There is a debate going on on Daily Eats about favorite hot dogs. The other morning I was going through CT and stopped at Swanky Franks. Here's what I think about Swanky Franks.
What's your favorite hot dog joint?
Swanky Franks 1050 Post Rd E Westport, CT 06880 (203) 226-5355
Yeah that’s right I hulu too. I hulu while I’m cooking, but I’m not watching cooking shows I usually watch sci-fi. According to some researchers women don’t usually watching sci-fi…yeah right.
Here's a list of my favorite sci-fi on hulu: Firefly – why did they ever cancel the series when it was on tv? Battlestar Galactica – finally! A sci-fi show with guts Total Recall 2070 – which is really so bad it’s good Eureka American Gothic Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – I think it’s better than the original Medium New Amsterdam Chuck
Old favorites like Highlander. I even watched The Sixth Sense - was weird.
Movies I watched Astro Viz: Black Holes Naked Lunch Titan AE While not cooking and watching I’ll watch and eat. While watching the season start of the Battlestar Galactica I prepared a pesto penne with a mixed green salad. I poured my self a glass of sparkling apple cider. For dessert I had double chocolate chocolate chip cookies.
BTW hulu doesn't require a TV just a computer and I don't have TV.
I had the pleasure of reading Melika Dannese Lux's first novel "City of Lights, the trial and triumphs of Ilyse Charpentier". City of Lights is a lovely novel set in 1800's Paris. Ilyse Charpentier, the heroine, is a beautiful young diva of Parisian cabaret. She shows us what it is to have courage to make change and sacrifice no matter how painful. This refreshing first novel by Melika Dannese Lux paints a beautiful picture of Paris at that point in time. It is as though Melika lived during this time her descriptions are vivid and beautiful.
I especially enjoyed the description of the lovely romantic dinner Ilyse has with her young suitor at ‘La Vue Doree’ at the Eiffel La Tour. This is a good old fashion romance novel and must read for all romantic types.
Jani is a Chinese and Japanese restaurant with themed interior. Jani is located in Milford, CT. I had the pleasure of dining there with Joyce and Elaine. The food nice not overwhelming with spice as some Chinese restaurants tend to be. I enjoyed the chicken with hoisin sauce and beef scallions with wraps. We tried the cold sesame noodles. I am spoiled by my humble beginnings; when I was a kid I worked on New Haven's Blessings, who was well known for slightly spicy cold sesame noodles. Jani noodles deliver if you didn't know the difference, meaning they're still enjoyable and satisfying.
I was disappointed by the soft shell crab. It was very fishy tasting and a little too salty over all. After all if given a choice of sauce and picked the oyster sauce which could have added to the saltiness of the soft shell crab.
Nevertheless Jani's service is super and the interior is like a museum with both Chinese and Japanese artifacts from bowls to tea service. I enjoyed the atmosphere, food and especially the conversation with my mother and aunt. Jani 187 Cherry Street Milford, CT 06460 phone: 203-874-1199
Real Simple's recipe for Roasted Fennel Red Onion and Salmon. I ordered all the ingredients from Fresh Direct. This recipe is no hassle and easy to make and tastes delicious. Prep takes about 10 minutes. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes. Bake the salmon for about 10-12 minutes. This yummy recipe is about 395 calories.
I fell in love with fennel after making this. I never realized fennel is so sweet and tastes great raw. My mother and aunt this weekend told me fennel also known as anise. They said my grandmother would serve it sliced with a little olive oil. Fennel is now my favorite herb and I think I'm going to cook with it more often.
I went to Market Café for the first time. I read about the quality of food from this Hell’s Kitchen eatery. I also heard about the service. Despite the pros and cons I wanted to experience this for myself, this is my neighborhood after all.
First Market Café is all about the food and the food is awesome. I had the fresh fish of the day which was Tilapia with golden potatoes and green beans. It was great!
Since this is a neighborhood place the service is the same service you expect from a “hometown” diner, waiter tries to make small talk and has to manage all the tables in the restaurant.
But Daniel was full of surprises. When I ordered the chocolate cake I was expecting “just” a slice of chocolate cake nothing exceptional. When Daniel finally brought me the chocolate cake, suspected they were still baking the cake when I ordered it, I gasped, it was the biggest slice of chocolate cake I’ve ever seen. So big even I was embarrassed.
The table next to mine sat four, one of the gentlemen, Richard Schoeller, offered to help with the cake if I joined his table. It was all kind of magical. There is something about chocolate cake which makes most people smile and something about a big slice of chocolate cake which makes most people want to help dig in. I loved to offer to share.
The chocolate cake lived up to my expectations of delicious cake. Go to Market Café go there to relax and enjoy the food, remember relax and enjoy! And try the chocolate cake with a friend or two.
Market Cafe 496 9th Ave New York, NY 10018 (212) 967-3892
Surprise and delight at the detail of all things spring. This is a restaurant that not only believes in sensory experience but provides a seasonal twist. This is a smart fresh concept and I love it.
From the awning at the entrance to the hallway bar nook your senses are engrossed in all things spring. The menu is the season.
It was Wednesday evening I went Park Avenue Spring with Elaine Paque. It was our wind down dinner but who would have guessed what a delight this experience would have been.
I learned about Park Avenue Spring while in a cab on my way to a meeting on Wednesday. I fascinated by the attention to detail the creation of the seasonal atmosphere and experience. Everything gets changed to fit the season perfectly. It’s brilliant.
For dinner I started with Citrus Fruit Tartare, main entrée was Wild King Salmon, Crispy Quinoa, and Passion Fruit Yogurt. Citrus Fruit Tartare was refreshing like soft cool spring air that has the aroma of new blossoms. Wild King Salmon, Crispy Quinoa, and Passion Fruit Yogurt was a complete surprise. It woke me up. The salmon was perfectly cooked and it was sweet. Quinoa was something I never experienced before. According to Wikipedia the Incas held Quinoa as a scared crop and referred to it as "chisaya mama" or "mother of all grains". Eating this dish was a scared experience for my tongue, mind and spirit.
The special of the day was this amazing Truffle Risotto which Elaine had. It was special.
Even more special was the Chocolate Cube. I apologize for the photo I was not prepared for this evening and left my camera at home. The Chocolate Cube is an “architectural wonder” that Frank Gehry would be proud of. There are surprises in this chocolate wonder; the cube is hard on the outside and delicious mousse filled on the inside.
Elaine made a wonderful aesthetic comment about the loveliness of our table, yes we had the best table, and beauty of the design, music and food and right down to the waiter staffs’ attire.
This is an experiential restaurant that I enjoyed and I can’t wait to review Summer, Fall and Winter.
I went to Market Café for the first time. I read about the quality of food from this Hell’s Kitchen eatery. I also heard about the service. Despite the pros and cons I wanted to experience this for myself, this is my neighborhood after all.
Even more special was the Chocolate Cube. I apologize for the photo I was not prepared for this evening and left my camera at home. The Chocolate Cube is an “architectural wonder” that Frank Gehry would be proud of. There are surprises in this chocolate wonder; the cube is hard on the outside and delicious mousse filled on the inside.
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