outbreak monkey

i deem m. roth the outbreak monkey! you will see below in one of my posts that i brag about taking care of his sickly self. i thought i got away with that but NO his "bug" manifested itself (back to me) about 5 days later! sunday evening all into monday i was iller than a pregnant penguin that ate taco bell in vast amounts! NOT FUN! its going around so beware! i promise you're not going to die-- only you will feel like you wish you were dead for about 12 + hours straight! enjoy!

best burger in tha burg

williamsburger! 342 wythe ave 718.486.6969 at the corner of south 2nd wow! on the burger and perfectly crisp fries as well as the best shake i've had! i have been meaning to try this spot and finally did on friday night w liz. she watched me down a dopey burger, fries, and a hot dog topped w chili (in all fairness i left the bun from both half eaten:) this place doesn't disappoint! and their motto: "beefing up hipsters" is quite amusing to say the least! thumbs up! go eat it!

i like this pic

perhaps bc its so dark and mysterious!? perhaps bc i look like i have some nice cleave goin' on?

what do jews do on x mas?

go out for chinese food! duh! last night i joined a few folks at joe's shanghai (9 Pell Street New York, New York 10013  212.233.8888)  yum! after an hour wait (and trust me i never would have waited but i saw all the dishes coming out of the kitchen and so...) we gorged ourselves on everything chinese! oh holy night indeed! wowzer. we ordered: moo shu chicken (the yummy dish that comes with "pancakes" (these are really tortilla-like flour wrap thingy's) to wrap your lovely contents in, beef and broc, 2 orders of scallion pancakes, 2 orders of soup dumplings (stuffed w pork *these are their speciality and are YUM), chicken pan fried noodles, and an order of eggplant. i think that's all? did i mention there were only 4 of us? we cleaned up pretty well-- of course i was with 3 other dudes and out ate all of them; could have kept going but didn't wanna push it. Oh, and i insisted on stopping at juniors (386 Flatbush Avenue Extension at Dekalb Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11201 718.852.5257) for some cheescake! then got snarked at for getting one piece of cheesecake and one piece of red velvet cake (yes i am a glut). and you were right ok! the red velvet was not good! you happy!? 

hmmm wonder why i feel like garbage today!?? but well worth it! yum

pic courtesy of shavonne reel

the last 2 days...

a bit to report.... first i found my new favorite restaurant! its called PEACHES 393 lewis ave brooklyn ny 11233 718.942.4162. this spot is next to my homie shavonne's house! (not fair) it is amazing! comfort food out the wazoo. i had a pulled pork sandwch with slaw on the side, the crispiest fries and a side of brussels sprouts smothered in butter with delectable pieces of bacon! yum. shav had shrimp and cheese grits! no me gusta shrimp and i still wanted to try hers! they also have delicious desserts. i took home pound cake with fresh whipped cream and berries. they also had a brownie with ice cream (i will have that next time).

next i took care of a sickly sick head all day on x mas eve. i dunno what happened to m. roth but he was in a bad state! i'll spare the details as i just wrote about good food above... but i have never seen a man so sick! :( poor fella! and who manages to still look handsome when they are having hot/cold sweats and barfing for 12 hours straight??

on x mas day i saw the curious case of benjamin button. i can't tell you how impressive this film is. it was so well done! amazing cast (the well known and the not so well known) and beautifully shot! i am now a brad pitt fan. i figured him for an annoying pretty boy prior to this film but new respect! kate blanchett was amazing as well. the makeup in this movie will surely win multiple awards as well as the actors. beautiful film...what else can i say...go see it!

necklace tree!

i got me a necklace tree at urban outfitters yesterday! just made my life easier! i needed a way to hang and store my jewels! i have about 20 or so and they were just getting all tangled and ANNOYING! this little tree is a good solve! it was kinda steep if you ask me ($28 in store; its also available on the web) but worth it to not have anxiety attacks every-time i go to grab an accessory :)

soupy bunz and 16 handles

last nite i ventured to shanghai cafe (100 mott street btwn canal and hester 212.966.3988) for soupy bunz!! if you have not had them get SOME! they are small dumplings filled with pork (or crab and pork) with soup inside!! yum! i also had scallion pancakes (on of my fav things in the world) and a chicken dish with bean curd and preserved cabbage!

