This Valentine’s Day weekend I accompanied my brother and future sister-in-law to Buffalo to document and help with their wedding preparation, which included cake tasting at Dessert deli followed by food tasting at the country club. I must have gained 5 lbs., but luckily I have 5 months to work it off.
Sorry, for not posting anything for several months. I’ve been in la-la-land, but now I’m back and with more photos to share. :)
This past month I spent two weeks at my brother and future sister-in-law’s new place in Bayside, Queens and absolutely fell in love with the area. Everything you can possibly need is within walking distance and one place I’ve made a special place in my heart for is at Martha’s Country Bakery. Reason’s to visit Martha’s: The staff are extremely friendly, they have great coffee, after eating the red velvet cake you will have cravings for it and it is conveniently located right next to the LIRR. Just 28 min. to Penn. I’d say it’s a great day trip, if you’re looking to get out of the city.
cupcakes+milk=oishii
fat witch+ronnybrook=delicious
Iron Chef America- The Chairman
Mark Dacascos was walking around the Beverage Media Trade Tasting event so I went up to him to ask if I could take several pictures and this is what he gave me. :) I just asked him to stand in front of the Food Network sign and he did the rest. He was nice and very friendly to the people. Watch him on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Monday’s at 8pm. What? I like him.
Guy Fieri of the Food Network’s Diner, Drive-ins and Dives and guest judge of The Next Pork Personality event with winner Kristina Vänni.
The winning dish
Last Friday I had the great opportunity to go to the NYC Wine & Food Festival with wine and food expert, Tom Mastrianni of Wine & Dine with Mastro. Luck (if it were an object) fell in my hands and I’m still very excited that I got to go to the festival. :)
Last Tuesday, Kristina and I were trying to figure out where to have lunch. We wanted to try something different- somewhere we haven’t ate before. Trying to recall numerous occasions where we’d say to each other “oh, we should try that place next time!” or “that looks like a good place to eat” we couldn’t think of anything- nothing. After a minute or so listening to each other over the phone with “ah” and “hmm’s” it finally came to me.
There is this resturant that I’ve passed by several times when I’m in St. James called Zar, right across the street from Tick Toc Cafe, where my younger brother use to work in high school. It looked pretty fancy on the outside and my first impression was that it would be expensive. Giving you my reason as to why I never had the urge to eat there, but this time it was all the perfect reason to try this restaurant when between Kristina and I, have tried all the delectable restaurants within a 5 mile radius.
Zar is an authentic Greek and Mediterranean restaurant set in a small quaint but modernly designed resturant. There is an outdoor patio out back, which would have been nice on a cooler summer day. The food was simply presented and is just as good as it looks. The hummus was plentiful and filling. We ordered the traditional to play it safe- Chicken Gyro with a Greek salad, Chicken Souvlaki and a spinach appetizer which I can’t remember at the moment. We’ll definitely be visiting again to try the dinner menu. Oh and the prices were not bad at all. You definitely get your money’s worth.
My aunt has a beautiful large kitchen and likes to cook– great for photographing food, such as the quail eggs in a bowl by the sink. I couldn’t help and took a picture right away when the lighting was perfect. I also love the massive round table they have. It’s suitable for a big family, like their own.
when i was little, i remember going to a local beach in stony brook with my family were we’d bring buckets to collect loads of mussels during low tide. last month, while i was exploring stony brook harbor at low tide to take pictures, i found some big oysters covered in green algea. they looked good to eat (after some major cleaning), so i brought a few home and enjoyed them with my mom. they were pretty delicious.
I noticed that my images are a little desaturated after they are posted. Hmm…odd, I will try to fix it when I find the time.
Anyway, here is another dish from JT’s Corner in Nesconset, NY. It’s one of mine and my friend Kristina’s favorite spots to grab brunch and play catch up. It also reminds us of Luke’s Diner from the Gilmore Girl’s, a show we both enjoy watching for it’s witty remarks and cultural references. That’s why we love it so much. They have great sweet potato fries too. :)