Summer Fruit Salad

I make this dessert during the heat of the summer when all of the luscious stone fruit appears.  I know it's time because I can smell the sweet aroma of peaches and nectarines as I wander through the farmer's market. It's extremely simple to make and so delectable sweet, yet refreshing on a long hot day....

2-3 ripe peaches

2-3 ripe nectarines

2-3 ripe plums

any other stone fruit (plucots, apricots, etc.) that might be available, cherries are good too if fresh (but then you have to pit them....)

2 limes

a bunch of mint

1-2 tbsp rum (make sure it's fragrant)

1.  Wash and dry the various stone fruit.  Pit and dice all of the fruit into uniform-size cubes.  No need to be super particular, but try to get the pieces the same size.  Place all of the cut fruit in a large bowl.

2.  Remove the mint leaves and finely julienne.  Sprinkle over the fruit.  Juice the limes over the fruit.  Add the rum to the bowl and stir!  Serve immediately or refrigerate.  It lasts up to 3 days.

*  Now obviously the success of this dish depends a large part on the ripeness of your fruit.  If you are working with greener specimens, I recommend making this dish a day ahead of time and letting the fruit macerate a bit in the lime juice and rum.  

Burlington, VT

This past week I got to spend several days in Vermont and New Hampshire for work.  I spent most of my time in Burlington (great town), but had a chance to venture to Hanover, New Hampshire and Waterbury, Vermont as well.  The countryside in August is gorgeous – lush green mountains under cloud studded blue skies!  Below a few highlights:

Hanover Inn, Hanover, New Hampshire

This Inn has been around for centuries.  Located right on the main quad of Dartmouth college, it is a quaint must if you are in the region.  I had lunch at Zin’s restaurant which served up mildly, globally influenced New England fare.  I just think it’s really pretty!

Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Waterbury, Vermont

I stopped by the “Factory” on my drive back from New Hampshire.  This place was a zoo - people milling about at the fair-like entrance making tie-dye shirts and taking pictures in front of cow statues, etc.  I braved the environment to score a milkshake with a flavor not normally found elsewhere - whiskey toffee, praline, vanilla ice cream.  It was delicious.  If you have kids, this could entertain them for a while.  If you don't go early or really late to avoid the throngs.

Trattoria Delia, Burlington, Vermont

My coworkers and I ate at the Italian restaurant Trattoria Delia two nights in a row.  It was fantastic both times.  The restaurant has great ambiance - the inside has been styled to look like a rustic inn, all exposed, rough beams, dark wood and dim lighting.  I particularly enjoyed their scamorza alla griglia (grilled, smoked mozzarella with arugula and grilled vegetables), their bucatini all'amatriciana, and their panna cotta.  We also had a great wine off of their exclusively Italian list  - the 2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco. Simply Lovely.  

New York in June

Stephen and I spent a weekend in NYC visiting my sister Emma.  We hit some of my usual spots - BG Cafe, Balthazar, Kee's Chocolates, etc. - but added some new ones to the mix.  Most of them had excellent food, but it was of the less-complicated variety.  Homey, but tasty.  Check them out....

Market Table

54 Carmine Street

New York, NY 10014

212 255-2100

This charming restaurant in the west village offers well-executed yet homey dishes in a relaxed and open atmosphere.  I particularly love that exposed brick look and the huge windows overlooking the street.  We had a lovely dinner there including one of the best pan-roasted chickens I've ever had (it was glorious, and it came with this fontina fondue that was to die for).  We sampled the calamari, which was pleasant but not stunning, as well as the risotto and salad special for the day, which was a particularly yummy combination of strawberries and arugula, as well as the halibut.  We were so stuffed by dessert that all we could manage was some gelato.  The wine list is small, but nicely edited.  I sampled an Austrian Zweigelt - a nice rose - which was a first for me.  Overall, not too pricey, I would go back again!

Loreley

7 Rivington Street

New York, NY 10002-1226

212 253-7077

The USA v UK World Cup game was taking place during our stay and Stephen was not going to miss it.  We managed to find a nice German bar/restaurant on the lower east side.  The place was a mad house, but so was everywhere else.  They had a great list of German beers and we ordered a sampler plate of sausages and sauerkraut.  We would have enjoyed sitting outside in the biergarten, but it was packed...

The Limelight

47 West 20th Street 

New York, NY 10011-3701

212 226-7585

My cousin, Stephanie, took us here on Sunday afternoon.  This place used to be a notorious night club, and before that a church!  It is now a little shopping center filled with specialty food stalls, tiny clothing shops and other knick-knack and bric-a-brac purveyors.  Quite a beautiful space and a fun spot to spend a rainy afternoon.

