“International Night” starting at Gordon Ramsay Steak – All Around the WORLD…

It’s Night #3… another day of lounging by the pool during the day and just being lazy.  After the club flop last night and the way too late dinner, we got our act together and got reservations to Gordon Ramsay Steak thanks to one of their chefs which W knew and helpd me get in contact with. I’m a crazy Hell’s Kitchen fanatic and this is the restaurant that they’re all trying to win over this season SO YAY.

Speaking of Hell’s Kitchen, who do you think will win? The top three right now are strong… I think Justin’s been pretty consistently awesome.  SO good at the blind tasting… and Christina is good too. Dana’s got kind of that annoying voice and talks like she’s reading a script and shouting all the time…. hahaha

Back to the restaurant… Too bad no Gordon sightings… I have a bit of a crush on him..

Wearing my little mini and the beautiful McQueen heels that W bought me for my bday <3

Check out my Vintage Chanel necklace.. it’s a looking glass that they used to use back in the day [Chanel jewelry makers] to inspect their jewelry… one of a kind piece. I LOVE IT.

On our way to the taxi line….. Our taxi? Hahaha… why sure!

And so begins our international night… we started in GREECE [Caesar’s Palace]

Ending up in Paris…..[YAY We’re in Paris!!!!..]

actually the first time I’ve been in the Paris Hotel/Casino.  It’s fun…. we couldn’t find a ‘street sign’ to the steakhouse but ended up finding it cuz it had a HUUUUUGE glowing sign over it HAHA.

BOOOOOOOOOBS!!!

Ate in London [hahahaha]

Everytime I see Beef Wellington I think of Gordon Ramsay in Hell’s Kitchen HAHAHA…..Everyone always fucks them up.

This was the Tasting Menu… comes with a free photograph…. tempting but I didn’t want everything on the menu…

The Meat Trolley <3 I’m in love…

Breads…. foccacia… a stilton roll, a truffle roll and just some cheesy french bread with nuts in it.  The butter had a delicious brown salt on top.  My favorite was the truffled roll. We are on a truffle ROLL in Vegas hahahah Get it? Get it? First Night Sushi. Second Night Polenta…  JOY

Kelly’s boozy cocktail… it was filled sorts of antioxidant juices and berries.. it was SO good…

I started with a glass of champagne and we got a delicious bottle of Argentian Malbec!!!

Appetizers

Sonoma Farms Foie Gras
pan seared foie gras, harry’s berries strawberry jam, english muffin, bacon bits

One bite, two bites, more bites… bread basket.. haha.. the foie was huge and good, but not amazing.. too overcooked so it started to get slightly mealy?!… the jam was really good.. the biscuit was meh.. I LOVE FOIE.  But I make it better, sorry Ramsay.

Kurobuta Pork Belly
braised swiss chard, candied kumquat, cauliflower puree
This was SOOOO GOOOD, just a really small portion.  Fatty, meaty. chewy skin but with a crisp to the top. ANNNNNND…

Chicharonnnnes…

Along with grilled peaches and crunchy hazelnut smooshy puree/blend.

AND THEN….Dinnnner time!!

Let’s start with the best sides ever.. aside from the Polenta from the other day… these were by far the happiest things I put in my belly. I FUCKING LOVE CORN.

Fire Roasted Corn
corn, chile, lime

Spicyyyyy and amazing.  With just a tiny bit of sour cream mixed in.. you didn’t even need it.. I ate most of this… inhaling it by the mouthful… SOOOOO GOOD.

Fingerling Potatoes
parmesan, truffle

You guys know I’m not a potato person – minus dirty mash and fries – but these were SOOOOOOO fucking amazing I have to curse.  Tender potatoes with a nice skin that was still intact and a POP when you bite in. Some were “smashed” but it was still OH SO delectable. I’m seriously gonna just start ordering ONLY sides and apps instead of entrees. AND OMG these have turned me onto potatoes again like no other. FINGERLINGS are my new fav <3

Roasted Bone Marrow

This was an addition to the steak.  I had some with the steak… but then ended up just licking them clean.  Kelly enjoyed, but not THAT much and gave me the rest of hers. HAHA. MORE FOR ME. YAY. JOY.

