Category: Reviews

A Dinner Date at Ken and Cook, A Review

I broke my ban on bread for Ken and Cook. I’d like to say it wasn’t intentional but we both know it was. That’s why doing bad things always feels so good.

Ken and Cook Menu

I received an email from the restaurant a few weeks ago asking if I’d like to enjoy a meal on them. The answer was obviously yes and I made a date for 3: me, my boyfriend, and my appetite.

As I ran through the frigid cold from my soho office to the restaurant, their neon sign was like a beacon to security. Having been there once before, I knew I was in for a good meal and a great time.

We started with a platter of meats & cheeses, all of which we selected with our eyes closed.

Ken and Cook Meat & Cheese Plate

Second course was the fettuccini for My Honey & the mussels for me. This is where shit got weird. Like, eat in silence and don’t make eye contact weird. At one point I looked up from the carnage I was wreaking on my plate to My Honey’s very confused face. “What? You want some?” I begrudgingly asked (because I honestly didn’t want to share) and he just laughed a quick “no, I’m good” with a wink. He’s a keeper.

Ken and Cook Fettucini & Mussels

You see, the mussels had bread on the bottom of the bowl. No! I’m not kidding you! At other restaurants, you’ll ask for more bread or a spoon to get all the goodness. At Ken and Cook, there’s bread under your mussels drinking up all those good juices and waiting for you to discover and massacre it, which I gladly did.

For our mains, My Honey went with the steak and I had the pork chop. Again, we descended into silence in order to properly stuff face. Random sentences floated above the table from each of us – my favorite being “I’m going to make out with the grill chef” from my date. Personally, I suffered an inability to form any cohesive sentences due to a beautifully cooked chop and a polenta side topped with artichoke that nearly killed me (in the best way possible).

Ken and Cook Steak

Ken and Cook Pork Chop

To finish, My Honey enjoyed a root beer float and I had the beignets. The perfect ending to a beautiful meal.

Ken and Cook Beignets

Aside from being head over heels for the food, we were blown away by beautiful mismatched silverware, incredible kindness, and great service. The atmosphere was candlelit and cozy; small groups huddled together over bistro tables offering a buzz of excitement and revelry. As we put on our coats to leave, a DJ laced the crowd with music that made us feel like we’d walked into a secret space for a perfect night cap.

I suppose I don’t have to even say it, but Ken and Cook is well deserving of all the recent praise. You’ll come here to be spoiled by culinary expertise. And you’ll leave sleepy eyed, full, and excited to return.

Ken and Cook is located at 19 Kenmare Street, New York, NY. 
Disclaimer: 50% of our meal was comped in return for a review on Writing with Wine. All thoughts above are (obviously) passionately positive due to a wonderful experience.

Book Review: The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister

I’ve sung her praises once before, so it should come as no surprise that I actively hunted down Erica Bauermeister‘s new novel, The Lost Art of Mixing. As a follow up to The School of Essential Ingredients, I embarked on a beautiful journey of prose by the writer, who I almost prefer to refer to as an artist.

This new book takes us even further into the lives of Al, Isabelle, Lillian, and Chloe. With each window of insight into their lives, Bauermeister teaches you about your own life in a way that reminds me much of the kitchen. She slowly stirs, leisurely whips, and brings each character to a slow boil, a simmer, that makes you implore for more.

This excerpt, told from the voice of Isabelle, is what made my heart leap out of my chest and onto the pages of this gorgeous piece of prose:

More than once, Isabelle had envisioned herself a balloon in Abby’s life, helping to lift her daughter off the ground she clung to so desperately, although Isabelle doubted her daughter saw the value in this. But now Isabelle wondered, as she sat on the jostling chair – what would happen if there were no balloon pulling her daughter upward? Perhaps gravity might seem less attractive if it wasn’t helping you hold something else to the earth. Perhaps you could simply, finally, let go. [via, page 157]

Please. Pick up this novel, hitting bookshelves January 24, 2013. If what I’ve said isn’t enough to make you buy this book when it comes out, then pick up the work for the reason below: There is no better place to escape from the realities of life than in a book. Especially The Lost Art of Mixing, a story that takes you to a universe filled delicious smells from a love-filled kitchen, and the ups and downs of many entwined lives.

