Spring in Central Park

After a long, harsh winter, as is the case in so much of the country, it's exhilarating to see the first sign of Spring. Growing up, I didn't love Spring that much. It usually didn't last very long and it was just a waiting game between the last of the snow melting and summer starting... But Spring in New York City is different. It lasts just a little bit longer, and the flowering trees all over the city and especially in Central Park are breathtaking. 

If you are visiting New York City, you must visit Central Park in the next week or two. Or if you live in the city and don't get out to the park much (like those living downtown), it's worth the trip! The reservoir in the middle of the park is surrounded by an arching pathway of magnificent cherry blossoms and in other parts of the park, you can find magnolia trees, tulips, lilies of the valley, daffodils, violets, forsythia and bunches of wisteria hanging from the pergolas... 

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks as the weather has gotten warmer, flowers have bloomed and trees have begin to bud.

 Sheep Meadow

Cherry Blossoms along the running path around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Magnolia tree

A duck pair taking a nap

Forsythia near a bridge

Tulips outside my apartment building

Pó - Italian restaurant in the West Village

One of my favorite Italian restaurants is Pó. I tend to order only pasta at Italian restaurants because that's what they do best! Po' has a few staples, such as white bean ravioli and orecchiette with sweet sausage ragu and broccoli rabe, that stay on the menu year-round. Otherwise, the menu changes by season. Currently for Spring, they are serving seasonal pastas including the two I tried this week: pappardelle with green peas, red onion and mint and gnocchi with rabbit ragu (pictured below). Simply divine! The pappardelle especially could be the best pasta I've had in the city. Fresh spring peas are my favorite vegetable! I simply couldn't get enough. 

Pó was originally opened by Mario Batali. It's a wonderful place -- small, bustling, a great place for a date with great ambience.

Pó

31 Cornelia Street between Bleecker St and 6th Avenue

New York, NY 10014

212-645-2189

www.porestaurant.com

Pappardelle with green peas, red onion and mint

Gnocchi (made fresh daily) with rabbit ragu

What to do in Vermont

A typical Vermont landscape during the Fall is simple yet breathtaking: a tall white steeple, rising up from a small quaint town set against the backdrop of rolling hills vibrant with deep red, orange and yellow foliage. It's the perfect time of year for long drives through the countryside, visiting local farmer's markets, picking apples, going on scenic mountain hikes.

In winter, snow blankets those same gently rolling hills and Vermont turns into a white wonderland. Whether you like to downhill ski or cross-country ski, there are plenty of trails and  resorts for every type of skier. 

And when the weather warms, the river levels rise, the pastures and trees turn green but no matter which season you visit, there is always plenty to do and the state is home to some of the country's best farm-to-table restaurants. Vermont is within driving distance of New York (4-6 hours) and Boston (3-4 hours) and biggest city to fly into is the capital of Burlington. If you fly, rent a car as everything in Vermont is relatively far apart in between towns. Thankfully, it's one of the more beautiful places in America with gorgeous scenic routes (even the highways!), hardly a billboard in the entire state, and fast food joints are far and few. 

Here are my top recommendations. Stowe as you will notice is by far my favorite!!

In or around Stowe

Stowe Ski Resort Great for families but with enough challenging runs for the more advanced skiers/boarders. The new (opened in 2008) luxury Stowe Mountain Lodge is very on par with ski lodges out West. Year round outdoor pool, top notch spa, gorgeous lobby, spacious rooms, great restaurants. Located at the new Spruce Peak base area. 

• Check out the Spruce Base Lodge for lunch -- not your ordinary cafeteria with gourmet pub food, pasta, salad, sandwich stations. 
• Apres-ski MUST: Grab a beer around 3-4 pm at the old Mansfield Lodge (old school lodge with old fireplace) at the Mansfield base that hosts live music and fun giveaways. 
• Great fall hike: Sterling Lake -- trail starts at the base of Smuggler's Notch

Stowe Mountain Resort 

781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT

(802) 253-3000
www.stowe.com

Stowe Mountain Lodge

7412 Mountain Road

(802) 253-3560
www.stowemountainlodge.com

Harvest Market In my opinion, by far, the best fresh bread I've had!! You can watch the bakers make it right there in front of you, pulling the bread straight out of these old ovens and onto the cooling rack. Great place to stop by for coffee and bread before your day out in the outdoors. Also, stocked full of gourmet foods such as crackers, jams, pastas, sauces, etc.

1031 Mountain Road

(802) 253-3800 
www.harvestatstowe.com

Hen of the Wood Located at the 19th century Grist Mill about a 20 minute drive from the ski resort, right near the exit onto 1-89. Extensive wine list, wonderful artisan cheese menu and of course, part of the Fresh Network serving local, seasonal dishes. Ambiance is wonderful, the food the best in Stowe area by far, and the restaurant is very interesting with much of the old mill in tact including the larger party seating that's sunken into the floor where it used to hold feed for animals.

