French Fries Are My Co-Pilot

Brings A Whole New Meaning To The Phrase "Eat Me"!

After posting this, all I wanted was McDonalds.  I had a very tough choice to make.  Do I go to Zumba or do I eat a McGriddle?  I wanted to go head for the Golden Arches – especially because going to a Zumba class (and admitting it) is almost as bad as having a blog.

 

But I shoved an apple in my face and went to the gym.

 

After I embarrassed myself and realized I can only shake one of my hips, I decided I deserved a reward for not going to either McDonalds.  (Yes I pass TWO on the 4-block walk from my apartment to the gym).  As I headed for my 2^nd favorite chain responsible for America’s obesity (Starbucks), I noticed a sign in the empty store front next to my gym.

 

 

DIRECTLY NEXT TO MY GYM WILL BE A MARTHA STEWART PIE POP-UP SHOP.

 

 

I cannot decide if this is the best or worst thing to have ever happened to me.  It starts tomorrow AM just in time for me to get in a quick run, a fruit tart, and still meet my friend at 11am.

 

 

Oh Martha, I don' think I'm ready for this Jelly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was really everything I could do to not press my face against the glass.  Hello beautiful! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last, but not least!  What do we think is in there?  More apple?  Cherry?  BLUEBERRY?!?!?!

Oh also....

Cheap At Even Twice The Price (Buy Some)

I don’t always eat fancy food. (Ok, fine, I did last night at www.whathappenswhennyc.com)

There's more to life that foie gras and duck confit and oysters and champagne and Japanese sushi (should we be eating that now?) local organic veggies and raw milk imported cheeses. Now that I'm typing that out, maybe I do not agree with that statement.

Once upon a time, a trip to Taco Bell would leave me beside myself.  The Bean Burrito Gods shined upon me once again and it was good. So I know and LOVE trash.  In fact....I saw the following photo and almost wept with jealousy.

There are people on this earth...who some how can rationalize eating......

 

 

 

It's like heaven....but twice as big.  I don't know that I could physically handle eating this sammie of glory.  My head would explode as the angels sang of chorus of "I"M LOVIN' IT!" in 5 part harmony.  It's not just one fried patty of mystery fish, covered with factory-produced tartar sauce and cheese made from the milk of rats......its TWO OF EVERYTHING.

I know rationally, the double filet of fish is a way to entice Catholics to eat at McDonalds on Fridays during Lent.  And the fact that I know these things is a testament (new) to my Non-Jewish friend(s) from college. Before College was a world of darkness without the Filet o Fish.  McDonalds was a place where French fries and a decent fountain soda (then called Pop) lived.  And Burger King was closer to my house anyway.  One day during Lent, a girl in my sorority brought home a Filet of Fish.  At first, I was disgusted because this girl actually smelled like fish much of the time.  So the combo of the two threatened the eco-system of my fragile girl world.  But she offered me a bite and as I was round with the Freshman 30, I couldn't say no to free, fried food.  And as I lifted the sandwich to my retro-Bonnie Belled lips, the lights grew brighter and my life changed.

I went to McDonalds ALL THE TIME.  If you're into the results of this experiment - you can read about it here: http://thesaucybits.com/2011/02/something-new-the-sauce-toss/

These days I'm only allowed McDonald's on travel days (planes, trains, automobiles).  Which seems silly when you think about the kinds of fatty foods I consume on a weekly basis.  But those fatty foods are expensive and "special" and "high-end".  If I gave myself constant access to the affordable crack that is Filet of Fish, I know I wouldn't be able to stop.  I would have to work at the 24 hour McDonalds around the block from my house.

And then my hair would smell.  And then WHERE would I be then?

 

It's Too Drunk Too Care Tuesday!!!

 

I have been remiss in sharing my compulsive wine buys from Astor Wines. 

 

I love Astor for a lot of reasons:

• They answer all of my stupid questions.
• They have a huge selection at many price points.
• When I'm sending gifts to people out of state, they deliver there and for cheaper than wine.com OR the brand's website.
• They deliver to me next day in Manhattan so I don't have to carry it home.
• And, they send me a well constructed 15 percent off email every Tuesday (as you may have read about here) to allow me to purchase wine under $30 so I can try different types from different regions and can drink it en mass and not have any 'splanin' to do 

Two weeks ago, I did a little damage on Alsace day.  

