VittlesVamp

Take The Acela To Boston

It's not quite the Far East, but my recent weekend adventure in Boston got me one step closer.

My pal Amelia, whom I met and bonded with in Patagonia over glaciers, oversized portions of lamb and way too much Malbec, invited me up to her parents' place outside the city fray.

Once ensconced in their charming home, I lazed by the pool, laughed it up with Amelia's old school chums and explored her Mom's astounding cookbook collection. We took a side trip to the über-cool Liberty Hotel -- a former jail house converted into a luxe, trendy hot spot -- for a cocktail and to take in what passes for a "scene" in Boston, but for the most part we just chilled.

For Amelia, all of this was a novelty. Not my attendance, mind you. Not even the trip to a prison-turned-hip hangout. It was simply the fact that she was in Beantown at all. Eating her Mom's food. Speaking English.

You see, ordinarily, you'd find Amelia living in Shanghai.

Hence my trip to Boston -- and my upcoming journey to China.

Oh yeah. I've got a plan. And, with Amelia's guidance, I'm sure it'll be a heck of a trip. Although, I don't think glaciers, lamb or Malbec will be on the menu -- nor her mother's moist, flaky Cedar Plank Salmon with Mango-Avocado Salsa (pictured above). Maybe pandas, Peking Duck and Tsingtao instead -- and if I'm very lucky, perhaps Amelia's Mom will pack me a lunch for the plane.

Take The 7 Subway Line To China

Today's New York Times features a phenomenal dining tour of Flushing's Chinatown. The article paints the Queens neighborhood as a glutton's paradise -- chock-a-block with dumpling stalls, bubble tea joints, dim sum palaces and fresh noodle houses aplenty.

I've been there and tend to agree.

More than a "taste" of Beijing in New York, it's truly a culinary grab bag of Chinese flavors, textures and aromas from across the whole of the People's Republic, Sichuan to Fujian to Canton.

I realize that this culinary exploration of Flushing is front and center in the Times due to the upcoming Beijing Olympics, but I can't help but feel like it's simply all about me -- me and my needs. Not that I've been planning a trip to Flushing. (Although now the idea sounds quite appealing!) Instead, I've decided to forgo a MetroCard for my passport and fly halfway around the world to check out the real thing -- and this article is definitely making me hungry for the authentic eats I'm sure to uncover.

It's true. A VittlesVamp jaunt to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing is in the works for October, well after the Olympics mayhem.

I can only hope that the they won't have run out of great Chinese food before I get there. And, if Olympic tourists eat the entire nation out of house and hutong, at least I'll be able to take comfort in the knowledge that I can always get my fill of Crab with Sticky Rice and Wontons in Hot Sauce in Flushing when I get back.

Tentacle Love

Tuna ain't the Chicken of the Sea. No, my friend. That honor belongs to our eight-armed aquatic pal, the octopus. When it's done right, it is a toothsome thing of beauty.

Recently, I was lucky enough to savor a particularly fantastic rendition at one of Astoria's finest Greek restaurants -- Philoxenia. Pictured above, it was expertly charred, succulent, doused with good olive oil and a splash of tart vinegar.

Oh, how I wish I could avoid the N and R trains and make this Aegean treat at home, but ultimately some things are meant for more accomplished kitchens than mine.

Not knocking my cooking abilities, mind you, but have you ever seen a recipe for cooking up one of these suckers?

Yeah, I'm thinking it'll be quicker to venture back to Queens.

Decadence On An English Muffin

I usually save English Muffins for those times I crave Peanut Butter. But now Prune, the much-lauded East Village cafe, has made me a convert to two "nooks-and-crannies" sandwiching a juicy Cheeseburger instead.

One bite of this Prune ode to bovine and British baked goods had me swooning. Luncheon conversation stopped immediately as my lunch date and I both took pause to fully appreciate the glory that was our burgers.

What is Prune's secret? Most likely it wasn't the English Muffin at all. I'm thinking it might have been the full stick of butter slathered atop, infused with garlic and herbs, dribbling down the sides of the seared meat.

Not a light lunch, but most definitely memorable. And, one worthy of the many hours at the gym I will need to endure in order to put my arteries back into shape.

Friday Night With Tequila

Fluff and tequila. It's the perfect combination. Add a few catchy songs and a bit of flirting into the equation and you have quite a summer evening out on the town.

Such was Friday night.

I gathered two gal pals and we headed to Chelsea to see "Mamma Mia!" along with with what we hoped would be an enthusiastic crowd of gay men who would whoop and holler and start dancing in the aisles. Unfortunately, that particular species of gay man wasn't anywhere in sight at the Chelsea Clearview Cinema. Perhaps they all went to Fire Island for the weekend?

No matter. Sandra, Joy and I were delighted to chair dance and sing along to "Waterloo" and "Take A Chance On Me" with or without them.

After our fill of kitschy ABBA tunes and our own upper body workouts, we were parched.

Tequila was the ticket.

We hummed "Dancing Queen" all the way to Suenos where many, many Margaritas were imbibed. A touch of flirting with the bartender was had. A few Shredded Beef Mini Tacos with Queso Cotija and Pico de Gallo were eaten. Then, once we were officially soused, we saw it: a flyer advertising a midnight "Xanadu" screening sing-a-long event at the IFC Theater.

I think you know what happened next.

Let this be a reminder to all of you: Tequila can be friend or foe.

Something Blue - Part 3

Honestly, I didn't have a choice. Full or not off of Blue Hill at Stone Barns' array of hor d'oeurves, the dinner bell's chimes had to be heeded.

