Thirsty Thursdays: Speakeasy Edition

The best, in fact the only, cocktail I've had this week was not made Chez Diva - and I won't even attempt to recreate it. Doing so would require a kind of mixological magic I am not yet prepared to undertake ... like mixing up my own batch of orgeat, for instance. Perhaps I'll do so someday, but not quite yet ... at least not while Dutch Kills is around to do it for me.

The latest in the string of premier mixologist Sasha Petraske's ultra cool cocktail salons, Dutch Kills has everything I want in a bar ... and slightly less*. We hopped the 7 train to Long Island City, Queens on Tuesday night to do some celebrating and my birthday adventure did not disappoint. When asked where I wanted to go that night, my answer was immediate and firm: Dutch Kills. I've been reading about it for weeks and was dying to try any one of their signature offerings.

Their list of specialty drinks changes monthly, and if I'd had any sense at all, I would have brought a pad and pen so I could take notes. I didn't and more's the pity. What I can tell you is that all five drinks on offer this month appealed and you'd be hard pressed to find a more interesting mix. I chose the Wild Orchid, pictured above, and it was spectacular. A blend of gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice and house made orgeat, topped off with a finish of red wine. There may well have been something else in there for all I know ... and I don't ... I was too captivated by the hand-cubed ice and stunning bloom atop my drink to notice. I loved it! I loved everything about it.

The husband sampled the fresh Grapefruit Collins and my dear friend O sipped on The Separatist, a stunning blend of bourbon, amaro, and who the hell knows what else. All I know is that it was one potent potable and mighty tasty to boot. We were very happy with our selections.

All of the offerings are made with fresh, hand juiced fruit, top shelf liquor and, as is the custom in any serious cocktail salon, the ice is hand carved and shaped according to glass and spirit-ual needs. Our conversation with one of the mixologists revealed that they arrive two hours prior to opening in order to cut the ice and ready the fresh ingredients. These people are serious about their drinks.

The space is rather quirky, but appropriately dark and atmospheric. My one criticism in this regard is the bar itself; though gorgeous, its far too small*. (This is the "less" to which I refer above.) A large part of the appeal here is in watching the experts craft the cocktails ... and there simply isn't enough room at that bar for everyone to do so. If you're lucky enough to grab seats the bar, and we were, great ... if not, you'll be relegated to either the dark and sawdust-y "piano room" in the back, or the lovely (yet far from the bar) wooden booths up front. Square footage wise, Dutch Kills is a dream. There's plenty of room for everyone ... just not at the beautiful bar.

That said, a visit to Dutch Kills is an absolute treat! Its exactly the kind of place I'd love to own ... and, you can't beat the prices. $9 for most cocktails which is quite the value when compared to Manhattan pricing. I recommend it, highly ... and I can't wait to return!

Directions and hours of operation can be found on their website, links above.


Cheers!

Indulgence ...

So, this infernal construction is proceeding at a snail's pace. We're two weeks into the sidewalk replacement hell and not a lick of concrete has been poured. The noise is a nightmare, the dust is endless and, worse than that, the crew has set up shop right outside my office window. They eat there, they change there, they listen to crazy music there. Is there no end to my suffering?

Clearly I need an infusion of chocolate ... stat! And not just any chocolate either - a funky, fun, new chocolate that I've just discovered. Its dark, rich, and slightly crisp; a deliciously decadent, grown-up version of a crunch bar - and its my new favorite indulgence.

The sweetriot unBAR is all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free and made from responsibly sourced fair-trade cacao. The bar itself contains a host of yummy, delicious cacao nibs that add wonderful texture, crunch and flavor - and the chocolate itself is magnificent. It comes in two "strengths" - 70% dark chocolate or 65% dark chocolate ... and, oddly enough, I prefer the 65%. I tasted both and find the 65 less sweet.

Were you to possess the kind of self-control necessary to eat only one square ... the calorie count is fairly low: 48 calories per square. You can do the rest of the math, but this much I'll tell you - one square is perfectly satisfying and two are enough. The bar is so rich, you simply do not need to eat the whole thing to enjoy it.

