Labor Day Weekend Food Extravaganza

This was a GREAT holiday weekend! I love three day weekends... I really think we should have them all the time. But sadly that is just not the case.

As the title suggest Nick and I had quite the foodie weekend. Lots of new places and new foods! We loved every minute of it.

First off was a new Mexican restaurant on Friday night. Nick had booked a special on Groupon and we thought we would give it a try. Turns out it was pretty decent. The pitcher of margaritas was tasty (plus strong!) and chips with guac and queso was delicious. We ate a whole bunch of chips! Sadly, the fajitas were not up to the standard we are use to. They used this odd sauce that just didn't work. We would gladly go back - just order a different entree.

Saturday I took Nick to Bar Pitti. I had been there once before with some girlfriends but it's such a great, traditional Italian place (and cheap!). The city was quiet... a lot of people got out of town for the long weekend. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. We ordered Fettunta E Proscuitto to start - grilled country bread with prosciutto di parma, garlic & olive oil. I love proscuitto! Nick and I both went with a traditional pasta dish. Mine was excellent... Nick's needed a little more flavor in the sauce but overall he enjoyed the restaurant.





After lunch we made our way to our favorite gelato place... we really can't get enough. Every time we are in West Village we have to stop. Once we had our gelato we made our way up to Barney's Whole Sale event. Nick informed me we were NOT buying anything... just looking.

Yeah - that never happens! He ended up with a new tie and shirt and I found a really cute pair of grey skinny jeans. The discounts were amazing and the store was packed! The men section had a lot more to choose from... the women's was a little picked over. We still made out of there dirt cheap - if we had bought those three items at normal price it would have set us way back!


There were some elbows being thrown in the women's section!

Saturday night I made reservations at Jane. I really didn't know much about it but the reviews were excellent. The restaurant was in West Village and it was incredibly cute. Perfect date night restaurant - we really enjoyed the ambiance. And the food! The food was the best. Every dish we had we absolutely loved! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.... I highly recommend this restaurant. We will be back!





Pork chop with cheese grits... yes, please!


Steak and fries.. you really can't go wrong!


One of the best desserts ever! It completely upstaged my apple crisp. Nick ordered cookies and milk... warm chocolate cookies with cold milk with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it. Heaven! 

Sunday afternoon we decided to see Total Recall at the Union Square theater and then head to dinner afterwards. The movie was okay but what had us excited was the stadium seating. It was so nice to be in comfortable chairs, be elevated, and see the screen. Stadium seating is one of the things we miss most from back home!

We made our way to dinner after the movie. It was a place called Freeman's in the Lower East Side and it's location is quite unusual. The lower east side is a bit of a transitional neighborhood. Some parts aren't too nice... this restaurant was located in a back alley. You wouldn't know it's there unless you were looking for it.



The restaurant had a real old world feel to it. It was extremely warm and inviting. We started off with some cocktails and for our appetizer we ordered the grilled cheddar toasts and the devils on horseback. Now, we didn't have a clue what devils on horseback was. We asked and turns out it was prunes wrapped in cheese and bacon. Definitely interesting... we were feeling adventurous so we decided to try it. Turns out it was really good. Nick says bacon makes anything good! Nick ordered the herb-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and I had the seared scallops with heirloom tomatoes. Everything was perfect - I especially loved the tomatoes! Dessert = brownie with vanilla ice cream (you really can't go wrong!)


The picture is a little dark... the figs are on the left. I didn't want to be THAT person who takes a picture with a flash on in a dim-lit room.

On the way back to the subway we passed Rice to Riches. We had seen this on TV and Nick wanted to give it a try. I was pretty confident I wouldn't like it. And I was right - the texture was just something I couldn't get past. Nick thought it tasted just like chocolate pudding.







This was on the main door. I love it!




Monday was a fairly realxing day. We had planned to go downtown for brunch but after being down there the whole weekend we decided to go to our staple brunch place - EJ's. Love this place - best french toast!


Yes there is the option to get toppings but I like my french toast with just butter and maple syrup!

I made shrimp tacos for dinner and I have to say it was pretty darn tasty. Definitley one of my better recipes!



It was a wonderful weekend. I feel so fortunate to be in a city that lets us explore the way NYC does. And I really have to be one of the luckiest women because I never tire of spending time with Nick. He's not only my husband but my best friend and I enjoy every single second with him.

Our plans for next weekend... in the words of Nick, "We are doing nothing - think CHEAP!"

Surprise Vineyard Day Trip

Nick surprised me last weekend with a group dinner Friday night and then a day trip to a Hudson Valley vineyard.
Oh how I love when he plans things for us! 

