I didn't get this website at first...

But now I think it's hilarious: http://www.whatthefuckshouldimakefordinner.com/index.php

Why am I not surprised??

As soon as I saw the title, I knew my ferry would be in there: The Most Beautiful Ferry Rides in the U.S.

Brooklyn Flea!

This weekend was the first weekend the Brooklyn Flea moved outside! We went to explore, although I didn't really do my research and so when we went on Sunday, most of the market was still inside (its fully outside on Saturdays). We bought raspberry jam, chamomile soap, and an old frame for a painting I bought in Russia...two years ago.

We also went for the food but made the mistake of buying the first food we saw - my pain au chocolate was delish but I wish I had waited for some of the other treats!

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I killed my first cockroach today. Luckily it was not actually in the apartment, but out in the hallway. It was relatively harmless because it was stuck on its back, but its wiggling antenna freaked me out nonetheless. I knew if I did not kill it then, it would find its way into my apartment and multiply and force me to move out, but I really hope I never have to do that again.

And let me note that Joey did not help, but hid in the apartment.

Dinner at Symposium

I've been meaning to go to Symposium for months, essentially ever since I got home from my trip to Greece last September, and we finally went last night. It has a great reputation and is probably one of the only restaurants in the neighborhood that is rated by Zagat. The atmosphere was cute and the staff extremely friendly - however, I have to be honest and say that Westside Market does a waaay better moussaka. That might normally be considered an insult, but Westside Market really does make amazing moussaka. Also, the greek salad was served with balsamic vinegar which I find odd, as I never once saw balsamic vinegar the entire three weeks I was in Greece, but maybe I was missing something? The sangria was good though.

Can't wait for Chelsea!

There is a great article in the New York Times today about Chelsea Handler, possibly the funniest person on earth. Who knew Chuy Bravo was a former porn store? I have her latest book on hold for me at the library and can't wait to see her when she come to NYC in May.

Seattle time

I'm in Seattle for a few days to hang out with my mom while she recuperates from surgery, and to go to a wedding. Seattle is at its best in the summer and fall but here's hoping for some good weather while I'm home!

Beautiful Haggadahs

Last year Joey and I celebrated Passover in Chang Mai, Thailand with 300 (!) other people - this year we had a more traditional Seder in New York. I would love to host my own next year (although it would have to be small considering we only have two chairs, four plates, and four forks). In the meantime I love looking at these beautiful haggadahs - the first is the Moss Haggadah, the second is by Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin & Gerard Garouste, and the third is the famous Sarajevo Haggadah.

Biscuits and gravy at home!

A couple days ago, my friends and I realized that we were probably never going to find the perfect biscuits and gravy in a restaurant so we might as well try making it ourselves...with a little help from the Clinton Street Bakery. We bought the biscuits there the morning of (they were HUGE) and made gravy ourselves. And by ourselves I mean that Aditi made it while we sat and watched while drinking our morning beverages. She used a pretty simple recipe and after a long debate we went with fresh thyme instead of sage. She then poached the eggs in boiling water (such a chef!) and it was ready - and it was the most delicious biscuits and gravy I have ever eaten. That, combined with fresh fruit and unlimited OJ, and I may never go back to a restaurant for brunch again.

Newest addition to the home

In an effort to add a little life and color to our apartment, we bought a jade plant today at Plant Shed. The store had a bigger selection than I had anticipated and we had so much fun picking out our new plant (although we were limited by the fact of Absolutely No Direct Sunlight in our apartment). We chose the jade because we thought it looked more interesting than the other plants...and it looked very sturdy. We killed a fern this winter (which didn't really bother me because I thought it looked fake and stupid anyway) so we really needed something that thrives on neglect. Aaannd jade is good luck! Which it will need if its going to survive the year.

Dinner at Savoy

J's adorable Grandma insisted that we go out to dinner on her to celebrate our engagement, so Friday night we went to Savoy - it was a perfect choice not only for the food but for the ambience. Friday night was miserably cold (or at least it felt that way after such nice weather last weekend) and Savoy had a deliciously warm and cozy fireplace. The menu also seemed suited to a colder night - even the drinks felt like winter. We split the beet salad (it was good but I've had better) and I ordered the duck and J had the rabbit. My duck was probably one of the best dishes I've ever eaten, and I would go back just to order it and nothing else. The rabbit was interesting, though a little less flavorful then I had imagined it would be. We split the creme brulee for dessert, and while the idea of candy cap mushroom flavored dessert was slightly frightening, it was completely maple-y and delicious.

New York Public Library

I am probably one of five people I know that still uses the public library, but I am completely obsessed with them. Since moving to New York, it has been a little depressing to realize how long I have to wait for popular books (at one point I was 747th on the waitlist for The Girl who Played with Fire). Still, I strongly believe libraries do not get the attention and funds they deserve.

I wish I could check out books from this location though - how amazing if this was my local, functioning branch!

Beautiful Brooklyn brownstones

I want to live in that blue brown-blue?-stone!

On Wednesday I took advantage of the sunny weather and spent some time staring at brownstones in Park Slope. I never noticed before that some of the homes have faces carved into the stone, and some have gorgeous stained glass above the windows. I am dying to live in one of these buildings one day.

Please teach your child to walk.

Even though I don't have children and don't plan to have children for a long time, I am fascinated by WSJ's The Juggle. Today someone FINALLY asked the question How Old is Too Old for the Stroller?

I myself have been dying to ask New Yorkers that question, since I daily see full grown children being pushed along in the streets by their parents, or more often, their nannies. This is something I NEVER noticed before moving here - of course, I had also never before seen a child demanding to take a cab instead of public transportation, but there is a first for everything.

Best Pizza in NYC

I love visitors! Today a friend from college was in town, visiting the city for the first time. Ever since I read about Motorino's a few weeks ago in the New York Times I had been dying to try it, but the reviews on Yelp mentioned 2 hour waits and I am just not that patient. Someone, however, advised going for lunch and taking advantage of the lunch special - salad or soft serve and pizza for $12! I was sold and took Kelsey there today. The pizza was incredible - we both ordered the Stracciatella although now I am mad I didn't try the brussels sprout. I will definitely be going back.

After lunch we went on an improvised walking tour through the city, making sure to pick up our free pastry from Starbucks.

In search of the perfect biscuits and gravy...

On Sunday morning, I went to Home Restaurant for brunch. It was the third stop in the search for the perfect biscuits and gravy in New York (the first stop being Commerce, and another in the LES that I can't remember the name of right now). While the actual biscuits and gravy was the best I have had yet in the city (perfect proportion of gravy to biscuits, and ground sausage as opposed to links), the service was terrible. They forgot to bring out the side we ordered, and never gave us the chance to tell them...because they never came to our table again after dropping off our food. When we asked for the check, the waitress didn't even bother to turn around to acknowledge us. The outdoor seating was adorable but I probably wouldn't go back. The search continues!

Possibly my favorite museum in the city

Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather and explored The Cloisters. Although not yet as green as in this picture, it was gorgeous and wonderful to explore. We also took a guided tour which is my very favorite way to experience a museum. Without it, we would have never known the story behind the unicorn tapestries, or that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. bought the land across the river so that it would never be developed and visitors would always have a beautiful view. I want to go back in the summer with a picnic!