I came across the unBAR while shopping in Zabar's one day and happily for me, they were giving free samples. Trust me, it was love at first bite! In addition to the bars, sweetriot also offers both raw and chocolate covered cacao beans for your snacking pleasure. I can't wait to try them, cacao nibs are one of my most favorite things. Let the antioxidant-rich snacking begin!

As for price, well, the bars aren't cheap - $2.79 per bar, though keep in mind that's a Zabar's price. That said, the indulgence is well worth the splurge. This is a quality product and I'm happy to pay for responsibly sourced ingredients. The company is committed to fair-trade, uses recycled materials for packaging and is dedicated to making the world a better place. Take a spin around their site and you'll see what I mean.

Be sure to tune in for Thirsty Thursdays tomorrow ... heaven knows I'll be needing a drink! Till then, don't mind me ... I'll be over here in the corner, wearing my earplugs and crunching on an unBAR.

Bon appetite!

A Diva Dines in Brooklyn

And dine well, she did, too. We spent Sunday in Williamsburg, otherwise known as: hipster central. And let me tell you, these hipsters know how to eat! There is some serious chow going on in Brooklyn right now. Sit back and let me tell you all about it ...

We began with brunch at Dressler. I just love everything about this place. The setting is gorgeous, the atmosphere relaxed, and the food? In a word: spectacular. I had the Huevos Rancheros. They were served atop a velvety bed of black beans with roasted poblano peppers and garnished with a luscious avocado tomatillo salsa. Some delicious guacamole and an amazing, homemade, tortilla rounded out the plate.

The husband chose the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, served on crisp sour dough and garnished with some homemade pickles. He thoroughly enjoyed it. Two of our companions went with the burger and I understand it was a winner ... though my photo of it was not.

After brunch, we popped into Marlow & Daughters butcher shop, source of our Easter lamb, to inspect their wares. Wow, what a shop! They specialize in local, grass-fed meats and their selection is truly amazing. We were lucky enough to be invited into their meat locker and, while not for the faint of heart, it was literally awesome. Marlow & Daughters deserves a post of its own ... and I'm planning one for the near future. Stay tuned.

The Snack Bee and I took the opportunity to purchase some amazing Nunu Chocolates salted caramels while browsing through Marlow. They were to-die-for. Really. I can't show them to you because they're gone ... as in way gone. Handmade in Brooklyn, these chocolate covered caramels were deep, rich, luscious and absolutely astounding.

When the rain began to fall, we ducked into The Lodge on Grand Street at the corner of Havemeyer. Built with wood from the Adirondacks, The Lodge is an ultra-cool restaurant and lounge specializing in locally produced organic foods ... and the drinks are nothing to sneeze at either. We happily ensconced ourselves in the rustic and funky lounge area and sipped on their wonderful Blueberry Lemonade. Made with blueberry flavored vodka and fresh lemonade, they tasted of summer in a glass. Neither too tart nor too sweet, this drink is worth a trip to The Lodge all on its own - so much so that I intend to recreate for Thirsty Thursdays tomorrow. Stay tuned. I understand the food is mighty good too and I hope to confirm that fact soon!

We closed the evening with a trip to La Superior and what may well be some of the best and most authentic Mexican food in the city. Located at 295 Berry Street, La Superior features authentic Mexican street food and we had plenty of it! Guacamole and housemade chips ...

chorizo topped Queso Fundido ...

and Jalepenos Rellenos, to name but a few of the shared appetizers - each one more delicious than the next. But, for me, the real stars of the show were the tacos. They were absolutely brilliant!

Clock-wise from the bottom right: Carnitas (pork confit), 2 Cochinita Pibil (slow-cooked pork in banana leaves) and the almost insanely spicy Tinga de Pollo (shredded chicken in chipotle sauce) ... holy cow that pollo was hot. But the good kind of hot, the kind that sneaks up on you and brings a joyful tear to your eye. Absolutely spectacular - and at a price of $2.50 per taco, you can afford to keep them coming. I cannot recommend this place more. The atmosphere is fun, funky and lively and the food is simply amazing.

So there you have a look at this weekend's festivities. Are you full yet? I sure was. This Diva may be an uptown girl at heart but, at present, her palate belongs to Brooklyn.