Bacon = Meat Candy
Bone Marrow = Meat Butter

We split an 8oz Kobe Rib Cap

It was delicious. I asked for medium rare since Kelly isn’t a bloody weirdo like me… but they came out really rare. which was FUCKING amazing to me. SOOOOO good…. buttery, tender… UGH, I died and gone to heaven.

More wine? YES PLEASE.

The best part of this photo is that I wasn’t even drunk.  Kelly has a way with taking REALLY amazing pic s of me looking drunk and wasted…

We were gonna head to the club, but was offered complimentary dessert.. soooo we got the

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butter Ice Cream
YES BUTTER ice cream.  This was DIVINE.  If I wasn’t so full I would’ve had 10 of them.

Kelly is too proper, cutting a piece… I just dug in – no wonder my mother tells me to be more lady like. I guess that’s why I’m not married yet.

AFTER, we headed to PURE nightclub in Caesars.. W’s friend Cheri works there and not only is she HOT, she got us on the guestlist…

BACK TO GREECE…

Right after this picture…

I spilled my drink on some Chinese guy. Who said “YOU SPILLED YOUR DRINK ON ME.. now I have to buy you a drink” Off to his VIP table… Found out he was from Canada for a Bachelor party…  Kelly and I decided to call them Canasians.. after giving Kelly a cranberry juice and me a Vodka with a splash of cranberry… we got some tequila shots.. and they herded us like sheep. LIKE SHEEP. onto the dance floor — I saw a group of REALLY REALLY TALL cute big black guys eyeing us..

I said “Please save us!”

The biggest one said “Oh SHIT, I thought you guys were together”

I said “NOOOOOOOOO”

So we danced with them. YES SAVED.

“I THINK IT WORKKKKKKED”

And then Cute White German Boys stole us from them. One named Kim. Yes.  A cute German boy named Kim. HAHA.

But my feet hurt so after going to the rooftop and him wanting to dance again… we went downstairs, passed the exit and I said to Kelly “RUN FOR IT……..”

Where we ran out, and I took off my shoes IMMEDIATELY.

SO MANY STAMPS – guestlist. lady. enter. rooftop. return.

BEST PARTY NIGHT IN VEGAS THIS YEAR. BEST PARTNER IN CRIME. HEYOOOOOOOO…..

So glad the weekend started off with a great meal at Bourbon Steak

Before I begin let me explain the post title. I spent most of the weekend sick in bed.  I was well taken care of thanks to W :] But still, sick in bed, in fact the only thing that stayed in my stomach all of Saturday was some liquids and a Peachie-O, yes SINGULAR, A Peachie-O!

\As soon as I was picked up we headed to The Italian Store for a yummy sub… or three.  The last time I was here they made me so so happy so I wanted another :] W remembered.. teehee… so 3 Capris [prosciutto, genoa salami, provolone cheese and spiced capacola ham] please.  Mine with extra mustard, no mayo, onions and extra hot peppers :D  Good thing I whined to go get a burger at Bourbon Steak FIRST, before eating the subs, because later that night and the next day, W and I got food poisoning from it. Yep, I spent Saturday puking my brains out and only got to visit the Portrait Gallery for a few minutes… I spent more time in the bathrooms…. BUTTTTT at least I started off the trip/weekend with a deliiiiiicious happy happy joy joy meal!!!

Bourbon Steak is located in the Four Seasons hotel in a cute area full of stores and restaurants.. bustling with peoples.. I’d totally wanna stay here if I had to choose a hotel…

So we came in just for a burger.  W used to work here so everyone knew and loved him.  We sat at the bar and I tried the “Winter Flower” – obviously a champagne cocktail – house spiced grenadine, prosecco, lemon twist

It was delish! That’s why I took a picture of it halfway thru and I had another one after :D teehee…..

WELL. We CAME for just a burger… but since W and Exec Chef Adam Sobel are such good buddies [and worked together here], we got the royal treatment and got a plethora of yummy delights :] I am DEFINITELY NOT complaining!!!!

First up?

FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIESSS.. their menu says Trio of Duck Fat Fries… I’m stupid, were they? Can I just say they were fries of deliciousness?!

