First Course New York

Cyber Monday for the Foodie

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:30:00 -0500

We used to think that Cyber Monday was just for scroll-happy moms and holiday obsessives. We were wrong. Cyber Monday is packed to the gills with worthwhile deals for everyone on your shopping list (including yourself!). Check out our top choices for today's most savory offers.

Seamless : Hungry for lunch? Seamless is taking 20% off all orders when the code Monday20 is entered before checking out.

Gilt Taste: Unlike their discounted big sister, Gilt Groupe, Taste is known for pushing pricey products. Today, the artisinal site is cutting those pricetags in half with discounts up to 70% off and updates on sales every three hours (we're especially interested in the White Truffles from Gourmet Attitude starting just under 78 bucks).

Williams-Sonoma: The fancy appliance mecca is offering free shipping on orders placed before 12 (PT) as well as a year of free shipping for $30! The store also has plenty of deals on their regular products.

Omaha Steaks: Nothing says love like 11 ounces of boneless sirloin, right? The Nebraska-based meat sellers are deeply discounting their inventory and offering bulk deals like the Private Grand Reserve Trio (2 Private Reserve Top Siorloins, 2 Private Reserve Top Filet Mignons and 2 Private Reserve Boneless Sirloins Strip Steaks) for 139 bucks.

Junior's Cheesecake: Remind your tastebuds why it's important to appreciate the classics with the slice old-school perfection. Junior's will take $5 off each cake ordered today.

Curtis Stone is a Dad!

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:30:00 -0500

Recipe for a cute kid:

1 Host, Top Chef Masters

1 adorable-but-never-annoying actress

Combine ingredients and wait 9 months.

It's possible that Curtis Stone and Lindsay Price's love affair has a bit more to it than this little story but- in the spirit of Thanksgiving- we're satisfied with this little tale.

People announced yesterday that Stone (Top Chef Masters) and Price (Lipstick Jungle) welcomed son Hundson on November 9. Stone tweeted "Lindsay and I are so excited to welcome our sweet little baby boy into the world...It feels so great to be a dad!!!!"

This is Chef Stone's first child, while Price played a mother very convincingly while on 90210.

Cupcakes in Heels

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:05:00 -0500

Every wonder what would happen if Barbie and Hannah Montana holed themselves up in a pink, ruffled bakery and tried to create the world's girliest dessert?

We have a feeling the husband and wife duo behind Cupcakes in Heels were pondering the same question.

Jenny and Wing- aka Mr. and Mrs. Yummy- are the Bayside-based partners in the Couture Bake Shop. Since 2007, the pair has been delicately crafting their signature baked goods. Specializing in "gourmet designer cupcakes," these saccrine-yet-aptly titled little gems are shaped and stylized to resemble their namesake runway fashion. Favorites include copies of classic quilted Chanel bags and oversize models of coordinating stilettos. The storefront also stocks designer-inspired cakes including The Jimmy Choo, green tea cupcakes filled with green tea frosting and iced with green tea butter cream, The Manolo, coconut cupcakes with CIH's signature frosting and The Louboutin, red velvet cupcakes (hello! obvious choice) with signature frosting. Of course, if you don't quite recognize your style in the company's catalog, they'll be happy to custom-design a look for you. So you could literally match your shoes to your bag to your cake shoes and bag.

And, Hey Ladies, if you pop into the Queens bakeshop on Thursday evenings from 6-9pm donning any article of clothing made by a designer-inspired creation, you'll be gifted a free cupcake with your order.

Feel free to let the gift with purchase make you a little less embarrassed about wearing $700 shoes to a bakery. We can't think of a better way to get the most use out of your wardrobe.

Macarons: The Unique Treat for Thanksgiving

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0500

Gluten-free has become a popular catchphrase lately, and many brands are creating gluten-free breads, brownies, cookies, muffins and more. These treats often have a strange starchy taste, a combination of too much baking soda, sorghum and a mix of tapioca, rice corn or potato starch that just doesn't work.

For the perfect gluten-free treat that everyone will enjoy, try macarons. Macarons are naturally gluten-free, the shell's made with almond flour, egg whites and sugar. Fillings can range from jams to buttery ganaches. With macarons popping up everywhere from Maison Ladurée in New York to the world's first macaron truck, Sweet Spot Macarons, in Chicago, they are the trendiest treat this holiday season.

If you can't find a pâtisserie making macarons near where you live, there are plenty of options that ship as well. My favorite place to go for artisanal treats is Etsy, and the site has plenty of great macaron sellers.

First, I tried macarons from Sparkles Macaron. These macarons arrived in absolutely perfect condition, packed in a lovely little soft side cooler with insulated lining.

