Dinner Report - 4/27/07

* TOM'S *

cous-cous
mixed vegetables
brolied chicken thighs w/romano cheese
bourbon

Tom whipped those thighs together 1-2-3. They were yummy.

Lunch Report - 4/27/07

* SOUP KING *
(Penn Station concourse)

chili

I got a large, which was LARGE! It was goooood!

Breakfast Report - 4/27/07

* TOM'S *

leftover turkey & stuffing
coffee

OK, that was the end of the turkey - mission accomplished!

Dinner Report - 4/26/07

* ENERGY KITCHEN *
(17th St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

chicken stir-fry wrap
water

It's become a Thursday night habit - but I don't mind!

Lunch Report - 4/26/07

* BRUCE'S BURGERS *
(Kmart plaza)

chili

I had planned to go out for lunch with a friend, but my window between meetings today became very small at lunchtime.

Breakfast Report - 4/26/07

* TOM'S *

leftover pizza
coffee

I figured I better clear this out of the fridge to make room for something new!

Dinner Report - 4/25/07

* TOM'S *

leftover lamb
mixed vegetables

Still working my way through the grilled lamb - and it's still DELICIOUS!

Lunch Report - 4/25/07

* BRGR *
(7th Ave btwn 26th & 26th Sts)

turkey burger w/guyere, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, mayonnaise

Since I didn't have a turkey burger the night before, I thought I would give this new place a try... it was pretty good & definitely worth a repeat visit to try one of the other burgers!

Breakfast Report - 4/25/07

* TOM'S *

leftover turkey & stuffing
coffee

just a little bit of yum to start my day!

Dinner Report - 4/24/07

* THERAPY *
(52nd St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

chicken nachos
tequila

Even though I promised myself that I was going to get a turkey burger - I couldn't resist. Ah, nachos... you're delicious!

Lunch Report - 4/24/07

* WHOLE FOODS *
(7th Ave & 24th St)

black bean soup
salad bar (mixed greens, sprouts, seafood salad, roasted mushrooms, chicken, quinoa, lentils, falafel)

The walk down to 24th St was BEAUTIFUL - and with no line at the registers, this lunch was outstanding. Hooray!

Hi-yo Uncle David!

My nephew Jack showed me how well he could swim while we were in Memphis - check him out (and don't miss my niece Annie's cameo splash at the end)!

Breakfast Report - 4/24/07

* TOM'S *

leftover grilled lamb
coffee

I almost forgot how good this lamb was... until I had some for breakfast this morning!

Dinner Report - 4/23/07

* TOM'S *

roast turkey
mushroom stuffing
broiled asparagus
wine

The recipe for the turkey and stuffing was another test recipe from America's Test Kitchen and it was amazing! The turkey was super moist - everyone had seconds!

Multiple Meals - 4/20, 4/21, 4/22, 4/23

* GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY *
(snack 4/20; Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN)

bbq nachos

Holy ****! Who knew that tortilla chips topped with pulled pork, bbq sauce & melted cheese would taste so outrageously delicious?


* NAPA CAFE *
(dinner 4/20; Sanderlin Rd, Memphis)

cheese-stuffed mushroom appetizer
goat cheese & pine nut salad
molasses brined chicken
buttermilk pie
wine

Although I was very full from all my bbq eatin' this afternoon - I managed to clean my plate. Part of the reason may have been because it took about 3 hours for the food to come, but it was good & I was at a very fun table, so I had a good time. One thing to note: the buttermilk pie was basically cheese cake - not as exciting as it sounded like it would be. Tom says that he has a better recipe, so I am anxious to try!


* CAL'S CHAMPIONSHIP STEAKHOUSE *
(breakfast 4/21; Sanderlin Rd, Memphis)

breakfast buffet (coffee, bacon, eggs, potatoes, biscuits & gravy)

This was the hotel restaurant. Decent, but not fantastic breakfast buffet.


* A&R BAR-B-QUE *
(lunch 4/21; Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis)

bbq turkey sandwich
seasoned fries
diet pepsi

The bbq tasting continues! Another great meal (which we could have predicted based on what seemed like a very local customer crowd.)

* GRAND BALLROOM DOUBLETREE EAST MEMPHIS *
(dinner 4/21; Sanderlin Rd, Memphis)

salad
soup
chicken
rice
salmon
wedding cake
wine

My cousin's wedding reception was really fun. The food was good I had a great time dancing (although watching my 3-year-old niece and nephew dance was the most fun!)


