KOI

I know fancy Japanese restaurants in New York are a dime a dozen but Please, PLEASE do yourself a favor and visit KOI on Bryant Park. Just look at these dishes!

3 of us, including myself, had the MISO BLACK COD, melted like butter in the mouth! The best fillet of cod I have ever had!

Check out the Lobster tail that Camilla enjoyed! Heaven! Is that a flower?!

Lisa had Kobe Beef (from the beer feed, back massaged cows of Japan). Very Tender!

Last is the Dessert! WOW, JUST, WOW! Cheesecake so soft and creamy, Milk Chocolate Banana spring rolls, Gingerbread Ice cream and Check out the pattern on top of the little chocolate cake, Eleganza! 

http://www.koirestaurant.com/

5 out of 5 forks all the way!
Thanks so much to Cindy and Alexa for the experience!

Ryan and Kiley's Wedding

This past weekend my baby brother Ryan married his best friend and long time Love, Kiley and boy do those two know how to through a party! It was up in Brandon Vermont at the charming Lilac Inn.
 Everything was just beautiful! I highly recommend the Lilac Inn for Weddings or any kind of romantic getaway. The gardens were trimmed to perfection and the rooms are each unique and stunning!
My feet are still hurting from the amount of dancing I did the night of the wedding so I don't feel bad at all displaying the giant plate of food that I indulged in.
First things first, they started us off with a beautiful mixed green salad with pears, candied pecans and blue cheese. All of my favorite things, in one dish! It was light, tart and sweet, delicious!

The main course was served buffet style and of course i piled it on, just look at this plate! The meat was so delicate and cooked perfectly! It also came with a creamy horseradish sauce and Auju, now that's fancy! The stuffed chicken and rolled fish were excellent. I think my favorite was the chick pea salad, it was very unique and a lovely complement to the meat.  

To finish off the evening, the Newlyweds decided to opt for an Ice Cream buffet rather then a cake. Now that's a creative couple who know what they like in desserts! Sorry there is no photo, I was busy dancing at that moment.

For sure 5 out of 5 Forks!
Congratulations Ryan and Kiley!
http://www.lilacinn.com/

Carnival Cruise

My family and I went on a Carnival Cruise to The Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten and it was gorgeous! We had an amazing time on each island and the Carnival Dream was a blast! The biggest ship in the fleet, the Dream was filled with lots of hungry cruisers and Carnival knew what they were doing. Yes there is always free soft serve Ice Cream and Yogurt and yes you can get Pizza anytime but the real true thrill for diners was the 3 course dinners every night! Not only was it beautiful to look at but every course, every night was scrumptious!
Check out some selects...
Cold Strawberry Soup, tasted like a milkshake!

 Lobster and shrimp!

 Steak (Rare like Matt likes it)!

 Eggplant Parmesan, Like Butter!

 Sticky yummy Ribs!

Savory Salmon!

Desert? Yes please! How about the biggest slice of Cheesecake you have ever seen from the Steak Resturant!!!

 Or if you want simple bliss? Vanilla Bean Ice Cream!

Oh Vacation, I miss you! We had such a yummy time! Thank you so much Dad and Mom for the flavor adventure!  We will never forget it!

5 out of 5 Forks!!!!

Eastern Market Cheese

Shari brought us a variety of cheeses from Eastern Market in Washington DC. We stared eating it on Sunday morning, now that's a breakfast for Champions!
Pure Happiness!

5 out of 5 forks!

Artisanal Bistro

This weekend my Mother in law, Shari came to visit from Washington DC so I though it would be the perfect opportunity to visit one of my very favorite NYC restaurants, Artisanal Bistro!
http://www.artisanalbistro.com/
 Yes they do fondue but this is not just any campy fondue, it is CHEESE GARLIC AND TEQUILA FONDUE! YES PLEASE! We had been walking around New York all day long so when we finally sat down for our meal at the beautiful french bistro, we were ravenous and ready for some warm gooey cheese and bread! A side of Palm Frites was added to satisfy our moaning bellies. (That's French Fries for those who don't speak the salty tongue of the Parisians) Add a glass of wine or beer and we were in perfect foodie bliss!

The main course was divine as well! I had the Hanger steak and it was melt in your mouth perfection! Shari had the Wild Mushroom Rissotto with fava beans and Black Truffle butter that looked and tasted heavenly.  Matt had the Chicken under a brick (Love that title) he said he never had such a juicy chicken! Sorry there are no photos but I was much to concerned with eating then taking a picture at that moment. ;)

5 out of 5 Forks!
We had a fantastic time! Everything was amazing!
Thanks so very Much Shari!

Home cooked Salmon and Pea Salad

Matt asked me if I wanted to try to cook salmon this past weekend. I said I have never tried but that I would take on the challenge. Found this recipe and went for it!

Salmon with Harissa
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Salmon-with-Harissa/Detail.aspx

Went to Whole Foods and found a lovely fillet of Salmon. For those who don't know, like myself one fillet is good for two people.

The recipe is really simple, just some Harissa (a hot chili sauce that comes in a can), mayo,  lemon, onion, paprika, OJ and a dash of white wine. Flynn was very interested in checking my quality of work.

 The Pea salad was also really easy but be sure to go to a grocery store where the staff can help you determine the difference between snow peas, snap peas and regular shelled peas. Lots of peas here people!  If you don't like capers, do what I did, just use some good olives from your store's olive bar.

Pea Salad with Basil and Pea Shoots
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/pea-salad-with-basil-and-pea-shoots-recipe/index.html 

Bam! Done! It was really delicious if I do say so myself. Matt loved it!!!!
He said 5 out of 5 forks! Wowie!!! Going to keep this recipe around. 

BOND 45

Bond 45 has only been a restaurant for seven years but the time it spent as a theater and night club in back in the day has certainly made an impression on the atmosphere and hospitality!  You will not walk away hungry from this amazing restaurant and if you do, there is something wrong with your stomach, have that checked out.
We started off with a ton of appetizers, including the world's largest shrimp cocktail! I have seen Cornish Hens smaller then these guys!

 Then came the pizza, paper thin perfection! Absolutely dinner worthy on its own.

Still want more appetizers? How about the softest creamiest buffalo mozzarella you have ever tasted, served with sliced juicy tomatoes.

After all that we almost forgot about our main course! (This is just a lunch right?) Three out of five of us orderd the Steak Frites. The Aged New York Strip 12 oz. with sage shoestring frites and baby arugula and roasted red peppers.  I wish I could talk more about this beautiful dish but I'm afraid I was so full from the previous dishes I hardly made a dent. I can say that the meat was extremely tender with a perfectly seared outside. I can't wait to bring it home to finish my lunch for dinner!

Now I know I just got done saying how full I was, however that never stops me from ordering desert. After all, I do have a Foodie Blog to write and I want to be  thorough.
We ordered the profiteroles! A puff pastry with hazelnut ice cream in the middle! WOW! Delicious!

    
BOND 45 is a fantastic restaurant that I have had the privileged to dine at a few times and they never disappoint! I shale return!
Many thanks to Meredith and Jon!!!
4 out of 5 forks! 
http://www.bond45.com/
PS- Check out Lisa having her 1st bite of steak after giving up red meat for lent!
Ha! You've earned it Baby! Enjoy!