I Can Cook! Freshocracy Update

Update after I prepared our Freshocracy meals this week:

Grass-Fed Beef Chorizo Tomatoes Over Rice

This would've been so good with the okra! After I made it, we realized we had some frozen okra...whoops. It was still good and super easy for a weeknight meal. For some reason even the rice was amazing? Not sure why, I think this was just regular rice.

Lucy's Whey To Go

Grilled Cheese & Pickle Chips

I've been trying to cover more of Chelsea Market since I take for granted the fact that I get to eat here all the time. I've heard Lucy's Whey has some mean grilled cheese, so when I was in the mood for some gooey, meltedy goodness, I decided to finally stop by.

Dreamy & Creamy Risoterria

Bleeker & Morton

Mozzarella, Roasted Portobello, & Truffle Oil Risotto 

We were wandering around the West Village scoping out the damage from Hurricane Irene and we started to get hungry. Not a lot of places were open, so we decided basically decided to just grab something at the first available option. That's when I spotted Risottoria. Oh what divine providence! We had no idea what a treat we were in for.

I Can Cook? Freshocracy

I recently discovered the company Freshocracy through a GiltCity offer. They take local, farm-fresh ingredients and deliver them straight to your door with everything you need to create 3 dinners for 2- including the recipe cards! This is such a perfect service for someone like me who loves the idea of shopping at farmers markets, but don't have the culinary expertise to know how to create a whole meal using what's in season now. It also has the added advantage of convenience- now even a busy New Yorker like me can make fresh meals at home from scratch.

My order just arrived (yes, despite the looming presence of Hurricane Irene) and I'm excited to get in the kitchen and start cooking (right after I post this of course)!

Meal 1: Chili-Lime Poached Fluke
with an Amagansett Corn-Heirloom Tomato Salad

Meal 2: 100% Grass-Fed Beef Chorizo
with Nutty Okra and Tomatoes Over Rice

Meal 3: Bison Chimichurri
with Roasted Lemony Red and Golden Beets & Fresh Chevre

Unfortunately, no okra since the Long Island farmers were a bit busy prepping for a hurricane, but I'm sure it will be tasty nonetheless. Will update with the finished products!

Charmed by Chiles & Chocolate

Earlier this week, I was walking home up 8th Avenue and was surprised to see a Mexican restaurant I've never noticed before called "Chiles & Chocolate". I am huge fan of using hot chiles in sweet chocolate concoctions and unsweetened chocolate in savory cooking, so I was immediately intrigued. Then when I signed on to Seamless tonight to order something in for dinner, it popped up as a new restaurant and already had some good reviews! We didn't hesitate and were quickly 30-45 minutes from what we fervently hoped would finally be some good Mexican food in our neighborhood. 

Getting Funky at the Brass Monkey

Had another company Happy Hour at Brass Monkey tonight. We really love this place. Their rooftop is fantastic on a warm summer night (and there is free entertainment from the guests at The Standard next door). They have a great beer selection, delicious bar food, and two indoor levels for plenty of space. With all the hoity-toity bars in MePa, we love this good old fashioned pub to just hang out with a cold pint.

Bo Ssam at Momofuku Ssam

One of our friends was celebrating her birthday and arranged for a group of us to have the Bo Ssam Dinner at Momofuku Ssam. I've never been so excited about someone else's birthday dinner, I've been hearing about this meal since we've moved to NYC!

La Bottega: A Work in Progress

Went out for a final lunch with a co-worker who is moving out of the country and we decided to mix it up from our usual lunch time haunts and try out La Bottega. It was a wonderful escape in the middle of the day to sit on their patio and enjoy a lovely luncheon.

The focaccia bread and olive oil were delicious and it was difficult restraining ourselves from ordering some wine. The waitress highly recommended the soup of the day which was some kind of eggplant puree with some kind of nut and topped with pesto. It was certainly an interesting combo, but way too rich for what I was looking for on a warm summer day.

Spaghetti Squash & Soup of the Day 

Sail On In to PORTS

We were walking home this lovely afternoon when we spotted a Coffee Shop we haven't noticed before. The sign in the window boasted Stumptown Coffee, so we had to stop in. We loved it! It has its own unique, chic vibe and serves quality coffee. There isn't much in the way of seating, so not a place to stop to study. But a great little shop to pop in for a good cup of joe.

Time to eat at The Doughnut Plant

Creme Brulee with a Chai Tea

Blueberry, PB&J, and Vanilla

A location of The Doughnut Plant opened up in Chelsea back in February to much fanfare. It took us a while to visit though, since we don't consider ourselves to be big doughnut people. All of that changed after our first visit and I now find myself cursing them for being a little too close to home.

Ride on past One If By Land, Two If By Sea

I recently joined a book club that combines a love of good books with dining at great restaurants around the city. I'm sad to say that for my first meeting, I was disappointed on both counts.

Luckily, their Restaurant Week menu was still available, so we each ordered a cocktail and then chose our appetizer, entree, and dessert. The cocktails were really delicious, no complaints on that count. But then the trouble started. I was talking to the girl on my right, so did not notice the waiter who approached me with the bread basket behind my left shoulder. Up until now, I sensed an air of hoity toitiness from the wait staff (which is why there are no accompanying pictures with this post). The extremely rude toned "Ex-cuse me" that I then received from the waiter quickly confirmed it.

Bread & Gelato at Chelsea Market

The Mr and I decided to have a lazy Sunday and grab a late lunch at Chelsea Market. We go here several times a week for lunch, but are usually rushed and just go for one of our 'usual' spots. Today we decided to stroll through and enjoy a couple of places that we don't usually frequent.

First, we stopped in at Amy's Bread and picked up a mini baguette with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil. Such a perfect, light summer lunch. Would be perfect for a picnic, but we chose to eat it right there on the spot while we people watched the other Chelsea Market visitors.

Amy's Bread

Momofuku Noodle Bar Part Deux

When guests come to town one of the first places we will take them is to Momofuku Noodle Bar. When we are having a special dinner out, one of the first places we consider is Momofuku Noodle Bar. This week we had both occasions, so we wound up eating there two nights in a row. But we are definitely not complaining.

Night 1 (Date Night):

Started with our usual order of Pork Buns and Momofuku Ramen.

Pork Buns 

Momofuku Ramen