after that liz and i trucked over to 16 handles/urban outfitters!! (153 2nd ave betwn 9th and 10th street) for frozen yog! tis place has 16 flavors of yogurt at all times with a GIANT topping bar. you grab a cup and fill your flavor(s) and then proceed to the UNLIMITED topping bar. i know i have shared this lovely secret with you all before, but its always worth mentioning! last nite i had: cookies and cream and vanilla (and a dab of cheesecake) with the following on top: crushed oreo, crushed graham crackers, m&m's, sprinkles (rainbow), reese's cups, and marsh mallows :)

have you ever...

seen a lovelier avocado!??!! yum.

grimaldis pizza under the brooklyn bridge

yum! grimaldis is some of the most famous and best zza in ny! 19 Old Fulton St. under the Brooklyn Bridge 718.858.4300 last night i had a decent pie (with pepperoni, ricotta and basil) and an antipasto plate. i have a feeling it was a bit of an off night bc the big boss man that runs shit wasn't there so the employees were... having the night off. i've been to grimaldis about a dozen times so i know the drill.... its worth a go! trust me! last night was the least busy i've ever seen it. possibly due to a sunday night at 7:30 after a winter storm fri-sat?

also saw 'MILK' this weekend feat. sean penn! sean can do no wrong! i love him (as a man and as an actor) his performance was stellar and the movie was great! the only side note i have is that his character in this movie slightly resembled his character in 'i am sam'. if you have not seen 'i am sam' RENT IT!!! 'milk' is a great learning experience and an uplifting film. we all need to realize as americans we should stand up for what we believe! wow how preachy for a monday morning! 

cheers!

best hanukkah present ever!

as i am in the midst of posting the below bacon entry my vitamin carpool homie conor walked by and was like "oh, bacon post huh?" i was all..."duh" and he was all "hold on a sec, i have something for you". (*note-- i was being funny per the above "he was all/i was all") anyhoo what he brought me next astonished me! bc conor is prob one of the nicest most appreciative dudes EVER (also bc he endures all my rants on the way to and fro vitaworld, including but not limited to: boy issues, food discussion, RBE's (random bitching episodes), issues with my car, and the fact that i constantly whine about all NY streets being in sheer disrepair and therefore not safe to drive on) as well as the fact that he has to deal w my driving period! he brought me a hanukkah present!! in thanks of the rides that tinker bell (my car) and i provide. he obv pays attention to my love of bacon! i was so tickled i had to photograph the goods and post them! yes kids; thats a bacon wallet, floss, band-aid's, and an air freshener! not to mention the bacon n' egg bag that will now become my overnight bag when staying at my man's house :) thanks c. !!!!

the following things i need in my life...

the cartoon bacon dude image is from:

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/object/5323233-bacon.php?id=5323233

really cool place you can buy and download photos fer various stuff. its very cheap-o as well. the link above is to a "food series" of CARTOON FOOD! yum!

sounds yummy!

below article from grub street...sounds enticing! i shall report on its worthiness asap.

Good News for Dumpling, Ravioli, and Empanada Lovers!

Marco Polo's buns.Photo: Eating in Translation

We recently discovered an East Village eatery, open for a few months now but surprisingly unnoticed aside from an Eating in Translation stop-in, that traffics not only in Shanghai-style steamed buns, but also “dumplavoli” specials. So what’s a “dumplavoli”?

Stefano Magaddino, an Italian-American who runs the tiny takeout joint (previously located in Long Island City) with his Chinese-American wife, tells us that combos include four or five ravioli along with five or six dumplings. Depending on whether you’re ordering lunch or dinner, the ravioli are filled with spinach and cheese, ground beef, portobello mushrooms, Italian sausage, vegetables, shrimp, or lobster, and the dumplings are filled with chicken or spicy pork. That’s great, but what about a dumpla-voli-samo-panad-arepa combo?

Empanada Joe’s, 668 Sixth Ave., nr. 21st St.; 917-338-4780
Marco Polo Fusion Café, 102 St. Marks Pl., nr. Ave. A; 212-228-8456

CUTE of the day (or century)!

um, could there be a cuter baby!!?? at least 29 or so years ago he was cute... ;) BUT at least he still has the same cheeks!!! (and yes, is still quite cute) i adore him!

