Hello everyone, last weekend I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend an event during the first Gourmet Latino festival here in New York City. “The Art of Authentic Cooking & Cocktail Pairing” was an amazing tasting of food and drinks from Ecuador. (I know nothing of the cuisine from this country, but in the end I was more than satisfied with the delectable selections) Iron chef Jose Garces, who is from Ecuador, cooked up dishes which are popular in his country. My favorite of these was macitas fritas, which consisted of tender pieces of pork shoulder which were fried and then braised in the same pot, creating a crunchy and chewy result with a mouth watering array of spices. This afternoon also included a tasting of four cocktails created by top “mixologists”, which seems to be another word for creative and intelligent bar tenders. (I mean no disrespect by saying this, I simply wanted to clarify this term for my readers, in my opinion the mixologists did an terrific job) This was right up my alley, and no it is not what you are thinking: I do not consume alcohol very often. However, sometimes I will think of a new combination for a cocktail, so I can understand the mind of a mixologist. The first cocktail was composed of tanqueray, sherry, Creole shrub (a liqueur containing rum, sugar cane syrup, and orange peel), and orange bitters. My first thought was that this strange combination of ingredients would not mix well; after all I wasn't even familiar with Creole shrub. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth this cocktail was, these various flavors actually formed a delicious drink. The second cocktail called summer time, which turned out to be one of my favorites, contained cognac, lemon and grapefruit juices, licor 43 (a citrus and vanilla flavored liqueur), orange bitters, and lemon thyme. (I know, I would have never thought to add thyme to a cocktail, I suppose this is why I am not a mixologist!) These very different elements combined to make a refreshing drink, manifesting both sweet and sour notes. I can just imagine sitting outside while drinking this cocktail on a warm day in the summer. I will honestly admit that I did not like the third drink, but it is no fault of the creator: I do not like two of its ingredients. However, for the record, this cocktail was a mixture of scotch, lime juice, honey syrup, beer, and chipotle pepper puree (it was poured into a glass with a salt and pepper rim). I applaud the mixologists for their creativity, but being the picky food critic I am, I did not enjoy it. The fourth and final cocktail, while I am sure is very caloric, was another one of my favorites. This was a dessert cocktail which was a frozen combination of grand marnier, Ecuadorian red bananas, and mocha. I was in heaven from the first sip, the sweetness of the mocha blended well with the consistency of the bananas, along with the potency of an outstanding type of grand marnier.
I enjoyed this tasting very much, it introduced me to food, drinks, and flavors which I did not know even existed. In addition, everyone sitting at my table was extremely nice to me and I am thankful for their assistance. (Even after the event they have helped me to remember all of the various ingredients which were used, so thanks to all of you) As an aspiring food critic and future social worker, I find it extremely interesting to learn more about another culture. I gained awareness which increased my competence, while at the same time adding to my knowledge of what people from around the world eat and drink. (Surprisingly it is more than hamburgers, pizza, and fast food) As you can probably tell, I had a great time and I look forward to attending similar events in the future!
Dan
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I like to stay busy!
Hi everyone, yes, as the title implies, I seem to be in a constant state of being busy. This might sound strange at first, but after reflecting on this concept for a while I realized that I actually prefer to have a life which is full with a somewhat busy schedule. In fact, I believe that I get bored with too much free time; I seem to thrive from activity. Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate today if I shared with you a little bit of what I enjoy doing all day long: (if you were thinking “eating dark chocolate and being overly sarcastic” then I am sorry, those two things almost made the top five)
1. Earning a master’s degree in social work: I began my first class in the MSW program last Tuesday and I have really enjoyed my first two weeks. The topic of my class is extremely interesting; pardon the cliché but I actually do learn something new every day (actually I have gained much more knowledge and insight than that).
