Gotham Gal

MOUSE

Last night we celebrated the 10th anniversary of MOUSE.  It was truly a momentous occasion.  There are so many things that I love about this organization.   First and foremost they have created opportunities for so many students that they might not have had.  Opportunities to be leaders in their own community by being the "go to" people in their school as the tech squad.  Groups of kids around the city in over 150 schools (HS and MS) are the IT people for their school.   The soft skills they learn are the most important.  How to work in a group, how to lead, how to manage time, etc.  These skills make each and every student take on the world differently from that day on. 

The other thing that is truly remarkable is how far MOUSE has come.  All the dreams and visions we had for MOUSE from the onset have actually come to fruition.  MOUSE is now in 26 countries, 6 states, over 150 schools in NYC (300 next year).  We wanted to be able to create something tangible that could be packed and replicated in any school.  We did that.  MOUSE squad can be used in Middle Schools and High Schools through out the country and quite frankly through out the world. 

It feels good.  Congratulations to MOUSE.  Spread the word.  Very few organizations, non-profit or profit have accomplished what this group has.  Not a big black hole but a growing, profitable, changing the world one kid at a time organization.  Bravo!

What I love about NYC

Yesterday I had to go uptown to run an errand.  I had a credit at Takashimaya that was only going to be good for another few days. 

I jumped on the E and went up there.  Takashimaya has gone downhill.  I am so disappointed in their renovations and the merchandise in the store.  It wasn't so easy to use up the credit but it didn't take long so I walked over to the MOMA. 

At the MOMA I checked out the Seurat drawings which were good but not great.  Impressive work, obviously and an incredibly prolific artist who unfortunately died at an early age but not my cup of tea.  I swept through the photo exhibit too.   

Still, with time to kill, I took the E back downtown to get some tights in my neighborhood.  Did a little looking around, picked up a sweater too.

Walked home, made dinner and then left instructions because I had a board meeting to go to last night. 

What I loved about the day is that none of this was planned.  I just walked out of my door to run some errands and ended up seeing an art exhibit in between.  One of the many things I so love about NYC.

Curbed, Eater and Racked

I have been reading Curbed from the very beginning.  Loved the concept.  Then came Eater.  Loved that too.  If you are a foodie, it is a "must read", and then there is Racked which is all about shopping.  Now they have branched out to LA and SF.  All easy to access to on the top page of any of these sites. 

I am thrilled to be an angel investor in Curbed (the umbrella of the entire organization).  As a reader of blogs and watching the industry from my small bird's eye seat, I have found these sites to be exactly what I am looking for.  Quick, easy, must know information. 

I am looking forward to being part of their growth.  I have asked friends to read all of the sites and am interested in their comments.  Feel free to look and make comments yourself on this post. 

Thanks for Curbed for letting me be part of the team. 

Chicken Miso Stew

This is really delicious and a change from the normal French stew that calls my name every time the weather gets cool.

16 chicken thighs ( I used 8 legs and 8 thighs)
1/2 cup dried wood ear mushrooms (used black trumpet and porcini instead)
4 cup chicken stock
2 burdock root 9 -inch stalks (also called gobo) Found this at an Asian supermarket
1 tsp. white vinegar
2 large onions coarsely chopped
1 lb. fresh shitake mushrooms quartered with out stems
3 T. finely chopped ginger
1 cup mirin
1 cup white miso
1/2 cup soy sauce

Preheat the oven to 500.  Roast the chicken pieces, skin side up on a cookie sheet for about 40 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.

In the meantime, soak the dried mushrooms in 4 cups of warm water until softened.  About 15 minutes, drain in sieve squeezing out the excess water.

Transfer the chicken to a bowl (when roasted) and pour the pan juices through fine mesh sieve and let stand until the fat rises to the top.  Then take off the fat and add in another chicken broth to get to 4 cups.

Reduce the oven to 300.

Peel the burdock and if the pieces are smaller than an inch in thickness, just cut into one inch pieces.  Otherwise, cut lengthwise and then cut into pieces.  Soak in 2 cups of water and 1 tsp. white vinegar.  This could probably be eliminated but if you can find burdock, use it.  It is standard at any Asian market. 

