Ay Jalisco: La Comida Era Mala

For my readers that don't speak Spanish (I don't either), la comida era mala means the food was bad. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my family visited one of the Ay Jalisco Mexican restaurants in our town. I had actually been asking to go here for years but my mother refused claiming it was run by a Chinese family that knew nothing about Mexican food. I have no earthly idea where she got that from but suffice to say, she changed her mind when she heard a neighbor rave about the food. The restaurant was designed to look like a mariachi band gone wild. Lots of flare and color all over. I liked it. We were seated in a cozy booth toward the back of the restaurant near the kitchen. Our server immediately came over and greeted us and gave us menus and the obligatory chips and salsa. The chips were great. Crispy and just enough salt. The salsa was spicy but could have been chunkier and less soupy. We all ordered something different. Mom tried the chicken fajitas. Karin had the veggie burrito and I ordered the skirt steak tacos. My tacos were served on a plate with refried beans, guacamole, and rice. The steak was really fatty and not at all what I expected. The corn tortillas broke apart so I couldn't really eat them as tacos. The rice was really cold and the guacamole was so so. Karin said her burrito was OK. Passable but nothing she would jump up and down for at all. Mom's chicken fajitas looked great but they were drenched in oil and were lukewarm.

I really had high hopes since there are several locations and they always seem crowded. Perhaps the one at Miracle Mile just isn't a good one? I guess I will just have to cook Mexican food in Vero for now :) Luckily, I have Penzey spices to help me!

Bottom line: Skip Ay Jalisco at Miracle Mile. If anyone tries another location and likes it, please let me know. For now, I will stick to cooking Mexican food myself when I visit!

3 Cheers for Corsino

I hit the new restaurant jackpot a few Friday night's ago. I went to a place called Corsino that is owned by the guy who did 'inoteca and 'ino. I can't remember the last time I was so excited by a restaurant! Not only was my company top notch, but I also got 1,000 points on Open Table! The West Village location makes for a cozy spot on a chilly Friday night. We started with a glass of Montepulciano while perusing the menu. We decided to order a medley of things and share. First to the table was the assortment of crostini. We had the brussel sprouts and pecorino, the butternut squash and garlic, ricotta and honey, shrimp and arugula, and basil pesto. As I learned that evening, a crostino is a smaller slice of bread that is crispy. We liked all of them but my favorite was the brussel sprout and pecorino. I thought the pecorino would be grated into the brussels but in fact it was under everything. Lovely! We then feasted on baked ricotta with toasted ciabatta. A nice mid course before our cheese plate. Cheese is always a treat indeed. We ordered a selection of Italian cheeses that were served with a spicy jam. While I love cheese, I think I could have skipped this course and ordered more crostino! The superstar of the meal was hands down the Heritage Brisket Meatballs with tomato and pecorino. 3 GIANT meatballs that were just taking a nice tomato bath waiting to be forked by me! As a compliment to the GIANT meatballs, we ordered a side of their brussel sprouts and butternut squash. Both lovely but if I had to pick I would go with the brussels!

Bottom line: Corsino is such a nice addition to my rolodex of restaurants. I love everything about the place. The value, the food, the atmosphere. Everything gets a 10 from me. Families will be comfortable too as the back part of the restaurant has several 10 person tables. Foodie Chick readers, I highly, highly, highly recommend.

www.corsinocantina.com

I Love America's Steel City

My parents are both from Pittsburgh,Pa. I was born there and lived in the North part of the city till I was about 5. The city was built by my great grandparents. I think everyone my age can say their elders had a hand in shaping Pittsburgh. The city is a true melting pot of different people and cultures. While my parents loved their steel city, they had one too many winters and decided it was time to hit the road and go South. Fortunately, my grandparents and cousins remained in Pittsburgh so I had the opportunity several times a year to go back and see them. My grandparents took great care of me and my younger brother Fritz when we came for the summer. My gram cooked 5 nights a week with Friday and Sunday's off. She was such a funny cook. She was a product of the great depression so we never bought anything without a coupon and she recycled every Ziploc bag 3-4 times before it was so gross looking I had to pitch it or fear being poisoned. Once when my gram was not feeling well she asked me to stop at the store and buy a few things. I came home and handed her the receipt and change. She told me I paid too much for the tuna and I bought the wrong mayo. So, we got in the car and headed back to the store and she returned these items. I was mortified. Absolutely mortified. I said, "gram, you are so cheap. It's less than a dollar that you will save buying the other brand." She fired back telling me a dollar is a dollar and we are getting it back. When I was 15 I didn't really appreciate this at all. 20 years later, I get it. I wouldn't do it but I understand:) I digress....

I recently went to my city of birth to see my cousins Liz and Rachel. Liz is a mom who has two kids, Jack and Sam, that I adore. I picked Halloween weekend on purpose as I wanted to trick-or-treat with all the kids. I also picked this weekend as it was my cousin Rachel's 39th birthday. In celebration of her big day, we went to a wonderful little bistro called the Point Brugge Cafe. Nestled in a little neighborhood on the East side of the city, Point Brugge serves up inventive fare in a cozy little brownstone. We started with pomme frites with a basil mayo that was to die for. Delicious with a capital D! We also ordered their crab cake to share that was paired with a spicy tartar. Also, awesome. I ordered the cuban sandwich as my entree. Can't say I was a fan. The sandwich was not pressed enough and I expected more garlic in the mayo. I was disappointed but relieved when my cousin Liz gave me a piece of bread to soak in her mussel pot. She made the best order of us all with the red curry and cilantro mussels. The sauce for the mussels was dynamite. I would go back there just for it! The birthday girl had a grilled cheese with red pepper that was tasty and my cousin Noel had a pesto shrimp sandwich that was lovely. I think I had bad order luck. But....we toasted Rachel with some champers so all was just peachy.

Bottom line: Check out Point Brugge for their good beer list and yummy pomme frites. Stay away from the cuban sandwich my friends. Go for the mussels and ask for extra bread!!

www.pointbrugge.com

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I have been MIA way too long. Good reasons though: 1) I was swamped at work and couldn't bear to turn on my computer at home after a long day at the office. 2) Because I was "over" eating out so much and had to take a break and 3) my wallet needed some relief!

Now, the show must go on!