92 Stowe Street

Waterbury, VT 

(802) 244-7300
www.henofthewood.com

Michael's on the Hill Another amazing restaurant located about 15 minutes from the ski resort.

4182 Waterbury-Stowe Road; Route 100 N
Waterbury Center, VT
(802) 244-7476
www.michaelsonthehill.com

Trapp Family Lodge For those of you that love the movie Sound of Music, this is the story of the Trapp family after their escape from Austria. After several years of traveling around the world as a singing troupe, they settled down in Stowe - of all places. Maria and Captain Von Trapp's grandchildren now run the resort. There is an extensive 60-mile network of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. They also organize back country skiing, have tons of family activities and feature an Austrian cuisine restaurant. My favorite activity is a relatively challenging trail to Slayton Pasture Cabin, a small cabin in the woods that you can only get to by skis or snowshoes. The cabin serves hot drinks, soups, and sandwiches that you can eat inside near the huge historic fireplace or outside on the deck overlooking the woods. 

700 Trapp Hill Road

(802) 253-8511

www.trappfamily.com

Barnard

Twin Farms An exclusive, all-inclusive private inn set on the former land of the ski hill Sonnenburg.  Meals are made with top-quality, fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented, and paired with exquisite wines from their cellar. There is no menu, you let the staff know ahead of time of food allergies and dislikes and the chefs bring out the day's dishes. The property is gorgeous. There are hiking and walking trails. The inn also has a no-kids policy, which actually forces parents to enjoy a real getaway.

(800) 894-6327

www.twinfarms.com

Grafton

The Old Tavern

92 Main Street

(802) 843-2231

www.old-tavern.com

Newfane

Four Columns Inn

21 West Street
(802) 365-7713

www.fourcolumnsinn.com

Quechee

Simon Pearce Simon Pearce is world renown for his beautiful handmade glass and pottery and it's here in Quechee where he opened up his first glass-blowing workshop in the United States. Simon was born and trained in Ireland and opened up his first workshop in Kilkenny, Ireland. In 1981, he came to Vermont and restored a historic mill which is now the location for the workshop, gallery and restaurant (part of the Vermont Fresh Network). It's a great place to stop in for an early dinner on your drive back to Boston/NYC. The glass and pottery is for the most part very expensive, but make for wonderfully one-of-a-kind gifts.

1760 Quechee Main Street

(802) 295-1470

www.simonpearce.com

Richmond

Kitchen Table Bistro Yet another delectable member of the Fresh Network and less than 20 minutes west of Burlington directly off I-89. 

1840 West Main Street
(802) 434-8686

kitchentablebistro.com

In and around Warren

Sugarbush Ski Resort Another very family-friendly ski resort with plenty of great trails for intermediate and advanced skiers. It's more isolated than Stowe in that it only has a small mountain base with a few restaurants/pubs and shops but not located in a village. 

1840 Sugarbush Access Road

(800) 53-SUGAR

www.sugarbush.com

Pitcher Inn - Great stop on the scenic Route 100.

275 Main Street

(802) 496-6350

www.pitcherinn.com

Woodstock, VT

One of the most charming Vermont towns full of antique shops. Stay at the famous Woodstock Inn & Resort.

Fourteen The Green

(802) 457-1100

www.woodstockinn.com

Photo by www.woodstockinn.com

Recipe for Basic Crepes

Crêpes may be one of the easiest recipes to make that is both impressive and a huge crowd-pleaser. Kids LOVE crêpes! I grew up on them and with four kids in the house, my mother couldn’t make them fast enough! Each time she placed one on the counter, it would disappear! They are great for breakfast or even dinner.

You can make a sweet crepe by filling it with fresh cut-up fruit (such as strawberries, peaches, bananas, blueberries), strawberry or raspberry preserves, Nutella, lemon and sugar, butter and sugar. I like to top it off with some whipped cream or powdered sugar. 

For savory crepes try: sautéed spinach, goat cheese and mushrooms; ham, tomatoes and cheddar cheese; prosciutto, mozzarella, basil and tomatoes; smoked turkey with shredded Swiss cheese; eggs, bacon, and tomatoes.

The recipe is very simple. You can make them on a regular pan but it’s worth buying a non-stick crepe pan (or two to use at the same time for efficiency!), which is flat and shallow, making it easy to create a beautiful smooth crepe. You can get one for as little as $20 at Sur La Table for the 9.5". If you’re making for a big crowd, serve them in a stack with a buffet of fillings set out so that each person can make their own.

