I’m currently sitting in New York’s JFK airport waiting for my flight to Portland, Maine. It wasn’t hard to get up early for this flight, as I am already giddy with excitement for cooking Thanksgiving Dinner!
The last week and half was filled with lots of travel and, of course, lots of delicious food. (And some disappointing food, but we wont’ talk about that). Fortunately, I’m still energized, inspired and ready for more.
Yesterday I spent the day in New York City. Rochelle of the blog Food and Writing recommended that I dine at Savoy on Prince street in Manhattan, and I’m glad I did. This small spot in Manhattan was quiet and cozy; it felt like dining in a house! Sweet quinoa tabouleh with dates and sour cream was perhaps one of the best quinoa dishes I’ve had in a long time. Sunny side eggs with roasted parsnips was a simple and beautiful lunch entrée and the meal was finished with oatmeal dried cherry cookies and oolong tea.
Prior to New York, I was in Washington DC for a day, where a DC native sent me to 2 Amy’s Pizzeria. The strict neapolitan style pizza had a crust with a good chew, paired with the sublime combo of tomato, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. Simple, beautifully executed and delicious; the wind attack approves!
I had flown into DC from Chicago, where I had made a wonderful pan-asian feast with old friends and new. Curry with kabocha and tofu, coconut crepes, “purple rice”, bok choy, and steamed fish. A collaborative cooking effort enjoyed by all.
I had traveled to Chicago by train from my hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. A visit to the world famous Zingerman’s Deli provided a bag full of gourmet ingredients which I used for a homemade pizza party. My favorite pizza creation consisted of homemade tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, heirloom chicken eggs, piquillo peppers, fresh thyme and avocado.
All this food and so much more, and now it’s time to try to top it all with my Thanksgiving Dinner. I am thankful for having two weeks off work to spend with family and friends across the country and to enjoy some really great food.