* CAL'S CHAMPIONSHIP STEAKHOUSE *
(breakfast 4/22; Sanderlin Rd, Memphis)

breakfast buffet (coffee, bacon, eggs, potatoes, biscuits & gravy)

Another breakfast buffet morning - this time almost the whole family joined us.


* BACKYARD BURGER *
(lunch 4/22; The Memphis Zoo)

cheeseburger
chili-cheese fries
diet-pepsi

I was not overly thrilled with the burger, but everyone else liked them. The fries were good, but definitely not good for me! We sat next to a window that looked out at some monkeys - it was very funny.


* ENDRI'S *
(dinner 4/22; Brooklyn)

sausage, mushroom, olive pizza
side salad
bourbon

Back at home, Tom & I ordered in so we could catch up on all our stories we missed over the weekend.


* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/23)

leftover pizza

I don't have to explain how good leftover pizza is again, do I?


* SEATTLE CAFE *
(lunch 4/23; 33rd St btwn 7th & 8th Aves)

grilled chicken/spinach salad

No surprise here. After another weekend of crazy eating, I need to take it down a notch or 2 (or several.)

Lunch Report - 4/20/07

* NEELY'S BAR-B-QUE *
(Mt. Moriah and Clarke Rd., Memphis)

pulled pork platter
cole slaw
baked beans
ice tea

Thanks goodness for helpful hotel desk clerks! Tom & I had seen a bbq place called Corky's close to the hotel, but when we asked at the front desk if it were any good, the pause and frown we got as a response said it all. She recommended we try Neely's, and it was not a dissapointment!

Breakfast Report - 4/20/07

* BURGER KING *
(Delta terminal, LaGuardia International Airport)

egg, sausage, cheese croissanwich
hash browns
coffee

On my way to Memphis, TN - I wonder what I'll eat there....

Dinner Report - 4/19/07

* ENERGY KITCHEN *
(17th St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

thai stir fry chicken wrap

Pre-volleyball dinner... it was good & healthy.

Lunch Report - 4/19/07

* ROSE PIZZA & PASTA *
(Penn Station concourse)

pizza (1 slice mushroom, 1 slice ground beef)

It was good yesterday, so I decided to try it again!

Multiple Meals 4/17, 4/18, 4/19

* SALT *
(dinner 4/17; Macdougal & King Sts)

honey glazed dates wrapped in bacon
goat cheese brulee
cream of cauliflower soup, truffle essence
long island duck breast w/braised leeks and brussels sprouts
prosecco
wine

Delicious, delicious, delicious! It was a great meal.

* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/18)

turkey
coffee

I wasn't really hungry, so just had a couple slices of turkey (cuz it was quick & easy!)


* SOUP KING / ROSE PIZZA & PASTA *
(lunch 4/18; Penn Station concourse)

chili (Soup King)
slice of pizza w/mushrooms (Rose...)

HOORAY! I think I finally found the best chili in Penn Station!!! It's definitely better than Bruce's Burgers or Hot & Crusty. As good as it was, I was still hungry after I finished, so I grabbed a slice of pizza for dessert.


* TOM'S *
(dinner 4/18)

roasted potatoes
sauteed spinach
grilled lamb
bourbon

If anyone ever says that they don't like lamb - I will know that they have never had it prepared by Mr. Tom Carpenter. It was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!


* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/19)

ham
coffee

Having some deli meat on hand really comes in handy when you would rather play video games than prepare food!

Lunch Report - 4/17/07

* SEATTLE ROASTERS / OFFICE CAFETERIA *
(Penn Station concourse / One Penn Plaza - 5th Floor)

lentil soup (Seattle Roasters)
bag of cheetos (Office Cafeteria)

I didn't want to have a big lunch because I'm going out tonight. I thought the soup would do it, but I needed a little something more. Of course, a bag of cheetos from the vending machine is probably not the best choice, but that's how things went today.

Breakfast Report - 4/17/07

* TOM'S *

mixed nuts
coffee

I got caught up playing the Wii this morning and ran out of time to make something.

Multiple Meals 4/13, 4/14, 4/15, 4/16

* BETTER BURGER / TOM'S *
(dinner 4/13; 8th Ave & 19th St)

green salad topped w/turkey burger (Better Burger)
maple/soy/ginger/garlic roasted steelhead trout (Tom's)

MMM - this was a good and healthy night of eating. I didn't mean to eat 2 dinners, but when I got to Tom's, the fish he made looked so good, I couldn't resist!


