Thanks largely in part to global warming, spring is upon us earlier than ever. In NYC, today's high temperature is forecasted to be around 75-degrees! Now this may be a typical March reading for you folks down South but, in my neck of the woods, anything over 60-degrees is relatively unheard of - at least until the end of April! Maybe.
So, as you can only imagine, New Yorkers are ecstatic! Friends and lovers can be found dining and cocktailing al-fresco - extra, bulky layers and S.A.D. lamps are being stowed - and, perhaps most shocking of all, passersby are acknowledging one another with eye contact and, gasp, a smile. Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the question that every skeptical New Yorker has on his/her mind is: when will the other shoe drop? Today's high may reach 75-degrees, but will tomorrow's forecast include a snow storm? Only time will tell but, at least in the meantime, all 8+ million of us are living for the moment and enjoying the hell out of this unseasonably gorgeous, spring weather.
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And, speaking of being so 'seasonally giddy' that I'm fluttering around like a butterfly, I wanted to share some of my "spring flings" (...or, some of my *current* favorite things):
Pacari Ecuadorian Organic Chocolate's "Cuzco Pink Salt & Nibs" bar
Ok, so I may have initially been drawn to this particular company's products because I spent a glorious week in Ecuador, but it was one bar that really garnered my attention: Cuzco Pink Salt & Nibs. And not just *any* old pink salt, folks. But pink salt procured from the sacred valley of Cuzco, Peru, another gorgeous town and landscape that I fell in love with. Let's be real for a second, though: none of the fancy, fluffy "Ecuadorian Organic" wording or the region(s) in which this chocolate and its ingredients originated is important if the product sucks. Right? Come on, I'm just being honest...
Well, it doesn't suck. Not one bit! Confession: this particular Pacari blend is my most favorite chocolate bar in the entire world. It captures every sense - sweet and salty - that sings to me, with a peppy texture, courtesy of the tiny nibs.
Oh, and good news for those of you who have food allergies/intolerances/keep Kosher: this bar is certified Organic, gluten-free, and Kosher!
Pacari Ecuadorian Organic Chocolate is available for purchase online, or at the following venues in NYC:
Easter & Passover-friendly desserts from Magnolia Bakery
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of attending Magnolia Bakery's Spring Desserts Media Tasting at the company's Columbus Avenue location. As a self-professed sweet tooth and cupcake whore, you can imagine my anticipation!
Below, please enjoy my sexy photo-collage from the tasting and, even further below, I'll let you know which of the treats are worthy enough of purchase! Hint: looks can be very deceiving...
Mini Hummingbird Cupcakes
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Mother's Day Cupcakes
Easter Egg Brownie Bites
Mini Lemon Cupcakes
Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Mandel Bread
Matzoh CrunchIf I were attending an Easter meal/party and needed to bring dessert, I would consider the following best options from Magnolia Bakery:
- Mini Hummingbird Cupcakes: you simply cannot beat the banana/pineapple cake that's topped with a rich, cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans!
- Strawberry Icebox Cake: as if this dessert weren't delicious enough, the essence of fresh strawberries takes it to a whole other level.
- Chocolate Whoopie Pies (*note: these were included in our "goodie bags" from the event and were absolutely divine!!!)
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Bakery
If I were attending a Passover meal/party and needed to bring dessert, I would consider the following best option from Magnolia Bakery:
- Matzoh Crunch: dense caramel is topped with a layer of matzoh and drizzled with milk, dark, and white chocolate. Want to make this treat taste even better? Sprinkle the top with sea salt!
Cherry blossoms are *actually* budding all over town!
Photo found on moonfun dot net
Dishes' sandwiches
If you happen to work in the culinary wasteland that is Midtown East, then I don't need to remind you how quickly it is before you become bored with lunch options. Sure, there are definitely a handful of winners - Melt Shop, Omar's Kitchen & Bakery - but, more often than not, you will be disappointed by most. And then, of course, there's Dishes, which is like in a category of it's own. Dishes is one of the most expensive hot/cold salad bars that you will ever encounter. In your entire life. Complete with some of the most shiteous lines of hungry Midtown lunch'ers and spacial disorganization in the area. So why, you ask, would I even mention this clusterf*ck of a place? Well, because they make two of the tastiest sandwiches - at least, in my opinion - in town: the Shrimp Bahn Mi and the special, which isn't available very often - so check the website's weekly specials frequently, the Korean Beef Bulgogi.
Dishes' Shrimp Bahn Mi sandwich
Dishes' Korean Beef Bulgogi sandwichNow, if those aren't two of the sexiest sandwiches you've ever seen, then there's something seriously wrong with you. But, I'm assuming that the majority of you are wiping drool off of your mouths. So, on that note, here are my secret tips of how to get your very own Dishes sandwich with the least amount of havoc:
- Depending on your location, Dishes offers delivery and/or pickup. Since I'd rather not pay a delivery fee and have to tip someone, I always choose to "pickup."
- Beginning every morning at 10:30am, Dishes' online ordering system opens for lunch. Place your order and pay online, and either have it delivered later or go and fetch it yourself.
- If you do choose to fetch yourself, make sure to go to one of the two cash registers and announce that you're there for a pickup order. Do not approach one of the employees at any of the food stations - they'll just send you to one of the registers. Time management, courtesy of yours truly.
And, most importantly, enjoy your sandwich and do report back! I can't wait to say "I told you so."
Life of a Trophy Wife
If you have a sense of humor - love/admire the finer things in life - and need someone new to envy, then I suggest checking out this fabulous blog, aptly named Life of a Trophy Wife. I'm so obsessed, that I've even bookmarked the site - something I *rarely* do! Yep, folks, Life of a Trophy Wife is that good.
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, a memoir by Deborah Feldman
No matter what religion you claim, it's fair to say that most radical fundamentalists are mysterious, exclusive, racist, and intolerant. So, after reading her eye-opening interview in the NY Post, I immediately purchased Deborah Feldman's memoir, Unorthodox, on Amazon.com. I could hardly wait to read the first-hand account of a Hasidic Jewish woman who successfully broke free from the Satmar community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Sadly, I just finished this book yesterday. It was so intense and fascinating, that I almost didn't want it to end! Ms. Feldman's happily-ever-after ending is inspirational to women of all ages and creeds.
To me, finding a good book is like finding a decent guy: they don't come around very often! Sigh.
What have you fallen in love with this spring? I'd love to hear from you!
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Until we eat again,
The Lunch Belle
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:41AM 
