Peels

After a spooky "Ghosts of Stuyvesant Town" walk with ABF, we stopped at Peels on Bowery for a late night snack. It was a bit late for dinner, but it's never too late for dessert, amIright?!

Peels is a dimly-lit but boisterous restaurant right on Bowery. We saw a bachelorette party, couples of all ages, and a few solo diners as well. All kinds are welcome at Peels!

I ordered their apple pie (a la mode, of course) and a mug of their hot chocolate. The pie was pretty good, though I like my apples cooked a little bit softer, but it did taste like homemade!

ABF also ordered a latte-- some lovely foam art capped a rich, lush cup of espresso. He is a coffee man if I ever met one, and he loved this.

The hot chocolate, however. Oh. My. Word. This could be dessert on its own. It's almost too much for one person. Almost. I managed, somehow. Wow. I'd go back just for that!

ABF ordered a butterscotch pudding---and it will come as no surprise to regular visitors to Stuff I Ate that once again, his ordering radar was triumphant once again. This was outstanding! I think it might have been a featured dessert, so I'm not sure if it's still there, but holy COW. The salty/sweet walnuts on the side really made the dish.
I still have yet to try the savory side of the menu, but Peels nails it with the sweet/salty desserts and the lush hot chocolate. 'Tis the season-- go grab a cup and let me know what you think!

Peels NYC
325 Bowery
New York, NY 10003
646-602-7015

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Pig Island!!

Hello, New Readers! Welcome to Stuff I Ate and thanks for visiting!! If you pass on my posts to others, I only ask that you credit the source with a link back to the original post--and come share the love on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StuffIAte!!

New York City is a wonderful place--every possibly language, culture and cuisine has a home here. And pork gets its very own island! I took the ferry out with That Sara (of NYCNomNom--her review is here) and her BF, Mike. It was a beautiful, albeit humid, day, in September.

Make no mistake--this is no place for vegetarians or vegans (although they offered a vegetarian ticket, what we saw was definitely not worth it!)

We got there bright and early---I'd read many a time that food events on Governor's Island quickly went south, running out of food and causing outrageous lines. We weren't taking any chances! Since we'd bought the Thrillist discount, we also got to go through a little faster: advantage: US!

We planned to make a quick loop around the area and see what we wanted to come back and try, but it didn't really work out that way. Too many tempting stalls stopped us in our tracks. There's so much to show you, but I'm going to narrow it down to my 3 favorite bites:

Ici (remember how awesome they were at Brooklyn Uncorked??? Still awesome) had a stand where they had a shredded pork over spicy greens. This contained peppers, so Sara ordinarily wouldn't be able to try it, but they offered to make a non-pepper version just for her--so we came back about 30 minutes later and they had it waiting. I thought that went above and beyond! It was delicious--the greens were fresh, the dressing had lots of black pepper, and it was just bright and scarfable. I must get to this restaurant in 2012!!

The Smorrebrod stand had 3 bites: 2 bits on bread and a meatball. The pork terrine on the most amazing rye bread--holy crap. I could have stopped here and been so, so happy. The pickled veggies on top gave it a nice crunch, too. I have to track down this bread--it was so delicious that I found out which person at the stall was responsible for it told her repeatedly how amazing it was. A-may-ZING.

The meatball was just okay..but look! Another butter-slathered slice of that to-die-for bread!

Rounding out the top 3 is Austrian restaurant Edi & The Wolf. I had just seen the owners on The Today Show a week or two ago, and everything they made looked amazing. I can't even remember what this bite is--I just know that normally I would have passed it by, but after seeing the spot on the Today Show and talking to the enthusiastic workers at the stand, I had to give it a shot. What a delicious, transformative mix of flavors. Get ready, ABF--we are GOING HERE!

And there was a sweet bite I loved too--bacon-maple-cinnamon rolls. Yeah, you heard me. I went back for a second one. I could have gone back for three, four, five and six, but I didn't.

The beer flowed a-plenty, too, courtesy of Six Point Beer. I'm not much of a beer person, but the Belgian White ws light, refreshing, and not too malty.

