Hint Hint....

Hey Santa, I'm just sayin...

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza!!!

The final FINAL list of cookies included in my extra special, earth shattering, critically acclaimed cookie basket-- for those who were nice enough to me this year to recieve one:

Chocolate hazelnut crinkle cookies

Orange cranberry shortbread dipped in dark chocolate

oatmeal cherry (bombs) with a white chocolate glaze

salted pistachio bark (*credit to Marg on this one)

and possibly, decorated gingersnaps if I havent died from exhaustion by this point. But who likes gingersnaps, really? Unless they are in the shape of Robert Pattison, I say no one.

Well hello, neighbor....

How nice that Henry Public not only   a) is in brooklyn, b) serves a marrow bone appetizer (foodie bingo!) and other tasty treats, and c) qualifies as $25 and under--- but its also smack dab in my usual stomping grounds. This may be my new marrow-bone-monday spot.

Are you down with OCP? (Oatmeal Creme Pies)

In a shameless ploy to make my new coworkers like me, I made them oatmeal creme pies. That's right, I made them. Mad Props to Margaret for pointing me to this awesome baking blog)



And while the cookies turned out a bit puffier than the ideal flat sandwich cookie, the crack cocaine I put in the marshamallow fluff filling ensured that everyone went back for seconds.

Hooray for new friends!

Brussel Sprouts, How do I Love Thee? Let me Count the Ways...

Like the rest of the Foodie Nation, I have been on a major Brussel Sprouts kick this fall/winter season. As with the Beet Salad Phenomenon of two years ago, roasted brussel sprouts have become ubiquitous on menus, blogs, and Top Chef. Its even become popular enough to make it into my foodie bingo checklist (guess at least five foods of the moment that a menu features, before looking at it: brussel sprouts, pork belly, bacon-based dessert, pre-prohibition cocktails, etc., etc... If you get all five-- Bingo! You win this quickfire round.).

Now, the posessive five year old in me is saying, MINE! I liked brussel sprouts first, you copycat!! (because i was the type of five year old who likes brussel sprouts)  What I guess that means is that, like everything else foodies "discover", I'm afraid trendiness will destroy it. I kind of liked that brussel sprouts were the ugly duckling of the root vegetable family. No one cared about them,  which made the poetic justice even sweeter when they came out so delicious!

And now what are you, oh humble brussel sprout? You've been corrupted by fame. You've been spiffed up and glamorized, bacon-fied, and finally deemed worthy to grace the menus that once mocked you. You are like a vegetal Susan Boyle, full of fiber and unkempt eyebrows. The first time she defied our expectations it was glorious, but now that she's gotten a makeover and a best-selling album... who cares?

But of course, the very rational and tolerant adult in me cheers the popularity of Messieur Brussel. There's plenty to go around! Who am I to argue with an increase in iron and folic acid intake?! The slight variations of ingredients and preparations of brussel sprouts will be enough to keep me interested for a good six months. Seen above, at the excellent Brooklyn Star, are brussel sprouts roasted with apple cider vinegar, apples, and bacon. Now, while I had a few issues with this dish (uncooked apples mixed with cook vegetables? odd. And bacon thats not crispy? For shame!), I had no problem polishing it off. As cousin Patty said, it tasted Siracha-y.  I agreed-- and this was the most interesting part about the dish-- there was something vaguely asian about it, which I would have never thought could work. Sure enough, turns out dried chilies and an abundace of vinegar made these sprouts remind me of kimchee... which was nicely countered by the not-crispy-enough bacon.

In all, though seeing roasted brussel sprouts on a trendy restaurant's menu was predictable, the preparation was actually a pleasant surprise... which makes me think that this trend is more than a flash in the plan.

Champagne Thursday roundup

 Food for thought:

If you live in one of these areas (which you probably do if you know me), go try one of these fantastic dishes under $12. I highly recommend the sliders at Locanda Verde.

Speaking of comfort food, I'm looking forward to cousin fun Brooklyn style tonight at the Brooklyn Star! There has been a distinct lack of fried chicken in my life lately. I'll make sure to consume some champagne in honor of my favorite day of the week. Report to follow.

A visual guide to my last few days in Chicago:

The best thing about selling your car to a semi-sketchy Polish used car dealer on the north side (ok, the only good thing), is going to Starpolska afterwards! Never one to pass up a kielbasa opportunity, I  opted for the Polish combo plate, seen here with stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, mushroom soup, and more sourkraut than this non-pole could ever eat.

