Ai Fiori – Birthday

I enjoyed Ai Fiori so much for lunch in September that when asked where I’d like to go for my birthday, it immediately sprang to mind as the perfect choice.  After we’d been given plenty of time to browse the menu and make our wine selection – I chose a glass of sparkling rose that turned out to be $28, but it was delightful and literally tasted ‘pink’ which the sommelier laughed (not unkindly!) when I told him this – an amuse of kombucha squash topped with a madeira and truffle foam was served.  I didn’t expect to like it, [...]

Parkside

I’ve long joked that I will not write about Parkside until announcing my engagement to BF.  He took me here for our first official date, and it’s long been one of those hidden gem types of places that Queens has in abundance.  I’ll take an awkward moment here to note that I am now posting about Parkside… but BF and I have decided to part ways.  I don’t normally share much of my personal life on here – especially regarding BF (beyond his food tastes) – so I ask that you respect my request for privacy.  Just know that from [...]

Meatopia 2011

Writing here has its perks. So it was last weekend when The Feisty Foodie tapped me to represent at this year’s Meatopia, a celebration of carnivorous gluttony with an eye toward locally-sourced, organic meats. TT went last year, so I took one for the Feisty Team this year. Actually I took a lot of photos, so this is one long post of meaty indulgence! Held on the not-yet-opened Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the wide expanse of concrete helped space out the booths and limit the lines. If only it wasn’t so hot and humid! But no matter, I [...]

Zum Stammtisch

When friends mention “beer hall”, most people think, “ah, we’re going to Queens!” — and then you’re let down by the crowds of hipsters (and worse) clogging up the place and in general not acting like elderly German men hoisting liter after liter and singing German beer hall songs. Or maybe that’s just me. At any rate, the crowds skew young and obnoxious at the usual suspects in Astoria and Williamsburg. What to do, what to do… ah! Have friends with cars offer a trip to Zum Stammtisch, and old-fashioned German schnitzel place waaaay out in Glendale, Queens, a good [...]

Zucchero e Pomodori

I’m half-Sicilian, on my mother’s side, so I grew up eating an awful lot of Italian, down to the stereotypical pot of sauce (I refuse to call it gravy, ever) on the stove every weekend. So when Mom came to town for a long weekend, I knew she would want to cook, and I knew I didn’t want to let her. I’d rather take her out so we could enjoy the restaurants near home. Of course, we wound up eating at four different Italian places in four nights. Zucchero e Pomodori was the first, as it was very close — [...]