Bon appetit!

Diva: Out and About

An afternoon with the husband ... our Friday in words and pictures:

Oddly enough, we began our adventure at the HBO Store. Last week the husband surprised me with a t-shirt in honor of my devotion to "Flight of the Conchords." Height-challenged Diva that I am, that shirt was rather more of a dress on me. I exchanged it for the one below and ended up with a bonus cd to boot. Sweet!

After a brief stop at Macy's, we made our way to Columbus Circle for lunch at Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center ... one of my favorite places in the city. I somehow managed to resist the siren's song of their famous tomato soup and grilled cheese combo, about which I wrote last October. Small wonder that ... its divine. I had a lovely salad, topped with grilled chicken and garnished with pickled red onions. It was delicious!

The husband chose the tuna Nicoise plate and it was a feast indeed. We briefly considered the idea of dessert ... I mean, its a bakery after all ... though our better natures won out and we decided to save the sweet treats for another day. Sigh.

Following lunch, we walked across the street to the newly opened Museum of Arts and Design. Very interesting place! Though the permanent collection is nice, we were particularly enamored of the current exhibition - Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary.

The exhibition features a host of international artists who create objects and installations using ordinary, everyday, manufactured items as their medium. Visually stunning, these works invite us to consider such lofty topics as consumerism, the nature of disposability, and a variety of other cultural concepts and assumptions. Pictured above is a garment fashioned out of disposable rubber dish-washing gloves that have been turned inside out. Its just one of the many varied and unusual works featured in this provocative exhibit. Much of the work was sculptural in nature and all of it was impressive. I recommend it, highly!

Needing to fortify ourselves after our visual exploits, we skipped back across the street and settled in for a chat at a lovely and unusual wine bar.

Located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center, Clo is a sleek, edgy, high-tech wine bar which features over 100 wines for your sipping pleasure. The wine is served in 4 ounce pours from their bank of automated dispensers.

After surrendering your credit card, you will be given a key card which you simply insert in the slot ... press a button ... and, like magic, your wine will spring forth from the wall. No waitress necessary, though one is on hand to facilitate if needed. Pretty cool, huh? Make no mistake, this place can be spendy. The wines range in price from $9 to $94 per glass, with the average coming in around $12 per glass. And though the selection is impressive, I can see where it would be easy to get carried away and drop a bundle here ... in a hurry. I had a lovely French rose, followed by a nice crisp Italian white from the Friuli region ... then called it quits.

The staff was friendly and helpful, the wine selection interesting and varied, and the atmosphere quiet serene. It was the perfect way to cap off our day on the town.

Our last stop was a trip down the escalator to the Whole Foods located in the basement of the Center. Grass-fed steak for the husband and an organic pork cutlet for me. We cooked at home and neither of us remembered to take pictures!

Every now and then we like to pretend we're vacationing in our own city. It doesn't happen often, but when it does its a blast! So there you have it, a day in the life of a Diva at play - and a host of recommendations to boot. Enjoy!

Bon appetit!

Recommendation: Biricchino Restaurant

This, my friends, is a picture of Lord Stanley's Cup. It was one of the special guests in attendance at last night's Rangers' game for the retirement ceremony of Adam Graves' jersey. I hope my fellow Ranger fans took a good long look at it. The way the current team is playing, the Stanley Cup is not likely to grace the Garden again in the foreseeable future. In a word, this team sucks.

When faced with this kind of suckitude, its especially necessary to fortify one's self prior to the game. Luckily, one of my favorite Italian restaurants is right around the corner. Located on the corner of 29th Street and 8th Avenue, Biricchino has been serving up outstanding Northern Italian comfort food to those in the know for 22 years. Biricchino is one of New York's great hidden gems. While somewhat off the beaten path, and in a neighborhood not known for quality dining, its well worth the trip whether you're attending an event at Madison Square Garden or not.

The husband and I like to begin our meal by sharing a plate of Biricchino's homemade sausages. The assortment varies, but usually includes: a cognac infused chicken apple sausage, a savory sagey pork link, one hot and one sweet Italian, and a spicy chicken with jalapeno link - all of which are grilled to perfection and served piping hot. These handcrafted beauties really benefit from the char of the grill and they are surprisingly lean. Pair the sausage plate with a crisp, lightly dressed, insalata mista and - trust me - you'll be in heaven.