Ingredients:

3 large eggs

2¼ cups milk, cold

1¾ cups all-purpose flour (or whole-wheat)

½ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (I don't use extra for the pan like other recipes may call for)

Makes about 16 crepes using a 10" pan.

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well with a whisk until the batter is smooth. You can also use a blender or food processor but I find that it’s just as easy by hand.

You’re supposed to refrigerate for at least an hour, preferably two, and up to 24 hours. I am usually pressed for time, so I do it for about 15-30 minutes and they turn out great. After chilling, mix well again before cooking.

Heat the pan over medium-high heat until hot but do not let the pan get TOO hot.

With a ladle, pour about 3-5 tablespoons of batter (depending on the size of the pan) into the middle of the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan to lightly cover the entire surface. It takes about a minute to cook on one side. Then you'll notice the crêpe start to loosen a little, edges will curl a little and the bottom side will be golden brown. To flip, loosen the edges with a spatula and then either flip it with the spatula, or just flip using the pan (to look MOST impressive for your guests!). Cook on other side for about 30 seconds (or more if you like them darker, crispier), move the crêpe to a plate and cover. Don't worry if your first one doesn't come out, it usually doesn't.

Enjoy. 

TIP: Never wash a crêpe pan in the dishwasher. You can wash by hand but best is to simply wipe it clean with a dry paper towel.

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank, CT

Road trips can be amazing experiences. I love pretty much everything about them. The interesting local sites, fights for control of the music (or succumbing to the local country station), and the unique conversations that develop when you're sitting in a small confined place for hours with friends, family, sometimes people you only just met.

One of my only gripes about road trips is the lack of good, tasty and healthy (or at least healthier!) food options easily available on the road. Or so I thought... Why settle for the drive-thru when there are tons of amazing little spots within minutes off the highway? It's sometimes as much about the journey as the destination itself...

On a recent trip to Nantucket, my friend (whose family lives nearby in Mystic, CT) directed us 7 minutes off Highway 95 to Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank, CT -- a hidden gem located about midway between New York City and Hyannis Port, MA (where you take the ferry or plane to Nantucket). And the dining setting is absolutely beautiful -- a quintessential New England fishing village right on the bay!

The menu consists mostly of seafood -- whole lobster dinners, steamed clams, steamed mussels, lobster bisque, clam chowder, crab cakes, oysters, and more. But the best thing is their "Famous Hot Lobster Roll." It's a quarter pound of pure fresh lobster meat mounted on a toasted and buttered bun. No gobs of mayo to hide the taste of the delicious lobster. One of the best lobster rolls I've had in a while!

And the decor is simple -- you order outside, and you can either sit inside or at bare picnic tables outside right on the water. Open daily noon to 9 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.

For non-seafood lovers, there are a few options: mac & cheese, grilled cheese, oven roasted half chicken. 

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough

117 Pearl Street
Noank, CT 06340
Phone: 860-536-7719

www.abbotts-lobster.com

Recipe for Farmer's Cheese Spread

I love all things dairy -- so it's no surprise that I think farmer's cheese is one of the most delicious things ever! And it seems not that many people know about it. It's similar to cottage cheese but has a thicker/smoother consistency. And compared to cream cheese, it has less fat, less calories, less carbs (actually 0) and more protein per serving.

Here's my recipe for farmer's cheese with radishes and green onions. It's a great recipe for breakfast -- and not only tasty but really healthy! You can eat it on its own (the way I like it), or on bread, crackerbread, a bagel, or with crackers. And you can add more or less radishes and green onions based on your taste.

I've included a picture of the Friendship farmer's cheese I buy. It's in the dairy section near the cottage cheese and sour cream but often times a little hard to find. Better to get the version without salt.

Agnes' Farmer's Cheese
Serves 6 
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
2 packages of farmer's cheese (15 ounces)
6 large radishes, grated (or 8 smaller radishes)
4 heaping Tablespoons green onions (or chives), chopped
2 Tablespoons of sour cream (or 3 for a creamier spread)
Salt  

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix the farmer's cheese with the sour cream and add salt to taste (I add about 1/4 teaspoon).

Add the grated radishes, chopped green onions (or chives) and mix until it's a creamy spread. 

Serve in a bowl garnished with some chopped green onion.

A Visit to Bedford Post Inn

Upstate New York is a beautiful land of working farms, horse ranches, small towns and narrow, winding roads.

Nestled in the side of a hill in Bedford, about an hour’s drive north from Manhattan, lies the quaint Bedford Post Inn, owned by Richard Gere and his wife Carey Lowell. The eight-room eco-friendly inn includes a casual dining restaurant called the Barn, a bakery, a more formal space known as the Farmhouse, and a gorgeous yoga studio.