I had an absolutely AMAZING dinner at Keste. For those that read other food blogs and follow the local restaurant beat, you will know that Keste was rated the #1 pizza place in NYC. If I told you I knew Keste was awesome before NYC did you all wouldn't believe me. But I knew months before that Keste was the pizza destination of Manhattan. All thanks to my cousin Liz from Pittsburgh. As it turns out, the owner of Keste is a man named Roberto Caporuscio who hails from a town outside Naples. Roberto moved to Pittsburgh years ago and opened up a shop in Bellevue, PA. My cousin Liz found Roberto's place and instantly became hooked. So when Roberto decided to pack up and head for the big apple, he naturally emailed his best customers and told them to come see him on Bleecker street. Naturally, Liz forwarded his email to me and then I was in the know! My mom recently came to see me and we went to Keste for dinner one evening. There were a few of us and we all ordered different pizza's. In hindsight, I think my friend Alicia had the best looking pizza--and I know it was tasty as she didn't share a bite!!! Below is her sausage and broccoli rabe pizza that was cooked to perfection:

Bottom line: Keste is a great deal in our city. Cheap wine and delicious pizza. Great for kids! They don't take reservations so make sure you are OK waiting!

www.kestepizzeria.com

Top 5 Cheap Eats in NYC

Cheap and New York City don't really work in a sentence. If you said this to a random person on the street, they would probably laugh deep from their belly and think you were crazy. But here is the thing foodie chick readers, cheap DOES exist in Gotham. Let me clarify my idea of cheap. Buffets don't count. They are a big NO in my book. Yes cheap, but scary and gross. Also, I am not going to count the endless array of cheap salad shops, chipotles, pret a mangers, etc, etc, etc. They don't count in my book. Here is how I define cheap: delicious food with good ingredients and a nice wine list all under $25 bucks per person for dinner. This can be accomplished! I assure you! Here is my current list of cheap eats:

1) 'INO --> I have been coming here since they opened. Its the kind of place you always want to go back to time and time again. I have taken loads of friends here and even my dear mom who gave it two thumbs up. What I like so much about 'ino, is the hominess of the space, the awesome staff who always remembers me, and the most delicious food. I can't go here without always starting off with a glass of proseco. For $8 bucks a glass that is a steal. Depending on my company, I either have their antipasti plate or their Italian cheeses. Both are served with sullivan street bread and cost $12 bucks. If I don't have antipasti or the cheese, I definitely order bruschetta. Their butternut squash is divine as is their pesto. 1 bruschetta costs $3 bucks. I always order a panini except I doctor it up a little. My favorite is the mozzarella, basil pesto and pepperonata with caramelized onions added. SOOO good. Each panini is only $11 bucks. I am always too full for dessert but they have some very nice options including toasted bread with nutella! So, proseco + 1 bruschetta + a panini = $22 bucks!

www.cafeino.com

2) 'INOTECA --> This is owned by the 'ino people. I remember when I was at 'ino and they told me they were opening this place. I thought they were brilliant to do so. Considered one of the first restaurants that helped make the LES a dining destination, 'inoteca has been packing them in night after night. One of my favorite dishes, a shaved brussel sprout salad, is currently off the menu but I am hopeful it will return soon. When it was on the menu, it was around $8 bucks. 'Inoteca also serves proseco that is a must for anyone who likes the bubbly. My absolute favorite item on the menu is the "lasagnette di melanzane". Basically, this lasagna has no noodles and is made of eggplant and has onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and parmesan cheese. I must tell you all that nobody makes a better melanzane in the city. I have ordered at many other fine establishments and have been utterly disappointed. Gemma to name one place that massacred such a lovely dish. 'Inoteca charges $12 bucks this entree. Ok, so I am a little over the budget with my order here. Proseco + brussel sprout salad + lasagna = $32 bucks. If I didn't have the bubbly I would be on the mark with a buck to spare! I have been here so many times that I have ordered practically everything on the menu. My other favs include their meatballs, the wagu beef panini, bruschettas, rice balls, mozzarella in carrozza, brick chicken, and their beet salad. You won't be disappointed here at all. Go at off times as prime time dining can make you wait a long time for a table.

www.inotecanyc.com

3) Alta --> I wish I could take complete credit for finding this place. But I can't. My friend Laura is responsible for finding this cozy hidden restaurant tucked in an adorable West Village townhouse. The menu is comprised of small plates that range from duck to pizza to cheese to potatoes. There is probably something on the menu for everyone. What is best is to go with a big group of people so you can try a bunch of different things. My absolute favorite is none other than the crispy brussel sprouts with fuji apples, crème fraiche, and pistachio nuts. I also love the fried goat cheese in lavender honey, the catalonian flatbread with mushrooms and cheese, the bacon wrapped dates and olives, and the Ricotta Parmesan Gnocchi. The wine list is equally impressive with lots of choices that don't break the bank. Depending on what you order, you could keep it at $25 or you might go a little over but it is well worth it. It should come as no surprise that I am a huge Top Chef fan and recently I saw Padma dining at Alta! Unlike 'Ino and 'Inoteca, Alta takes reservations and is GREAT for a group of people. Be warned that they only take cash and American Express!

www.altarestaurant.com

4) Kefi --> This Greek taverna made me like Greek food again. There are a lot of high end Greek restaurants in NYC but the cheap options weren't so good until Kefi arrived...or came back depending on how you know the place. The restaurant comes from the dynamo chef Michael Psilakis who has taken our city by storm. His high end Greek restaurant, Anthos, is one of the best in the city. He recently opened a Gastro Pub called Gus & Gabriel on the UWS that needs to work out some kinks still. Kefi on the other hand, is a well oiled machine that cranks out delicious food at the most affordable prices. Opened at a new location on the UWS, Kefi serves Greek food for both lunch and dinner. The Greek salad is delightful. Not your typical take but rather an inventive re-creation that puts the D in Dill. The spread selection includes tzatziki, eggplant, red pepper, and fish roe all served with perfectly baked pita bread. The Chicken Souvlaki sandwich with tzatziki on pita bread is really nice and a good value as it comes with a side Greek salad and chips for $11.95. The sheep's milk ravioli with brown butter is heavenly as is the sheep's milk dumplings with a spicy lamb sausage. All are priced in the low teens. Kefi also serves great fish dishes with lots of fresh herbs like the grilled swordfish with tomato, olives, and cauliflower. On a recent visit I had the hanger steak with broccoli rabe and it was awesome. Perfectly cooked and so full of flavor. The wines by the glass are so reasonable for NYC ---$6 bucks for a nice house red! Kefi is great for all occasions and party sizes. They do take reservations and they are on open table! Kefi will definitely fit in your budget.

