battery park, manhattan...

i love using priceline for hotels...

especially in big cities like Manhattan...

i love being able to pick an area and getting the cheapest

deal... Manhattan makes it very easy to stick to your guns

on a low bid because #1 there are so

very many hotels, and #2 i am not very picky about where

i stay, the island isn't that big and i can jump

on the subway and be anywhere soon enough...

and of course every area has a little fun in it...

this years trip we are VERY far downtown...

in the business district... wall street...

we snagged the holiday inn on wall street

for $120.00 a night!!

i am looking forward to exploring this area...

i have never been to battery park

and just can't wait, i might even take a trip to the statue of liberty

i haven't been there since i was a child...

remember desperately seeking Susan??

making reservations...

 i am  so excited thursday night 

we will be eating at Marea...

last year we could only get a 10:30pm

reservation so ended up canceling and going to 

Alto.

this restaurant owner owns three italian restaurants:

Alto [ northern italian]

convivio [ southern italian]

Marea [ coastal italian seafood]

i am especially excited about the crudo 

bar!! 

look at all that marble!

CRUDO AL TAGLIO

sliced raw fish and shellfish

PASSERA long island fluke, lemon thyme, ligurian olive oil DENTICE pacific snapper, whole wheat panzanella SCAMPI pacific langoustines, murray river pink salt SPARNOCCHI alaskan spot prawns, lemon, black lava salt VONGOLE geoduck clam, fresh chilies, lemon, hearts of palm BRANZINO wild striped bass, sturgeon caviar, mussel vinaigrette SGOMBRO pacific jack mackerel, eggplant caponata, pinenuts POLIPO octopus, chili oil, lemon, parsley

SEPPIA cuttlefish tagliatelle, soffrito crudo, bottarga di muggine BACCALA housemade salt cod, scallop crema, citrus, potato TONNO bigeye tuna, oyster crema, crispy artichokes ASSAGGIO DI TRE tasting of three crudo (pf supp $6)

it is that time of year again!!!

i love living in the south...

but every year as it starts to turn cool my mind 

starts wondering to the north...

Manhattan...

the city of all cities...

my favorite place...

flying into New York is just like magic

and the minute i land the countdown

of meals starts...

ahhh soup dumplings....

so good i dream about them!!

then a must 

ippudo ramen... the best noodle bowl

there is a new little bar in the south village

Vin et Fleurs

and then for a late night snack

the infamous spicy gyro!!!

oh i am getting so excited food food and more food!!!

now its time to find a hotel!

what a great saturday morning...

i got up this morning jumped on my

beloved bike and rode to the farmers market to

meet up with some friends...

immediately i grab a triple

iced espresso...
my newest favorite addiction!!

then i was introduced to....

new orleans style beignets!!!

OH MY YUM!!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
2. Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
3. Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

oyster season!

today i had lunch with my mother-

downtown Charleston at this little place called 

AMEN STREET

we had wonderful oysters on the half shell

and grilled flounder with asparagus

and finished with a tomato vinaigrette.

one thing though.....

the mignonette for the oysters was less than 

good... i truly prefer a classic champagne

mignonette:

1/2 cup of champagne

2 to 3 Tb spoons of champagne vinegar

1 shallot

whole pepper corns

(i like pink and black)

a pinch of salt

let all of this marinate for several hours and Y.U.M.!!

well today my mind is on toile....

i purchased toile towels from target

and just adore them...

toile is just so pretty when used in specific 

places...

"Toile de Jouy, sometimes abbreviated to simply "toile", is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (for example) a couple having a picnic by a lake. Toiles also often consist of an arrangement of flowers. The pattern portion consists of a single colour, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens, browns, and magenta toile patterns are less common, but not unheard of. Toile is most associated with fabrics (curtains and upholstery in particular), though toile wallpaper is also popular. Toile can also be used on teapots, beddings, clothing, etc. In upper-class (primarily American, but also northern European) society, toile is often seen on dresses or aprons used at such events as country-themed garden parties or tea parties."

these would be such pretty 

diaper bags, over night bags, or market bags...

just like heaven...

feeling uninspired today....

i have a ton of laundry to do

and two baskets to fold...

yuck..

the air is quite chilly and with only
boring chores to do
i am feeling very 

un·in·spired/ˌəninˈspī(ə)rd/Adjective

1. Lacking in imagination or originality: "repetitive and uninspired poetry".

2. (of a person) Not filled with excitement. 

maybe i will snuggle up and start my new book

after all i don't have to work till 

4:00pm

and i do love to procrastinate!

remembering our trip to tulum mexico.....

its called the mexican riviera and it is so

beautiful and so much fun!

timo and i rented a jeep and drove down the coast...

this was at a little restaurant where we ate 

lunch on the side of the road...

this came to the table at our favorite restaurant!

fun night life and great music...

this came to the table at our favorite

italian restaurant!

a view from our room...

another spectacular view from where we 

we ate lunch...

this was an amazing show put on at the hotel

down the road...

another wonderful

mexican restaurant!

tulum, mexico is a really neat spot. it is very romantic

and tranquil, there is a lot of yoga

and meditation, amazing food, and yet

a very sophisticated night life.