Smith Canteen: Brooklyn, New York

As I mentioned earlier this week, Katie and I started our Saturday at the Smith Canteen. We were told by friends that this cafe offers specialty baked goods based on a fresh ingredient of the week. That day happened to be freshly picked blueberries from the neighborhood farmer's market. As we contemplated which cafe to go to for breakfast our friend insisted that we go to Smith Canteen and try the homemade blueberry poptart. He would not stop describing it and our mouths started watering. Done and Done. Blueberry poptarts it was and we headed over. My first impression of the cafe was how much it reminded me of the patisseries I frequented in Paris. I loved the vintage floor (possibly original to the building?) and softly decorated atmosphere. The staff was friendly and space tidy.

The focus was on the food and coffee. By the time we finally arrived the poptarts were sold out (get there before 10am!) but the owner/manager suggested the blueberry muffins instead. They were fresh out of the oven, still warm in fact, and had a slight crumb topping that added texture and sweetness but did not over power. They were light, moist, and melted in our mouths. Both of us ate in silence as we devoured every scrumptious morsel.

Although for us the blueberry muffin was the main attraction (read: obssession), the iced coffee is certainly worth noting. The bold, nutty flavor had little bitterness and I used only a touch of cream as not to distract from the flavor of the coffee. A nice change of pace from the free coffee served in the office which requires a large portion of milk to make it drinkable... If you live in Carroll Gardens and are commuting on the F train, you should go here every morning. I would be totally jealous of you and demand that you tweet pictures of your coffee and treats so I could live vicariously!

Weekend Recap and Destination: New York City

This weekend I jumped on the DC to NY bus and for $60 was whisked away to my beloved New York City. Friday started off right with a nap on the bus ride up. As the bus approached the skyline, my heart leapt with excitement and anticipation. Once there I walked the streets to meet the lovely Katie for lunch at Wine on 30. Their menu is light and fresh, perfect for the summer heat. I enjoyed the butter lettuce salad with lemon-mint vinaigrette and Katie had the brie sandwich (noms!). We both paired our meal with the Terra Nova Reserva Sauvignon Blanc. The atmosphere is casual enough for lunch but elegant enough for a lunch with clients.

(A constant layer of sweat covered my skin all weekend. It wasn’t anything a few showers and cold beers couldn’t fix but not preferable. Generally speaking, I would not recommend visiting NYC in late July or August: it’s full of tourists and it’s hot as hell.)

Just like old times I met my buddies out for happy hour at Brother Jimmy’s. If you are from out of town and want to meet friends in a centrally located area, go to Union Square. I always find it to be accessible and tolerable despite some crowds in the square itself.

On Saturday morning before heading into the city (I stayed in Brooklyn) Katie and I stopped by the Smith Canteen and ate the most delicious blueberry muffin EVER. The iced coffee had a wonderful balance of bold flavor and creamy texture. We then jumped on the subway to take a stroll up and down the Highline which has just been extended. The Highline is like a contemporary enchanted garden perched above the busy streets and tucked between the new hotels and dilapidated factories. (I wrote more about it here.) Before our trek down the railroad, we spontaneously decided to stop at the Standard Biergarten for a pint and a pretzel. It was 12:05pm.

Later that day, after a long walk, shopping, tasty falafel and pineapple & coconut smoothies, we met the rest of the ladies out for dinner at La Palapa. Not only was the sangria refreshing but so was the company of my beautiful and clever companions. Sharing a meal and drinks with my girlfriends is definitely in my top five favorite things to do. We picked up where we left off, as if no time had passed since our last dinner out (love!). The night ended with a slice of Brooklyn pizza after hours of dancing around pubs in my leopard booties.

We slept in on Sunday and tried Van Horn Sandwich Shop for a late lunch. Although the menu was limited, there was only one thing we wanted: a fried chicken sandwich. It came with shredded cabbage and cucumbers on the bun and a small salad on the side. Sweet tea was a must to wash it down. It wasn’t exactly a southern style chicken sandwich and tea which is what we were expecting but satisfying none-the-less.

Van Horn Sandwich Shop

the ladies

On the bus ride home I racked my brain for a story to tell about the weekend. Should I talk about my love affair with New York? Was there a funny or awkward situation I could mention? Should I discuss the fashion in the streets? Did I do something stupid? I couldn’t even think of a specific conversation I had. The only thought that came to mind was a general feeling of a full heart and stomach. In the end that’s the reason I keep going back to that beloved city of mine.

New York, NY



Brooklyn Bridge

As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I are on the brink of a new adventure! In a little over a week we are moving from New York to Washington DC. Although I am looking forward to new beginnings, new opportunities, and an apartment wtih a living room and dining room, I will certainly miss my beloved NYC. 

In the city where anything goes, I have been given creative freedom to develop my own sense of style. I have grown up professionally and personally here. Not to mention the countless amazing people I have made friends with along the way. I will be taking those things with me and will come back to visit often.

In honor of my time here, I'm dedicating this week to some of my favorites! I hope when you visit NYC you will try my favs and discover some of your own also.

Bark Hotdogs, Park Slope, NY



Chili Dog, nom nom

As many of my friends live in Brooklyn, and its an hour door to door, I like to take little day trips out to visit them. By the time I get off the subway at Bergen Street I'm already starving. So it must be luck (or chance or destiny?) that Bark Hotdogs is located just steps away.

The owners/creators are proud to source all of their ingredients from local, organic vendors. Even the wood on the walls is from reclaimed local buildings. But you don't have to read the resource menu to know how mouthwatering these dogs are, just bite into one. My favorite is the NYC DOG, but you really can't go wrong. Especially if you add some Chili Cheddar Fries and a Chocolate Milkshake. The milkshakes are sinfully thick and creamy... oh yeah. Once I have my fill, I'm ready to hangout!

A Little Something Extra

Before ending your trip, leave a little treat in the car. It will make the drive home all the more enjoyable. 

photo my own, Mast Brothers Chocolate

Mast Brothers Chocolate is great choice to add more local flavor to your adventure as they are made in Brooklyn. Don't you just love the papers they are wrapped in? I'm such a sucker for pretty packaging!