's a popular brunch spot that does not take reservations, so you can usually see a long line formed outside, especially around noon. My favorite part of Friend of a Farmer is the interior decor. The owners did a great job of replicating a country farm house feel with vibrant floral wallpaper, overflowing cases of fruits and vegetables, dried flowers, fireplaces, woven baskets, & mason jars. Cozily nestled into seats at a rustic wood table, I had a sweet catch up with a couple friends. 

Coffee Coffee Coffee!!

The food is home-style, down on the farm, cooking. It is hearty yet health and fresh with a large selection of egg dishes. I chose the Farmers Market Omelet filled with fresh spinach, mushrooms, and cheddar. Most brunch dishes come with a side of home fries.

Nat opted for the Down Home Hearty Corn Beef Hash.

Fresh French Pressed Coffee is an easy way to glam up a simple brew. The flavor is always bolder, smother and richer. 

What's a Sunday Funday post without a little bit of fashion inspiration! It was all about the layers on this wintery day!

(necklaces: J.Crew & Loft / sweater: H&M)

(boots: Barney's Brand / leather shorts: Zara / leopard velvet top: Zara / coat: Aritzia / Bag: Celine / Sunglasses: Karen Walker)

We picked up a few coffees at Irving Farm and headed over to church!

(jacket: vintage / beanie: American Apparel / scarf: Zara / sunglasses: See)

I actually learned a few new phrases in French this weekend (#1 on my 14 for 2014 list)! Abena taught me how to say & sing Happy Birthday - Joyeux Anniversaire - and thanks to Natalie's sweater, I can now say "Black is the New Black" - le noir et le nouveau noir. 

(pants: Aritzia /sweater: Urban Outfitters /shoes: Converse)

On a side note, Meredith took up playing the harmonica as a hobby for about 24 hours. In that time, she got really good. 

What did you do this past Sunday Funday? Any fun plans for next weekend?

xoxo

d.eileen

Meat and Potatoes and a whole lot of Family Dinner

Now I haven't always been a huge meat and potato person. I tend to lean toward fish and vegetable heavy meals as apposed to starches. But, life in NYC seems to have changed my palette a bit. We've had some hearty meals the last couple of weeks at Family Dinner. The theme seems to have been meat and potatoes. I'm assuming it was due to the arctic temperatures and massive amounts of snow; our bodies were unconsciously craving simple yet filling meals.  

Natalie cooked up a Mustard Rubbed Pork Chop complimented by Broccoli Rabe and Roasted Potatoes. The hint of mustard really added a nice flavor surprise. She only marinated for about 10 minutes, but if able, I'd suggest you try for a bit longer. Natalie sauteed the broccoli with garlic and olive oil, and baked the potatoes.

Country Mustard Rubbed Pork Chops
Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee

Serving Size: 4

1/2 cup country Dijon mustard
2 tsp herd garden seasoning
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp honey
2 tbls parsley
1 1/2 lb thick-cut boneless pork loin chops

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the mustard, herb garden seasoning, garlic, honey, and parsley
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the rub for serving
• Transfer mustard mixture to a resealable plastic bag. Add pork chops and thoroughly coat with mustard mixture.
• Let the Pork Chops sit for a least 5 minutes, or as long as overnight in the refrigerator before grilling.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Grill chops for 6-7 minutes per side

Before Winter turned into Spring, I wanted to make sure I cooked up my favorite Individual Meatloaf recipe for the Family. Ina Garten has a great version I base them off of. I took a bag of small Yukon potatoes and baked them in tin foil with garlic and shallots for about 1 hour. I also chopped and sauteed brussel sprouts with olive oil. 

 

Individual Meat Loaves

Adapted from Ina Garten, Food Network

Serving Size: 6

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 yellow onions chopped

1 teaspoon chopped thyme

3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 lbs ground chuck

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 large eggs beaten

ketchup, salt, pepper.  

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in saute pan. Add onions, thyme, salt, pepper and cook over medium-low heat for about 8-10 minutes until onions are translucent but not brown.
• Off heat, add Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs...mix lightly with a fork. Make sure to not mash or the meatloaf will be dense. 
• Divide the mixture into 6 portions and shape into small loafs. Place on a sheet pan.
• Spread about tablespoon of ketchup on top of each.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until internal temperature is 155-160 degrees F. 

What are some of your favorite meat and potato combinations? Please comment...I'd love to hear and try at the next Family Dinner!

xoxo

d.eileen