Pie and more pie!

Recently, I visited four and twenty blackbirds a pie shop in the Park Slope/ Sunset Park area of Brooklyn. They sell mostly pies!  They all had interesting names and tastes. I settled on the salted caramel apple pie. It was so good I almost wanted to get another one but thought better of it. Instead I bought one for my sister and a grapefruit custard for me to share with my coworker later.

The salted caramel apple seems to be the most popular pie there and for very good reason. The shop is a decent size with a one oven kitchen right behind the counter. Old tin line the walls and 50’s music was playing in the background. Two sisters own the shop and make the pies from scratch daily. They vary the pies seasonally, trying to make the best use of seasonal local ingredients. The crust of the pies I tasted were flaky and buttery. You can tell they used real butter and not lard or oil. The apples were cooked perfectly and it was not too sweet as the caramel would imply. They sprinkled the crust with a little salt and brown sugar which blended well and was not at all overpowering.

The grapefruit custard pie was such an interesting title that I had to try it. I split it with a friend who dared to try it with me. Before I tasted it I was trying to figure out how the citrus and custard would work and the result is…. Fantastically well. It had the taste of fresh pink grapefruit and a creamy custard. I can’t say enough about it and can’t wait till I get back in the area to get some more. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to take a pic of it- still new to this whole blogging thing and I must get better at making sure I take pics of things! Next time.

Brunch and a play (Stickfly)

Recently, my friend Denese and I had a day out in the city. We had a lovely brunch at B. Smith’s on restaurant row. The food was great and filling. Unlimited mimosa’s and the dessert of Bourbon Street bread pudding is not to be missed -make sure to save room. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere with a 2-person band playing live music. ( Sorry, no pics of the place or food.)

Me and my friend Denese outside Stickfly- Yes it was cold!

Then off to see the new play, Stickfly, on Broadway. The play was worth seeing and discussed topics of family, race, interracial relationships and socioeconomic status and dynamics. Sounds heavy but it was actually funny and entertaining. Not that I am a theater critic or anything but I think the real breakout star is going to be Condola Rashad. She was great! After the show Denese and I got to see some of the stars.

Denese and Ruben Santiago- Hudson

Denese and Tracie Thoms

Thumbs down to Mehki Phifer and Dule Hill for not coming to see their fans waiting outside in the cold to meet them. Still love them though! We did score photos with Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Tracie Thoms ( loved her since Rent!)

After the play, we went to Sprinkles uptown for some cupcakes. I had heard they were better than the often revered Crumbs and Magnolia bakeries. After thinking we walked past it. We finally found it. It is a small space but it does have a couple of seats and a window box seating. I have to say the cupcakes were good. I had a smores cupcake -the marshmallow topping wasn’t too sweet and the cake was moist with a dollop of chocolate ganache. Denese had a german chocolate cupcake. That also tasted good. Also, not too sweet with coconut and pecans. Yummy. I didn’t care for the coffee I had and Denese didn’t like her “drinking chocolate” drink but its a cupcake place and not a coffee shop- so I forgive them. All in all and eventful day.

 

Trinidad

So I spent New Year’s in Trinidad. I took an overnight flight and arrived early in the morning and of course the first thing I tell my cousin is, “We have to stop and get some doubles.” Doubles are a Trinidadian street food that is eaten usually as breakfast food. But can be eaten as a snack throughout the day as supplies last. Doubles are made with 2 fried flat breads called “Bara” and filled with curried channa (chickpeas) and topped with a variety chutneys; mango and tamarind and a little pepper is how I like mine. These street food stands can be found at most “junctions” (main intersections).

I spent New Year’s Eve which is actually called “Old Year’s Night” in Trinidad with my cousins and some of their friends. This type of get together is called a “lime”. Some food, drinks, music, family and friends. That’s what it’s all about.

My brother, cousin (groom) and uncle. Look at them all suited up!

Then on to the wedding of my cousin on New Year’s Day. Apparently, this is a popular day to get married in Trinidad. The wedding was beautiful and the weather was beautiful. After the wedding there is a caravan through the area back to your home base and then on to the reception.  The party went on all night- because Trini’s love reasons to celebrate!

I will be back in Trinidad during the summer so more to come.

Update!