L-R
Cheddar Fries w/ BBQ Sauce… UMMMM… okay I forgot the middle spiced fries, they were amazing and were with Thousand Island dressing and the end were… regular fries with Ketchup? I fail at remembering food, especially with alcohol involved but trust me when I say THEY WERE FRIES OF THE BOMB DIGGITINESS… #weakness

Crispity crunchity, skinny potato-y heaven!!! I loved the middle ones the most… great spices, but I’m a ‘tard and can’t remember what they were :[ SIGHHHHH… delicious nonetheless.. and THOUSAND ISLAND!!!! So asian.. I miss Kelly.

Fluke Sashimi

grapefruit terrine, hearts of palm, soy liquid gel

Super fresh and you eat it with this yummy crisp.. crab crisp? Not sure… delicious tho, NOM! Bad memory on descriptions.. but I always remember if something was good or not hahahaha….

And then we got to try the highly anticipated [thanks to this tweet:]

MMMMMMM Pork Belly

It’s the picture, but in REAL LIFE!!!!!

This was amazing and had this little rice sushi thing, radishes, happiness…. all sorts of flavors and textures and of course creamy fatty pork belly with a perfect crisp chewy skin…. OH MY LORDY. Can I have a dozen please?! I’d just pop these in my mouth like bon bons…

We even got two sets of wine pairings.. a white and a red, both Italian, both delicious.. here was the white…

We DEVOURED the food.. so what next? Next round of food time!!!

And then came the finished product of this:

Freaking Lambchetta look at all those sexy pistchios

Chef Adam pouring on the sauce… hahaha ninja photo

I’m not a huge lamb person, as you know but lately I’ve been eating some pretty darn good lamb. This was really good, super tender and juicy, full of flavor… it was with potatoes and artichokes, SOOO GOOD :]

We got a yummy red wine with these…

These were included….

SURPRISE!!!

PORK CUPCAKES!!!!

What? WHAT?! Ya’ll know my obsession with cupcakes – SAVORY cupcakes?! OMG heaven. Cuz even tho I LOVE cupcakes, I rarely eat them.. these, i could eat every freaking day – I’m such a fat girl at heart.

BTW….. Wanna see a naked picture of me?

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Don’t worry it’s SFW

 It’s ME AS A CUPCAKE!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I’m 5.

Back to the food…

BBQ Pulled Pork Cupcakes.. to be exact

cheddar scallion biscuit, smoked pork shoulder

HOLY CRAPPOLAAAAA

First of all I was alredynibbling on the outside… I LOOOOOOOOOVE cheddar biscuits and these were SOOOO GOOD and cheesy and buttery and FULL OF FLAVOR…I didn’t think they could get ANY better… but then I had the pork inside. PIGGILICIOUS HAPPINESS

BURRRRRRRRRRGER

Containing: Delicious burgerness… between yummy buns and topped with a pickleeeee and a banana pepper NOM

Squish squish, I kinda just stared at it, took a million pics, picked it up, squished it as it was juicing out and took a few more pics before biting in…

I am SO sexy when I eat. HAHAHA I was like “How am I supposed to eat this?” and I was told to squish it down lol – YAY MORE SQUISHING

[btw first attempt at stuffing my face failed, so I unhinged my jaw and inhaled]

This is almost as sexy as my crazy bone gnawing pics that I like to take LOL

And then it was dessert time!!! WOOOOO

Macallan 18 Butterscotch Pot de Creme
pain d’epices, butterscotch caramel, pepitas

Creammyyyyy happiness. I’m such a texture whore and while this was UUUUBER creamy it had all the other elements of amazing-ness that just made me super happy.  Trying to remember what that fruity tart element was… I remember asking W too while I was chewing it. OK, brain fart. I’m getting old :[  I need to start bringing a notebook and writing notes when I go out to eat. OMG I’m turning into my mom.

Crunchy Profiteroles

salty caramel ice cream, nutella, hazelnuts

These were super yummy…. how can you NOT love nutella and salty caramel AND hazelnuts?!  Such the ULTIMATE ice cream sandwich.  As soon as you bite into it the ice cream pops out.. WHICH I learned from watching L eat the first one HAHAHAHAH… so i was careful and nibbled slowly hahahahahah still oozey, but no gushing…

Brown Sugar Bananas

banana cake, peanut ganache, fried captain crunch ice cream

You can’t go wrong with these things… apart of together. OMG.. what are the little gelees? I remember eating them and being happy. I like jelly like things – DUH…. and that is captain crunch around that fried ice cream. OH I LOVE anything peanut butter and banana.. and of course together… MMMMMM – once again, AMAZING textures!!!!