Friday night we met up with some great friends Pam and Matt & Jeremiah and Julie. We had reservations at Landmarc and it was a perfect evening of steak and potatoes! Pretty much everyone at the table either ordered a steak or burger. It was so great to see everyone and catch up!



Saturday I had no idea where Nick was taking me. I knew it involved about a 2 hour train ride. It was quite the hike! Towards the end of the second train ride Nick asked me if I had any idea where we were headed.... none. I didn't have a clue which for some reason surprised him.

I didn't realize where we were going until we got off the train and headed to the shuttle (and by shuttle I mean the small school bus). And the only reason I knew at that point was because our driver held a sign that said, "Millbrook Vineyards." Yes.... wine tasting! Perfect!

Such a great idea! By the time we made it to the vineyard it was lunch time and I was starving. We made our way down the path towards the outdoor kitchen. After a few decisions we decided on a glass of wine, two burgers, and a chocolate chip cookie. The vineyard had picnic tables set up all around the water and grapes... so we sat and enjoyed the scenery.





It was such a beautiful day we decided to take a short walk to the overlook where you can see for miles along the Hudson Valley. Such peacefulness. I've said it before and I'm sure it won't be the last time... it is so great to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city!

 

 

Afterwards we had a short tour of the vineyard and then finished with the wine tasting. The wine was really good and relatively inexpensive for a bottle. Perfect combination. It was the perfect day trip - I have a pretty amazing husband. He did joke that this "surprise" should give him points for at least 6 months!






Love this man!

Cafeteria

Cafeteria = new favorite restaurant in the city! More on that in a minute...

Friday night Nick and I decided to stay in. We've been trying to be more healthy lately. Better meal decisions. I decided to make chicken fajitas with corn tortillas and this black bean/corn dish as a side. Plus a little chips and guacamole (even though that's not real healthy).

The dinner came out wonderful! It was my first time making the side dish and guacamole and I could not have been happier. Especially the guacamole - I loved it! Super easy to make. I have to say it is one of the better meals I have made.





Saturday was a big day for me - I ran my first three miles EVER. Anyone who knows me knows I hated anything over 400 yards... even 400 yards was pushing it. I was a sprinter in high school and despised long distance. So the fact that I ran three miles is a huge accomplishment! I was quite proud of myself. My next goal is to run a 5K...

Nick and I ran a few errands and then had lunch at Cafeteria in Chelsea. It.Was.Delicious. This restaurant is my new favorite in the city. I don't know why we haven't been before but you can count on us returning. Everything on the menu looked tasty - it was really hard to decided.

We started off with some drinks - margarita on the rocks for Nick that had a little bit of a twist and a blueberry mojito for me. Just what we needed on a hot, humid day. After taking a long time to review the menu we finally decided.



Nick ordered the fish tacos (way to be healthy!) with a side of truffle parmesan fries (not so  healthy) and I, well... I didn't order so healthy. I ordered the fried catfish with a side of cheese grits. That's right - a Southern meal. I can't even begin to explain how satisfying this meal was. I savored every bite - the catfish was fried to perfection and the grits had just the right amount of cheese mixed in. Nick's meal was every bit as delicious as mine. Both of us had nothing left on our plates.





Afterwards we met up with some of Nick's prior classmates at The Frying Pan. It's this large boat that sits on the Hudson. It's basically a huge bar... and it was packed! The environment was really neat and we had a great table towards the front that looked over the Hudson. However, I couldn't stay too long... the motion of the boat was making me nausea. It was a constant back and forth motion and after about an hour I was ready to be on solid ground.



 The rest of the weekend was quiet - a relaxing, lazy Sunday. Just the way we like it!

Fire Island

Nick and I decided to take a day trip to Fire Island. It's a 32 mile stretch of land that is only accessible by taking a ferry. I had heard a lot about it from other people and patients - I think it's well known too because parts of the island is very gay friendly.

We decided to go to the main area... sort of the capital of the island, Ocean Beach. It was a kind of trains, planes, and automobiles day to get there. It wasn't hard by any means but a few transportation switches.

First there was a subway ride to Penn Station. Then we caught the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica where we had to switch to another train. This train took us to Bay Shore where we then caught a taxi service to the ferry. And lastly the 20 minute ferry ride to Fire Island... it was quite the trip! Fire Island has no cars - you walk or ride your bike. Also there is no eating or drinking on the beach (except water)... it keeps the beach areas clean and pristine.







The ferry was extremely crowded!



