The Valentine's Day Rundown

Who's in favor of Valentine's Day being renamed Carbohydrates Siesta?

I mean... I'm all for chocolates, bread, wine, and the other million delicious candidates on the vday menu... But for heavens sake, it drains the life out of you! Eating is quite the sporting endeavor. And I remember hitting several sleepy patches in the midst of all my valentine's weekend meals. But let me stop myself, I enjoyed every minute of it. No doubt about it.

My boyfriend and I had made a pact to cook vday lunch and dinner for each other. Yes, why would we tackle such an daunting task. Um.. well, because of loveeeeeeeee. That's right, I said it. I went there. Oooey gooey love was the crime here.

My part was pizza and his part, chicken cordon bleu. Both victorious at the finish line!

I even made the dough myself! Yeast is such a magical, budget friendly buddy.

The boyfriend has really mastered the art of chicken making. Don't bother beef or pork. You won't make it into his fridge. His heart is full of chicken.

And the best for last... a visit to Spice Market for Sunday lunch! Jean Georges, if youre reading this, I'll be willing to drop my life right now if you asked of it from me, and work for free at any of your restaurants. You can pay me in meal form, no questions asked, and I would be employee of the century.

The atmosphere was perfect. Relaxed, cheery, spacious, ornate... I was ready to put in an auction bid for one of the treasure chests sitting on the high shelves. We got the winter bento box special complete with butternut squash soup, bass with kimchi, jasmine rice, candied apple papaya salad, beef skewers, dessert, and a fresh squeezed ginger ale! Sign me up for that again. Times ten.

Happy Carbohydrates Siesta. See you soon...

Next weekend.

For breakfast.

At 11 am.

Sharp.

The Arepa; Single Handily The Best Sandwich of My Time. Scratch That. All Time.

This past weekend I had a chance to go to the Japan Society to meet Takayashi Miike (Japan's Quentin Tarantino but simpler, savvy-er and less of a foul mouth) with my girlfriend. Unfortunately, I was the only person in the room who did not see at least 10 Takayashi movies. Let's be honest... I didn't even see one. Believe me... I sank low in my seat. That man deserves more respect from me. After cracks, giggles and wine reception hour, our hunger grew and we ventured to the LES for some munchies.

And there it was... Staring us down with the mega line forming out the door. CARACAS AREPA BAR! FINALLY!

We held out the massive crowds and finally got seated at the bar. The menu was overwhelming, and had everything to offer for the vegetarian and the meat lover. Empanadas, fresh squeezed juices, desserts... We were only here for the arepa and only the arepa. Crispy and light on the outside, cheesy and flavorful on the inside... Please, arepa. Why aren't you outside in a truck after a night out at the bars? You definitely beat the taco in numerous categories.

We ordered the chorizo filled arepa and the guacamole and cheese arepa. Both, drop dead tasty.

I'm officially hooked. You, everyone you know, and their mothers and sisters, we're going to get an arepa. I won't turn one down.

Of course following any meal, we have desserts. We hit up Butter Lane, a new do-it yourself type of cupcake shop in the hood. While I am fully committed in a relationship with Sugar Sweet Sunshine (go with the original), I had to see what Butter Lane had to offer. Before ordering the cupcakes, you had a chance to taste all the frosting toppings. I went with the banana cream and got this gem:

The verdict:

Still a Sugar Sweet Sunshine (SSS) Member. While Im all about organic ingredients (nonorganic is fine too!), the frosting was overly sweet and took away from the soft, airy banana nut cake. I could eat the bottom part any day (going against Jerry Seinfeld's golden muffin top rule), but the top has room for improvement. Maybe the other icings were better companions. I'm just SSS in heart.

And Now It's Officially Bathing Suit Season.

There is nowhere to hide anymore.

The Superbowl is over.

There is no other holiday or festivity we can binge on 3 slices of pie and have it be completely justifiable. 

Yet, I do not regret one minute of the Superbowl feast! Not the least! All worth the feeling of being Humptey Dumptey all night long, and so worth the fifty two minutes spent sweating it out at the gym.

Eating was more a sport itself rather the actual football game.

Oh wait a second... We still have Valentine's Day left! Hold the fork and spoon! We still have time!