NYC

A most satisfying way to start my day - a nutella crepe under the waterfall at Trump Tower.  Some of the fun was watching it made -  a cupful of batter being swirled to the edges of a 16" griddle.  Mmm... 

 

After walking and shopping for 48 blocks, we were all too ready to sit down to afternoon Brunch at The  Blue Water Grille.  A spicy Bloody Mary accompanied a delectable Crabcake Benedict. 

Coke and a chocolate chip cookie were later enjoyed in sunny Washington Square and Lindy's world famous cheesecake and an Irish coffee topped off Sunday.

NYC

This party person ate my way through New York City this weekend. Saturday afternoon was spent at this expo.  (more on this in another post).

When through I was ready for a beverage of a different variety and headed to  Dylan's Candy Bar ( a virtual explosion of color and sugar) as I had read of the addition of a bar which featured drinks based on candy:  Pop Rocks Explosion, Grape Nerds Crush, Pink Cotton Candy  ... but the atmosphere was too busy and loud for enjoyment. After a shift of 180 degrees in ambience, we sipped cocktails at Le Cirque with photos of notables looking over our shoulders.  The 27 foot wine tower with 20,000 vintages was impressive.

 Dinner followed at Desmond's.  The British are not known as gastronomes but this menu disproved that.  My entree of seared scallops and 8 hour braised oxtails over a cauliflower puree was delicious.





 From this decorous scene we moved on to TAO with techno music and fun people watching. 

From these forays, I garnered ideas
            to use at future parties.

Pizza Night

Last week I was transported to Italy via a menu.  Kitty's daughter, Jill, a Sicilian by marriage, treated us to authentic pizza creations.  The array of toppings was bountiful as were the suggested pizzas. 

  We learned which ingredients are used before baking and which are to be applied as toppings.  The combinations were varied and all were delizioso.  Each began with tomato sauce spread on the pre-baked crust.  Then you made your own using the suggested menu above or a pie individualized to your own tastes.  My creation included fresh mozzarella, baked breaded eggplant, roasted red pepper and shredded mozzarella before baking.  Afterwards I layered on proscuitto, arugula and shaved parmesan.  Jill suggested a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.  A veritable feast and I finished it all!  

Jill's ricotta pie was, according to her, an experiment since ingredients varied somewhat here.  What a happy surprise!  Scrumptious!  Grazie

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday", is the last day of the Carnival season and it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  Since religious fasting lasts until Easter, the weekend before is filled with parties.  Foods from New Orleans are featured, the decor is green, gold and purple with elaborate masks and the cocktail de rigueur is the Hurricane. 

• 1.5 ounce amaretto liqueur
• 2 ounces light rum
• 1 ounce dark rum
• 6 ounces orange juice
• 6 ounces pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 dash grenadine syrup
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 maraschino cherry

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a tall (16 oz.) glass (traditionally, footed and shapely) filled with ice;   Then top with grenadine and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.