       If you are unfortunate enough to be stuck downtown during the Christmas shopping season, you might think there's nothing to eat in Chicago besides Garret's Popcorn. And if you haven't killed yourself in despair from the throngs of shoppers, the freaky mechanized window displays, or the Kenny G Christmas album on repeat, you may just die of caramel popcorn asphyxiation (consider yourselves warned about Garret's). But there is one good thing about  the month between thanksgiving and Christmas:  Daley  Plaza gets its BRATWURST ON!
      Oh yes, the Chris Crindle market may be the most redeeming thing about Christmas shopping. If it wasnt for those delicious brats, I would probably just buy everyone iTunes gift certificates online. As you can see, I was a little over enthusiastic about them this year and showed up at 9am. To my chagrin, the market wasn't open (what, who hasnt had sausage for breakfast?! Like I'm the crazy one here.) I mean, let's be clear, you are very rarely far away from excellent encased meats when in the Chicago city limits. In fact, the Berghoff is just around the corner if you prefer real plates and walls with your sausage. But still, these particular brats are only once a year, and you can pretend little elves make them inside these little Christmas houses. So yea, go get one.

These are some bad pictures of some very good food. Big Star and Paul Kahan did not disappoint! Of course, it was no Publican, but "tacos and whiskey in Wicker Park"? Yes, please.

FINALLY!! We have waited all year, and at last.... Conway pie extravaganza is HERE!!

From top left: Blueberry (the posh one), Pumpkin (looks tame, but don't be fooled), Pecan (daddy issues), and admirable newcomer Dutch Apple (the spunky one). More pies and homemade schlogg not pictured. What a way to go out!

Hello, New York.

No, dear readers, I haven't been cheating on you. I've just been a little... busy. The rumors are true; I am moving to Brooklyn in a few weeks-- the return of the prodigal daughter, so to speak.

So yes, I have had things other than food and drinks on my mind in the last few weeks, which is why this blog has been a little sparse. Actually, no, that's not true at all. Even as I am running around, finding an apartment, selling my possessions, and finding the right walker for a dog with very sophisticated tastes, food and drinks have always been on my mind. They are always if not at the forefront of my thoughts, right behind the forefront... whatever that's called.

Case in point: After a whirlwind day of seeing 11 apartments with 3 brokers (including one very scary run-in with what was either a homeless man residing in the hallway, or the building's 500 pound, shirtless Superintendent), I celebrated at the fantastic Clover Club on Smith St. with a Rose Garden Royale. I can't wait to become a regular at this slightly pretentious but seriously impressive Pre-Prohibition bar. I have already started wearing one of those arm bands to keep my sleeves up, so that the Bartenders know I'm legit.

So, dear readers, get ready for Bella/Bello 2.0.   Brooklyn...where the duck fat runs freely and the knishes are free range; where food politics get heated, but sadly, hot dog buns do not. Who needs Manhattan? The BK has a whole bourough of food to love.

Cheers.

Birthday Weekend Debauchery

In case you havent picked up on my love for pork products and champagne, here is a snapshot of my weekend:

Friday: somehow consume most of a bottle of sparkling rose (how did that happen?!) before winding up dancing at Tuman's. I also vaguely remember a chorizo burrito in there somewhere.

Saturday: An epic hangover foils most of my plans. I am also chagrined to find my fridge almost completely bare. Lorenzo and I share prosciutto straight from the package while watching Gossip Girl. What! I've heard it really works.... hair of the pig, if you will.

Later Saturday: p-a-r-t-y! Alcohol and/or copious amounts of cheese may or may not have been consumed.Gifts recieved include:

• prosciutto (really)
• a "hot dogs of the world" t-shirt
• a bacon wallet
• steak band-aids
• a hot dog terrorist button

Sunday: Brunch at the Publican! Words cant even describe how good it was. I'm still reeling from my birthday kielbasa. I wont even try to explain... just look at the pictures. Note the gourmet pork rinds (that no one else liked-- more for me!)

ricotta and vidalia onion tarte tatin

It was called bacon, but it was more like a hockey puck. A delicious hockey puck.

Check out those pork rinds. so crunchy... 

Birthday kielbasa!

Monday: detox begins.