www.kefirestaurant.com

5) Otto --> Who doesn't like pizza, cheese, and wine? Otto began the pizza revolution that has taken over NYC and is taking over America. The idea of serving pizza in a nice setting with an extensive wine list was the brainchild of none other than Mario Batali . On many occasions I have popped into Otto and Mr. Orange clogs himself was sitting at a table stuffing a pizza in his mouth. Otto is where I began my love affair with truffle honey and coach triple cream goat's cheese. Otto is also where I have seen tons of celebs like Holly Hunter, Michael Moore, and Spike Jonze. Otto is also very special to me as a dear friend of mine who has since passed away loved it too. My go-to pizza at Otto is the goat cheese with whatever vegetable they are pairing with it. I typically also order some of their cheese so I can get the truffle honey. It's all about the honey! I also like their balsamic marinated brussel sprouts (duh) and their eggplant caponata . If you don't like a pizza on the menu they will make you whatever you like...but I doubt you would have that problem! Otto also serves a few pasta dishes but they are really small servings and haven't been good in the past. Stick with the pizza. Otto takes reservations and can be really busy so book well in advance. Otto also has wine classes that are really fun. Check out their website for more info! The pizzas range between $7 - $14 bucks and all the pastas are around $10 bucks. The starters vary but you can get the brussels for $4 bucks! Otto is definitely affordable and keeping to $25 bucks is easy.

www.ottopizzeria.com

Bottom line: Check out all these places and let me know what you think. I love them all for different reasons. Eating in NYC doesn't have to be so hard! In a few months I will revisit my list and give you an update! Happy [cheap] Eating!

5 min Review: Socarrat Paella Bar

Who would have thought that NYC had its very own paella bar! I certainly did not until my friend Laura suggested it for dinner one eve. Located in Chelsea, Socarrat is a shoe box size restaurant that serves all sorts of tapas items and several different kinds of paella. We started with the pan tomaca (toasted bread, fresh tomato, olive oil), patatas bravas (spicy potatoes, garlic aioli), and a very gooey eggplant dish that jiggled a lot. The pan tomasca was delicious but the portion was minimal. The patatas bravas were also yummy but we didn't get as much as I would have expected for the $. The eggplant salad was just OK. There was no zip which is perhaps why it was a special starter and not a regular on the menu. The centerpiece of the dinner was the paella for three. We played it safe and had the "Paella Socarrat" which featured chicken, fish, beef, shrimp, cuttle fish, green beans, mussels, and cockle clams. When our server presented us with our dinner, she told us to let it sit for 5 minutes so the rice could cook longer. We did and then we dove in head first! My first bite was glorious. A little rice and a piece of shrimp. All seasoned perfectly. The dish was generously salted but not too much. I can't recall the last time I had such good paella! My friend Emily who was with us said that this paella was as good as what she got in Spain this summer!

Bottom line: Definitely worth a visit. The paella is moderately priced but skip the starters as they are definitely over priced. Also, if you go with a group of 4 or more, ask for the front table in the window!

socarratpaellabar.com

5 min Review: Permanent Brunch

Last weekend my friend Alicia organized an outing to see Still Life at the Lucille Lortel theatre. We decided to have brunch before our play and Alicia let me pick the place. I read about Permanent Brunch a few months ago and put on my short list of places to check out. We met on the early side since they don't reservations and we were a party of 5 which can be hard to seat. After waiting about 40 mins, we were seated at a front table meant for 4! Oh well, we squeezed. We had water immediately from the busboy and menus but didn't see our server for a good 10 mins. Finally, we all ordered. I had scrambled eggs with whole grain toast and herb new potatoes. Sarah and Lauren had the same thing. Alicia had buttermilk pancakes with a fruit sauce on the side. Martha had the baked eggs with a short rib ragu and duck fat fingerling potatoes. We also ordered up a sampler from their bacon bar and these special donuts called zeppolis. If I told you we all got our food at the same time I would be lying. Alicia had her pancakes a good 5 mins before I got my food. Martha's baked eggs came last. About 10 mins after Alicia's pancakes. The zeppolis came out as a starter. The bacon came out between the scrambled eggs and the baked eggs. A total cluster. We asked for syrup. Didn't get for 10 mins. We asked for ketchup. Didn't get for 5 mins. Coffee? We didn't get for 30 mins!!! I actually asked a busboy for a cup. Because our food came out at random times, we couldn't wait to eat together as cold eggs are gross. The food was good. Not great but good. But not worth suffering through the terrible service. On a positive note, the space was really cool and they have this ipod station where you can hook up your device and then play guest DJ. The concept is cool too, heck we all like eating breakfast food at dinner! But get your act together!!!

Bottom line: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Glad I tried but not rushing back. Perhaps going at an off hour would be better instead of during prime brunch hours. Visit at your own risk.

thatstheticketblog.blogspot.com (read Alicia's blog for the play review)

www.permanentbrunch.com

Eatin' it Up in London

London, like New York, has an amazing food scene. But, like all good things, it didn't happen overnight. I remember going to London as a teenager with my mom and being completely devastated by the food choices. Bangers and mash? What the heck is that? Meat pies? Yuck. I think I survived on bread, butter, diet coke, and penguin bars for the entire stay. I eventually went back as an adult and found to my surprise things had changed for the better.

As with any trip I take, I spend hours doing food/restaurant research. After consulting my sources, I sent a list of places and ideas to one of my besty's (Erica) who lives in a darling flat in central London. Erica was celebrating her birthday while I was there so it was extremely important that the birthday girl pick a birthday meal. Aside from Erica's special meal, we hit many spots that I highly recommend!

Day 1: Tired but hungry!

