NYC Wrap-Up

At the beginning of January I had the fortune of being sent to New York with my day job as mentioned in my previous post from the DrunkenMunkey. The hours were long as expected but I did manage to hit up some old watering holes as well as check out new digs.

Here’s some highlights. I suggest grabbing a snack while you read if you’re at all “peckish”.

What: Delicatessen

Where: SoHo

Who: EP & moi after a very tough day of Sunday shopping

The Food: Goat Cheese Tart topped with a fried quail egg; meatballs with garlic points; lobster mac & cheese; four cheese mac & cheese

Verdict: Standard Soho scene of sensual dim lights with the whisper of celebrity. Food hit the mark on all points of flavor, portion and memorable taste

What: Fika

Where: TriBeca

Who: Solo coffee run after an actual run

The Food: Cappuccino, Salmon salad with hardboiled egg on toasted crostini, two truffles

Verdict: Cool Scandanavian set-up hosting excellent coffee and clean food. The truffles are delicious, though the price-tag may warrant company-card only.

There's wine in the making

Best steak sammy

SMores!

What: City Winery

Where: TriBeca

Who: Solo dining after a late night at the office

The Food: Kale Caesar Salad; Steak Sandwich; Smores with Hazelnut ice cream; washed down with CW’s own Cabernet Franc

Verdict: Best Caesar salad that has ever passed my lips. Live music every night, friendly knowledgeable staff, cozy bar and food that made me miss living, yes actually living in NYC. Truly outstanding. Get there immediately.

What: William Hallet

Where: Astoria

Who: EP & moi

The Food: Grilled cheese with bacon and fried egg; Pastrami with knish and fried egg; mimosa

Verdict: Great brunch spot in an abundance of the breakfast-lunch phenom. Solid service and the type of place you’re curious to see how the end of the brunch turns out.

What: Mole

Where: UES

Who: SP, MH & I

The Food: Guacamole; shrimp ceviche; chorizo and bean tostadas; beef tacos; margaritas

Verdict: Authentic Mexican with killer margaritas. You feel welcomed immediately like one of the family. A diamond in the cold, cold rough of the NYC restaurant scene.

Warning: gluten alert!!!

Nothing like a fresh baked loaf of Rye bread

This post is all about bread. Bad-a** Buffalo-baked bread.

I apologize to any of the gluten-intolerant readers. You may have to stop now. My deepest of sympathies.

FOR ALL YOU OTHER wheat and bread fiends, continue on. For tonight I share with you a place that makes me oh-so-excited to be a foodie. And even more excited to be a Buffalonian foodie! Let me share with you Breadhive.

There has been tons of bread-filled buzz on this co-op/worker-owner boulangerie on the west side as of late, mostly due to their inventive hot Cheetos bagel that even made it on Buzzfeed! But I had also read bits about their teaming up with local breweries such as Resurgence and Big Ditch. If you follow me on the 'gram then you def have realized what a fan/regular I am at Resurgence so this is where these dough-bakers grabbed my attention. 

So I checked out their website and saw they deal mainly in wholesale. Bummer right? Fear not! Breadhive is available for retail through Saturday markets at Bidwell, their own take-out window on Baynes, and most importantly the CSA. For a little more than $20 you can get fresh baked bread goods every week! Color me stupidly interested. 

So yes. I signed up and today, Tuesday October 28, I picked up my first mixed bag. The best loaf and subsequently, slice of rye bread I have ever had. Light, airy and with enough carroway seeds and a hint of sourness. Noms. I almost ate the whole loaf in one sitting no lie. These girls know how to bake.

Sliced and dressed up to eat!

I absolutely cannot wait for my pickup next week. I totally recommend Breadhive and to purchase their CSA. You will not be disappointed.

Follow me on intsa for weekly posts on my new favorite business/bakery in the Buff!!

Gorgeous glutenous bread!!

Breadhive

123 Baynes Ave

Buffalo, NY 14213

(716) 980-5623

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https://www.breadhive.com/

Wake Cup Cafe - Back to the Dubs!

This summer I had the fortune of being back for a second time this year to Dublin. Not only do I love an excuse to visit my framily and old haunts, my better half also resides in the big shmoke. So until we're both on the same continent, we will be travelling back and forth between Buffalo and Dublin. Such a tough life!

All food prepared fresh daily with love!

Anywho, during my July sojourn, I happened upon new and old favorites. One of the new ones is Wake Cup  on Talbot St. I managed to stop there twice and definitely would have gone back again and again if time permitted!

