We had a Buddy Holly Sighting.

Ok... so it was Nemo, passing through NYC before Mohit's massive wedding in Chicago. A group of us including, Fischer, Sandukas (and his concubine), Vermychuck, me and Nicole, Rayan Joshi and Owen rolled into Quality Meats in midtown for some pretty good steaks and wine. I ended up getting the bone-in aged rib steak, which was massive and very properly cooked at medium rare. Interesting about the wine list is that they have a sommelier's choice, where they'll pick from a number of very good wine selections for $75. Many are wines that are in low quantity so no longer on the list, but would typically fetch a much higher price tag. Anyways, we ended up enjoying a few more drinks after dinner at the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel. All in all, d'aahhh... nice.

Tennis Anyone?

Dan, Julie, Nicole and I took advantage of going to the nearby public courts in Amagansett this Sunday afternoon to hit some tennis balls. I think it was actually the first time either me or Nicole were around a tennis court together, no less hitting together. I was extremely surprised and very impressed with her natural talent around the court. While she must have hit some recreationally in the past, she really showed a knack for getting around the court, understanding the game and taking a good swing at the ball. I might just have a hitting partner for the rest of my life too!

A Dog Day's Afternoon

Even Layla got into the action on a sunny day out in East Hampton this early summer.

Out at Gosman's dock

Memorial Day weekend marked our first weekend out in East Hampton. While this initial post is a bit late, we had a great time at our new house. A great balance of people, some from last year, and new people too. The weather on the weekend was pretty decent as we got settled in at the house, just warm enough to lay out in the sun and hop in the pool from time to time. Threw the bocce ball around a bit and also played some volleyball. On Memorial Day, our wind down day, we piled into Bennett's car and headed out to Montauk... something we never did last year. We hopped out of the car at Montauk Point, by the lighthouse, and also went to Gosman's dock for some fried clam strips, fresh fish and a cold beer. Topping that off with an ice cream cone was a great way to end a perfect start to the summer.

The Bacon Explosion

I needed to have easy access to this recipe and website. It's everything BBQ. Thought you should have easy access to it also. And while on the subject of bacon, I thought it was fitting to have a good laugh with Jim Gaffigan... enjoy.

Jim Gaffigan - Bacon - KING BABY

The Inaugural Grill

Nothing like an early rise at 4:45am to motivate and hit the golf course with friends for a 6am tee time. But when you are playing on the better public courses within 25 minutes of Manhattan, this is the only way to get through a round in about 4.5 hours and back in the city by noon. Split Rock has played great a couple times now, and while weekends are progressively more busy, the group is looking to his more.

After the round, Bennett and I decided it was a perfect afternoon for a cook-out... 80 degrees, NBA playoffs basketball and a little day 2 action of the NFL draft. Bennett picked up hot sausages, bone-in chicken breasts, drumsticks and fresh veggies. I got started on the grill, with the classic bbq/buffalo sauce spiced chicken, later added the sausage and veggies, and alas... we marked the season with the inaugural grill. Like riding a bicycle, I think the food was prepared perfectly even though this was the first fire in months.

The NFL Draft is here.

All I have to say is, I hope the Bills make wise decisions. I'll take 10 players with the heart and drive of this little guy (but so long as it's in a body that is at least 6'3 and 255).

Good Friday

Had an opportunity to do a little cooking for my fiancée this Good Friday. A veggie and fish dinner, started with a whole wheat pasta primi with homemade red sauce... scratch made with crushed Italian tomatoes, mixed with sauteed garlic, fresh basil and Italian parsley, crushed red pepper and dry oregano. I picked up a great piece of wild striped bass and seasoned with fresh ground pepper, kosher sea salt and a light dusting of cayenne pepper. Simply seared in the cast iron skilled and then finished cooking through in the oven. The best part of the meal was the eggplant tower (pictured below). Quarter to half inch slices, stacked with different veggie fillings in each layer and coated throughout with remaining red sauce. Melted fresh grated fat-free mozzarella and reggiano cheese held it together perfectly. Layer one was filled with julienned zucchini, layer two with thin sliced mushrooms, layer three with finely chopped orange peppers and topped with more cheeses and fresh basil and parsley.