Borough Market --> www.boroughmarket.org.uk

This is a foodie's paradise. I literally stepped into this market and my eyes were wide and my mouth was open. I was in heaven. The stalls lined little pathways that went left and right and revealed magical places. Neal's Dairy Yard is perhaps the best cheese shop ever. Upon arrival, a cheesemonger gave us a taste of a lovely mild blue. This was what they were pushing as their special cheese deal of the day. 20 lbs later, I walked out of Neal's with their Gloucester Cheddar, a Brit version of Manchego, the mild blue I tried upon arrival, and a lovely soft goat cheese that was very rich. After tasting the Gloucester Cheddar, I became hooked. So much so that another vendor was doing grilled cheese sandwiches with this cheese and I had to buy one! What a piggy! Erica and I hit a few more stalls for some fruit and vegetables before leaving this wonderful place.

Armed with all our goodies for later, we went to Mayfair and had tea at Claridge's. What a gorgeous hotel! Erica and I met up with another besty of mine who happens to be moving to London soon. Nancy, Erica, and I all had the champagne tea. Why the heck not?! We sipped our champers while feasting on lovely tea sandwiches -- egg, cucumber, chicken, & salmon-- and the best scones with clotted cream ever. Little did I know that you can actually ask the waiter for more tea sandwiches!

www.claridges.co.uk

Day 2: Birthday Girl's Lunch & Dinner

A bit weary in the head from all the wine and cheese from the night before, we headed out to lovely Hammersmith and went to the very famous River Cafe for lunch. Sitting on the banks of the Thames, this restaurant single handily brought good food to the UK. Rose Gray & Ruth Rogers are considered pioneers in the food world. Not only did they give the UK a food scene, they gave birth to talent like Jamie Oliver and April Bloomfield. All that said, the food was truly amazing. I started with the Antipasti di Verdure that featured red peppers, spinach, fennel, and tomato with a lovely basil EVOO accent. Nancy had a lovely mesclun mix with beans and Erica had the scallop special. Both were beautiful and absolutely delicious. Our entrees were even better. I had the handmade ravioli with pesto and a shower of Parmesan. Words can't describe how good this was! Both Nancy and Erica had the ribolita. We complimented our meals with the nicest Sauvignon blanc from Italy. Since it was a birthday meal, we indulged with a piece of flourless chocolate cake called the Chocolate Nemisis. This cake was served with a tart cream that was a very interesting contrast to the rich chocolate we all enjoyed.

www.rivercafe.co.uk

The Birthday Girl's Dinner was at a really swish gastropub called The Engineer. I can't take full credit for finding. I was tipped off by the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow whose blog, Goop, I read often. There was quite a few of us--Nancy, Rich, Nina, me, and the Birthday Girl-- at the dinner so I can't recall all the dishes. I can recall that I started with a nice bean soup and then had a lovely tortellini pasta with sundried tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. Everything was really good and really affordable. Also, the pub is in a nice location in Primrose Hill. We drank several bottles of wine...I lost count at one point! But what dinner!

www.the-engineer.com

Day 3: Canary Wharf and the Proms

Oh how I love Canary Wharf. Lots of shops, restaurants, and good walking paths parallel to the Thames. Erica and I went out to Canary Wharf with our friend Nicki who was up from Brighton to see us. I was DEAD set on trying out Jamie Oliver's new place called Jamie's Italian. I had been to Fifteen the last time I was in London and loved it so I wanted to sample other Jamie restaurants. We had to wait about 30 mins for a table but that gave us an excuse to sip some Proseco on the terrace of the restaurant. Jamie's Italian reminded me of Otto for those of you familiar with Batali's pizza joint in NYC. Lots of cheeses, meats, pastas, and most importantly, a GREAT wine list. We started off with chickpea popcorn (crunchy fried chickpeas spiced with fennel and sweet paprika), assorted brushetta's (chargrilled sourdough bread served with creamed ricotta, rustic tomato salsa, smashed roast artichoke, rocket and Parmesan pesto), Parmesan with balsamic, mozzarella w/pesto, and rice balls filled with ricotta. We also ordered up a bread basket filled with focaccia, ciabatta, sourdough country bread, and grissini sticks. For our entrees (yes, we ate more), we all shared the pasta bolognese, the truffle tagliatelle, herb polenta, cheesy cauliflower,and balsamic marinated chickpeas. My favorite was the bolognese! Alas, no dessert for us!

www.jamieoliver.com

My last evening was a real treat. A gang of us headed to Hyde Park to attend the Proms put on by the BBC. Little did I know that Barry Manilow was performing!!!! How funny to see tons of Brits walking around with t-shirts saying " I Love Barry"!!!! It was hysterical. We all brought picnic food and set-up a blanket and put out all our goodies.

We feasted on leftover cheese from Neal's, delicious guacamole Nancy made, fresh bread and meat from Whole Foods, olives, and the nicest organic wine courtesy of Nina! We ended the night singing Rule, Britannia!

Bottom line: London is the best. If I wasn't such a die-hard East coaster (and a mamma's girl), I would live there. I love the civility of town. I love the way crowds gather inside pubs like mad. I love the oldness of the city. I love all the black cabs. I love bad British TV. Most of all, I can honestly say I love the food:)

5 min Review : Locanda Verde

A few weeks ago I dined with some faithful foodies at Locanda Verde. The word on the street was positive and it was Italian--how could you go wrong? Plus, the menu looked delicious and the prices were descent. The chef, Andrew Carmellini, comes with quite an impressive resume having been a James Beard award winner and a F&W Best New Chef in 2000. One would think all of this would make for a wonderful dinner.

Think again.

We started with 3 cicchetti's or small plates for those not familiar with the term:

Mozzarella crostino with eggplant & pesto on prosciutto bread
Blue Crab crostino with jalapeno and tomato
Lamb Meatball Sliders with caprino and cucumber

The lamb meatball sliders were by far the tastiest in the bunch. I could have ordered several more! The blue crab was so so as it had a fishy taste. The crostino was good but just pretty ordinary. Nothin' special.

For our entrees, we all picked something different:

Homemade Pappardelle with lamb bolognese, mint and ricotta
Ravioli
Gigantone with Sunday night ragu and provolone picante

The pappardelle was VERY pretty. Big, fat noodles with a nice meat sauce. Again, pretty standard. The gigantone was awfully close in taste to the pappardelle and wasn't that special. My foodie friend liked it but wasn't mesmerized. My ravioli had a lovely taste but the portion was extremely small. It could have been a starter! I had so few of them that all I can recall is that they had parmesan cheese on them!

