i never thought i would say this

i am officially sick of going to ikea (at least for the next year or so)- i don't mean to sound ungrateful because we have gotten some truly great furniture and housewares at affordable prices. . . but we've gone so many times in the past few weeks that we know exactly what time it opens, recognize thomas the customer service associate and know exactly WHICH aisle and bin to get components for our storage closets!  so yes, we're definitely starting to settle in and the husband asked me today if i felt like i've moved to the suburbs. 

honestly, no, i feel like i'm in another part of brooklyn.  there are a multitude of fantastic restaurants and bars in walking distance, community gardens galore, easily accessible subway and bus stations, grit mixed in with uber hipsterness (at least kensington/fishtown does not have the shishiness of northern liberties). so far i love our section philadelphia. it will take some time for sure, when it feels so familiar and when it feels like home rather than some new adventure. . . picture of front and back yard below!

but we are off to a good start and our neighbors are unexpectedly friendly. . forcing me out of my shyness and nyc silo mentality. dare i say i see some potlucks/dinner parties ahead? 

today the boy and i ventured to mid century warehouse in their new fishtown location (this is AFTER going to ikea to get more outdoor furniture and hangers - seriously 8 wooden hangers for $3.99 can't beat it!).  we had scored a beautiful dentist (we use for liquor) cabinet and dresser years ago. . .and hoped to find the perfect table/desk for the bedroom.  while we left empty handed from MCW, we did explore kensington avenue and a nook of vietnamese restaurants.  

we ate at Cafe Pho Ga Thanh Thang.  no menu.  cash only.  they serve two things.  chicken and beef pho.  we ordered two large bowls of chicken pho and a plate of chicken- all for $22! the broth was delicious and while i was slurping away, i happily surveyed the tables full of vietnamese, latino, thai and caucasian guests.  tables turned quite quickly yet there was a line out the door to get in. . . can't wait to try the bun bo hue place next door and thang long across the street.

a good summer read

on my morning run through haverford college's nature trail, i listened to an interesting episode of "freakanomics" about government employees gone wild. 

apparently, the government publishes an ethics guide called the "encyclopedia of ethical failure" which gives true accounts of government employees who have acted unlawfully or otherwise have demonstrated seriously bad judgement in their positions

e.g. one former naval officer cheated on his wife and got his mistress pregnant, than tried faking his death to his spouse!

i will be checking out the full document tonight. . . but wanted to share the link, enjoy!

whirlwind

almost as quickly as i made the move some years ago from LA to NYC (a month from decision making to unpacking my boxes in brooklyn), the boy and i have found ourselves a new home in the city of brotherly love.

despite great effort and strategic planning- things unraveled unexpectedly.

the boy gets a job in philly we find our dream house in fishtown.  i tell my boss we are moving out of NYC- they are not okay with it so i start job hunting. we move in with my brother and sis-in-law. my company decides they are okay with the move but then an offer i can't refuse comes along.   

in a couple weeks, the dust will begin to settle. . .then, there will be time to explore the new neighborhood, uncover philadelphia's treasures, and start some new adventures!

uncovering the culinary delights of Ft Greene

my first experience with ft greene was years ago attending a friend of my husband's housewarming party.  to this day THAT loft remains perhaps the coolest real (a.k.a. not in a magazine or t.v. show) apartment i've ever been in.  high ceilings created a sense of spaciousness that one longs for in NYC, a to-die-for walk-in close, books neatly stacked up in towers, an antique clothing rack with jeans artfully displayed, and the clincher . . . an enclosed backyard patio!! being owned, remodeled and decorated by an uber designy couple didn't hurt.  nonetheless, int hose days ft greene was still a bargain to live in and felt remote.  there was little in the way of shops, entertainment or restaurants.

no longer a hidden gem, ft greene is rapidly developing with new restaurants galore, cute boutiques and a farmer's market stationed in the park.

the boy and i had a chance to meet up with friends at the brooklyn sandwich society last saturday.

um.

WOW.

in terms of food alone- literally, the best brunch i have had in a really long time.  i ordered the roasted oyster mushrooms served with creme fraiche and seasoned with rosemary and topped with an oh so rich, runny duck egg.  a bowl of generously buttered, crispy bread was thoughtfully provided to sop up that unctuous yolk.  

for the table, we ordered to share (1) biscuits & gravy that would make any southern grandma proud and (2)  "meat in a skillet" aka duck sausage and berkshire bacon (we should have ordered 2!). the biscuits were moist and the duck sausage gravy imparted amazing flavor (i am really over bland gravy, i mean what's the point and such a waste of calories?!)

every morsel was mouth-watering and delicious with succulent flavors not for the faint of heart or health conscious.  these guys are doing it right and i can't wait to try their dinner menu!  

Starry Nights

Dining at two Steven Starr steakhouses on consecutive weekends, first Butcher & Singer then Barclay Prime, sounds and is both decadent and delightful.  However, the close proximity of the events forces one to compare the style, standards and experience of both.  While both have Starr DNA, an attention to providing fabulous design and attention to detail, extremely high quality ingredients and excellent customer service, the two restaurants had completely distinct personalities.