* 5TH AVE DELI *
(breakfast 4/14; 5th Ave & Berkeley)

turkey, egg whites & swiss on whole grain bread
coffee

I picked this up on the way to my volleyball tournament.


* QUEENS COLLEGE *
(lunch 4/14; Flushing, Queens)

turkey sandwich

During the tournament I needed to eat something, but I didn't want to eat too much since I still had to play.


* ESCUELITA *
(dinner 4/14; 39th St btwn 8th & 9th Ave)

salad
lasagna
sauteed chicken
broccoli
green beans
tequila

This was a buffet dinner at the tournament seeding party. It was the typical buffet that we have for every Gotham Volleyball season party.


* 5TH AVENUE BAGELTIQUE *
(breakfast 4/15; 5th Ave btwn President & Garfield)

pumpernickel bagel w/low-fat scallion cream cheese and a slice of tomato
coffee

YUM - this might be my favorite bagel!


* QUEENS COLLEGE *
(lunch 4/15; Flushing, Queens)

hot dog

Just like yesterday, during the tournament I needed to eat something, but I didn't want to eat too much since I still had to play.


* TOM'S *
(dinner 4/15

filet mignon
baked potato
mixed vegetables

Tom made a delicious meal; it was a perfect way to finally relax after a full & exhausting weekend.

* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/16

left-over trout

Man, that's good fish

* SEATTLE CAFE *
(lunch 4/16; 33rd St)

gilled chicken/spinach salad

A gross, yucky day meant that I wasn't going far for lunch

* TOM'S *
(dinner 4/16

cous cous
broiled asparagus
stir fried beef with pickled red peppers

I had a test recipe to make. It was to use kimch'i, but the store I went to didn't have it, so I used pickled red peppers instead. It was ok, but not my favorite.

Lunch Report - 4/13/07

* HOT & CRUSTY*
(Penn Station concourse)

chili

Yes, the name of the place makes me giggle, but more importantly... their chili is good.

In Memory Of...

When I was in college, one of the things I did freshman year instead of going to class was discover Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. I'm pretty sure that I was introduced to him by the coolest guy (at least to me) in my dorm, but regardless of how the first book ended up in my hand, I was soon making regular trips to the Illini Union book store looking for more. I devoured "Slaughter House Five," "Breakfast of Champions," "Cat's Cradle," and several others. They changed the way I thought about books. More than just giving me a story, these novels gave me new ways to think and to see things. With constant themes that questioned "Why am I here?" and "Who's in charge?" I was inspired by (as well as envious of) the imagination, emotional rawness and self-awareness his words evoked.

Fast forward many years, many books, and many MANY self-aware moments. Although I haven't read anything he's published in at least a decade, I feel his death this week warrants a reflection of how he impacted my life and an acknowledgment that even still he sits comfortably on my Top 10 list of authors along with William Faulkner, Isaac Asimov, JD Salinger, Harper Lee, Agatha Christie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman Rushdie, Betty MacDonald and Franz Kafka.

NY Times Obituary

Breakfast Report - 4/13/07

* TOM'S *

egg & ham (w/dijon mustard)
coffee

I kind of made a ham sandwich with a scramble-fried egg acting as bread (but don't worry, I used a fork to eat it!)

Dinner Report - 4/12/07

* THERAPY *
(52nd St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

chicken nachos
bourbon

Ok - so I'm a creature of habit... but they're sooooooooooooooo good!

Lunch Report - 4/12/07

* BRUCE'S BURGERS *
(Kmart plaza, off 7th Ave btwn 34th & 33rd Sts)

chili

Has it really been 3 weeks since my last trip to Bruce's - how'd that happen?

Breakfast Report - 4/12/07

* TOM'S *

red curry beef stir-fry

This was left over from last night (I didn't have any then, but it was so good this morning it must have been ridiculously delicious when Tom made it.)

Dinner Report - 4/11/07

* ENERGY KITCHEN *
(17th St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

tex-mex chicken wrap

It was mucho good, but it didn't give me the energy I wanted for last night's "friendship" volleyball tournament.

Lunch Report - 4/11/07

* SEATTLE CAFE *

grilled chicken/spinach salad
split pea soup

Surprised? Shocked? Bored?

Breakfast Report - 4/11/07

* TOM'S *

scrambled egg
coffee

simple but satisfying!

