re.CAP: STAYcation

RER 4.6.15

We are not so great at planning. We got as far as whoot whoot, Spring Break! and that’s about it. So we hung out around the homestead and grazed all along (click the links for more of the dets). We tried and re-tried spots during our scrumptious staycation.

RER 4.4.15

While close to home in Jersey City, we visited Brightside Tavern for a greasy brunch

RER 4.4.15

RER 4.4.15

 Downtown Yogurt for frozen treats,

RER 4.6.15

The Bistro at Grove Square  for a mid-afternoon munchie 

 

RER 4.6.15

and Porta for an off-time pizza.

RER 4.11.15

RER 4.11.15

We ventured into the City for a re-do at Asellina,

RER 4.11.15

a second dessert at Max Brenner, 

RER 4.11.15

and an international auto show.

RER 4.10.15

And in Hoboken, we indulged in favorites like too delicious La Isla for lunch 

RER 4.10.15

RER 4.10.15

and burger bold Bareburger for an almost too late dinner.

RER 4.10.15

RER 4.10.15

We had a good time tasting new things and making things up as we went along… nomnomnom!

RER

4.13.15

RER 4.10.15

bonding over BRUNCH: Maysville

RER 1.31.15

Some things can definitely catch you by surprise, like how fast time flies. The years blend and bend until you have no concept of how long it  has really been. And then you all sit down, eventually—staggered arrivals—and the faces are so familiar and nothing has really changed, but at the same time, so many things have. It’s a feeling when you come together like time has forgotten to move but events have transpired and developments felt.

RER 1.31.15

RER 1.31.15

But it’s at that table at Maysville in the Flatiron District, eating super sweet and cakey citrus glazed doughnuts as an amuse-bouche to the amuse-bouche, drinking orange saturated mimosas, you realize it all feels the same. Immutable time.

Your brunch bites are secondary to the conversation flurrying around the table as future plans are divulged and pasts stay where they belong. Something about the crisp winter sun streaming in, reflecting in the mirrors, echoing the clean lines, has taken things out of context but each note is recognizable.

RER 1.31.15

Pretty French toast, sticky with honey, tangy like orange and smooth as ricotta tastes sweeter out of habit. Warm tones and thick slices bring comfort and a little piece of home, made special with golden honey and bronze orange marmalade.

RER 1.31.15

Bitter Brussels sprouts, gravy heavy sauce Mornay and salty smoked deli ham, comes to life with shared laughter and secrets. Taboo and leftover memories are eliminated with a thick brick of fried grits and its warm creamy center, echoing the textures of the crisp green leaves of the Brussels sprouts and the decadent sauce.

Chef’s Breakfasts are made less ordinary with birthday plans and getaways and stroller talk. Eggs over-easy, eggs scrambled— same difference, when there are more important details to discuss and crunchy potatoes to forget.

RER 1.31.15

You linger after the eats and mimosas are long gone and questions of ‘what’s next’ and ‘when’ cross your minds and reach your lips. No set plans in place, but you all know there will be a next time before too long, another chance to evade time and pick up where you left off.

RER

1.31.15

RER 1.31.15

the let-DOWN : UMAMI Burger

RER 1.12.15

Maybe, I wasn’t finding that the meal was worth the hype. Don’t get me wrong— I’m a burger kinda girl. I really love a good burger. But as much as I wanted to love my burger from Umami Burger, I did not.

RER 1.12.15

I got the Manly Burger, which was topped with beer cheddar, bacon lardons, onion strings, house ketchup and mustard spread. It was greasy and a lot. The textures were fun—the chewy lardoons, the crispy onion strings, the decadent beef and almost fluffy bun. But it was too much grease, too much heavy, and somehow I feel like truffle had infiltrated everything.

I did try my friend’s Truffle Burger and that too, was greasy and difficult to get down. Delicious, but more than three bites of one of these burgers seemed nearly impossible to me.

By the end I peeled off the cheese, removed the strings and lardoons, skipped the bread and just ate my patty. My Manly Burger was emasculated and denuded.

RER 1.12.15

And as much as I love truffle, it is possible to over-do it. It seems like truffle is “the thing” at Umami Burger, and my friend wanted to eat there for the Truffle Burger. But I wasn’t feeling it. The truffle fries were skinny and salty, with a dense glob of truffle cheese. It lay thick and creamy and truffly, too truffly. Next time I would opt for the plain fries.

RER 1.12.15

I really wanted the truffled beet salad, before I realized how truffly everything was going to be. Surprisingly, I really liked the salad, even though its base was spicy adult arugula. The truffle was definitely highlighted but it made the arugula less aggressive. The smooth ricotta, sweet beets and smoked almonds broke up the utilitarian truffle. It was a vicious cycle of necessary evil and vanquishing that evil.

RER 1.12.15

The staff was super nice and friendly, even though our server never brought the beer I ordered. He answered all our silly questions and gave his recommendations. I don’t know if the cool vibe and the service are really enough to make me try another burger, though the dessert list looked pretty up my alley! 

RER

1.12.15

photo op: RECENT eats

RER 1.11.15

You know that whole “New Year, New Me” shtick? It’s totally not me. Sure I would love to join the clean eating movement and participate in the paleo livestyle and pretend to be gluten-free, but I can’t. So I’m just going to keep being the old me (maybe with the addition of a few more veggies and sit-ups). And new old me still likes to eat and bake and indulge.

So I had a duck fat grilled cheese and salty fries late night at the Pig & Prince.

RER 12.26.14

RER 12.26.14

And I tried to balance out the “bad” with some “good” wholesome and healthful breakfasts on ig.

And I baked kamish bread and experimented with apricot preserves and stiff raisins while the boy was working hard on a Saturday afternoon.

RER 1.11.15

And I went on an greasy early dinner date at Umami Burger that got cut short but was too long on truffle.

RER 1.13.15

RER 1.13.15

And I forced my Food Fun kiddies to make ice cream sundaes for their last day of the activity, with too many oreos, sprinkles gummy bears and most definitely far too much whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

RER 1.15.15

And I watched my mom make vegetable lasagna and ate a ton with no shame whatsoever.

RER 1.15.15

RER 1.15.15

Any changes for you all in the New Year? How are you thinking of mixing up your food encounters in 2015? Follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, and yelp to keep up with all the pretty eats, big bites, and upcoming restaurant weeks.

RER

1.15.15

RER 1.15.15