It’s not every year that you finish a cookbook, move to a new city and find a used DVD of Doug Henning’s “The Magic Show” at Amoeba Music. But that’s what 2011 delivered, along with trips to Portland, Oregon, California (where I ate with many food bloggers), Atlanta and–a personal favorite–New Orleans, Louisiana. (We fell in love with it.) Come along with me, then, as we explore the year’s highlights before we tumble into 2012.
[Image via RoboPencil]
Everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen. Kim Kardashian got engaged in the kitchen and Justin Bieber fathered a baby in the kitchen. Look: it happens.
Some people freak out when a mistake happens: “Oh my God! This is a disaster! I’ll never cook again!” Other people employ a series of tactics to recover from their mistake. That’s what this post is about; here are 10 Ways To Fix A Mistake in the Kitchen.
One of the best things about being a home cook is the opportunity to show off your cooking chops to family, friends and loved ones at a dinner party. Some out there plan dinner parties meticulously; every detail is accounted for, from the crystal that’s to be used for the wine, to the palate cleanser between entrees and dessert. Others go about things much more casually: the grill is fired up, sausages and burgers and passed around on a platter, and beer is a do-it-yourself affair. Grab your own from the ice bucket.
Somewhere in the middle of these two extremes is the kind of dinner party that I like to throw. And after years of throwing them (almost eight years, to be precise) I’ve learned a thing or two. And for those of you who are new to throwing dinner parties, here are some things that you might be doing wrong. (Consider this a corollary to my Huffington Post piece: “10 Things That You’re Doing Wrong at Restaurants.”)
There are 15 days to go in 2008, so there’s definitely a chance I’m being too hasty with this list of my favorite restaurant dishes of 2008. But reading through my archives, these were the dishes that popped out immediately, that triggered specific synapses in my brain to fire darts into my salivary glands, making me hungry to repeat the experience of eating these dishes all over again. Are you ready for the reveal? Let’s start with the best.
#1: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Gramercy Tavern
It’s highly controversial to declare the greatest pulled pork sandwich of my life to be a sandwich crafted and created in New York City, but I’m a controversial kind of guy: this sandwich, brought to life by Gramercy Tavern chef Michael Anthony, is pure bliss on every level. The meat comes from Ossabaw pigs, the bread comes from Balthazar, and somehow the balance of all the components–including the coleslaw and pickled onions on the side–make this my favorite restaurant dish of 2008.
#2: Banana Cake, Momofuku Milk Bar
Dessert is my weakness, my constant indulgence, my chosen vice. I eat lots of dessert, make lots of dessert, and it’s very rare for me to encounter a dessert that feels entirely new; but such was the case with the banana cake at Momofuku Milk Bar which I ate, for the first time, only a few weeks ago. It’s a beguiling cake: layered in a way you’ve never seen a cake layered. Sure, there’s the cake layer–and the cake itself has an extraordinary texture, almost like a meringue–and then there’s a fudge layer (yes, a whole layer of fudge) and THEN there’s the banana layer, which glows a phosphorescent yellow. It’s a memorable cake, a dangerous cake; if you live in the East Village, beware–one bite, you’ll be back so many times, you’ll need a personal trainer.
as determined by me, at 12:05 AM, in no particular order.
Pasta (my #1, if I was ranking)
The Prune Hamburger (it has lamb in it)
The Lobster Roll at Pearl Oyster Bar
and
Notes:
1. I realize that this list doesn’t really hold together, that bagels aren’t really a “dish” in the same way that cassoulet is a dish.
2. But, in my defense, these were the first 10 foods I thought of when asked to compile a “Top 10″ list, so that has to count for something, right?
3. I once pitched this post to Craig and he said he didn’t get it. “So are you talking about restaurant dishes or just foods in general? It doesn’t really make sense.”
4. Craig isn’t here right now, he’s en route from L.A.
5. Craig’s parents are here, though, they’re in town for his graduation. I made them dinner tonight: Caesar salad (on the list!), lasagna (not on the list) and almond cake (on the list!) I’m a man of my convictions.
6. What’s on your list of The Top 10 Greatest Dishes of All Time? No need to write them in order. Or to have your list make sense. Just make sure to write it at 12:05 AM.
I’m a day late for a post like this, but I’m still in Seattle, my laptop computer screen is fried and I’m using a total stranger’s computer. (My friend is housesitting and she said I could use the house’s computer. If you’re reading this and you’re on vacation and wondering if it’s YOUR computer I’m using, don’t worry: all the porn will be deleted and the virus I accidentally downloaded only destroyed half your hard drive.)
So, 2007. What an eventful year it was: my first book was published, Craig shot his first feature, we moved in together, Lolita got a new bed, and Britney’s little sister got pregnant. 2008 is looking pretty exciting so far, but before we dive into the New Year, here’s my very idiosynchratic list of the Best of 2007.
