Do you wanna Benihana?

John and I were invited over to Andrea and Brannon's house for a Japanese feast Benihana-style that we will not forget.  It started off with Pear Saketini's prepared by Brannon with the most delicious pear juice and fresh pears.  After appetizers Andrea wowed us with her version of the Benihana recipes that were "to die for"!  Benihana (according to the restaurant website) means "red flower", well I wonder if that is a red ginger flower because ginger was one of the stars of the table.  The salad dressing and even more delicious ginger sauce that Andrea prepared was an amazing complement to the fried rice, veggies, and garlic-marinaded shrimp and scallops.  We even learned a new shrimp trick from Brannon that allowed us to savor even more of the delicious dinner.  This was capped by a dessert that allowed me to try rice ice cream for the first time, and it won't be my last!  Thanks to Andrea and Brannon, I wanna Benihana again next weekend!

NYCs Top Three

Last week, I had the luck to begin the new year in one of the greatest food cities, New York.  Although I was there for two conferences, I did manage to enjoy some of the wonderful delicacies the city has to offer.  Here are my favorites:

1. The best meal I had was at Becco restaurant.  Not only was it tasty, it was a total deal.  The dinner started with anitpasto misto that included at least 15 different dishes--including octopus salad, sundried tomatoes, and ricotta cheese with honey.  Then, we were served three different pastas.  It was all you can eat, but as you can see from the picture, one portion was enough.  My dinner companion described the ragu sauce as a "dream," the homemade spagetti was a perfect accompaniment to the fresh basil and tomatoes, and the mushroom and sage ravioli was decadent.  Of course we had dessert because we were planning on walking it off...

2. Fried plantains at Victor's Cafe--need I say more...But I will.  They were filled with pulled pork and raisins accompanied by a black bean sauce and goat cheese.

3. Bread.  I had the best bread at two places that I wish were closer to home:

Brioche at Le Pain Quotidien

Focaccias at Amy's Bread in Chelsea Market.  I got a special guided tour of the market.  I now know where I want to live when I win the lottery--well at least one of my homes will be in the market.

Bread pudding at Odeon.  Who says you can't have bread for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert?

Good Beginnings

Last night we started 2009 with a few of our favorite things: good friends, festive toasts, and delicious food.  For my part, I made a cheese ball for the first time.  I am not sure why I have never made one of these before, but I do know that I intend to whip up many more in 2009.  By the end of the night there was a pretty big dent in it--I think it was at least half a pound of cheese per person.  That was just the beginning of a fun night that included the delicious dinner John prepared and the Pecan and Chocolate Pie Amy shared with us.  Yum!

John made a Prime Filet, which was wonderful.  I usually don't believe in the hype over Prime--sorry Dad and John--but now I am a believer!  Check out the delicious dish, Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce and Gorgonzola Scalloped Potatoes.  My tastebuds were SO happy!