Lower Manhattan The New Food Hub

Manhattan is going to be THE destination for many local and foreign visitors.A lot go for the sites , most come for the city's wide variety of eateries and various cuisines. There's a new stop, lower Manhattan. The Wall Street and Tribeca areas are abuzz with all sorts of new restaurants and innovative chefs. Plan to spend a few meals down in this new culinary hub.

Jeff Gordonier not only was able to write about it but also visit some of the up and coming places and sample their best dishes. His article in today's New York Times Food section is a complete guide for navigating the various eateries and watering holes of the lowermost tip of Manhattan Island. For meat and French cuisine lovers there is Le District , the French themed market that offers up rotisserie and charcuterie meats. For those love who love the famed Spotted Pig, its' owners, April Bloomfield and Krn Friedman are planning a mega restaurant that will take up four (!) stories of an apartment complex on Pine Street, around the corner from famed Trinity Church.Odeon ,a staple of lower Manhattan has added breakfast to its' menu , making it vastly popular with the Conde Nast gang who have recently moved into the new World Trade building.The prices are still the same, high but worth it, especially their Croque Monsieur and all natural strip steak.Plus the Odeon has a history , going back four decades to Manhattan's Disco and Eighties Wall Street eras.

The area , once reserved to just handling the world's business and trading, now is a thriving community. Office workers in the area are hanging around instead of heading home. This means a growing need for both bars and eateries. Some eateries get as many as 200 people for lunch alone according to Kevin Richter, general manager at the North End Grill. Weekends can see  as high as 1,300 customers.It does help though to have customers such as the famed Graydon Carter, and a few of Bon Appetit's major editors like Andrew Knowlton (This last helps tremendously since sooner or later the eateries will be featured in the magazine).Hopefully the area doesn't pick up the glitzy and superficial aura of nearby Soho which now feels like Rodeo Drive East. One restaurant , Little Park seems to be picking this up, being a morning roost for local editors as one , Tatiana Boncompagni of Self has noticed. The real test will be when Bobby Flay or Lidia Bastianich discover Wall Street and decided to insinuate their restaurants around Trinity Church and the American Indian Museum. will they survive amongst the trendy crowd or be snubbed in favor of New York's latest restaurant.

If you're visiting Manhattan this summer, stop for a bite at its' lower most tip. Try the French faves at Odeon or head over to Little Park  for breakfast. Enjoy this latest food hub.

The Humidity Diet

The humidity this time of year can be debilitating.It can leave you weak and loggy, ready to take a day long  nap instead of enjoying a summery day. Changing your diet can help tremendously .Doing such can help get you through these tropical times.

Ice cream would naturally be considered a treat when the temps reach the nineties.Yet it's one of the worst foods to have. Any sugar or cow's milk should be avoided.If you want something cold and refreshing think Italian ice,preferably the sugar free ones. If not , then just ice  cold bottled water with a squeeze of lemon or lime can do the trick to refresh. Oily and fried foods are another taboo. It may be easy to just order out burgers and fries along with a Coke but there's a price to pay afterwards.Also you may be tempted just to grill a steak or lamb chop too. Don't. Rich meats also affect your body. Try poached fish or steamed tofu in place or ribs or chicken wings. Any wheat product is also bad too so lay off those cookies and doughnuts.. One of the worst offenders is salt. As we all know it makes us retain water and bloating is the last thing anyone needs. Sea salt isn't as bad a culprit as regular table salt, but it is still salt. Go very easy with it. A tiny tiny pinch is all you need to flavor a dish.

What should you eat?Foods that keep the  moisture out of your body.Summer vegetables are here for a reason. Some of the best to eat are asparagus and cucumber along with summer squash and zucchini. Asparagus is great steamed  and cut into pieces  for a salad. Zucchini can be used in a ratatouille with tomatoes  for a tasty dinner. Cruciferous veggies such as arugula bok choy, cauliflower are also good to eat as are mustard greens, napa cabbage , radish and watercress. Think about a arugula salad graced with watercress and raw cauliflower. Napa cabbage can be made into a tangy Asian slaw with a light dressing of olive oil and ginger. Watercress salad is a nice alternative to regular Cobb lettuce.Try it with feta (a recommended dairy product OK to eat during these hot muggy days) and beets.If you're craving some kind of snack then think goat cheese on rice crackers or a fruity yogurt parfait layered with almonds . Berries also make a good treat because like other suggested fruits such as lemons and grapefruit.If the grapefruit is too tart then sprinkle stevia or the lesser sweet brown sugar on top.

