The Weekly Eater: 5/12 - 5/19
My weekly musings in life, food & drink (5/12 - 5/19)
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For the first time since I was 17, I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom. And my dad. Aboard a Celebrity Cruise ship! The only thing missing was my little sister (she's the cute lil' blondie in the picture, below)...
Mi familiaThat's right. I was invited to a Mother's Day brunch aboard the Celebrity Summit, which was conveniently docked in Bayonne, NJ (located near Newark Airport) until its 5pm departure to Bermuda.
Once aboard, we were taken on a very detailed tour of the ship...
This is the iLounge, complete with Apple computers. 
A variety of lovely staterooms, some with outdoor space complete with a jacuzzi!
In many of the staterooms, guests are welcomed with a bottle (or two) of champagne...
Gorgeous common areas
Dining options galoreAfter the tour of the ship, we enjoyed a fantastic 3-course brunch in the Summit's main dining room. With endless pours of red and white wine...
Cream of corn soup dusted with green onions
Perfectly-cooked lamb chops atop seasoned jus, steamed vegetables, smashed potatoes
Incredibly decadent chocolate-caramel cake sealed with chocolate ganacheAfter brunch, we were led off of the ship. And, trust me, it took everything in me not to hide in a random corner/under a bed/in a closet/under a pile of towels; I wanted to stay onboard! Seriously, though, having spent a positively glorious, memorable Mother's Day aboard a cruise ship made me realize that I'm a bit overdue for a relaxing vacation, myself! Bermuda, anyone?
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On Monday, I took the day off of work to play tour guide and spend quality time with my parents.
Because I procured tickets to the 9/11 Memorial (*If you want to check out the Memorial, you must snag tickets in advance. While they're free, certain time slots are harder to come by. Secure yours early!*) a few weeks in advance, I was able to score a coveted 10:30am time slot.
After weaving through lines and security screenings, we finally made our way in to the Memorial.
"...The 9/11 Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original twin towers. The Memorial Plaza is one of the most eco-friendly plazas ever constructed. More than 400 trees are planned for the plaza, surrounding the Memorial's two massive reflecting pools. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, and creates a contemplative space separate from the usual sights and sounds of a bustling metropolis." Source: http://www.911memorial.org/design-overview.
After a reflective and somber - yet hopeful - visit to the Memorial, we headed to Soho to grab some pizza at Lombardi's. After all, no trip to NYC is complete without pizza!
Lombardi's: Mushrooms & Italian sausage
Lombardi's Pizza - 32 Spring Street - NYC 10012
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Dad mentioned that he was craving Chinese. So, for the final dinner of their visit, we went to Cafe China, my favorite Chinese in Manhattan. This was against Mom's wishes, of course, as the closest thing she's had to "authentic" Chinese food is from the Panda Express kiosk in our local shopping mall. Thus, her opinion of the cuisine had been unjustly skewed by gloppy, fluorescent red-colored sweet-and-sour sauce and mystery meat-filled egg rolls. However, I had a feeling that, of any restaurant in her repertoire thus far, Cafe China had the ability to forever change her mind about Chinese food...
Our meal was an all-around success: Because Cafe China has a full bar, Dad was able to sip on his scotch and Mom and I each ordered cocktails. Contrary to her assumption, there was not a single linoleum tile or flickering fluorescent light overhead; Cafe China's interior space is well-suited for even the snobbiest atmosphere-sensitive diner (ahem, my mom). The service was solid and the food was exemplary - as always. I believe it was the Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil that had Mom at "ni hao." That's "hello," in English, by the way. It was love at first bite. In addition to the dumplings, we ordered: Dan Dan Noodles, Baby Cucumber, Steamed Soup Buns, Scallion Pancakes, Kung Pao Chicken (for Dad), and Lightly Sauteed Lotus Root.
After a fantastic and, in Mom's case, life-changing meal, we parted ways. Hopefully I showed my parents enough of a delightful - and delicious - holiday in NYC that they will return again in months, not years. Until next time...