Bottom line: Save your money and go to your local Italian joint for equally delicious food at half the price.

http://locandaverdenyc.com

Eating Up a Storm in the Big Smoke

My foodies friends...on location in London. Many reviews to come when I get stateside. Reviews from Bourough Market, The River Cafe, The Engineer, JFK Terminal 4, Jamie's, and Claridge's. Maybe a surprise or two!

Having a great time! Cheerio!

A Gourmet BBQ to Remember...

While most Americans are grilling their burgers and dogs on this well deserved day, my family celebrated the extra time we had by creating a gourmet summer menu. This menu was made possible by a brand new grocery store that just opened in Vero. Fresh Market is a chain of stores all over the South and they pride themselves on selection, quality, and price. When we visited the store on Saturday, my mom was almost brought to tears when she spotted the baby bok choy. I too became tearful when I looked over the cheese selection and spyed my all time favorite - Grafton Cheddar. For my foodie friends that aren't familiar with Vero Beach, we have been living with Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Albertson's for way too long. The latter 2 are awful and we don't visit. The Publix near my house, called Wabasso Publix, is in my opinion the best one in town. The selection is better than most and the bakery is better than average. The wine section is very impressive with bottles from all over the world. But, what they fall short on, Fresh Market makes up for ten times over.

Our Labor Day menu:

Starters:

Ina's Guacamole

Little Karin's Salsa

Manchego, Jarlsberg, Danish Blue, & Grafton Cheddar with a quince paste and fig jam

Olives

Entrees:

Beef Tenderloin with a horseradish cream topping

Red and Yellow Beets with Goat Cheese and a Balsamic Vinagrette

Heirloom Tomato Salad with fresh Basil

Karin's Tzatziki with Pita chips

Little Karin's Pasta Salad (sundried tomatoes, wild shrimp, rotini pasta, EVOO, basil, and parmesan cheese)

Grilled Vegetables

Dessert:

Mom's homemade ice-cream (vanilla with chocolate chunks and Nutter Butter cookies) topped with hot fudge

We sent our guests home with doggie bags. As usual, we always make too much!

Bottom line: a big shout out to little Karin's Tzatziki. Perhaps the best I have ever tasted and loaded with garlic! Labor Day BBQ was a success!

Da Bronx

I confess, I am lukewarm about watching baseball. As a kid, I remember watching the Pittsburgh Pirates with my gram and always looked forward to this occasion as it came with a root beer float. Gram was a master float maker. She would serve these heavenly drinks in these great big beer mugs that practically covered my face they were so big. After the floats always came a rush of sugar to my head and in no time I was fast asleep next to her. She would wake me after the game and tuck me into bed and whisper how much she loved me and that the Pirates would win next time. I always think of her when I watch baseball....

A few Friday evenings ago, I headed up to the new Yankee stadium with my pals. It was chilly out and the rain cloud channel 4 predicted actually came and sat over the stadium for most of the evening. Despite the rain, we had a wonderful evening that was highlighted by a visit to Lobel's meat mecca. Lobel's has been around for over 100 years and I have passed their Madison avenue store many times but never had a reason to visit. Finally, I had a reason and their steak sandwich was calling my name. My pals and I stood in a relatively short line and all ante'd up $15 bucks for the steak sandwich. Since NY law now requires calories to be posted on all menus, we knew that the steak sandwich was 435 calories. The steak was sliced and covered in its natural juice and then placed on a perfectly baked roll. Back at our seats, we pulled the sandwiches out of their bags and all took a bite. Silence. Imagine, 4 girls not saying a word? Impossible, right? Ha! As the rain poured down on us and added more moisture to our rolls, we continued to eat them. Nothing could get between us and our sandwiches. The meat was so tender and the flavors were just perfect. I hate when meat is too salty and this was perfect. The buns were super fresh and the horseradish sauce I added made everything even better.

Wet, cold, but very full, we headed back downtown while the Yanks kicked some White Sox toush in the final inning.

www.lobels.com

Bottom line: skip the burgers and waffle fries and treat yourself to Lobel's. Worth every penny! Too bad I won't be back to Yankee stadium anytime soon!

I was pleased at Apizz

Last night I had the good fortune of dining with 3 lovely ladies at a gem of a restaurant on the Lower East Side. Apizz, pronounced A-Beets, is a wonderful little Italian spot nestled in a cozy space on Eldridge. I have been here maybe 4 times before and everytime I leave happier than when I arrived! The main dining room feels like you are in the Keebler Elves treehouse. It is that awesome. The main star of the room is the open fire pit that cooks everything from pizza to meatballs. Luckily for me, my dinner dates are all people who like to share so I actually got to taste much of the menu.

Our waiter started us off with an usual bread basket: Sullivan Street bread served with ricotta and a little bowl of fresh tomato sauce. Delicious! Each bite was perfect or at least I made it that way! We then ordered 3 starters, two to come very soon and one as a mid-course. The flatbread pizza with chiorzo was out of this world. Just enough cheese and the right amount of Chiorzo. Not one ingredient overpowered the other. The 2nd starter was the Gambero, a dish full of lemon shrimp and chiorzo in a breadcrumb based EVOO sauce. So flavorful and enough sauce to warrant another helping of bread to soak up the herd infused EVOO. We paused for a bit and enjoyed our wine. I had an Italian wine called Orvieto that was so mellow and refreshing. Our mid-course, Meatballs, is what makes Apizz famous. The polpette e pomodori are veal-beef-pork meatballs cooked in the open fire pit. They are made to order so they take 20 minutes. This is really nothing in the grand scheme of it as these meatballs are perhaps the best I have ever tasted. I can't say I have ever had really good meatballs though. A few years ago I tasted Rocco DiSpirito's meatballs at The Restaurant, which has since closed. I thought they were good but I really had no base of comparison. Now I do and Apizz is the winner!

Our entrees were all shareable. We had the gnocchi with the honey braised prime beef, the handkerchief pasta with fresh crab and tomato sauce, an open face ravioli with a mascarpone ricotta cheese and caramelized butternut squash, and the oven baked skate fish. Let's deconstruct the mains, shall we?

Gnocchi: delicious but if you don't have a big appetite skip. The gnocchi are dense and the meat is abundant. Full of flavor and one of the best pasta dishes on the menu.

Handkerchief: everytime my sniffer smelled something divine I knew it was the chef cooking the garlic for this dish. The crab is so delicate yet really stands up to the tomato sauce. It is a great pairing. The flat pasta is merely the conduit to getting this lovely crab/tomato sauce in your mouth!

