Here's a recap of our recent days of indulgence, Chez Gourmess-style:
Note: I didn't take pictures of our dinners because I absolutely hate it when people interrupt a beautiful, intimate meal to take a picture of their food. It probably goes against being a food blogger, but hey -- I was raised with high standards, and it just seems rude to me (plus it distracts everyone else). I think we need to remember to turn our devices off and live in the moment -- don't be so worried about capturing it for later. As Chris likes to remind me, "Live in the now." So apologies, but use your imagination on these, or go visit for yourself. It will be worth the trek.
Here's a list of the highlights of what we ate/shared:
Saturday:
On our way home from a friend's wedding
The Kitchen on Main, Ligonier, PA
- Toasted baguette with eggs over-easy, avocado, bacon, tomato, and smoked cheddar
- Bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, red onion and dill
Momoya, Bloomfield, NJ
- Favorite treats/rolls include fried banana/tuna and avocado appetizer, cilantro/yellowtail roll, fried jalapeno/shrimp/crab/eel roll and peanut/mango/tuna riceless roll
- Attitude Adjustments: Vodka and sodas, with twist of lime
Sandwiches while waiting for the ferry!
Essex Provisions, Essex Ferry, NY
- Egg and Olive sandwich on sourdough bread
- Curried Chicken sandwich on whole grain bread
A relaxed, Italian Sunday supper
Cucina Antica, Shelburne, VT
Cucina Antica, Shelburne, VT
- Mixed greens with local smoked cheddar, toasted almonds and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds
- Bistro Lobster Pizza with lobster sauce, fresh tomato, goat cheese and arugula
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Ratatouille Lasagna
- No room for dessert!
- Attitude Adjustments: Glasses of Rosé to start, followed by glasses of Pinot
At peace at one of our favorite spots
Inn at Shelburne Farms, VT
- Strawberry-filled croissants and coffee
- Farm-Cart sandwiches: Roast beef with cheddar and green apple; Grilled veggies with hummus
- Zucchini soup with squash-blossom garnish
- "Feast of the Fields" vegetable plate of just-picked beets, green beans, snap peas, cucumber, ramps, with fava bean puree and roasted radishes
- Local Lamb, sliced and topped with cucumber, tomato and chick peas
- Local aged Ribeye with smoked cheddar potatoes and wilted greens
- Lemon and Currant Goat Cheese Cake
- Attitude Adjustments: Sparkling Rosé, Very Dirty Martini (w/an olive, butter cheese and pickled ramp garnish)
- Bottle of Robert Sinskey Vineyard's POV
Another day of relaxing by the lake, including a picnic lunch at the local winery, and another wonderful dinner at the Inn
- Chocolate-filled croissants and coffee
- Packed picnic lunch: Turkey, bacon and cheddar sandwich; Garden veggie sandwich, chips and oatmeal cookie
- Roasted squash soup
- "Feast of the Fields" vegetable plate -- this time with asparagus, strawberries, peas, beans, cucumber, yellow and green squash
- Local Venison fillet with shitake mushroom and beet spaetzle
- Local Rabbit Cassoulet
- Vermont Cheese Plate -- five local cheeses, soft and hard
- Attitude Adjustments: Johnny Walker Black, Sparkling Rosé
- Bottle of waiter's new favorite red wine (I forget what kind it was--I was distracted by the cassoulet)
- Complimentary glasses of Château Margaux
More adventures!
Black Bear Restaurant, Pottersville, NY
- Roast Beef Club with onion rings
- BLT with fries
Preuninger's Pub, North River, NY
- Mixed greens with sliced strawberries and local goat cheese
- Watermelon Gazpacho
- Mussels Mediterranean -- with olives, tomatoes, feta cheese and capers in a garlic/white wine broth
- Fried Haddock sandwich with sweet potato fries and coleslaw
- Attitude Adjustments: Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lime, glass of dry Riesling
- Bottle of Champagne
Found this favorite local place while on the search for gas
Basil & Wicks, North Creek, NY
- BBQ pork cigars
- Chicken and cream-cheese stuffed jalapenos, wrapped in bacon
- Eggplant fries
- Corona Light, Adirondack "Dirty Blonde Ale"
The Log House Restaurant, North River, NY
- Mixed greens with house-made bleu cheese dressing
- Rainbow Trout with capers and a creamy lemon butter sauce, served with quinoa
- "Mojito" Lamb kebobs with peppers, onions, tomatoes, tabouleh and a lovely mint-parsley dipping sauce
- Warmed homemade Strawberry-Rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream
- Attitude Adjustments: Complimentary Rum Punches
- Bottle of Champagne
Time for more celebrating!
Costanera Peruvian Restaurant, Montclair, NJ
- Ceviche: Fluke
- Tiradito: Arctic char with aji amarillo, avocado and soy-lime dressing
- Quinoa-Crusted Oyster “Po’ Boy” Sliders
- Pescado a lo Macho: Pan roasted Atlantic Cod, spicy seafood sauce
- Picante de Mariscos: Sauteed seafood with creamy Aji Mirasol sauce
- Tacu-Tacu: Peruvian rice and canary bean hash, Aji Amarillo
- Arroz con Leche y Mazamorra Morada: Parfait of vanilla and Arborio rice pudding with golden raisins, and Peruvian purple corn pudding with pineapples, apricots, papaya
- Tres Leches Cake
- Attitude Adjustments: Firefly Sweet-tea Vodka over ice with lemon wedges
- Bottle of Cayuga White
Home Sweet Home
Chez Gourmess
- BLTs with Dill Pickle-flavored Pringles (oh, yes we did, and they were amazing -- really!)
City Winery, NYC
10,000 Maniacs Concert
- Fried Picholine Olives with yogurt sauce
- Green Gazpacho with almonds and grapes
- Pat LaFrieda burgers, with cave-aged cheddar
- Attitude Adjustment: Bottle of Bandol Rosé
- Glasses of Sparkling Rosé (for dessert)
Fabulous finale!
Nico Kitchen & Bar at NJPAC
Pre-Cyndi Lauper Concert
- Kale "Caesar" salad with duck prosciutto and polenta croutons
- Sweetbreads Milanese
- Braised Short Ribs with wheat berry and snap pea ragu
- Hake with green olive broth
- Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
- Blueberry Shortcake
- Attitude Adjustments: Vodka on the rocks with twist of lime, glass of Prosecco (our bartender sent us over a complimentary second round, too -- that happened often on this vaca!)
Happy Summer!
xoxo
xoxo