April Random Bites: Spring is FINALLY here

Ah, April.

The month when my lawn is finally green and the spring bulbs are popping up.

Nothing in the MCG yet, except for some seedlings hoping to germinate.

We planted spinach, onions and garlic. Carrots & broccoli.

Our driveway planters are filled with the first of many asparagus stalks!

I am the hopeful gardener.

A visit to the Union Square Green Market last week with my friend Sarah in search for ramps.
I see ramps on every menu this spring, how come I can't find any?

This was the sign that greeted me at the entrance to the market.

I finally found them a few blocks away at Mario Batali's mega Italian superstore Eataly, along w/ 3 different colors of asparagus and 3 colors of cauliflower!

Mission accomplished.


I added a new pan to my kitchen cookware family.

I rarely use a non-stick pan, except for eggs and an occasional fish. I want to get away from chemically coated pans, can't hurt, so I tried the Lodge "seasoned carbon steel" frying pan.

I read about it in this month's SAVEUR magazine. It is commercial weight (VERY HEAVY, you need muscles), like cast iron, but it heats like steel (cause it IS steel).

It is seasoned at the factory with vegetable oil, and you treat it like you would cast iron. No soap; heat at low temperature before turning up the heat; season w/ oil after every use; you know the drill.

I see these in all the restaurant shows on tv, and decided to take the plunge. You can buy them on amazon here in all different sizes, and they are downright cheap.

The pan seared a piece of fish PERFECTLY! No sticking and a beautiful sear.


One of my favorite little spots in the West Village is Buvette.

Jody Williams' wonderful boite/cafe/osteria bar (not sure what else to call it).

Small plates around the clock and excellent wine in a beautiful setting. Better even than a Paris hideaway (if you don't mind waiting in line to get in).

I love Jody's antique printing press that she uses to print the menu and wine book.

At the end of the booklet is La Gueule de Bois (Cures for a Hangover), I couldn't agree more.

~ caffeine
~ sugar
~ butter
~ pork & eggs
~ vitamins C, B-6, B-12
~ toast
~ hair of the dog

Her new book came out this week, and I just got my copy hot off the presses!

Throw a wine cork in the basket for good luck.

We had our first al fresco dinner of the season at The Waverly Inn in NYC.
It's a beautiful old restaurant with a conservatory in the back with a glass ceiling and fireplace.

We had a spring dinner of a lamb roulade stuffed w/ Pecorino & walnuts over fresh fava beans and fiddlehead ferns!
(that monster thing in the backround is Henry's chicken pot pie, the biggest I have ever seen, almost obscene).

So glad I can finally eat some local seasonal produce.

Welcome spring!


Oh yes, and thank you to whomever left the giant size bag of M&M's in my mailbox.

:)