Cafe China - Authentic Chinese cuisine - 13 E. 37th Street - NYC 10016
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While flipping through a magazine a few weeks ago, I came across this...
...and could not get to Chipotle fast enough!
Last Friday night, I headed to my nearest location after work. Now, I'll be honest, while perusing Chipotle's website earlier in the day, I was a bit nervous upon reading "(Margaritas) available at our locations with liquor licenses." What would I do if my local franchise, gasp, didn't have a fcuking liquor license!?!
"Oh, thank god!" I gasped upon noting that the Patron Margarita was, in fact, on the menu.
"I'll take one of those," I said, pointing to the Patron Margarita on the overhead menu. While the friendly cashier took my $8.27, another employee began whipping up my cocktail. By hand! Segment by laborious segment.
It only took one sip for me to realize that "this (margarita) is better than most of the versions I've had at those 'fancy cocktail' joints!" Composed of just a handful of ingredients - all of which, by the way, are of the highest quality - Chipotle's Patron Margarita has the perfect balance of sweetness and tang and virtually no "tequila bite."
I was so excited and overwhelmed by how delicious this beverage was, that I ordered myself another round! #lush #margaritawhore
So, are you sold? If, by chance, you're one of those people who think they're too good/high class to get your crunk on at a fast-food Mexican joint, I triple-dog-dare you to try one of these margaritas. Just one! I'll bet you $8.27 that you will thank me later.
To find your nearest Chiptole, click here
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On Saturday at noon, some of my fellow New York Mexican Food Lovers Meetup members and I met for lunch at Fonda's East Village location. While the food was delicious and the $25 prix-fixe brunch special was a steal (entree choice plus 1.5 hours of "drink and drown), the service was downright offensive. Here's why:
- Although we did not have reservations, I assumed that our party of six wouldn't have much of an issue getting seated within a reasonable amount of time at noon on a Saturday. We were in the East Village, after all. I mean, who's up before 2pm? Let's be honest. Anyhoo, another member and I were the first two to arrive. While the host had no problem seating us as an incomplete party - the restaurant was virtually empty, after all - the manager overheard the conversation, interrupted the host, and refused to seat us before the rest of our group arrived. #buzzkiller
- Once the rest of our party arrived, we were led to a table in the dining room. When I asked if another chair could be added - as one of the members texted that he was just around the corner - the manager threatened to "start the timer," assuming that we were there for the $25 prix-fixe + 1.5 hour drink-and-drown brunch. "Go ahead and start the timer," I said. "We are not here to get wasted, Sir."
While the food/drink were tasty, our experience would have fared MUCH better had the service not sucked.
Frozen hibiscus margarita
Chips, salsa, guacamole, and handmade corn tortillas
Cheese enchiladas with mole sauce
Fonda - Mexican cuisine - 40 Avenue B - NYC 10009
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Although it was tough to wake up on Sunday morning, it would have been much worse had I not been so excited about attending my first aquacycling class at AQUA. Yes, I said aquacycling! That means spinning in a pool. For those of you who still cannot comprehend, check out the picture below:
Source: AQUA Studio NYTrust me when I say that your "dry" spin studio has NOTHING on this place/concept. Seriously, this ride was a game-changer for me. Why?
- You don't sweat your ass off - you're in a pool, so you remain relatively cool at all times. Even though you're getting a killer workout.
- You burn 800 calories/class. Score!
- My quads were KILLING me within hours. This never happened post dry-spin. To me, muscle aches = success.
- There is a maximum of 15 people/class.
- Like SoulCycle, you get a full-body workout (arms, abs, tap backs, etc.)
- The atmosphere is very serene and tranquil.
- Right now, AQUA only accepts female clients. While I love me a man, it's nice not having to worry about looking "hot" in my swimsuit.
AQUA - Aquacycling studio - 78 Franklin Street - NYC 10013
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Until we eat again,
The Lunch Belle