I remember being asked:”Do you like Fried Ice Cream?” YESSS… “Do you like Captain Crunch?” YESSSSS…. SO yes I liked this :]

Happy Ending to a GREAT happy meal

But sadly I was hungry again a mere few hours later.. so out came the sub… and the rest is just sadness…

….until late late late LATE Sunday Funday Brunchday……. which I’ll post about next HEE HEE BUT yeah stomach is still not a happy camper and it’s been a few days but def not piking anymore, PHEW

Valentine’s Day 2012

Be My Valentine

I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day person. Most Vdays are linked back to BAD memories or no date at all.  In fact one of my best ones was when a crush of mine in HS took me out, bought me a rose and taught me how to drive. :]  Unfortunately for us, he never knew I liked him, he admitted to liking me later on…. annnnd he had a gf at the time. Woot? Anyways. Tragedy.  While I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day I can’t help but give into it if it’s in my face. This was a great Valentine’s Day :]

Last year I was at Blue Hill at Stone Barns and the Patricia Fields Valentine’s Day Costume Ball.. this year was a bit more low key :] But super tasty and fun!!!

Last Year

This Year
This dress looks like a tube top but somehow stretches out into a dress….

Red lips to match my red platform 6″ heels ;]

I worked most of the day and didn’t even start getting ready til late in the day… but I did get a beautiful surprise in the afternoon.. the largest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever received… this tiny little old man who looked like he was 90 carried it all the way to my front door – people who know my house and where I live and how to get to my front door KNOW that sucks balls… but yeah… this was bigger than him.. AND SOOO BEAUTIFUL.

Thanks Love <3

I have late dinner plans with M… so OBVIOUSLY that means we’re gonna pre-drink.. and more importantly, PRE-DINNER!!! So off to DRINK we go.  I love Barbara Lynch…. Obviously… so I was super excited to come here.. it’s in the basement of Sportello – also a Lynch establishment. WOOO!!! Seriously, M knows me way too well… #stalker ;] I had champagne cocktails the whole time, deliciousness and each one was unique~ WOO! He also immediately ordered two things that I LOOOVE

Fried Oysters & Fried Pig Tails

Absolutely AMAZZZZZZZING!!! M knows that I’m IN LOOOOOOVE with pig tails.. these were meaty, fatty and just deliciousness…. while Craigie’s are kinda on the sweet side, these were somehow light fluffy and SUPER fatty and FUCKING AWESOME!  M was sweet enough to let me have most of it. HAHAHA… :] Methinks he enjoyed me nomming on them and licking my lips and dropping it on my legs hahaha #perv ;]

“What else do you want?!”

Yep M REALLY knows me TOO well.. #stillhungry… So hard to choose since there was so much yumminess on their menu…. but obviously I needed to continue my obesssion with Steak Tartare… I still miss my true love.

Steak Tartare: Brioche, Truffle Parmesan Aioli

I LOOOOOVE super chunky tartare and this was a btit finer than what I like but the taste was AMAZING. The meat was super fresh, tender, tasty and YUM YUM I love brioche!

Seriously?

A few drinks and pre-dinner apps later… we were off to our final destination… No. 9 Park :] We already decided the last time we were here to come for Vday… :] Planning ahead hahaha.. altho we WERE supposed to be wearing sweats…

We got the Valentine’s Day Chef’s Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings, there were a few courses that had two options so we got one of each :] at No. 9 Park.. we had resos at 9:45 but didn’t get seated til well past 10 something… good thing we were already getting our drinks on….

Hawaiian Hearts of Palm

Mushroom Vinaigrette, Petite Greens, Black Truffle
Paired with: NV Aubry 1er Cru Champagne Brut

These were SO delicious and definitely made me happy from the truffle fail with M a few weeks ago…  I loooove hearts of palm, and I love that they were the focus of this dish. Amazing.

Pour pour pour

Chilled Peekytoe Crab

Chevril Vichyssoise, Crème Fraîche, American Caviar
Paired with: NV Aubry 1er Cru Champagne Brut

Deliciousness.  LOOOOVE crab everything!!!!!  Looooove caviar everything :] HAPPY HAPPY.. plus I always giggle when I hearcreme fraiche cuz of South Park hahahahha…

Maine Diver Scallop

Smoked Guanciale, Cauliflower, Sauce Périgueux
Paired with: 2008 Simon Bize Savigny-les-Beaune

Is there anything about the flavors and ingredients that are bad at all?! FUCKING BOMB!!!

