St. Balmain...where everybody knows your name.

Picture this...it is Saturday and you decide you want to head to Williamsburg Brooklyn for the day. The sun is out, there's not a cloud in the sky and the temp has finally breached 65 degrees. You step off the L train on Bedford and are hit by a crowd of hipsters, smelly euro-indie types that don't believe in deodorant and Manhattanites who had the same idea as you. Quaint Williamsburg isn't a hidden treasure anymore. The streets, stores and restaurants are generally packed on a nice weekend. You are beginning to wonder why you left the city to begin with.

Enter St. Balmain.

This newly opened cafe and now restaurant, is a diamond in the rough you do not want to pass by. Unique, healthy and flavor filled food, coffee just to your liking, and sweet treats to please every taste bud...it has much to offer.  The intimate indoor space lends for seating up to about 50 people. But, what you don't want to miss is their MASSIVE back deck. The space is littered with communal picnic tables and it gets sunlight pretty much all day. 

The Frans decided to head out for their grand opening this weekend. It was packed all day and I know once people get wind of what they have to offer, it is going to be one of the hottest brunch spots in Williamsburg this summer.

St. Balmain...where everybody knows your name. The owners do an incredible job of making everyone feel welcomed. It is an authentic neighborhood spot where you can come and lounge around for hours...just make sure you order! They also have free wi-fi so it is an ideal spot to come during the week to do work if you're a work from home type of person.

Mer and I both opted for the Green Breakfast Bowl. It is a mix of leafy greens, quinoa, almonds, avocado, grilled halloumi cheese, and a soft boiled egg.

You squeeze the lemon on top for a hint of citrus and dressing.

This is the Breakfast Sandwich. It is packed full with a fried egg, avocado, cheese, bacon and kale.

This is the remains of the LA Burger. It is a homemade veggie burger like patty over avocado spread, pickles, toast and topped with alfalfa. Hannah got the Avocado Toast (didn't get a picture), which she said is the best she has ever had.

This little treat is the 50/50...half homemade kale chips, half fries.

Suns out guns out.

This beauty is just shy of 9 months pregnant and was running things like a boss on opening day.

How could we resist dessert? We shared their Hipster Brownie. It is a gooey chocolate brownie with soft coconut inside and roasted on top. It is also sprinkled with a mix of nuts.

No better way to spend an afternoon than gathered round a picnic table in the sun with a bunch of Frans.

St. Balmain is open daily from around 9am - 6pm. Their all day brunch and lunch menu is in full swing. It is located in Williamsburg on N 8th between Bedford and Driggs.

Soho Saturday

Saturdays are my favorite...as you all know.  What you might not know is most Saturdays I choose to go into work for a few hours to provide students with extra academic support. I love the yummy and exciting life I live, but I have to pay the bills somehow. 

This particular Saturday,  I met Mer downtown in Soho after work. She's been name dropping Jack's Wife Freda for months, so finally we decided to go. 

Jack's Wife Freda is a quaint trendy restaurant with a menu full of Mediterranean faire. The place was packed when we arrived, but we opted to cozy into two seats at their small bar. 

I loved the individualized branding, even on the sugar...gave the place a really personal touch.

We both went for salad options. Mer noshed on the Greek Salad with a side of Grilled Haloumi.

Haloumi is a dense greek cheese that many substitute for meat. Jack's Wife Freda did a beautiful job with the Haloumi, adding in a sweet touch with red and green grapes.

I enjoyed the Tuna Salad. With no mayo, the tuna is mixed with avocado, tomato, onion and balsamic over a bed of arugula.

What's brunch without some Rose?!

The bill came with this fun little postcard. I decided to fill it out then and there.

Next, we made a quick stop at Saturdays for a latte and espresso. The soho location has an awesome outside space. It is such a fun place to people watch and even buy a gnarly gift for the surfer in your life.

Finally, it was necessary to get a few shots in front of this incredible mural by artist Maya Hayuk on Houston & Broadway.  I'm no model, but this backdrop helped inspire me to strike a pose.

