Max Brenner

Before Christmas this year, my friend, T, and I decided to plan a date day for ourselves. Part of our fun day was to visit Max Brenner in Union Square for some major food consumption and boy, did we do our jobs well! Unfortunately I forgot my camera so you will have to pardon the photos from my phone camera.

I had never been to Max Brenner, although T had and guided me through the menu. Of course, we had to try EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING! We started off debating between milkshakes and hot chocolate and decided to split a milkshake (even though it was freezing outside) and to order hot chocolate after our meal to-go.

So, after much deliberation, we decided on the Hazelnut Cream Chocolate Milkshake, which had vanilla bourbon ice cream, dark chocolate truffle and whipped cream.



WHOOO! Talk about delicious. This ended up being my favorite part of the meal. And aren't the cups adorable?! It was sort of like drinking Nutella, which we all know I can't stop myself from eating.

Next up was the main course. We decided t get two dishes to split, the first being the Mushroom and Ricotta Pizza with black olives and sun dried tomato pesto.



Since pizza is one of my favorite foods, if it's on the menu, I pretty much have to eat it. This pizza was good! Not my favorite but I enjoyed the thin crust and zesty pesto that was used as a sauce.

The other entree we split was Max's Sandwish of the Seas which had pan seared/seasoned salmon, caramelized onion, spicy roasted pepper aioli, tomato and lettuce.



 I LOVED this sandwhich. Next time I will probably just get one for myself. The coating on the salmon was super crunchy without compromising the soft fish inside. It came with a side of french fries that they dusted with cocoa powder. What a great idea!

(Side story: Speaking of cocoa powder on french fries, when I was little I ordered fries at a restaurant and mistakenly sprinkled them with sugar instead of salt. At first I refused to eat them and put up a huge fuss. Of course, after trying them I fell in love and for years after, I always ate my fries with sugar. What a wierdo!)



And, of course, what is the point of going to Max Brenner without getting dessert? At this point, we were both pretty full, but having run 10 miles earlier in the day, I had no problem singling out the dessert menu. We decided to split The Euphoria Peanut Butter Chocolae Fudge Sundae (say that three times fast!). It had chocolate peanut butter ice cream, caramelized banana toffees, pure chocolate chuncks, milk chocolate sauce and warm peanut butter sauce. It was garnished with whipped cream and hazelnut bits and served with extra peanut butter sauce and pure chocolate ganache. 



Lawda mercy was this thing crazy good! And SO rich! I am ashamed to admit we couldn't finish it. Chocolate and peanut butter were in each bite I took! So good!



Unfortunately we were both too full for hot chocolate afterwards, but will definitely be going back  at some point soon. We got lucky and didn't have to wait long for a table (about 30 seconds if you can believe it), but I hear it gets a little nuts so plan accordingly if you do go. I can't wait to return to Max Brenner and eat my face off again!

The Beach

Ah, the beach. It evokes memories of sandcastles, waves and potato chips. Where I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the beaches were gorgeous, but not necessarily for swimming. The beauty of seaweed washed up on shore and tiny crabs running along the rocky sand was something I didn't appreciate until I moved away.

The lakes I grew up on and visited as a child hold the memories most people have of beach vacations.

...I remember spending the entire day out on my family's speed boat, watching my brother and cousins wakeboard through the waves, catching a foot of air coming off the wake.

...I remember my mom wrapping me up in a warm towel she had layed out in the sun and giving me a big hug as I told her about my time out on the jet-ski.

...I remember burying my cousin so far in the sand that he couldn't get out, upon which time my brother and I tickled his toes mercilessly.

...I remember my dad chasing me in the pool until he would catch me and throw me into the air, slashing me back into cool blue water.

...I remember playing chicken war with my brother against my two cousins, splashing water on eachother as the sun set in the distance.

...I remember running my Dad's boat into the dock with my friend (oops, sorry Dad, we never told you), and breaking the front light which my friend fixed as I hyperventilated on the dock.

...I remember eating Cheetos on the sand, watching my fingers turn a brighter and brighter shade of orange before I would run down to the water and wash away the orange dust.

With all the lovely memories the beach brings me, its no wonder I have been retreating to the sand and salt water as much as possible this summer. I just can't get enough of the feeling you get when the sun is warming you from the outside in and the perfectly blue sky shining down on the white sand. Hope you are enjoying the warmth of the sun and everything else beaches bring this year, no matter what sort of beach may be near!