Fight humidity with eating the right foods. You'll feel fresher and definitely more alive. Enjoy every summer day  without feeling draggy and tired.

Summer Theme Parties

It is summer and the time for all sorts of parties.To make them more memorable think theme . Nothing is more entertaining and fun than a party with a set theme You don't have to go all out as with Sean Combs and his all white Hamptons party but you can have something similar on a smaller scale.

Ever since the arrival of Downton Abbey, teas have become almost de rigueur  for theme parties. These are still fun and the food can be a nice change from sloppy barbecues. Think watercress and chicken salad  sandwiches along with jam and butter ones too.Scones dripping with clotted cream are a must.as well A variety of teas can be served from  the fruity Lady Grey to soothing chamomile or mint, Wimbledon will be starting soon and you can serve their signature dishes, strawberries and cream washed down with champagne. Another Masterpiece classic Poldark has been retooled and revamped for a new generation. Winston Graham's classic romance adventure takes place in Cornwall, where rum was smuggled  freely and drunk freely. Have a Sunday night watching party (it's on PBS  stations at nine on that day) with what else rum and  Cornish pasties. If you're in the New York City area you can buy this last  from the famed Myers of Keswick on Hudson Street. If not it's a simple recipe  of  pastry filled with any kind of chopped meat, usually beef mixed with  potatoes. . You can also make a stargazey pie, a seafood variation of shepherd's pie, toppedwith pilchards staring up at the sky, hence the name,. Have a dessert of blackberries and clotted cream. Both are as Cornish as the  region's broad accent and tin mines.

Of course you can look to America for  theme ideas. Have a Saturday night hoedown, complete with  barbecue, Coca Cola cake and a variety of mayo based salads. Guests can also bring their own favorite picnic dishes  for a down home pot luck get together. New England clambakes are another great way of celebrating.It's  not only clams but also lobster and clams along with mussels steamed on rockweed or seaweed.  True clambakes also have sausages and corn on the cob. Other sides are potatoes, carrots and onions. Remember to include a coffee pot full of melted butter for the seafood  and veggies. A similar shindig is the Wisconsin fish boil. This is a tad more laborious than a clambake but it's essentially any white fish cooked with onions and  potatoes in  heavily salted water. The fish oil floats to the top where it's set aflame similar to crepes Suzette. Melted butter is dribbled on the fish and veggies afterward. It is usually served with cole slaw followed by cherry or blueberry pie.If this is too much then think  drive in  movie. Invite friends over to see a classic or celebrate a birthday with a favorite flick.  Have dogs and burgers along with butter drenched popcorn and malteds (you can make this last a bit naughty by adding a shot of vodka, or bourbon). Have boxes of Juniors Mints Red Vines and Good N Plenty for dessert.

It's summer! Celebrate with parties, full of good fun and good food! Try an English tea or a New England clambake  - whatever you want  for a warm weather get together!

Dad's Day Homemade Treats

It's usuall mom who gets the home cooked and baked meals and treats for Mother's Day . Dad usually gets the burger or the dog from off the grill.However he probably  yearns for a something fresh from the oven or something more substantial  than just a barbecue quick cook. Give him something fun and different - gifts that are both thoughtful and tasty.

Father's Day is all about the barbecue. Surprise Dad with fun kabobs such as spiced lamb ,interspersed with cherry  tomatoes and onions or a shrimp combined with red and green peppers.Instead of chopped meat , splurge and get him filet mignon .It is amazing on the grill just lightly seasoned. and served with a simple salad. If the sire still wants dogs then think the tastier bratwurst .It's flavor is perfection when  it's grilled  and it can be served plain or with cheese. Another great homemade gift is chili. This can be made either very mild or very hot , with beef for the real deal or turkey for a healthier , lower calorie treat. Soy crumbles can be subbed in for an even more healthier spin along with more beans and tomatoes. A real Father's Day treat is lobster and nothing beats a steamed one complete with butter and lemon.A fun idea is getting fresh lobster and steaming it , whether on the stove or on the grill . Make sure that there is plenty of butter and Wet Wipes for dad too. He may also want comfort food too. Think about an old fashioned Sunday dinner complete with meat loaf, gravy and mashed potatoes or spaghetti and garlic bread.

