I am moving on to www.virginiaslongisland.com

Hi Friends!

Thanks for your loyalty! I have designed my own website and moved to www.virginiaslongisland.com - please join me on my new adventures!

Virginia www.virginiaslongisland.com

Virginia's Long Island: Lumi - Italian on the Upper East Side

Virginia's Long Island: Lumi - Italian on the Upper East Side: "An Old School Italian Favorite with a Contemporary Twist! That is Lumi ! This a great place to stop in for a drink, lunch, dinner or d..."

Lumi - Italian on the Upper East Side

An Old School Italian Favorite with a Contemporary Twist!  That is Lumi!  This a great place to stop in for a drink, lunch, dinner or dessert after shopping with your friends.  In my case, Andrew and I found this place about 7 years ago when I needed to find superb New York City Doctors to heal me.  Lumi is located on the corner of 70th and Lexington Avenue.  It is a charming eatery in a charming neighborhood.  You can eat outside at the cafe tables but I like the area by the bar where you can look up onto the street and people watch!

We ordered a nice bottle of Trebbiano Di Puglia wine ($40).  It is a light fruity white that went well with our food choices.




I liked sitting at lunch with a glass of wine and discussing  the events of our Manhattan expedition.  Again, we were in for a few doctors appointments and it was good to wind down and discuss the doctors findings.  I am a healthy girl and that is always a relief.

 

The calamari and zucchini friti appetizer ($12) was fantastic.  Lovely and fresh.  The marinara sauce had capers and black pepper in it and was unique and tasty. 

The Insalata di Ortalano ($13) salad was phenomenal!  Shaved beets, cannellini beans, chick peas, peas, walnuts, frisee salad and goat cheese in a vinaigrette.  It was worth the trip just for this!

We both ordered the whole wheat veal ravioli ($20)  in a beautiful rustic tomato mushroom sauce with porcini mushrooms and rosemary.  Andrew remarked that these were very similar to the ravioli that his grandmother used to make.  Ah memories!

This place makes authentic Caesar salad table side and I will definitely have that next time we roll in.  The desserts at the other tables were raved about but we were very satisfied and declined.

Salute!

Virginia's Long Island: Wine and Food in the Jamesport Area

Virginia's Long Island: Wine and Food in the Jamesport Area: "Andrew and I have been busy lately getting things done for Spring. I am having a Spring Awakening - learning a new business and immers..."

Wine and Food in the Jamesport Area

Andrew and I have been busy lately getting things done for Spring.  I am having a Spring Awakening - learning a new business and immersing myself in it.  Andrew is on a serious roll improving our property.  He is cutting down trees, pruning, powerwashing, adding a hitch to our new (used) SUV and getting the outdoor furniture in place for our backyard oasis.  We needed to pick up our Spring Wine Club selection from Roanoke Vineyard and we really wanted another case of our new (reasonably priced) favorite 'More' Red by Shinn Vineyard.  We went to the gym and then ventured out into wine country - sweats and all!  At the vineyards we stuck out like sore thumbs!

Roanoke Vineyard is a brilliant "bookend" (a term they use to describe the fact that they are at the far western end of the North Fork Wine Country) that offers stellar wines.  In fact, their 'Blend One' came in on top of the 2010 "Judgement of Riverhead".  I attended the "Judgement" where Long Island wines were matched up against wines from California and France.  They held their own! What a night! But I digress....

Being in Roanoke's Wine Club I am entitled to free tastings whenever I visit the Vineyard.  I like this!  Andrew was driving so I did most of the sipping.  I am now impressed by the 2009 Rose.  I cannot believe that I now like a Rose better than Wolffer's.  However, I must tell you that Wolffer and Roanoke share a winemaker - so I don't feel as guilty stepping out on my long time love affair with Wolffer Rose. 

The 2009 Chardonnay was very nice too! I am at a loss for words to name these lovelies but I am returning to the vineyard to get a few bottles of the Rose and the Chardonnay for our Easter dinner at Pat's lovely home.  I can't wait!

This red 2008 (I think) 'Marco Tulio' was awesome and very nice for the price (which I believe was $24).