Overall, the event was excellently organized--there were only long lines at a few spots, and plenty of food to go around. Even the bites that were just 'ok' were still fun to try. Things started disappearing around 1:30, but by then we'd eaten our fill and then some!

I can't believe this was my first trip to Governor's Island-- I will be back to rent a bike, ride around, and take in the gorgeous scenery, including jaw-dropping views of the NYC skyline that I love so much.

Will I be back for Pig Island 2012? Hmmm...maybe. But if you've never been, I definitely suggest going at least once! And do yourself a favor: go hungry.

Also..wanna see more yummy pix? Check out my Stuff I Ate FB page and/or click here!

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The Frying Pan

In the midst of an oppressively hot week, we got a glorious break in the stuffy weather, and the breeze was even cool. So help me, it was cool. I was thrilled, because I had a friend's birthday party at a popular outdoor spot on the Hudson.

The Frying Pan is a docked boat right along the West Side Highway, not far from Chelsea Piers. This place is HUGE...and some nights (most in summer), so is the line. If you don't like waiting in line, this is not the place for you. I don't normally bother with lines that long, but this was a special occasion..and it ended up being worth the wait, too.

The line was astronomical when our group arrived around 7pm on Thursday night, but it moved pretty quickly. We got inside, ordered some drinks, and took up the daunting task of finding a table in that massive, bobbing, breezy space.

I couldn't get over how huge this place was! A teeming mass of suits, sundresses, and super-loud conversations. The view of the sun setting over the Hudson was a striking backdrop to our evening, too.

We started with a bucket of Coronas and lime. I don't think I've ever had more than a sip of Corona before (not really a beer person), but with a spritz of lime juice, this was bright and thirst-quenching.

We also got a pitcher of white sangria for the birthday girl (SM) and her crew. This was refreshing and light, but it was also really watered down. I think it was more seltzer than wine for sure. The fruit, at least, was delicious and super fresh.

The Frying Pan also offers food, but I'd had a late lunch, so I skipped this part. Food is not exactly cheap ($12-$22 from what I saw) but it looks delicious. One gal had the mussels and loved them--the birthday girl had the grilled salmon and was equally happy. Doesn't it look yummy? Next time!

I may have pilfered some fries, though.

Don't be this idiot, showing off to his equally-drunk friends. Security came over a few times to tell him to knock it off--I left before the inevitable kicking-off-the-boat part.

The Frying Pan is loud, crowded, and generally a bustling place with a long damn line before you ever get inside. However, if you have the time and the weather is right, you can't beat the scenery.

The Frying Pan
205 12th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 989-6363

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Icy Goodness: High Line Treats

Have you visited the High Line on Manhattan's West Side? I did--THREE weekends in a row, at the height of the summer's heat. It's a formerly rundown train track turned into a lovely sightseeing oasis. There are places to sit, stroll and people watching. I personally need to take a break from this urban escape, but if you've not visited yet, you should go!

Make sure you pick up some hydrating liquids and cooling sweet treats, too--especially People's Pops. You can find them inside Chelsea Market, half a block from where the High Line begins. These treats are delicious, artisan popsicles. Forget the classic cherry, grape and orange (although those have a place in my heart, too)--flavors here include hibiscus, grapefruit, rhubarb, Stumptown Roasters coffee (cream & sugar, said the sign!) and more.

People's Pops can also make you a refreshing shaved ice (check out that huuuuge block right there) on the spot in 2 delicious, daily-featured flavors.

I ordered the Stumptown coffee pop. I don't normally put sugar in my coffee, so this was sweeter than I would have liked, but it was strong coffee flavor, and super cold & refreshing.

My friend Kwame got the sour cherry & plum pop, and said his was pretty good, too. It was soooooo so so so hot out that they were melting the second we walked out the door!

I found myself eating faster than normal just to keep from losing the delicious treat to the evaporation/melting process!

Trust me--it is HOT up there as you walk amongst the newly-repurposed tracks and trestles and whatnot. You are going to need some cold water, a popsicle or two, and maybe....ice cream?

