Delmonico's

The whole purpose of this trip was to celebrate my dad's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

My mom and I decided it would be a great way to celebrate by going to a tried and true NYC steakhouse. With a little research Delmonico's came to mind, after all a steak was named after the place.
I will warn you in advance that the pictures stink. The lighting was super bad and well this was not the kind of place you use a flash. They put us right in the middle of the whole place so there was no hiding it.

We started the night with the most delicious bottle of wine called Decoy by Duckhorn vineyards in Napa Valley. It was so good and the smell just took over the whole table.

I started with a Caesar salad split with my mom. They graciously gave us our own plates with a mini salad portion topped with an egg.

My mom and I also decided to spilt our entrees. There was two really good looking options on the menu. I don't think you can go to a NYC steakhouse without getting steak however, there was a halibut option on the menu that sounded so good. The solution was that my mom get the steak and I get the fish and we switch 1/2 way through. It was perfect.

The Delmonico steak was so good and tender. The portion was huge served with little crispy onion straws.

The halibut was served with Applewood bacon and topped with a rich cream sauce. It was plated on a pile of squash risotto with chucks of lobster in it. It was SOOOOO GOOD! I literally could only have 1/4 of it. Then I ate a bit more just to be sure.

The boys ordered a blue cheese wedge salad and sides of hash browns and twice fried French fries with their steaks. It was such a good evening. We left with hopes of Juniors cheesecake for dessert but got distracted by the Macy's window scenes. We also had hopes of Crumbs cupcakes. I don't know what happened to all of the desserts. Do you see the pattern of eating too much and not saving room for dessert?

Le Pain Quotidien

Can I tell you about a very good thing. While I was in France, a friend and I took a weekend trip to Grenoble to see the mountains. Little did we know that the mountains can get foggy at times. Pretty much the whole time we were visiting the mountains were hidden but dense fog. Fortunately we had a few brief moments of clarity for some pretty views. Despite the fog though the trip was a success due to a terrific find. While wandering around the town we stubbled upon this cute cafe/coffee shop called Le Pain Quotidien. During our stayed we went many times to have lattes, hot chocolate and the baskets of bread with lots of spreads and jam. We fell in love and were so sad to leave the spot to go back to Paris.

Fast forward a few months and we found the same place in Paris and then another. Turns out our cute special place is a Belgium franchise. I was a bit disappointed but happy to be able to have the yumminess again while I was in France.

Its been way too long since I have been in France but the popularity of Le Pain Quotidien has grown. In October when I was visiting NYC for the Food and Wine Festival we walked a lot because Jordan hates the subway system. Walking takes longer but you sure see a lot on the street. During our walks I notice not one but several Le Pain Quotidien's. They have hit NYC and are all over the place.

This weekend I was able to go for lunch and boy was it as good as ever. My favorite is there yummy spreads. You get a trio of jams - the 4 berry one is out of this world - and sweet spreads. We got to have a Praline one called Brunette. There is also a white chocolate, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. I am telling you it is out of this world.

And the bread, if everyone could try this bread there is no way in the world the Atkins diet would ever be tried again. Bring on the carbs!

As it was quite blustery all weekend I had a big bowl of spinach soup with more bread.

They specialize in the the open faced sandwich. Jordan had an egg salad sandwich. In case your wondering I did give it to him a bit for his choice. I mean who orders egg salad out but to give him a break it did have anchovies and capers.

A popular choice is the Paris ham and gruyere sandwich served with spicy mustard.

We obviously had lunch but the breakfast selection is out of this world. Soft boiled eggs, yogurt, granola, fruit, and oatmeal to name a few.

I got one of my French favorites - lait chaude, which is steamed milk. Its so good. They also have delicious rich coffee or wine and beer if you prefer.

Did I mention the pastries yet? They looked so good but I was full. All I keep thinking is when can I go back?

Monday madness!

This is what I know...

I finished the day with some wonderful French bread toast with Nutella and wine. I ate the whole thing before I decided to take a picture. Or I decided to take a picture as I was eating but the whole eating process took about 2 seconds to complete as I needed some Nutella badly tonight.

The morning started with a big bowl of oatmeal topped with...

These wonderful spreads and nut butters.

I knew that waking up to snow was not a good sign. I think I am still in denial that it does not snow on the Connecticut sound.

I also learned tonight is a big football night. Football is winning over my Netflix movie.

I am knee deep in Christmas presents. We had 3 deliveries today. Super excited about all of the gifts.

I would be more excited if I had pretty paper to wrap them up in.

I was informed today that getting a Christmas tree even a small one at this point would be a waste since Jordan and I are both traveling so much in the coming weeks. Super sad about this.

I found the picture of the tree that I meant to post this morning. Would be happy to have this in the apartment.

And with that I call it a day!