These meals have to have a sweet ending. Nothing beats a  homemade chocolate cake. Make it more interesting by adding stout which pairs well with the flavor. Guinness works the best for this because of its' richness and complexity. Frost with a buttery rich homemade chocolate fudge for added decadence. This recipe can be made for cupcakes too.Another dessert sure to win over his sweet tooth is bourbon  pecan pie. This is the classic Southern recipe with the  addition of bourbon. Only a splash of it is used to cut the pies' uber sweet taste. Another boozy baking idea are beer cookies.Use a wiessbeer or light colored one to make a variation on English shortbread.The best gift is chocolate or maple dipped bacon.It's a fun combination of super salty married with super sweet along with the flavor of pork. It's easy to do, especially when you use the microwave for both the meat and dip. For the maple bacon, liberally brush maple syrup on both sides of the individual slices  and then cook up. If the day is nothing but outdoor eating then finish it with s'mores or better yet bacon s'mores.Add a small square of it on top of the toasted marshmallow for a salty, squishy fun time.

Treat the dad in your life to something homemade and tasty. He'll appreciate the work and the effort along with the love that goes into it. It'll be a memorable Father's Day, for both him and his appetite.

Last Minute Foodie Dad Gifts

Father's Day is a time to celebrate dad and thank him for the traits and good genetics he's passed down . If he's a foodie father, then he gifted you again with a love for the exotic as well as a taste of fine wine and food. Celebrate that gift with some interesting treats and gadgets' he's sure to love. Best of all because its' late in the game, they can be picked up anywhere.

It goes without saying that all men love their grilling and barbecues. get him some interesting rubs and marinades.Many gourmet food stores offer some tasty dry rubs.. They can also be found in the spice  and seasoning section of your local supermarket. If you're creative you can make your own.Just remember to use a higher ratio of salt to sugar. Then add fresh ground pepper, white or black .If  dad likes heat then add a pinch of cayenne or chile for fire. From there , add any herbs he's partial to and mix well. Pour into a fancy jar or bottle. Barbecue sauce is a must for the Papa Bear who loves his ribs and steaks. Williams and Sonoma carries a variety ranging from a bourbon laced one to  one with a good dollop of maple syrup to it.This can also be a great gift for vegan fathers too. After all there are soy burgers and dogs as well as steaks.If Dad is a candy fiend, then think about a gift from Rocky Mountain Chocolates or Getrude Hawk. The last has a bucket full of dad -centric treats from cookies to nuts to their famed mini Smidgens. Of course if you're the New York  area, buy dad the classic Fudgie The Whale from Carvel Ice Cream..This is a  vanilla ice cream cake with a crunchy cookie filling  and a lush cream icing that's been a Father's Day gift for the last fifty years..


Foodie dads also love gadgets. One of the best is the sous vide oven, It;s a fancier version of the pressure cooker and perfect for those gourmet fathers who want to try their hand at something different. Jerky lovers would love to wake up to a meat dehydrator on their day. The price ranges goes from an affordable sixty dollars to the deluxe five hundred dollar Excalibur. If dad loves his ball park foods there is the hot dog and bun steamer and warmer. What would go with it ? A beer brewing kit. For the more sophisticated pop think about a wine making kit along with wine glasses and glass tags. If you want dad to have a healthier diet , surprise him with  a juicer. Juicers can be found everywhere, from Sur La Table to Target and are great in making everything from fruit and veggie combos to orange juice. Another healthy gift is a vegetable steamer. It's perfect for steaming the upcoming harvests of tomatoes and zucchini. Throw in a rice cooker for cooking up  nutritious sides of brown and wild rice. If your father is heavily into dessert  then think of getting him a chocolate fountain . Its a fun surprise that can be used for all sorts of parties and holidays. Of course a cookbook goes a long way, There is Eat Like A Thug by Thug Kitchen and Man Kitchen by Joe Madden.

Be creative and fun this Father's Day, Treat your foodie dad to something yummy or innovative. Give him a gift that will surely be memorable.

Ricotta in The Summer

Ricotta is always associated with the winter dishes from dense lasagnas and manicotti to heavy cheesecakes. However ,it can also be used in very light and airy summer dishes too from simple pasta dishes to desserts. It's a great addition to a warm weather diet.

