Current obsessions

Spanish Harlem (namely E. 116th Street, a.k.a. "Little Mexico"):  Head East after you exit the 6-train at the 116th Street subway station, and you'll find yourself in Manhattan's own "Little Mexico."  This bustling stretch is lined with deli after deli, bakery after bakery, taqueria after taqueria, grocery after grocery, makeshift food stand, food truck - you name it.  It has quickly become my one-stop-shop for dried chiles, fresh poblano peppers, bulk corn tortillas, guavas, Mexican cheeses, & hard-to-find dulces.  And best of all?  The prices are beyond legit.

Snickers Peanut Butter Squared:  Go ahead and laugh all you want, but this peanut-buttery version of the original is really good.  Don't believe me?  Go out and try one for yourself.  Oh, and make sure to report back after you've done so. 

Prada Patent Leather Ballet Flats:  I know it.  You know it.  And so does your mom.  The adorable-ness factor of these ballet flats speak for themselves!  'Nuff said.

Cire Trudon candles

"50 Classics for Your Closet" List, found on JGIWC:  After giving more than half of my closet to Goodwill recently, I decided that, at 30 years of age for god's sake, it's time to start filling my shelves with more quality items.  Let's face it, Forever 21 does not last forever.  Low and behold, I came upon this fantastic checklist that, quite honestly, I cannot stop obsessing over.  I printed it out - grabbed a bottle of White Out - and made it my own.  I realized that, after having reviewed all of the items I do have, that most of the pieces I'm missing are articles of clothing - not jewelry, shoes, or accessories!  Looks like I've got some serious shopping to do.  The JGIWC, on the other hand, seems to be light years ahead of me (see below).  How does your closet shape up?

My trusty immersion blender:  This lightweight, super-charged, one-stick wonder is the brains behind my red enchilada sauce and brisket gravy. 

The girls:  I absolutely adore the women in my life.  From my mother, grandmother, sister, cousin Shelley, & god-daughter Blair - my former coworkers and boss at OL (you know who you are) - my besties in/from Texas who've known me longer than anyone - to my newest circle up north who, having only been in my life for a handful of years, now know me better than anyone else - I am surrounded by an incredible group of ladies.

Live piano music at Bemelmans Bar, The Carlyle Hotel:  Classy and ever-creative, Meghan planned girl's after-work Valentine's drinks at the Upper East Side's famous Bemelmans Bar.  Having never been prior to Monday, I was completely taken by the well-healed watering hole's dimly lit, effortless sophistication and elegance.  Once seated and awaiting the rest of my party to arrive - and my virgin cocktail - I became transfixed by the peppy, live piano music.  I closed my eyes, took a sip of my tangy fruit beverage, and was instantly transported back to a special-occasion dinner with my beloved grandparents, circa the age of 9 or 10. 

Thank you for the memories, Bemelmans. 

NY MagazineMozzarella di Bufala at Bar Veloce:  Look, this isn't one of my favorite bars - or restaurants, if you can even call it that.  Wine and tapas bar?  Maybe that suits it better.  Whatever.  So what does Bar Veloce have in common with Babbo, Jean Georges, and Le Bernardin?  All four restaurants happen to share the same mozzarella supplier.  That's right, folks.  Some teeny-tiny vendor in Italy ships their incredible product to New York twice/week.  And while I'm sure that the other three restaurants up-charge the crap out of their ration, you've got to hand it to Bar Veloce for not completely raping their customer: $13 will buy you a sizeable portion of the cheese, nicely dressed with tomato and basil, and paired with crusty bread.  And trust me when I say that this is the most delicious mozzarella that I have ever tasted.  I'm telling you, it's life changing!  Monumental.  Earth shattering.

The Ex Outlet: A brilliant e-resource for all of your post-breakup needs. 

Never quite made it down the aisle and need to sell your wedding dress or engagement ring?  Do that here, too.  Because let's face it - even if he was a total prick - Ebay just seems a bit too big and impersonal, doesn't it?

~

Read it & eat,

The Lunch Belle

Kissy kissy, huggy huggy

With the ever dreaded Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, I couldn't not share this!  Plus, I have to wonder, did Zagat steal my thunder by writing this particular guide?  After all, I did, at one time, list restaurants/bars that were ideal for a romantic date night - plus where to go pig-out with your girlfriends after he dumps your ass. 

Click here to check out Zagat's NYC-centric "Dating/Dumping Guide" for some pre-Valentine's Day tips and laughs. 

At the end of the day, if there's one thing that we all can be thankful for, it's this: whether you're married/in a relationship or single in NYC, you've got the best restaurants - bars - and late-night delivery services at your fingertips for whatever it is you're celebrating or self medicating.

xoxo <gag me> xoxo,

The Lunch Belle

Behind bars: food, for thought

Check out this fascinating post and photo collage from Brooklyn artist, Julia Ziegler-Haynes, who used her camera to recreate the final meals requested by twenty-four Death Row inmates.  

"I'm by no means excusing the deplorable acts that it took to land these men on Death Row—I'm merely taking a closer look at the human condition." Julia Ziegler-Haynes

Food for thought: as chilling as it may be, I can't help but ask you, dear readers, what would you choose to eat for your "last supper?"      

~

Read it & eat, 

The Lunch Belle

Trick or treat, the joke's on me: help a bed-ridden sista' out!

Dear readers,

Greetings from...my couch.  For some strange reason - unbeknownst to me - the powers that be did not want me celebrating Halloween last year (I came down with a horrible bout of bronchitis) and, unfortunately, have chosen the same fate for this year's upcoming holiday. 

In an effort to better myself and get back in to the exercise game, I signed up for classes on Tuesday evenings with the NY Road Runners.  To make a long story short: while I was doing my homework for week #2 (by "homework," I'm referring to going for runs outside of class), I landed incorrectly on my right foot and slightly twisted me knee.  But, being the over-achieving fool that I am, I persevered throughout my run.  And though I took the next day "off,"  I was back at it, again, last Friday.  I ran three laps before realizing that my knee was in pain, and decided to complete my homework by speed-walking.  The better part of Friday evening was spent at a charity gala - in heels - with a very limited amount of time sitting (Who sits at a cocktail party, anyways??).  On Saturday, I wobbled over to Tipsy Parson for a brunch date, went grocery shopping, and made some homemade matzo ball soup.  On Sunday, while going downstairs to fetch my laundry, I took a little spill, mistaking two steps for one.  By nightfall, I could barely walk.

After receiving the results of the MRI that I had taken on Tuesday evening, my doctor told me that I had a "stress fracture" (a.k.a. a break).  "You will need to stay off of that leg, young lady," he lectured.  "But doc," I squealed, "I'm supposed to go to Hong Kong next Friday and there's not a snowball's chance in hell that I'm going to miss this trip!" 

So here I am - on my couch - getting around on crutches.  In true NYC fashion, there's a dude that's going to come to my apartment, hopefully today or tomorrow, and measure my right leg for a walking-brace, so that I don't have to resort to a Hover-Round.  Thank god my injury doesn't require surgery and, better yet, I've been cleared to go on my trip to Asia!   

...and while we're on the topic of Asia, I was wondering if any of you have been to Hong Kong or Macao.  If so, I'd love, more than anything, for you to share some of your favorite experiences including, but not limited to: sight-seeing, shopping, dim sum, etiquette, bars/nightlife, dim sum, restaurants, general tips, dim sum, etc. 

~

Read it & eat...and help a bed-ridden sista' out!

The Lunch Belle   

Quote of the day, courtesy of Ken Friedman

This quote truly captures/encompasses my life as a 30 year old - I couldn't have said it better myself:

“As I got older, I realized that restaurants are the new clubs. After hours of sitting in a club or lounge, one is tempted to do bad things. After hours of eating in a restaurant, one is tempted to order dessert.” Ken Friedman

Wishing you a good final seal - גמר חתימה טובה

As we approach Yom Kippur, I wanted to make a quick "shout out" to all of my fellow Heebs out there:

G'mar Chatima Tovah ~ may you be inscribed in the Book of Life for Good!   

גמר חתימה טובה

P.S. Are you going to fast tomorrow?  If so, do you have any personal hunger-distraction-tips for a girl whose stomach never seems to stop rumbling?  Also, I'm curious as to how seriously you take the fast: do you brush your teeth?  Do you drink water?  Chew gum? 

*Shoot me an email with your tips/plan of attack: lindsay@thelunchbelle.com