The Great American Food and Music Festival

On Sunday, I ate the following:

• A Fried Scallop PoBoy


• BBQ Nachos with Pork


• An Ice Cream Sunday with caramel sauce, gummy bears and chocolate chips (the only thing I didn't get a picture of)


• Duck, Goat Cheese and Onion Jam Grilled Cheese


• An assortment of Chocolate, Caramel, Peanut Butter and Lavendar Turtles


• A Cheesesteak with Peppers


• A Pork Boudin


• An assortment of Double Chocolate, Red Velvet, Coconut and Carrot Cake Cupcakes


• Cinnamon and Sugar Churros

I should get a prize for stamena! Where all did I eat this delicious extravagant feast?

THE GREAT AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL!

Spice, our friend Kali, and I embarked on a journey this past Sunday to Secaucus, New Jersey for this great day full of food! We were championship eaters, stuffing food in our faces immediately after arriving and leaving with  churros and cupcakes in our hands about 9 hours later! This was the first annual Food and Music Fest and we can't wait for next year!

We started our day heading to Jersey on the train. The Secaucus stop was about a 10 minute train ride, so we were there in no time! From there we hoped on a (free) shuttle bus to The Meadowlands Stadium (where The Superbowl will be in 2014).



Immediately upon arriving, Spice high-tailed it to the Scallop Puboy booth and within seconds was staring at a masterpeice. This was by far my favorite thing at the Festival! On a long loaf of crusty french bed nestled a family of fried scallops over tomatoes and topped with a mango, sweet corn rumelade. Whew! We wolfed that down in .03 seconds! They had several other sandwiches that we didn't get a chance to try but I'm sure were almost as good.

As we made our way to the end of the food tents, surveying the options for the day while eating our PuBoy, we came across BBQ Pork Nachos. We quickly stuffed the rest of the scallops in our mouths and got in line for Nachos!



The Nachos were at "The Neely's" tent, who we also got to see later on stage. The nachos were smothered with BBQ sauce and cheese with a generous mound of BBQ pork peeking out between chips. I commented that the only thing that could make them better was real cheese, but Spice and Kali concurred that there is something about that processed stadium liquid-cheese that can't be beat!

From there we made our way to the main stage on the field where they were getting ready for a talk about finding great local food. Sign us up! Handily, right next to the stage was a HUGE ice cream sundae stand. We shoved people aside, stepped on their toes and made our way to the front of the line, where we each got our own flavor ice cream, sauce and toppings. I was too busy shoving my face in my sundae to take a picture. Somehow I managed to take pictures of everything else before devouring, but the number one priority for the sundae was apparently to get in my belly. We took our treats into the stands to watch The Neely's from Food Network make Catfish and Hush Puppies.



Unfortunately, it began raining after The Neely's demonstation, so everyone went undercover to wait it out. But not without food! We managed to brave the beginning of the storm for a few hot wings! Which were so full of spice I just about died (from enjoyment, obviously)! Good thing we had water!

Luckily, after a little waiting, we were given panchos! Spice and Kali rocked the pancho look (duh) and we braved the elements for more food (suprise surprise!).

As soon as Kali spotted the Turtles booth, she squeeled with delight and said that her family made them every year for Christmas! Of course, we HAD to try some! We ended up with a Lavendar and Fleur de Sel Turtle, a Peanut Butter and Cayenne Turtle, and Milk and Dark Chocolate Turtles. I think my favorite was the Lavendar and Fleur de Sel! So many great flavors in one bite!



Next up was the most extravagant grilled cheese I have ever seen! It was a Duck, Goat Cheese and Onion Jam Grilled Cheese. I thought my tastebuds had died and gone to heaven! I have to say that now I like duck, I guess! I thought the combo of flavors and textures were perfect and this was my second favorite at the Festival! Kali and Spice disagreed, but I'll get to their second pick in a second.

One of the great things about the Festival was the debit cards they used. You could buy a card for $10, $20, $40 or $100 to be used at all the food stands that acts, more or less, like a debit card. It was nice not to have to get cash out for each purchase.



I already told you about The Neely's being at the Festival, but there were SO many more Food Network stars there!

• Tom Colicchio, from Top Chef, made mussels and a pork roast.


• Duff Goldman, from Ace of Cakes, decorated a burger cake with his team.


• and Paula Deen!!!!, who basically talked to the crowd and answered questions while a chef behind her made pork chops and stuffed zucchini. Love her!

Paula Deen was our last stop of the day, and of course, we couldn't watch her without snacks. We ended up with probably the best Cheesesteak I have ever had. The meat was so tender it was almost ground and it had the perfect blend of spices in it. I've even had Cheesesteaks in Philly and this surpassed those! This was Spice and Kali's second favorite instead of the grilled cheese.

We also ate a Pork Boudin. I had never heard of this, but Kali had eaten them before at home in Texas. They are basically a sausage with meat and rice and quite a kick to it. We all enjoyed our Pork Boudin and I'm so glad I know what one is now!



