Life In Da Burbs

A little dim sum at Jing Fong in chinatown today. Chicken feet, spare ribs, clams, snails, shrimp dumplings, shumai, pork dumplings, shrimp balls, and fried rice. In short, it's a happy combo.

Chillin' with friends from San Diego in the East Village. Brooklyn Lager baby!!!

Bean Soup - Puree of Cannellini beans (compliments of Braun 200w stick blender), chicken stock, cilantro puree, onions, garlic, cream, salt and pepper. And garnished with slices of SPAM. I know, I know, "how could you use such an ingredient?"... but I like to call it the poor man's country style pate. Spam and kimchi stirfry is quite good as well. Did you know the state of Hawaii consumes the most amount of SPAM out of all the state in the US? SPAM - Musubi

Wow! It's been 10 years since High School. I can't believe it. Like our 5th year reunion (which I missed) we had it at the Steak Exchange. Some of us are married. Some of us have children. But for the most part, we all look the same. This gathering was for the folks who couldn't make it to the NYC gathering. I wonder how the gathering in the upper east side came out.

Seriously guys, if we all had this much spirit and enthusiasm everyday, this world would be a much better place. Every year, this house down the street from me goes all out and decorates for Christmas and Halloween. We all speculate to how much their electric bill is for these months.

J and her friend went to dinner in Tokyo and took these photos. Just look at that ribeye.. That is some serious marbling. Wow! I wish American farmers could produce something like that for us.

Take three 5s and one 1. Rearrange them in any order to come up with 24 by using only "multiplication", "division", "addition", and "subtraction". 5, 5, 5, 1 = 24 (you can use each mathematical functions more than once) good luck

My college buddy Hide (pronounced Hee Deh) went fishing last week and caught a freakin' TUNA. OMG! A 25 kg Tuna. (That's like 55 pounds) I can't believe it. Amazing. Apparently they set out on a boat into the ocean for a few days and caught this monster. Then they cut it up and ate it for dinner. Now "That" makes a lot of sense.

今夜の夕食、うな丼でした。

Julie, a co-worker of mine, graciously invited my wife and I to dinner at her house Saturday night. Ron (Julie's Husband) prepared a magnificent dinner for us and 2 other couples. What's better than great food with great company? I posted pictures I took during the Meal of all the courses. Thanks again Julie and Ron. J and I enjoyed it immensely!!!

Amuse Bouche - Crab salad with corn in a light cream sauce and shaved white truffles. A great way to get your palate going and kick off a 7 course meal.

1995 Pol Roger cuvee Winston Churchill "In Victory, Deserve It. In Defeat, Need It." -Winston Churchill

Maine Lobster Salad - A light seafood dish to start off the evening.

Duck Rillette molded with Foie Gras and Truffles with Fruit Chutney and coarse Dijon Mustard. Homemade toasted baguette.

Celeriac Soup - Pureed celery root with homemade croutons and infused oil.

Puligny - Montrachet What a great White Burgundy. I was so surprised to experience so much depth in flavor. This will be my go-to white for some time now. I am confident this wine can be paired with a myriad of dishes ranging from heavier seafood dishes to lighter game meats. I'm excited to try more.

Grilled Herbed Lamb T-Bone garnished with Crisped Onions, Cranberry Sauce and Beans

Stewed veal with truffle infused puff pastry.

Savory Multi-Cheese Cheesecake with sides of caramelized onions in port wine, fig jam, candied walnuts and pears. Hats off to Ron for coming up with the combinations and unique way to enjoy the elements. Every combination worked very well and no matter what order you ate it in, it did not compromise the next bite. Compliments.

(left to right) Lemon Custard with Marshmellow Brulee, Banana Cake Sandwich, and a Variation of an Apple Pie

A 2002 Bortoli Noble One - Australian Semillon.... (who would have thunk it) This is just as good if not better than a French Sauternes or Hungarian Tokaji. So much to try, never enough time.

I just had a huge craving for Jidori (Japanese Organic Chicken). Thought I'd share some info on the superior bird. Hinai Jidori - The "Hinaidori" (Hinai Poultry) has been found in the Hinai area since the Joumon Era, but after being appointed a "Protected Species" in 1942, and is not allowed as food today. A pure one-generation hybrid between Hinaidori (male) and Rhode Island Red (female) was created, named "Akita Hinai-Jidori", and has only been produced around the Ohdate & Hinai area in Akita Prefect ure.

The week is finally over. It's 9:30pm, J just walked through the door and it's dinner time. I picked up some buri, sashimi (hamachi and uni) at Mitsuwa earlier and thought I'd surprise J with some Japanese home cooking. (my version of Japanese...even though the side dish vegetable was chinese) The buri was just cooked with a sake, mirin, and soy sauce reduction. In hindsight, I should have stewed the fish... (next time)