Night Court in NYC

I've gone to night court twice and I've gotta say - it's actually kind of a neat thing to do in this city. Neat and free. I didn't even know this was something that the public could attend, so of course I was into the idea after first reading about it. 

Does this seem like a crass thing to want to go to? In any case, I really wanted to go purely to see what kinds of crimes most people were in for, since that seemed the most interesting to me - and it was. Some people were brought it just hours after their arrest (those were the more heated cases) and it was definitely something to see. Lot of assault cases. One guy lit someone on fire. Just madness. Definitely go and see for yourself if this kind of thing intrigues you at all. It's crazy that they just let you in to witness this stuff.

Steinway & Sons in NYC

If you're in New York and you have an affinity for pianos (either playing them or loving them), then you need to go visit the Steinway & Sons location on 57th Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). You can obviously go there to buy pianos, but what's better (and somewhat of a secret) is the fact that you can go in and play almost every, ridiculously expensive piano in there. And no one minds. All the pianos are separated into different rooms, so it's not like you're disturbing anyone either. Both the times I've visited, I've been the only person in the whole place. 

The John Lennon designed piano

It's really a crazy thing that they'll let anyone just come in and play, so if you do possess that talent? Get on over here. (Apparently there's also a factory tour that you can take in Astoria that's free, but not available year round. So once I take that, you'll hear about it.)

The Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 in NYC

This is the frozen hot chocolate that they serve at Serendipity 3 in New York. I've only tried to go to the restaurant once, and the line/wait was much too long so I left. I only really wanted to go so that I could try one of these since I've heard how good they are. 

Anyway, I found out that you could buy the packets online and make them at home (providing you have a blender - a good blender, too - one that crushes up ice well), so that's what I did instead. Verdict? Really goddam good. I don't see how the made-in-the-restaurant version could be any better, really. Just tasty as hell. And enjoyed in the comfort of my own home no less! The packets come in a variety of sizes and you can buy them on Amazon. 

It's $8.95 when you order it at the restaurant, but the serving size is good for at least two people they say (they also have a peanut butter version at the restaurant). 

Also, have you seen the movie Serendipity? Man. I don't even like movies like that and I loved that movie. Just delightful as hell. The likable John Cusack? Get outta here, he's so great in it.

The Burger at Bua in NYC

This place (Bua) is a bar in the East Village, but this burger certainly should not be considered bar food. It's made of a La Frieda custom short rib blend with lettuce, tomato and pickle served on a potato roll with "burger sauce" for $8. It's akin to the burgers at Shake Shack, in the very best way. Come to think of it, all my favourite burgers are a "blend" of some sort. That must mean either:

1. I'm fancy. 
2. You ain't.

EAT IT NOW!

Truffles by Coquette

If you'd like to taste the best chocolates you'll ever eat, then please go no further than here. I've tried most every flavour and they're ridiculously good. Even the vegan ones. Such a good gift to give someone this time of year.

Trader Joe's Curried White Chicken Deli Salad

With the exception of all their tea tree products, this is my absolute favourite thing at Trader Joe's. As you already know, I love any kind of chicken that gets curried. But this one? Best I've ever had. Every time I buy some, I have such lofty ideas about what I'm gonna do with it. Am I gonna put it in an open-faced sandwich? Maybe a regular sandwich? PERHAPS A WRAP OF SORTS? And these ideas never come to fruition. What does end up happening? I get a fork and go to town. Usually within an hour of having it sit, lonely, in my refrigerator. It's so fucking tasty. 

The Thanksgiving Croissant at Momofuku Milk Bar

I know, I'm supposed to be done with Thanksgiving (since I've already celebrated it last month in Canada) - but when you're surrounded by people who haven't had their own turkey yet, well, they're gonna talk about it excessively until it happens. And thank goodness for that, otherwise I would've never heard of THIS AMAZING SANDWICH. 

It's white meat, dark meat, cranberry sauce, GRAVY, all stuffed inside a buttery-tasting croissant. If I were hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, I would only buy these to serve to my guests. I might make some enemies since people seem to flip out if there isn't a bird cooking in an oven for this holiday, but fuck that - these croissants are just that good. If anything, they should serve them alongside some extra gravy in a little bowl. But that's just me asking for too much. It really is perfect already.  

Here's a short video showing how they're made:

Honestly, they should cost way more than $4.50 (Update: it’s 2021 & they now cost $9, so I really should’ve shut my mouth!). This guy is so fucking tasty. I ate it in the subway. Like an animal. Because I couldn't wait until I got home. Who knew I could be into dark meat? I think it's so good 'cause there are a ton of flavours in one teeny little bite and you don't expect that. I realize I've already done a Momofuku post before, but I had to talk about this croissant. Absolutely phenomenal-tasting.

These are only available during the month of November, so please do us both a favour and hurry the hell up and eat one. They arrive at the place around noon and are usually gone by 3pm, so note that. It took me two tries before I could devour one. (Sorry, Toronto - they don't offer them at your location - and you should really be writing letters to them about that fact.)

Dutch Kills Centraal in Astoria, NY

If you're in Astoria, stop whatever you're doing and go eat here. I feel like this is going to be a post that I'm going to have to come back to constantly with slight updates of what I've tried there recently detailing how MUCH I loved it. So far? The deviled eggs with bacon and aleppo pepper are nuts. And the fucking slow roasted pulled pork? Get the hell out of here. This is the best pulled pork I've had IN LIFE. You start eating it and you're all, "Yep, this is pulled pork." But then you realize some of it is somehow CRISPY and fucking unreal, it's so good. Must eat this. Also, they have half sandwiches for $3 at lunch with is insanely cheap and probably taste heavenly.

Also, I thought this place would just be a bar. It looks like just a bar. But with food like this? Yikes. So much more than just a bar. Go now.

Beecher's in NYC

As a Canadian, I often miss proper cheese curds. You know, the Quebecois ones. Those rubbery, delicious little chunks of heaven are often unheard of in these parts, so when I saw them on the menu at The Cellar at Beecher's I had to of course order them. Result? Majestic and fresh as hell. If you haven't had them for awhile (or *shudder* ever) then these are definitely just at good as the ones straight out of Quebec. 

Tournesol

I have a new favourite dish and that dish is bœuf bourguignon. If you know how to make this... maybe let me know. I just ate it for the first time at Tournesol in Long Island City in Queens (thanks to the lovely Angela for suggesting we go) and it was transcendent. I promise you. This place is extremely French, lovely and better than any place you frequent so GO RIGHT NOW. And you know how I knew this place would be good? Two reasons. 

1. The free bread at the beginning of the meal was fresh as hell.
2. They gave you BUTTER instead of olive oil with the bread. I can't stand it when olive oil is the only thing accompanying a bread basket. Hate this so much. I don't care how Parisian that is, give me some damn butter. And they do here. 

I can't wait to go again. This dish is phenomenal. 

(Sidenote: Don't forget about the Movie Wardrobe Sale happening tomorrow (Saturday) in Toronto!)