My Birfday

 

I had a glooorious birthday a few weeks ago and had to document it.  Sorry there are no pix of the sushi from Sashi where I had my b day but I was waaaay too busy talking and eating to share.  If you want to see some old pics from past Sashi dinners, check it out here. So Saturday night I spent with all my friends giggling and cocktailing and yucking it up at a big long table eating piles of sushi and yummy non-sushi dishes like lightly battered tempura shrimp and filet robata grill skewers.  Crispy rice tuna joined the party as well of course...

I have to say the next day was even better.  We shlepped around the house since it was raining out (after starting the day off with pancakes at Ocean Ave Diner of course - A birthday must!) and did nothing.  Silas gave my cupcakes from Susie cakes in bed.  I think the coconut & chocolate on chocolate were my faves.  Do you like the half-eaten picture? I ate about 3.  Yeah, that happened.

We had dinner at Waterloo & City (pix to follow) and just had such a nice mellow day.  Silas helped out a lot with the baby and it was just nice to be catered to on my birthday.  I can't wait until Mother's Day...

Baked Art

Brilliant.  I want to hang them on my walls. From Ming Makes Cupcakes.

Things I made recently...

Maple roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and onions. Recipe.  Serve with pan-crisped green beans.

  Tart Tartin.  Sinful.

Bethenny Frankel's lemon cupcakes adapted from her coconut cupcake recipe in Naturally thin.  Good and somewhat good for you.  How rad is that....

NY Part II

 

We went to Norma's for the first time.  Jesus.  The plates of food were just unreal.  It took me an hour to decide.  I got hot chestnut pancakes with candied chestnuts and brown sugar sauce.  Cousin got Norma's blueberry pancakes with devonshire cream.  We all ate until we were sick and went walking after on 5th ave to search for a birthday present for moi.

 

Ok.  My man had to fit in his beloved Katz's deli visit before we left the big Apple and I would not have denied him that.  So we ate this gut bomb of a breakfast.  Corned beef sandwich on rye with a SIDE of chopped chicken liver and fried eggs with a bagel. Oh my gosh.  We had to walk back tot he hotel after that.  We made our way past Russ and Daughter's famous appetizers and smoked salmon & then we walked from the lower east side to Greenwich village to Magnolia bakery to get cupcakes.  See, it didn't take long.... 

 

Patricia Fields' famous trashy storefront.  So SITC! 

Cute graffiti on the bathroom wall of a coffee shop.

Peter Luger's was the grand finale.   We started with the bacon appetizer and tomato and onion salad.  My cousin, the master of the meal, insisted we top it with the house "steak sauce" and have a small bite of each all together.  Like a BLT type of thing.  Then just basic steak and baked potato, accompanied by creamed spinach.  I was very jealous of their martinis but I got over it. Man.  I love NY. 

(picture sources: cupcakes, katz's exterior, peter luger's exterior, )

I Heart Babycakes

 

  

 

I went to Babycakes Bakery today.  I think it was the happiest place on earth.  Look at the girl above.  I think she was singing while she frosted and seriously, can the uniforms get more precious.  Just stop it.  My friend and I could barely make it to the register before scarfing one down.  Once I made it to the register I blurted out "Are you hiring?"  I think I'd clean frosting tubs for them.

Vanilla with vanilla cream filling and strawberry frosting is a must.  Even Silas liked the cookie sandwich.  (He thinks all vegan/gluten-free desserts have a hint of cardboard). 

I am eating the other vanilla one with breakfast tomorrow.  Why can't they open one down by the beach?

I love you, Babycakes!