Happy {Blue} Friday!

Bill Cunningham has officially stolen my heart. Not only did his most recent Sunday "On the Street" section feature my favorite color blue, but also my favorite flower, blue hydrangeas. To see his collage of hydrangea blue in a larger view you can click HERE for the link. Additionally, to accompany his Sunday section you can see a slide show and commentary by going to the VIDEO LINK. I love that Bill calls this shade of blue a "happy blue". So Happy Blue Friday and enjoy the last weekend in July!

Café Grumpy: One Cup of Coffee at a Time

Café Grumpy first opened their doors in 2005 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Since then owners Caroline Bell and Chris Timbrell have gained a reputation as serious coffee makers and opened three other locations in Park Slope, the Lower East Side, and Chelsea. 

So what makes Café Grumpy different from all the other artisan coffee shops in New York City? Each cup of coffee is brewed one cup at a time with the Clover machine. 

Grumpy's Clover Machines

The Clover machine is a whopping $11,000 a piece and built to order.  The Clover is said to brew coffee like a french press but with much more accuracy and reliability. Instead of a human controlling the process, the Clover uses a "PID-algorithm" that regulates 6 variables of the brewing cycle- choice of bean, grind, strength of coffee, brewing time, amount of water, and temperature. The first three elements, bean choice, grind, and strength of coffee, can be determined by the barista and the latter three, brewing time, water amount, and temperature can be set on the Clover. 

In addition to incredible cups of coffee, customers can order a great latte, cappuccino, or espresso as well as select from a variety of teas. Café Grumpy also sells an eclectic assortment of coffee beans to brew at home. 

Rhubarb Mufin

Next door to the Lower East Side location is Café Grumpy Bakery which produces baked goods for all four locations. Make sure to stop by on the weekends to grab fresh ciabatta with a hot cup of coffee or any of their other creations such as scones, fruit tarts, chocolate and pink peppercorn cookies, lemon and thyme biscuits, and muffins.

Chelsea Location

One of my favorite rules about Grumpy's? No laptops except in the larger Greenpoint location. So grab a friend or a good book and head on over to the closest Café Grumpy to enjoy a special cup of coffee, delicious baked goods, or some of their homemade raspberry lemonade.

Locations:

Chelsea

224 W. 20th Street

New York, NY 10011

212.255.5511

Lower East Side

13 Essex Street

New York, NY 10002

No listed number

Park Slope

383 7th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718.499.4404

Greenpoint

193 Meserole Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11222

718.349.7623

Monogram Me: iomoi

Custom monogrammed bags are all over the streets these days. No longer does just L.L. Bean create a personalized tote bag but now high-end designers such as Goyard and Louis Vuitton are following suit. Although monograms are classic and unique, some of these bags are not an accessible price. 

Luckily there is a great alternative available for monogram lovers. The brand iomoi offers both canvas and leather bags that can be individualized for a differentiating look. The largest canvas bag is $210 and you can also order other smaller sizes and cosmetic cases.

The best part about iomoi? Total customization. Not only can you select your initials, you can select any color stripes {including a patterned stripe} or you can select your own image. Customers have ordered bags with their favorite animal, high school or college logo, or even their child's latest artwork.

Perfect for Mother's Day

There are so many options at such a great price point. These bags are perfect for work, the weekend, a close friend, hostess gift, bridesmaids gift, and many other occasions. Also be sure to check out the iomoi website for their other adorable selections. 

Lucite Trays

Ice Buckets

Paper Coasters

Golf Balls

Stationary Set with Bamboo Pen

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Food Truck Feature: The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

Food trucks are an integral part of New York City. They are parked on almost every corner selling tacos to hamburgers to coffee to ice cream. So which trucks actually provide unique and worthwhile fare? Be on the lookout for Food Truck Features on Particularity which will share the best food trucks the city has to offer. The first Food Truck Feature? The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck.

The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck first took to the streets of New York in June of 2009. Owners Douglas Quint and Bryan Petroff wanted to take Mister Softee to the next level by pairing traditional soft serve ice cream with unusual toppings. Some examples? Olive oil, sea salt, cayenne pepper, ground wasabi peas, bacon, maple syrup, and sriracha just to name a few.

Salty Pimp

Some of my favorite inventions? The Salty Pimp which includes vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, and then all dipped in chocolate. 

Monday Sundae

Another favorite is the Monday Sundae which is a bit bigger than the Salty Pimp. This concoction includes a twist of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, a nutella lined cone, dulce de leche, sea salt, and whipped cream. Here are a few other masterpieces that are available:

Cococone

The Cococone. Vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut curry.

Mermaid

The Mermaid. Vanilla ice cream, key lime curd, crushed graham crackers, and whipped cream.

Where to find the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck? Typically you can find it on the corner of 17th and Broadway from 2pm to 8pm. Make sure to check the schedule on their website or you can follow the truck on twitter @biggayicecream. Treats typically cost 5 dollars but can be more depending on the toppings and cash only of course.

Some big news? The Big Gay Ice Cream SHOP! The store will be located on 7th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A. The truck will still remain in existence but now Big Gay Ice Cream Truck lovers will be able to enjoy their favorite selections year round. While there is no definitive opening of the store, rumors say that it should be within the next few weeks. The store will have all the usual offerings and more such as root beer floats, brownies and cookies for sundaes, and coffee. So why not cool off this summer with a delicious creation from the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck? Indulge and enjoy!