2. My aspiration to become a food critic: There is something which is extremely delightful about trying out different kinds of food, and every once in a while I come across an opportunity to do so. Last weekend I was presented with one such event, during the first ever Gourmet Latino festival I was invited to a tasting of food and cocktails from Ecuador. You might be asking yourself: “how much does Dan know about Ecuadorian food?” Well… before Sunday the answer was: nothing. Luckily for me, there was a dynamic chef and “mixologist” who were there to teach me. As my readers know, I am very picky, especially about food that is too spicy, but there were certain dishes (such as the masitas fritas, pork shoulder which was fried then braised) which I actually enjoyed very much. (If you would like to read more about this event, you are in luck: there will be a separate blog coming soon. If this type of food does not interest you, why not read my blog anyway?).
3. Working out: After eating all of that delicious food, and just overeating in general, I have been working out on a regular basis. I find it easier to get up really early in the morning and go to the gym before class, that way I don’t have the chance to procrastinate later on in the day. (give me a stationary bike and an iPod and I’m set)
4. Following the Yankees: June is a great month for baseball, and although I haven’t been to any games this year, I enjoy listening to a good game. Despite numerous injuries, the Yankees continue to stay competitive and hopefully will still be close to first place when the entire team becomes healthy. (I am generally optimistic, but I am also a realist: having injuries is one thing, but horrible pitching and poor offense are two things I cannot excuse)
5. Reading: Yes, I said it, I like to read! Audio books have come a long way, and with an hour long trip each way to school, I am truly fortunate to have such excellent entertainment with me along the way. I have even read a science fiction book or two, and I’m trying to be more flexible and branch out into different genres. (within reason of course)
I hope this list has given you some insight into my life and why I enjoy being busy. Thanks for reading, I’ll talk to you next time: I am the busy blogger!
Dan
1. Earning a master’s degree in social work: I began my first class in the MSW program last Tuesday and I have really enjoyed my first two weeks. The topic of my class is extremely interesting; pardon the cliché but I actually do learn something new every day (actually I have gained much more knowledge and insight than that).
2. My aspiration to become a food critic: There is something which is extremely delightful about trying out different kinds of food, and every once in a while I come across an opportunity to do so. Last weekend I was presented with one such event, during the first ever Gourmet Latino festival I was invited to a tasting of food and cocktails from Ecuador. You might be asking yourself: “how much does Dan know about Ecuadorian food?” Well… before Sunday the answer was: nothing. Luckily for me, there was a dynamic chef and “mixologist” who were there to teach me. As my readers know, I am very picky, especially about food that is too spicy, but there were certain dishes (such as the masitas fritas, pork shoulder which was fried then braised) which I actually enjoyed very much. (If you would like to read more about this event, you are in luck: there will be a separate blog coming soon. If this type of food does not interest you, why not read my blog anyway?).
3. Working out: After eating all of that delicious food, and just overeating in general, I have been working out on a regular basis. I find it easier to get up really early in the morning and go to the gym before class, that way I don’t have the chance to procrastinate later on in the day. (give me a stationary bike and an iPod and I’m set)
4. Following the Yankees: June is a great month for baseball, and although I haven’t been to any games this year, I enjoy listening to a good game. Despite numerous injuries, the Yankees continue to stay competitive and hopefully will still be close to first place when the entire team becomes healthy. (I am generally optimistic, but I am also a realist: having injuries is one thing, but horrible pitching and poor offense are two things I cannot excuse)
5. Reading: Yes, I said it, I like to read! Audio books have come a long way, and with an hour long trip each way to school, I am truly fortunate to have such excellent entertainment with me along the way. I have even read a science fiction book or two, and I’m trying to be more flexible and branch out into different genres. (within reason of course)
I hope this list has given you some insight into my life and why I enjoy being busy. Thanks for reading, I’ll talk to you next time: I am the busy blogger!
Dan
Sunday, June 6, 2010
I graduated!... Finally!