Seared Yellowfin Tuna

Maine Shrimp, Couscous, Black Olive
Paired with: 2010 Bison Ciliegiolo Rosato 

Super fresh and tasty Tuna. I’m not a huge any kind of cooked tuna girl. I love my tuna rawwwww.. but this was just BARELY seared and delicious. HEHEHE, cute little shrimps and it was super yummy!

Boule de Quercy Raviolo

Celeriac, Dandelion Greens, Bread Crumbs
Paired with: 2007 Lucien Crochet Sancerre Riouge “La Croix du Roy”

We both got one, these were DELICIOUS!  Beautiful fresh pasta, crumbly crunchy bread crumbs… great combo of textures and deliciousness. BOMB diggity of flavors :]

Soooo many wine glasses and we sucked each one down dry

Terrine of Foie Gras

Persimmon, Hazelnut, Quince
Paired with: 2003 Château de Suronde Quarts de Chaume

Creamy and salty… we each had our own, they were HUGE slices and oh so yummy :] I think this was around the time our neighbors yelled at us for speaking too much profanity.. HAHAHA.. srsly, SO much awkward dates going on tonight…

OK I have to say after this the night gets a little fuzzy, more wine was poured, more drinks came and while, yes, the food was banging, I don’t really remember much.

Pekin Duck Breast

Chestnuts, Rillette, Poached Pear
Paired with: 2008 Monpertuis, Châteanuneuf-du-Pape “Suvée Classique”

Prime Ribeye of Beef

Potato Mille-Feuille, Grilled Porcini, Vegetable Blanquette
Paired with: 2009 Margerum “M5”

You are a sexy beast

Out of all the things I don’t remember eating I remember eating this, YUM!

Pomegranate Sorbet

Hibiscus

Chocolate Cream Tart
Pistachio, Banana, Tonka Bean
Paired with: EL Maestro Sierra Pedro Ximenez, Sherry 

Ricotta Cheesecake
Red Currant, Blood Orange, Cornmeal
Paired with: 2010 Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui “Pineto”

Complimentary mini Muffins and Truffles

I actually remember trying a muffin. I think I may have had a frowny face hahaha…. not that it was bad but it was LITERALLY a muffin!

How the hell did we finish EVERYTHING?! Including the wine… How is my liver still alive?! And how am I not 200lbs yet?

OK.. so I don’t exactly remember ALL the details, a bit hazy here, sorry, I blame all the booze beforehand :] Still want more piggie tails, those fried oysters from DRINK… and then the Chicken Fried Foie from last time… I have a feeling I’ll be back soon :]

I love you my Didi baby… my favorite Valentine

Tea Time at Brasserie Liz

I woke up early, got a little mini exercise in.. okay, I lied, I got my mouth a little exercise ie FOOD :] Tons of food while I got ready to go out and shop and lunch and tea time and shop and eat and eat and shop ;D Basically…. eat and shop!

Ready to go go!!!

Lol silly :]

FIrst up!!! SOGO Food Court for my favorite Kimichi Seafood HotPot with lots of banchan… can you believe ALL of this for less than 10$?!?!?! DELICIOUS!!!

6 different Banchans of my choice!!!

All together now!! DELICIOUS!!! The HotPot had Shrimp, Squid, Tofus, Noodles, Clams, Kimchi and tons of other deliciousness!!!

My mom and aunt also got a table full of delicious foods… soups, veggies, oyster pancakes, noodles, fried tofus, etc etc :] I ate a lot of their food too HEE HEE

After a short shop around, like at Spiral Girl for some cute skull top and leggings… we headed over to Brasserie Liz which used to be my favorite cafe with delicious macarons and ice cream sundaes – so sad I can’t remember the specific name right noww….. it had something to do with Petit Prince ;] But yes another French cafe replaced it… well, “Brasserie” :]

Beautiful chandeliers now too…

Oh Julia Child

Tea and a cute little strainer…

“Paris Brest”

Pretty sure it was “engrish” mistake :] But it was like a cream puff shaped like a bagel and filled with delicious hazelnut mousse and covered with toasted almonds!  There was ice cream on the side.. since ice cream came with every dessert we got strawberry this round – SOOO GOOD.. the strawberry ice cream wasn’t too sweet and slightly tart – AMAZING! I could eat it forever!