"We had a hard time in the beginning trying to protect them," says owner Karen Li. "But we were determined to offer a happy macaron experience to every single customer, which includes receiving perfect macarons." The careful shipping paid off. There wasn't one crack in my assortment of twelve, and the colors were simply beautiful. From traditional Asian flavors, like Ume (plum) and black sesame, to a fragrant lavender reminiscent of my time in Provence, each macaron has a very distinct taste, with the lightest of shells.

Candied Meringue has some great flavors too, like almond and vanilla creme, and they try to use organic ingredients whenever possible. That includes not using any food coloring in the batch I received. The muted colors had no impact on the sharp burst of flavor, however.

"I only use natural food color gel for Red Velvet, Orange Creme and Lemon," says owner Cynthia Dai. "Most of the time I try to stay away from any coloring and let the customers seek out the flavor through taste and not by airbrushing different colors onto the macaron shells."

At Bokolette, macarons are individually wrapped to seal in their flavor. Bokolette's black winter truffle with roasted hazelnut macaron wins for the most mind-blowing flavor. I also really enjoyed the passionfruit cacao, which balanced its tart fruity flavor with a deeper cocoa flavor really nicely. Spiced caramel apple was another winner, with a holiday spiced caramel filling and bits of dried green apple. Bokolette's macarons have a bit more chew to them than Sparkles Macaron, but I thoroughly enjoyed both styles.

Do you have any favorite macaron spots I need to check out? Leave me a note and let me know.

RECAP: Thanksgiving Food Specials & Fall Cocktails

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:45:00 -0500

Partake in the holiday spirit and check out some great Thanksigiving day specials and fab fall cocktails.

Madison & Vine is offering up a to-die-for Thanksgiving menu at $45/person. Choose from an appetizer of butternut squash and pumpkin bisque with toasted pumpkin seeds or a fall salad of frisse and seasonal greens (with roquefort cheese, maple glazed walnuts, warm bacon vinaigrette). Move on to the entree, where you can choose from roasted turkey with mashed taters, candied sweet potatoes, haricot vert, cornbread, stuffing, cranberry orange relish...basically, the works. Or you can opt for slow roasted prime rib with mashed potatoes, sauteed baby veggies, with a delicious port wine sauce. Still not enough options for you? They also offer white truffle ravioli with toasted pine nuts in a brown butter sage sauce. Dessert brings more goodies in the form of pumpkin pie a la mode or hot apple pot pie, also a la mode.

Head to Andaz 5th Avenue for their three course Thanksgiving menu for $75/person, $35/child, or $100 with a wine pairing. The first course consists of Hudson Valley greens with honey roasted squash with cranberry vinaigrette or roasted chestnut soup. Take your pick of roasted turkey, New York strip steak, or seasonal bass, all served with brussel sprouts, candied yams, stuffing, green beans, and cranberry relish. Make your way to scrumptious dessert for your choice of harvest pie with cranberry and apple filling with a caramel walnut glaze or sweet potato pumpkin pie. Make your reservation here. Seatings will be from 2-9pm.

For those with the never-ending sweet tooth, order up some fresh goods from Donatella. Pastry Chef Andrea Jarosh will be serving up classic pumpkin and pecan pies (9") that you can pre-order up to 2 days before Thanksgiving. Pies are $45 each and can be ordered by sending an e-mail to michelle.owen@donatellagroup.com.

Would you rather booze it up during the holidays (we know, they can be stressful!)? Head to Bookmarks for your selection of Maple Cream Coffee, Hot Buttered Rum, Spiced Hot Chocolate or Orange Spice Tea (all $13).

You can still check out Madison & Vine for the libations...take your pick (or take them all) from the Almond Tea Toddy, Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Latte (move over Starbucks), and Hot Apple Pie cocktails (all $13.50).

Need a little sweetness with your holiday? The Campbell Apartment and The Empire Room will both be offering a holiday fave starting November 28th. Make way for the Sugar Plum Martini...visions will definitely be dancing in your head after you have a couple.

Have a Bombay Thanksgiving

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:01:00 -0500

Thanksgiving week is here, people, and that means it's time to get your drink on. Luckily, last Tuesday November 15th, noted mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim held a class called Demystifying the Martini, aimed to provide lucky attendees with all the knowledge of making the perfect martini. Don't worry, those of you who, er, weren't invited, can still reap the benefits of Tony's class. You may not know the history of the gin cocktail, or have had hands on experience at Catch crafting delicious cocktails, but now you can have the recipes and imbibe yourself this Thanksgiving. And don't forget to go behind the scenes and read Tony's interview!

French 75 Tony Style
1 ½ oz Bombay Sapphire gin
1 oz freshly squeezed, filtered lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup *
Chilled champagne (2-3 oz per drink)

In a mixing glass add Bombay Sapphire, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup; shake with ice until well chilled. Strain into an ice filled red wine glass, top with cold champagne, stir and garnish with a slice of orange, lemon, sliced strawberries and a sprig of mint.