AYCE Mussles at BXL East

BXL East just opened in midtown on 51st and Lexington, close to home, and the place has a great deal on Sundays and Mondays... $20 All You Can Eat mussels, with a number of different varieties. A couple of us went this past Monday, enjoying a few Stella Artois and a mix of 5 lbs each (10 lbs total!) of these friendly marine bivalves, namely: Marinieres (white wine & onion broth), Provencale (tomato, basil & garlic), Grand Mere (cream, bacon & onions), Thailandaise (coconut milk, lemongrass and curry), and Marocaine (green olives, cilantro & tomato). Wasn't too packed and the service was very good. Rating: 3.5 out of 4 moules, with a few frites to boot.

TO in the B-Lo.

A potential circus is coming to town, but the Bills may finally make good use of this T.O. I'm not talking about time-outs, which coaches wasted multiple times last season... but the enigmatic, mercurial, volatile and unpredictable Terrell Owens. First impression is that he makes the offense particularly better; he had more yards and TDs last season than all other receivers not named Lee Evans. Second impression is that the Bills have nothing to lose, season ticket renewals/sales were starting off slowly, and a significant splash was necessary (this dwarfs the Drew Bledsoe splash from 2002). Finally, I'm glad to see local media writers, including the typically critical Jerry Sullivan, embrace the selection, even if national media coverage is more negative of the signing and the expected effect on the team next season. Local media members are smart (even if not intentional) to paint a welcoming story, particularly when TO seemed luke warm on the city... "This may not be probably the most ideal place for a lot of people... but I beat to my own beat." Then he turned things around well, stating... "the Bills made some eyes open... these guys have all those pieces... in Trent I see tremendous upside... Buffalo, last season, they gave themself a buzz."

I know I'm looking forward even more to my 3rd season as a season ticket holder. Hopefully the team can begin and sustain success like last year's 5-1 start through the entire season, and we'll use this T.O. frequently and to our advantage.

As an update, looks like a certain Fuhrer wasn't too happy about the T.O. signing.

The Human Voice as an Instrument & Abadía da Cova

Went to see Vinx last night at Cafe Wha?, and while surrounded by a small crowd in a less than ideal venue, he as usual was pitch perfect and with a better live voice than any other singer I have witnessed. Hit up Las Ramblas for dinner, for great pinxtos (including octopus, frog legs, mussels). The co-owner treated us to Abadía da Cova, Licor de Hierbas (herb liquor), which at about 33% alcohol by volume is a distilled sugar cane based spirit instead of like wine grapes based grappa; the Abadia smacks of a fresh herb garden, seasoned with 20 different herbs and spices. Really unique flavor, served as an after dinner digestif.

Swimming with the Sharks

Definitely owe more detail on our trip to the jungle in Belize, time spent relaxing on the the island of Ambergris Caye and diving in the second largest barrier reef in the world, but in the meantime, check out this video of Nicole swimming ahead of me 60 feet underwater with random nurse sharks circling by.

Best Smoked Beef Rib I'll tell ya...

Went to R.U.B. last night with the Ganzekaufer twins, James and Richy Jordan too. Ended up getting the smoked beef ribs special. Well, it turned out to be one rib... and I have no idea what kinda cow it came from because it was as long as and thicker than my forearm, and as tender as some feeeeeelay mignon. If you get a chance, check out Righteous Urban BBQ (R.U.B.) on 23rd between 7th and 8th Ave in NYC, because it is vastly underrated, never too busy, and always spitting out serious meat lovers BBQ. Great smoke rings on the St. Louis long end pork ribs too.

Happy Holidays

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. We did.

In Spiritius at the Ralph

As the likes of Takeo Spikes and Nate Clements return to the Ralph for the first time since leaving Buffalo, the Bills are getting ready to extend their rejuvenated balanced winning style against the San Francisco 49ers. In Atlanta enjoying Thanksgiving with Nicole and her family, we're going to be hitting up a Buffalo Wild Wings or something similar on Sunday to continue to watch and root the team on. Even though this will be the first Buffalo home game missed in a couple of years, I'm sure the rest of the 12th man (all 78,000+) will help carry you to victory. Kick a$$ boys.