After Paula Deen, we just had to try the cupcakes! We got one of each: Chocolate, Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and Coconut. Delicious! Although our stomach's were overflowing, we still had a few dollars left on one of our cards. With our bartering faces on, we negotiated  a plate of Churros for $3! Because heaven forbid we leave without trying them! =)

Spice, Kali and I had such a great day and can't wait for next summer to come back for a day of eating!

The View: My Brush With Fame

If you happened to watch The View last Thursday, you would have seen me right before a commercial break, announcing James Pickens Jr. as the next guest, right next to Vanessa Williams!

Let me start at the beginning. Spice signed up be an audience member on The View a few years ago. She was finally issued four tickets and brought me and two other friends. What a pal!



We were all so excited and showed up to the taping in bright, solid colors with big smiles! We waited in line and after about a half an hour, they let us inside, where we showed them our id's (and they noticed I was from Washington State) and were then passed through a metal detector. As we were waiting in the hallway to get into the studio, one of the interns came up to me, remembering I was from Washington. He said I MAY be selected to do a short promo. Well color me excited! He told me I was on a standby list, so I figured I wouldn't actually be doing anything.



Eventually, we were brought into the studio, where we got front row seats! The studio was actually smaller than I thought it would be. The main table and chairs were all set up for the women to come sit in. After an MC riled up the crowd a bit, the women came out and the show started! The women were all beautiful, but it was interesting to watch the makeup people rush in at every commercial break!



At the first or second commercial break, one of the producers came up to me (I was on the aisle) and asked if I was 'Allison from Washington'. He proceeded to inform me that I would be doing a commercial lead in with Joy! He also handed me a script, which I had to practice several times in front of the girls. =)

At the next commercial break, the producer came back to get me and put me on a landing right below where I was sitting. He then told little, ol' me that Vanessa Williams (who was filling in for Barbara Walters) would be doing it with me.

My response: "I'm sorry, s-s-sir. I m-m-must've got d-d-deaf for a second. WHAT?!"



Ms. Williams came up a few seconds later and introduced herself.

I died a little bit inside.

Then I mumbled something about '"hello".

Then they started shooting and Ms. Williams introduced me as Allison from Washington and I read from the teleprompter.



Then the aliens put me back into my body and I went and sat back down next to Spice.

And as if that wasn't awesome enough, L.L. Cool J came on. And Spice melted next to me. During his interview, L.L. did bicep curls with Elisabeth, Joy and Sherri. L.L kept licking his lips and being gorgeous. I wasn't sure the day could get any better!



All in all, it was a great morning! And what an experience for my first TV taping! Spice and I had a wonderful time and are ready to sign up for other shows now!

Alice's Tea Cup

This weekend we had a bridal shower for Rebecca. She is getting married in April and this little shindig is getting so close! As bridesmaids, Spice and I are in on all the action! Yes! And I get to make cookies for the wedding favors. Can't WAIT to get started on that!



We had the shower at a place here in the city called Alice's Tea Cup. I just had to share with my blog because this place was so special! When you first walk in, you see their bakery, where they have all kinds of oversized cupcakes, giant cookies and teas. You can also purchase Alice related products like books and mugs. Everything was just so dainty!

We had the back party room all set up with balloons and favors at each place. After Rebecca arrived, they brought out about 8 different kinds of teas for the table. The tops of each teapot had these adorable little ceramic animals. I couldn't help marveling over them!



A bit later, they brought out tiered stands that had three layers of goodies! It blew my mind. And my stomach!

The top tier had scones including blueberry, pumpkin and I think cranberry, although I was too busy shoving the pumpkin scone in my mouth to notice the rest of them. Poor scones. I hope they didn't feel neglected.

The next tier had little sandwiches on them. SO many different kinds! There was a cucumber sandwich, hummus sandwhich, curried chicken, and so many more that I can't remember.

Probably because I zeroed in on the bottom tier which housed the desserts. There was an espresso chocolate chip cake, lots of butter cookies, chocolate mousse cups and lemon tarts.



We sat and talked and played games for several hours and this place was just so perfect to accomodate us! I can't wait to go back for brunch sometime! But until then, we've got a wedding to plan!

Doughnuts and a Blizzard

Woo hoo hoo hoo! Did we get some snow yesterday or what?! It looked to me like it ended up being about 12 inches in Queens. And everyone on my way to work this morning was shoveling. Suckers!


I, luckily, don't have to shovel because I don't own my apartment. That's why I get to call the shovelers "suckers". Also, just because I'm nice!

I trecked my way into work yesterday for a full hour before they closed our office. Que suerte!

I got the chance to get out to the park by my apartment and take some pictures. There were some people out tubing, sledding and building snowmen.