Green Garlic: A Seasonal Treat

What is green garlic? It is the same species as garlic but harvested before the bulbs begin to mature. The vegetable itself resembles a scallion, or green onion, with a long skinny green stalk and white bulb on the bottom. Farmers typically harvest garlic in the summer while green garlic is harvested before the plant is fully developed which makes it a seasonally delicacy. 

I only recently discovered this amazing herb through the CSA (Community Supported Harvest) at my office. I highly recommend joining your local CSA to receive fresh vegetables on a regular basis while supporting local businesses at the same time. 

What makes green garlic so different? The delicate flavor. You still get a "garlicky" taste but it is much lighter and mild compared to garlic's pungent and strong bite. When cooked, green garlic becomes sweet so you really can't overuse it in a dish. The entire plant, including the green stalk, can be used much like a leek. The best place to get your hands on this seasonal herb is your local farmers market or Whole Foods. Sadly green garlic's season is coming to an end so get it while you still can or you will have to wait until the spring. Be careful when picking out green garlic because it closely resembles green onions. Here are the two key differences:

                     Green garlic                                      Green onions

The color of the stalk is the first key difference between green garlic and green onions. The stalks of green garlic have a purple hugh which you can see in the picture on the left. Green onions do not have any trace of purple. Their stalks are all white.

                     Green garlic                                         Green onions

The shape of the leaves is the second and most important identifier of green garlic. Green onion's leaves are circular which you can see in the picture on the right. When chopped they look like small circles. Green garlic's leaves are flat so be sure to take a look closely at the leaves when deciphering between the two. 

Favorite Green Garlic Recipes:

1. Chopped raw and mixed with goat cheese. Great for crostini appetizers

2. Thinly sliced, simmered with olive oil, drizzled over pasta with shrimp

3. Chopped and roasted with vegetables of any kind

4. Chopped in any salad

5. Be creative. Green garlic adds flavor to any dish, happy cooking!

Happy Friday!

T.G.I.F.

Happy Friday to all! These are the most beautiful cupcakes I have ever seen! Click HERE to learn how to craft these stunning {and delicious} treats. Stay cool, the weekend is almost here!

The Cookie Monster: Levain Bakery

167 West 74th Street. Here you will find Levain Bakery on 74th Street closest to Amsterdam Avenue. The storefront is simple, discreet, and unassuming with a short set of stairs leading down to a small space with only a few tables. Patrons watch bakers perfect their creations they are about to consume.

Levain Bakery first opened its doors in 1995 baking bread but the story has changed quite a bit since the early days. In addition to a variety of breads, Levain Bakery now produces brioche, muffins, and their signature treat, the 6 ounce cookie.

Yes, that is correct. A 6 ounce cookie that is perfectly gooey, chocolatey, soft, and the epitome of cookie perfection. In addition to the Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie pictured above,  Levain produces a Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and a Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie. All four flavors are equally incredible and mouth watering. 

Luckily for those of us who cannot make the trip to the Upper West Side, Levain allows customers to order their savory delights online by going to their website store. Levain cookies are the perfect gift for any occasion from birthdays to a hostess gift or just because. 

Cookie connoisseur or not, Levain Bakery is a must stop shop. Make sure to ask if there are any hot cookies available while in the store. One bite and you will be hooked.

Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 8am to 7pm

Sunday: 9am to 7pm

T: 212.874.6080

Serious Eats: All-Star Sandwich Festival

Serious eats. Serious Sandwiches. Serious Saturday.

Sick of those New York food "festivals" that happen every weekend with the same exact food no matter what the occasion? Well here is a festival that is quite the opposite of boring. This Saturday, July 23, Serious Eats will be hosting an All-Star Sandwich Festival on Govenor's Island from 12pm to 4pm. Tickets are sold for $65 until July 22 so get them while they are still available! Each ticket includes all you can eat and drink while on the island. One might think that $65 is overpriced for a bunch of sandwiches but wait until you have seen the lineup. These are not your ordinary sandwiches.

Lamb Meatball Sliders from Locanda Verde

Falafel from Taim

Sandwich selections from some of New York City's top restaurants such as Locanda Verde and Gramercy Tavern will be present. Other sandwich choices will range from smoked ham and cheese to pulled pork to heros. It is highly doubtful you will find your typical PB&J at this sandwich celebration. Event organizers have recruited sandwich creators from all over New York so there will be plenty of food and minimal lines. Guests will be able to enjoy sandwiches from the most well known names to new up and coming businesses. 

People's Pops

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

Now don't forget about dessert!! Two of my favorite New York City treats, People's Pops and the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, will be making an appearance this Saturday. Be sure to check back for a Food Truck Feature on the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, Salty Pimp anyone?

A fun twist to the festival? In lieu of plates this year Serious Eats will be using frisbees instead to promote sustainability. Once you have had your fill simply wipe off your "plate" and you have a new frisbee to use in the park.

In addition to enjoying food, beer, wine, and dessert, the band Flearoy will be playing all afternoon. A portion of the profits from the festival will go to Edible Schoolyard New York City. 

So why not enjoy a day out on the green grass of Govenor's Island while munching on some of NYC's finest sandwiches. Free ferries will be running continuously from Manhattan at the Battery Maritime Building and from Brooklyn all day. Click HERE to purchase tickets. Hope to see you there!