Forking Tasty

San Sebastian via 9th Ave.

I have had latin fever lately. I am not sure why, but I like it. Seems that given the choice my go to is a new taco join or tapas spot. Coverage of this current food fetish starts with Txikito Cocina Vasca. I originally discovered this spot because of it’s ranking on NY Mag’s Best Burger list, which I have yet to have. Despite the allure of a double burger named after the devil, I stuck with Basque classics. The atmosphere is not quite as bar-ish as I remember San Sebastian. But, after the first bite of plate numero uno, I was transported back to a Tuesday in June 2005 when I stood in a small tapas joint struggling to order amidst the locals as the clock struck midnight and the nightly eating frenzy went full swing. The ARRAULTZA (sofrito, palacios chorizo and a fried quail egg) was…

Bravo, Bravo!

Jay and I headed out to Huntington Long Island to meet our family on the night of the past big storm. Driving was not the safest that night. The wind was blowing the truck all over the place and the rain was coming from all directions. However, we knew when we finally made it to Huntington we were in for a treat. Bravo Nader is a small restaurant that our family loves to go to. The food is always outstanding. We never order our entrée’s off the menu, EVER. Their specials are just that, special. We call ahead usually to make sure they have the Ossobuco special, seen above, because someone at the table has to have one so we can all try it. It’s Killer!! This table had the entire special list that night including two gigantic Prime Rib’s that Mr. Nader himself told us about on the down low. Here is a rundown of the special specials. There are so many I had to put them in a slideshow.

Special apps, dinner, and dessert

After we left the rain was still coming from all directions. Long Island was starting to flood and was loosing their power left and right. We spent the rest of the night in the dark playing a board game. No, I didn’t win but had fun playing one of the games I haven’t played since I was a kid. I wasn’t on my game. My mind was probably still focused on the delicious meal we ate at Bravo Nader.

Dinner Before A Show

Diabetic Blood Sugar Count
Pre-meal: 116 | Post-meal (1 hour): 94 | Insulin: 5 Units

After my parents delay travels to get in the city and brunch at Penelope’s we lounged around the city. I took them to Madison Square Park to do something that we never do as a family. We just sat on a bench and chatted while doing some people watching. I think as New Yorkers we forget to just sit and relax sometimes. I know I am guilty of that. I’m always trying to use every minute of the day to get things done or make each moment of the day a productive one. I forget sometime to just relax in a park and absorb New York City. We had a good time but it was getting late and we needed to fill our bellies before my parents went to their show.

South Carolina Home Cookin!

Home Cookin at the Johnson’s from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

Diabetic Blood Sugar Count
Pre-meal: 136 | Post-meal (1 hour): 154 | Insulin: 5 Units

I had a great week down south with my girlfriend Kelsey. On our last night before heading home to New York, Kelsey’s parents, Mark and Karen, wanted to cook us dinner, Southern Style. Mark and Karen are such great and kind people. They really made me feel welcome in their home. As much as I wanted to help out in the kitchen there was no need to. Karen had taken care of everything the night before and the only thing left was to heat it up. As for Mark, he already had the Pork Loin on the grill on a low temp already cooking by the time Kelsey and I got to the house. Dinner and dessert was delicious. Thanks so much for everything Mark and Karen.

What’s All The Hub Bub

Diabetic Blood Sugar Count
Pre-meal: 73 | Post-meal (1 hour): 222 | Insulin: 4 Units

There is a place down the street from me called Wine:30 that has a lot of different Bruschetta’s. Bruschetta is one of Kelsey’s favorite things to eat with a meal and I wanted to bring her there on Valentines Day before our dinner for some Bruschetta and wine. However, we didn’t have time, I kind of over packed the day. A couple days later we wanted to go to for lunch and we invited my roommate Laura along as well. We were all so excited for some wine and Bruschetta but when we arrived it was closed. We were all very disappointed and hungry. Look for the Wine on 30 post in a few weeks.
We needed to find an alternative lunch spot. Laura and I had talked about this pizza place down on 14th street called Artichoke. It has been around for a while now and it always has a line down the street of people waiting for pizza. We decide to headed down and see what all the hype was about.

The Next Best Thing To The Great Barrier Reef

I finally made it to Australia but I didn’t have a lot of time off the ship in Cairns. The big thing to do in Cairns is to go to the Great Barrier Reef to do a dive or even a snorkel. That really would have been fun to do and see. I did, however, manage to get myself into an espresso bar in between checking out the town. This was MUCH more exciting then getting a glimpse of the Great Barrier Reef (sigh). Bang is a swank little espresso bar in the small town of Cairns…

Toro Salao-Puerto Rico

As you all know I am always looking for a good meal. Well I hit one in Puerto Rico back in April. The restaurant Toro Salao is delicious with outside seating and when in Puerto Rico, you want to be outside and enjoy the warm air. Our ship does not leave until 11pm..

R.U.B.bed Out

In preparation for my weekend in Memphis, and to satiate Bennett’s craving for USA BBQ, we had some supper at R.U.B. I jumped on the meat plate (above pic). I augmented a delicious plate of pastrami, brisket and pulled pork with a quarter rack of St. Louis style ribs. Slaw and greens for good measure. Washed it down with a sweet tea. But that is the standard. The app was what got me…

The cookie mine of chocolate

Have you had these cookies at General Greene. I am not even going to really get into it. Go there and get them! They come warm, each bite has an eruption of melted chocolate chips in it and when your done they also have this ridiculous homemade ice cream to wash it down with. My choice is definitely the salted carmel

The General Green
229 Dekalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 222-1510

What to do with leftover poached pears

After Thanksbringing, I had 8 poached pears left over. I tried to eat one a day but that got a little rich. The simple syrup that had been created with the viogner during poaching was delicious but I feared would send me into sugar shock. I was headed out on a trip for the next 2 weeks and could not bare to see these delicious pears go to waste. So I applied my latest rule, when in down, make ice cream. This is by far my favorite ice cream creation to date. So rich and refreshing.