Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe and 38 Weeks

36 Weeks and 5 days, New York's Upper East Side

I'm whipping up a batch of Dorie Greenspan's chocolate chip cookies today. Sometimes the best things in life are the classic comfort foods, and I count these soft gooey chocolatey cookies among them.

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I Love Central Park, Winter, NYC

It is a rainy day with light snow today in New York, a nice Spring surprise. Today's sprinkling reminded me of how cold it was this winter, one of the coldest on record, and is the inspiration for today's post - pictures of Central Park following a big snow storm in January, 2011.

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Fresh From New York Union Square Farmer's Market August

Heirloom tomatoes, $4.50/lb

It's Saturday morning in the city that never sleeps, and no I have not gone on my morning run. As far as I know I don't own a pair of sneakers, or a body that has the machine-like physique to carry me through town, but I'm hoping that will change.

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The Many Faces of David Lebovitz in New York City

Hello, my name is David and I like to write. 

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One Thing I Know for Sure

I'm back home following a two and a half week work-vacation in San Francisco. I've had a few good moments of solitude to reflect upon life on my way back to New York City.  One of the things I determined a long time ago is that the life that I am living is one that is better than I ever imagined for myself and that I am a pretty lucky person. And that luck doesn't stem from the family I was born into, or any extraordinary personal characteristics; if you've met me you'd know I'm a pretty ordinary Jane.  Rather, my luck has been fulfilled by the incredible friends I've made along the way, people who have enriched to my life so deeply.

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Mario Batali's Del Posto NYC

If there is only one restaurant that I am to recommend for lunch in New York, Del Posto would be it. Del Posto is Mario Batali's most superb expression of his love and passion for good Italian cuisine and fine dining. Located on the western edge of the meat packing district, Del Posto is a bit out of the way, but well worth the effort to pursue as it offers an upscale, elegant and memorable dining experience. If you're free during the weekdays, you can enjoy Del Posto a fraction of the price when a generous $29 pre-fixe lunch is offered. It is a deal not to be missed by both visitors and Mahattanites alike.

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Gramercy Tavern One of New York's Best

Old classic American cuisine served in a rustic yet sophisticated and elegant New England style setting. When you walk into Gramercy Tavern you can expect a few things: simple yet stunning floral arrangements to lift and awaken your senses, a gracious staff that is attentive and accommodating, and food that consistently delivers on the solid reputation of this fine establishment.

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Fresh from New York Farmers' Market June Spotlight on Strawberries

We're coming upon the peak season at the farmer's market on the East coast, although we're not quite there yet. At the market were loads of red and green colored produce. These gorgeous ruffle layered and blushed peonies are a gorgeous reminder of the stunning flora and fauna available here. $10 per bundle.

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Le Cirque NYC Restaurant Wordless Wednesday

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Fresh from New York Farmers' Market Spring Season's Spotlight on Ramps

Over the weekend, my husband and I strolled a few blocks down to the Union Square Greenmarket, following a fabulous lunch at the Gramercy Tavern.  It's still early in the season, it will be a few more weeks before we see berries, tomatoes and stone fruits hit the market. I'm looking forward to it. During my recent visit I found a great seafood stand, Seatuck Fish Company, that was selling razor clams for $6.50/lb harvested off the shores of Long Island.
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A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa Meets New York

It's been months since I met Diana Bauman of A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa but I can still remember the intense sparkle of enthusiasm that radiated from her eyes upon our meeting. It's always a neat experience when the worlds of virtual and tangible collide. In early February, she and her husband, Gabe, visited New York City when she won the opportunity to participate in the Electrolux Cake Decorating Contest to raise money for ovarian cancer research. And even though I was dazed from a long international flight, I was only excited to meet her.
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Smörgås Chef & Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

One of the great joys of blogging for me is forging great friendships. There have been several wonderful meals I have had over the past few months with warm and kind food souls, including with Diana from A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Laura from The Cooking Photographer, and Andrea of High/Low Food/Drink.  One of the more recent lunches was with Jenn of Tiny Urban Kitchen, Jessica of Food Mayhem, and Andrea of High/Low Food/Drink at Smörgås Chef at the Scandinavian House.

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Saint Patrick's Cathedral NYC - Wordless

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LE BERNARDIN TOP DINING EXPERIENCE IN NY

Few restaurants in New York have garnered the solid reputation that Le Bernardin has achieved, and even fewer have been able to maintain the consistency of quality that this revered establishment has sustained since its opening in 1986. In fact, Le Bernardin is the only Manhattan restaurant to have maintained its four star rating from the New York Times for such length of time.

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All I Want is a Place to Call Home

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VALENTINE'S WEEKEND IN CENTRAL PARK AND WALDORF ASTORIA WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

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CRAZY DAY WITH HAGAN AND FISHERS OF MEN II

It's five minutes to ten o'clock Tuesday morning and I'm crossing Wall Street to meet with food blogger, Hagan Blount of Wandering Foodie, who is spearheading the 93 Plates project. For the entire month of January, Hagan is eating and blogging his way through three meals a day of food experiences. So far he is more than two-thirds of the way to completion, has gained ten pounds and is feeling good about it.

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BLOGGER MEET-UP AT GYU-KAKU

To celebrate her birthday, the very sweet natured Rebecca of Chow and Chatter came up to New York City with family and friends for a fun filled weekend of sightseeing. Of course, since she was coming to town she called the very sociable Cindy of Chubby Chinese Girl, who called me to meet up for lunch. See how blogging has turned me into a lady who lunches?

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FRESH FROM NEW YORK DECEMBER

I can't believe that it is December already! Where did November go? As some of you may know at the beginning each month Fresh Local and Best features a review of the seasonal offerings at the Union Square Farmers' Market. This month Heather from Girlichef has graciously let me to guest post this column on her blog. Heather Dar Girlchef, writes a very fun and exciting blog that details her cooking adventures from Indiana. So when you have a chance please visit her blog to see this month's Fresh From New York.

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GARAM MARSALA RECIPE

Each month I visit the Union Square Farmers' Market for the purpose of bringing back photos of  seasonal fruits and vegetables to share in the post 'Fresh from New York'.  This month's Fresh from New York will be featured as a guest post on Chow and Chatter. Rebecca writes a lovely blog that focuses on nutrition and Indian cuisine. She has encouraged me to start my own collection of Indian curry mixes, so I am sharing with you a recipe for garam marsala (below), which Rebecca frequently uses in her cooking.  When you have a chance, please visit Chow and Chatter to read this month's Fresh From New York.  

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