YUM! Innards! SEXY

Next up?! Souffle… with Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Cream

This thing was HUGE, took forever but was WORTH the wait. Not sweet, creamy and just heavenly!! It was SOOOO warm and delicious… so fluffy and amazing.

Mille Feuille of Red Wine Pear w/ Fruit Pates & Macarons
…and surprisingly, MORE ice cream :] YUM!  The chocolate ice cream is SOOO GOOD, with chocolate flakes/shavings and everything!!!

Delicious layers of pastry and cream and the poached pears.. the pears were a little on the sweet side for me… and by this dessert I was ready to burst but I couldn’t stop eating!!!

NOM! Raspberry macarons <3

I had SO much sugar I was hit with a wave of sugar high.. walked it off with loads of shopping :] Next post on that….!!!

Chef’s Table at SD26

Nothing like starting off the night in a beautiful restaurant sitting at the bar eating delicious olives and drinking a nice cold glass of champagne.  My taxi driver decided that instead of bringing me to 26th Street to take me to 19th Street…. *stress* but thankfully I arrived just in time to take in the lounge scene before getting situated in the kitchen for my Chef’s Table dinner.

SD26… SD26.. where do we even begin…. I’ve had my fair share of Italian food.. and while, I’m biased and think that very little can compare to Michael White’s… I’ve been having amazing non-White Italian food too ;D To be honest, it’s mainly the pasta that I’m picky about.. cooked to perfect, perfectly sauced… delicious, balanced… okay, until we get to that course.. let me continue on by a brief 411 on SD26…

Where to even begin.. or what to say that hasn’t already been said.  A gorgeous modern Italian restaurant from restauranteur Tony May and Marisa May [formerly co-owners of Rainbow Room] I’m not as good with bios so you should read about them  and their amazing accomplishments on their website.

As soon as we were seated our waiter greeted us and soon after we got to talk to the Exec Chef.. yep, that’ll be Matteo Bergamini…!!!  We told him that we ate everything [and that I preferred not to have goat cheese or lamb] and that we LOOOOVE UNI :D Which was great because he gave us some in our tasting – WOOT!

Toast, Baguette and Wheat Breads

Foccaccia and this Italian Hollow Bread

The hollow bread was SO good.. I just wish it was warm.. the foccaccia was FULL of flavor and just melted into your tongue. Garlicky and buttery, with a slight hint of rosemary.. so delicious.

Breadsticks, EVOO, Salt Bowl

EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar

Menaica Anchovy Filets, Roasted Country Bread with Herb Cured Lardo

Thin slice of lardo on top of a crunchy, slightly burnt country bread.. so delicious and just enough bread.. perhaps not enough lardo since I had some extra bread left over hehehe…

Salty and delicious. Super fishy, which is the only way to eat anchovies.  This paired with the lardo and toast was little heavenly bites.  Made me fantasize about Imperial No. 9’s Lardo & Uni…  I ended up eating both elements together and seperately.  I love anchovies and the bread defiinitely cut the saltiness.. but the lardo was much better on it’s own.

Sea Urchin Raviolini with Olive Oil, Garlic, Peperoncino & Piennolo Tomato Ragu & Fried Parsley

Yes!  The highly anticipated pasta dish, which I think is one of the most important courses when it comes to Italian meals…. with protein I find that in Italian food, the simpler the better, s&p and good EVOO makes it perfect.. but with pasta, there’s so many more elements to a perfect pasta dish.  These were little baby raviolis.. the pasta itself seemed slightly overcooked, but overall delicious.  The uni was sooo creamy and just rolled around in your mouth and melted down your through.  Fried parsley added a much needed extra crunch and flavor to the dish.  There was a slight heat from the dish, a little bit of spice which was really nice… :] The sauce was slightly on the salty side but had great flavor… The smooth garlic puree was creamy and amazing with every bite.