Hello world, I do not even have words to express my happiness today: I have finally received my bachelors degree in social work! Now I know some of you are saying: why is this a big deal? Thanks for asking: the magnitude of this achievement represents the end of a long journey for me. When I started college I was unaware that I would be so interested in the amazing field of social work. Therefore, I will admit that I dropped out of school to follow my dream; unfortunately I envisioned a life for myself which ended up being the wrong path. In other words, it did not take me the stereotypical four years to complete my undergraduate degree, and I am almost ashamed to state how many years I have been a college student. (I might have a face that makes me look young, but don’t be fooled!) I have taken classes at a few different colleges; I was on a never ending quest to figure out what I wanted to do with my future. Even though I had many interests, I think about those times now and realize that I had no focus. While I did well at whatever I attempted, I could not find my path. When I decided to go back to school, I chose the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), and this is where I discovered the field of social work. I believe that when I registered for an associate’s degree in human services at BMCC, I was deciding to move forward with my life. I finally understood that I felt the need to help others with disabilities, and I have been on the right track ever since. I truly hope that this blog serves as an explanation as to why, after graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a 3.9 GPA, I am so pleased.
Dan
Dan
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Better brunch blog: uptown lounge
Hello readers, what kind of food critic would I be if I didn’t blog about my latest restaurant adventure? (that’s rhetorical by the way, no answers please) All jokes aside, I have decided to share with you my excellent experience at brunch today. This is a fairly new restaurant, it was my first time there and I was quite impressed. (As the picky or “selective” eater that my faithful readers know I am, it sometimes takes a lot to impress me) Therefore, here is my food critic review:
Uptown Lounge
1578 3rd Avenue
New York NY
4 stars
Brunch can be the most important meal of the day for me, so I was preparing to lower my expectations today, just in case. (I was hoping that this place was not going to choke like A-rod does with the bases loaded, that’s not an insult, it actually happened as I was eating, true story!). At the uptown lounge, you can choose from a wide array of dishes, from omelets to sandwiches to even fish. Your entree is accompanied with your choice of two drinks, alcoholic or not (can you guess which one I chose? Just kidding). The staff was friendly, actually going over the top to accommodate me. I selected the delicious-sounding uptown omelet: filled with ham, mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese.
There was no disappointment to be found at this restaurant. The omelet was expertly prepared and the flavors seamlessly blended together to create quite a tasty dish. The zest of the ham, combined with the mushrooms and sweet onions, and mild but flavorful Swiss cheese, were more than enough to satisfy my brunch craving. The better than average bacon, salty but authentic home fries, (both of which I asked for as extra crispy and were served that way), and whole wheat toast on the side only added to my terrific time.
Before I finish my review and make the decision whether or not to recommend a restaurant, I like to end with a few points just so that you are fully informed. First, the brunch costs $16, which might sound pricy to some. However, it does include the two drinks, the staff is very good with helping out with substitutions or changes in your order, and this price is actually reasonable in my opinion compared to what some other restaurants charge. In addition, my review is only based on brunch, I cannot vouch for any other meals at this establishment. Therefore, now that we have that out of the way…..
I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the Uptown Lounge. I hope all of my readers have the chance to check out the brunch for themselves. Until my next food adventure, take care and stay positive!
Dan
Uptown Lounge
1578 3rd Avenue
New York NY
4 stars
Brunch can be the most important meal of the day for me, so I was preparing to lower my expectations today, just in case. (I was hoping that this place was not going to choke like A-rod does with the bases loaded, that’s not an insult, it actually happened as I was eating, true story!). At the uptown lounge, you can choose from a wide array of dishes, from omelets to sandwiches to even fish. Your entree is accompanied with your choice of two drinks, alcoholic or not (can you guess which one I chose? Just kidding). The staff was friendly, actually going over the top to accommodate me. I selected the delicious-sounding uptown omelet: filled with ham, mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese.
There was no disappointment to be found at this restaurant. The omelet was expertly prepared and the flavors seamlessly blended together to create quite a tasty dish. The zest of the ham, combined with the mushrooms and sweet onions, and mild but flavorful Swiss cheese, were more than enough to satisfy my brunch craving. The better than average bacon, salty but authentic home fries, (both of which I asked for as extra crispy and were served that way), and whole wheat toast on the side only added to my terrific time.