The Lost Art of Mixing

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy from Putnam, in exchange for a review. The thoughts above are my own, and were in no way influenced by the generosity of this gift (I call it generosity because I love Erica Bauermeister. To review this book was more a treat than a task). 

Explore NYC: 3/19/12

Explore NYC efforts were originally thought to be perfect for a brisk weekend day (to be spent with a latte). However, this past week I found myself visiting new places and having a generally amazing time:

1. I finally had the joy of dining at Red Rooster, a Harlem based soul food joint by the dreamy Marcus Samuelson. My colleague and I split savory corn bread while I went to town on Fried Yard Bird and her on the Rotisserie Chicken. As we ate, a band played bossa nova and the bar was bustling through our entire Tuesday evening meal. If you haven’t dined at Red Rooster, I highly suggest you make your way uptown fast.

2. Wednesday night brought me to newly opened sushi spot, Neta, in the West Village. We ended up enjoying a 12-course meal selected by the chef, and by course 6, my colleagues and I were wondering if we’d be able to make it to the end. The spot was cozy, the staff was kind (though still working out a few new restaurant kinks) and the reception seemed positive – the place was packed!

3. Friday night I found myself dressed in my 80′s best at midtown Drag Bar, Lips for a birthday party. The venue was small, but perfect for the birthday boy’s 300 person guest list. With highlights like a rubik’s cube birthday cake to the open bar, to the drag performances, I spent the night dancing until my knees hurt. I also may or may not have had a dance off with the DJ in exchange for a Beyonce song.

4. St. Patrick’s Day is a fascinating day to me. I was shocked to learn there is an annual parade and am never prepared for the sea of green on the trains bar hopping. That said, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And that’s just what I did at Studio Square Beer Garden in Astoria.

Book Review: The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

I picked up The Story of Beautiful Girl at a closing sale for what will always be my favorite bookstore. As I shopped the Borders in Columbus Circle, NYC with a handcart full of paperbacks, my eye caught the brilliant cover of this Oprah-approved novel and I snatched it off the bookshelf.

The jacket of the hardcover is adorned with decoration that is both gorgeous and haunting. And while ‘they’ say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, this one served as a perfect indication of what to expect from this novel by Rachel Simon.

The story illustrates love, loss, faith, and growth through 340 pages of beautifully written prose. Simon swiftly begins the novel by taking you into the lives of Martha (The Widow), Lynnie (Beautiful Girl) and Homan (Number Forty-Two).

When Martha opens her home to Lynnie and Homan, all three of their lives are forever changed. Though no words are exchanged, love is communicated through eye glances, soft touches, and one shared kiss between Lynnie and Homan. The moments are short lived as attendants from the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded capture Lynnie and take her away. Homan escapes, and Lynnie’s newly born child (a mystery conceived at the school) is left in Martha’s safe care.

The novel then takes us, dear readers, on a ride. We spend time on the run with Martha, doing her best to keep her tracks hidden and Julia (Lynnie’s child) safe. We fight to be reunited with Lynnie as Homan’s story progresses – setback after setback does not make him give up hope of coming together again with the love of his life. We struggle through speech therapy and re-integration into the world with Lynnie, all the while waiting for Homan to resume their lives together.

And through it all, each character is given a second chance at life, love, and family. The Story of Beautiful Girl is a beautiful read for all seasons, but I can’t think of a better night than spending it by the fire with this book and a nice glass of wine.

Enjoy!

Article first published as Book Review: Story of a Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon on Blogcritics.
 

Book Review: A Belle in Brooklyn

I consider myself a rare breed.

I’m an African American twenty-something woman who grew up in the suburbs of Boston. Though I currently live in NYC, my roots (no matter how bougie I may have become) are what made me, and I hold tight to those.

In looking for things to relate to, I found there was a wide gap between Sex & the City and Girlfriends. This gap also exists between Teri McMillian and Jeannette Walls. I was searching for someone like me represented in media and she was nowhere to be found.