Scallop Saltimbocca, Crushed Potatoes, Seared Endive, Crunchy Prosciutto & Fried Sage

These scallops were HUGE… totally made me think back to Imperial No. 9‘s scallops that we totally missed out on.  While I like cooked endive, I find it to be a bit too swuishy and I love the flavors of raw endive more… the prosciutto was crisp and delicious and the fried sage also added just the right amount of crunch to the tender succulent scallops.  The scallops were juicy and fresh – SO good.  I’m obsessed with fried sage, it just melts in your mouth… currently dreaming of the fried sage with Met Bar’s fries….

Roasted Cod with Veggies

Tender succulent cod.  This wasn’t on their regular menu  so I’m guessing the chef decided to whip this up specially [or maybe it was a special of the day?]  This was light and perfect.  I think it’s a light brown butter sauce, not heavy at all.  The fish was cooked just right and the veggies were very tender.

Beef Cheeks Braised in Barolo Wine with Semolina Gnocchi & Onion Marmalade

These cheeks literally just fell apart and melted away.  I had no idea that was a giant gnocchi? I was guessing it was a fine grit cake or something.. maybe it was and they just changed it up.. the sauce that the cheeks were braised in was so SO good… tons of soft texture that paired beautifully with the beef. *in love*

Sauteed Veal Fillet, Wild Mushrooms, Salsify & Caramelized Cipollini Onion

Super tender and cooked pretty well considering we didn’t say anything about how rare we usually like our meat.  Everything worked so well together… the salsify to the amazingly sweet and caramelized cipollini onion [I wish there were two]  The veal was super tender.. but still not as much when compared to the beef cheeks… I couldn’t help but keep going back to the cheeks…

Panna Cotta, Balsamic Vinegar Reduction, Strawberries

The creamiest delicious panna cotta I have EVER had…. and while not “wobbly like a woman’s breast” har har, it was SOOOOOO creamy I can’t get over it.  You could see the vanilla bean seeds scattered throughout the creamy yumminess… the strawberries were SO fresh adn sweet.. and the balsamic vinegar reduction was light and paired perfectly.

Chocolate Hazelnut Dome, Candied Zest, Orange Sorbet

This tasted slightly off to me.. like a sheep’s milk, although upon asking and inspection our server said that “no sheep’s milk in NYC” which is kinda a lie… but the chocolate was bitter and delicious.. dark and yummy.. the sweet zest and citrusy sorbet paired really well with the chocolate.

Biscotti, Cookies and BrowniesThese were all SO tasty.  The jammie thumbprint cookies and the brownies were my favorite… I even ate the brownies with the panna cotta smeared over it. YUM!

Oh, I forgot to mention that we got glasses of wine [and then some] to go with our dishes, a great wine pairing and I thoroughly enjoyed the wines that they gave us.  From the Prosecco to the Chardonnay to the amazing Pinot Noir.

I really want to come back to SD26 to try the many other yummies on the menu.  Everything looks so good, PLUS they have GOAT and etc… :D Who wants to join me? :D

Decadent Dinner at Cafe Boulud

I’m a HUGE fan of Daniel Boulud…. He’s an OG and his cooking is phenomenal. I know.  It all started when I got a personally signed book as a gift. So it only makes sense that I go visit his other restaurants all over Manhattan.. this time around, it was Cafe Boulud.

Amuse Bouche – White Truffle Risotto Fritters

Delicious Olive/Rosemary Bread

Starting off with a nice glass of champagne….

As I looked over the menu, the manager brought over a huge truffle for me to smell….. I was hooked [I was gonna order it anyways] but now I was doubly confirming that I was ordering the special White Truffle Risotto.

Shibumi Oysters [Washington]

Rabbit Porchetta
Watercress, Black Mission Figs, Pickled Ramps

Definitely not what I expected… but then it was everything and more, with nice big chunks of rabbit in it.. the figs on the side were absolutely delicious as well. A few raw ones and a few roasted/caramelized ones….

Then the server brought out the FINGER BOWL… just for me, the girl, tho :D

I was super excited… I always hear stories of people DRINKING from the little cleansing bowl and complaining about it being so bland. HAHA. I wish I was cool like that….

Fresh White Truffles
[with choice of scrambled eggs, handmade pasta, baked potato or risotto]

I of course, chose the obvious…

Daniel Boulud and his truffles can NEVER do no wrong – he had me hooked with his first white truffle risotto and I knew then it was love…. Our server just kept shaving and shaving them on – I encouraged him to just keep going, give as much as you want <3

Fresh White Truffle Risotto

Seared Foie Gras

Is Foie Gras ever wrong? I’ve only had it gross once and meh once. Other than that?!… Heavenly….