In a large dutch oven (7-8 quarts) cover the bottom with canola oil and heat up.  Add in the onions and saute until soft and beginning to brown.  Then add in the ginger and shitakes and stir for another 4-5 minutes. 
Add in the mirin and bring to a boil scraping up the brown bits from the bottom.  Stir in the miso, soy sauce, dried mushrooms (now soft), burdock (drained), chicken, stock mixture (4 cups) and another four cups of water.

Bring to a boil.  Cover the pot.  Put in the oven for about an hour.

Serve.  I actually let this sit on the stove for about an hour before serving and it was perfect.  Served with a long grain rice or sushi rice.

Pumpkins and Seeds

I love Halloween.  Getting the pumpkins.  Carving them up.  Roasting the pumpkin seeds.  All smells like Autumn. 

This year I made the pumpkin seeds a bit different.  I used olive oil, kosher salt, 1/2 cup raw sugar, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper and an egg white.  Not sure you need the egg white when you have the olive oil but I used them both.  Really mix up the pumpkin seeds so they are thoroughly covered with the mixture.  Roast at 400 until they are browned, then mix them a little bit more and roast again.  They were a little bit wet when they came out of the oven but I poured them into a bowl and they stuck together as they dried.  Sweet with a little kick.  We gobbled them up.

Anti-War Protest

There was a huge anti-war protest on the streets of NYC today from Union Square down to lower Manhattan.  It is quite amazing that we are in a war that nobody talks about, protests about, we don't see every day and our National budget is being drained over and too many of our young men and women are being killed for.  Enough already. 

Needless to say, the traffic in NYC today was a disaster.  We did some driving running errands because on top of the traffic, it poured.  I like tooling around downtown NYC.  There is so much change going on.  The area of Lafayette between Prince and Houston is exploding, the lower area of Nolita around Mott and Broome is beginning to explode too.  There is a building going up on Hudson and 13th which is going to add to the changes happening in those few blocks.  The new and different shops go into these new areas, the rents rise and then eventually these areas look like a shopping mall like Bleeker Street which had such potential.   Alas, at least there as still some sunny spots on Bleeker.   

Jessica and I were stuck in lots of traffic but got to take in the changes.  Lots going on in NY these days.  It is fun to watch and speculate. 

Papabubble

Papabubble opened up this past week on Mott right off of Broome Street.  The owners started a store called Sugar in Melbourne, grew it, sold it and moved to Barcelona and began again.  Now, here they are in NYC.

A small store, very sleek and clean with a glass front that makes absolutely beautiful hard candies.  All different flavors from strawberry, kiwi to passion fruit.  Some chocolate filled others not.  The most beautiful candies are the big lollipops. 

Unfortunately they weren't making the candy when we were there but the results are fantastic. 

dell'anima

Last Saturday night, Fred and I walked over to Tavern On Jane for a drink and some appetizers (don't recommend eating there, at all, ever).  Across the way we noticed a brand new restaurant with people flowing out the door.  OK, not getting in there. 

Monday morning, I am at boot camp (that would be 3 years now) and one of the Marines, who happens to be a foodie is yelling out about some restaurant.  Ends up, one of the owners of dell'anima is in my class that morning.  I talked to him afterward.  Restaurant opens up this Wed night.  I got his email and got reservations for Friday night.  A total NY story.

Remember, this restaurant has only been open to the public for two days when we appeared on the scene.  It takes a few weeks for the kinks to be ironed out.  The restaurant is not that big.  Maybe 10 tables at most and a bar around the kitchen and a bar around the bar for eating.  Very snug.  Fortunately and unfortunately, the blogging world and the food industry has changed so dramatically over the past few years that when a new restaurant opens up, the world knows momentarily.  People flock and some places can handle it while others can't.  So in some ways you have to be ready for the public the minute your door opens.  Also, if you are small, you hope for continuity with the locals in the neighborhood but at the onset the place is packed with everybody.  It is a very tricky line to walk on.

The glass front sets the tone.  Modern, simple and low-key.  You can watch the chef's at work.  The ventilation might need a bit of work.  Service is good but not everybody is sure of what the other one is doing yet.  We ordered a bottle of wine and it took awhile.  Many conversations being had before it got to us. 

