Here's one of the buildings in the footprint of the crazy proposed 19-skyscraper and arena development in Prospect Heights. Not that I love this building, but it is called "Tasty Provision Co.," which I do love. There are other much more gorgeous buildings that would be torn down and I'll search for photos of them.

Also, here's a picture of the only baby I know, Roan.

Doughnut Plant Morning

This morning, Naomi came by at 8 on her bike. Then Sam and she and I biked to the Donut Plant. My bike has a flat again so I rode on his handlebars.



We didn't have to stop until we were one block away. Traffic was with us I guess, plus Sam is an amazing doubler. Well, back to the moral of the story. Doughnut Plant has made a new definition for the word Doughnut. First, the flavors are insane. Here is a list:

Vanilla-Bean
Valrhona-Chocolate
Chocolate-Mocha
Orange
Apple-Cinnamon
Pecan
Blueberry
Apricot
Pistachio
Ginger
Poppy Seed
Malted-Milk
Blueberry
Vanilla-Bean
Pumpkin
Lime
Strawberry
Toasted-Almond
Raspberry
Rosewater (with fresh rose petals)
Walnuts
Powdered Maple Sugar
Banana with Pecan
Cherry
Coconut
Yankee Donut with blueberry pin stripes

There were six choices today and the great counter guy suggested we try all six. Of course we said yes, plus we had to order a sticky bun. I asked him:

Me: How many do you eat every day?
Counter Man: Well, it depends...on a bad day, 4.
Me: And a good day?
CM: 6

Then we went to a park nearby and took turns taking bites of each one. The winners were: 1. Coconut and 2. Jelly. The owner/baker is a genius because he makes some of them square, and then puts the filling in each corner of the square so you get the filling with each bite. White Peach was also popular with us. (It is just glazed with peach and not filled, which I think I will suggest to him next time I go.) We weren't so sure about the Banana Pecan. Vanilla Bean was good but not great. Valrhona Chocolate did not disappoint and was truly beautiful. These doughnuts are light and airy but also somehow more substantial than regular. They cost plenty ($2 each) but are organic and each a work of art. Across the street, a truck was parked which had been tagged in pretty cursive, "good god. i love you." we've seen the i love you tag around but this was the first time in its expanded and still sweeter version.


so, if you haven't yet, it's high time to go visit the doughnut plant.

Gates + Subway Inn = Good Day

I went to the gates with Joel Franklin (author of Take 5 letter) in the wintertime. Here's me looking very cold there. Our favorite part was how the volunteers went around with these sticks that had tennis balls on the end and unstuck any gates that got stuck on nearby trees. Sometimes they had to jump up to reach or stand on a wall. We walked all over the park and then had a drink at one of the best bars in Manhattan, the Subway Inn. It's located at 143 East 60th Street, near Lexington. Drinks are $3.50. The first time I went, I ordered a whiskey on the rocks, as per usual, and the bartender asked me if I liked it strong. When I said yes, he poured me a huge shot in a tall glass. They used to have "construction worker specials," where workers got 50 cents off their drinks but the sign is gone now. Still an excellent place with excellent deals. (There is one bartender who pours small/regular shots but don't be discouraged.)

Well here is the James Beard recipe for Butterscotch Pie. It is absolutely great. One of his finest moments, of which there are many. I would recommend making this to anyone. Also, reading his cookbook "American Cookery" like a novel is a good idea. It tells stories of frontier women inventing three bean salad or why eating things fried in butter is so good. (This was before he started making health-aware recipes.) This book was our family bible growing up.

Five Boro Bike Ride

The Five Boro Bike Ride was mostly amazing. The FDR with no cars. The 59th Street Bridge. The BQE. The Verrazano. 30,000 bikes in one place. But, it ended in Staten Island and the wait for the ferry took four hours. Four hours when you're kindof tired and starving and wanting to take a bath. I'd still do it again but I'll have to go with someone who leaves a car in Staten Island to drive us home. Abeni had planned a barbeque in her backyard after but it had to be cancelled. It's a one of a kind way to see the city and I hope a lot of us do it again next year. Things to remember: Bring Snacks. Bring Raingear. Stay near the guy who has a boombox playing the Beastie Boys strapped on his bike.

Room

I planted my balcony with all kinds of herbs- basil, lemonbalm, sage, thyme, and lamb's ear and tomatoes and peppers. This was taken before that all happened. This is a cool plant from a clipping my mom gave me. When I wake up and in a groggy mood, I sit up in bed and look at the plants and I start to feel better about getting out of bed. So this is the view from my bed.

More Photos from the Last Dinner Party

Here is one of me and Tara and one of Chessy and Eric at one of the last dinners with Chess in our place.