Even 'Sweaty Betty' in her funky purple sneakers (that's how I roll) feels comfortable at Roanoake Vineyard.  I actually feel like royalty when I roll in to pick up my wine and I cannot leave without gleaning some knowledge from the awesome staff.

And then we were off to our favorite restaurant - The Bay View Inn and Restaurant in Jamesport, NY (see previous birthday celebration post) - to have a needed 'date afternoon' together. 

I will give you the backstory.  Since we are on the 'Sweaty Betty' topic, I need to expand into the past.  Back in the day, maybe 15 years ago Andrew and I were walking around on the beach on the Long Island Sound.  We stopped in to a restaurant (The 2 x 4 in Wading River), sunburned and sandy, to look at the menu.  We had meant to return after a quick shower.  Doris, the owner, whisked us in and said that we should feel at home.  'Betty' liked this very much!  The chef at the time was Tom Lopez.  We were blown away by the hospitality and the food was insane!  We kept coming back and had our (small) wedding reception there.  Eventually, Chef Tom moved on to the Bay View Inn and like loyal foodies we followed him.

Mussels to die for! Thanks Tom!



I have to admit that we get these incredible Clams Casino every other time we visit.  The taste is so savory and the bacon is so satisfying.  And dipping the bread into the sauce makes it last longer. 

The soup of the day was lentil with spicy Italian sausage.  It is so right.  My brother-In-Law Pete is a huge fan of Chef Tom's soups.  We really need to do a family day at Bay View very soon!

The authentic Caesar Salad is fabulous and the view of the Peconic Bay is nice.  Many times we walk to the beach after lunch or dinner to hold hands and walk off some of the dinner.  Romance is not dead.



I went for the Shrimp BLT on Whole Grain Bread with special mayo and fries.  I will let you into a little secret....Chef Tom (for me) makes this sandwich with grilled chicken to substitute the Shrimp.  I am Royalty, aren't I?!

Afterwards, we went to look at our boatslip - in anticipation of April 15th, when we can put our little sailboat in the water.  I love the Spring.  And I notice that my stalkers are baack! ;)

I know that I was very expansive on this post - email me at freedom075@aol.com to let me know what you think! - Virginia

Virginia's Long Island: Babbo Cookbook - A Tripe Experience

Virginia's Long Island: Babbo Cookbook - A Tripe Experience: "Years ago, Andrew and I dined at Babbo - Mario Batali's award winning restaurant - and had the time of our lives! After a lovely ..."

Babbo Cookbook - A Tripe Experience

Years ago, Andrew and I dined at Babbo - Mario Batali's award winning restaurant - and had the time of our lives!  After a lovely start with blood orange Cosmopolitans at the comfortable bar, we feasted on grilled quail, tripe alla parmigiana, calamari, goat cheese tortelloni, lamb sausage 'love letters' (ravioli), cheese plate and a lovely cookie plate.  Of course, not in that order!  And, of course, lots of Italian wine!  This meal was at a time before I took pictures of everything I eat.

I have had lovely memories of that day and was thinking of doing a post for my gig over at http://www.weekendnotes.com/ about Babbo memories and the Babbo Cookbook.  I asked Andrew if he would cook up a few dishes from the cookbook.  He, of course, was game for it.  This cookbook has never let us down. 

We started with a bottle of Riondo Prosecco, which my friends over at The Thirsty Cellar (Wading River, NY)  informed me is the best selling Prosecco.  It was very nice and medium dry.  A great way to start a night!

The starter was a lovely scallops crudo with shaved fennel and olio nuovo.  Andrew thinly sliced the raw sea scallops and chopped the fennel bulb rather than shaved and it came out great!

Andrew cooked the tripe, as instructed, in boiling water flavored with white vinegar and vanilla extract.  I know the vanilla sounds weird, but it took out the strange smell of the tripe and was sucessful.  He then sauteed carrots, red onion, celery and garlic and then added white wine and crushed italian tomatoes.  He cut the tripe into 1/2 inch thick strips and cooked for 20 minutes.   He made garlic bread and  roasted aspragras.  Shaved parmigiano-reggiano topped the dish.

