Life In Da Burbs

This year... no turkey but Capon (or Chapon). Larger chicken than normal, but more tender and juicier than a turkey. Roasted this bad boy (9 pounder) for 2 hours in my convection oven. I did my usual : butter, salt, garlic and herbs under the skin of the bird. rubbed the cavity with salt and threw in some cloves of garlic as well. Shook some paprika and black pepper on top of the trussed bird and in the oven it went. The carcasse is being used for broth today. With some mirepoix and root vegetables, it should be a good base for some chicken noodle soup.

Sauteeing up some Ventreche (french pancetta) and carmelized onions for the carbonara

I went to the Met today to check out the Van Gogh Exhibit . Taking a look at the different paintings, drawings, and sketches really opened my eyes to the depth and control he had with his works of art. Absolutely amazing. I definately found some pieces moving and quite original. If I have more time, I would like to go back before the exhibit closes and take a look under more looser time restraints.

Participants in the 2005 Racial Bowl at Holmdel Park

Fellow teammate msun drinking from the "Cup" after our victorious game over the forks. Go Chopsticks.

Victorious!!! Chopsticks 4 Forks 3 after 3 hours of grueling battle on the fields of holmdel park, the annual Racial Bowl came to an end with team Chopsticks coming out ahead. MVP Steve "littleist" Chu demonstrated valor on the field with 3 INTs and 1 TD to bring the opposing Forks to their knees. Buddy Kohji Kosugi came from Brooklyn to partake in our annual ritual and brought speed and intensity to the field.

Our guests had the Prime Rib for 2, which was served and carved tableside. This was quite popular with the people waiting in the line to be seated... You could see each and everyone of them drooling as the tender pieces of beef were sliced and placed onto the plates. The Bearnaise Sauce kicked ass as well.

I recommened J to this delicious ribeye steak because truthfully, I wanted to have some as well... : ) The beef had phenominal flavor and the fries were perfect. You can't compete with lard and twice fried.

Cassoulet - (pronounced : kas oo lay) This is what I ordered. Les Halles has the best cassoulet in the city. A great winter dish that can warm you up. This, a bordeaux and a hard baguette hit the spot.

J and i had a great meal at Les Halles saturday. we had guests from japan so what better meal to host our japanese friends than good 'ol american beef. everyone was very happy with the huge slabs of beef and french wine accompanying the meal. we had a bottle of 98 pauillac and a 99 medoc. J and i both left the restaurant stuffed and completely satisfied with our meal. if you have the opportunity, go treat yourself to a steak at Les Halles , (Park Ave South between 28 and 29th Street)

it was J's turn to make dinner tonight. so she decided to make Spaghetti alla Carbonara. this is one of my favorite dishes she makes. it is absolutely delicious.

this is the arch at washington square at night. we were walking around nyu the other evening and strolled around the park and took this picture. it looks great at night.

kaki, or persimmon. this is one of my favorite fruits all time... along with mango, lychee, white peaches, kyoho grapes, figs, cherries, and mangosteens. ok, so there are more than a few but take my word, if you have never had a kaki, go treat yourself to one. especially now, they are in season. just when the first frosts of the year arrive, they give the fruit a burst of sweetness. i like them when they turn mushy and you can eat them with a spoon. just cut in half and scoop away. ahhhh.....

here is a famous waterfall in miyazaki prefecture (kyushu)

back from a great trip to japan. had the best yakiniku i've ever had at my buddies place in tokyo. i'm giving it a 100 in my book. the best i've ever had. thanks kohji. this is a picture of the spider at roppongi hills tokyo.