Archive for the ‘Culinary Trips’ Category

I was in the kitchen this morning making the traditional, Italian New Year’s meal of lentils with sausage. Although I remember lentil dishes growing up, my fondest memory of them was many years later on our first trip to Italy. We were fortunate to be in Florence over the holidays and New Year’s Eve was filled with prosecco, fanciful pastries and fireworks at midnight.  On New Year’s Day, we ate at a small, local restaurant and were served a wonderful dish of lentils with cotechino, a delicious spicy sausage. The Italians believe the dish brings luck and prosperity. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all, I hope that 2016 is your best year ever! 

As usual, my holidays were hectic, but wonderful. I was able to continue my tradition of going into the city the week after New Year’s to view the Fifth Avenue windows. Like every other year, Bergdorf’s were the star of the show.

We stopped in at The Plaza to get out of the chill and discovered their food court…an amazing array of delicacies in a beautiful space, bustling with happy, hungry people. http://www.theplazany.com/dining/foodhall/ 

My daughter Brigitte insisted we sample the chocolate crepes from Lady M. It was well worth the calories!

 I just visited the Brooklyn Grange Farm on the roof of the six story Standard Motors Building in Long Island City. This project of converting a large, unused space into a working farm is truly urban magic. The atmosphere is vibrant with people passionate about bringing together community and better eating. 

 www.brooklyngrangefarm.com 

COFFEED, located on the ground floor of the same building, serves lunches and dinners using the rooftop produce while supporting its local, charitable partners.

 www.coffeednyc.com 

 Urban Gardening 

 Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm

Inside COOFEED

The crown jewel of the Neue Galerie’s exhibit was Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. This dazzling painting was purchased in 2005 for $135,000,000, the highest price paid for any work of art at the time. The story of its recovery from the Nazis is the subject of a new film ” The Woman in Gold”, starring Helen Mirren.

It was wonderful to sit at a window table in the cafe, facing Central Park, enjoying the best kaffee and strudel I can remember. One bite of Chef Kurt Gutenbranner’s  donut, and you’re in heaven. German/ Austrian art and Austrian cafe perfectly matched, making you feel like you’re in Salzburg. Bravo!

I’ll be back to visit again for their cabaret night. I will keep you posted.

http://www.neuegalerie.org/cafes/sabarsky

The perfect place to visit on a cold winter’s day. These warm fragrant teas are served in a quaint shop in Millerton, NY. The beautiful rolling countryside covered in winter white, gives us one more reason to love New York!

I shared a valentine blend of Ceylon tea, with chocolate and pink rosebuds. Simply wonderful. Worth the drive.

www.harney.com