Hi All,

I know I haven’t posted in a little while. This is for 2 reasons.  1) I am busy doing some updates on the back-end of the site. 2) I have been busy seeing the sights and sounds of NYC.

Check back soon for some posts on Rockefeller Center, Union Square, some great places to eat and a couple of other places. And don’t forget my trip to Trinidad is coming up!

In the meantime, here is a sneak peek!

New Year’s in Trinidad!

Guess where I’ll be for New Year’s Eve. I will be in the lovely island of Trinidad. Although my family is from Trinidad and I have been there quite a few times, it’s always nice to go back. Great food, family and parties! I will be there for a family wedding but I’m sure I will get into something for New Year’s Eve because Trini’s like to party. Can’t wait to get back and tell you all about my trip.

Champagne in a can?

Yes, Champagne in a can is apparently the new thing. Who would have known? I was recently invited to a birthday party at a restaurant in Chelsea; The Trailer Park Lounge and Grill. It’s not as bad as it sounds. But it is as cheesy as it sounds. Just imagine a trailer park recreation center with 1950’s decor -neon lights and all.

It’s a good place to meet with friends and have some drinks and yes, you can have some champagne-in a can. I opted for some beer on tap and a margarita. But they did run out of Champagne while I was there. It had a vending machine that sold hair spray and a “how strong do you think you are?” game machine that kept the men in our group busy. They rated “strong” -for a girl. Ha! It was reminiscent of those carnival games from my childhood. It had other 1950’s decor that had us laughing all night. Very kitschy.

Oh, and it had a ashtray disguised in a toilet right outside the restaurant!

The food was okay- tater tots and hamburgers, but I don’t think anyone goes there for the food.

Just a nice place to hang out with a group of friends and spend a Saturday night in the city.

Christmas at Bryant Park

Every year during the Christmas season, Bryant Park in Manhattan is transformed into a magical Christmas city. They erect little “custom designed jewel-box shops”, a 2 story enclosed restaurant, a large Christmas tree and in the center of it all a FREE open air skating rink. The little shops sell things like all natural hair and body products, handmade jewelry, gourmet chocolates, teas, boutique clothing and a variety of foods. It’s a good way to spend a day in the city. I spent the day with my sister, Makeda and my friend, Denese.

Shea Moisture Shop at Bryant Park

We browsed shops- We got some fantastic body products at Shea Moisture!

Skating rink @Bryant Park

People watched at the skating ring which was a little crowded but still had enough room to skate due to it being the weekend and the weather being warm. I didn’t skate this time around -I had to shop! There was a big Christmas tree ( I didn’t get a good picture) overlooking the rink.

Shops at Bryant Park

Max Brenner Chocolates

This shop sells chocolate in a syringe ?!? Not sure how that works but they are well-known for their chocolate and I have eaten at their restaurant in union square before. Needless to say I didn’t try the syringe but saw a couple of people walking around with them. Couldn’t get passed the idea of it. I stopped by the wafels and dinges shop instead for a wafel with gingerbread topping and a little nutella- yummy! It was so good. They are usually in food trucks around the city during the summer so it was a nice surprise to see they had set up a “shop” at Bryant park.

The shops have a european market flair. There are tree-lined alleys and little seating areas  where you can sit and take in the scene while sipping your hot chocolate. You almost forget you are in the middle of Manhattan until you look up and see the tops of the surrounding high-rise buildings.

Christmas hasn’t even come yet but I feel like the season is winding down already. Every year I always feel like there isn’t enough time to see and do everything but every year I try. – more posts to come!

This time of year..

I love this time of year in NYC. There are so many things to do (more on that later). The Christmas spirit is in the air. Christmas window displays are up. The Salvation Army Santa’s are out. The air smells of fresh-cut pine trees. Street vendors are selling roasted chestnuts and the Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit. It is all so magical. I have quite a few places to visit before this season ends. Can’t wait to show you all the pics!

Life is short!

I can’t believe I’m blogging! Being the person that I am, this is a bit of a stretch for me. I have been contemplating starting this blog for a while- so here it goes! Quite a few things have happened within the past year that remind me that life is short. Here’s to doing the things we love and not taking life for granted. I hope you enjoy the blog and I hope it inspires you to go out and enjoy life.