Ravioli: the cheese paired with the butternut squash is so heavenly it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. So yummy but a few bites is all you need.

Skate: lovely lemon/caper sauce that adorned the fish. Perfect slices of potato infused with rosemary served as a side. Nice, but the pasta is a better bet!

Dessert: no room at all but the choices were great!

If you put me in a corner and asked me to pick my entree, I would say the handkerchief crab pasta. Loverlee!

The only ding I have to make about Apizz is our waiter. He was weird. He forgot to bring stuff and we had to ask multiple times for a few things. Also, he told us that Apizz's sister restaurant The Orchard was nowhere near the deliciousness of Apizz. Weird, right?

Bottom line: Great date spot men!! Order any pasta but the penne (I had on a previous occasion and didn't like) and make sure you get the meatballs. Opentable takes resi's for them so you can even earn your 100 points! The prices are in the middle, not as cheap as I would like, but not super duper outrageous. I am sure you will also be pleased at Apizz:)

www.apizz.com

Next Up: Yankee Stadium dining!

The Perfect Date Meal

Many of my friends have called me in a panic and asked, "Kjerstin, I am having so and so over tonight and I don't know what to make! I can't cook and I can't go to Citarella and try to pass off their prepared food as my own. Help me!" Like any good friend, I heard this cry for help and came to the recipe...I mean rescue:)

Here goes my recipe for a perfect dinner (some of my friends are so darn sick of this meal but I could eat it again and again). The inspiration for this dish comes from my friend Sarah B. who is a quite the little chef herself.

Mustard Onion Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons good mustard (I prefer the grainy Dijon)

4 tablespoons fried onions (Trader Joe's sells them or you can buy French's brand)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Trim all the fat off the breasts and pat dry. Take each breast and coat with the mustard evenly. Roll each breast in the friend onions. Don't worry that the breast isn't entirely covered. Place both breasts on a piece of foil that has been sprayed with some kind of non stick. Bake for 35-40 mins. When you take out of the oven let them rest for 5 mins.

Now, you can't have a protein without a veggie. So, I always serve my Balsamic Brussel Sprouts with this chicken recipe.

Balsamic Brussel Sprouts:

1 pint of washed brussel sprouts

EVOO

A good balsamic vinegar

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Salt and pepper

Take your washed brussels and quarter them. Immediately put in a frying pan with a splash of EVOO. Put the heat on low. Move them around for the next 20 mins. Slow cooking them is really the secret to a good brussel. After 20 mins, they should be a bit brown and much softer. Increase the heat to medium and continue stirring for another 10 mins. Add salt and pepper. Keep stirring. The brussels should be soft and have a crispy exterior. Take your balsamic and splash on the spouts. Increase the heat to high and keep stirring. Once the vinegar has been absorbed, remove from the heat and shave fresh parmigiano-reggiano on top. You haven't tried anything this good!

I am absolutely in love with beets. They are so healthy and taste so good! Funny enough I remember being a kid thinking they were so gross ! I love to mix up the golden beats with the bright red ones.

Beet & Goat Cheese Salad:

4 beets, peeled.

1 ounce goat cheese

Dressing (recipe below)

Start by boiling a pot of water. Add your beets. Cook for 20 mins or so until they are soft but not mushy. In the meantime, make your dressing. Combine 1 crushed garlic clove with 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons EVOO. Add a tsp. of dijon mustard and a squirt of honey. Shake and voila, you have your new favorite dressing! I serve my beets cut into discs atop a mesclun mix. [Sidebar: I highly recco SATUR FARMS for all your lettuce needs. They are a farm based on the North Fork and they rock!] I then crumble goat cheese over the salad and finish with a splash of dressing. Buy the expensive Balsamic vinegar. Don't skimp and don't drench the beets!

www.saturfarms.com

Bottom line: A sure meal to satisfy any heart. Very healthy too! Don't do this with fish. I tried to substitute the chicken for the fish and it didn't work. If you hate brussels, take sugar snap peas and lightly saute them and finish the same way. If you make this meal or a variation of it, tell me what you think!

The Land of Lean Cuisine

A few posts ago I told you all how I was going to be eating my share of Lean Cuisine meals over the the next couple weeks. Well, that started and in celebration I thought I would critique these meals nonetheless. I am the foodie chick after all ;)

Night One: Hunan Stir Fry with Beef

Fat - 6g
Calories - 260

A solid meal from Lean Cuisine. The meat was moist and the tangy sauce was actually good. I am not lying. Promise. Out of 1-10, I give it an 8. I will definitely buy more at Grotty Gristedes.

Sunday Night Dinner Can't Be Beat

Hillstone a.k.a Houston's is one of my fav casual restaurants. Yes, it is a chain and you all know how I feel about chains. But this is no ordinary chain. [Sidebar: Because it is a chain in NYC they now have to publish calories so to avoid this they changed their name!] I seem to find myself there once every 2-3 weeks* and everytime I make a visit, I always leave happy and full. When I am having a bad day, Houston's is always the place I want to go. The prices aren't out of this world and at the 27th and Park location you can even make a resi (SSHHHHH on that tip). The 54th street location is a bit bigger so the no resi policy there is OK. Plus, the live Jazz band makes up for it.

My usual "throw the diet out the window" order is as follows:

“THE ROCKEFELLER” --> warm spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips and salsa.

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN SANDWICH --> skinless with melted Jack, red onion, tomato and arugula (I always ask for the garlic buttermilk dressing in addition to put on the chix)

A Diet Coke OR a glass of Pinot Noir from the A to Z Winery in Willamette, Oregon ( I think you have all figured out by now I am obsessed with Oregon wine).

No dessert...I mean really foodie friends, haven't I indulged enough already?

*I have a wedding to prepare for in mid October and that includes fitting into a bridesmaid dress that is a wee bit snug on me at present. Great motivation but sadly I won't be going to Houston's for quite some time.

Bottom line: I love it. If I was forced to eat at one restaurant for the rest of my life and not gain a single pound this would be the one! HA! OK, don't judge. I too like haute cuisine but let's be realistic ;)

www.hillstone.com; several locations all over the US.

