tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87501509478237956892024-03-12T19:04:37.449-04:00M:ConfidentialA love affair with food, drink, fashion and life in New York City.Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-67496782100524606842010-01-09T10:58:00.000-05:002010-01-17T12:10:54.096-05:00The Bulls @ The Garden
"Getting tough with the toughest sport on dirt"
Real steers, y'all. With names like Skeeter, Austin and Reese, these riders obviously have names (and some, the looks) more befitting a Harlequin romance novel than the streets of Manhattan. The steers themselves were a trip. Would you ride Bad Blood, Wrecking Havoc or Black Tornado?
The PBR Invitational at the Garden was an awesome line Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-79670872148897430442010-01-06T10:22:00.015-05:002010-01-11T10:30:39.289-05:00Sifton on Casa Lever
Tom Sach's Hello Kitty bronze statue @ Casa Lever via Mille Fiori
I identify quite a bit with Sifton's writing. It's to the point, painting a picture of the expansive Manhattan dining savannah where hungry and bejeweled gazelles, antelopes and hyenas go to graze. It lacks the witticism that we are accustomed to ala Bruni, but give the man a chance.
What I did find a little Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-86233688518002883302010-01-01T17:18:00.006-05:002010-01-03T17:38:19.236-05:00Baked Day 14: 8 Points and Counting
Baker's Blade for Baguettes at JB Prince
"We forgot to tell you, yesterday you got 2 extra points," Carlos said.
Jesus nodded in enthusiasm. Chitter chatter...
"Jesus say, you get 2 more points today, your rolls is good. But I say no."
Carlos has spoken. Jesus was the guest judge yesterday. And he approved.
It was New Year's Day. The complex was quiet, all the other Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-32274221981341490912009-12-30T11:08:00.000-05:002010-01-03T11:40:44.270-05:00Sifton on La Grenouille
Christopher Smith for The New York Times
I have been a tad behind in my reading, having been so inundated with holiday shennanigans. However, now that I"m caught up, I must comment about Sifton's review of La Grenouille!
My last visit was on La G's 40th birthday. I haven't been back for one reason: I can't recall the food. How is it that I have no recollection of the meal save the Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-47267078510014056512009-12-29T15:49:00.000-05:002009-12-29T15:49:58.737-05:00Art in the East Village
The Phatory
"It was very bohème," Pascal said, referring to the East Village 20 years ago. He stood, legs crossed one in front of the other, his salt and pepper curls tousled atop his head. Not that there was anything less bohème than all of us gathered at The Phatory, a contemporary art gallery in the heart of the East Village. We were artists, musicians, filmmakers and Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-70973906289345325232009-12-27T23:03:00.000-05:002009-12-28T04:01:32.070-05:00Let Them Eat Cake!
"Let me feed you cake!" Victoria's quiet charm was not lost upon me the evening I met her at Macao Trading Company. An invitation followed in the mail, and I was granted access to her coveted Chinatown Cake Club's first salon.
True to form, it had the makings of a cake thriller. The entire event was shrouded in secrecy. The location was not divulged until the day of, and obtaining Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-3017091668059873122009-12-24T14:43:00.000-05:002009-12-28T03:22:33.245-05:00Fashion vs. Food
Sequins dress with lace overlay by Vivienne Tam
I attended a cocktail soiree at Vivienne Tam that was co-hosted by the publication I periodically write for, Asiance Magazine. The usual suspects were there, dressed to the nines in killer cocktail dresses. We were plied with copious amounts of Vueve and gently reminded of their special event pricing. One night only! I can't believe I Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-90651785848375592962009-12-23T11:23:00.001-05:002009-12-27T17:17:25.343-05:00Better Malaysian Food in New York
Duck thigh noodles (ngap tui mee) at Overseas Restaurant, Manhattan by Steven
Living in New York City, there are no shortages of Malaysian restaurants. Nyonya, Penang, Jaya, Sanur and even Singapore Cafe (yeah, even THAT is Malaysian) comes to mind. They serve the average fare: Nasi lemak, assam laksa, poh piah, roti canai and the lot. They are all standard but in search of kuih, a Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-31983144922590283572009-12-22T16:19:00.006-05:002009-12-27T16:47:05.397-05:00Holiday Baking: Chocolate Bouchons
Top: Chocolate bouchons, bottom: Gingersnaps
I decided to do some holiday baking for about 20 of my real estate clients, primarily those who lived in doorman buildings where I could drop off the baked goods. I nixed cupcakes in favor of more "durable" fare: Thomas Keller's Chocolate Bouchons and gingersnaps. I packaged them in brown bakery boxes with grosgain ribbon and a gift tag.
Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-31377913685814443642009-12-19T17:30:00.000-05:002009-12-19T17:30:30.719-05:00Baked Day 9: Screw Up!
Pumpkin Pie vs. Cupcake via Cakespy
No points today. I perfected my baguettes and french rolls on Day 7 and earned 2 points. Today however, I worked with a sourpuss crew. Music off, no conversation. The mood was considerably dour. Perhaps because it was Friday, one of the busier days of the week and we’re coming into the holiday season. The day shift crew shaped about 5,000 piecesMabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-17512401823568741832009-12-17T06:01:00.001-05:002009-12-17T06:04:28.445-05:00Baked Day 6: Mi Corazon
via David and Goliath
“M, you going with Diego today. Twists!”
Carlos was not the supervisor on duty today, Mr. Smiley was. The guys jostled each other and I had a nagging suspicion I was being “set up” for something. More importantly, if I wasn’t working in front of Carlos, he can’t assess my progress which also meant I would be taking a time out from the point system.
Diego Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-28298362861704634762009-12-15T08:46:00.001-05:002009-12-15T23:39:24.010-05:00Baked: Day 4
"Cuppie Loves to Bake" via Cakespy
I earned my 3rd point early that morning.
Back on the line with Jesus. I practised on my rolling technique for baguettes. The dough always looked like a snake that had eaten a large hamster. I couldn't get the bulge in the middle to go away. I cursed the lack of Play Doh in my early developmental years.
Unofficial break time Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-29656552572527726502009-12-05T12:02:00.000-05:002009-12-05T12:02:13.946-05:00Baked: Day 3
French Toast plush via Etsy
“This is very good. But you are still 2 out of 10. When you are 10 out of 10, you are ready,” Carlos had spoken.
I prodded my squishy boule. Then I prodded his firm boule and nodded humbly.
While Carlos kept a watchful eye from across the work station, I set to work with a new partner. Mr. Furbie was a veteran of the joint and had little patience for aMabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-54504041893538763722009-12-03T07:03:00.003-05:002009-12-06T17:56:14.683-05:00Baked: Day 2
via The Fresh Loaf
"Esta muerto," Carlos shook his head and prodded my limp dough. Everyone laughed. I had succeeded in murdering my French roll. Again. And thus, ended Day 2 of my internship at X.
I spent my day with my stomach in knots. I am the only intern who wasn't a culinary school grad and without professional kitchen experience. Everything I did wrong, from improperly Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-37372178813833621872009-11-25T11:26:00.003-05:002009-11-25T11:33:36.619-05:00Autumn in New York Cabbage Flowers in Union Square I lived on Union Square West, next to Coffee Shop when I first moved to New York. It was lost on me then, an 18 year old fresman at NYU, what an amazing neighborhood I was in! I go to the Union Square Greenmarket more often than I used to. I especially like the fresh cut flowers and these beautiful cabbages! Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-53177018095896850462009-11-01T16:51:00.000-05:002009-11-01T16:52:09.683-05:00In DeathThat you were to return,from the ravages of warfought on foreign soil(in a body bag).That I were to sit,facing the honor guardin their dress blues.The folded flagresting on your mother’s lap.Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-47450429816801311792009-10-26T23:37:00.001-04:002009-10-26T23:39:19.266-04:00“If we must part forever, Give me but one kind word to think upon, And please myself with, while my heart's breaking.” - Thomas OtwayMabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-16119315940658749542009-10-22T12:10:00.004-04:002009-10-22T12:27:48.200-04:00On Sake...photo: Jui ShihI was covering an impeccable sake seminar and tasting at Matsuri, the beautiful subterranean Japanese restaurant at the Maritime the other evening. I have had many a fond meals there....ah, but I digress. The sake! Organized by Joto Sake (the founder and his staff were ever so gracious), the event was just...perfect. Artisanal brewers pouring their masterpieces and ever so humbly Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-45154922543956689142009-10-18T16:22:00.004-04:002009-10-18T16:48:02.175-04:00Brace Yourself for Delivery Week!via Delivery WeekDelivery Week has now reduced my 1 block walk to 10 paces as I let my fingers do the dialing. The brainchild of Seamless Web, it runs October 19th-31st. 3 course lunches are $12.09 + tax and dinners will set you back $20.90 + tax. They are awarding freebies on Twitter so what are you waiting for?! Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-23261605887807537102009-10-11T15:51:00.004-04:002009-10-11T16:13:16.998-04:00On "Jobs Wanted, Any Jobs at All" in The NY Timesvia The NY TimesI came across this NY Times article, “Jobs Wanted, Any Jobs At All” that focused on the day-to-day of Kristie and Katie Barry, 17 months out of university and jobless. Though one is not technically unemployed (she’s just partially employed), she described her bartending gig as “dating a guy you know you’re not going to marry.”I understand. I've been a phone girl, focus groupie, Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-67095170762443096882009-09-08T17:27:00.007-04:002009-09-13T17:57:13.074-04:00Pre-Fashion Week Festivities image via SephoraAgatha Ruiz De La Prada & Tweezerman Cocktail PartyOn our way out of the madness that was Longchamp (some charity event with Fenton), we decided to walk down Wooster St. in Soho. We peaked out the corner of our eyes, a bright, whimsical store filled with laughter and champagne."What is this?" we wondered.Certainly not a stop we had planned Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-48513686415599113412009-08-23T17:13:00.003-04:002009-10-10T15:59:35.405-04:00On Symbolismvia Go AntiquesWhen I first bought my silver handled crystal Mikasa double-tiered beauty 10 years ago, I had high hopes for domestic bliss but these hopes were largely unfulfilled. The psycho dates were permanently canceled but the dish remained and I have been unable to let go of it, often telling myself, "I'll need it someday to serve finger sandwiches for tea..." That statement in itself, was Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-16176528939467657072009-03-19T02:10:00.018-04:002009-07-14T11:37:02.514-04:00Night About Town: A Scented SoireeAs I sashayed up to the entrance of Arader Galleries in my Nanette Lepore cocktail dress and black Manolos, I had a Sex in the City moment. Here was another night about town with my girlfriends but with a philantrophic slant. Christopher Ong's soiree which benefited the National Stroke Association was backed by who's who of Upper East Side society. The launch of his limited edition“Madame Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-53075576629754976712009-01-04T08:41:00.003-05:002009-01-07T20:57:46.634-05:00Pretty In PinkPlease meet Betty, a 1950's Royal Quiet deLuxe. She weighs 11 lbs. I first saw her tucked away on a shelf at A Repeat Performance, a quaint little store in the East Village on Second Avenue and 9th Street. I had often stared into the window since my freshman year at NYU. There was always a typewriter there I coveted, a Hermes 3000 or a 1950's Smith-Corona Silent Super perhaps.But there was Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750150947823795689.post-56763797173628407832008-12-10T09:16:00.002-05:002008-12-11T01:54:52.864-05:00Three Things I Love About IcelandEconomy aside, Iceland has quite a few things going for them: #1: Siggi's Skyr This rich, dense and natural skyr from Iceland (by way of a Manhattan kitchen) has a refreshingly natural taste. This is not your typical, "fruit on the bottom" or parfait-like yogurt. Skyr is serious but simple. Direct but satisfying. You can enjoy your skyr in 4 flavors: plain, blueberry, orange & ginger and Mabelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743955012749246995noreply@blogger.com0