Fragole: Garden to Garden

FRAGOLE
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A few weeks ago, I took Anna to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to check out the cherry blossoms that were just starting to bloom. The first few trees we saw were still barren, their empty branches fidgeting in the wind. After making our way deeper into the garden, we saw a Japanese Flowering Cherry in bloom.

Despite the frigid weather in the 50’s, there was still a decent number of tourists milling about, happily snapping pictures to prove that spring had finally sprung.

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French Laundry: California Classic

The French Laundry
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Eating at The French Laundry was a dream come true. My inital exposure to the restaurant occurred a few years ago when I read Grant Achatz’s book, Life, on The Line where he mentions his experience at The French Laundry and the philosophy and ideals espoused by the chef behind it all, Thomas Keller. As one of the first pioneers of the farm-to-table movement that is now commonplace, Keller left his indelible mark in culinary history. My opportunity to dine there was a random occurrence - when I met Anna back in the fall of 2012, she was in the midst of organizing a group to go for private dining and extended an invitation to me.

Fast forward to Sunday, June 2, 2013. The sun was shining, the skies were clear and blue, and a group of us were dressed up like it was prom all over again.

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Birreria at Eataly - Awesome Al Fresco!

Birreria
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The weather here for the past few months? New York Shitty.

Freezing temps in April is downright cruel but last weekend, sunshine finally poured forth from the heavens.

Translation = all fresco dining.

Birreria at Eataly has been on my hit list for a while. When it first opened, the wait times were insane and getting a table was out of the question during peak times so I didn’t even bother. Luckily, I snagged a 7pm table this past Monday night before it got too crowded. Michelle met me at the back of the Eataly store and we checked in with the host. After a claustrophobic ride up in the cramped elevator, we climbed up a few more stairs to see something we haven't seen in a while. A huge crowd of people….eating outside….with no jackets...in the sun?

As we made our way to our table, we passed by diverse groups - there was the crowd of younger bankers in blue and pink Brooks Brothers shirts, pounding steins at the bar. There were a few 2tops of SATC girlfriends catching up on gossip, and then a few families with younger kids running around in circles and laughing. One thing they had in common: happy smiles due to the sun and fresh air.

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Estela - Where the Pub is better than the Gastro

Estela
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A month ago, my friend Davis emailed a nymag article that listed where to get the “Best (fill in the blank).” After perusing the list, I voted that we check out the gnocchi at Estela, a gastropub in Nolita that serves Mediterranean-inspired fare.

After bounding up the stairs to the nondescript entrance in the rain, I cursed myself for not bringing an umbrella. My anger dissipated when I saw my dear friends Julia and Davis at the bar. Sipped some of Julia’s delicious Rosemary Society cocktail (Gin, pear brandy, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary) and recounted my recent adventures in Barcelona, San Sebastian, and Copenhagen. We were unable to get a reservation in the packed, tiny gastropub but were able to wedge into a nook at the bar.

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Rice and Miso Everyday

All Good Things
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In an effort to balance out my heavy dinners, I’ve been trying to eat lighter for lunch. My colleague Peter suggested that we try out the onigiri and miso soup at Rice And Miso Everyday, open on Mon/Wed/Fri at All Good Things, an indoor market in Tribeca.

RAM focuses on serving two things only: a delicious miso soup with seaweed, tofu, and mushroom and their specialty: onigiri (riceballs) made from organic brown rice, and wrapped in nori (seaweed) with a variety of toppings for your selection.

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