Parked not far from the 14th street entrance to the High Line we spotted the Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream (VLAIC) truck. I'd been hoping to run into them for ages. It was getting on in the day, so they clearly had run out of a lot of flavors.

I was fortunate enough to snag one of the last servings of their hazelnut blend-- a lovely chocolate/hazelnut mixture that absolutely melted like sweet, sweet velvet on my tongue. Bliss.

You have to get there early to get the most popular flavors at VLAIC, but even if it's later in the day and your options are dwindling, they are sure to be delicious. Small-batch, high-quality, locally-made deliciousness. So help yourself to a popsicle, shaved ice, or ice cream before strolling the High Line--just don't expect to see me anytime soon. The High Line and I are taking a break for a bit. ;)

For more info on The High Line, go here!


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Sex & Candy

That Sara of NYCNomNom got invited to attend a party at NYC's Museum of Sex, and she invited me! It was billed as a night of firefighters, decadent desserts, and possibly something else, but I was already in at that point!

I arrived shortly after the event began, and I noticed it wasn't half as full as I thought it would be. Free chocolate AND NYC firefighters? This place should be filled to capacity! Oh well, it made it all the easier to get to the truffles.

Hello, deliciousness! Those are red velvet cake truffles on the left and spiced chai truffles on the right. The red velvet were moist and decadent and quite wonderful, but they were immediately out-awesomed by the spiced chai.

The ladies of Mimi Truffle made these addicting bites of dessert heaven, and while they mostly do catering and special orders, oh man, I think they could build an empire just on the chai truffles.

On the adjoining table was a mini-cupcake tower from Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery. These chocolate cupcakes had wasabi-cream cheese icing and crushed wasabi peas on top. This was good, but not as amazing as I'd hoped. I like the burn from wasabi, but I know not everyone does. I would have liked a little more heat and a little more sweet, but these were still well made. The cake was perfect--light, airy, and not at all heavy.

We also sampled the chocolate explosion or bomb (I couldn't read the sign that well--handwritten on an index card and tough to decipher)--chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, and chocolate whipped cream. I liked this way more than Sara did. Was it an explosion of flavors? No, but it was a whole messa chocolatey goodness. YUMTASTIC.

Sandwiched between the truffles and the cupcakes was a display from Michael Allen desserts.

I enjoyed the texture of the macarons, though the ones billed as raspberry tasted a lot more like strawberry.

The cream cheese were a bit bland.

The raspberry truffles (the ones in white) were tasty, the chocolate were okay, but my oh my, the mini canelés, however, were custardy, burnt-sugary cylinders of confectionery triumph.

I wasn't expecting much from these so I didn't even really focus my camera too much on them, but they were perfection! These are not easy to make, and they did a stellar job of it!

There was no one directing this event, it seemed, no one greeting people and explaining what to do, so we pretty much just fended for ourselves. After milling about and enjoying some sweets, Sara & I headed down to the restroom to 'powder our noses.' I noticed Sara was taking longer than usual in the one-stall room, and hoped it wasn't from bad food! She came out with an impish grin and I soon saw the reason: you can write on the chalkboard in the bathroom. Which we both promptly did. You're welcome, Mom :)

Then we made our way carefully out of the dark bathroom and into the also dark, but much warmer, wine bar. Called , it features a lot of different add-ins, flavors, and whatnot that purportedly contribute to feelings of love (and other things ahem).

I'm pretty sure that's all bunk, but it's done in a spirit of fun.

Sara & I opted instead for a glass of their red wine (and I said no to the brownies!)

The wine was fine--nothing amazing, not terrible. I probably wouldn't bring a bottle home, but it was perfectly suited for sitting in the cafe and catching up with a friend.

Overall, the event seemed a bit disorganized--all that finger food and no plates?!?--it could have used more order and a clear leader, but we still had a great time. NYC Firefighters and there WASN'T a line out the door? Notice how there are no photos of firefighters!?! How can this be! They should have had a photo staging area! It would have been good press for everyone! However, it was a unique and tasty way to spend a random Thursday night, that's for sure!

Museum of Sex
233 Fifth Avenue
NY NY 10016
(212) 689-6337