[via]

…Until my friend introduced me to Demetria Lucas. The blogger turned magazine editor turned author recently released A Belle in Brooklyn (of the same title as her award winning blog). Incredibly well written, this memoir takes you on a journey of Demetria’s life and experiences in NYC, Atlanta, California, and more. With each chapter reading like the beautiful prose found in some short stories, you can’t help but power through the book. As a person who prefers to read during her commute, I found myself laughing at her humor, nearly crying at her experiences, and often cringing at her honesty. Any book that results in that sort of real-life emoting is what I would categorize as a great read.

Recommended for every-woman (and every-man), I think it’s impossible for anyone not to gather some sort of great takeaway from this novel. If you’re looking to live vicariously through the chapters of her crazy single life attending industry parties and awkward dinners with Shug: you win. If you’re looking for life lessons on how to “Live Your Best Singe Life”: you win. If you, like me, are looking for a middle ground media figure to relate to: you win.

But most importantly, I’m realizing how necessary it is to surround yourself with successful role models constantly on their grind. Demetria has made her journey extremely accessible to those searching for that too. So you also win.

A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to-Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life is available in stores and online.

Article first published as Book Review: A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life by Demetria Lucas on Blogcritics.

The Help

Sometimes, I have a very hard time explaining to friends what makes something so incredible to me. For example, when a friend told me she couldn’t get through a book I practically forced her to read, I simply exclaimed, “well then you’re reading it wrong!” Clearly. What else could be the problem?

[via]

However, in the same conversation, we discussed The Help, which none of my friends were having trouble reading. I must admit, the book caught my eye back in 2009 when Sarah Jessica Parker (the love of my life) was spotted around New York City with the book in tow.
I’ll spare you the length of an actual book review, because by now, you should know that the Kathryn Stockett novel is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, critically acclaimed by newspapers, magazines, celebrities, and authors alike.

The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960′s, the story takes readers on a journey through the eyes of three narrators. Two of which are Black maids for White households, the third is a White woman who decides to tell their story. For a full synopsis of the book, check out Stockett’s website here. If you’re one of those people who don’t actually read books, well then I feel sorry for you. But – all is not lost. The excitement and following of The Help has lead to a major movie deal! Hitting theatres this August, people are eager and excited for the novel to hit the big screen.

Demetria Lucas of A Belle in Brooklyn had the opportunity to see an advance screening of the film, which left her feeling a number of feelings, some bad and others good. Lucas brings up a good point that there are some undeniable feelings behind the fact that his is a book is a depiction of the Black struggle of the 1960′s by a White woman. Additionally, Stockett now faces a lawsuit filed by Ablene Cooper, who says Stockett based her main character, Aibileen Clark, on her. Nothing like a good lawsuit to continue garnering press for an already good thing.

Back to the point: I can’t wait to see the movie! Check out the trailer below, and photos from the film, all courtesy of DreamWorks.

Directed by Tate Taylor, The Help boasts a cast including Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, and, my favorite, Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark. It’s sure to be one of those tear you down and build you up feel good movies – I can tell by the trailer.

[DreamWorks]    

Have you read or plan on reading the help? If not, will I see you at the movies?

Book Review: Joy for Beginners

Erica Bauermeister is one of those authors who just resonates with me. After reading her The School of Essential Ingredients (read the review here), I knew she would instantly hold the title of my favorite author. This is no small feat, as I find it nearly impossible to narrow down anything or anyone to a favorite.

[via]

Upon finishing that book, I found myself speaking more eloquently, seeking out the beauty in life, and researching cooking classes in NYC. As I actively searched for beautiful writing reminiscent of Bauermeister’s in other novels or blogs, I happily embraced the delivery of a little treat from the kind folks over at Putnam Books. Enclosed was an uncorrected proof of her new novel, set to be released June 8th. The whole experience made me feel fancy, and immediately began reading.

I was somewhat wary, knowing that sometimes you can have an incredibly romantic experience with one book, but nowhere near the same magic with an author’s sophomore release. However, I am so happy to report that is not the case with Joy for Beginners. Once again, I found myself marking up the margins with notes, highlighting and dog-earring my favorite passages, and having strong emotional reactions to the characters and their stories.

The book takes you on a journey through a moment in time for seven women, one of which is a cancer survivor. Kate, the survivor, finds herself challenged to take a risk by her daughter, and in return challenges her six best friends. We are then seamlessly brought into the lives of Caroline, Daria, Sara, Hadley, Marion, and Ava. Their challenges (which varied from gardening to tattooing) are both life changing and everlasting; each chapter left me weepy with hopefulness.