Dinner Report - 4/10/07

* LIS & GREG'S *

pretzel bread w/cheese
caesar salad
lamb stew
chocolate-coke cake
wine

YUM! The meal and the company were great. And here's a good joke I heard:

Q: What kind of bees make milk?
A: <click to find out>

Lunch Report - 4/10/07

* SEATTLE CAFE *

spinach salad w/grilled chicken

Something healthy to make up for the weekend!

Multiple Meals 4/6, 4/7, 4/8, 4/9, 4/10

Well - it was a weekend full of eating (and I mean it!) Here's a recap of the food happenings...

* EMPIRE KITCHEN *
(lunch 4/6: 5th Ave btwn Union & President)

egg drop soup
roast pork w/garlic sauce (brown rice)

We got out at 1pm today for Good Friday, so I ran home and stopped in here for a quick, YUMMY, bite.


* VIRGIL'S REAL BARBECUE *
(dinner 4/6: 44th St btwn 6th Ave & Broadway)

train wreck fries (cheese, bacon, jalepenos, scallions, and ranch dressing - BELIEVE IT!)
hush puppies (w/maple syrup butter)
bbq chicken wings
grilled catfish po' boy
bourbon

A pre-theatre dinner that ROCKED! It was messy and delicious and a must-try in NYC.


* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/7)

smoked salmon, bleu cheese omelette

I don't know how Tom came up with this, but it was SOOO good. I could eat it for any meal and be absolutely happy.


* FAIRWAY *
(lunch 4/7: Van Brunt St, Red Hook)

lobster roll (see photo!)

snapple (diet lemon)

Not only was this one of the best lobster rolls I've had, it was definitely one of the cheapest. Also, the spectacular view along the water's edge we had while eating made this shopping/lunch trip extra special.


* ERIN & PETE'S *
(dinner 4/7)

bruschetta w/avocado spread
stuffed mushrooms
wagon wheel pasta w/lamb & peas
carrot cake
wine

A great meal, everything was excellent - especially the homemade cake. It was nice to have some lamb this Easter weekend too.


* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/8)

chocolate covered malted-milk eggs

What can I say? HAPPY EASTER!


* JIM W'S *
(Easter Brunch 4/8)

potato chips
easter candy
bagels w/cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber
cheesy ham and banana casserole
spinach/manchego strata
cream-filled chocolate cupcakes
champagne

Jim wanted to make Paula Deen's white-trashy casserole (besides the ham & bananas, it also had potato chips!), so we of course obliged him by coming over to try! It was delicious. Tom brought the strata & I made the cupcakes. Did you know that whipping together a stick of butter with a jar of marshmallow fluff tastes just like Hostess cream filling? Try it!


* RICH'S *
(dinner 4/8)

cheese & crackers
spiced peanuts
pistachios
salad
lasagna
meatballs & sausages
wine

Rich put together an awesome Italian feast for the premier of The Soprano's final season. I'm lucky that I was too full from the entire weekend to have more than a small second helping of lasagna because I could have eaten the entire pan - YUM!


* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/9)

mixed nuts
coffee

OOF! I ate a lot of food this weekend... time to regroup.


* TOM'S *
(lunch 4/9)

tuna salad
seltzer

A light lunch. I also had a cough-y throat so I worked from home to take medicine all day and feel better.


* TOM'S *
(dinner 4/9)

orange-flavored stir-fried beef (w/snow peas)
wine

A test recipe for Tom from America's Test Kitchen. I thought it was delicious, but Tom has some suggestions for how to improve it - I can't wait to try it again!

* TOM'S *
(breakfast 4/10)

mixed nuts
coffee

Ok, feeling better, but still didn't want a real breakfast. We'll see how it goes tomorrow (stay tuned!)

PHEW!
(I'm caught up - yay!!)

HA-HA SCARY!!

This is one of the funniest scary things I've seen in a long time!

Little Monster Man

Breakfast Report - 4/6/07

* SEATTLE ROASTERS CAFE *
(Penn Station concourse)

ham, egg & cheese croissant

Yay! It's Friday!

Volleyball Recap

Well - I was all set to really have some fun this week. It was the first match of the night (at 7:15), so it was a perfect one for Tom to come watch. Unfortunately, only 3 of my teammates managed to make it, so we had to play with 4. AND, we didn't have a setter - which is sort of like playing football without a quarterback. So, I ended up splitting the setting duties with another player, and honestly, I think we did pretty well under the circumstances. And at least one good thing about last night was that I really got a lot of exercise from all the running I had to do.