Mouth-watering counter and super-friendly staff!

The first time I stopped in, it literally was Wake Cup's first day of business. I was meeting my pal S for a cuppa and a sweet midday treat. For being open only a couple hours, I was extremely impressed! The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, serving fresh baked goods and pastries,salads and sandwiches at the ready. And the coffee! Seriously good. It pains me I can never find as excellent a cappuccino or espresso this side of the ocean... shame I guess I'll have to keep going back!

Ham & cheese sandwich perfected + wonderfully frothy 'ccino

My second visit I wanted to grab a sammy to see how that would turn out. I chose the classic ham and cheese on fresh baked bread. The bread was soft with a hint of sourdough and the red onion chutney perfectly pickeled with a hint of sweet. The ham tasted like Mom's leftover honey roasted ham and was paired deliciously with a sharp Irish cheddar. A frothy cappuccino alongside and I was one happy girl!

Conveniently under the DART on Talbot St

If you're reading this from the Dubs, I highly recommend you check out this spot on Talbot St, you won't be disappointed. I really hoped it's managed to flourish!

Aaaannd they appreciate pugs... BOOM

Wake Cup
Talbot St (right under the Dart)
Dublin 1
+353 1 818 2967

Be Mine, il Valentino!

A warm welcome even in the drizzliest of days!

Happy belated St. Patrick’s Day friends! How did y’all celebrate? I was still recovering from festivities as of last night after spending the weekend with my sister in Boston when I realized that TODAY is St. Joseph’s Day! For those of you unfamiliar, St. Joseph’s Day is an Italian feast of Joey from Friends… yes that’s it! Ok so that statement is not entirely accurate, but SJD also corresponds with Father’s Day in Italy and Italians celebrate like they do best with a feast of fantastic food.

Since I missed a SPD post, I decided I’ll go with an Italian theme and share with you my favorite Italian bakery in Dublin, il Valentino in Grand Canal Dock. I’ve stopped in numerous times to this authentic Italian café for a coffee or a spot of lunch, and always, always end up with a sweet treat as well. Right when you walk into the café, you are ambushed with the most ample of cases filled with fresh salads, Panini, quiches, pizzas, pastries, cakes, and desserts. The scent of espresso and chocolate wafts around you and the jolly disposition of Italian staff more often than not greets you heartily. You begin to wonder is there ever even a need to book a flight to Roma with il Valentino so close?!

Look at all these delights!

Fresh errrryday!

Perfect Americano and the sweetest of hearts

My most recent visit came after a lunch at the Marker as I needed a slight caffeinated pick-me-up or else succumb to a food coma. As always, I merely was going to grab a steaming Americano until my eyes hit the baked goods display. One look at chocolate brownie heart bite and I knew I would have room in my belly. Though just a bite, you could tell even the tiniest of goodies at here is baked with care: the heart had the sweetest bittersweet chocolate undertone and nicely fluffy and moist consistency. The perfect accent to my "stiff" drink.

nomnomnom

I highly recommend stopping in to il Valentino, a mere 12 minute walk from College Green for the city slickers/tourists, and a great spot for the Docklands/Ballsbridge set!

Il Valentino Bakery and Café

5 Gallery Quay

Grand Canal Harbour

Dublin 2, Ireland

01.633.1100

http://www.ilvalentino.ie/Default.aspx

And a pano of Grand Canal for good measure :-)

A Scone by Any Other Name...

Day 9 here almost done here on my great Dublin visit and I can gladly say each day has been better than the last!

Scones display @ Keogh's

Clearly my Monday through Friday detox has been chucked violently out the window. I have been happily indulging in my favorite foods, beverages and haunts. Last Tuesday morning was no exception when I visited Keogh's Cafe at 1 Trinity St in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Keogh's is mainly a bakery with tasty scones, muffins and pastries but they also serve hearty full Irish breakfasts, breakfast baps, and sumptuous soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch. 

Outside the cafe on Trinity St

I first became enamoured with Keogh's via my old office. At least once a month we would receive the "leftovers" from board meetings consisting of scones and pastries. Somehow, there was always more than enough for the 90 staff following the meetings! Scone flavors from Keogh's range from your standard currant and raisin to raspberry, mixed berry and pear & vanilla to name a few.