The thing I love most about Bauermeister’s work is that suddenly a chapter, a character, a moment sneaks up on you. You catch yourself gazing off with thoughts about how the story circles back to your own reality with tears in your eyes and a hand over your heart (honestly, I have caught myself in this pose numerous times reading her writing). You scribble “love!” or “beautiful” across a page and close it briefly. And you smile at the feeling it leaves you with. This is the sort of visceral reaction Joy for Beginners caused me to have.

Incredibly moving, inspirational, and stunning to read, Joy for Beginners is a must-own because you’ll simply love it too much to not have it in your possession forever.

“You know,” Marion said, “I met a woman once when I was a teenager. I knew she had gone through a lot but she was so strong, so compassionate. I asked her how she could be the way she was, and you know what she told me?”

Hadley shook her head.

“She said, ‘You can be broken, or broken open. That choice is yours.’”

Article first published as Book Review:Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister on Blogcritics.

Why Frank Ocean is Winning

Just like everyone else I simply cannot get enough of the Frank Ocean Nostalgia,Ultra mixtape. If you aren’t listening, you clearly don’t have internet or friends. Womp. Luckily for you, I’ve mentioned it here, which means you should go download it now, and pretend you were in the loop from the get go.

Now that we’ve gotten that out the way, let’s get back to the purpose of this post: highlighting all the reasons why Frank Ocean is Winning. Or most importantly, speaking my language.


Press play.

I’m walking down Broadway to meet the girls for dinner when something stops me dead in my tracks – Nature Feels comes on and those beginning beats (copped by MGMT’s Electric Feel) are getting under my skin. Then he goes in:

[Verse 1]
I’ve been meaning to fuck you in the garden
Been breathing so hard, we both could use the oxygen
Just hop on my back, I’ll take you down the stairs
Into my backyard and lay you right on the grass

You had me at garden. Perhaps because I hail from the suburbs, where I grew up on a half acre of land that included many failed attempts at flourishing gardens. The idea that he wants to you-know-what in the garden means more to me for this reason.

[Hook]
Give it you over again, over again over again
Over again over again, over again over again
Making love, underneath the cherry leaves
Baby girl, tell me how my nature feels
Said oh baby, up against the cherry tree
Baby girl, I’ll give it to you naturally, naturally

The notion of this all unfolding in a garden under a cherry tree is both incredibly sexy and hopeful. Cherry Trees represent death (eep!), rebirth, and (naturally) new awakenings. This moment outside is more than just some sexytime between two lovers – to me, the cherry tree involvement highlights new strides in their relationship.

[Verse 2]
Feeling like Adam when he first found out this existed
Me and my Eve trying out our first positions
And it’s all good, and it’s all free,
And it’s all you, and it’s only me
Playing in the dirt, wrestling myself inside you

The Adam and Eve reference isn’t lost on me. Knowing Eve was made from Adam, this seems to conjure up a heightened sexual reference – there is a fluidity of bodies moving together, creating together. And besides, who doesn’t love to wrestle?

[Hook]
Give it you over again, over again over again
Over again over again, over again over again
Making love, underneath the cherry leaves
Baby girl, tell me how my nature feels
Said oh baby, up against the cherry tree
Baby girl, I’ll give it to you naturally, naturally

[Bridge]
My cavewoman, I’m a caveman
Doing wild things in a wild land
We keep going baby, we keep getting it baby
We’ll get pebbles maybe a couple bam bams
Bam bam, bang bang, girl your heart
Goes bam and bang, feel my heart go, go, go

Not gonna lie, he loses me here – talking about making little Pebbles and Bam Bams. Granted, I’m trying to dislike children less, but the magic for me ends at the thought of babies. Sorry, bro. But just when I think I’m done you bring MGMT back at the end with the original bridge and outro, and I’m lost in this song again.

Oops! I Borrowed Your Boyfriend…

When I read Something Borrowed, I loved the book. I immediately bought Something Blue to finish the series surrounding my four favorite characters: Rachel, Darcy, Dex and Ethan. When it was all said and done, I felt so strongly about the Emily Giffin books that I started lending them out left and right. When someone mentioned they were reading it, I was immediately asking what they thought! I went Something Borrowed crazy.

