The Wandering Eater

The last time I’ve been to Le Bernardin was about three years ago and had their prix fixe menu. Arguably to say this, I’m not really a stranger to this place but years have passed, foodies still praise this restaurant and my inquiring mind wonders if this place is still good as it used to be.

I went there the day before Thanksgiving with Ariel since he’s willing to take the plunge with me on this expensive lunch. If you do look at their menu, $64 for three courses ain’t cheap. Include tax and tip, it’s at least $80. Yeah, for that price we have high expectations.

Interior

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After reading about Craft for years, I’ve always thought about eating here but hating the fact that they don’t serve lunch, except at its sister branch Craftbar. That’s until I read from the NY Times’ blog, The Diner’s Journal that Craft started to serve lunch again.

Interior photos

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Ever since the party, Kathy have been urging me that I MUST go to Pinisi. She mentions it frequently on her blog and as much as I love that girl, I had the odd feeling that she went through hypnosis to actually to be that enamored with a bakery. I mean, I love bakeries but I don’t really have a favorite. The main reason why I go to Bouchon Bakery (and write a TON about it) is because it’s tasty; the food’s pretty; and it’s the biggest reason of all: it’s the closest thing to my campus besides Whole Foods. Yeah, I’m lazy…

Anyways, I finally went to Pinisi and find out what the heck she’s raving about.

Pinisi!

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After riding out the joy of hanging out with a bunch of good friends at my party, life’s never been the same. I have to go back to the reality of school: papers needed to be done and the coming of finals within a month from now, my happiness has decimated to nothing.

Instead of sounding mopey, I’ve gotten a few good edible presents! I’ve received two Donna Toscana bars from Kathy and a box of Mary’s Chocolate and Amano bar from Robyn. (Thank you!! In case I haven’t told to either of you.) It’s chocolate related since they know I love chocolate and conveniently, they’ve attended the Chocolate Show was on prior to my party.

Donna Toscana Bars

Box of Mary’s Chocolate and Amano bar

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Note: This event was taken place last Saturday…I know it’s late but I was actually waiting for a few of Robyn’s photos (which I will credit and link to when it occurs) since I had relatively little photos of the party-goers since I was busy playing hostess of sorts toward the second leg of the party.

Edit (11/17/07) : I NO longer need people for my other upcoming party…but thanks for a few of you who have responded!

I threw myself a birthday party…a day later. Since I have to take care of family and school stuff that I can’t go out and party for a good portion of the day on the day of my actual birthday. Anyways, I’ve invited 8 friends (Adam, Ariel, Doug, Jessica, Julie, Kathy, Kim, and Robyn) for a large get-together and do what I (or we) do best, eating! We all met at the Highline since it’s been suggested by a few Chowhounders that their food is pretty good and it can accommodate large groups.

Since I was the first to arrive, I sat down in one of the large communal style tables toward the back of the restaurant on the ground floor. The decor isn’t what I was expecting after viewing their website. But at least it’s not terribly distracting and there’s no music blaring in this place that I won’t be suffering from laryngitis at the end of the lunch.

Anyways, as my guests slowly arrive, we greeted each other and eventually talk about food since it’s about 1:30 PM, and we’re starving.

The lunch menu

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Last night I went to Degustation for dinner. You might be wondering why would I choose this place? Well, I’ve been meaning to eat here for a while ever since I’ve read Frank Bruni’s review of this place, it seems very enjoyable in terms of atmosphere and food. Foodies at Chowhound likes this place a lot and the fact I love tapas. I ate this dinner with Ariel since he loves Catalonian food…or anything that tastes good and he’s willing to splurge with me.

Signage on the door

Looking through their window…

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Ya know, I should be paying attention of my intake of pastries these days, especially with the fact that my birthday’s next Friday. Aging would mean the slowing of metabolism, cholesterol levels are bound to be high by now, especially with the blood sugar levels with the stuff I’m eating. I would eat healthier foods but I would feel deprived if I don’t eat sweets or any “bad” foods. At least I’m working out…

A few days ago, I went back to Amai Tea & Bake House since everyone from the previous post about them, were commenting about trying out their scones and cookies. It seems strange that I came back so soon, but I was in the neighborhood and I was STARVING. I don’t know why, but I was.

As you’ll see on the photo below, I went insane for pastries. I ended up with a vanilla bean scone, an Early Grey and currant scone, a green tea matcha cookie, white tea and strawberry cookie, and an almond chai cookie. Yeah, that’s a lot…along with a side of lavender butter for an extra fifty cents.

The whole shebang

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For the latter part of this week, I’ve been eating in Midtown. Some of the reasons are that it’s closer to my campus (I’m lazy) and there’s a few interesting things happening during that time during the week. (To note, I’ll write about all the other places on the next post.) The first place I went twice to is Bon Appétit’s Supper Club. I’ll explain why as you read.

The first time I went to Bon Appétit’s Supper Club is mainly to get a sense of the food. If it’s really tasty and it’s worth the media hype it’s gotten for the past week or two from NY Magazine’s Grub Street and The Times.

The Menu…blown up

After reading and seeing the sandwiches, I ended up getting Govind Armstrong’s Tropical Rolls with Sambal Sauce. For $7.50, it isn’t too bad since it’s two per order. I did take a look at the dessert table but nothing really grabbed me into getting any.

Sandwiches

The dessert table

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