My favorite though, was the people who were out for a run.

Let me repeat myself: OUT. FOR. A. RUN. IN A BLIZZARD! Are you nuts?? I wanted to slap them and shove a doughnut down their throats.

Anyways, after I trudged myself home from work, I found it to be an excellent opportunity to make doughnuts. That pesky Pioneer Woman put it into my head earlier this week. It's not my fault.

I definitely can't explain the doughnuts any better than she can, so you can go there to see the step by step tutorial she put together. What a kewl gal.

But before you click over, emmerse yourself in the deliciousness:


And oh boy oh boy! Were these dudes delicious! I was pretty proud of my success, but I didn't even realize how proud I was allowed to be until these disappeared a full .2 seconds after I set them out at work. Such a fun project for a snow day!

Mighty Kate CD Release

No sweets for today. Actually I have some but I am withholding because I have the power. Mwhahahah!

Just kidding. Actually, my awesome voice teacher, Katy Pfaffl, had a CD release show last night for her new album "Mighty Kate".

A little background on Katy: she basically taught herself how to sing and how to play the guitar, piano and violin. AND how to do several at the same time. It's nuts! I had to turn around and say to my friend in the middle of a song that it is unnecessary for someone to have that much talent. Especially someone so tiny! She told me to shut up and listen to the rest of the show.

I obeyed and was mesmerized by Katy's talent and love for what she does. It was so much fun to see her presenting and rocking out to her music. If you want to check out her album, it's available on I-Tunes.

What is my friend Whit's response to Katy's new album? Thumbs up! And that means a lot because her thumb is freeeeezing from the icy temperatures here!

Superbowl Cookies

Unlike most other bloggers out there, I, being the splendiforous person I am, post superbowl recipes AFTER the superbowl. It's my way of being a rebel.

And don't even think its because I procrastinate too much to make things ahead of time! Cause that's not the reason and even if it was, I would never admit it (except I would and it is).

I made these cookies with the usual recipes. And Spice even helped me decorate this time! Although I think she thought it was too stressful and I'll probably be on my own decorating from now on!

Cookie Recipe

Royal Icing Recipe

Spice and I journeyed to Hoboken, New Jersey to watch the superbowl at Spice's boyfriends' apartment. That pretty much came down to Spice, me and 10 boys. It was a good time =)

Once the boys sat down, they didn't move other than to refuel on food, of which there was a ton!

Spice and her bf gave a thumbs up to the Saints in the second half. Don't tell them they look adorable. I never do. =)

The boys seemed to enjoy my cookies. Just look at what Ryan is thinking here. And ignore the fact that I totally made it up.

Lastly, I had an epic adventure back home after the game last night. I'll share the hoola hoops I had to jump through to get to my front door later this week!

Skiing 101

Bananie took me skiing this past weekend. I used to ski when I was little, but as I got older, flying down a mountain strapped to two sticks of wood just didn't peak my excitement. Nonetheless, Bananie wont stop talking about this "fun" activity and I just had to see for myself. She made me get up at the buttcrack of dawn. Thankfully she brought me a bagel and I got to watch the sunrise as we drove up to the mountain.

"AHHHH! Annie! The sky's on fire!!!!! We'd better go back to bed!

Promptly upon attaching the skiis to my boots (which had my feet in a grizzly death grip), I managed to slide backwards and fall in a tangled heap; skiis, hair, legs and arms on completely different planets. I dissolved into a full-on heave laugh while 5 year olds whizzed past me (and the little punks didn't even have poles! Showoffs....)

Luckily once I took a run down the baby-hill, muscle memory kicked in a teensy weensy bit and I advanced to the beginner slopes! Whew! Chair lift here I come!

The views were gorgeous and we lucked out on a superbly beautiful day!

(aka I couldn't stop snapping pictures)

Unfortunately, oil from the chair lift managed to drip itself (jerk) onto both Bananie and my's jackets. Poor Bananie's white jacket looked like a bird had taken a liking to her. She ended up with an "ski ambassador's jacket".

Whatever that means.

Bananie had to alert the media about what happened to her jacket while were take a jolly ride (oil-free, I might add) on the chair lift.

The easiest way I found to ski was to play "follow the leader" down the hill, playing a 4-year old to Bananie the "ski ambassador".

Every once in awhile I would release my ambassador and let her loose down the mountain.

Woah! Bananie, please don't die. I'll make you something sweet when we get home.

By the end of the day, with my feet perfectly numb both from the darn vice-like boots and the cold, I was skiing like a pro.

And by "pro" I mean I took up what we called the "granny stance": butt way back and hunched over my knees. What a sight!

Good thing we didn't get a picture of that! ;)