Monthly Archives: February 2011

MAREA: Cucina del Mare. 1 of my best meals 2010

marea menu
Dear Food Diary:
My last quarter of 2010 had very high highs and deep lows. With that came a cut down on blogging, which lead to falling behind on my posts. I did a food-retrospect today (through notes + photos) and Marea stood out as one of my best meals of last year. One I’ll definitely want to repeat in 2011. 

BAHR CHE Wine, Cheese and Charcuterie: good first date spot

bahr che 1
Dear Food Diary:
I was invited to check out the new Bahr Che last Tuesday night with a friend. The addy says 26 Astor Place, but it’s actually not ! Even between the google map on my iPhone and our good sense of direction, we were lost. Turns out, it’s right next to Chase bank. A romantically lit, but hard to find front door. 

SEL et POIVRE: Where I fell in LOVE… with liver

sel el poivre 8
Dear Food Diary:
Last week I was invited to a Press Tasting Dinner at Sel et Poivre. A charming little French bistro on the upper east that’s been around for over 20 years. Once a mother/daughter partnership, it’s now a husband/wife joint. I’ve walked by countless times, but never stopped to smell the butter… so this was my perfect “eatpportunity”.

TOP 3: Dark Chocolate Valentine’s Day






















Dear Food Diary:
I felt obligated to put my two cents into this overly hyped and commercialized day. As cheesy as this may sound, I truly believe that if you’re with the right one, everyday is like Valentine’s Day. But if you need “a day” to remind you to love and appreciate your other half, well, so be it. A little chocolate, flowers and jewelry never hurt anyone (maybe just some wallets). If you still haven’t done anything special for your lady, you might be in trouble, but there’s still time for some chocolate, specially dark ones in my opinion, well… unless she’s allergic, then I strongly recommend staying way! We don’t want a chica version of that Hitch scene. Solo this year you say? No problemo…”life’s like a box of chocolates, you never know who you might meet next!” right?… so go out and splurge on yourself! Why not!? You’re worth it!

Here are my TOP 3 all time favorite dark chocolate stores (Valentine’s day or not)

LAST CHANCE to Send Honeybells to your Honey

Dear Food Diary:
The weather has been so gray and gloomy here on the East Coast lately. I can’t wait for my box to arrive. I went home yesterday expecting them, only to find myself empty handed while watching The Bachelor (ok that was a random thought….)Every year, I get these Honeybell Oranges from Gregory Groves. They’re only available once a year and let me tell ya, worth every penny. So juicy and sweet, you can literally put a straw in them. They come with a bib!!! enough said!