Another break!

I have not been paying my poor blog any attention for a few months now, and for that, I am terribly sorry. Here is an update:
I was in New York City two weeks ago with my Sister-In-Law Nina and we went to Anthony Bourdain's restaurant, Les Halles. Holy Toledo was it good. Everything about this was place was genius. From the minute we walked in I was impressed. Our table was not ready yet, so we sat at the bar where we talked to the bartender, whom might I add, knew everything about the menu. How awesome is that? He recommended what he thought would pair nicely with our wine of choice (Malbec) and gave a brief explanation of a few dishes. Then, a cook came over and enlightened us a little bit more, explaining to us what cut of meat we should try and how spectacular their Foie Gras is. We were so excited and ready to eat!!! We had only been there for fifteen minutes and were already in love.
The host came over just as we had sipped half our glasses, and walked us to our table. Pretty much immediately after we sat down, one of the two runners brought us fresh bread, butter and water! There was no moment of "Damn, I wish I had some bread" or "Man, after all this bread I could really use some water". Nope! No waiting was done at all because after we glanced at the menu, the waiter was over to tell us about the specials and answer my million questions about the menu. He was a bit of a bore, but hey, EVERYTHING can't be perfect. So, I ordered some ravioli for my appetizer - can't remember what kind of cheese was in them, but they were hands-down the best ravioli I have ever tried- and Nina chose the french onion soup - once again, no other french onion soup could top this-.
Now, I am aware that I sound a bit overly-impressed but I am telling you, this place was so smart. Everything had been thought through entirely, leaving nothing to be overlooked. About ten minutes after, our main courses arrived in all their glory. Crispy duck atop truffled potatoes and skirt steak with bearnaise sauce. I think that says it all. Mouth watering eat-me-all-up goodness. Safe to say that nothing was left on either of our plates and we were extremely satisfied. Of course, we couldn't pass on the creme brulee (who could?) and brought it back to the hotel for later (once again... the best). So, yes I can honestly say that the only thing I was not satisfied with was the fact that the meal had to end. I want to live in Les Halles.

...Linger on

For some reason I want to have whomever is reading this to listen to the same song I am listening to while writing it. Being as inconsistent as I am, this may only last for a few entries, but I am okay with that. It may also be a little bit repetitive... So, for that, I apologize. This time, I want to suggest that Pale Blue Eyes by The Velvet Underground is listened to... as loudly as possible? I am not sure if that is a strange request but that is all it is really. A request.

Anyways, I made lobster tails last night with my friend Danielle and roommate Jackie. We were at Whole Foods and decided that since the lobster tails were on sale for $10.99 from $13.99, that we should splurge and get them. So... we did. Minus the splurge part because they ended up being packaged as $4.99! IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! Hopefully next time we'll figure out how to make it better, because by the time we got home we were starving and we all know its not a very good idea to eat while "starving".

                                    Here they are, in all their glory. Sauteed in butter and garlic.

Oh! And before I forget, I ate at this AWESOME ramen house in Little Tokyo the other night. The wait was a little over an hour, but it was so worth it. I would recommend it to anyone who finds Japanese food as blissful as I do. Daikokuya on 1st between Central and San Pedro. I got the combo which included a HUGE -I mean lasted me three meals worth of leftovers huge- bowl of Ramen -noodles, pork, green onions, bean sprouts, a whole boiled egg and the most wonderful broth known to man-, a side of your choice -I chose pulled pork-, PLUS a salad with this wonderful dressing. I think my grammar and writing ability was just shit on in those last sentences, but oh well. 

Here it is!

"To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living." 

-Anthony Bourdain 

AH!

(I would recommend reading this while listening to The Beatles Savoy Truffle, off of The White Album. Make sure to listen to Cry Baby Cry DIRECTLY after)

There is only one thing I love more than food and that is the unexpected (I am aware that sounds completely cliche, but I really do not care). Particularly, the unexpected which turns out to make everything momentarily better. Yesterday, the unexpected, which happened to make everything momentarily better, had to do with food. Bone marrow to be specific. Something I have wanted to try for FOREVER. Okay, maybe I should rewind for a second. I am just a huge dork and way too excited about this.

SO, after work last night, I was taken out to a restaurant I have always wanted to try. I should really refer to this restaurant as my neighbor, considering it is less than a block away from me. My neighborly fine dining establishment is sort of hidden, with no name on the front and sort of an industrial-all-black-we're-not-open-but-we-really-are kind of look.

My thoughts are all over the place and I do not think it is possible for me to put them together. Long story short, I had bone marrow. It is beautiful. Something that should be served everywhere. I think I fell in love with it last night. I want it all the time. I want everything to taste like buttery bone marrow spread on toast. I even think bone marrow flavored gum may be enjoyable. That may be pushing it. I am losing my mind.

Fig & Basil cookies! YUM!

Break

I have taken some sort of a break from updating my blog. Thankfully I have gotten back into the swing of things and have been cooking a lot more! The fifty dollar Whole Foods gift card I got for my birthday will hopefully bring some new dishes, seeing as I am still broke and can only do so much with potatoes, peppers and onions!