Pretense w/ a Payoff

Bohemian doesn't have a website, a sign out front, or disclose their phone number.  It's a perfect storm of hipster hogwash bullshit -- the type of place you'd poke fun at on account of its absurd pretension.  Naturally, I had to experience it for myself.

Bohemian Restaurant
57 Great Jones St
New York, NY 10012

I forget all the hoops I had to jump through to get the contact info, but it involved locating an email address on a bogus website and waiting several weeks for a response.  I finally secured a reservation for last weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised by the laid-back service, lack of pretense and reasonable prices.

Clandestinely located in what was once Andy Warhol's art studio, Bohemian sports a minimalist decor complete w/ full bar and Zen rock garden.  The space seats 24, and is a great atmosphere for parties of 2 - 4.  They have a $55 5-course tasting menu, but I would advise against this option, as two "courses" were veggie fondue and cold cuts.  We ended up ordering a la carte:

Overwhelmed w/ flavor, I stopped snapping pics after the second course.

Short Rib Sashimi
Fried Sweet Potatoes
Uni Croquet
Pan-roasted Whole Branzini (w/ seasonable veg.)
Foie Gras Soba
Dessert Trio (sake panna cotta, triple berry ice cream, and chocolate creme brulee)

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Time to Make the Doughnuts

It's been almost two weeks and my metabolism is still reeling from the unabashed gluttony of the Holidays.  Much was consumed, but nothing more decadent than the "home made" doughnuts we had for dessert on Christmas.

These deep fried Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits taste more like a zeppole or beignet than a doughnut, but they do the trick.  I whipped up some vanilla cream cheese frosting and distributed the sprinkles and cinnamon-sugar liberally.

1 can (7.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 qt canola oil

Frosting

sprinkles

Cinnamon-sugar

• Get the oil up to 375°.

• My fry station consisted of a 12-inch cast iron skillet, a quart of canola oil, and a candy thermometer.  If you don't have a thermometer, you should consider picking one up -- deep fat frying isn't the best time to "wing it".  

• While the oil comes up to temp, crack open a pack of the biscuits and poke a little whole in each one creating the "doughnuts".  Let rest under damp paper towel while you work and fry.

• Fry the doughnuts in batches, making sure to maintain a consistent temperature.  Fry for about 2 minutes each side, or until golden brown and delicious.

• Let the doughnuts cool for a few minutes, then slather with frosting and other other toppings you have on hand.

Enjoy!

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Salumeria Season

Italians are renowned for the culinary contributions, but none is more indulgent than the Holiday antipasto.

"Antipasto" translates to [a meal] "before the meal", and typically consists of cured meats, pickled vegetables and artisanal cheeses.  In many ways, antipasti (plural) is a status symbol for Italian-Americans, with a lavish spread being indicative of property and good financial fortune.  If you have the means, you should purchase your antipasti from a true Italian pork store.  You'll pay a bit more for the premium Italian imports, but the quality is unmatched, so long as you go the right place.  My recommendation for NYC locals is Sorriso's Salumeria located along the outskirts of Astoria, Queens.

Sorriso's Italian Pork Store
44-16 30th Ave
Astoria, NY 11103
718.728.4392

Sorriso's is a family run business (as are most Italian pork stores), and the staff is always well-informed, outgoing and amiable.  I prefer Sorriso's over the competition partly because of the service, but mostly because they stock superior products at more reasonable prices.  I won't knock places like Fiacco's and Eataly in Manhattan, but I also won't waste my money there.

Whether you're stocking up on antipasti for the Holiday, or just want an over-stuffed sandwich, go out of your way to give these guys a shot -- you won't be disappointed.


© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

They Call it Curry Hill...

Kalustyan's is a specialty store w/ a strong concentration in international spices.  While it's great to find garam masala, black rice and gojujang sauce all under the same roof, the real beauty about this place is the hidden deli counter located on the second floor.

Kalustyan's

123 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
USA

Make your way just past the registers on your left as you enter and head upstairs.  The walls are lined w/ exotic tea blends from the world over and the freezers are stocked w/ yummy Middle Eastern delights.

Two very gracious older men run the well provisioned station towards the back.  You can get some meat items, but I'm always drawn to the colorful array of hot vegetable options at the counter.  A large, three item veggie plate runs about $10 and is enough to fill you three times over.  Personal favorites include the butter beans, spinach, stuffed grape leaves and "mujadara" -- a dense rich blend of lentils and rice.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Gobble, Gobble!!

I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. I have to keep it short because there's cooking to be done.  I'll leave you with a few Holiday tips:

Always brine & truss your turkey.  A brined turkey is a moist turkey.  

• If you don't brine your turkey, it will dry out -- there's no two ways about it, sorry.  If you don't have the time or enough room in the fridge, pick up a Kosher turkey -- they're usually treated w/ a brine before they hit the market.  A brined turkey stays moist, has better flavor and cooks in a fraction of the time.

• A trussed (tied) turkey cooks more evenly, on account of the wings and legs being bound close to the body.  In addition to a uniformly cooked bird, it also makes for a nice presentation.  

• Consider roasting your bird over root vegetables, it adds flavor and can serve as a side.

...and remember, if you're gonna drink or do drugs, do it on the Holidays

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Scout's Honor

Scoutmob is a Mobile App that connects you with deep discounts at your favorite local shops and eateries.  If you live in a major metropolitan area, you should absolutely download this app.  You don't have to sign up, log in, or provide an email address to take advantage of the deals.  Better yet, Scoutmob is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry platforms -- you have no excuse to not give it a try.

Well, why don't you?

Most deals are for 50% off whatever product/meal, but they also feature 100% off promotional deals.  That's right, FREE FOOD from iconic NYC snack spots.  In the past month I've scored free Joe's pizza, Mamoun's falafel, and Pommes Frites.

Tonight I am about to enjoy a pumpkin whoopie pie from Billy's Bakery in Chelsea.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Just make sure you visit during an off hour, or you'll end up like these yo-yo's.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Apple Opens New Location in Astoria

I'm not saying I was misinformed, but the grocer could've been a bit more specific when telling me a new apple store was opening next door...

Apple Store
30th Avenue b/w 33rd & 34th Streets

There are a half dozen different types from which to choose, all .79 cents per pound.  They're all pretty crisp and juicy, but my favorite is the Cortland variety.  Cortland apples have sweet white flesh that goes great w/ a gob of peanut butter, they are also ideal for baking:

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com