(Jeans: Victoria's Secret / Lace top: Joe Fresh / Jacket: Forever21 / Sunglasses: Kate Spade)

(Sweatshirt: H&M / Bag: J.Crew / Sunglasses: Acne Studios / Shoes: Aldo)

Rainbow wishes and Soho dreams!

Toro and The (little) Mermaid Inn

There has been a lot of eating out the last couple weeks for me. Living in NYC it is very easy to eat out every night of the week. This though, is not healthy for my bank account or my waist line. When choosing to go out to eat, there are two markers for me to measure if it was worth the cost: food quality and the company.  I was lucky this week with not just great company, but great food!

Mer and I visited Toro. I have been wanting to try it since it opened, but just haven't gotten around to it.

Toro is a Barcelona-style tapas bar. There are traditional and modern dishes, all prepared with regional Spanish flavors and techniques, using the freshest ingredients. The decor is incredible! The same team that crafted up the interior at ABC Kitchen worked on Toro, and you can sense the similarity in vibe. 

It is a true tapas restaurant so you have to be up for sharing, and you have to order a lot to not walk away hungry. 

A majority of these pictures were taken with my iphone, so I apologize for the poor quality. 

Just a warning, I guess there is a tradition in Spain in which you pour cider into a carafe and then chug it. I don't think you are required to chug it, but you do pour it into your mouth via a spout off the carafe. We had a table nearby getting very rowdy and it took us a bit off guard. But once we learned about the tradition, we noticed a ton of tables around the room drinking the cider.

We started with the Atun Crudo, a yellowfin tuna with white soy, spicy cucumber, citrus and avocado.

Next came the Foie Gras y Piquillo, seared foie gras with piquillo pepper, cider vinegar gastrique and candied walnuts.

It was so much goodness in each bite.

These are Zanahorias, heiroom carrots, buttermilk, dill and harissa. They had a very smoky flavor, like they were cooked over a camp fire.

Next came Alcachofas de Sol, sunchokes with pickled plums, mint, shisho, and aioli. One of my favorites of the night. Sunchokes are similar to artichokes, but very seasonal so you can't always find them in stores.

These little nibbles are the Mollejas, crispy veal sweetbreads with blood orange, fermented black beans, peanuts and celery root. Now I've had sweetbreads before and was turned off by the texture, but these were crispy, flavorful and delightful to eat.

I told you we ordered a lot.

Next was the Panza De Cerdo, crispy pork belly with apples, squash, rutabagas and berbere. This was my absolute favorite of the night, I could have eaten multiple plates.

We also ordered the Abuon, abalone with brown butter, parsley and migas. It was so good I forgot to snap a picture. Abalone is a delicious meaty shellfish.

How could we leave without dessert?! They only serve three desserts and I can't remember the exact name of this one, but it was awesome. I remember it being salted chocolate mousse deliciousness.

In the Spring time mood, Mer and I had Rose with our meal. She ended the evening with this colorful cocktail (perfect for a hot summer day) and I had a beautiful Rioja. 

I highly recommend a visit to Toro. You won't be disappointed.

 

The next evening, I had plans to meet up with my beautiful friend Kristen for an early dinner. I recommended The Mermaid Inn. There are three locations throughout the city and each boasts a fish heavy menu. They have a killer Happy Hour every day of the week where you can get a variety of appetizers very cheap, $1 oysters and $6 glasses of wine. 

I learned, when we arrived, that you can make reservations, so I would suggest you do so if trying to go on a Friday or Saturday. We didn't, so we had to wait. Luckily, we sat before the end of Happy Hour and could reap the benefits.

I, of course, ordered a dozen oysters. They are Long Island's finest Bluepoints.

We also couldn't resist the hush puppies. They are balls of fried goodness.

Kristen opted for the Tuna Tacos.

The Mermaid Inn does not have a dessert menu, but they always give you a complimentary chocolate mouse with your fishy fortune.

Both our fish informed us we are passionate. 

Calories and conversation consumed, it was worth every ounce and penny. I am constantly amazed at the life I get to live and the people I get to do it with. I pray you all do your best to make the most of each moment and always choose joy.

xoxo