Ocean Beach is this cute, quaint beach town. The main square area had the typical restaurants, beach stores, etc. It really was very nice. We had a about a 5-10 minute walk to the beach. We passed a lot of small houses with a very topical feel to them. Nick and I talked about looking into renting a house and getting a group of friends to go.



The Atlantic!

The beach was crowded but not overly crowded. We found a nice spot and proceeded to relax. It was hot but we didn't have the humidity we had been experiencing the last few days. And there was a nice breeze coming off the Atlantic. As we lay there I tried to remember the last time we were at the beach... I couldn't. It's been a long time. I missed it... the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Priceless.





We ate lunch at a little cafe in town for a break from the sun. And of course we had to get some ice cream for dessert. We stayed at the beach for another hour or so but then decided we had enough. I'm not one for just laying out in the sun and Nick's skin can't take too much either. Next time we will bring an umbrella so we can have some shade.


Those people were smart - umbrella!


Our first beach day!

So began our transportation journey back to the city. It didn't take too long to get back to the city. Fire Island is a great day trip. It's definitely something we will be doing again!

Goodbye Coppell

July 24, 2012 marked the day my family said goodbye to Coppell. It's a sad day for me.

I grew up in Coppell or what my friends and I like to call "the bubble." Because that's what it was... a bubble. My parents and I moved to Coppell when I was 5 years old. It's a great community 20 minutes outside of downtown Dallas. It's home and will always be home to me.

It holds so many memories for me. Here's a few off the top of my head:

• Starting kindergarten at Lee Elementary. It's where I met my first friend, Lauren Johnson, and I am happy to say we are still friends 23 years later. I think... and I'm sure Lauren can correct we if I'm wrong but we met over chocolate chip cookies. Cookies! 

•  Performing a dance with three other friends (I believe Lauren and Lauren were both part of it) at our second grade talent show. Not sure how that happened since I was pretty shy. I must have been conveniced somehow... 

•  Saturday mornings with my mom. We would get donuts at Donut Palace (Best.Donuts.Ever.) and then drive to the Galleria for my ice skating lessons. 

•  Moving right before fifth grade started. Hello, Mockingbird Elementary. I was not happy about moving in my last year of elementary school. I thought life was so hard back then...

•  My first crush was in 5th grade... I thought he was the coolest thing ever! I think he even gave me my first kiss on the cheek.  

•  The joys of middle school. Thinking we were so cool back then. Ha! My introduction into school sports. I didn't really play before middle school. I did more of the ice skating and horse back riding. But, once I hit 7th grade I was in love with the athletics program. Volleyball, basketball, track... loved it all! 

•  Girl time and lots of sleep overs! I was thankful my parents were willing to let me invite friends over for some fun!

•  Girl Scouts... same troop from daisies to seniors. I remember once we hit middle school/high school a lot of us were embarrassed to still be in Girl Scouts. But I'm so proud of it now. It taught me a lot and we had great leaders. Also, we received the Gold Award which is the highest honor you can receive in Girl Scouts.  

•  High School! Oh the joys and drama of high school. It was some of the best four years of my life. I know a lot of people say high school was the worst period of their life. But it wasn't for me. I'm not sure if it was our class, my friends, or my involvement but I loved it. Don't get me wrong... there was the normal high school drama but I had a great time.

•  Sports and more sports! Volleyball, basketball, track, and one year of softball (not my decision). Games during the week and tournaments on Saturdays. Tearing my ACL in the middle of the Southlake basketball  game... which hurt like hell. I remember seeing my dad jumping over the stands and running to the court. 

•  Turning 16 and getting my license. My dad had always said I would get a "reasonable and safe car" but he knew how much I wanted a sports car. And sure enough I got one. A 1995 Black Mustang. I was in love. I went out to Olive Garden with my parents and two friends, Lauren and Lauren. Afterwards us girls (I was the first one to get my license) went to the movies. I was so excited about being able to drive. Halfway through the drive cars kept flashing their lights at me. I couldn't figure out why but soon realized I was driving without my lights on!

•  Having to call my dad at midnight because I had two flat tires. How did I get two flat tires on the same side? I was messing with the radio and hit the curb. I told my dad I swerved to miss hitting a dog. I'm pretty sure he didn't buy it but he didn't say anything.

•  7-11... the hangout in Coppell (during my time... I'm sure that's changed now).

•  Evan being born. I was an only child until I was 16 and then poof... another sibling. It was quite the change but as soon as he was born I was in love. I loved babysitting him... my parents friends and my friends just loved him. He was a huge hit at school functions!

•  Meeting the love of my life. Nick and I met junior year of high school and started dating right before senior year. Not many people are fortunate to meet "the one" at such a young age. I am so lucky to have seen him grow from a boy into the driven, caring, intelligent man he is today. We've grown so much together and I can't ever imagine my life without him.

