People have been asking me about the food in London. How was the food? Where are the pictures of the fish and chips? (more…)

Normally I eat out when traveling. But I’m staying with two handsome Italians who happen to be great cooks (Whose happier than me?).

I’m the unofficial food tester for their future restaurant.  A difficult job.

I would be happy to stay and continue testing recipes, but I would need a pair of elastic pants and additional seats on the plane to get back to New York.

Here is what has been on the menu since I arrived – gluten free pancakes with maple syrup, spaghetti alla carbonara, and fresh beef sirloin steaks (purchased that day from Borough Market) with mashed potatoes, sautéed radicchio and onion.

And for dessert a perfect homemade tiramisu.

Thank you boys!  I’ll be back for the restaurant opening.

Baci!!!

Leslie

It’s no secret I enjoy food and Indonesians are serious eaters.  Like Europeans they are highly concerned with quality and taste.

Nasi (Rice) is their daily bread.  It’s eaten at every meal, including breakfast. From mild to scorching hot, spicy flavoring is also an integral part of the local fare. Served in the form of a sauce or integrated with peppers into a dish, these sweat producing flavors help maintain an appetite in the melting climate.

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My neighborhood is not just home to Grand Central it’s also home to what I call Tokyo Central.

In the dark abyss of Midtown East food choices Japanese markets, restaurants and a culinary center have been quietly taking over, squeezing in almost unnoticed between the newsstands, Irish Pubs and check cashing stores.

There are so many places to enjoy but as I’m on a budget one of my – transport me to Tokyo – budget favorites is Oms b omusubi for rice balls (white rice traditionally formed in the shape of a triangle, filled with various fillings, and often wrapped in seaweed). (more…)

I haven’t been writing as much about food these past few weeks, possibly due to my tight fitting pants.

But after a recent lunch with two friends who freely admitted to carrying some extra baggage on their waistlines (and no holding back on dessert), I thought “I need to get back in the game”.

One of these friends lives halfway around the world, in a bone dry climate, and when he visits New York there is always a pilgrimage to Tarallucci E Vino, on 18th Street, between 5th Avenue and Broadway.  Whether stopping in for a meal, coffee, or an aperitivo here’s why this restaurant is a perennial favorite.

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