Pinot Gris “Schimberg”, Dirler 2005

Gewürztraminer, Trimbach – 2007 

Pinot Blanc, Mittnacht – 2008

Riesling “Expression”, Domaine L’Agapé – 2009

We enjoyed the Pinot Blanc with Raw Milk Cheeses from BoboLink Dairy. It went well with the Cheddar (which tasted like Cheddar, hence the name and Frolic (a hard nutty cheese – kind of like an upscale Jarlsberg).  The rest of the Whites (not racist, balancing out the many many Napa Reds we have in the house) are sitting and waiting to be loved.  You shan't wait long, my darlings…spring is coming.  (Sorry about the baby talk, Wines from Alsace are SUCH drama queens.)

Last week, Astor featured New York State Wines.  I'm all about supporting local business but I just couldn't get excited about them when I'm about to have the entire North Fork at my disposal.  I passed. And thought my uncontrollable urge to purchase wine I don’t need online had passed as well.  But I was wrong.

 So Today - South Africa

I’ve never been to South Africa.  And I don’t currently own any of their wines.  So why shouldn’t I go hog wild and purchase bottles I don’t have room for?

Not knowing anything about the region, I went for two Sauvignon Blancs and a bottle of Cab Franc and Pinotage:

Raats Cabernet Franc – 2008

Kanonkop Pinotage, Stellenbosch - 2008

Warwick, Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch – 2009

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch – 2009

 

I wonder what I’ll be buying next week? 

 

Hooray, Starbucks!

My email to customer service at Starbucks (where I am a Gold Member and get a lot of free beverages):

 

Dear Caffeine Pushers -

I am not sure if anything can be done, but my idiot husband threw away my "free coffee" post card I received last week for being part of the gold status reward program. Is there a way to resend?

 

And less than 14 hours later, I received this response:

 

Hello Tracy,

 

Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

 

I was sorry to hear that you post card had been discarded by accident. I will be more than happy to have a replacement sent out to you. You should receive it in 7-12 business days.

 

If you have any further questions or concerns that I was unable to address, please feel free to let me know. 

 

Warm Regards,

 

Roman

 

THANKS ROMAN! You didn't even mock my husband for throwing away my sweet sweet vente latte! 

While We're On The Subject....

Has everyone seen Unites States of Pizza : Michigan?

 

How they can discuss pizza in Ann Arbor and blow off Pizza House is beyond me!

 

And I should know.  I live in the land of great pizza. The best pizza.  I immigrated here over 8 years ago. New York Pizza defines the product created when you combine crust, mozzarella and sauce. It's the best possible outcome.  Any other sort of pizza is kidding itself.  And, ready?   I know this will not be popular, but its true.  Here it is, we'll rip the band-aid off.

Sorry Chicago, your pizza is good, but its not really PIZZA, its a delicious hybrid.  It's like cheese casserole meets pie. I love it.  It wrecks my stomach and is worth it every time.  But it's just not 'Za as Pizza should be worshipped. 

It's ok, Chicago.  I am not mocking you.  I'm certainly not perfect.  I am not without my bad habits.  In between the slices of NYC's finest (pizza, not their uniformed men) and the gourmet pies cooked in ovens brought over from Italy brick by brick, I yearn for the pizza of my youth.  A product eaten at birthday parties and when Dad was out of town. A meal delivered to your door in 30 minutes less or your money back. 

Thats right.  When I'm missing home -- I sometimes eat Dominos Pizza.  And in New York City, you might as well check yourself into Bellevue.  Thats like going to China (or at least Chinatown) and stopping by Panda Express.

So read it and weep -- out of all the deliciousness they describe on the link above.....when I want to say Yes, Michigan (because the feeling *IS* forever) I eat the poorest excuse for pizza available.  Except for Little Casears....thats where I put my nostalgic foot down.  Shit is the worst. 

Detroit Rock City

With one exception, my hometown of Detroit gets its culinary ass kicked by my adopted town of New York City.  

 

That one exception is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island_(restaurant)

No trip home is complete without Greek Salad (Feta, Lettuce, Onion, Peperoncini, Beets and Olives) with a side of french fries smothered in chili (without beans) and yellow mustard.  Before I had to watch what I ate, I also enjoyed their signature Grilled Cheese Pita or Coney Dog (a natural casing hot dog with yellow mustard, onions, chili) or the Loose Burger (Exactly what it sounds like...ground beef covered in chili, onions and yellow mustard).  In fact, the trick to recreating the feeling of Coney Island in any location is to pour yellow mustard on your standard grilled meat. My East Coast In-Laws stock French's mustard so I can have a taste of home during our family BBQs. (NOTE: In Michigan, we say we "BBQed" or "Grilled Out" but you can't say BBQ in NYC because then people think you're talking about pulled pork rather than a hamburger we cooked on a grill).

