So High Tech...

Foodies, please note that I have added an RSS feed to my blog so now you can always find out the latest Frugal Foodies news but just adding to your iGoogle page.

I promise to update constantly now that I have my life back in order! Thanks to my loyal readers!!

Restaurant Review - Blackbird's Chicago

I know its been a while. Dear Foodies, please accept my sincerest of apologies. I've done some traveling in our time apart and one of my trips was to the Second City, (honestly its kinda becoming first to me...) Chicago.

Having only been once in my life on a high school art history trip, I knew that Chicago would be a whole new experience. I was correct. I was basically visiting the city for the first time.

The whole trip was amazing, but I think what stood out the most was the incredibly dining experience I had at Blackbird.

This restaurant is definitely not for the faint of heart. You walk in, and enter this railroad style restaurant where you can see everything; the kitchen, bar and basically the whole dining room (I would say a 50 person capacity). Minimalism is definitely a theme. The walls are stark white as are the tables, the servers are dressed up much like the patrons, you can barely detect them in the crowd. Its a little crammed but having lived in New York for this long, I barely even notice anymore.

The Food. Oh the food. I can honestly say that out of the 20 or so items on the menu there was one component in each dish where I had no clue what it was. We started out with Endive Salad (endives, crispy potatoes, basil, dijon, pancetta and poached egg), which was really beautifully presented, wrapped in the crispy potato, then the server came table side and like a surgeon carefully dissected the salad and chopped and tossed together. After this I knew coming here was the right decision, who goes through all this trouble for a salad. People who are on the top of their game, that's who.

Here is what we order for the rest of the meal:

• Crispy confit of swan creek farm suckling pig with local soybeans, baby artichokes, preserved lemon and pork rinds


• Slow-roasted alaskan halibut with grilled cipollini onions, royal trumpets, cripsy pancetta, asparagus and miso


• Braised rack of lamb with fresh chickpeas, spring radishes, pickled feta and lovage

Overall, this could be one of the better restaurants I've eaten at in my life. There is just something you have to respect about every component that is on the plate. Each dish was thoughtful, creative and most importantly DELICIOUS!

Be aware though, go with a hefty wallet, such fine dining does not run cheap, but it was completely worth every penny.

Blackbird
619 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 715-0708
www.blackbirdrestaurant.com

Cocktail Time! - Sweet Tea Vodka

This is something to get excited about. My friend Beth wrote me an email talking about Firefly's Sweet Tea Vodka and I kept think how delicious that would in Two Sisters Tea!!



So dear foodies, spice up that sweet tea recipe from yesterday with a little sweet tea vodka and I think you have the perfect summertime drink!



Visit http://www.fireflyvodka.com/home.cfm for more information.

Recipe - Two Sisters Tea

This recipe is from Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Allison, and is the finest sweet tea I have ever had. I promise you I didn't like sweet tea until I allowed this delicious nectar to grace my lips.

Without further adieu, here is the recipe...

Two Sisters Tea (makes about 2 quarts)

Ingredients:

• 4 regular size tea bags (not family bags)


• 4 cups boiling water


• 6 oz. can of lemonade


• 1 scant cup sugar


• 4 cups of tap water

Directions:

Pour boiling water over tea bags. Cover & steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove tea bags after steeping. Add a 6 oz. can of lemonade, 1 scant cup sugar, & 4 cups of tap water. Stir & refrigerate.

**For mint tea: add mint to tea bags, pour boiling water over to steep. Remove mint & tea bags.
**Diet tea: use Splenda instead of regular sugar.

Restaurant Review - Southern Hospitality

When Lex told me that the SEC Happy Hour was to be held at Southern Hospitality, Justin Timberlake's "Southern" Restaurant on the Upper East Side, I was more than apprehensive.

I decided to go, mostly to mix and mingle and maybe eat a little bit.



When I got there I was overwhelmed with the themed decor, you can definitely tell someone was trying to set the Southern vibe, which for me was a little over done. I will admit, however, the smells from the food passing me by did look more than appealing.



We decide to sit and eat, and I am telling you dear foodies, if you go here for true Southern BBQ, you will not be disappointed. Yes, you read that right, JT did his homework and apparently got some recipes from his grandmother to help compile the menu. She is a wise woman. It was great.



Here's an overview of what we ordered taken straight from the menu (note: These portions are HUGE, I would definitely share)

• Haystack Onion Strings - thinly sliced yellow onions, golden fried and piled high served with our homemade dippin' sauce


• Baby Back Ribs - slow smoked and brushed with our bbq sauce


• Macaroni And Cheese - a dinner sized portion of the classic served bubbling hot and nicely browned

I realize that this is only three items, but between four people we couldn't finish everything. The service was great, the food outstanding (I am still thinking about those onion strings) and an amusing ambiance, that while overdone was entertaining.

Southern Hospitality
1460 2nd Avenue b/t 76th & 77th
New York, NY 10021
(212) 249-1001

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaId=1&restaurantId=44092

Mississippi in the Park

There's nothing better than finding a piece of home in NYC. For me, it was this past weekend at Mississippi in the park, a day in Central Park with people from all around Mississippi. For those that don't know I spent 4 glorious years at the University of Alabama, and while I realize this is not Mississippi, when 4 out of 6 roommates are from the Hospitality state, you tend to

Anyways every June people from all around can gather and get a sample of a Mississippi lifestyle. Blues band, catfish, watermelon seed spitting contest (I kid you not...), its amazing.

This year was no different the catfish was fried to perfection, thanks to a special catfish frying team that drove all the way from Madison, MS with a frying station attached to the back of their pick up truck. The hushpuppies were AMAZING, slightly spicy with a sweet onion taste -- thankfully they only gave us three or I would have eaten them all. This meal couldn't be complete without sweet tea, and thankfully McAllister's was there to quench our thirst.

Despite the heat wave (the first of many 90 degrees days in NYC) everyone was gathered under a tree, listening to blues music and having a great time in Mississippi by way on Central Park.

For more in formation check out: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/upcoming_events/events.php?id=27647

Cocktail Time - Sangria

In tradition of summer, what better drink is there than Sangria?! This is from my cousin Lisa, who obviously likes her alcohol because this sounds POTENT! Haha, just kidding Lisa, these portions are definitly for a party

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine ( I prefer white)




• 1 bottle 7-up




• 1 bottle orange juice




• 1/2 cup brandy




• 1/2 cup triple sec




• 1 bottle Zodiac Vodka




• 1/8 cup lime juice




• 2 apples cubed




• 2 oranges sliced




• 2 cup of grapes

Mix it all together in a container that will fit that much liquid (I am definily thinking a cooler of some sort) and have yourself a summertime PARTY!