EEK!

so all i am going to think about today is how guilty i feel that i closed my bedroom door before leaving for work today! why you ask? because my cat (eek) loves my room and ferociously guards it whilst i am away. he loves my bed and is always perched at the foot of it. this makes for a need to wash all sheets, pillow cases, duvets... (way more often than i do) which i finally did last night. now everything is super clean, bleached, and downey fresh! needless to say i'd rather eek chill in the living-room for a while. 

we'll see how long it takes me to break down and give him his room back. as you can see from the pic, he loves to lounge! poor little fella :( i feel sooooo bad. *LIZ- this does not mean you can open my door! 

who doesn't like the muppets?

last night i watched the newest muppets x mas. uma thurman (!!!!??) made an appearance and so did some other lady from various tv movies that i can't place. it was cute- as i always love the muppets and their voices! there's some sot of prawn character that i don't remember from the past(?) since when do they chill with fishy creatures that are on dinner menus? anyhoo the prawn guy is now one of my favorites (he's pictured at bottom right) he has a hilarious accent somewhere between french and spanish sounding. and of course the rats are my all time fav. they are the best! and always so down to help out!

$1 cupcakes

i don't have much to report this am so i am sharing a fact from grub street (ny mags foodie blog). i am told (by them) that BILLY's (bakery)184 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10011  nr. 21st St 212-647-9956 is celebrating its 5 year anniversary and has $1 cupcake specials. i say go for it! i love cupcakes!! i actually like the way they look sometimes better than i do eating them...frosting is yum but i don't always like the cake(y) parts. anyhoo, in these tough times, if a fancy chelsea bakery is offering $1 cakes go get some! take em' to the annoying holiday party you have to go to for work or take some to your man or lady friend! speak of... hey single ladies from wht i see the men manning these treats look like they may be a treat themselves!! yum yum.

silk nog...mmmm

yummy- try it! 

*disclaimer- this line was not stolen in any way shape or form from vitaminwater's line "try it...." its just how i felt at the moment of posting!

it's lower cal than normal nog and not as intense! nice, lite, and creamy.  

yummy (but $$$) of the day

i finally tried papa lima in my hood last night-362 bedford ave brooklyn 718.218.7720 i have been meaning to check it out. my friend told me it was good but $$ WOW she wasn't kidding! 

i ordered 2 sandwiches, a chili (DUH), 2 bags of chips and 2 gus' pickles (FYI the best pickles ANYWHERE! half sour perfection pickles) the grand total was $31 and change!!!! daaaaaamn! i had the 'evil reuben' (how could i not w a name like that?) which consisted of turkey, provolone, cole slaw (good home made stuff) russian dressing on perfectly toasted marble rye and the 'pablo honey' (turkey , american cheese, shredded lett, CHIPS, and mayo, on whole wheat with a side of GRAVY for dipping!)

now, mind you this stop wasn't as i would have liked to have done things; i was in a bit of a dash to get to my destination and called ahead so my stuff would be ready. so i had the guy on the phone tell me some sandwch options bc i had no menu :( if i did i prob would have ordered one (or all) of the following: 

'sir beefy' (another great name!)- roast beef, cheddar, tom, shredded lett and horseradish sauce (mmmmmm), 'pete's secret egg salad' or the 'ss minnow' - fresh tuna salad, arugula, tom, and lemon vinagrette.

i will say, the 2 guys runnin the joint were extra nice and they had just made the chili fresh. when i was checking out one of the dudes pulled fresh baked cookies out of the oven. these were YUM. they were ginger orange cookies with some kind of nuts. mind you i don't even like orange or nuts (esp in my cookies) but these were tasty and it was nice to know these people actually bake on premises. 

all in all i say check it!

the perfect breakfast!

 after a trip to choice greene (featured below) these goods were acquired for the making of breakfast. could there be a better looking spread??!! can you see the perfection of that bacon!?? (that bacon has a story of its own that i may share someday... that bacon i truly love!!) 