Anyway, as happy as I am to use yellow mustard to ward off the feelings of homesickness....the salad dressing is the magic elixir of Suburban Detroit Life. It's nirvana of red vinegar and spices.  It's liquid love. And I NEED it.

Like drug mules, I coerce visitors flip TSA the bird and smuggle Leo's Light Salad Dressing to the Big Apple.  Sure, Astoria has great Greek food -- if you're looking for roast lamb, fresh fish and homemade feta created in the style of the old country.  In this case, the fresh fare doesn't cut the mustard. (Ha, get it?)  But it doesn't have the sty lings of the greasy spoon Greek diners of my childhood.  In this case, the frozen french fries fried in dirty oil are king. I don't even care of the name Coney Island originated with Brooklyn's famed fun park.

This is the year that fink beats the stomach. 

Usually once a week as we did tonight, LPK and I bake or saute chicken and throw it on salad just to have an excuse to use the salad dressing.  And optimist or no, I couldn't help but notice that bottle is half empty. 

I need a fix.

I'm on a drug called Leo's Light Salad Dressing. And I'm about to run out. 

Cuisine Scoreboard:

New York City: 279                                Michigan: 4

**IF YOU CAN GUESS THE OTHER MICHIGAN DELICACIES, YOU WIN A PRIZE**

From Loire Whites to Napa Reds.....

Read this article - Judging Cabernet's Class of 2007

 

I was happy I sampled many of these.  2007 Cabs were some of the best I've ever had....and drinking them IN Napa made them feel even special.  Also, I was crazy drunk so everything tasted like liquid sunshine.

The ones listed here are cheap enough to buy and drink now or hold onto for a few years.  I am SHOCKED at the Clos Du Val rec...I am usually not a fan.

Get Your Beer Here! Hot dogs, Red Hot! And Rex Manning.

You know when you were a little kid and your parents would take you to a sporting event (in my case, hockey games) and the vendors would walk by selling edibles and you’d lose your three-year-old mind?  That’s what happens to me first thing in the morning on Tuesdays when Astor Wines sends me their newsletter.

 

I’m a sucker for a deal and on Tuesdays they feature a different wine region and give you 15 % off selected products. This morning I started screaming like a toddler for cotton candy at a Detroit Tigers game because today….it was Loire Valley day

 

Loire Valley day. I sat up in my bed, removed my retainers and reached for my wallet.

 

It felt kind of like Rex Manning day – except instead of Maxwell Caufield in eyeliner (no, I did NOT have to IMBD that) I get white wines I really like to drink.  I have an abundance of Sancerre on hand because its usually perfection.  Therefore, my mission was to purchase different types of wine and spend less than $100 total. Oh Rexy, you're so sexy!

 

This is what we ended up with:

 

Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, Dom. de la Pepière – 2009

 

Tasting Notes - Great, refreshing Muscadet with vibrant minerality. Of course, this is perfect for oysters (‘Of course’….way to be snooty French wine), but with its good round body (like mine), it's also great with light poultry or vegetable dishes. (See, I can drink this WITH vegetables and I’m so healthy) From a Practicing Organic estate. (And so very eco-conscious)

 

 

Vouvray Sec "Clos Naudin", Foreau – 2008

 

Tasting Notes - Amazing concentration of crisp chalky Chenin Blanc, (You had me at amazing) with tangy quince and mineraled honey. Try it with chèvre for a classic wine-food match (I have it in my fridge RIGHT NOW). This wine will evolve nicely for 10+ years. (Sorry, friends, bottles under $100 don’t make it 10 weeks at my house, so 10 years ain’t happening)

 

 

Muscadet "Briords", Marc Ollivier - 2009

 

Tasting Notes - Briords (How do you pronounce that?) is stony, mineral driven with floral and citrus fruit. Enjoy in its youth or amaze yourself with the ageability of top grower Muscadet. A natural match with oysters (Naturally), cured salmon (Even Better, I’m a Jew) and most anything from the sea. (Except for that old boot all fisherman bring in from the sea, that’s not a great pairing)

 

Total $81.55 plus tax.

 

Sadly, the first (and funnier) draft of this was sucked into the Internet Black Hole at 8:45 this morning.  What I’ve discovered since that time trying to recreate this post ?  The Muscadets are 1.5L instead of the usual 750 ml.  Which means these wines are probably going to be really gross….which means I should pair them with oysters per their suggestion?  Drink them REALLY fast?

 

But what this REALLY means -  I shouldn’t buy wine in bed before coffee.