The Dining Room

Hey there readers! Happy saturday - and seriously what a gorgeous one it is. I'm about to hop on a train back to CT for easter with the family so I'm going to make this quick but since the internet is hit or miss at mi casa I figured I had to squeeze in one fabulous restaurant review!
This morning I went to The Dining Room in Hoboken for brunch, which is a part of Anthony Davids located on Bloomfield and 10th (if you are familiar with the area). This place was recommended by a friend who considers himself to be an avid 'bruncher" and said that this was seriously the best. And ladies and gentleman, I can confirm that it was indeed the best. I ordered two poached eggs with bacon and whole wheat toast and my friend there ordered a steak and eggs (as per the waitress' recommendation). To top it off, like we hadn't had enough, we figured we just HAD to order the thing that Anthony David's is famous for - the bourbon doughnuts.
I can't remember the last time I had a doughnut - let alone bourbon - but they had this amazingly distinct yet not overpowering bourbon glaze covering the crispy outside and warm doughy center. They were, I will have to say, out of this world. Mmm Mmm.

Chi-caaaa-go!!

Hey all! I hope you had a great weekend, because I definitely did...I have been in Chicago since Thursday! Every time I go out there I have such a good time and I say to everyone, "I can't wait to move out here".... eventually I think I would like to but for now, I'll just stick to my weekend celebrations in the Windy City. Here's a recap of some seriously fabulous eats that took place :)

A coffee and reading at Newark prior to take off (I've been trying to get through Emma ever since my Jane Austen kick. It's taking a little longer than expected...) 

I decided to skip the complimentary turkey sandwich and kit kat bar and instead snacked on a Larabar and a bag of mini carrots. I wanted to make sure that I didn't get full because I know that myself and some co-workers were going to be hitting up this later....!!!
Mercat a la Planxa! Mercat is Chef Jose Garces restaurant, the winner of Iron Chef this year. I've been waiting to go to this place since I heard we were headed to Chicago so clearly I studied the menu in extravagant anticipation :) While I didn't take photos of everything, here are some of the star studded tapas. 

Seasonal Red Sangria 

Croquetas de Mariscos

Diver Scallops 

Bruschetta, Cana de Cabre (goats milk balsamic strawberries), and Costillas de Ternera (braised shortribs flatbread) 

 Serrano Ham and Fig Salad

 

Seriously everything was unbelievably amazing..and these were only a few of the things that we ordered! My favorite was the Pelotas de Calabaza y Cordero (butternut squash dumplings, lamb ragout, Beech Mushroom escabeche, black truffles) holy cow - holy incredible. mm mm mm

On to the rest of the weekend! On Friday I left the beautiful Westin River North and headed to Lincoln Park to stay with two of my girlfriends from college. We went out had a great time and caught up, and ended the night with a burger at Five Guys. Have you ever been there?? I haven't had a burger in [I can't remember how long ago]...needless to say this will add to the story later.. We woke up on Saturday and headed to brunch at Ann Sather Cafe. 

Apparently I just had to try the cinnamon buns, and so I did, and they were fabulous.

So warm and gooey! Along with that I got multigrain pancakes with fresh strawberries and a side of turkey sausage. I felt great while eating that..but as the day went on, my stomach got more and more uneasy. I could feel the Five Guys burger just chillin in my stomach and my stomach was NOT happy about it. Long story short, by the end of the night I felt like I had a mini dose of food poisoning or my stomach was just in shock from eating that greasy food again -- it's pretty crazy/incredible how things like that can effect your body! 

Has this ever happened to from eating something terrible and that you're just not used to??

Unfortunately I ended up curling up in a ball and falling asleep super early :( I woke up this morning and felt sooo much better, just a little weak. I'm hoping I regain some strength by tomorrow, but I dont think I will be eating burgers anytime soon! 

I ordered some snacks at O'Hare for my trip back, and the nice man at the Starbucks station gave me some free nuts to try! 

First time I tried Vanilla Rooibos Red Tea - Two Thumbs Up! 

Are there any other teas that you recommend?? I'm trying to get into tea...vs. my coffee addiction ;)
Ooof sorry for the long post but clearly I had a jam packed weekend and ate some jammin food! Looking forward to a great week :) except for the JETS loss :( Everyone at the airport was watching the end of the game lookin' sad .. tear

Pancake Breakfast!!

Spelt Pancake Recipe

1/2 cup spelt flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

sea salt - just a pinch!

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbs flax seed

1/2 cup organic skim milk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and slap it on the griddle! It made about 5 silver dollar pancakes. 

I didn't have any syrup so instead I just used some strawberry jelly and some almond butter. On the side I had a banana w/ almond butter and raisins (seriously an unbeatable combo). Such a delightful sunday breakfast!

Tartine, New York style

Happy 2010!! I'm waiting to get my hands on some New Years Eve photos, since my camera battery didn't make it :( so once those make it to my computer, there will be a full recap of NYE in NYC. Of course, at the start of the new year, everyone makes their new years resolutions, or revelations, as we have started referring to them. One of my "revelations", along with the whole big picture theme of this blog, is to start seeing New York for all that it has to offer, while I am still young and able to enjoy it! The roomie and I talked about making a list of restaurants that we want to try out and make an active effort to go out and try these places. New York is the stomping ground for fabulous food and someone's gotta taste test it all, right!? 

I have been a follower of Jenna's blog for some time and recently have been reading about her new found addiction to Tartine. I've never been there myself, but it just so happens that there is one in NY as well - go figures! Figuring I would start out the new year right, me and my two cousins headed out to Tartine in the West Village for brunch this morning. It's a 15.95 prix fix, with a complimentary coffee/tea and oj. Not to shabby if I do say so myself [for new york that is ;)]. In past experiences of brunch with girlfriends, I would always order an omelette or eggs benedict and finish off the meal saying, probably verbatim, "Wow that was good, but I wish I had gotten something sweet." Now, I have shot myself in the foot one too many times, and my friends won't let me order eggs for bfast. Good thing, because I opted for the Apple Pancake from the Tartine menu, thinking about these paste brunch experiences, and it was sooooo good. The menu literally said "Apple Pancake", no extras, not even plural pancakes. I asked the waiter if it came with anything else and he said no, just an apple pancake. When it came out, I understood why. Ladies and gentleman, this is no ordinary pancake (hence the photo up top). I think it is more of a Dutch apple pancake/turnoveresque concoction. Needless to say, it was [I repeat], sooooo good. 

Are there any other fabulous brunches/meals that you have had recently?? I'm up for suggestions and will be adding to the fridge list consistently ;)

In keeping with NYE revelations, the roomie and I are headed out to dinner at The Bowery Hotel with a girlfriend of ours from college. Not sure if its kosher to snap photos in there, but I'll try to be discreet. Tata for now..