Before I finish my review and make the decision whether or not to recommend a restaurant, I like to end with a few points just so that you are fully informed. First, the brunch costs $16, which might sound pricy to some. However, it does include the two drinks, the staff is very good with helping out with substitutions or changes in your order, and this price is actually reasonable in my opinion compared to what some other restaurants charge. In addition, my review is only based on brunch, I cannot vouch for any other meals at this establishment. Therefore, now that we have that out of the way…..
I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the Uptown Lounge. I hope all of my readers have the chance to check out the brunch for themselves. Until my next food adventure, take care and stay positive!
Dan
Welcome to the updated restaurant awards!
Hello everyone, before I dive in to my food reviews, I thought I would take a quick look at some of the best restaurants around, in my opinion of course! (Sorry McDonald’s, you didn’t make the cut this year despite all of your mcnugget goodness and crunchy French fries). I will be referring once in a while to the Zagat’s food guide, in particular their 2010 ratings
I believe that it is time to review my gourmet adventures in a numerical way. The Zagat guide rates their restaurants in three important ways: food, décor, and service.
Now, we all know that only one of those numbers matter. I’m talking, of course, about food! (no offense to fans of service, and décor: I can take it or leave it, as long as the food is top-notch). However, I strive to be as official as possible, so the following list contains all three ratings:
(All of these restaurant ratings are out of a maximum of 30 points, and they rarely get beyond 27 or 28).
Restaurant name: food décor service
The winner for barbecue food (envelope please): dinosaur's (One of the top two barbecue restaurants in New York City, my apologies to Blue Smoke, you are number two): 22 15 17
The winner for Italian food (although this restaurant technically serves Roman food: sandro's (scrumptious cuisine featuring an incredible bucatini amatriciana): 25 15 20
Best hamburger (readers of my blind blog should not be surprised by this): primehouse (Go for the outstanding brunch, they use a combination of rib eye and ground beef in their burgers and don’t forget to try the steakhouse burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions): 24 23 23
Honorable mention: union square café (On one hand it’s a bit touristy, and is one of the most popular restaurants in the city, but has a very nice hamburger and fried (I know) calamari): 27 23 26
Winner of best paella: socarrat (I am proud to be one of the first bloggers to write about this outstanding Spanish restaurant, their paella is only ahead of Malaga’s by a little, long waits so get there early and enjoy!): 24 17 20
Winner for best muscles: flex mussels (A fabulous restaurant offering big mussels with 23 different sauces, by the way, if you don’t like mussels maybe this is not the right restaurant for you): 22 17 19
Winner for best pizza (I’m sure I will get in trouble for saying this):lucali's (This excellent restaurant is top two for pizza just ahead of Difara’s, great calzone!): 26 16 19
I feel extremely fortunate to have tried out the excellent cuisine from all of these establishments, in my quest to find the best in every category of food. I guess that readers of my blind blog can finally understand why I am always complaining about the scale and how much I weigh! (Don’t worry, it’s actually alright, I am on a health kick and plan to continuously work out until I work off all of the bad calories).
I want to thank all of my readers for this opportunity, thanks to my great family, outstanding friends, and anyone who is reading my blog.
Dan
I believe that it is time to review my gourmet adventures in a numerical way. The Zagat guide rates their restaurants in three important ways: food, décor, and service.
Now, we all know that only one of those numbers matter. I’m talking, of course, about food! (no offense to fans of service, and décor: I can take it or leave it, as long as the food is top-notch). However, I strive to be as official as possible, so the following list contains all three ratings:
(All of these restaurant ratings are out of a maximum of 30 points, and they rarely get beyond 27 or 28).