So... now we are 0-10 (3-27; with a -168 point differential). With only 2 more matches to go, we've passed the point where there's even a chance for us to finish anything but dead last. I have never had a less successful season - BUT - I have had less fun ones. Regardless of the results, it has been great almost the whole time (& there's still the season tournament!)

Dinner Report - 4/5/07

* TOM'S *

pizza (pepperoni, onion & spinach)

I don't know where this came from (because I wasn't in the apartment when it was ordered,) but it was delicious!

Lunch Report - 4/5/07

* STAGE DOOR DELICATESSEN *
(8th Ave & 33rd St)

tuna melt on rye

This change of pace was extra good!

Breakfast Report - 4/5/07

* TOM'S *

turkey sandwich

Just a couple slices of turkey meat folded between a slice of multi-grain bread (with a little mustard) - yum.

Dinner Report - 4/4/07

* THERAPY *
(52nd St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)

chicken nachos
tequila

By this point, I don't think I need to tell you all how much I like these...

Lunch Report - 4/4/07

* SEATTLE ROASTERS CAFE *
(Penn Station concourse)

seafood gumbo


No time to eat... new video game to play...

Breakfast Report - 4/4/07

* 49TH STREET *
(outside Nintendo World)

coffee

It was worth skipping breakfast to get a Wii!!

Phone photo

In line for a nintendo wii!

Dinner Report - 4/3/07

* ROSA MEXICANO *
(1st Ave & 58th St)

chips & guacamole
jalepeno matzah ball soup
chipotle chopped liver
roasted chicken w/vegetables & potato kugel
tequila

It was a tex-mex-nyc style passover. Yum-eee!

Lunch Report - 4/3/07

* CHEF YU *
(8th Ave & 36th St)

kung pao chicken
hot & sour soup

It had been awhile since last I saw my old friend, the chef. I thought it would be a nice reunion... and it was!

Breakfast Report - 4/3/07

* TOM'S *

mixed nuts
cheese
coffee

After last night's feast, this morning had to be light!

Dinner Report - 4/2/07

* ROBBIE & HARVEY'S *
(Holmdel, NJ)

PASSOVER
crudite and dip
- - - - - - -
greens in salt water
matzah
charoset
maror
- - - - - - -
chopped liver
veggie chopped liver
matah ball soup
chopped salad
asparagus
potato kugel
broccoli kugel
brisket
chocolate cake
fruit salad
chocoalte covered matzah

Oh, oh, oh - so goooooood. I love this holiday, but even better than the food were the laughs and fun I had being with family & friends!

Lunch Report - 4/2/07

* SEATTLE ROASTERS CAFE *
(Penn Station concourse)

chicken chili soup


I didn't want to eat a lot for lunch because it's Passover & I'm excited about tonight's dinner! I think I chose pretty well today, because this soup has three of my favorite things going for it: (1)Chicken, (2)Chili, and (3)Soup - and it was YUMMY!

Breakfast Report - 4/2/07

* TOM'S *

scrambled eggs w/cheese
coffee

Just a quick scramble, nothing fancy.

Dinner Report - 4/1/07

* TOM'S *

cheese & crackers
grilled turkey breast
roasted potatoes
broiled asparagus
spinach salad
tiramisu (a test recipe)
fruit tart
wine

Tom grilled the turkey breast over cedar chips & it was fantastic. I made the tiramisu as a test recipe for America's Test Kitchen, but I screwed up practically every step. It turned out to be edible, but I didn't think it was very good. Regardless, it was a fun meal & a great TV night.

Lunch Report - 4/01/07

* ENERGY KITCHEN *
(17th St btwn 7th & 8th Aves)

turkey club wrap (on whole wheat)
coffee
water

I picked this up on my way to volleyball since I hadn't had anything to eat all day. It was good, but I didn't eat all of it because I didn't want to be too full before playing. I probably should have just eaten it because I played like crap anyway - oh well.

Breakfast Report - 4/1/07

* TOM'S *

coffee

I was very slow in getting up & moving... the coffee was all I could deal with.

Dinner Report - 3/31/07

* SEAN & MARK'S *

chips & salsa
cheese & crackers
pate
spiced nuts
salad
carrots
horseradish potatoes
pepper crusted filet mignon
chocolate cupcake w/cream cheese frosting

Wow - a great meal!