Gift Guide // LeQueenofHearts
Like Mariah Carey sang, "I don't want a lot for Christmas," but I do want quality pieces that will not only blend into my current wardrobe but survive in various fashion climates. The above nine items are what I would love to see beneath my Christmas tree. My focus is almost always on strong outer items: coats, jackets, footwear, etc... I can always play with the foundation, like a classic white t-shirt or my current obsession, flare denim. Oversized collars, fur accents, texture, prints, bright colors, and subtle tones are key players in my closet. I can't imagine that will change anytime soon. I've been a good and hardworking girl this year; let's see what Santa has in store for me!
For more information on the above items, hover over the image and click! Enjoy!
#giftguide #happyholidays
#whatsonmyplate // marea
Restaurant: Marea
Location: 240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019
Dish: [Agnolotti] short rib filled ravioli, robiolina, black trumpets, red wine
Comments: Back to Michael White's Marea for something a little different, short rib filled ravioli! I'm not a big red meat eater but on occasion, I'll try something if it's special. Well, White's Agnolotti was something special! First, all pasta was made by hand in house. "Pasta fatta in casa" might be a rarity in most restaurants, but in a White restaurant, it's a requisite. The tortellini melted into my mouth and gave way to some of the juiciest rib meat ever had in my mouth. In fact, the sauce in the tortellini was only rivaled by the sauce on my plate, a combination of rib meat juices, red wine and accented with black trumpets. Every bite was more decadent than the last.
#whatsonmyplate
#WHATSONMYPLATE // The Crosby Bar
Restaurant: The Crosby Bar
Location: 79 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
Dish: Diver Scallops, spaghetti squash, sage cream, pancetta crips
Comments: Some weeks ago, I was invited by some friends to join them for afternoon tea at The Crosby Hotel. Of course, the tea and accompaniments were delightful but I was ferociously hungry. I took a peek at their regular menu and of course, selected the diver scallops. They were seared to perfection and filled with flavor. My only criticism was that the sage cream was a pinch too salty. I love a good cream sauce but not one that requires I take a sip of water with each taste. Overall, it was a delightful dish and I would certainly order it again, perhaps, light on the cream?
#whatsinmyglass // Wit & Wisdom
Restaurant: Wit & Wisdom
Location: 200 International Drive, Baltimore, MD 21202
Drink: Madame Lotus
Comments: I know what you're thinking, "what happened to #whatsonmyplate?" In light of a fantastic cocktail that I recently had at the Four Seasons Baltimore, I decided to switch things up a bit. The pink drink was Wit & Wisdom's tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a wonderful tribute indeed. The Madame Lotus was a delicious combination of brandy, gin, and lemon juice perfectly blended with strawberry syrup and egg white. And the pink peppercorn garnish was an unexpected hot crunch to an otherwise light and sweet cocktail. Unfortunately, October is almost over so if you're in the area, then I strongly suggest you not only support a great cause but tantalize your taste buds!
#whatsinmyglass
#whatsonmyplate // marea
Restaurant: Marea
Location: 240 Central Park South, New York, New York 10019
Dish: [Dolci] Crostata: market grapes, ricotta, honey, pistachio gelato
Comments: I've tried many desserts but this one, absolutely, takes the cake. Once you've gotten over the creamy richness of the pistachio gelato, sink your spoon into the ricotta topped crostata and prepare to collapse. The combination of the warm baked crust, almost gelatinous fruit, drenched in honey, will absolutely blow your mind (and your tastebuds). The crostata is a must have dessert while dining at Marea.
#whatsonmyplate
#whatsonmyplate // ai fiori
Anyone who knows me, knows that I live to eat. Our time on this planet is so brief; why waste it on poor quality food? Every Wednesday, I will feature a dish from my varied culinary travels. Both domestic and international, you will feast your eyes on my food porn. Prepare to weekly drool, as your hump day will never be the same!
Restaurant: Ai Fiori
Location: 400 Fifth Avenue, #2, New York, New York 10018
Dish: [Pesce] Butter poached Nova Scotia lobster, served with green beans, gold bar squash, and breakfast radish.
Comments: Quite possibly the softest lobster that I've ever had the pleasure to consume. It almost quite literally melted in my mouth. The light vegetable sides was a perfect balance, ranging from soft to hard in texture.
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