One Sweet World

Below are a some things that I think may be worthy of your attention and time.  So, go ahead…CHECK ‘EM OUT. 

FRUGAL TRAVELER: AMERICAN ROAD TRIP - Follow NY Times Frugal Traveler, Matt Gross, as he criss-crosses his way across America.  He began his journey in New York and will spend the next 12 weeks making his way to Seattle.  I’m a sucker for a good, long road trip.  Having spent many days, weeks and months on the backroads, highways and interstates that connect this great country, I long for that feeling of the open-road daily.  At least for now, I can read about someone else’s adventures.  Oh, and he has a video camera strapped to the roof of his car documenting his travels…so there’s also videos to check out.  [NOTE TO HEATHER: He just spent a little time in Northport, outside of Tuscaloosa...ring a bell?!]

Bush Calls for Global Goal for Cutting Emissions - See what the President now has to say regarding climate change and our (humans) contribution to the serious problem of global warming.  His views have apparently begun to shift, for whatever reason, though he states that it’s the result of more substantial scientific evidence to prove this theory.  At least it’s a start.  An acknowledgement from the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions.

Damien Rice: Singing Green - It’s not easy being green when you’re touring the country on planes and in buses, but Damien Rice is facing the challenge head-on.  And he talks about how he’s off-setting his impact in this interview. 

My apologies to all of you vegetarians, vegans, non-pig eaters for the above picture.  But for all of you who enjoy a little (or alot) meat in your life…doesn’t that smoked pork look scrumptious?!  Well, it does to me.  And it tasted even better than it looks.

For the past several Wednesdays (my day off), Victor and I have been getting out and enjoying the beautiful spring weather and exploring more of Greenpoint.  We’ve mostly been trying out new coffeeshops that have somehow gone unnoticed because they lie outside of our daily commuting route.  (I will be posting more about them later.) 

This past Wednesday was no different; however, we were planning to get a bite to eat at our local favorite before setting out to find something new.  But just as I had decided in my head what I was going to order, we looked up to find that Brooklyn Label had been converted into a tv/movie set for the day.  Bummer, yes.  Because I was starving and had already had my mind on eating there.  Where to next? 

The weather was amazing, and we had nothing but time.  So, we started walking towards Bedford Avenue (Williamsburg). 

 My mind shifted. 

I began thinking about what choices we have over there.  Do we go to a reliable standby or try something new?  As much as I love trying new things, when I’m hungry and on the edge of irritability I’m not always thinking rationally.  Therefore, I was thinking we’d play it safe this time and hit up the Middle Eastern restaurant for a shawarma plate.  But once we got to Bedford, we just kept walking…clearly Middle Eastern was not what Victor had in mind. 

Then, my mind shifted again.  

I remembered this little joint, Pies ‘n Thighs, that I had heard about down by the Williamsburg Bridge.  I figured we might as well give it a whirl if we had walked this far. 

We stepped into the tiny, hole-in-the wall, which reminded me of walking into someone’s kitchen - shelves filled with well-worn cookbooks, fresh pies and cookies on the counter, luscious looking biscuits and cornbread plated and ready to eat, friends sitting around chatting.  The nice girl behind the counter pointed our attention upward to the short and sweet menu. 

We quickly looked it over.  I was immediately sold on the Pulled Pork.  Being a southern girl at heart, I’m always looking for a way to fill the BBQ Pulled Pork void I feel living here in the North.  Victor went for the Fried Chicken, which came with that mouth-watering biscuit. 

We took a seat outside, in what looked like an old parking lot, at one of the tables covered with a retro, red-checked tablecloth accompanied by the smell of slow-smoked pork. 

The pork was beautifully seasoned and moist, topped with fresh, homemade cole slaw (which I have never eaten before) and pickles.  In the words of Rachel Ray, “Yum-O!”  Even though the fries were just OK, they were a nice complement to the sandwich.  I’m usually much more interested in trying whatever it is that Victor orders, but I think that I was so wrapped up in my sandwich that I didn’t pay much attention.  Although, all of it looked really good.

