Floor Picnic, Upper East SIde, NYC

We decided to have a night in so we had a picnic on the floor in front of the TV. You can take the Mainers out of Maine, but not the Maine out of the Mainers.

Dylan's Candy Store

 


















When you spend the day hoofing it all over Manhattan with your kids, its a good idea to have a reward in mind, especially if you starved them half to death having to double back from the park to find and ATM so you can actually purchase the street food you planned! Fortunately I had Dylan's Candy Bar on my mind for several months before the trip. I kept it a surprise for a LONG time and even fooled them by telling them I was looking for a vegetable market. Well that actually happened in Brooklyn, but I used the joke again because I could because really my kids get excited about vegetables. I digress.

Ice Cream was the perfect much needed reward after walking several miles along the city streets and park ways.

Street Food, Central Park, NYC

I love New York City and Central Park is it's heart! There is nothing better than NYC street food and I am so thankful I got to treat my kids to it and have them eat it in the Park.
I love my falafel!
























Baby really got his city fix too. He climbed every rock that the Park had. He adored all the people watching. For us Mainers, getting a sneak peak at spring is the most special part.

My beloved SP had a lamb Gyro and was very happy.

Lily Thai, Brooklyn, NY

An evening of Thai food  at Lily Thai for our last night in Brooklyn.
It was also  another reminder  that I needed to make pickled veggies at home!

Beware of the scotch bonnets in the Mango salad. It's good but they're super hot!

I love my chicken satay!
You know it is a good meal when it ends looking like this!

Best Pizza, Brooklyn NY

 
I'm not sure if it really is the BEST pizza in Brooklyn, but I can say that the pizza with the pickled veggies was SO good. It has inspired me to make my own julienne pickled veggies at home! Another thing I am sure of is how LARGE these pizzas actually are. Here is a man hand for perspective.

And a little girl arm for perspective on the pepperoni pizza!

 Mainers seriously have no idea what NYC pizza is really like. They are missing out!

It's truly a learning opportunity to know that you are lucky if one slice fits on a plate and that there is a way to eat pizza correctly! Thanks SP for modeling!

Anniversary Dinner at the Oxford House

Once again a lovely evening with Frond!
We each ate off the salad and appetizer lists so there was plenty to taste and share and fill up on.
I started with the Bacon Deviled eggs!

The one thing that really stood out to me on the menu, and something I have been desperate to try, was this angelic version of a watermelon and feta salad. The small dice of both parts, with a light dash of maple syrup was amazing! Perfection and a definite re-do in my own kitchen, because this makes me rethink my dislike of watermelon!

Pair this with their deep fried cheese curds, served with a fresh chunk marinara, and my taste buds were in heaven. Such an awesome harvest meal.

The most lovely taste, and largest risk for me as a picky eater, was this delicious tuna salsa.
 This is also something I want to recreate in my own kitchen. So wonderful and tasty and healthy! It was even garnished with a slice of deep fried avocado! It was so neat to eat it!




























Frond had the crispy duck appetizer (The Hoison braised pulled duck) and a fried zucchini dish.

Dog Watch Cafe, Stonington CT

Back to my roots, a nice lunch on the water in Stonington Burough at The Dog Watch Cafe. 

This beautifully presented dish was actually an appetizer. Perfect for little ole' me at lunch time.  This was the southwestern chicken egg rolls. It was yummy and had the perfect amount of kick to it!