The tastes were wonderful...unfortunately the tripe was inedible and the asparagus were gross.  I made a cardinal mistake of choosing low quality ingredients.  I thought that the tripe from BJs Wholesale club (frozen for months) would miraculously change to butcher quality if we chose the right recipie.  This girl was schooled!  We ate the asparagus even though they were old.  I am usually so picky and I let myself down on this shopping trip.  We ended up removing the tripe and enjoying the lovely tomato sauce with our garlic bread.

I learned that I can never let my guard down while shopping for any meal.  As with all things, quality will out.

Virginia's Long Island: The Blazer Pub in Purdys NY

Virginia's Long Island: The Blazer Pub in Purdys NY: "This is quite close to the home where I grew up . A popular hangout in Northern Westchester that is worth a stop if your are ever dri..."

The Blazer Pub in Purdys NY

This is quite close to the home where I grew up .  A popular hangout in Northern Westchester that is worth a stop if your are ever driving upstate on I684.  This is The Blazer Pub in Purdys, NY.  I have been there on many memorable occcasions.

My Dad had spent many Friday nights with his Knights of Columbus friends playing cards and enjoying the beer and friendship that is abundant at this Pub.  I spent many days and nights enjoying burgers and wings and an occasional beer. ;)



A sexy Bentley



One New Year's Eve, an ex-boyfriend and I were stopping into the bar on the way to Manhattan for a fancy party.  We were asked by a suave gentleman why we were dressed up and where were we celebrating.  Ten minutes into the conversation I realized we were conversing with Ralph Lauren (He had (has?) a home and horse farm in the area)! 

The Celsus Burger is my personal favorite - a juicy burger with swiss and bacon!  This is a place known for their burgers and their huge and crispy fries!

This afternoon was all about burgers.  Actually, the cute senior couple (who I think I recognized) who were sitting across from us were enjoying burgers!  At our table, my brother Bill, Sue, Andrew and I all ordered burgers. 

The Blazer Burger (above) that Andrew enjoyed was smothered with creamy blue cheese, carmelized sweet onions and mushrooms.  Andrew and I agreed that the onions were overpowering...but the burger was still awesome!

The Blazer has a great draft beer selection.  Andrew had a Smithwicks "frosty, cold goodness".  Andrew said it was the best Smithwicks he's ever had.  I had a chardonnay, somehow...

Bill and Sue had juicy burgers, too!  We all loved the bacony, cheesy goodness that is the Blazer Pub Grub!  What a great place to hang with your friends!



I wasn't going to write a post about this today....but, I am drunkenly dedicating this to Margaret, Laura, Karin, Melissa and Rosemary!  Cheers!

Virginia's Long Island: My Celebratory Lunch at Porter House NYC

Virginia's Long Island: My Celebratory Lunch at Porter House NYC: "My Simple Life is getting a little complicated. Because of my New Year's Resolution to create a blog about Wine, Food and Fun, I have..."

My Celebratory Lunch at Porter House NYC

My Simple Life is getting a little complicated.  Because of my New Year's Resolution to create a blog about Wine, Food and Fun, I have created a little buzz and am branching out a bit.  I was in Manhattan, meeting a Doctor who I will be helping with her Social Media.  After my meeting, I wanted to celebrate in the Columbus Circle Mall - a stellar place to hang!

I chose Porter House - Michael Lomonaco's beautiful restaurant.  And yes, I had a heart stopping moment when Michael and I smiled at each other!  I hope, with my eyes,  I conveyed my utter respect for a hero of New York Cuisine.

I settled in and checked out the wine list.  I was trying to figure out what I wanted when the Sommelier stopped by and offered some advice based on what I liked.  I chose the Jean-Marc Brocard 'Domaine Chablis', Burgandy 2009.  ($16 glass)  I really like the pure, clean taste of French Chablis.  White Burgandies are right up my alley!



I was pleased to find a 3 course lunch special on the menu and that I arrived in time for it.  For $24.07, they offer a prix fixe lunch menu every day!  I will definately return for this awesome deal!  I chose to start with a Caesar salad from the prix fixe menu and a selection from the appetizer menu - a wonderful crispy yet creamy crab cake ($20).  This was by far the freshest and tastiest crab cake I have ever had.  The horseradish-mustard cream was surprisingly light.  These choices went really well with the Chablis.