Layla Hits the Streets!

We've gotten through the various vaccine series; so Layla is ready to hit the NY streets, socialize with other people & dogs and discover New York's famed Central Park. She recently got some press from the breeder from whom we found this perfect addition. Check her out on our couch and at a visit at my parents for a Bills home game... by clicking here... Layla Online.

We're All Coming Together

It was a heart wrenching Monday Night Football game for the Buffalo Bills, the kind of game that reminds the dedicated of recent year's shortfalls (mediocrity, turnovers, allowing big plays). It also reminded fans of that certain "wide right" by Norwood almost 17 years ago. What seemed most disappointing is that after three interceptions in the first 7 plays, a loss would follow clawing back to a 29-28 in the fourth quarter. You'd think the way the team pulled out late victories earlier this season, that Rian Lindell would hit the 47 yarder to cinch the win as time expired. He didn't. But, the team held together and hopefully will throughout the rest of the season. The playoffs seem most unlikely, but as Bills fans we all know stranger things can happen.

The weekend and game was actually an amazing experience for a number of much more important reasons. I got to spend the first couple times with Jeff since coming out of his coma. The tracheotomy is out and he was talking, expanding on his gross motor movement and bringing joy to all of us with an immediate return of his amazing sense of humor. Kate and I also were able to spend great quality time together, especially since she left Brooklyn to take on new work in Buffalo. Mom, dad and I also saw her costume work in her current play "The Cavalcaders", at the Irish Classical Theater.

Before going to the game, she and I stopped at The Bend in Allentown to see Jordan Fadale. Now running this bar, his own bar, it was like old times hopping behind the bar and coming together again. Definitely looking forward to spending more time with all of them, and the Bills, over Christmas weekend.

Yes we can.

The change we need. Congratulations Obama, and congratulations America.

Sending Owen off to LA

We gathered together last night at Wolfgang's Steakhouse on 33rd and Park Avenue to nosh on some serious eats. We started off with 2001 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello, the seafood sampler, thick bacon strips and tomatoes and onions. For dinner we had Ceretto Barolo, family style porterhouse steak for 4, German fried potatoes, creamed spinach and sauteed mushrooms. Topics of (sometimes heated) conversation ranged from Palin's capacity (or lack thereof) to be vice president, and potentially president! We also discussed the impending great depression, our savings plans and, oddly, whether Dan should buy a spare copy of George Orwell's Animal Farm or just take it out from the library. Spending $184 per person for dinner was acceptable consumption, but considering whether to buy the book for a couple dollars took some serious thought. For a good laugh with us... click here. I think we all had a fun time in late night revelry with Owen, as we always have, in the LES. Have a great time in LA buddy... we'll be out there to visit soon.

Grillin' w/ Paul and Live Jazz at the Iridium

The weekend quickly approached. Nicole and I had the pleasure of welcoming our cousin Paul (Beth's husband) to our apartment for dinner. He was here from Phoenix in nearby New Jersey for work. We decided to grill some fresh red peppers, mushrooms, onions and zucchini, a few thin cut porterhouse steaks and Nicole made great side salads topped with fat free feta. We caught up with Paul about his job, discussed politics and life in NYC.

We didn't have much time to spare because we got tickets to see saxophonist Kenny Garrett and his quartet at Iridium Jazz Club near Times Square. Garrett was accompanied by a younger group of musicians: Cory Henry, a gospel-steeped Hammond B-3 organist; Kona Khashu, an electric bassist; and Justin Brown, a bombastic fast-paced drummer. They had a very funky feel in their jams throughout the night, definitely entertaining both us and the crowd. The performance was subsequent to his recent release of "Sketches of MD", a reference to Garrett's experiences playing with Miles Davis... who had a similarly titled popular album from 1960 called "Sketches of Spain". They seated us close, allowing us to immerse into the music with good wine, a scotch, cheeses and fruit. Check out a few clips from the session here: Video 1 and Video 2.