•  Senior overalls... making them at Lauren's house with Melissa. That was a lot of fun! Oh and mums!!

•  Football games! You can't live in Texas without loving football games. I was there every Friday night cheering on the Coppell Cowboys.

•  Wash your car Sundays... not sure how this even came about but every Sunday I would meet with Lauren and Melissa and we would wash our cars at the local car wash.

•  Weekends at the lake and on the boat!

•  Holidays... Christmas is my favorite holiday. Helping my mom and dad decorate the outside/inside. I loved every minute of it. Still do.

That's a very short list. There are many more. It's hard to believe my parents and Evan are no longer there. It's not going to be the quite the same. No familiar drive down Bethel School Road to the house. Our 10 year reunion is coming up this September and it's going to be great to see everyone but also bittersweet because it's no longer where my family is

Coppell will always be home and I cherish the childhood I had there. 

Friends Visit NYC

Last weekend we had some friends, Kari Jo and Rick, who flew in from Dallas. It was so great to see them. We hadn't seen them in a couple of years. Kari Jo and I went through the trials of nursing school together so it was great to catch up. They just had a beautiful baby boy about 6 months ago and this was their first time out as a "couple."

We met them for dinner on Friday night. Nick and I decided to take them into West Village. It really is the place to go for all the exciment and vibrancy of New York City. It's such a fun area.

We had dinner at a tapas bar called Las Ramblas. It is this small... maybe 10 table restaurant right in the center of West Village. It actually worked out because they were doing a lot of specials since it was Running of The Bulls in Spain.

It was Nick and mines first visit as well and it turned out amazing! We loved all of the food and the sangria was some of the best I've ever had. We couldn't have asked for a better dinner expereince.

Afterwards we headed to one of our favorite Italian gelato places around the corner. Nick and I really can't get enough of this gelato! It's delicious!



It was so great to see them and catch up! I love when friends come to visit!!

Random Things

I've been a little neglectful with our lovely blog.... forgive me.

Here are some random things that have taken place over the last couple of weeks.

1) A couple of weeks ago we headed over to Mike and Jenienne's for some fajitas and the European soccer match. It's always a fun time over there. And, never forget the large amounts of alcohol consumed. Mike yelling, "One more shot!" It was during this that Nick has now become "Mr. Nick Wells." Don't ask me how it got started but it stuck the whole night. It was funny.




2) While walking home from work one day I decided to divert from my normal route of walking down Madison. Because of this I was greeted with one of the most crazy things I've seen since moving to the city. What you ask would be so crazy? Oh, just a woman, my age, walking down the street completely topless. No bra... no shirt... nothing! She only had jeans and flip flops on. I couldn't figure it out. Was she actually certifiably crazy? Did she lose a bet? What? All I know she created quite the spectacle along third avenue. Only in NYC!

3) I met Nick for dinner one Friday night after work. It's become our routine since we don't see much of each other during the week. I found this place down in West Village close to the Hudson called Malatesta Trattria... traditional Italian food. Yes, please. It was this really cute indoor/outdoor restaurant. The food was really tasty and we had a great time just catching up.




Bruschetta!



4) We relaxed along the Hudson one night... it was hot. New York has been in the midst of a heat wave. Now, I am from Texas... I can handle the heat. But the humidity not sure much. It's just so oppressive... it's awful. I much prefer the dry heat of Texas.



New Jersey in the background



Lower downtown Manhattan

5) Fourth of July! Another hot one too. I have to say I am not a fan of the 4th being on a Wednesday. It threw my whole week off... who wants to go back to work after celebrating the 4th? Not me.

Nick and I spent the day relaxing. We thought about going to the beach but we knew it would be really crowded. I much prefer our first trip to the beach to be a little more calm. We had brunch at Alice's Tea Cup... think Alice in Wonderland attire/decor. The brunch was delicious. I had the smoked salmon over a scone... poached eggs, buttermilk scone with hollandaise sauce. Nick had the traditional eggs benedict.





We ordered some cake to-go and headed to the park to relax. It was a little warm but we found a nice, quiet spot under a tree. It was peaceful!



Later in the night we cooked some shrimp quesidallas and watched the fireworks on TV. I know... I know... we live in New York City and we don't get out to see the fireworks. 1) I repeat... it was a Wednesday and we had work the next day 2) it's crowded... and I mean painfully crowded 3) it's just as nice on TV! I did some research and in 2014 the 4th of July is on a Friday. If we are still here that year we will be sure to attend!