Tuesday, April 21, 2009

New Orleans ~ and all that jazz

Hello Foodies,

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival swings into the Big Easy this weekend. Yes, it's time to laisser les bons temps rouler everywhere don't you think? Besides brunching on beignets, cracking open crawfish and slurping down oysters, we'd book a table at Commander's Palace and indulge ourselves in a tasting menu. Chef Tory McPhail creates 5-course menus around your wine choices. Only one of the many reasons we've chosen the Commander's Palace as one of our taste discoveries on our latest tour to New Orleans. And one of our favorite stops while there...the Edible Schoolyard...New Orleans...a great place to (re) discover.

Enjoy,

the Forks

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tea Time in Avignon

Hello Foodies,

Tour de Forks is in France this week searching out new ways to explore Provence and the Cote d'Azur. Some think that Provence is passé but the region is so rich that it would take a lifetime to discover all of its charms. We'll be staying in Avignon for our explorations of the area and right now we are having high tea at the Hotel d'Europe, a deluxe property since 1799!''

A la prochaine, mes amis!

Enjoy,

the Forks

Sunday, April 05, 2009

TDF quoted in Food Arts Magazine

Hello Foodies,

Culinary tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry today. But what is it, exactly, and why is it so popular? Who are the industry leaders, how can chefs get involved, and what's the next hot culinary destination? Julie Mautner reports and TdF is quoted. Food Arts Magazine is available at Kitchen Arts & Letters, 1435 Lexington Ave New York City.

Enjoy,

the Forks

Hop Over to your Fave Chocolate Store...

Hello Foodies,

I don't think you want to leave the important task of buying Easter chocolates to the Easter Bunny. Take matters into your own basket and hop over to...

Kee's Chocolates for some exotic chocolate choices like the chili pepper truffle covered with toasted white and black sesame seeds. This store is for the more adventurous chocolate lover.

Jacques Torres Chocolates and take the kids to the store on Hudson and King Sts. You see them making the chocolate and the store is full of giant chocolate eggs and bunnies. It's a place that would leave Willy Wonka jealous. The day we were there, Jacques Torres was throwing chocolate Easter eggs to the chocolate lovers indulging in the cafe. It is a fun place and almost made me change careers. Also, this place is good for buying Passover chocolate matzoh. Whether you're bringing your inner or outer child, hop on down to this location.

Payard is my favorite. Francois Payard does a wondrous selection of Easter chocolates and what makes his bunnies and eggs so special (in addition to the high quality chocolate) are the chocolate surprises found inside. Usually there are smaller eggs and treats inside each Easter selection. It's the treat within the treat. You can also buy chocolate Passover goodies here as well.

We thought we'd save you time and hops by giving you our fave selections. However, a really fun afternoon is to visit chocolate stores in NYC and do your own tasting. The forks were invited along on Kartik Mohan and Rom Weber's post Valentine's chocolate tasting and it was a magical day.

Enjoy!

the Forks

A Delicious Namesake!

Hello Foodies,

We just went to L'Artusi - the restaurant named after Pellegrino Artusi, author of the legendary cookbooks from the 1800s called The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well. It is in his honor that you’ll be eating at L’Artusi. The restaurant features a seasonal Italian menu and traditional and artisanal wines from Italy and New York State. It's reasonably priced, with a great space (the old piano bar Eighty Eights) and pleasant, knowledgeable servers. All brought to you by the same team that brought you Dell'Anima, which we also loved.

The essential courses at least at this restaurant are: crudo, verdure, pasta, pesce, carne, and contorne. Our table shared and we loved everything. The only choice not noteworthy was the most expensive item, the tuna entre. Otherwise, the salads were swoonworthy and the pastas cooked perfectly and hand-made- the one that stood out was the pizzoccheri - sage, fontina, Brussels sprouts!

Add L'Artusi to your list and here's how to get there:

L'Artusi
228 W 10th St, between Bleecker and Hudson
New York, NY 10014
(212) 255-5757

Enjoy,

the Forks