Then, months passed and just as I was having trouble finding people to talk to about the book my life was changed by a trailer for the movie adaptation.

So you get the gist, right? Rachel borrows her best friend’s fiance. If you are at all confused by this concept, just note that it is frowned upon.

Since the movie came out this month, I have managed to see it twice (once alone as a treat to myself) and once with my favorite group of girls. When the movie ended we erupted into a discussion about who’s fault the cheating was. When I posed the question to the girls on either side of me, their answers were either “no one’s!” or “Dex’s fault!”. When we passed along the same question to the rest of our crew, their answer was unanimous, “Rachel’s!”. You see, they subscribed to the school of thought that the female is to blame if she takes a guy up on his offer, even if he brings up the idea of something forbidden without any prompting from said female.

I personally happen to disagree. As a disclaimer, my thoughts have nothing to do with true love or romance (even though I love love). If Dex were my man and he proposed the idea of cheating on me to my best friend, even if she said no, I wouldn’t forgive him for having (and attempting to act on) the desire to cheat! Regardless, we all agreed that Rachel, while quiet, nerdy, and slightly tragic as a character, was a trifling heifer. Dex, while devastatingly handsome and usually meaning well, was a disappointing, wishy-washy man unable to make his own decisions. Between the two of them, if this were real life, I’m not sure either would belong in my circle.

I think most ladies would agree that despite the storyline, it was enjoyable. Definitely a romantic comedy, the movie enjoyed some much needed relief by Ethan and his unfortunate faux-lover Claire. It featured both real and inspired New York hotspots, all of which I plan to visit if I haven’t already. And a cameo by Giffin herself, who rocks some fierce white denim while reading her sequel, Something Blue (hello, movie #2)! And on top of that, some really great fashion, beautiful Hamptons shots, an awesome soundtrack, and a wonderful teaser at the end for the upcoming sequel.

Did you see the movie or read the book? What did you think? And who is to blame!?

Book Review: The School of Essential Ingredients

My favorite Borders in New York City is closing (in fact, it may even be closed by now). Upon receiving the saddest email from Borders HQ and the consistent updates about book prices dropping in their liquidation, I had to swing by for one last look.

In slowly perusing the stacks, my eye was drawn to one of the most beautiful book covers I’d laid eyes on in a while. It was one of those awkward moments where I sort of gently grazed the cover with my fingers, trying to actually feel the beauty. The woman next to me gave a cough and a side eye, which I mimicked, and side eyed her until she walked away. Then I picked it up and read:

Once a month on Monday night, eight students gather in Lillian’s restaurant kitchen for a cooking class. They come to learn the art behind Lillian’s dishes, but it soon becomes clear that each one unknowingly seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. One by one, they are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of what they create. Over time, the paths of the students intermingle and intertwine, and the essence of Lillian’s cooking expands beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of their lives, with results that are often unexpected and always delicious. [via]

Sounded interesting enough. So I signed onto my Goodreads iPhone app and read a few reviews, all of which were glowing and added the book to my embarrassingly large stack (good thing I’ve been hitting the gym).


The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister is a case in which judging a book by it’s cover worked in my favor. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I found myself swooning and crying at the touching moments she outlines in stunning prose.

The novel is completely dogeared to mark my favorite passages, and entirely beaten up (just how I like my books) because I refused to put it down wherever I went. Each chapter divulged the personal story of a student in the cooking class, and each story left me with watery eyes and the same face of awe and love.

I implore you to purchase this book and read it. I’d offer you my copy to borrow, but I’m too attached to lend it to anyone (sorry, boo).

I leave you with one of my many favorite bits. I’d rather not set the scene for you, as this storyline is so touching it makes me cry to even think about it. But the romance, and the beauty of language is something I just have to share:

“The first time he had kissed her – it had taken six weeks – was over hamburgers, two inches thick, juices running. He had leaned over and licked the grease off her arm without thinking. As he brought his face up to hers, he wondered how it was that the distance between arm and mouth could take such a sweet infinity to travel.” [via, page 120]

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister