Big Apple BBQ Block Party

I never got the chance to put my two cents in about the Big Apple BBQ Block Party! I didn't get to try it all, but what savored really made my day. The pork shoulder burger from Dinosaur Barbeque was absolutely fantastic. I could feel my eyes roll back in my head with sheer pleasure after each warm, tender, and juicy bite. It almost made me want to trek up to 131st St for an in-house experience. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, Mb and I shared a monster brownie a la mode from Blue Smoke, followed by cheesy, buttery corn-on-the-cob from Tabla. For those who want to partake in the festivities next year, a few words of advice: get there early and go on Sunday. You'll encounter less crowds, which ultimately translates to more eating and enjoyment. 

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Lobster Rolls

One of my favorite foods of all time is lobster. Chunky, perfectly intact, unadulterated pieces of claw or tail meat. Dipped in butter or nothing at all—the flavor and texture just can't be beat. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I discovered a new way to enjoy this delicious crustacean: meet the lobster roll. Earlier this month I had the honor of participating in the TastingTable Lobster Roll Claw-Off, which made all of my friends supremely jealous (whether they admitted it or not.) My verdict and more pics on the next page. 

Sushi Yasuda

There are already enough blog entries out there that hail Sushi Yasuda to be one of the best sushi experiences that they've ever had, so I won't reiterate what's already out there. Instead, I just want to showcase my favorite pieces from the omakase.

Naturally Chic: ABC Kitchen

ABC Kitchen is the antithesis of what to expect from an organic restaurant and also a fine example of what it could be. Last Friday, I enjoyed a fantastic dinner there with my fashionista friends: Hg, Ct, and Aj. As each of us took turns diving into the warm roast carrot & avocado salad and buttery peekytoe crab toast, a continuous chorus of "MMMMmmmMMmmMm's" echoed around the table. Despite our delight with the food and drinks—the ultra refreshing basil lime daiquiri is a must-try—we paid little mind to the real magic behind the kitchen doors. More pics, dinner details and Renegade Craft Fair finds on the next page!

Catch of the Day (Literally)

What is better than steamed sea bass? Homemade steamed sea bass. What's better than homemade steamed sea bass? Catching it after a beautiful day of fishing! For B and my two year anniversary, we put on our sea legs and sailed out for a 5-hour sunset-enhanced fishing trip on the Brooklyn VI. Four and a half hours into our Lower Bay excursion, B finally caught a handsome black sea bass. The next evening, we steamed the fish using a variation on the traditional Chinese steamed fish recipe that I learned from Cooking Channel star Ching-He Huang during the LUCKYRICE Talk & Taste cooking demos. More pics, the recipe, and comprehensive food adventure on the next page!