There are five parts to the menu.  Bruschette, Antipasti and Salad, Pastas, Second courses (main entrees), and side dishes.  Dessert is separate. 

We began with the Bruschette.  Toasted peasant bread served on a plate.  Along side are small round bowls of toppings.  Roasted cauliflower chopped with a hint of lime which was good.  Sultana which is boiled down raisins with honey and vinegar.  This was really delicious and different.  We also went with the white anchovies which was served with small slices of celery.  All good and liked the communal idea. 

For our appetizers we were all over the place which let me taste a lot of different dishes.  Grilled Octopus.  Octopus that has been marinated in a sharp spicy marinade grilled and served with frisee.  Good but a little heavy handed on the salt.  The arugula salad was beautiful.  Lots of baby arugula served with parmigiana-reggiano and lemon.  There was so much lemon in the salad, it tasted like a lemon salad.  Pieces of endive filled with an anchovy citronette and topped with pecorino.  Good but again too heavy handed on the salt.  Roasted beets (not enough beets) served along side a watercress salad and a dollop of a very rich yogurt.  Interesting.  Remember, they just opened up.  I believe as time goes on that the chef will be less heavy handed and more nuanced. 

Main courses were quite good.  Usually I find the appetizers the best part of the meal but not here.  The main courses were quite good.  One of us went with the tagliatelle Alla Bolognese.  Rich and really tasty.  Small portion.  Definitely meant to be eaten before the main course and not as a main course.  If the waiter realizes it is for a main course, then they should up the amount and charge accordingly.  The chicken Diavolo was served with slices of roasted squash.  The chicken had a bit of a bite to it (they used spicy paprika) and was juicy and crisp.  Really nice.  The striped bass was also cooked perfectly.  Served with a rapini puree and broccoli on the side covered with chopped olives. The broccoli was just steamed.  They could come up with something a bit more interesting.  As a whole, we really liked the main courses.

We would have opted for dessert but unfortunately the freezer was broken and there wasn't any.  They plan on serving homemade gelatos and sorbets.  Gives us a reason to go back.

Good not great but again only the third night.  I will return to see how the kitchen has settled in.   

New Pornographers

The latest New Pornographers Cd, Challengers has been playing non-stop in our house since we had access to play it.  Nobody can get enough.  The CD before had some good songs but hit and miss.  This last one was a winner all the way around.  I love the vocals and the strings. 

It was a family affair last night at Webster Hall although you have to be 18 or older to get in.  We talked to the manager and worked it out.  Definitely worth it.  They didn't believe me when I told them Josh was 19.

We are still listening to Challengers this morning. 

Two Movies

I love the movies.  The smell of popcorn is always enticing.  Seeing something up there on the big screen.  I actually do not mind sitting through bad movies but would obviously prefer a good film.  Bad live theater is absolutely worse than bad film. 

Yesterday, I checked out for two films.  It was great.  I saw Lars and the Real Girl at the Angelica at 11:50.  I was one of 3 people in the theater.  Then jumped on my bike and went to see Gone Baby Gone on 3rd and 11th.  Surprisingly, and I say surprisingly because most films these days are mediocre, I really enjoyed both films. 

Ryan Gosling is probably one of the best young actors in Hollywood right now.  He is incredibly talented.  The movie is touching.  A young man buys a real life looking doll on the Internet to be his girlfriend.  The entire town embraces this doll to support what he is going through.  Everybody deals with life situations differently.  He happened to buy a doll to cope.  It an interesting story about life, community and love.  Quirky and thoughtful.

Ben Affleck has found his calling.  Never was too impressed with his acting but his directing is a whole different ball game.  The screenplay is well written (he co-wrote it), the filming completely captures Boston, Casey Affleck is fantastic, the story has twists and turns.  Really well done.  It isn't just about a kid getting kidnapped.  It is also about cops who have lost faith in the system and have taken the game into their own hands.  Searching for the truth is the constant through out the film. The end of the film makes you think about what is right and what is wrong.  Really well done.  Still thinking about it. 

Hoping to see Rendition tomorrow.