Dear readers,

Happy Friday!  I hope that, for your sake, this sloppy, wet weather subsides for the weekend.  After all, waiting for a solid rain-free week in NYC is like waiting for the perfect man:  It's just not going to happen...

Even though I've only been able to post about 1x/week (and that's already beyond lame) lately, I just wanted to warn you that next week will likely be radio silent:  I'm heading to Hawaii tomorrow!  However, one thing you can count on is my social media presence:  Expect a shit-ton of Instragram pictures, Tweets, and Facebook posts.      

Here's to a great weekend, wherever you are!  And, as the bouncer used to say as we entered our favorite dance club in Mexico, "get drunk - have fun - no trouble."  Cheers, y'all.

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(Note:  This restaurant has since closed)  On Tuesday night, I attended a media tasting at newish East Village French-Vegetarian, Table Verte.  Housed in a space that's smaller than my apartment, the atmosphere beckons an undeniabe charm and intimatacy. 

Although the restaurant is currently BYOB, they are working towards procuring a license.

While our entire meal was lovely, it was the first course, "grapefruit segments and melted leeks" that really stood out, both in flavor and unique concept.     

Grapefruit segments with melted leeks

Table Verte - Vegetarian-French cuisine - 127 E. 7th Street - NYC 10009

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One of my favorite annual events is the New Taste of the Upper West Side which, for me, marks summer's unofficial arrival or "kick off."  This year, I attended Best of the West, a tented soiree showcasing fourty of the Upper West Side's best.  Including one of my personal favorites, Chef Marc Murphy!

Chef Marc Murphy

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With all of the unsolicited dating advice I was pitched this week, I can't tell you how refreshing it was to receive both the "snail mail" Waiting for the Perfect Man card (further above in this post) - and this lil' number, below.  Thank you for the lighthearted laughs, Siva!  God knows I needed it this week...

And, on that note, my friends, I bid you adieu!  Wishing you and yours a safe, happy, healthy, and delicious weekend!

~~~

Until we eat again,

The Lunch Belle