Paris --> New York

Madeleines...Macaroons...Mile-feuilles... Oh My! Finally, the dreams of my friends who studied abroad in Paris have come true. Ladurée has made its way to New York City and opened up shop on Madison Avenue. Now you can skip over the wana be french pastry shops and hit up Ladurée for one of their luxurious pastries. If you want a taste of Paris, I can guarantee Ladurée is the place to go. You can thank me later. 
Paris Ladurée:

New York Ladurée:

BONUS: Ladurée will be opening a tea salon in Soho or the Village next spring!

Ran Does Restaurants

It's time to bring back Ran Does to Burrnttoast. While I was abroad, Ran of Ran Does graduated and moved onto bigger and better things The pictures he has been sending me have upgraded from college kitchen meals to gourmet restaurant creations. The kid is so skilled at what he does he has skipped over salads and is now on the grill for lunch. 

Radicchio, arugula, frisee, tomato, ricotta, & pine nuts with arugula pesto dressing 

Artichoke, parmesan, tomato & avocado with truffle oil

Red snapper w/ roasted fennel & potato

PS: If you dying to try Ran's cooking, you can find him at Bacco in Michigan.

num pang

Five-Spiced Glazed Pork Belly

The last day of my internship finally had approached. The sadness that filled the office was unbearable. I know, even though everyone tried to hide it, they couldn't deal with the thought of me leaving. Not to toot my own horn, but I was the superstar intern. Potentially, the best intern they've ever had. Since it was my last day, I had the honor of choosing what we had for lunch. I wanted to see everyone happy. I couldn't bare the pain I was putting them through by leaving to go back to school, so I decided to order from Num Pang. Num Pang opened right near the office this summer. It is a cambodian sandwich shop and everything they make is delicious. The most popular order of the day was the Roasted Chicken 'Chimi', but I decided to go with the Five-Spiced Glazed Pork Belly. The bread was toasted perfectly and the pork belly was sweet and tender. Overall, Num Pang was a huge hit with the office. Looks like I made lunch history at The Agency Sports Management & I'll forever be remembered [well, I mean until they hire me post graduation]

Scuba Steve

Being away from Boulder for so long, I longed for the day I would return to my favorite lunch spot Dish Gourmet. The day finally had arrived. On the car ride over I was debating back and forth which sandwich I would get for my first time back. There is always the classics, but I was craving something new. To my surprise they added a new sandwich to the menu and it was literally a dream come true. The Scuba Steve, right there on that chalkboard above The Chook is a blackened mahi sandwich with avocado, coleslaw and a lemon dill sauce. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I also got it with a side of their tomato soup, obvs! It was the perfect back-to-school lunch I've ever had! 

MEATOPIA MADNESS

People say the way to a man's heart his through is stomach... well I think the same goes for girls, or at least the same goes for me. You want me to like you? We'll then the secret is out. One of my bosses came up to me and asked if I wanted tickets to Meatopia. That's like asking a boy my age if he wants free tickets to a sporting event; clearly the answer is yes! Being the world's best daughter and sister, I decided to bring my dad and brother along with me. I know, I know.... so cute of me.

Meatopia, founded by Josh Ozersky, was held in a far, far away land I like to call Brooklyn. Behind my (younger & taller) brother and I was the beginnings of a beautiful afternoon @ Meatopia. 

Having VIP tickets allowed us to have access before the general public. We happened to arrive just on time for Ozersky's tour of Meatopia, which was being filmed for Ozersky.TV (I think).  Taking us around booth to booth, Ozersky let us in on his favorites at Meatopia. It was most definitely one of the highlights of the event.

And Time for the Food: 

Cypriot-Style Pork Gyro [bZgrill]

Crispy Pig Head Stuffed With Scrapple on a Buttermilk Biscuit w/ Oregon Chow Chow [Country Cat Dinner House & Bar]

Grilled Kalamansi-Spiced Chicken Thighs w/ Scallion-Tomatillo Salsa 

[Abe & Arthur's]

Korean Marinated Hanger Steak w/ Goat Cheese Chantilly [LudoBites]

Smoked Angus Brisket & Southern Pulled Pork Shooters w/ Baked Cheese Grits & Creamy Southern Slaw [4 Rivers Smokehouse]

Kowloon-Style Beef Short Rip Tart [RedFarm]

Sumac & Zataar-Spiced Grilled Lamb Ribs w/ Lebanese Salad [ilili]

Bahn Juif, Jewish Bahn Mi: Petcha, Ground Veal, and Garlic Chopped Liver [Mile End]

Bacom & Sorgum-Glazed Quail w/ Watermelon Sweet Corn Salad [Seersucker]

Costillar a las Brasas: Whole Roasted Veal Ribcage and Sweetbreads With Chimichurri [Ignacio Mattos]

This wasn't even half of the food we had eaten at Meatopia, but I had to stop somewhere... This post was just getting too awkwardly long. Regardless of the fact that it was over 100 degrees that day, the food was incredible, the view of the city was beautiful and Meatopia overall was one of the best days I've had in a long time.

Hey Frankie

I'm breaking girl code and coming out with a secret. Many girls deny it to avoid being made fun of or looking like a crazed psycho, but it's true... girls really do start planning their wedding the moment they come out of the womb. I'm not afraid to admit that I have a pictures of potential wedding dresses saved in my iphoto or admit that I've spent hours debating which color hydrangeas I would have at my wedding. Those are normal, healthy thoughts that girls have. I think I took it to the next level though when I discovered that Frankie Sputinos, one of my favorite restaurants, has an event and catering company. Not entirely sure how Italian food would mix with my Kosher relatives, so I had to settle somewhere. Engagement Party it is! It works out perfectly. Their venue, small and intimate, will be where I'll hold my little party and their food will be served to satisfy all my lovely guests. I guess now all I have to do is find a man...

MP

Michael Psilakis appeared on Live With Regis & Kelly and killed it! Watch for yourself...