Being a baker myself, I was really impressed by their picture-esque pies (one looked like strawberry-rhubarb), which I was hoping to have room for.  However, I just couldn’t stop eating that pork.  Next time.  Because I will definitely be back for another one of those sandwiches.

If you are in the area and have a hankering for a some fresh southern food, I would definitely recommend that you check it out. 

I know it’s been some time since I’ve really written anything of substance.  Do accept my apologies.  My mind, body and soul have needed a vacation for a long time.  And rather give in to their demands; I continue to work them overtime.  Day after day, abusing them…without any proper appreciation or reward.  Such is life, I guess.  And such is life in this city.   

The intention is always there.  (But you know what they say about intentions…)  However, after almost 3 long years of neglect, I feel that there’s just not much energy left to muster up.  All of my convincing and negotiation skills have been tapped out.  The only overwhelming feeling that still remains is guilt.  Which I have to say, can make you do a lot of things you otherwise would rather not do.  But there again, I’ve almost won the battle with this evil, nagging voice (well, trying anyhow).  

Everything has suffered in my effort to not surrender and simply get away from all of this for a while.  But none more than my SPIRIT.  It has taken the brunt of all of this will, determination, abuse and stubbornness.  And quite frankly, the part that hurts the most.        

All I can wonder these days is, “how in the hell did I end up here?”  Where work (or the thought of) is the most consuming part of my life.  Even when I was not physically working a lot, it was all I thought about.  Now, I’m beginning to understand the tag phrase used to describe this city – The City that Never Sleeps.  I always thought it referred only to those that stayed up and partied all night (which is a large percentage of people).  Yet, I definitely did not fall into that category (OK..maybe for a short period of time, which is all most people can handle).  However, I realize that the reason most people don’t sleep in this city is not because we’re up partying and having fun but because we are always working.  Working around the clock…just to get by, for the most part.  And if we’re not working, we’re worrying and/or thinking about work - a very viscous cycle. 

Somewhere along the way, my spirit and wanderlust has gotten lost in the deep, dark underground tunnels of this city.  (If I had to guess…probably somewhere between Greenpoint and Queens, where I spend most of my waking hours either on or waiting for the godforsaken G train.)  Anxiously waiting for me to come rescue them.  Yet, each day passes and I am nowhere near finding them.  I continue to hope for a happy reunion someday soon.  

But before this begins to sound like a long complaint, I will stop there.  

So, in short, I’m exhausted.  Mentally, physically, emotionally spent. 

Which leads me to update you on a couple of happenings in my life.

First, my running endeavor.  Yes, I’m still pluggin’ along.  Although I wish at a little faster pace, but again, see above.  Some days it’s more of an effort to motivate myself to go fight the sidewalks and stoplights of this city than the actual act of running.  And with the beautiful Spring weather out in full-force, so is every New Yorker.  However, this won’t last long.  As Memorial Day approaches, so does the start of summer in the city - which means a quieter, slower, less populated city - as everyone begins their move out to the Hamptons.  

And while we’re on the topic of the Hamptons, this brings me to my next update.  I have a new summer gig out in the Hamptons (Bridgehampton to be exact)…which I’m really looking forward to.  This opportunity, honestly, came straight out of the blue and from the least likely places.  And really happened very quickly and before I actually had much time to process the whole proposition.  

Short story…I have begun baking (pretty regularly) for my fellow private trainers at the Sports Club/LA.  They are more than elated about this whole gesture.  [But who ever complains about FREE FOOD (homemade, at that).]  Then, one of the trainers requested that I make something basically free of everything - sugar, dairy, wheat, gluten, yeast, yada, yada, yada.  My head began spinning.  Because what exactly is left when you take out all of that?  So, I obliged her and told her I would start doing a little research.  Nothing like a little challenge and some newly gained knowledge. 