Restaurant name: food décor service
The winner for barbecue food (envelope please): dinosaur's (One of the top two barbecue restaurants in New York City, my apologies to Blue Smoke, you are number two): 22 15 17
The winner for Italian food (although this restaurant technically serves Roman food: sandro's (scrumptious cuisine featuring an incredible bucatini amatriciana): 25 15 20
Best hamburger (readers of my blind blog should not be surprised by this): primehouse (Go for the outstanding brunch, they use a combination of rib eye and ground beef in their burgers and don’t forget to try the steakhouse burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions): 24 23 23
Honorable mention: union square café (On one hand it’s a bit touristy, and is one of the most popular restaurants in the city, but has a very nice hamburger and fried (I know) calamari): 27 23 26
Winner of best paella: socarrat (I am proud to be one of the first bloggers to write about this outstanding Spanish restaurant, their paella is only ahead of Malaga’s by a little, long waits so get there early and enjoy!): 24 17 20
Winner for best muscles: flex mussels (A fabulous restaurant offering big mussels with 23 different sauces, by the way, if you don’t like mussels maybe this is not the right restaurant for you): 22 17 19
Winner for best pizza (I’m sure I will get in trouble for saying this):lucali's (This excellent restaurant is top two for pizza just ahead of Difara’s, great calzone!): 26 16 19
I feel extremely fortunate to have tried out the excellent cuisine from all of these establishments, in my quest to find the best in every category of food. I guess that readers of my blind blog can finally understand why I am always complaining about the scale and how much I weigh! (Don’t worry, it’s actually alright, I am on a health kick and plan to continuously work out until I work off all of the bad calories).
I want to thank all of my readers for this opportunity, thanks to my great family, outstanding friends, and anyone who is reading my blog.
Dan
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
important update (creative title)
Hello world, I am writing a quick 5 minute update so that all my great readers can have a concept of what I have been up to. I have been working at a social work internship since the beginning of march, it is going really well and I am so excited to help out people who are blind like myself. I am learning a great deal about this field and I feel this experience is extremely beneficial. I have been keeping track of the Yankees’ progress so far this season: the team looks very competitive but after all it is still early and anything can happen. Nevertheless, I am hoping for the best (eternal optimist) and would really like to attend a few games this season (hint hint). The return of baseball is a great thing, especially because I experience an immense feeling of anticipation during the months of the off-season.
I enjoy reading audio books very much, and I just finished reading a fascinating yet strange science fiction book: WWW Wake. It is difficult to summarize such a complicated but well-told story, so for your information this is part of amazon.com’s description: “Blind teen Caitlin Decter gets an experimental signal-processing implant that inexplicably opens up her vision to the wondrous infrastructure of the World Wide Web. Inside the Web is a newborn webmind, a globe-spanning self-contained consciousness that is just becoming aware of the outside world.” I recommend this book, as long as you found that portion of the description to be of interest.
In other news, my struggles with weight loss continue, and my scale can never decide how much I weigh from day to day. I have been creating many salads this week, and I am continuing my diet despite the occasional frustrations. Finally, I am busy doing many reviews of restaurants and venues for a project I am working on called Accessible New York. According to our new website, “Accessible New York empowers people with disabilities to share their experiences of New York's dining, lodging, and entertainment destinations, and provides quality information about these establishments to people who are ready, willing, and able to dine, stay and play in the greatest city on Earth”.
I hope you have learned more about me and my progress from this update, there will be more blogs to come in the near future. Thanks everyone!
Dan
I enjoy reading audio books very much, and I just finished reading a fascinating yet strange science fiction book: WWW Wake. It is difficult to summarize such a complicated but well-told story, so for your information this is part of amazon.com’s description: “Blind teen Caitlin Decter gets an experimental signal-processing implant that inexplicably opens up her vision to the wondrous infrastructure of the World Wide Web. Inside the Web is a newborn webmind, a globe-spanning self-contained consciousness that is just becoming aware of the outside world.” I recommend this book, as long as you found that portion of the description to be of interest.
In other news, my struggles with weight loss continue, and my scale can never decide how much I weigh from day to day. I have been creating many salads this week, and I am continuing my diet despite the occasional frustrations. Finally, I am busy doing many reviews of restaurants and venues for a project I am working on called Accessible New York. According to our new website, “Accessible New York empowers people with disabilities to share their experiences of New York's dining, lodging, and entertainment destinations, and provides quality information about these establishments to people who are ready, willing, and able to dine, stay and play in the greatest city on Earth”.
