Random Thoughts From the Road

Just got back from a day in Miami, meeting with some electronics folks about some products I'll be representing for them on QVC, and, as it always seems to be the case these days, my adventures dovetail into multiple avenues of my life, both work and personal. To wit: while waiting for our meeting to commence, I suggest we grab a quick bite to eat, seeing as how it was lunch time and all. My colleagues take me to a lunch spot not 3 minutes from their offices in Doral. A nice, new place, with a fairly extensive menu, called Harvest Delight. The type of place that's part diner, part family restaurant. You could tell, despite the freshly painted walls and marble countertops, that there was some serious home cooking going on in the kitchen, and that this was indeed a family affair...
This Middle Eastern vibe I was catching reminded me that my wife's Uncle Hugh has cousins in this area, and these cousins own an eatery called Daily Bread. I asked my lunchmates if they were familiar with it, and in hopes of triggering a responses, I called Hughbie to find out the address. He told me that they had recently opened a third place... in Doral (you following me here?)... called... Harvest Delight...!!!!! I was sitting in the very place by sheer coincidence and proximity to the offices I was calling on!
Next thing I know, I'm bear-hugging Neva, Hugh's cousin from Saudi Arabia, who manages Harvest; she's bringing out plates of fresh hummus and warm, toasted pita, along with sensational, authentic chicken kebabs. After all... we're family! What a fortunate find! And delicious food, too. I had the prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich on a homemade baguette, drizzled with balsamic and olive oil, which also tasted freshly made. Filling, and fine...

With all the air travel I've been doing lately, I'm really getting some serious reading done, so, Oprah's Book List be damned, here's a few picks for you, not that you asked:
Just finished Outliers (Malcolm Gladwell). Another engrossing read, equally as intriguing as his first two, Tipping Point and Blink. Highly recommend it. Gladwell deconstructs certain stereotypes to make practical and logical sense of why people succeed, struggle, and survive they way they do, as outliers in their respective fields or family lines. Fascinating stuff...

Almost done with Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. My god, what a gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, heart-warming, story of a man and his quest to solidify his legacy for his family and his students. He is no super hero, for sure, but he is a hero in so many ways. Inspirational, to say the least. You'll smile with tears staining your cheeks more than once...

About to embark on one I've been meaning to pick up for a while, that was recommended by my brother-in-law (and class A oenophile), Larry. The Billionaire's Vinegar is a non-fiction mystery about the world's most expensive wine, and the tales that surrounded it. Can't wait to pop the cork on that one...

Lots of reading to be done as I venture up to QVC land for Sunday shows all day. I no doubt will be reporting back on more food and dining adventures that await me in the Northeast...

Crescent City Cooks!

Another tremendous and memorable culinary experience last night in New Orleans. I basically helped open Emeril's Delmonico, since I got there at 4:30 and the bar doesn't even open til 5! I befriended the manager, Caleb, and learned a lot about the restaurant and the space itself (a gorgeous, old, classic New Orleans converted home)... then, when the clock struck 5 (it's always 5:00 somewhere), I bellied up to the impressive, albeit small, bar, and got to talking with Vinny, the bar manager. Enjoyed a crisp, refreshing glass of Albarino (a Spanish cousin to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc), and enjoyed learning more about the place (you can learn a lot about a lot if you're the only patron in the bar!)... ordered Shrimp Remoulade to start and it was delicious as anticipated: the chilled, fresh shrimp was generously covered with the sweet, tangy remoulade, served under field greens. Looked great on the plate and even better with each bite. Vinny then served me up his own mojito concoction -- a Lindsey (!), which became so popular from word of mouth that it's now a standard on their drink menu. Absolutely delicious! I paid close attention to Vinny as he prepped. The key additions that set it apart -- fresh raspberries to go along with the basil, but he didn't mottle the mixture, as is usually the standard practice, opting instead to vigorously shake it all to blend (hey, it's a time-saver, too!). Then, special step #2, top it with a champagne floater, and serve in a sugared rim glass... Machismo Alert! -- the drink comes out pink, but man, I had no reservations whatsoever, because it was outstanding!
The best was yet to come... Vinny took me on a personal tour of the space, from the upstairs private dining (Emeril has his own "Crystal Room," named for the gorgeous, antique chandelier that hangs in it) with it's lush, velvety wallpaper, to the downstairs wine cellar and meat locker, where Delmonico's ages all it's own beef. An eye-opening and inspiring look behind the scenes of a top-flight restaurant, and a great way to pass the time while I awaited my petite filet...
And it was worth the wait, for sure. I ordered it medium, with no side dishes, so as to really concentrate and savor it's singular flavor and texture. It practically melted in my mouth. It was served with homemade Bearnaise and horseradish sauces. The Bearnaise was heavenly, and just a drop was required to compliment the beef. Certainly ranks as one of the great steaks I've ever had...
As is usually the case when one is alone and at a bar, conversations with strangers come easy (especially with a glass of wine and a shot under your belt), and one I had led me on quite the unexpected adventure. Being that it was still so early in the evening, I was up for one...
I somehow ended up at a small, understated spot, with a name as unpretentious as the space. It is called Butcher. An honest-to-goodness charcuterie, this place had some of the more extravagant meats and plates I've ever experienced. I tried roast duck pastrami on toast pieces, a pizzeta (tiny pizza) topped with a perfectly executed quail egg, and a sampling of cured salamis among a number of other meats and small plates that were all incredibly tasty. Almost a surreal experience, considering it's a true local's hangout, so in a way, I felt like a fly on the wall, albeit one with a big appetite!
All in all, my taste buds were treated to one of the memorable food experiences I've had in my lifetime. New Orleans, as much as any place I've visited, is truly a carnival of flavors for a foodie...