An Afternoon on Governors Island and Dinner at Sequoia Restaurant

Sequoia Restaurant
Pier 17
New York, NY 10038
(212) 732-9090 | Online Reservations | Map

As a Taurus (and a total Type-A self-proclaimed overachiever), I hate admitting when I've failed. Failed at achieving a goal. Failed at meeting a deadline. Failed at keeping my word. Even typing the word "fail" makes me anxious and flushed and I hate the feeling associated with it. But, I'm an adult... And I have to learn to accept certain situations, learn from my mistakes, and move forward.

Whole Wheat Penne with Sausage and Broccolini

Since the Hartford Marathon (and the beginning of a much lazier existence for me) is less than three weeks away, I thought it would appropriate to share one of my go-to meals when I need to load up on carbohydrates the evening before a long run. This time around, I used broccolini as my green vegetable because they were on sale at the market, but you can easily use broccoli, broccoli rabe, green peas, or asparagus depending on personal preference or availability of ingredients in your area.

Dinner with Dad at Bentara

Bentara Restaurant
76 Orange Street
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 562-2511 | Online Reservations | Map

I was reading through the New Haven Guide on Design Sponge earlier this week and realized that I never wrote about the dinner I shared with my father at Bentara in honor of Malaysian Restaurant Week. For me, Bentara is an old favorite. My first job out of college was in New Haven, just up the street from the restaurant, and I would have lunch there often with coworkers. In fact, we all loved the food so much, we would call the restaurant to place our orders ahead of time so the food would be ready (or nearly ready) by the time we walked there. For me father, however, dining at Bentara would be a first.

People-Watching over Brunch at Punch Restaurant

Punch Restaurant
913 Broadway
New York, NY 10010
(212) 673-6333 | Online Reservations | Map

Truth be told, people-watching is one of my favorite activities to do in New York. The rewards gained from people-watching are that much sweeter when you can do it while out for weekend brunch with your girlfriends, sitting at a table by the window or out on the sidewalk and sipping breakfast cocktails. I got to do just that when I met up with friends at Punch Restaurant to take advantage of their brunch special (choice of brunch entrée with coffee or tea and Bloody Mary or mimosa or tap beer, freshly baked muffins, and house-made preserves for $18.95).

Featured Friday, Volume 1.8

The last time I wrote a Featured Friday post, I was staring down the reality of a 9-mile marathon training run the next morning. That was back in August and I can now count the weeks until the Hartford Marathon on one hand. Tomorrow, I'll be pushing myself through the longest run I've ever done IN MY LIFE:

a 14-miler

I'm anxious and nervous that my body won't hold up and should probably go to bed to rest up. But I wanted to give a really quick shout-out first.

Power Lunch [of Sorts] at Bond 45

Bond 45
154 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 869-4545 | Online Reservations | Map

Because I work in Midtown Manhattan in Advertising Sales, one may be quick to assume that the power lunch is a regular fixture in my day-to-day routine. As much as I would love to admit to living a life that allowed me to spend more than one month's rent on a single meal with clients, I handle all things administrative for my department and would look absolutely ridiculous negotiating deals over lunch. In fact, lunch for me usually consists of popping out to pick up something small that I could bring back to the office and eat at my desk -- a sandwich, a salad, a bowl of soup.

Sweet and Spicy Bacon

Last month, before hitting up the Gourmet archives on Epicurious to choose a recipe for my August Gourmet, unbound contribution, I gave myself a set of rules to follow in order to challenge myself more in the kitchen. I was prepared to do the same when I went about choosing a recipe for September, but all of those rules went right out the window when I found a recipe for Sweet and Spicy Bacon.