Nibbles and Clippings...

...from the past week. Hope all has been well! I've been busy wrapping up work here before seeing my family in Boston next week. Then back in NYC for one week, and then off to France for two! Whew.
Saturday night at Ben and Sanu's. Ben prepared a killer shrimp salad which we followed up with roasted lamb (lots of garlic and rosemary), creamed spinach, and cheesy potato gratin - extra crisp top! There was plenty of prosecco and wine as always (hooray!)...
...and for dessert? A classic pear tart for six from Patisserie Claude.
We couldn't help but order a duo of eclairs while we were there. One coffee for Monsieur P and...
...one chocolate for myself. Innards!

Earlier that day I met up with Greg to check out apartments. We celebrated his find with iced milk tea boba at Saint's Alp...seriously the best boba in the city.

In the afternoon Monsieur P and I went shopping after a roasted mushroom and goat cheese omelette at Zampa in the West Village. The nicely charred rosemary fried potatoes that accompanied this dish was my favourite part.
Also shared a fresh mozzarella salad. Basil, Tomatoes, Olive Oil and Sea Salt. Light and summery. Dishes at Zampa are best understood as simple food - nothing spectacular, but easy comfort.

Of course I undid all that goodness with a coffee milkshake from Ronnybrook Dairy inside the Chelsea Market. Thick, glorious, and all things wonderful.

Fell in love with these Orchids from MK Orchid Farm at the Greenmarket on a Monday morning. They were $25 - it was my first time buying orchids in the city - am not sure if these are the going rate or if I paid too much. Nonetheless, they make me very happy. Keep them on my desk at Monsieur P's, such a cheerful sight.

Above is a photo from a weeknight dinner. From left to right. Deviled Eggs. Blistered Shishito Peppers with Fleur de Sel. A Panzanella Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, Avocado and Grana Padano.

There was a whole year in my life when I ate out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every. Single. Meal. But now I've trying to cook more and eat out less. Cooking I have to say, is more fun when there's two. I cook. We eat. Monsieur P cleans. We have it worked out nicely. I do the grocery/produce shopping - I only like grocery shopping alone. Other people drive me crazy and I drive others crazy because I am SO SLOW at grocery shopping. I like to comb through every farmer's offering at the Greenmarket and through every aisle at Whole Foods even if I know I'm not going to buy anything from that aisle or from that farmer. You learn something new every trip!

A Greek feast for 12 at Stamatis Restaurant in Queens, followed by a late night at the beer garden. I've heard so much about this massive beer garden since the first month I've moved to NYC...can you believe it's taken me three years to get there?! At Stamiatis, the octopus was the best plate of the night, thought the okra and lamb chops were excellent as well.

Went to the Brooklyn 38 party with Jess last night, and finished with dinner at Ignazio's Pizzeria in Dumbo. You know, I could eat pizza for every meal of my life. Fresh Mozzarella, Italian Plum Tomatoes, Pecorino Romano, Basil, Oregano and Olive Oil. We wiped out a large. I went home and Monsieur P had a glass of port waiting for me. Life is good...for this week at least ;)

Patisserie Claude
187 W 4th Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 255-5911

Zampa
306 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 206-0601

Ronnybrook Dairy
75 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 741-6455

Stamatis Restaurant
2909 23rd Avenue
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 721-4507

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 274-4925

Ignazio's Pizzeria
4 Water Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-2100