Well, this went on for a few weeks.  We kept talking and discussing what she had in mind, the things that she actually will eat.  I kept reading and researching, but not yet experimenting.  But she was persistent, in a good way.  She had taken a sincere interest in me and my abilities as a baker. 

Then one day, out-of-the-blue, she introduced me to one of her clients.  Whom, it turns out, is a personal chef for an extremely wealth family.  Not knowing what that actually meant, besides having an opportunity to network and make a possible connection, to my surprise the woman was currently looking for a sous chef to assist her this summer while in the Hamptons.  Seeing as I would have otherwise not considered myself a sous chef or qualified for this position, she invited me to spend a few hours with her in the kitchen to see if it might work.  A chocolate torte, pizza dough, and some chopped garlic and bok choy later…

Voila!!  I’m headed to the Hamptons…tomorrow.

Updates to come.   

Now, I’m spent.

Sending my love and wishes to my sister today on her BIRTHDAY!  Wish I was there to celebrate with you!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER! 

XOXO…..

For those of you interested, whether you are Greenpoint residents, Brooklynites, city-dwellers, or just plain-ole fans of ice cream (especially Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory)…then you’ll be interested to see what we came across on Wednesday.  We decided to head north for a change and check out another coffeeshop in the neighborhood, Ashbox.  After our coffee, we took the long way home and ran across this sign in the window of the old home of the Jamaican restaurant, Bleu Drawes (which closed last year). 

Could it be…Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is moving into the neighborhood?  Thankfully, I just happen to have my camera on me in order to document this.  I’ve tried “GoodSearching” and “Googling” this latest find but have yet to come up with anything.  So, I’ll keep digging and keeping an eye on things over there and will keep you updated.

Potential ”New” Home:
BROOKLYN ICE CREAM FACTORY
97 COMMERCIAL STREET
GREENPOINT, NY 11222    

I’ve been meaning to post about this new cafe/restaurant, Brooklyn Label, that popped up in the neighborhood back in December for sometime now.  We must have been a bit out-of-touch and didn’t discover it until late January, even though it is just 3 blocks away.  However, since that inaugural visit, you can find us there several days out of the week.

We were treated on that 1st visit with a complimentary basket of Balthazar pastries (see photo above).  A lovely unexpected gesture to welcome us; however, I would not pay $7 for it on my own.  Balthazar is highly regarded as one of the top French bakeries in the city, but I can’t say that I would necessarily go out of my way for any of those pastries again. 

I followed that with the yummy Chili Colorado (also pictured above) - a large bowl of stewed pork with cheesy polenta, 2 poached eggs, roasted peppers and toast.  Victor went for the Cubano Sandwich, which looked really authentic and delicious; however, we haven’t seen it offered since. 

As the waitress was setting our food down, she commented that I probably wouldn’t be able to finish the entire bowl after having eaten those pastries.  Hmm…she definitely underestimated me.  I don’t think there was anything left except for that sprig of herb garnish!  

Then there is the coffee, beautifully rich and bold.  And $2 gets you a bottomless cup (which is really hard to find)…great deal for a coffee-addict like myself!  As pictured above, the hot chocolate - Victor’s favorite - is just another option on their expansive beverage menu.

Brooklyn Label has the charm of a quaint cafe with a surprisingly talented kitchen.  Each time I go it gets harder and harder to choose what to eat because I have not been disappointed by any of my selections - Chili Colorado, Rzeszowska French Toast, Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado, Marinated Portabello Sandwich, Cheeseburger and Fries, Homemade Granola, The Greek Salad.  (I apologize that there aren’t pictures of everything.)  All of them are simply delightful and completely satisfying!  And I must note that the beautiful challah bread used for the french toast is made fresh at my favorite neighborhood Polish bakery, Bakery Rzeszowska.

With a spacious and laidback atmosphere, pleasant tattoo-clad staff, good food and excellent coffee…Brooklyn Label is a wonderful (and much needed) addition to Greenpoint.      

BROOKLYN LABEL
180 FRANKLIN ST.
(corner of Java & Franklin)
GREENPOINT, BK 11222