Blog - Grits in the City - discounts and faves

3 ingredient wonder: eggnog pancakes

January 2, 2015 by Lara Leave a Comment

I’ve been looking forward to trying eggnog pancakes for some time and figured New Year’s Day was a perfect time to make them. I saw this recipe on The Daily Meal that gave me the idea. All you need is Bisquick, eggnog, and nutmeg. It really is that simple.

I recommend using whole nutmegs and grating to get the best flavor. I can’t get enough of freshly ground nutmeg. I went very much overboard on the nutmeg, which made the pancakes, IMHO. I found the eggnog flavor a bit subtle for my taste. I left the batter on the thicker side. Next time, I would keep adding eggnog to a thinner consistency – just to maximize the eggnog flavor. [Read more…]

how to rent the runway like a pro

December 29, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

One of my latest obsessions is Rent the Runway. It’s perfect if, like me, you really love taking a lot of photos at special occasions and won’t be wearing that dress again anytime soon. It’s also a lifesaver if you live in a big city with limited real estate in your closet. I’ve stopped buying very expensive dresses I won’t want to wear to events too close together since it frankly takes up too much space in my closet when considering the return.

Grits in the City - Rent the Runway Tips

Last year’s David Meister rental

If you haven’t found that right something for NYE, it’s not quite too late (there are even in-person RTR options for select locations). Here are some things to keep in mind if you haven’t used Rent the Runway before. [Read more…]

winner, winner chicken (and bubbles) dinner

December 27, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

I was just reading about Sarah Simmons’ new restaurant, Birds and Bubbles, as I received an invite from N to go check it out during her recent trip to NYC in September. The wait to get a prime time seat was a bit on the longer side, so I felt super lucky that my friend from Detroit was so on top of the Manhattan food scene. I went to one of Simmons’ City Grit dinners back in 2012 and had been planning on coming back. This was a good alternative!

When T and I arrived, they had already been seated and were perusing the fabulous menu. The selection of bubbles to accompany your order is extensive. We had the H. Billiot Fils Brut Rose, which was a raspberry rose that was amazing. The list on their website gives you an idea. [Read more…]

a hat tip to wd~50

December 1, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

Yesterday evening, the final meal was served at wd~50. Sadly, I wasn’t able to get seats for one of the final meals, which looked like a wonderful way to close out the restaurant’s over eleven and a half year run. I was lucky enough to get to go once back in February 2012, when T and I were celebrating our first anniversary. I never posted about it since even though the food and majority of the service was outstanding, our actual waiter for the evening was the worst I’ve ever experienced. It was one of the most innovative meals I’ve ever had – very varied in composition and featuring so many plays on the food that even in looking at the menu, I wasn’t expecting. Regardless though, looking back through the photos, it was quite a meal. I actually found the full paired tasting menu still sitting in my email drafts, so seems fitting to share it now. We didn’t do the pairings, but I’m leaving the details in the listing.

Hamachi, lychee-buttermilk, asparagus, cashew
Cremant d’Alsace Brut Reserve Francois Baur NV (Alsace, France)

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pizza plans at marta

November 30, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

When I first read about Marta, I knew I had to check it out – but, of course, it was booked up for weeks. I booked the first available dinner they had and hoped my friend M was available. The restaurant is located inside the Martha Washington Hotel. The entrance into the restaurant opens into the hotel lobby.

We started off with the bruschette strappata, which is torn pizza bread, ricotta, pistachio and honey. The portion size was perfect – just enough ricotta to enjoy, stopping shy of feeling too indulgent. We also had the suppli alla terrazza, deciding we had to check them out since all the tables around us seemed to have chosen them. The dish is green risotto croquettes , mozzarella, and mixed herbs. [Read more…]

dough brooklyn tries a new zip code

October 24, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

A little over a week ago, T had an idea for something new. “Let’s do a morning date!”

I was a bit puzzled, as neither of us are super morning people, but of the two of us, he’s the one who drags a bit more. I shouldn’t have been surprised though when I heard the reason – it was the opening day for Dough‘s new Manhattan location. It was interesting to hear that the doughnut shop known for it’s “we fry in Bed Stuy” slogan was making the expansion into that other side of the bridge (though trust me, I’m not complaining – there’s no such thing as too much Dough).

They had been doing a window of free doughnuts in the week leading up to the grand opening, but expanded that to all day for the grand opening itself, all the way until close. The shop is simple – it’s all about the doughnuts (at least for now). No coffee. Just doughnuts.

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on venturing to governors island for the vendy’s

October 15, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

For years, I’ve said that I would treat myself to tickets to the Vendy’s. If you’re not familiar with the Vendy’s, it’s basically street food event and competition. To me, it’s always been a missed opportunity to try out street food in parts of the city I don’t get to frequent as often and therefore, have never had the opportunity to try. It usually falls on or around my birthday weekend, so it seems as if the universe is telling me to treat myself. However, this year I actually won my way in for eating, what else, dessert. Several months back, I found myself onstage at the Bell House during Pat Kiernan’s Trivia Food Fight trying to eat as much blueberry pie as possible as Van Halen’s “Right Now” blared overhead. Tying led me to spinning the wheel o’ prizes, which led me to snagging what had been missed on the wheel – two tickets to the Vendy’s! I’m so grateful to the wonderful TrivWorks team for hooking me up with such an awesome prize.