4-1 Martini
2 oz Bombay Sapphire gin
½ oz Martini & Rossi dry vermouth

In an ice filled mixing glass add dry vermouth and Bombay Sapphire, stir well (20 times to the right and 20 times to the left). Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a single Spanish olive or a freshly cut twist of lemon.

Note: Substitute 2 pearl cocktail onions for the olive and you have a Gibson

Negroni
1 oz Bombay Sapphire gin
1 oz Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari

In an ice filled mixing glass, add Bombay Sapphire, sweet vermouth and Campari, stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a burnt orange twist.

Aviation
2 oz Bombay Sapphire gin
1 oz freshly squeezed, filtered lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup * (optional)
½ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 dashes crème de violette

In a mixing glass add Bombay Sapphire, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup; shake with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled champagne saucer. Garnish with 2 brandied cherries.

Bottoms (and turkeys) up!

Kimchi Mashed Potatoes

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:36:37 -0500

With Thanksgiving sneaking up on us this week, we are bound to be scrabbling for the best recipes to share with everyone at the big meal. So why not surprise your dinner party with something extra special? Instead of making the same old plain mashed potatoes, try these potatoes with an Asian twist!

“Kimchi” Mashed Potatoes

6 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

½ cup whole milk

4 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons of salt and more to taste

pepper to taste

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 head Napa cabbage, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

½ yellow onion, minced

1 jalapeno, minced

3 teaspoons fish sauce

1 teaspoon ground ginger

Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Add about 3 tablespoons of salt to water. Add potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain water from saucepan. Add milk, butter, 2 cloves of minced garlic, salt and pepper and mash together. Set mixture aside.

Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium low heat. Add cabbage, green onions and yellow onion to pan and sauté for five minutes. Add in jalapeno and 3 garlic cloves, sauté for one minute. Pour fish sauce over mixture and sprinkle on ground ginger. Allow to cook until cabbage is tender. Add cabbage mixture to mashed potatoes and mix together.

Alex Stratta Will Open a NYC Restaurant

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:30:00 -0500

Alessandro (Alex) Stratta, the famed chef most regularly recognized for his success in Las Vegas and for having been a contestant on Top Chef Masters, announced via the New York Times this morning that he will open his first New York City restaurant. Stratta will be the executive chef and a co-owner at Bigoli, set to open next week.

The West Village spot will feature a menu of "serious but fairly simple Italian food." Reported specifics so far include a selection of cured meats with wild arugula and Parmesan cheese in lemon dressing and 24-hour duck leg confit. Stratta is also bringing Joe Swan on as his chef de cuisine. Swan previously worked for Stratta at Alex in the Wynn Las Vegas.

The restaurant- located on 13th Street and Seventh Avenue- is taking over the former Gonzo space and is said to have an open kitchen and a 20 foot skylight in its dining room.

Stratta told the Times he hopes New Yorkers will be "kind and patient" as typical restaurant kinks are worked out. Judging by his reputation, however, that transition period won't take very long.

Grade Your Family Kitchen

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:45:00 -0500

Think Grandma's kitchen looks a little shabby this Thanksgiving? Let her know that you won't stand for counter top mildew by offering up a "pending" grade.

The New York Times reported earlier today that The New York City Department of Health and Hygiene is now selling kitchen merchandise that features the same grade logos that must be featured in restaurant windows. The DOH started pushing T Shirts last Thanksgiving and based on their success will now offer up customers a full product line that includes potholders ($12), aprons ($28), baby bibs ($10), onesies ($18) and magnets ($5). Of course, T Shirts are still available for those who missed out last time for 18 bucks.

The paper cited Susan Craig, a Department spokeswoman, as saying, "What better way to educate your mother-in-law about food safety?"

We can't think of a single one.

To put the passive aggressive approach to the holidays behind you and purchase one of these cheeky presents, click here.

Where There's Ham, There Better Be Wine

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:01:00 -0500

'Haunted Heart' -Little Hurricane

As all you New Yorkers know, the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade is right around the corner. That means there is going to be an overload of turkey and tryptophan coursing through your veins. Ultimately putting you in a bear-like hibernating state during Black Friday, and maybe until Cyber Monday.

If you're looking to escape the typical turkey day trance, hail a cab to 7th street between 1st avenue and Avenue A, to indulge in the Bourgeois Pig. This is a trendy East Village wine bar that serves up great wine and tapas that are both delicious and wallet-friendly. So nix your plans to have the probable overcooked bird and order up a baked brie cheese board for $17. This cheese board comes with fresh grapes and honey. Pair that alongside the lamb Morrocco tartines for $11, and your mouth will continue to thank you the rest of the night.

Before you order up these mouth watering bites, make sure to pair with one of the many quality wines available. One of the best choices is the French merlot reasonably priced at $52 a bottle.

So if you're looking for a sweet spot to celebrate pre-Thanksgiving, check out Bourgeois Pig. Who knows, you may even catch Santa making his cameo in Greeley Square on your way home Thursday morning.