Butcher & Singer plays homage to the traditional steakhouse.  Walking into the opulent and fantastically re-designed former bank building, one is transported back in time and you can imagine yourself surrounded by high rolling business executives or mobsters strutting around with cigar in one hand and a bejeweled starlet on the  other.  Despite the sky high ceilings and spaciousness of the restaurant, the warm tones of the decor, comfy u-shaped booths and friendly service are overwhelmingly inviting.  The food does not disappoint- the porterhouse is prepared exactly as requested, a true medium rare with a wonderful salty char, the meat practically melting in your mouth.  Surprisingly, for a steakhouse, the sides did not feel like a complete afterthought.  The brussel sprouts and asparagus are delicious and had me wanting more.  I blame the 2 or 3 blue cheese stuffed, dirty gin martinis for the sole photo (sorry!). . . and yes, the cocktails alone are worth a bar visit.

While Butcher & Singer recalls the decadence and glory of old Hollywood, Barclay and Prime is effortlessly cool, refined in its minimalism.  White marble tables and walls are offset by walnut bookcases and plush green sofas.  Our waitress is exceptional- witty under duress (loss power for a few minutes),  knowledgeable and ready with recommendations and in tune with her clientele.  A wonderful moment during the dinner was when the waitress offered a tray of top grade knives- wusthof, henckels, shun- choose your weapon!

Now, for the food! The wedge salad was a notch above the norm with lumps of crab meat and the beet salad with microgreens surprised with a playful, pistachio crunch.  The miso glazed black cod was superbly prepared and a perfect dish for my mom.  The porterhouse which I shared with the sis-in-law was solid, but dare I say it, not as good as Butcher & Singer's.  Even now I cannot put my finger on the disparity, perhaps not quite as flavorful or not as well seasoned. . . but the New York strip and the Short Ribs were divine and had me dreaming about steak the rest of the week.  The cooked mushrooms and truffle oil mashed potatoes sides were standout good- rich and earthy.  

So the verdict- which is the better steakhouse?  I suppose it comes down to what you think a steakhouse should be and I am a sucker for a traditional style steakhouse so my vote goes to Butcher & Singer.  That being said, I would eagerly go back to either restaurant!

Discovering Philly's gems: part 1

Was in Philly for an unexpectedly short weekend trip (THANKS Hurricane Sandy) for belated birthday festivities with the husband, brother and sis-in-law. Our get togethers are inevitably gluttonous, boozy and chock full of lowbrow humor and merriment (read lots of butt and poop jokes).

Nonetheless there is never a shortage of delicious food and this weekend proved no different. We started the weekend with brunch at Honey's Sit n Eat nestled in Northern Liberties. Although it was relatively early, there was already an impressive wait so we took the first table available which meant sitting outside on a slightly cold morning. However spot on and hot Le Colombe coffee helped warm me up.

The menu was straightforward with an emphasis on All-American comfort food comprised of high-quality and fresh ingredients. We shared fried pickles which for once did not disappoint me with generous diagonally cut pieces encrusted with cornmeal fried batter and served with a well balanced aioli. For the main dish I opted for the sausage, bacon and white bean stew dusted with breadcrumbs and served in a small crock bowl and a side of roasted brussel sprouts. The stew was hearty and reminded me of an amazing bread stew I had many years ago in Florence. The sprouts were a little too oily for my taste but still hit the spot. The boy ordered the country fried steak with gravy served with a side of mac n cheese, onion rings, and a biscuit. I quite enjoyed the biscuit but felt the steak and gravy, while better than average, were not particularly memorable or standout.

All in all a great find, earnest and easy food, exceptionally friendly waitress and BYOB to boot!

Casa Mono does a small plate right

maybe it's because my eyes are often bigger than my stomach, or that i don't want to miss out on a better dish or that i want to try everything, but i have always had a love for small plates, whether it's dim sum, banchan or tapas.  the spanish variety was just beginning to experience it's heyday when i first moved to NYC in 2005, and even with a tapas laden trip to barcelona, i still couldn't get enough of it.  Pinxtos (which is sadly no mas), Tia Pol, Oliva (also closed), 1492, Mercat, Boqueria. . .

and yet, despite having a fondness for it's sister tapas establishment Bar Jamon, i had somehow missed Casa Mono! it is a gem of a restaurant, tucked away on 17th and irving.  the atmosphere is warm, inviting- matching the friendliness of the waitstaff.  a great place for small groups or a cozy date.

our selections are pictured below: pumpkin and goatcheese croquettes, charceuterie and cheese plate, blackened beets,  lobster wrapped in a banana leaf, yellowfin tuna, skirt steak, and calamares (sorry no picture) and grilled duck breast. every dish was well executed and beautifully presented. 

however, there were two standouts for me.  (1) the duck which was a true medium rare, therein maximizing flavor and succulence and complimented nicely with sour plums and parsnips. (2) the grilled squid served with harissa and squid ink, which managed to be both clean and decadent all at once.  oh Casa Mono, am i so glad i finally found you!