As you pull up to the property on the gravel driveway, you first come up to the Barn, which is partially hidden behind tall shrubs. There is a patio with outdoor seating and overhead, a pergola with vines climbing up and slowly taking over.

(Logo courtesy of www.bedfordpostinn.com)

The delicious contemporary American menu is full of seasonal, fresh farm fare – eggs, produce, beef, chicken – and the bread, desserts and pastries are made on location in the bakery. Guest favorites are the Banana Pancake and the Eggs Benedict. On the day I visited, there was also a special of Shrimp and Grits (pictured below).

Next door to the Barn is the yoga studio, which has classes daily in the mornings. The studio is a yogi dream: beautiful, dark hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light.

And finally, there is the inn. On the first floor, there is the simple, unpretentious yet elegant dining room decorated in subdued neutrals and a tiny bar with a cozy sitting room. The guest rooms are on the second floor and the wine cellar in the basement.

The Bedford Post Inn is definitely worth a visit – inviting dining areas with delicious farm-to-table cuisine and well-maintained grounds. Perfect for a romantic getaway, a small brunch/dinner party or a special occasion. 

Visit  www.bedfordpostinn.com for more information. Reservations for brunch and dinner are strongly recommended; reservations for yoga classes are accepted but not necessary. 
  
Bedford Post Inn

954 Old Post Road
Bedford, NY
914-234-7800

Great brunch spots in NYC

In my opinion, brunch may be the perfect meal. It’s the only meal where you can have pretty much anything off the menu. Sweet or savory. Omelet or hamburger. French toast or salad. Granola or pasta. Plus, brunch makes it socially acceptable to have a cocktail before noon! Really, who doesn’t love brunch?


Now that summer is almost here and it’s warmer outside, the sidewalk cafés in New York City are set up and full of brunchers chatting, tossing back mimosas, and people watching.


Brunch is an event in NYC. In fact it's a verb: brunching. And sometimes it takes all day. There are lots of great places in the city but here are just a few of my favorites.


Public in Nolita (210 Elizabeth between Prince and Spring): a GREAT brunch scene and a beautiful restaurant where all of the décor has been taken from places like libraries, warehouses, schools. Entrees include Coconut Pancakes and Grilled Venison Burger. http://public-nyc.com

(Photos of food courtesy of www.public-nyc.com)

Market Table in the West Village (54 Carmine Street at Bedford Street): Opened by executive chefs Mikey Price and Joey Campanaro (both from Little Owl), this beautiful and simple restaurant features equally beautiful and simple entrees made of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Occasional elbow-rubbing with celebrities (literally as the tables are placed close to one another). http://www.markettablenyc.com/

 (Inside Market Table)

Bar Boulud on the Upper West Side (1900 Broadway at 64^th Street): Daniel Boulud’s more casual (and affordable) restaurant that features a lovely, tasty French menu like Croque Monsieur, Eggs Florentine and “Cuisse de Canard” – duck confit, potato and onion hash, soft boiled egg and watercress. Great wine menu as well. http://www.barboulud.com


Extra Virgin in the West Village (259 W. 4^th Street between Perry and Charles): great people watching and the Banana French Toast with caramelized bananas and whipped mascarpone is to-die-for! Go early and worth the wait for an outdoor table. http://www.extravirginrestaurant.com/

 (Outdoor tables at Extra Virgin)

Freeman’s on the Lower East Side (Freeman Alley off Rivington between Bowery and Chrystie Streets): tucked away at the end of an alley, a bustling rustic restaurant with taxidermy as décor (very cool and interesting!). Plus great Bloody Marys and delicious food, like Smoked Trout or Asparagus, Cauliflower, Leek Hash, that focuses on wild game, sustainable seafood and local produce. http://freemansrestaurant.com/ 

 (photos of food, drink, inside courtesy of freemansrestaurant.com)

Prune in the East Village (54 E. 1^st Street between 1^st and 2^nd Avenues): good, innovative food like Sausages & Oysters, Egg “En Concotte” (coddled egg with savory chicken) and Dutch Style Pancake. http://www.prunerestaurant.com 

Felix in SoHo (340 340 W. Broadway at Grand Street): an (all-day) experience in itself. Food is OK but the scene is unique! A mix of French transplants, Euros, and local New Yorkers. All socializing loudly and drinking heavily until the early evening when they clear the tables and start the dancing! A great place to watch soccer too! http://felixnyc.com

Bar Marche in Nolita (14 Spring at Elizabeth Street): fun, cute little spot that is reasonably priced – all entrees are under $15.  http://barmarche.com

Tell me: What's your favorite brunch spot??