the beautiful table, its contents, the whole nine, looks like something right outta of a martha stewart if ya ask me! (its not my house so i can't take the credit BUT i do spend enough time there to assist in cooking and photographing said dwelling)

bye bye bob

friday night was bobby z's going away at TRIBE-  132 first ave @ st marks street 212. 979.8965 this bar was my old stomping grounds! i found this place years ago when i moved to the big apple. we shall miss bobby! tons of vitamin people came out and it was cool to meet co workers significant others'. i work with great people so drinks and music only made the evening more enjoyable! ps bob, if you are keeping up with ye ole chili bowl (and you better) you will be pleased to know that i saw vita coco in a very hip yummy little organic market this weekend! called choice greene in ft greene (214 Greene Ave  718-230-1243) 

good stuff! well placed! i wish you all the best!! 

as for choice greene-- this spot is opened by the owner of choice market (my fav and see below for the turkey burger from heaven). this plce provides little wooden baskets and its small but has everything you could ever need (fresh fish, fresh and cured meats, veggies, organic eggs in a barrel-you pick your own and put them in a carton, chocolates and amazing homemade breads! oh, also dips, spreads, a small olive bar and tons of more treats in this really inviting spot!

beer cart!!!

on friday's my amazing employer (glaceau- makers of vitaminwater, smartwater, vitaminenergy...) provides beer cart! what is beer cart you ask? weeeellll its a spread of FOOD, beer and wine at 4pm sharp on friday's! yes, i know i am a lucky gal-- but those field people i assist, poor bastards don't realize i pretty much mentally check out at 4pm on fridizzles! anyway- on to the goods. to name a few items the cart includes: moz sticks, fried zucchini, pizza, wings, veggie platter, calamari, pasta(s), fruit, grilled veggies, beer (stella and corona), and wine. 

when beer cart comes it is similar to a scene i witnessed just the other day when picking up my buddy conor for vitamin carpool! as i waited outside his house (don't worry conor it was only for about 2 minutes*conor is the best carpool buddy! so courteous, he's always concerned that i have been waiting outside too long) a man walked down the sidewalk and threw out almost an entire loaf of bread. i thought hmmm, wtf? and soon after about 16,000 pigeons flocked to enjoy! it was pretty amusing and i chuckled as they pecked and flocked and flew into each other fighting for big pieces of wonder bread! i often make up voices and conversations in my head as to what animals think or say (to people and to one another) *don't worry i take my meds on a daily basis! needless to say beer cart resembles the pigeon flock in a way! 

my favorite pic from pr

this is quite possibly my favorite pic fom my trip. we took a catamaran to a tiny private island inhabited by nothing (or so we were told!) my travel buddy decided to dig out a huge hole where he saw a tiny hole in the sand (MUY INTELLEGENTE!!) not exactly wht i would have done but hey, i wouldn't have snapped this pic if he didn't....

choice market in ft greene NEVER disappoints!

this is probably the 12th time i've written about choice market 318 Lafayette Ave (at grand st)  718-230-5234 

i heart it! it also reminds me of a spot in my home town (corner market) before corner market tried to expand and ruined their life! choice makes a hundred million diff homemade pies, cakes, cookies, breads and soups and a hot food bar every day. they always have their staples (burgers- including salmon, veggie and turkey, paninis, blt's, roasted beef, chicken etc. and a plethora of sides!) last night i had this beauty pictured above. i asked for a turkey burger on 7 grain w cheddar. it came (via delivery mind you) on perfectly toasted bread with: onion, cheddar, lett, tom, GUAC, CILANTRO, and was also perfectly seasoned. choice i love thee! oh, and as you can see the dog wanted some too! he put on his best face! :( (don't worry i fed him a bite even when his owner told me i prob shouldn't).

the good life is a GOOD movie!

the good life stars zooey deschanel, bill paxon, chris klein, and that yummy pants kid from almost famous (patrick fugit). this is shot beautifully, well acted (even by chris klein in a "nemisis" role)  and is sad and happy all at once. the breif synopsis below from yahoo movies may lead you to believe this is a dull flick... i assure ya its not.

"A young man tries to pursue his dreams in a football obsessed town in Nebraska". 

very cool website-very cute gifts!

http://www.kamibashi.com/   

i love this site! i picked up a couple of voodoo keychains in puerto rico and people seem to likey! 

brilliant!!

Zzzzz...huh, wha? #@$%!! Come back here!