Pistachio Crusted Venison Loin

To be honest, the crust did nothing and it wasn’t completely crusted either. The venison, on the other hand, was perfectly cooked. So tender and just enough chew – not gamey at all… there were chestnuts

Wild Scottish Hare la Royale
Smoked Sweet Potato Flan, Shallot Confit, Civet Sauce

As you can see it’s really not that much hare in it.. but it was great… the little hare chops were freaking adorable :] Nibble Nibble Nibble.. it’s like nibbling on baby corn…. this was like nibbling on a tiny lamb chop.. except tastier :] Btw, those little poop like mounds are artichokes

Coconut Poached Lobster

Bok Choy, Rice Cake, Hon Shimeji Mushrooms

While I couldn’t taste the coconut in the the lobster [sadness] the lobster was cooked really well [New England baby here] — overabundance of very bland foam.. but yet, it looks so purty…

Side of Hericot Verts

Fresh, buttery and tasty… :] Cooked just perfect – al dente…

Hazelnut Dacquoise

Fudge, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Hazelnut Orange Ice Cream

Absolutely amazing.  Hazelnut is always great and this did NOT disappoint.

Pear-Chocolate Vacherin

Chantilly, Meringue, Ameretto Ice Cream

Definitely not what I expected but it was subtly pear-y… lots of chocolate.. and great ice cream.

Butterscotch Gateux

Mascarpone Cream, Chocolate Biscuit, Bourbon Glaze, Brown Sugar Ice Cream

Nom nom nom.

Roasted Fig
Cheesecake Cream, Port Reduction, Speculoos Ice Cream

Cheesecake with a few tiny pieces of fig on top – needed more fig most def.

Afterwards, I got a nice double espresso… and some complimentary madeleines…and I devoured each and every single one… 

Delicious. If you want amazing but don’t exactly want to spring for the uuber expensive Daniel, go to one of his smaller restaurants for just as amazing food :]

The Perfect Reason for a Perfect Meal.

I’m behind in blogging, way behind… but I’ve definitely been eating – a LOT – there are so many things I want to get to writing about, but I think first and foremost has to be the most recent extravagant meal…. LE BERNARDIN!!!!

Now I’ve been itching to go to Le Bernardin for years… but I always wanted the reason to visit to be just as fantabulous as I knew that the meal would be. All I have to say is, Eric Ripert, you are a freaking genius.

The dress. The shoes. The bag. The hallway. The pose.

Per usual, I started off the night with a glass of champagne. Cheers.

While we sipped our bubbly and waited for the menu, we were served a complimentary amuse bouche.

Watermelon, radish and lobster. AMAZING.

We decided to go for the Chef’s Tasting. We wanted to get the Chef’s Tasting AND Le Bernardin tasting.. but it’s for the whole table so obviously we opted for the Chef’s…. [just means we have to go back again asap]

Buddakan & wd~50

For a friend’s 28th Birthday I threw him a surprise party at Buddakan with all his friends and a party at Hiro…

We got a tasting for the whole table and the birthday boy added some other items on as well – frog legs, peking duck, pork belly, etc… we had well over 20 courses – they even accommodated us with a regular version and a shellfish-free version for our table… and like 10 different desserts… an amazing night of food and fun :] Buddakan is sure to please – even for Asian fusion haters like me – and great for parties!!!!

Highlights of Buddakan:

…But for his actual special day I took him to a special dinner….

We passed by a place called Fat Hippo
Him: Are we going to Fat Hippo?
Her: What’s Fat Hippo?
Him: *drops me off in front of Fat Hippo*
Her: …wait… why are we here?
Him: I thought we were coming here…
Her: I thought you made up the name…

It’s ok, his bday dinner place was just a little bit down the street….

wd~50

Rioja – Home of “The Man’s Dish” Fresh Bacon & Garbanzo Curry

Last nite my friend and I ventured into downtown to a gorgeous area in Denver to eat at Rioja – we got seated next to the pretty wall of wine in a cozy corner. The restaurant was filling up and the area [Larimer Sq] was where all the action was. — probably gonna head there this weekend to shop around and explore some :]