With the 2005 Food Blog Awards currently going on, it’s been a fantastic way for me to discover tons of new food bloggers that I never knew existed. Which, in turn, makes it really easy to find this week’s nomination for New (to Me) Blogger on the Block Thursday. This week’s nod goes to Tarting It Up. As soon as I saw posts about some of my own favorite things, Creme Brulee, Barefoot Contessa, and heck, even Philly Cheesesteaks, I knew I was going to have fun here. Check out her site when you get a chance… you may even get inspired!
No dinner report tonight – The Husband picked up take-out and I got to indulge in my favorite Tortellini Alfredo. I ordered a cannoli too (they make great ones), but Nicholas stole it out from under me and shared it with Eli. Great.
As promised, I finally got a chance to read Rachael Ray’s new magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and it’s definitely got my vote, along with my subscription. It’s not ALL Rachael Ray recipes, but rather has a nice mix of her and other chefs she admires. Her plan is to make the “magazine a forum on how to savor life — and never get full.” I can certainly live with that.
In my post yesterday, I mentioned that we made Columbia Restaurant’s Original “1905” Salad last night, and it was a winner for us, and especially Nicholas. There’s a nice article accompanying the recipe, explaining the background of the restaurant. It has 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms. Nearly 1,000 hungry customers show up daily, and the restaurant spans a full city block in Tampa area’s historic Ybor City. Popular for its live music, flamenco dancers and its unique history, it sounds like a “must visit.” Marilyn Monroe and Babe Ruth both visited there, and their Cuban sandwiches, 1905 salad and the Paella are their most popular menu requests. Sounds like a fun place to visit. We’re actually going to be in Key West in February, so I’m bummed to find out this place is 7 hours from there… maybe next time!
For New Yorkers, Rachael Ray, who has an apartment in the city, includes her Top 15 Favorite Places to visit. I’ve already gotten a few of them checked off my list, but it seems I’m going to have to make a few more stops. ;)
1. Kalustyans – wonderful place to get spices from all over the world. Love it!
2. Grand Central Terminal
3. Moma Design Store Soho
4. Chelsea Market
5. Ina (designer resale store)
6. Union Square Holiday Market (I’ve been there for the great vegetables and fruit, but didn’t know they added a whole separate area during the holidays with antiques, ceramics, toys, crafts and more)
7. Backstage at Radio City Music Hall
8. Mxyplyzyk (pronounced mix-ee-pliz-ick). They sell all sorts of unique housewares and trinkets. I’ve never been there before, but keep ripping items of theirs outing of magazines, adding them to my “must buy” pile.
9. Wollman Skating Rink
10. Cleopatra’s Needle (Mediterrean cafe with free jazz every night)
11. Caffe Taci (homestyle rustic Italian food with live opera)
12. Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard (Hot, BBQ Brisket and smooth live jazz music)
13. Le Souk (belly dancing and more)
14. Mad 28 (restaurant)
15. Bowlmor Lanes
Sounds like Rachael Ray likes to have a good time. Next time you’re in NYC, you might want to check out some of her favorite haunts.
OK folks, all for tonight. Tune in tomorrow for Rachael’s Top 10 Food Gift Ideas, Fine Cooking Magazine’s list of Cookbooks for Food Lovers for you last minute gift shoppers and more.
Until then…
P.S. Just over 24-hour more hours to get your votes in for the 2005 Food Blog Awards … voting closes at midnight tomorrow night, so if you haven’t voted for Sweetnicks yet and you’re a regular visitor, there’s no reason not to, right? You can even do it anonymously. Show Sweetnicks some love. And for those that DID vote for me (even though I don’t have a chance of winning, given the stiff competition), thanks so much! It’s always nice to be appreciated and recognized.
I tend to run hot & cold on Rachel Ray, but for the love of my 4 year old niece I spent nearly 3 hours waiting on various lines for a Rachel Ray book signing. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. She was quite charming & gracious for what to be grueling day. she posed for pcitures with all of the children in line(which the store said she would not do) and she personalized the signature for her cooking with kids book that I bought for my nephew (the store said that she woudl only sign her name on that – but she told me that she ALWAYS writes childrne’s names in the Cooking with Kids – Yay for Rachel. (I also agree with you about her magazine too!)
There are multiple locations of Columbia–the one in Ybor is just the original. You could get to the one in West Palm in a few hours, if you REALLY wanted.
Dang it Rachel..she stole my idea!! Ha, I’m doing my own gift list for the 12 Days Of Xmas, I’ll forgive her I guess, for coming up with a fun list of places to see in the city.