a fresh start

I have a confession to make....I tried, yes, tried being the operative word...a cleanse. It was a 4 day deal some friends had been talking about it from a vegan/raw restaurant called www.lifefoodgourmet.com. It seemed like a good idea after the food gluten fest that was the NY Wine and Food Festival?! The cleanse was made up of 2 smoothies and 1 soup, originally. That's it. Nada mas. So below is a little diary of how it went....

Day 1

A mangoish smoothie in the morning. Not very good. Hard to swallow but, managed to get down 3/4's of the mucky biege drink.

Lunch a scary dark green almost purplish smoothie that just by smelling targeted a gag reflex and was impossible to get through 1/4. 

No energy, hungry, cranky=bad combo.

Ok, ok I think I can do this, come on I mean its just the first day! 

Breakdown, ate a banana. Damn.

Dinner a soup! Warmth....it was labeled dill soup and I spotted a few spinach leaves that I added water, blended to a creamy texture and ate like it was my last meal on earth.

I made it! Day 1. 

Day 2

SO at the end of day 1 I went to pick up the food for day 2 and begged to give me 2 soups but the smoothies were not working well. So they did and I also begged for a solid food option because being a frustrated foodie is bad enough to not eat is not frustrating its hell. So they said apples were ok, 2. 

And so it started with a smoothie, ew. Followed by an apple. Lunch a soup, followed by an apple. Dinner another soup, Followed by an apple (1 too many). Made it! Still hungry and cranky though.

Day 3

Dreaming of a salad, thats all just some leafy greens don't even want dressing. Crankiness now boarding a tantrum starvation induced. Smoothie in the am this time vanilla flavored, best yet. Soup for lunch. 4 apples throughout the day. Dinner, grilled branzino, feast of veggies, red wine and a bite of strawberry tiramisu....ah! Heaven.

Day 4

...............I failed in theory but, gained a new appreciation for healthy food. So I think it was pretty beneficial. I felt better, less bloated and lighter. I lost 2.5 lbs which was a plus as well. Its a great kick-start to a healthy way of life. 

sweeeeeeet

I found the Mecca, of desserts that is! Sweet, the final event we attended for the NYC Wine and Food Festival was definitely the highlight of my weekend. Nothing makes me more giddy, well expect diamonds I think, than dessert! Dinner usually is just an obstacle to get to dessert. Godiva sponsored this event and there was sugary sweet sauciness bigger and better then I have ever seen! My personal favorite might surprise you but, it was banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting they were sooooo yummmmmy! Butter Lane Cupcakes were the providers www.butterlane.com from NYC check them out next time your in town.

Here are some teaser shots of the event.

dog food

I recently rescued a dog that we later named Scrappy! Nothing else seemed to stick. We aren't quite sure but, from the looks of it she is Yorkie Chihuahua mix with maybe some rat and bat?! Chorkie or Chihuaterrier might be her proper breed title?! Whatever the case I love her even though her ears are larger then her face, her tail is longer then her body and she eats my furniture. With that being said its that time of year where Halloween is creeping around the corner! I'm thinking of dressing her up as something food themed and after googling my way through inspirational hilarious images I thought I would share some with you...

                            

high standard

During our long days walking the Grand Tasting tent at the Wine and Food Festival this past weekend in NYC and attending food events we took our breaks at restaurants. Resting our legs eating and drinking in a civil manner. Although you would think since attending these events that we would eat our way through them but, it is a bit overwhelming and you can't eat in peace (the grab and go approach doesnt appeal). Ahhhh. The Standard Hotel in the Meat Packing is the place to see and be seen and their restaurant The Standard Grill is a relief from the usual Pastis. On Saturday we did a progressive brunch/lunch to happy hour/dessert overload that was amazing! Next time your in the city pass by early or late with a relaxed attitude and an empty belly.

                                                

ice cream van

Next time your in NYC check out the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck! Pure, local and simple this ice cream is so creamy and yummy you will be searching for this truck everytime you go to the city. Usually its in the Soho area or this weekend it was in front of The Standard hotel. Try the peppermint and chip!
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com

tacos and tequila by bobby flay

Tacos and Tequila are a pair matched in heaven. Who doesn't like tacos and tequila, yo? Bobby Flay is the man! It may have been my favorite event of the weekend because music was pumping, tequila was flowing and tacos were cooking! Shows like 10 Dollar Meals and 5 Ingredient Fix are a few that participated as well as chefs like David Burke, Sam Talbot and of course Bobby Flay.

rock & roll with morimoto

The Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan was the unlikely location for Morimoto's Rock and Roll event. This sushi tasting was only made better when the karaoke stage opened up and Morimoto and chef Ming  Tsai sang together for a rowdy crowd of sake induced sushi stuffed fans.

Morimoto at work

Morimoto choosing his cut of a giant tune

Ming Tsai's creation

Yum

Morimoto's sushi

Ming Tsai and Morimoto singing karaoke, awesome!

Moritmoto serving up dessert

Going in for the kill of Morimoto's creative creation

Green tea chocolate, too good for words!

burger bash

Here are some photos from New York Wine and Food Festival's Burger Bash. It took place under the Brooklyn Bridge in Fulton Park, amazing venue! This event is Rachael Ray's brain child and the cool part is each guest gets a chip to vote for the next "burger king" until the crown is passed off till next years extravaganza! And the winner was.......drum roll please......SHAKE SHACK! It truly was the winner, a simple cheese burger can never be beat! Good thing you can taste for yourself since we have one in our own backyard.

Michael from Michael's Genuine Food and Drink

Rachael Ray with her Burger and someone I don't recognize.

Chefs at work

Remnants of burger tasting and boozing

The incredible view

A blurry Bobby Flay pushing his jalapeno burger 

Onion confit topped burgers and chips

Shake Shack winners of the Burger Bash 2010

Giada de Laurentiis chatting up Katie Lee Joel

Spike from Top Chef campaigning his burger king win

Eat pray rub, love it!

Gail Simmons from Top Chef Desserts and friend