Then, I switched to a different glass of wine.  I chose a Chardonnay, L'Angevin 'Three Squares', Russian River Valley 2008.  ($16 glass)  This went well with my Angus Rib Eye Steak Frites in a nice red wine sauce. 

I felt like I was getting away with something.  This steak was definately worth more than the prix fixe price!  It was so tender and perfectly cooked.



I have to admit that I was stuffed, so I asked to take the flourless chocolate torte home.  It was delicious - the top was like a cookie and the bottom part was creamy and decadent.  Such a good ending to a wonderful day!

I am a happy girl!  Dreams come true.



Virginia's Long Island: Strolling Around The Columbus Circle Mall NYC with...

Virginia's Long Island: Strolling Around The Columbus Circle Mall NYC with...: "I was in Manhattan on a misty day for a meeting about helping someone with their Social Media needs. I was a block away from the Colu..."

Strolling Around The Columbus Circle Mall NYC with Salvador Dali

I was in Manhattan on a misty day for a meeting about helping someone with their Social Media needs.  I was a block away from the Columbus Circle Mall and I am always tempted to stop in when I am passing by.  Andrew and I ate at Landmarc last year - an epic lunch with a memorable Foie Gras dish and lovely half bottles of wine.

This time around I had a celebratory lunch at Porter House.  I will add a post about that nice meal in a bit.

I was shocked to find that there was a huge art exhibit called "Salvador Dali - The Vision of a Genius"!  There were ENORMOUS statues on every floor and an exhibit of smaller statues.  What a nice surprise!  The exhibit runs from March 1st through April 30th.  If you have the means, you can buy one or two.

I had some time to kill before my meeting, so I strolled.

Since I didn't have an extra $700k lying around for a statue purchase, I opted for a few cookbooks from Borders.

That reminds me - I really need a mani-pedi!

Virginia's Long Island: Malaga Restaurant - A Spanish Charmer in NYC

Virginia's Long Island: Malaga Restaurant - A Spanish Charmer in NYC: "Malaga is one of my all time favorite restaurants. Andrew and I find ourselves on the Upper East Side of Manhattan alot and we almost..."

Malaga Restaurant - A Spanish Charmer in NYC

Malaga is one of my all time favorite restaurants.  Andrew and I find ourselves on the Upper East Side of Manhattan alot and we almost always try to stop in to enjoy Malaga's rustic food and delicious wine. 

When we arrive at Malaga, after a hug from Paco, we settle into our table against the wall and get down to the serious business of reading the menu.  There are literally over one hundred choices on the menu.  There is a tapas selection that will knock your socks off.  The Entrees are huge and tasty and the choices seem endless.  They also have a lunch menu with over twenty choices.

These are the Pimentos Piquillo ($8) - my favorite tapas!  There are five pork stuffed peppers in bechamel sauce.  It is a creamy and wonderful pop of outstanding flavor!  I also love the guacamole stuffed tomatoes,  broiled chiorizo,  sauteed portabello mushrooms, clams in white sauce (super yummy!), serrano ham and melted cheese on toast and the wonderful Spanish cheese plate.

I have a weakness for their Chicken Estramena - garlicy chicken with chiorizo, peppers and peas.  So good that I have to have this on every other trip.  The above picture is of the lunch special ($12 for entree, rice, veggie, soup or salad, glass of house wine and coffee or tea).  The dinner portion is for GIANTS! ($20)

Andrew's favorite is the Shrimp and Chiorizo in garlic sauce.  This is super garlicy and beyond tasty! ($17)

They also have stellar entrees like Filet Mignon and Shrimp in a mushroom sauce, Paella, Shrimp Fra Diablo, and Chicken and Rice.  They are famous for their seafood dishes.

The bar is hoppin' at night and the homemade sangria flows.  This is a great place to relax in the afternoon or party the night away. 

http://www.malaganyc.com/

406 East 73rd Street, NYC 212-737-7659