Instasnack: Pomegranate Pistachios

Current Favorite Snack

Sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy

@forkandword

BACON! Enough Said.

All one really needs in life is bacon, bourbon, and beer. Okay so that may not be all we need, but it's a pretty damn good start. 

For my birthday back in February (this post is a little overdue) my BFF treated me to dinner at BarBacon in Hell's Kitchen, NYC. Knowing I love bacon-anything, she chose pretty much the best way to celebrate another year in my life. 

It was clear from the start this was not going to be a healthy meal, so we went all out and could have cared less. We each started with a bacon and beer pairing flight. Known for their artisanal bacons from around the country, BarBacon paired up four select bacons and four artisanal craft beers. When the deliciousness was presented to us, we literally started drooling. Ladylike behavior went out the window when we walked in the door. 

Our yummy slices were Applewood-smoked, jalapeño, black pepper, and Vermont maple. I was surprised how spicy the jalapeño was and since I'm a little wimpy, I only took a few bites. The Vermont maple was by far my favorite. 

Next I had Shain's BLT, since they were heartbreaking sold out of Bacon Loves Lobster Roll. My BLT was still delish with Applewood-smoked bacon, Bibb lettuce, organic tomato, organic sunny egg, avocado, and mayo on ciabatta. A little messy to eat but good anyway. My pal had the BarBacon Grilled Cheese with fontina, gruyere, and a baby soup on the side. Cute and yummy.

Let's not forget the bourbon cocktails! We both had the Bourbon Ginger Smash with Bulleit Bourbon, fresh muddled ginger, lemon and mint, agave nectar, and a splash of ginger beer. 

One word: Awesome.

A birthday celebration wouldn't be complete without dessert... or a sneaky whisper to the waiter for a candle. Stuffed to the max, we shared the bourbon and bacon bread pudding. I loved it so much I force-fed myself. The weight gain was worth it.

If you love bacon nearly as much as I do, then you have to check out BarBacon. The atmosphere, beverage program, and of course bacon selection, make the this place worth it. 

Go! Or you really can't claim to love life's essentials - bacon, bourbon, and beer.

As Seen On: Love Lane Kitchen Staff Members Travel to Guatemala on Education Mission

At Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck, the staff shares more than a love for good food, they also share a passion. Assistant manager Jazmin Carillo started Programa Sueños a nonprofit whose mission is to improve education for low-income children in her native Guatemala. Inspired by their friend’s dream, a few staff members traveled to San Antonio el Angel to visit Carillo’s tiny hometown.

To view the complete article, click here.

Bar Seven Five: Wolf of Wall Street Cocktails

With Leonardo DiCaprio on the mind (he's always on the mind), there's no better way to toast to this actor's recent success in The Wolf of Wall Street than with these cinema-inspired cocktails at Wall Street's only hotel- Andaz.

This swanky hotel will be serving a limited edition cocktail menu at Bar Seven Five through March 4, 2014 to celebrate "Awards Season." These wittily named cocktails are priced at $14 each, and include:

Stock Broker

 Whisky with sweet vermouth, demerara syrup, a touch of absinthe, and bitters, garnished with a lemon pigtail and served in a rock glass

White Collar 

Gin with lemon juice and crème de cassis, garnished with a blackberry and served in a flute glass

4pm 

Cognac with crème de cacao and fresh cream, topped with grated nutmeg

So here's to you, Leo. Cheers!

Friday Food Find: Comtesse Thérèse Bistro

Brie en Croute- baked puff pastry with brie and mushroom, served with mesclun greens and house made peanut vinaigrette

Comtesse Thérèse Bistro

739 Main Road, Aquebogue, New York 11931

631.779.2800

RVA Dine: Richmond Cuisine Meets New York

Richmond as a city is unknown to me. The only time I had even been in Virginia was passing through on my way moving to New Orleans. It's nothing personal, I am open to any place that has delicious food, wine, and beer. Lucky for me, I got to experience the rich and vast culinary scene of Richmond right in New York.

On November 15 I attended a dinner in NYC for Richmond Region Tourism, featuring three talented chefs and a brewer visiting from Richmond to showcase the best of what their city has to offer. My fellow diners and I sat in the kitchen with the guys while they prepped each dish and introduced us to what for me was a new culinary adventure and rich history of one of our founding states.

We were first presented with a colorful charcuterie board of house-cured meats, pickled vegetables, homemade mustards, jams, and crostini. The board was almost too beautiful to eat, but I got over that right away. Prepared by Chef Joe Sparatta of Heritage, this was the perfect start to an evening of indulgence and imbibing.

Our second dish was a roasted sea scallop with cranberry and Brussels sprouts. I must say I don't think I have ever enjoyed Brussels sprout this much. For that, I thank you Chef Lee Gregory. His restaurant, The Roosevelt, is located in Richmond's oldest neighborhood, Church Hill. Chef Gregory also prepared the third dish called Duck Brunswick Stew. The first ingredient listed is foie gras and my mouth watered at just that. What a treat to savor!

Pasture's Chef Jason Alley whipped up rice grits with pickled and fresh Virginia mushrooms, house-cured ham and "city garden" herb salad. Paired with Hardywood Farmhouse Pumpkin beer, this dish made me feel like I was back in the South enjoying a hearty home cooked meal with friends. It had that unmistakable warm, cozy feeling you can't get anywhere else.

Bacon and eggs were served for dessert by Chef Sparatta. Not your typical "breakfast," a delicate egg shell filled with layered custard and a side of maple bacon served as a sweet and savory finish to an evening of eating and imbibing. All of the chefs were passionate and personable, making each bite that much more enjoyable. A special thanks must be paid to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for providing the array of craft beers paired with each course.

Well Richmond, you came to New York and conquered. I now have the overwhelming desire to visit your city full of not only history, but culinary genius which needs to be explored.

Pumpkins in the City

Few things are more synonymous with fall than pumpkins. From picking to pies and smashing to craving, pumpkins are wonderful for all things autumn, especially Thanksgiving. Some New York City spots are taking advantage of the local bounty for delicious tastes this holiday.

Let's get to the most important "dish" first that we'll all need to survive the holidays- a cocktail. Todd's Mill on the Lower East Side has introduced Hot Pumpkin Buttered Rum to their beverage program just in time. Owner Matt Suchomski's grandmother made her own pumpkin pie filling (because grandmas are awesome) and this recipe is inspired by this childhood favorite. Made with pumpkins from Migliorelli Farm in Upstate New York, the pie filling is mixed with creamy butter and aged rum for this soul-warming cocktail. Cheers to that!

Chef Chad Minton of Andaz 5th Avenue cooks up pumpkin risotto with crispy kale and fig balsamic as a vegetarian and gluten-free dinner option this week. The slow-cooked Italian dish is made with ingredients purchased at the Union Square Greenmarket. 

Pie is no longer restricted to a tin. New York Central at the Grand Hyatt added pumpkin pie in a glass to their dessert menu. The creamy custard dish of pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg is topped with caramelized walnuts. The pumpkins come from a small farmer's stand alongside a road in Granite Springs, NY. Too good to turn down, the restaurant's Executive Chef brought back the fall goods to Executive Pastry Chef Gonzalo Jimenez to create this tasty, seasonal dessert.

Whether looking for a delicious and cozy cocktail or an autumn treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, New York has it all. From Manhattan to Montauk and the Catskills to the Finger Lakes, our great state offers many things we can be thankful for.

Be thankful this year for all you have been blessed with and enjoy every bite with your loved ones this year. Happy Thanksgiving!