Better yet, go with a group and order the Antipasto Biricchino as well. This assortment of homemade charcuterie is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Its stunning. The groaning plate arrives bedecked with salami, prosciutto, bresaola, fresh mozzarella and more! All of it fresh, all of it delicious. Biricchino's store-front deli does a bristling lunch business - mostly devoted to this variety of Italian charcuterie - so the quality is high and the meats are ultra fresh. Paired with the brimming basket of bread that will appear shortly after you arrive, the antipasto is sure to satisfy.

The husband opted to follow our sausage and salad with a plate of Malfatti Piemontesi, pictured above; tender, ravioli-like, pasta pillows encasing a filling of ground veal, prosciutto and fresh Parmesan cheese. The malfatti arrive bathed in a light, yet full-bodied, tomato sauce and they are spectacular! Be forewarned, this dish is rich and the portion is huge - perfect for a bitter, snowy evening such as it was last night. This is Italian comfort food at its best ... and there's plenty of it!

For those seeking lighter fare, the menu has a myriad of options. You can't go wrong with any pasta dish here and the Fusilli con pollo e funghi is a particular favorite of mine. Biricchino has a way with chicken and fish as well. Their fish of the day is always fresh and interesting - and their Pollo alla Milanese is one of the best in the city. Since we were dining at the terribly uncivilized hour of 5 pm last night, I chose to skip the entree and had a small bowl of pasta e fagioli, the soup of the day, instead. It was delicious!

Biricchio has much to recommend it, though perhaps most charming is the fact that your check will arrive with a delicate little plate of homemade truffles ... we're talking chocolate truffles here. Deep, dark, velvety and rich, they are a delightful way to end a perfectly delightful meal. Really, I can't say enough good things about this place. We've been dining here for years and the quality of the food never fails to impress me. The staff is warm and friendly, the menu interesting and varied, and though the decor is not particularly special, its as cozy as can be. Because of its proximity to Madison Square Garden, Biricchino tends to fill up before big events, so call ahead and be sure to reserve a table.

A meal at Biricchino is the perfect way to begin any event at the Garden, but make no mistake, its worth a visit even if you're not in the area. I recommend it, highly!

Bon appetite!

The Organic Diva ...

If you've been reading Beach Eats for a while, you'll know that I've done my fair share of whining about the exasperating event that is grocery shopping in Manhattan. Last summer I likened it to the running of the bulls and I wasn't exaggerating. In that same piece I offered a tip to Fairway shoppers: shop the organic section upstairs ... the check-out lines are smaller and more efficient. Well, that was then and this is now - the upstairs check-out lines have exploded. Just last Friday I waited 15 minutes in line behind 12 other shoppers, all for some organic broccoli, silken tofu and a Kashi frozen pizza. Sigh.

To make matters worse, 8 out of 12 of those shoppers were wearing the most alarming hats imaginable. What is it about organic shoppers that engenders a fondness for the most absurd forms of head gear? Have you noticed this ... or is it just me? ~cue crickets~ Just me? Ok, we'll move on. But not before I note for the record that my own head was bare. The silly hat parade did not include yours truly.

Either it was a slow news day on Saturday, or Fairway frustrations are coming to a head ... because the front page of the New York Times featured an article about the quirky and terrifying Fairway elevator. I might have written it myself - if Glen Collins hadn't beaten me to the punch ... or if the New York Times cared to employ me in any fashion! ~wink~ The husband passed me the article Saturday afternoon, saying: "you're going to love this, its about you!" And in a way, he's right. I'm part of the "elevator cognoscenti" Collins mentions. I know the protocol, I know where the elusive call-button is hidden and, more importantly, I know how to hold the door open for others, lest they get caught in its swift iron jaws.

Click the link and take a spin through Mr. Collins' amusing article. You'll be rewarded with another brief glimpse into the glamorous life of La Diva, such as it is, and a few chuckles to boot. Look carefully next time you're trapped in that elevator ... I might just be there beside you.

