aPORKalypse Now – 2012

19 Feb DSCF8113

Last year, around this time, we went with some friends to aPORKalypse Now, a craft beer and pork event.

It was held at an event space called 404, which is on 10th Avenue between 33rd and 34th streets.  We went with a VIP pass and got in early, and I was glad we did. The space was not even close to being large enough for the crowd. 

But getting in early meant we got to try the bacon in chocolate fondue (on a Ritz cracker… nice touch).  And we got to go back a few times to eat it over and over again. Cause it was gooood.

DSCF8051  

There were a number of pork dishes and restaurants represented.

DSCF8061

DSCF8098

DSCF8100

DSCF8106

 

 

 

But few things were as intriguing as the pigs tail.

DSCF8070

This was incredibly rich. I’m glad I tried it, but I don’t think I’ll be chasing after trying more anytime soon.

DSCF8075

 

A big highlight was the craft beer.

DSCF8062

I especially liked the Nogne 0 Holy Smoke, which reminded me of a smoked beer we had in Belfast, ME.

DSCF8063

But my favorite beer of the day came from my college town of Ithaca.

DSCF8066

I LOVED the White Gold. I had never had it before and I really enjoyed it. I also love that Ithaca Beer Co. is finally making a strong stance here in NYC.

DSCF8068    

One of my favorite snacks was Alobar’s Maple Bacon Popcorn. I could not get enough of this!

DSCF8084

DSCF8114

 

By a few hours in, the pork was running low and the crowd was running large. For 2013, it looks like the event organizers have moved the location to Long Island City. Let’s hope this space is bigger!

DSCF8086       

Underground Eats has a deal where you get in 15 minutes early to the event on March 2nd. 15 minutes doesn’t seem like a whole hell of a lot, but at least you can try to grab a beer and maybe some bacon in chocolate fondue (if it’s there again).

I don’t have a burning desire to go again, but I am glad I got to enjoy my craft beer and pig for a day.

DSCF8113 

The Dutch

19 Feb

We wound up having to be in the NYU neighborhood unexpectedly one Friday night, so we decided to do a quick look-up of restaurants we had been wanting to try in the neighborhood.  We went to The Dutch and wound up being seated right away.

DSCF0378

I am unsure how to explain the decor. It looked like it had been many different restaurants prior and they kept the things they liked and added other things they liked. The orb lights definitely created a cool ambiance.

DSCF0379

We started with oysters. (I wonder how many times I’ve written that phrase here on NYCNomNom… I feel like we start every good meal with delicious oysters.  Damn I love our life!)

DSCF0381

And they brought us some awesome toasted bread with butter.

DSCF0382

Mike got the sea scallops with sunchoke, bacon jam, and meyer lemon.  Mmmmmmm! A perfect combination of awesome flavors.  Really good dish.

DSCF0383

I chose the grilled pork chop with smoked belly, brussels, butternut, and maple. Hell yes.  This was hearty and homey and everything right. I loved this dish.  I am pretty sure I did the happy belly dance (I am not kidding… I dance like a nerd when I love my food) a few dozen times throughout eating this dish.

DSCF0387

We decided to split dessert and went with the chocolate pecan pie.

More happy belly dancing.

So rich. So good.

DSCF0391

And then they gave us each a spiced shortbread cookie at the end. Which I also absolutely loved.

DSCF0394

I really loved our meal at The Dutch. I finally understood what everyone was talking about.  A mostly relaxed environment with just great comfort, tasty food.  I felt like everything was totally familiar and yet in ways I hadn’t tasted them before. I can’t wait to go back and see what else they have to offer.

Total Nom Points: 8 out of 10

nomscale- 08.0

Kate and Jon’s Supper Club: “If You Can Make This, You Can Make That”

14 Feb Sept-30-2012-Camera-Card-1643.jpg

We met Kate and her husband Jon at a blogger event a few years back and struck up a friendship. We’ve spent some great times with them and really enjoy having a foodie couple friend to pal around with. While we dined out together a few times, we had yet to try her home cooking.  And if you read her blog, you will quickly learn that not only is Kate a clever writer (and her husband a great artist), but she also knows her way around the kitchen! Kate writes the awesome cooking blog If You Can Make This, You Can Make That.

So when they mentioned that they were going to host their first Supper Club at their home, we couldn’t possibly say no!

We started with lovely lovely apps.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1643

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1648

And an awesome cocktail.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1645

Here was the menu for the night.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1654

And we each sat down to this surprise bag at our place setting.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1655

Now I love corn soup…

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1660

But corn soup with homemade popcorn (the contents of the surprise bag) was like a miracle in my mouth. (How have I never put popcorn in soup before???)

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1664

And then out came the goat cheese souffle.  Wow! Souffles always impress me.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1667

Most souffles look pretty but taste bland. This most certainly did not.  It was filled with flavor.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1669

And then the scallops… ooooo caramelization! Delish (and with my favorite: squash puree)

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1674

The roast pork was great. Very moist and great flavors.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1682

And then out came the bowl of schlag (homemade whipped cream). I could have just eaten this for dessert.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1684

But there was a plum crumble in my future.  Since I love both plum and crumble, this was right up my alley.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1689

And then there were some soft, warm chocolate cookies that were mind-blowingly awesome.  Kate keeps saying she doesn’t make cookies. I think she is a bloody liar.

Sept 30 2012 Camera Card 1693

We had such a great time at this Supper Club and met some fun other people. The food was delicious and I’m so glad to have such delicious friends! I also think Kate may have read this entire blog cover to cover to find all my favorite foods to put on one menu! How else would she have known to put together such a perfect meal of NYCNomNom’s favoritist favorites?