It was all in support of Sir and Lady M's nuptials. (As if wearing one of the buttons pictured above wasn't enough endorsement of their union.)

Besides, the wedding feast menu and wine pairings sounded incredible:

*Green Garden Gazpacho with Mint Sorbet - accompanied by Stadlmann Zierfandler Thermenregion, Austria, 2006

*Main Crab Salad with Rhubarb and Tapioca - accompanied by E. Dampt 'Chevalier d'Eon' Burgundy, France, 2006

*Loin of Beef with Stew of Carrots and Purple Komatsuna - accompanied by Peter Dipoli 'Fihl' Merlot Alto Adige, Italy, 2003

*Frozen Lemon Meringue with Stone Barns Strawberries and Rose Petal Ice Cream

But the best was for last. Sir and Lady M's own riff on the traditional wedding cake - three tiers of scrumptious cupcakes.

I ended up saying "I do" to two of these lovelies.

Does that make me a bigamist?

Something Blue - Part 2

Sir M was the first to break. He started weeping for joy in the middle of reciting his vows. Then Lady M began crying as she said her "I do." It wasn't long before the entire bridal party and assorted guests were blubbering too.

Clearly drinks were gonna be necessary -- right quick.

Thankfully, the staff at Blue Hill at Stone Barns was on their game, offering up wine and Champagne a plenty, as we all congregated outside on the patio, overlooking the farm's rolling hills. (A picture of said bucolic view is above.)

Once we wet our whistles, the waitstaff commenced with the "march of the appetizers." First up, Veal Croquettes, most likely made from one of the baby calves I spied earlier...

Next came tiny cracker-thin shells filled with crisp, pristine lettuce and a sliver of Parmesan...

Followed by a long tray of silver spoons filled with a delicate fish Ceviche featuring tart rhubarb juice...

And then miniature savory madelines stuffed with sweet, grated beets and a jot of house-made goat cheese...

Concluded by a finale of bright, aromatic, chilled Carrot Soup served up in shot glasses...

After all that, who the heck needed a proper sit-down supper?

Then they rang the dinner bell. Needless to say, it was playing my tune...So tune in for more...

Something Blue

What better bridal "Blue" could the blissful couple choose than Blue Hill at Stone Barns? Yes, this one-time Rockefeller estate was the scene of Sir and Lady M's march to the altar.

My mouth was watering all the way up the Hudson River Valley as I made my journey to this celebrated farm, education center and restaurant destination.

By the way, that sign is no lie.

That's right! The farm plays host to live bovine, including a wee veal.

There were also enormous hogs, an apiary buzzing with honey bees and a hillside of clucking chickens.

There were also fields overflowing with vegetable gardens and fruit trees, bearing seasonal produce at the peak of ripeness.

There were also majestic turrets in the distance, promising a heartfelt wedding ceremony, a superlative farm-to-table dining experience, a fully-stocked bar and even a ladies room.

It was an exciting prospect to say the least.

Stay tuned for the lowdown on all (although I might spare you the details on my trip to the ladies room).

Red, White & Blue

This blue has nothing to do with Lady M heading to the altar. Nor does the hue combination have anything to do with my recent 4th of July gathering.

In this case, we take a short break from Lady M's next "Blue" to talk about the red, white and blue of the French flag and take a moment to honor Bastille Day.

The New York Times has done so with stories about the attempt to create an authentic bistro in the East Village with Resto Leon, and a profile of the 87-year old Chef Grand-mère who offers up a little slice of La Belle France at the Theater District's own Chez Napoleon.

And after a quick jaunt to the Smith Street Bastille Day festivities, which seemed to attract more beer drinking hipsters than Francophiles, I am more sure than ever that a trip to France can only be found in the unexpected corners of our five boroughs. Bathazar might be marvelous, but it's only an American's wet dream of a Parisian brasserie. Still, I'm okay with that -- and can appreciate it's charms. Especially, if the New York Times and others keep pointing me in the right direction if I'm looking for genuine je ne sais quoi.

Vive la France!

Blue Ribbon Bachelorette

It felt like the right thing to do: Eat copious amounts of Sushi, Sashimi and award-winning Fried Chicken, while downing a great deal of Champagne.

And, why not? After all, it was all in the name of Lady M's Bachelorette Party.

Okay, it wasn't ALL in the name of celebrating Lady M's upcoming nuptials. It was more to soften the blow of Lady M's singularly frightening party request -- karaoke.

Thankfully, Blue Ribbon Sushi & Grill knew how to take care of a table of gals in need of a terrific meal and a strong buzz before hitting the wild's of Koreatown's karoake palaces. Sweet Baby Shrimp, creamy Urchin, fatty Toro, ethereal Sea Scallop, delicate Lobster Tail, Spanish Mackerel, and much much more came exquisitely presented in its raw, glistening form. The massive platter of jewel-like fish and seafood drew gasps from the guests. Then we all dived in, chopsticks first.

The restaurant's Fried Chicken (pictured above) could have served as a crisp, succulent finale to our meal, but dessert was yet to come, as was more Champagne.

By the time we had licked the plates clean and emptied our flutes, we finally felt full enough and sozzled enough to take on 80's pop tunes.

Admittedly though, all of this is a fairly distant memory. Lady M's walk down the aisle took place only days ago.

I was remiss in failing to report on the Bachelorette festivities earlier on, but now I can remedy the situation. Besides, it's only right to finally post on Blue Ribbon before venturing to the next "Blue" involved in Lady M's wedding adventures...