Breakfast of champions

I went with the mixed berry and a large cappuccino to start my day. The scone was just as I remembered: fluffy and buttery on the inside cut with tart and sweet berries (obviously baked in fresh) with a firm but not too hard outside. Yum. My cappuccino was excellent too with just the right amount of froth. All served with a smile from the owner herself as well! 

Mixed Berry Awesomeness

Keogh's is definitely a spot to hit up for breakfast and lunch in Dublin City Centre with their scones second to none for me on either side of the Atlantic!

Keogh's Cafe

1 Trinity St

Dublin 2

+353 (1) 677 8599

A Walk In The Park

Sunshine across Marley Park

Sunday was a true walk in the park, Marley Park to be exact. I went there with my dear friend E and her husband B for stroll with their new puppy Bobbi and to check out the Market for the afternoon. As always, there was a 60% chance of rain, but the sun was shining over the Dublin mountains and my spirits high from being back in my foster hometown.

Dave's Pizza 

Tasty Treats!

Fresh produce & ciders

mmm Baked goodies! And Kosher too!

[For those unfamiliar, Marley Park is located southwest of Dublin in suburban Rathfarnam and is spread across 300 acres with great walking paths, woodlands, sports grounds, dog park and access to hiking trails up to the Dublin Mountains. On Saturdays and Sundays behind the main building, and old house, is a market with food and craft stands.]

The master crepe-

A Crepe & a cappuccino

Delish!

As the weather forecast was iffy on Sunday, the market was set up in the courtyard of Marley House. There were about eight stands, and according to E, it’s more than double the size on Saturdays. This didn’t put me off as I really love walking around looking at different baked goods, food products all done my individual business owners. I get inspiration from these stands and always manage to fill my belly at the same time! I grabbed a most delicious cappuccino, perfectly frothy with that delicious European espresso that I just have not been able to find in the states. Maybe it’s the fresh dairy used, either way it was delicious! Next a crepe. Now normally I like a savory crepe but went rouge and got sweet: Nutella and marshmallows! These guys are professionals and their product reflects. Expertly thin crepe folded over melted nutella evenly spaced with sweet marshmallow. Yum. E got the chicken, spinach, cheese and pesto crepe which was mouth-wateringly good. A great combo of ingredients warmed between those wonderful thin pancakes. Double yum!

Nature

Afterwards, we walked around the park and watched little Bobbi tear it up in the dog park. If you’re in the area, definitely make a trip out to Marley for the market. Check it out on Saturday and let me know what I might’ve missed!

Doing shame to every other dog park ever!

Heaven on Elm Street

Elm Street Bakery

 One of my bests, KL, has been telling me for MONTHS now to check out Elm Street Bakery in East Aurora, NY. EA as it's called is just sllliightly beyond the 20-minute drive threshold from my family home in North Buffalo, so I knew I had to plan a full day out to go there. As luck would have it, during my Turkey Day break last week, I had a day date planned with K & A so off the the southtowns we went!

Our main goal was to check out the famous Vidler's 5-and-10, but of course we needed a snack following our chotchky shopping spree. We swung a left off Main St onto Elm and walked into mecca.

Look at the display counter...

...no way you can pass these by!

The smell of fresh baked goods hits you right away and your eyes are drawn to the delectable goodies displayed. Strategically, you must walk by the whole display before paying. At first, I planned on getting a single chocolate chip cookie to accompany my coffee, but ended up buying two more "for my mom & pop": a double-chocolate and a cowgirl. The cowgirl is an oatmeal cookie with cranberries and chocolate chips. How could I not? A chose a macaroon and tea while K went with the cowgirl as well.

Piece de resistance!

                                

We settled onto the rustic wooden tables in front of the brick oven pizza and bar (more on that later) and tucked into our sweet treats. Honest to blog, it was the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever tasted!! Undoubtedly, I would drive out to EA just for that taste again. The drip coffee was just right as well. But truly, that cookie. I can taste it now as I write; perfectly soft verging on gooey with a crisp outer later and BIG semi-sweet chunks.

I'm coming back for you brick oven pizza & beer!

As for the bar and brick oven pizza, we were all a little bummed that we were not hungry enough for a full meal. The pizzas coming out looked amazing and on draft they had several tasty local breweries such as Community Beer Works, ECB and Flying Bison. We three agreed to plan another EA day in which we save room for cookies, pizza and a beer!

Elm Street Bakery
72 Elm Street
East Aurora, NY 10452
716-652-4720
http://www.elmstreetbakery.com/index.html

Happy as a clam!