One Thumb Up for Julie & Julia

Last week I attended a screening of Julie & Julia at the Angelika theater with two friends. A bonus treat after the film was a Q&A with the real Julie. I have to be candid my foodie readers...I only liked half of the movie. Which half? Naturally, the Julia Childs half played by the incredible Meryl Streep. Don't get me wrong, I like Amy Adams but I just couldn't get into her story. Her character bothered me and her babyness was annoying. Julia's story on the other hand was fascinating and not only made me hungry for her Beef Bourguignon, but also made me proud of her for being such a classy woman. The real Julie was not at all what I expected. I will leave it at that my dear readers.

Bottom Line: Go see the movie as Meryl Streep's performance is Oscar worthy. Skip the book. Trust me.

Austin, TX Part Deux

Our taste of Texas continues....after House Pizzeria came Chuy's, The County Line BBQ, and the airport version of The Salt Lick.

CHUY'S

Chuy's is the real deal my foodie readers. Yes, it is a chain in Texas but as chains go, it is delicious. Crispy chips and a spicy salsa greet everyone who settles into their very comfortable booths. The menu is completely overwhelming and I was determined at the time not to have order envy! Sarah highly recco'd the fish tacos. I kept thinking how can I come to a famous Tex-Mex joint and not get a burrito? It felt wrong. I bowed to the burrito gods and ordered up the chicken fajita topped with a creamy salsa (heavy cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream). It was the best burrito I have ever tasted (see pic). The honor was once held by the Burrito Bunker in Chapel Hill, NC. No longer. I have awarded Chuy's the title! My burrito was fairly big but since the chips were far from my reach, I had just enough room to finish my lunch. Sarah and Jasper's fish tacos smelled so good. They were breaded in a sweet panko and then fried crispy. Sarah ordered this "special sauce" that she dipped her taco in that really kicked it up a notch. Our waiter called this sauce Ranchero. A spicy ranch with a definite Texas kick. Get it if you go! Georgi's combo platter was an interesting array of little goodies that she made quite a dent in. I had a little bite of her tamale and it was tasty but I was too consumed with my burrito to cheat on it. Scott, Sarah's hubby, had something cheesy and yummy that looked just as good as mine!

Bottom line: Delicious. For some reason, I think I might have been to a Chuy's in Ft. Worth but I can't recall exactly. It was several years ago for a wedding. The one thing I can't understand is how places like Chile's make it in Texas when there are places like Chuy's. Oh well, some people just don't get it. More for me!

www.chuys.com; several locations all over Texas

THE COUNTY LINE BBQ

We left Chuy's and headed to the Hill country to check into The Barton Creek Resort. If you find yourself in Austin, take a night and go out to the Hill country. The landscape is really beautiful and not something you would imagine in Texas. Our resort was completely swish. Let me say that one more time. TOTALLY SWISH! After settling into our rooms, we headed for the pool and health club. Sadly, due to the drought, the hotel creek had dried up. We decided to investigate for ourselves and took a little Texas nature hike. Post hike, we sucked down several of Sarah's homemade mojitos, and then we finally made our way to our dinner feast.

The County Line is certainly the largest BBQ joint I have ever visited. Set atop a hill, the inside of County Line is like a ski lodge in Colorado or Park City, cozy, homey, and a smile on every workers face. There is a patio out back that overlooks the hills but only drinks and starters are served. Our server, Daryl, was the sweetest guy you could imagine. He was so authentic and happy to have a table of ladies to serve. I think he was also impressed by our ordering skills. We didn't skimp and told him to bring it on! We ordered up a pitcher of local beer that was refreshing and cool. As a complement, we started with their beer battered onion rings and homemade ranch dip. The menu, know as BIG CHIEF, was filled with options but I decided to do a combo platter so I could have the brisket (sorry arteries), the BBQ ribs, and the jalapeno sausage. As my sides, I did the homemade coleslaw and then their mac n' cheese. The brisket was the best I have tasted thus far in life. So moist and tender it just melted in your mouth. The BBQ ribs had so much meat on them I was shocked. They fell apart in my hands. The sausage was good but a bit spicy. My slaw was excellent but the mac n' cheese was just OK. No cheddar kick and it looked more like a massacre of Velveeta. I wouldn't order it again. We all had the same thing except for Jasper who didn't do ribs and instead opted for BBQ chicken. As a last order, we added their homemade sweet bread to the table that was perfect for slopping up the juices and meat that fell from our mouths. As I was eating all these amazing flavors, I had to laugh at the table next to us. It was a group of tourists from Asia and Germany that didn't have one single piece of meat on their plates. They had salads and some kind of fish dish. Who the heck does that?! If you are going to do BBQ, do it right! Completely full and dreaming of my pj's, we headed back to our resort for a night cap.

Bottom line: Another winner in Texas! I would repeat my exact meal sans the mac n' cheese. It was pure pig heaven at The County Line!

www.bartoncreek.com

www.countyline.com

THE SALT LICK @ the Austin Airport

Just when you think I couldn't get anymore BBQ, I happened upon The Salt Lick at the Austin Airport. Georgi and I both had time to kill before our flights so we stepped up one more time for some delicious BBQ. I had the chopped brisket sandwich and Georgi had the sliced brisket sandwich. Both were amazing and the BBQ sauce they gave you was out of this world. I couldn't get enough of it! Talk about not getting yucky airport food! Even though my flight home to NYC was delayed, I was a happy girl and I have The Salt Lick and Georgi to thank!

Bottom Line: If the airport test run of The Salt Lick is any indication, the real place is sure to rock. I am putting Driftwood, TX on my travel to do list!

www.saltlickbbq.com

Last BBQ thought.......

Living in NYC has afforded me the pleasure of eating lots of BBQ. I have tried Wildwood, Hill Country, Blue Smoke, Southern Hospitality, and Brother Jimmy's. Out of all five, I prefer Hill Country as I think the wood they bring from Texas makes a difference in the pit. I stepped out this year for The Big Apple BBQ but didn't get to try that much food as it went fast (Insider tip: I had a fast pass and that didn't help all that much. Next year I need to get there when they open). One of my friend's highly recco's Town Line in Sagaponack so I think that is next on my BBQ list. Giddy up friends!

www.townlinebbq.com

Austin, TX Part One

The last time I went to Austin was for my friend Sarah's wedding celebration party. I flew down and back in 36 hours and didn't get to really put my chompers into the city. This time around was much different...I have ten extra pounds to prove it!