I’d read up on the best time to head over, knowing there had to be a strategy. We caught the 11am ferry, ensuring we would be there with plenty of time to spare before the 12pm start time. This worked out to be wise. This allowed plenty of time for us to maneuver the multiple lines at check-in and obtain our admission bracelet before joining the main line. [Read more…]

here comes my sister

September 24, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

I think of myself as a bit of a wedding rookie. I’m about as far from Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses as a girl can get. I’ve been in two other weddings (not counting the one I photographed) and only really been to a handful. Most of the ones I’ve been to have been as a plus one, rather than via my own invite, so I only give myself partial credit for those.

All smiles with my Alpha Gamma Delta sorority sister’s — my first time as a bridesmaid.

Over the years, I’ve watched many a toast and I’ll admit, I rather like the role I’ve fondly played — champagne flute in hand with the only action required being catching the right point at which to raise my glass. Being on that side did give me a lot of ideas of what not to do. This may seem pretty obvious, but their exes shouldn’t be a focus, nothing too embarrassing should be mentioned, secrets are off limits, and please please remember it’s not really about you — it’s about them. (Details withheld to protect the guilty because I’m feeling kind!).

I’ve been speaking more often as of late at various conferences — most recently in NYC and Hamburg, Germany. I’ve gotten much more comfortable with being on stage. Some people prefer speaking without, but I love me a good PowerPoint presentation behind me. The lovely colors of a well assembled slide, accompanying the rush of feeling in charge of the moment with the only other contributing factor being the energy of the audience.

As much as you may love your work, no matter how passionate you are about it, nothing compares to talking about your family. Really talking about your family and how you feel. As someone who’s occasionally found herself sniffling at touching TODAY Show segments, I knew going into the wedding this would be a bit hard — anticipating I’d likely choke up a bit at some of the sentimental points. I didn’t, however, expect that to happen almost immediately. [Read more…]

a culinary exploration of vancouver

August 6, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

The first day we arrived into Vancouver, confused and jet-lagged, A and I agreed that we should just keep on going, determined not to waste part of one of our few days there sleeping. We were staying at Hotel Burrard in Downtown Victoria, just a short walk from most of the downtown area hotspots. We shopped along their famous shopping strip of Robson Street before making our way over to the harbor to watch early sunset over cocktails at Mahony & Sons Landing.

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victoria’s red fish blue fish

August 5, 2014 by Lara Leave a Comment

I’m recently back from one amazing trip out to the Pacific Northwest. It was a whirlwind – only one week covering Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland. I was lucky enough though to cram in (of course) some amazing food along the way.

I was traveling with my good friend A, who shared my interest in exploring and attending some Tori Amos shows. Perfect combo to me! We spent a good day and a half exploring Vancouver so we decided we could afford to spend one way out of town. Tight on time, we opted to coordinate with a tour company by the name of West Coast Sightseeing that our hotel, Hotel Burrard, was so kind as to help arrange.

We woke up super early to meet the tour van to venture out to Victoria. The trip to Victoria required a bus ride to a ferry to another ride out to the town. En route to Victoria, we stopped off in Brentwood Bay to visit the Butchart Gardens. The gardens were so gorgeous I couldn’t stop taking photos. Photos don’t begin to do it justice.

By the time we reached Victoria, we were famished. We’d skipped a snack in the gardens to allow more time to explore. Our tour guide rambled off suggestions. There was a bit of this and that in their Chinatown. And then there was this pub … and that pub.

We were instantly drawn to the one option that was completely different. “It’s this fish and chips place. I’ve never been, but some people say it’s great. One Fish, Two Fish … Blue Fish, Red Fish … Something like that!” He was close. It sounded good and points for the Dr. Seuss reference!

We walked down and around the harbor area. It was a particularly amazing day. No clouds, super sunny, low 80s with light breeze. We didn’t see a restaurant though as we continued our way around. And confined to a wi-fi only world, we had no way to check our whereabouts. Luckily we ran into a security guard patrolling in his crisp uniform. I caught his attention and he volunteered to take us there personally.

When we reached Red Fish Blue Fish, it was clear why we thought we were lost. We had a bit to go and it turns out it was a free standing shack along the harbor. There were several people ahead of us. A couple of the ladies from our tour group looked annoyed at the wait. I looked to our new friend, Mr. Security guard and as if responding on cue he interjected, “This? This is nothing. Sometimes it curves back along the harbor. Sometimes they run out of things too.”

There was no question as to what I was getting. They’re known for their fish and chips. I was absolutely starving so my friend and I opted to each get an order, which turned out to be way too much food. I’d suggest splitting and then assessing from there. The halibut is the way to go. I’ve never had halibut that’s come close to this. Amazing.

A ordered some gazpacho to start and after a long day out and about, it was amazing. It was super flavorful. Light and refreshing. I really loved their choice of topping – a heaping scoop of little shrimp. Such a simple but transforming addition.

And the fish. Oh the fish. I’ve had fish and chips many a time in London. I’ve had them in the Scottish countryside out from Edinburgh. I’ve even had it in Dublin. Hands down, the fish at Red Fish, Blue Fish is the best I’ve ever eaten – period. So even though that portion size was way too hefty, you’d better believe I didn’t let any of it go to waste.

Red Fish Blue Fish – 1006 Wharf Street, Victoria, British Columbia – 250.298.6877