Sleep when you die, man. Staying awake is the only way to get things done anymore. So when your weekly intake of REM is limited to the single digits, you need an effective waking mechanism. Something to jog your mind as well as your body in an effort to pump blood back to your extremities and grey matter. Clocky is here! All Hail Clocky!

This little wonderful wheeled alarm clock started as an engineering student's project. Having trouble waking up herself, Gauri Nanda developed Clocky to shriek annoyingly and effectively, waking you up. The fun doesn't end there, kiddies. It leaps off of your night stand, and drives around your room, making random turns and racing away from your grasp. Now you have to get out of bed and hunt the little bugger down to turn it off.

Now, you're awake, and it's time to get things done. Booya.

the above from www.thinkgeek.com (one of my fav sites) which is where my previously posted star wars buddies came from.... i happen to think this is brilliant AND for the record could CLOCKY be a better name!!!?? sounds like i named this thing! also for the record clocky happens to be one of my favorite colors!!

here's the link to the clocky! http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/91f2/?cpg=85H    

and many more fun items!

did this really make me cry?

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100743807?v=3510621&l=100000248

YES IT totally did!! my co worker (and carpool buddy) sent me this first thing this am. maybe i am emotional bc its raining out? i think it actually says a lot about life, love, and friends....

thx conor!

what i wish i had right in front of my face right this instant

a sundae or a frozen hot chocolate from serendipity!!  225 E 60th St (bet 2nd and 3rd ave) New York, NY 10022 (212) 838-3531 i WILL get up to the 60's this week if it kills me!!! their desserts are a little much (just how i like em').

i think this guy is very cute!

he also reminds me of someone else i think is cute (mjr). best cartoon ever! check out chilly's appetite and his voice!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjRACCuh3vc

gals in the LES

at rewind night spot in the citay. essex street bet stanton and rivington. pretty cool spot and pretty good dj.

http://rewindnyc.com/

in case you don't know about pandora radio

YOU SHOULD! www.pandora.com-- you can pick artists, songs, or genre's and stream FREE radio on your computer! it saved my life, it may save yours! you can also pick an artist (i.e billie holiday) and than add "variety" to your station and add additional artists (i.e louis armstrong) and they will play the specified artist(s) as well as all related and influences of those artists! yum

hear ye hear ye...

my friend the wonderful lesly bernard is opening 3 new spots (food and drink)! see this link: http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/12/lesly_bernards_fall_projects_w.html?mid=grub-street--20081209

in case you are lazy...here's a snip form the article

Lesly Bernard’s Fall Projects Won’t Open for Another Month

In an interview with Steve Lewis, Lesly Bernard, owner of Mr. Jonesand Tillman’s, recalls his formative days at Clementine and Pravda, and humors Lewis in the usual hand-wringing about the future of nightlife and bottle service. His comments about learning from Keith McNally are great (“when he’s snoring, I’m taking notes!”), but he doesn’t say much about his delayed projects, including the city’s first bacon bar. We checked in with his people and found out the following...

EXCUSE ME!! did someone mention a BACON BAR!???? has there ever been a better idea? i may move to the city because of this alone! you must read the article to find out what the 3 spots entail and you will be as excited as i!!

would ya take at look at this cake please

our friend kate made a mayan temple cake for my sis's b day yesterday!! can the gal be any more creative or hilarious? this is a dream cake complete with celebs to boot! kate you tickle me!! oh did i mention it was freakin' delicious!!??

shout out to...

my homie graham's CUTE frenchie (featured in my blog title). his name is rhody (afetr rhode island where he and graham hail from)

let it be known...

that i had a tough time picking the bloggy name! i helped liz pick hers and told her to just think of stuff she likes and try to come up w a title. i did the same thing and have a feeling that my blog name may change periodically as i am very fickle at times (as my dear grandma ester used to say:) i like too much stuff to name my blog. i really like frenchie bull dogs and tacos and kisses, but as you will learn from reading i also love: hummus, guacamole, CHILI, really good deli sandwiches, a good pair of jeans, scarfs in the winter, LEGGINGS, the beach, having manicured feets and nails, good hair days, handsome men, movies, true friends, belly aching laughs, chocolate covered pretzels, and snuggling. more to come to the list i am sure....