Good morning, Friday. It's rainy and most shite outside today- gloomy as could be, but it's the end of the week, so there's goodness to be had. I have a shoot on Sunday so my weekend will be a bit pre-empted, but that's cool. I'm looking forward to a fun time. In other news, it's been a while since I've broken off a five spot for you, so thought today's edition would be a potluck of things I've found this week that are just, well, awesome. There's no rhyme or reason, really. It's just a fiver of some stuff that's cool, at least in my eyes, or moreover, in my mouth. Turns out most of 'em are food related, so feast away:
Coolest cookbook: "Vegetable Literacy" by Deborah Madison- Like some of you out there, I've been in and out of vegetarianism for years. I never quite had a taste for red meat, but these days I do eat chicken occasionally, as well as fish, but what I enjoy cooking most are vegetables. I am always on the hunt for quick and easy veg recipes, and I read about this cookbook last week in the NY Times and snapped it up at Amazon straight away. It did not disappoint- it came in the mail yesterday and its beautiful photos and straightforward recipes and educational value (who knew there were so many different vegetable groups?) is well worth the price of admission. I'm looking forward to trying some of these recipes, most likely, tonight. It's super comprehensive and use friendly- a great read and primer for all things leafy and delicious.
Coolest throwback recipe: JFK's New England Clam Chowder recipe- I spotted this on A Continuous Lean the other day (a fav blog of mine, even though it's man focused, I love it's salute to a certain brand of Americana) and thought it such a wonderful find- a jaunt through the JFK archives unearthed this gem of a classic recipe for New England Clam chowder, and since we're about to enter the height of New England beach goodness, this recipe may be worth a try if you're so inclined. There's no substitute for the classics, and that's that.
Coolest restaurant: The Waverly Inn: Listen up, friends. If you have not been to Graydon Carter's Waverly Inn over on Bank and Waverly, then go right now. Run, don't walk. Yes, it's a spendy evening. Sure it has a bit of pretension, but in a bookish, relaxed sort of way, and once you get there, you'll feel like a member of the best club in town. I went with a friend last night and I had one of the best dirty martinis of all time (you know a martini is great when it makes you feel right, and not sloshed), as well as an amazing take on the classic Caesar, updated to include kale, and some excellent crab cakes. Menu standouts also include a truffled mac and cheese, but at $60, you've got to have deep markets to take part in such decadence. The room itself is clubby- murals on the walls, dark, and red leather banquettes. It's a club you want to be a member of, and in my daydream of a brain, I vowed to eat here once a week, if time and bank accounts allowed. PS had a Graydon Carter sighting there last night- he really resembles a founding father; albeit with a well cut blazer and crisp white shirt. Love this place. Must go back for brunch. It's been around for a while, and for that reason, it's a classic. Yes, five years in business can a classic make in the temperamental world of NY restaurants.
Coolest rediscovery: Vodka. Yea, I know. Not a big revelation that vodka is wonderful. But I've gone way brown with my spirits the last few years or so, and though I will always love a Manhattan, a good old vodka martini is a fabulous thing. Vodka hasn't been "in" for a while, but I have a feeling it may return as the bourbon thing winds down a bit. And if you happen to be in a place today where you can cocktail, why not try Esquire's recipe for the perfect martini? You're welcome.
Coolest new retail: The Bite Lip Lab- If you don't know how great Bite Beauty's lipsticks are, you gotta get on that train. I discovered the lippy brand at Sephora and fell in love with their thick lip pencils that dispense beautiful color. Cut to now with their pop up store, soon to be a permanent fixture, in Soho. At the shop you can speak to a consultant who will assess what your best color and formulation would be, and then custom make a lipstick just for you- and the whole thing takes ten minutes. Yes, please. And since all of the above require chewing and slurping, you may as well have a well dressed mouth, right?
And that's what's up this potluck Friday in the 212. Have a tasty weekend. XO