David Tanis knows this and wrote about it in his A City Kitchen Column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. He was also lucky to visit a sheep dairy on a recent trip to Sicily. Twice daily about five hundred sheep are milked which produces a normal one hundred gallons of milk into a large vat. After the cheese curds are ready and scooped into molds, the remaining whey , a thin watery looking liquid - is then poured into a huge kettle. It then takes an old school method, namely a wood fire to cook it. When the whey reaches the right temperature ricotta is formed , floating to the surface. This earns its' name ricotta or twice cooked This is not the usual stuff that supermarkets sell,this is the gourmet version. According to Mr. Tanis, sheep ricotta, like Greek yogurt is much lighter and also less in calories. Cheese shops and Italian import stores sell it. it has to be bought when fresh and only has a two day shelf life. You can use cow's milk ricotta but again, get  the artisanal kind, not the mass produced version.

Ricotta can be turned into both savory and sweet dishes. Mr. Tanis suggests using it for the traditional lasagna and ravioli but also as an ingredient for gnocchi.It is best in a light pasta dish. This is his recipe : Use any pasta  and while it is boiling,  soften a diced onion in olive oil.  Add chopped zucchini (or peas, or split cherry tomatoes) and let it soften as well. When the pasta is al dente, it joins the zucchini in the pan, followed by a good dollop of ricotta and a splash of the pasta’s cooking water. The ricotta melts to a creamy blanket  and a handful of grated pecorino or Parmesan brings it all together. A touch of lemon zest and a spoonful of basil pesto can also be tossed in for zing and color but that's up to you. A summery dessert is taking the same ricotta and mixing it with the berries of the season, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, along with three to four tablespoons of honey. Add a small splash of vanilla and lemon for more flavor. It can also be made into a creamy gelato as well and a different variation on ice pops.

Ricotta is not that heavy winter ingredient. It can be light and fresh and used in a variety of warm weather dishes. Try it in a summery pasta or dessert and taste its' delicate flavor.

The Dates Of Ramadan

Ramadan starts tonight and with it  both fasting and feasting. The feasting comes early in the morning and late at night. Dates play an important part in both meals. They not only serve as nutrition but also are part of a tradition that goes back centuries. They can be made into both sweet and savory dishes, beloved by all.

Julia Moskin explored this in her article in today's New York Times Food section. Muslims do not eat during the day when they observe Ramadan. Eating occurs either during the predawn suhoor and the sundown meal, iftar. Dates figure prominently in the meals, since the Prophet Mohammed himself broke the fast with dates and water. The fruit proves a quick pop of energy after fasting. They have been grown in the Middle East for millennia. They are mentioned often in the Quran and the Bible along with ancient Assyrian and Sumerian texts. Surprisingly, they belong to the same botanical family as grasses and not fruits. This explains why they have more in commons with grains than with bananas, apples, or grapes. They contain potassium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Dates are a dietary staple. They've been grown here in the States for the last century.The Agricultural Department wanted to transform the southwest's arid fields into lush gardens and the date palm perfectly fit that description. They thrive in California's Coachella Valley  (yes, that Coachella, where the music fest takes pace) and Yuma , Arizona. sales are good, thanks to a growing Arab population in Southern California and people discovering the fruit's health benefits.

Ms. Moskin has discovered that a date is not just a date. There are several different types. One of the most popular is the barhi date, liked because it can also be eaten in its' yellow, unripe stage. Unlike its' riper , sweeter self, or called tamar, this young fruit has a touch of astringency like a tart grape or crisp apple, making it perfect for balancing rich and savory dishes. There are actually three different types of dates: soft which covers the types. the barhi,halawi,khadrawi and medjool, semi hard which has the deglet noor,dayri, amaray and zahidi and dry like the thoori.. Flavors also vary as well. Some could taste like rich molasses  while others have a light butterscotch flavor. There are dates that even are reminiscent of cognac and burnt caramel. Dishes vary as well. There is savory chicken roast chicken ,redolent of the fruit along with couscous and buttered almonds. Medjool dates are added to a freekah or wheat berry side dish that also has carrots. The same dates can also be whipped up into a tasty side or dessert with crème fraiche,almonds, walnuts or pecans and pistachios. Many Iranians transform the dates into an elaborate dessert for Eid ad-Fitr, a great feast on the first night of the month that follows Ramadan.It is a traditional date cake, cooked with cinnamon and cardamom and then layered with  walnuts.

Dates are an important part of Ramadan and Eid-ad_Fitr. They connect generations and dishes, from savory to sweet. Try them as part of the ritual or t enjoy their many health benefits.