HOUSE PIZZERIA

Full disclosure foodie chick readers. House Pizzeria is owned by Sarah who is one of my dearest friends in the world. This did not influence me in any way and my review is objective and honest. That said, I was lucky enough to visit House twice!

My first night in town was absolutely perfect. I went to House with Sarah and Georgi while we waited for Jasper, our 4th partner in crime to arrive from Washington D.C. First of all, the restaurant reminds me of the ocean and I love the ocean. The floor is this dark, rich blue color complemented by the wooden tables that are peppered all over. Insider fact: the tables are old basketball courts that have been refurbished! Sarah asked us how hungry we were and Georgi and I gave two big thumbs up that we wanted to taste it all. Lucky for us, she has some pull and could deliver on our expectation:) We started with their house salad with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and apples atop a fresh mix of local greens. The dressing was light but just enough to add some extra flavor. To complement the salad, I ordered some red wine while the others had Texas beer. Next thing you knew, the pizzas arrived. Yes, plural pizzas came! We first feasted on a rosemary infused Yukon gold pizza topped with goat cheese. It was off the charts. The rosemary was perfect and the pie had just the right amount of cheese. Our 2nd pizza was the Margherita Extra, a bright red pie with tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. The pie was cooked perfectly and the buffalo mozzarella was a nice addition. Our last pizza was such a delightful surprise. Blue cheese with a port reduction. Genius! Again, my love of cheese made this a winner. While I do think basil if the best gift mother nature gave us from the ground, I must say I was partial to the potato & goat cheese pie. Blue cheese was a close 2nd.

The pie-maker and Sarah's husband:

My second visit to House Pizzeria was even better. We ordered more food and tried more of the pies. We again had the house salad but this time we also ordered the warm olives and the spinach salad. The olives were served in a very hot ramekin that also had multiple cloves of garlic soaking up the olive oil. The olives were a nice variety and a good snack with the salads.

The spinach salad was nice but I am really not a raw spinach lover. The spinach was tossed with crispy salami and grated Parmesan and then finished with lemon. Very light and a nice size salad that wasn't too overwhelming.

The real stars of the night came next:

1. Potato & Goat cheese - #1 and still my favorite (pic 2)

2. Sausage & Peppers- #3 favorite (pic 3)

3. Eggplant- # 4 favorite (pic 2)

4. The Noble - tied for #1 (pic 1)

Here they are in all their glory!

What is the Noble? This pie is local cured bacon, arugula, dates, and mozzarella cheese. It is probably one of the most creative pies I have ever eaten. The salty bacon mixing with the sweet dates is a bite made in heaven. No joke. The potato & goat cheese was still a winner but I really enjoyed the sausage and pepper. This pie was sweet with a kick and the peppers were not overwhelming. I hate when I order this kind of pizza and its all peppers and no sausage. That makes me feel cheated! Balance is key with a successful sausage and pepper pie (Mr. Batali, you should take this advice at Otto). The eggplant pizza was very tasty but not something I wanted to overdose on like the others. I think the flavors are rich and one slice is plenty. At the end of the dinner, we had a few slices left and both Jasper and I stuffed one more slice in our bellies for fear it would be too long till the next time.

What did we drink with our carbohydrate overload? Sarah's own recipe for white sangria. Perhaps the best alcoholic drink to have when it is over 100 degrees! Here is our proud host serving her sangria recipe!

Congrats to Scott and Sarah for owning such an awesome restaurant!

Bottom line: If you live in Austin you should go here at least once a week. If you don't, you should get on a plane and go. It is that good. The prices are so reasonable and the jukebox makes for a perfect evening. If you like the outdoors, try sitting outside on the covered patio. I will be seeing you real soon House!

www.housepizzeria.com

Perfecting the S'more

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been **obsessed** with perfecting the s'more. Over the years, she has tried making these tasty little treats on the grill, over a fire pit, on the gas stove, and in the toaster oven. She almost set the porch on fire once when she attempted the fire pit:) Each time she would test her latest attempt on me and I would give her my honest feedback.

Two thumbs up! I must confess, she FINALLY got it right. Mr. S'more is a little gadget mom picked up at Wal-Mart for $10 bucks. You might think it looks ridiculous (I laughed out loud when I saw it) but the damn thing actually makes the perfect s'more. Put in the microwave for 30 secs and voila! For the perfect s'more, I recco Honey Maid grahams, Jet-Puff marshmallows, and Hershey's chocolate.

Before (check out the little s'more man hands):

After (2 perfect little s'mores):

Mr. S'more is my go to gadget!

Roadside Lunch

On our way back to Vero Beach from St. Augustine, we decided to drive the barrier islands as far as we could go before getting on I-95. We crossed over the Bridge of Lions from St. Augustine proper to Anastasia Island. The island, believed to have been a landing spot of Ponce De Leon, is absolutely beautiful. The white sandy beaches made me feel like I was in Bermuda!

Before we left our hotel, we asked the front desk clerk for a lunch recco as we headed back south to Vero. Without hesitation, he said we must try a place called Nula's that was located in camper that was "parked" in front of a surf shop. Anyone who knows the foodie chick knows that she isn't a fan of road food. Fear of being poisoned aside, I pulled up and went to the "counter" and ordered a spicy grouper soft taco (mom could not be convinced and just sat in the car wondering what her ten bucks was going to buy). I watched as these two very cute surfer dudes prepared my taco in a space the size of a shower stall. When one turned the other knew immediately and adjusted. It was fascinating. 5 minutes later, I had in my hot little hands a soft taco that was just calling my name. The taco itself was multi-layered but the ingredients stayed intact and didn't jiggle all over when I took a bite. Layer one was this delicious spicy refried bean concoction that was accented with fresh cilantro. The second layer was the freshest grouper that was perfectly cooked. The 3rd layer was a combo of lettuce and sharp cheddar cheese. The final layer, and what made this the best fish taco, was this creamy mayo spiked with chili. Delicious. I even managed to eat the taco in the drivers seat of my mom's car without getting one crumb anywhere. Sorry to all my readers for not snapping a picture of the taco. I ate it too fast!

Bottom Line: I can't tell you an exact address of Nula's but the camper sits right at the entrance to Anastasia Island state park. If you find yourself in these parts check Nula's and you won't be disappointed.

Next up: Experiment at home and my love poem to Texas.