People's Pops

Chelsea Market

75 9th Avenue

New York, NY 10011-7006

212 620-7500

This little shop offers amazing, fresh fruit pops and ices.  The flavor combinations are fun and a bit unusual - I had a blueberry and cardamom version, my cousin had the slightly more usual strawberry and basil.  We didn't sample the ices, but they are probably excellent as they hand shave a huge block of ice to create each cup!

Standard Grill

848 Washington Street

New York, NY 10014

212 645-4646

I've been wanting to try the Standard Grill since last summer, when I first got to check out the hyline.  Even though the Standard Hotel is all about stark modernity, the Standard Grill feels a bit like a throw back to an earlier era with it's white and black trim facade, comfy leather booths, dark wood interior and penny floor.  The food, though pricey and well-executed, has a comfy edge to it as well.  We sampled quite a bit from the dinner menu; particular standouts were the meats we ordered "From the Counter", the Escarole, Feta & Grape Salad, the Ricotta Cavatelli and the Atlantic Halibut.  I also enjoyed a baked-alaska style dessert.  The service was prompt, the wine list, at least by the glass, reasonable and well-priced.  I would recommend if you're in the area!

'Cesca

164 West 75th Street

New York, NY 10023-1903

212 787-6300

I got to go to this upper west side Italian restaurant for a work dinner.  I didn't know what to expect, but it was fantastic.  The food was well prepared, classic and Italian but still had a comfort edge to it.  I really enjoyed the antipasti platter and an orrechiete pasta with lamb sausage.  The sommelier was great as well.  We tried some really unusual regional Italian wines - such as a cabernet franc from Piedmont.  The atmosphere is warm yet restrained, and has a bit of an old world vibe.  Lovely.

Grom

233 Bleecker St

New York, 10014

212 206-1738

I walked past the downtown location (it's right near Market Table) and have been to the upper west side location many times.  This is the brainchild of two northern Italians.  This is seriously gourmet gelato, with prices to match.  Their pistachio is to die for, however, and I will go back and spend whatever I need to just to taste it again!

Nobu Next Door

105 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10013-2331

212 334-4445

My sister, Emma, really wanted sushi, and so on a lark we decided to go to Nobu Next Door.  I've been to Nobu before so I was interested to check out the sister restaurant (it's literally next door) that was billed as being more accessible from both a culinary and a wait list perspective.  It had many of the same classics that made Nobu famous - we ordered the hamachi with Serrano peppers for example - as well as standard Japanese restaurant fare as well - miso, edamame, etc.  It was a nice dinner, but not stunning.  I definitely prefer the original, but this will certainly do in a pinch!

Garden Court Café at the Asia Society Museum

725 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10021

212 288-6400

Stephen and I met my family at Asia Society for a lovely, light lunch in their Garden Court Cafe.  This is a great little gem on the upper east side that turns out pan-Asian cuisine for reasonable prices.  I always enjoy their salads, and the Pad Thai is a good go to.  Plus, the environment is very soothing - you're in a window-filled atrium with bamboo and trees.  What's not to like?

    

Bouchon

10 Columbus Circle

New York, NY 10019-1158

212 823-9366

Part of the Thomas Keller empire, this bakery/cafe is located on the third floor of the Time Warner Center.  It offers the most amazing baked goods - macarons, sticky buns, french breads, viennoiserie - as well as beautifully presented cafe fare - light salads, french-style sandwiches, quiches, etc.  I love making a stop every time I'm in NYC.  I understand my sister, Emma, liked it so much she made it at least a weekly habit.  The Time Warner Center is worth a visit itself if you've never been...

Norwood

The Norwood is a fantastic club of sorts that's members are in the art community - artists, gallery owners, etc.  It's in a lovely townhouse on 14th street.  We were able to go there for after dinner drinks with my cousin and her boyfriend, who's a member.  We sat outside and relaxed in the ivy-lined courtyard, under a large tree strung with Japanese lanterns.  I would recommend going if you know a member.

Sugar Mama's ☆☆☆

Sugar Mama’s

1905 South 1st Street

Austin, TX 78704

512-243-8715

Sugar Mama’s is a relatively new little bakery on South First specializing in cupcakes. Excellent cupcakes. Their cupcakes are actually my favorite ones in Austin - it’s something about the moist texture of the cake and the ratio of frosting to cake that’s enchanting. It also helps that they’re right down the street from me and the little store is so very cute and retro. They have a wide range of flavors. My favorite is the Black and Tan, a luscious combination of chocolate, Guinness cake and Irish Cream cheese frosting. They have other tongue in cheek options such as the Marilyn Monroe (vanilla cupcake and buttercream frosting) and the Southern Belle (red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting). They have recently been experimenting with breakfast items. I’ve sampled some cinnamon pecan scones and my sister’s been raving about their sticky buns with frosting. Hopefully they will continue to offer them. Stop by sometime soon for a decadent, sweet pick-me-up! ☆☆☆