I hope you have learned more about me and my progress from this update, there will be more blogs to come in the near future. Thanks everyone!
Dan
Saturday, March 20, 2010
whittiest title ever: new food critic review: Malaga
Hola amigos, yesterday night I went to a favorite Spanish restaurant of mine, and I thought I would share the experience with all of you. Vamos:
Malaga
406 E. 73rd St.
New York NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
Ah, the wonders of garlic. It can be an incredible ingredient (in my opinion, but I’m right). Is it delicious? Yes. Is it good to eat while trying to be social? No, Listerine or scope would not have even done the trick. Nevertheless, I really enjoy garlic and that was the key element of the dish which I planned to order here. When I entered Malaga, I appreciated it’s laid back ambiance: it was crowded but not loud, the Spanish music in the background added to the atmosphere but was not overpowering, and the restaurant just felt very relaxed. For the record, I don’t think that you can go wrong here, everything on the menu is tasty, from the paella to the tortilla omelet, I have never had a bad meal at Malaga. However, I knew exactly what I wanted so I ordered shrimp ala chef grilled: the menu offers no description for this dish, and it is true that it is extremely difficult to describe the goodness known as shrimp ala chef. This dish essentially consists of sautéed shrimp and numerous pieces of crunchy and fragrant garlic. I could smell it coming and could hear the dish because it was served on a sizzling platter. My first taste was heavenly, my senses were in overload and therefore were going crazy. The succulent shrimp paired with the delectable garlic made an incredible combination of flavors. It was nice to have a side of broccoli but it didn’t really matter in the end, I was just there for the amazing shrimp.
If you are reading this blog, then you should be aware that I was also drinking sangria (a Spanish wine-based drink) at the time, but I believe that my positive review of this establishment is based on reality and not on the alcohol. I would wholeheartedly recommend that all of my readers visit this great Spanish restaurant. However, there are two issues which I must address. First, Malaga is not wheel chair accessible (there are two steep steps before you arrive at the front door). In addition, a meal can be a little pricy, so I hope you understand that your experience might result in good food and a big check. Restaurants in Manhattan can be expensive, but at least the Spanish food at Malaga which you pay for is high quality. Thanks for reading, adios!
Dan
Malaga
406 E. 73rd St.
New York NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
Ah, the wonders of garlic. It can be an incredible ingredient (in my opinion, but I’m right). Is it delicious? Yes. Is it good to eat while trying to be social? No, Listerine or scope would not have even done the trick. Nevertheless, I really enjoy garlic and that was the key element of the dish which I planned to order here. When I entered Malaga, I appreciated it’s laid back ambiance: it was crowded but not loud, the Spanish music in the background added to the atmosphere but was not overpowering, and the restaurant just felt very relaxed. For the record, I don’t think that you can go wrong here, everything on the menu is tasty, from the paella to the tortilla omelet, I have never had a bad meal at Malaga. However, I knew exactly what I wanted so I ordered shrimp ala chef grilled: the menu offers no description for this dish, and it is true that it is extremely difficult to describe the goodness known as shrimp ala chef. This dish essentially consists of sautéed shrimp and numerous pieces of crunchy and fragrant garlic. I could smell it coming and could hear the dish because it was served on a sizzling platter. My first taste was heavenly, my senses were in overload and therefore were going crazy. The succulent shrimp paired with the delectable garlic made an incredible combination of flavors. It was nice to have a side of broccoli but it didn’t really matter in the end, I was just there for the amazing shrimp.
If you are reading this blog, then you should be aware that I was also drinking sangria (a Spanish wine-based drink) at the time, but I believe that my positive review of this establishment is based on reality and not on the alcohol. I would wholeheartedly recommend that all of my readers visit this great Spanish restaurant. However, there are two issues which I must address. First, Malaga is not wheel chair accessible (there are two steep steps before you arrive at the front door). In addition, a meal can be a little pricy, so I hope you understand that your experience might result in good food and a big check. Restaurants in Manhattan can be expensive, but at least the Spanish food at Malaga which you pay for is high quality. Thanks for reading, adios!
Dan
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
