Reading The Tea

During our recent visit to NY, Dustin, Amanda, my aunt and I took advantage of Morimoto’s extended Restaurant Week menu.

We started with mozzarella and heirloom tomato, which doesn’t sound very Japanese until you see how it was presented.

I had amazing sushi (Missing a piece below, ’cause I forgot to photograph it before I tried one.).

Dustin was thrilled by the Bento Box, with Kobe beef.

And, of course, the wasabi-infused vodka martini.

We were all intrigued by the popcorn ice-cream (milk infused with popcorn overnight), so we shared dessert.

Inspired by a book “Learn to Knit” by Barbara Walker at Auntie’s apartment, Bronwen and I decided to make 2007 the year of “Operation Afghan.” We are going to knit all 63 squares through the progressively harder techniques, create a lovely blanket in the end and achieve the standing of master knitter. Last Saturday Auntie, Bronwen and I brunched at Penelope’s (Great brunch, but be prepared — they get up earlier in that neighborhood — we were there at 10:30 and still had a wait.) then went yarn shopping at School Products for some lovely Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride yarn. It’s 85% wool, 15% Mohair. After much (much) debate, my yarns are Medieval Red (purpley-garnet), Red Baron (nice red), Autumn Harvest (nice gold) and another and lovely rust orange color (will edit with proper name). I’ll be putting them together in the end with a lovely coffee-with-milk brown (will also edit with proper name).

It’s happened — Dustin’s 25. Many celebratory festivities are to follow this weekend, but last night we kept it low-key. A few of us went to High Chai for lots (and lots and lots) of infused vodka, infused vodka tea martinis and Russian food. Those of you who know my obsession with all edible things rose will be able to imagine how happy the rose and flowers infused vodka made me. The blood orange was the other favorite. Martini highlights: Black Monk, a thick black current vodka based drink, and the White Chocolate Truffle, soft and sweet. Oh yes, I did mention that they all include tea? The birthday boy got the Spiced Tea Rubbed Shirt Steak with Fries and Ginger Garlic Aioli — it was worth every penny of the $17.50. (My favorite of the entrees we tried.)The other entrees ranged from $13-15. Only food negative — not very vegetarian friendly menu. However, the waiter, John, was super friendly, not to mention ooh shit! smart (has his doctorate in math from Princeton, at 27…). Besides being smart he was also really nice, so we all hope that he’s our new friend. They brought out a candle in dessert, and we each picked our own key to sing “Happy Birthday” to Dustin.