Eggsellence at Break'n Eggs

It's been a busy few weeks here in the world of Lauribeth Loves but I'm back on track with lots of foodie fun to share! I've been away the last three weekends, twice to Philly and once to Buffalo, and somehow the work weeks in between have been jam packed.

Crepes Benedict!

During my weekend home in Buffalo, I met my two pals K and A for  brunch at Break'n Eggs on Main Street in Williamsville. This was my second visit here and I was really looking forward to tucking into their delicious crepes! We got there around 12 and put our names down. Unfortunately Break'n Eggs doesn't take reservations so you have to head out expecting a wait, but trust me it is well worth it!

Personal coffee pots!

No matter what season it is, when you enter B'nE the warm smell of crepes and cinnamon greet you and you're instantly put in a cosy mood. What's also neat is that the kitchen is open to the dining area so you can guess if the chefs are making your crepe. You feel as if you're in a large family kitchen. We were seated to the left of the kitchen and were brought coffee right away. Everyone gets their own pot, which is fantastic especially when you may or may not have been out late the night before!

The hardest part of Break'n Eggs is the menu decision! All of their breakfasts are served with a crepe and some fresh fruit - awesome! I went with the Crepes Benedict while K & A both chose the 2+2+2 Crepe. Our food arrived promptly which was good as we were all pretty hungry. I couldn't wait to tuck into my perfectly poached eggs! The hollandaise was expertly mixed and just the right amount of salty goodness. The peameal bacon was served inside the ever-so-lightly fluffy crepe beneath the eggs. Simply scrumptious! The girls were equally as pleased with their choice and before you knew it we went from the chattiest table to the quietest as we dug in.

I can't wait to go back to Break'n Eggs to make it a successful 3 for 3 crepetastic sweep! Definitely check this spot out if you haven't already, but do remember to allow for wait time.

Open kitchen at Break'n Eggs

Break'n Eggs Creperie
5235 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
716.634.EGGS  (716.634.3447)

A Fall of Nostalgia

My wonderful Mom in the Fall light, Grand Canal, Dublin

This morning I busted out my boots for the first time this season: seemingly overnight the unseasonable summer weather had departed, and Fall finally descended on New York. As I walked along Central Park through the brisk air to work, I was struck by the ever-powerful sense of nostalgia.

With the sunlight streaming through the coloring leaves along Central Park South, I was instantly transported to Dublin's Grand Canal. I was there along the canal, walking and amazed by the beauty of the sun as it hit the water in the autumnal light. A sense of excitement and nostalgia always mix during Fall just as the briskness and decay co-mingle.

Where was I going? I wanted it to be Sunday, on my way to meet friends at the Lennox Cafe in Portobello for brunch. I thought of the last time I was there in January with S. We were seated upstairs next to the fireplace and per usual I had a most difficult time deciding on my meal. I finally settled on Huevos Rancheros and an americano while S chose the brunch staple of Eggs Benedict. My huevos were especially delicious, a perfect proportion of eggs, chorizo, beans, avocado and cheese. We took our time, the food at Lennox deserves that, as we rehashed the night before and the random conversations that always unfold at No Name.

Soon my mind drifted on to The Bernard Shaw and how the patio out back would be seeing a dip in attendance with the arrival of the cold. We always seemed to braved through the chill however, opting to warm ourselves with The Shaw's infamous 10EUR specials: pizza + beer, 2 mojitos, or a carafe of house wine. Mmm that pizza! Perfectly crispy and cheesy, with toppings such as goats cheese, peppers and olives, or jalepenos, pepperoni and rocket (arugula) to name a few! Somehow an afternoon stop-off at the Shaw always seemed to roll late into the evening.

I know I'll be back to the Dubdubs soon. I also know that Fall will bring many more reminiscent trips, back to Buffalo, to rowing on the Harlem, and all the tasty adventures encompassing those periods. And who knows, this time next year I'll be reminded of trips to Brooklyn, nights at the Standard Bier Garden, and an impromptu Tuesday beer at Clinton Hall! Foreshadowing? You'll just have to keep following my posts to see!

Happy Fall y'all!

Lennox Cafe
31 Lennox Street
Dublin 8
http://www.lennoxcafe.ie/

No Name Bar
Above L'Gueuleton
1 Fade Street
Dublin 2
http://www.kellysdublin.com/

The Bernard Shaw
11-12 South Richmond Street
Dublin 2
www.bodytonicmusic.com/thebernardshaw