Home Style Con Carne

There's nothing more comforting than pasta and homemade meat sauce on a snowy wintery day. This recipe comes from my family in Italy and was passed on to me by my dad. We have been making this meat sauce for my entire life so it's nostalgic to make it here in New York. I'm using a really nice fresh egg pasta from the Italian shop inside Chelsea Market and paired it with a decent Grenache (that my wine guy recommended). I enjoy making this dish for friends so I'm finally buying a dinning table so that I can share the love before the winter is over. Amici, mangiamo!

Weather Up

Weather Up, a cute bar inTribeca, is cozy and perfect on a cold New York night. The chef from No.7 restaurant in Fort Greene is behind this little gem. It's a nice little spot to stop in to have a few unusual bites and great cocktails. I was there for a holiday party and was really impressed with both their bar snacks and cocktails. I might have just gotten lucky with a great bartender but he was very sensitive to my likes and dislikes and concocted me some wonderful drinks that sent me happily floating home...

Weather Up
159 Duane St (nr. West Broadway)
New York, NY

Post Holiday Detox

The Christmas holidays chez moi in Vancouver is full of food. From the amazing home cooked Italian meals to the endless amount of amazing asian food, it's a foodie paradise. I can't even imagine how much Italian salami and prosciutto I must have consumed in these last two weeks, never mind all the pasta... and my dad's special homemade pizza... and all the wine to go with it! It was great but also heavy on the body.

I returned to New York feeling like a detox was in order. A 2-day juice cleanse from Juice Press seems the friendliest on the bank and I've always loved their juices and appreciated their overall style. Although the packaging is hideous, lacking even the simplest sense of design, their product is solid. I'm on the last leg on my 2 days and it's Friday night which is dangerous because I'm feeling hungry and thirsty for a cocktail. Hopefully I can restrain until tomorrow morning when I plan to indulge gently in a very satisfying Morrocan brunch at the usual spot, Café Mogador.

Whistler Special: Life in The Village

One of my favourite spots in Whistler is Sushi Village. It's a kind of tradition to go there year after year. It's good sushi at a good price, which is actually the norm for sushi in Vancouver. We actually ate both nights there after waiting over an hour each time. It's always worth it though. I miss it already...

Vancouver Special: This Is Pho Real

When I fly into Vancouver, I usually head straight to Au Petit Café to eat my favourite soup in the city. The lemongrass chicken soup is to die for. My parents are even super into it.. here they are devouring their pho. They always find it funny that we're the only non-asian people in there :) Also their spring rolls are amazing!