Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Brooklyn Gastronomica
One of the True Heartlands of America
I am at Breezy Point in the Rockaways, New York City. I just read Tick Tock - a James
Patterson (and Michael Ledwidge) thriller that is set here. It’s a great summer beach read!
Breezy Point is on a narrow island near the entrance to New
York Harbor. Even though not
in the middle of the country, this close knit Irish/Catholic beach bungalow
enclave is one of the true heartlands of America. At every turn there are memorials to the police and fireman
from Breezy who died on 9/11, American flags line the boardwalk and
streets, and the fireworks on the 4th of July are incredible.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Alabama Jacks, Key Largo, Florida
Not a destination place but if you are in the area...
Forty miles south of Miami, on Card Sound Road, which connects
mainland Florida with upper Key Largo, you’ll come to an open air shack-like
structure in the middle of miles of mangroves, swamps and canals. The food is not all that great, there are birds waiting for a bite, and
good luck if it is crowded and you need the restroom. But otherwise, this is a must stop. Sort of a cross between a biker
bar (but not many bikes – just lots of boats pulling up to stop for lunch or a drink)
and a country western bar (there is usually a band playing and unique and quite! interesting
characters dancing). Lots of
tourists and locals. Try the
conch fritters.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Eleven Madison Park
Is it worth it?
Yes!!!
Last summer we treated our family to Per Se. And we all thought it was fabulous. This summer our treat was Eleven Madison Park, another 3 Michelin Star NYC restaurant and one of the top 10 restaurants in the world (# 3 in
the U.S.) It was fabulous times
two. Of course Eleven Madison Park
has a bit of an advantage, as we are still under the influence of the tastes
and nuances of this more recent dining experience. We of course just had to do the eight course tasting menu –
no decisions to be made. I am
sometimes a bit apprehensive giving myself up totally to the dictates of the
Chef. And I typically don’t
expect to appreciate and enjoy every course. But I loved every one of the 15 or so (I stopped
counting after a bit) treats we were served. Every course was a small quantity of a very big taste. I am now a devotee of Chef Daniel Humm.
I am still relishing the taste of the savory Parmesan and
black truffle “black and white” cookies in a beautiful box with which we were
presented on seating. Then
an amazing tomato tea with striking lemon thyme garnish, several so tasty
seafood amuse bouches, an innovative clambake course complete with seaweed and
rocks, an amazing foie gras course with a raspberry paté and a mint paté, a
lobster course which highlighted the simply elegant taste of the lobster while
still providing innovative garnishes, a duck course, an exquisite egg cream
made tableside, and on and on.
I can’t wait to go back!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)