So, tell me about your shopping experience. Do you bask in the luxury of wide aisles and a stunning array of products? Or are you navigating as tiny and treacherous a space as us Fairway combatants? Curious Diva wants to know.

Bon appetite!

Out and About in the Boroughs ...

Since I'm obviously not in my kitchen today, I thought I'd share some recent photos. As mentioned last week, I recently paid a visit to the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City, Queens. I'm ashamed to admit it was my first visit - but I will most certainly return. It was a cloudy, rainy Saturday, just perfect for a museum outing. No photography was allowed inside the Center, but I did take a few shots of the Public Farm installation - pictured above and below.

The paper tubes contain all manner of plants and the view from below was decidedly more interesting that day. At this point in the season, much of the green has gone brown, but I'm sure it was spectacular mid-summer. Still, I really enjoyed it and you can visit this part of the museum for free. Bonus!

The neighborhood in which P.S.1 is located is also home to some of the finest aerosol art in the city - as evidenced by the 5 Pointz Project. 5 Pointz is a free, public, out-door art exhibit which showcases some of the city's most talented aerosol artists. One needs to submit a design proposal and be accepted in order to obtain a permit to work here - so the quality is exceptional, and the exhibit is ever changing.


I don't know for certain, but my sense is that the buildings in the surrounding area support the 5 Pointz Project and the artists who work there ... as many of them had been beautifully painted as well. I can't help but think this work has been commisioned. See below ...

It pleases me that aerosol art, more commonly known as graffiti, has been legitimated of late. There was a graffiti exhibit at the Whitney last year - but it pales in comparison to whats going on at 5 Pointz. I don't advocate the kind of graffiti associated with tagging and destruction of private (or even public) property - but I do respect the medium and the talented artists who choose to work in it ... legally. Long story short, I love 5 Pointz.

I'll close with what I'm sure was a commissioned piece as it appears on the security gate of a local business ...

... the angry light bulbs. Like them, I do!

And thus concludes our urban art class for the day. Have a good one and make it creative!

Supermarket Sadists and an Emerging Theme ...

I believe I've made myself clear on the subject of grocery shopping in Manhattan. Its a nightmare on a good day and on a bad one it more closely resembles the third ring of hell. No Divine Comedy here, its tragic ... and getting worse by the minute.

Eyelashes adorned and lipstick applied - off, set I, for Fairway yesterday afternoon. Apart from the fresh veggies, my cupboards were pretty bare and in serious need of restocking. List in hand, I felt ready for the challenge ahead. I mean, I'm an expert at this combat shopping deal, right? Wrong.

Unbeknownst to me, the supermarket sadists had unleashed their particular brand of malevolence on my already irritating little market ... they changed the location of everything. Everything. What the?! Why is the toilet paper section full of bottled water? Who moved the juice? Where on earth are my beloved Morningstar Farms breakfast patties?

Bitterness ensues as I stand dumbfounded before an aisle of Kosher products that replaces what used to be ... something ... I can't even remember what, because at this point I'm close to hyperventilating. Is this some kind of joke? Because its *not* funny. Not even a little bit. I wonder if this is how the supermarket managers amuse themselves? Are they watching on hidden cameras and laughing at my distress? Evil minions!

I finally found the toilet paper - relegated to a tiny little scrap of space by the elevator ... because nobody needs tp, right? Good thing, because you'd be hard pressed to fit two people in the space now allotted for paper goods. And, by hard pressed I mean that some freak will likely be rubbing up against you as you search in vain for the elusive Bounty Select-a-Size paper towels. Oh joy.

Call me crazy, you wouldn't be the first, but stuff like this throws me for a loop. I don't like change and I lothe retracing my steps in the supermarket. I write my list in order of the aisles and shop accordingly. Its the only way to survive the Fairway maze ... start at one end and progress to the finish, no left turns, no going back. Period. Yeah, I know, its not *really* tragic ... but I'm going to have to relearn the maze and that means a midnight rendezvous with my shopping cart and a compass. I kid you not. There's a late night trip to Fairway in my future and I'll be taking my GPS.

Phew, now that I've gotten that out of my system - let's talk chicken. Barbecued chicken has always been a summer staple, chez Diva, and I've been craving it for months now. But let's face it, BBQ sauce is typically full of sugar. Yummy delicious brown sugar to be exact. Sigh. Normally, I use Zabar's spicy bbq sauce and I've been pretty happy with it - but its definitely not SB approved, so its off the table so to speak. I opted to try the barbecue sauce recipe from The South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook and I attempted to improve it with a few changes here and there.

The results? I'm sorry to say that for the first time here on Beach Eats, I won't be ending this post with: "I hope you'll try it!" Quite the opposite in fact. I've saved you the trouble on this one because I'm giving it a bad review. Its not a disaster, mind you, but its misses the mark by a mile. I didn't even bother serving it to the husband when he came home. I made him some tasty chicken instead. Sad.

I will post my adapted version of the recipe ... along with a challenge ...

SB Friendly BBQ sauce:

• one 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 tbsp. vinegar (I used red wine)
  
• 1 tbsp. grated onion
  
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp. prepared mustard (I used Spicy Brown)
• 1 tsp. dry mustard (such as Coleman's)
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. agave nectar for sweetness
• dash of Chipotle Chili powder for smokiness

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan, whisk to incorporate the spices and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until flavors have combined.

The italicized ingredients are my additions and, flavor-wise, I think they're fine - except for maybe the tomato paste. The problem is that the sauce feels incomplete and tastes too strongly of tomato sauce. I baked the chicken, as per the recipe instructions, and even the caramelization from the oven didn't improve it. Sad.

The Emerging Theme: I'm searching ... for products in my now unfamiliar market ... for a new look for the blog ... and now, rather desperately, for an acceptable sugar-free BBQ sauce. Help!

The Challenge: Can you do better? Have you made a satisfactory SB friendly BBQ sauce? If so, please do share. I can only handle so many quests at a time!

Feet on the Beach, Head in the Sand

The Home and Garden section of last Thursday's New York Times had an interesting, if somewhat frightening, article that's got me thinking. It was about a woman in Massachusetts, Kathy Harrison, who has been stockpiling all manner of provisions in case of disaster - natural or otherwise. Its a pretty sobering read. Especially for someone like me who tends not to dwell on such things. Consider, for example, my Y2K preparations - which consisted of laying in a case of champagne and two gallons of bottled water, purchased in haste at the last minute. (I'm not kidding here ... the party was fantastic and the water collected dust under my kitchen table for some time.) Living in New York, you'd think I would give some attention to such things, but disaster preparedness is so not on my radar screen.

Its on Kathy Harrison's. She's written a book: “Just in Case: How to Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens.” It focuses not only on the stockpiling of non-perishable food stuffs, but also on self-sufficiency in times of crisis ... things like cooking without electricity and canning your own foods, etc. Sounds interesting ... and terrifying. I mean look at that title ... its not "How to be Self-Sufficient If ..." its when. Yikes. That said, this is not a doomsday book. Apparently its rather down-to-earth and the tone is cheerful and positive. Given my total lack preparedness, I suppose I should consider giving it a look.

I do not have a "go bag", or a ready supply of canned goods ... there might be some wretched form of canned chili fermenting in the back of my pantry cabinet, but other than that there ain't much. I wonder if I should remedy that? I wonder if I could remedy that? Though I'm blessed with a large kitchen and many cabinets, I can't imagine where I'd put all this readiness stuff. Its surely a problem for disaster-minded city dwellers, as the article points out. I know our last blackout certainly caught me off guard. I was able to purchase the last pack of batteries at a local bodega, so we could run the radio and a flashlight - but that was just luck. Fortunately, I'm a big fan of candlelight, so we had the most brightly lit apartment on the street that hot, summer night ... but again, that's luck not foresight. I haven't learned my lesson either ... I doubt any of my flashlights are in working condition at present. Sigh.

Like the title says ... I've got my feet on the beach and my head in the sand. Which has me wondering about you, gentle readers. Do you have a "go bag"? Or are you laying in provisions in case of emergency? (Do they consist of something other than champagne?) If you're not now, will you be after reading the article? Click the link and read the article ... then come back and let me know what you think.