Red Rooster

Red Rooster, originally uploaded by Red Fox..


Prior to this hurricane business I had a pre-hurricane dinner at Red Rooster in Harlem.  Mmmmmmmmm that corn bread is tasty.  
Before summer began they added outside seating to their establishment at Red Rooster which they really had to do, with Sylvia's right next door and all (and Sylvia's has outdoor seating).  As a new restaurant Red Rooster is doing exceptionally well.  The food is good, the ambiance pleasant, and a very eclectic crowd.  Now when I say the food is good let me elaborate.  Lets first say Marcus Samuelsson, the celebrity chef behind Red Rooster, clearly has quite the resume.  I mean he has had the training, has been a guest chef at the White House, and has judged various cooking shows such as Top Chef and Iron Chef.  I have no doubts or arguments with his vision of Red Rooster, I actually think he has a great vision for his restaurant and the convergence of food and community. I just think that at times the dishes at Red Rooster are over seasoned.  For example I had a gazpacho a few months back that was very tasty but the dish was too large and half way through I was overwhelmed by the flavor.  It would have best been served in a smaller portion.  I also had the Red Caesar salad with a smoked vinaigrette, but the vinaigrette had far too much smoke.  Not to mention to much dressing overall.  But the corn bread is spot on.  It's amazing.  And the Red Rooster is worth a visit.  I think there is just some fine tuning to the recipes that needs to be done and the problem will be solved. 

In the bunker

I was called into work for the weekend.  Specifically because there is a hurricane out there folks, it just started raining about 10 minutes ago.  

So it begins....

In about 45 minutes the MTA is suspending all services.  No subway, no bus, nothin.  So I'm staying at work all weekend.  "Zone A" of the hurricane zones was giving orders of a mandatory evacuation.  The boundry of Zone A is a block away from my work I might add....hmmmm.......

Honesty I think all will be well.  But I did have to leave the Kitties alone.  Luckly they have plenty of food and water.  

Charlie is probably going to OD on the food by the end of the night and go into a food coma for the rest of the time I'm gone.  

I can see it now.....

Silly Charlie. 

So I'm pretty much all settled in here.  I don't have to work for three hours so I think I'll go out and get some rations.  I brought bored games to play after work and I even got some fresh flowers for my room.  All is well so far people.

Irene

Apparently there is a hurricane a blowin' in to New York City.  Now at first I was like meh, not gonna happen, Irene will lose her intensity by the time she gets so far north.  But everyone is really freaking out.  They're talking about suspending all public transportation starting tomorrow.  This means I might have to go to work and stay over for the night just in case people can't come in.  Grrrrr.

But in the mean time I need to get some rations for me and the kitties!

Peaches HotHouse

This past weekend on a blustery, rainy evening I ventured to BedStuy to visit Peaches HotHouse.  Actually blustery is an understatement.  It was a torrential downpour. 

Upon arriving I was drenched and initially had to use to ladies room to wring out my sopping wet clothing.  But once I got settled in I was much happier.  Especially after I got appitizer which was the watermelon salad, with arugula, farmers cheese, lime & ginger. Mmmmm mmmm and my hot date had the fried green tomato's with bacon and barbecue aioli.  Also Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmm.

Then along came my drink that was served in a mason jar.  You really can't go wrong with a beverage served in a mason jar.  But what was inside the mason jar was even better! First.....Bulleit Bourbon.  My favorite bourbon of all bourbons.

Second....peach schnapps

Third.....Sweet tea. 

Sooooooooooooo delicious. I love Bulleit Bourbon. It is amazing.  And this beverage ladies and gentleman was so refreshing I wanted to be on a porch swinging or something. Alas I was in the hood on a rainy night.  But it was a good thing I had this drink to wash down the fried chicken I ordered.  Because it was hot.  And I mean HOT. 

Under most circumstances I love hot food.  I  always drench my food in hot sauce so while I'm browsing the menu my fried chicken options are regular, hot, or extra hot.  I choose extra hot without even thinking twice.  When the waitress asked me if I was sure, I got a little hesitant but I went for it anyways. I should have taken this warning to heart because my mouth was on fire! I had to remove the skin it was so hot. But inside the flesh was warm, juicy, and tasty.

So the rainy night turned out to be warm and filling.  And there more than just Chinese restaurants in BedStuy now.  Who  knew.

I have recently been reading up on exercise, trends, and diet to better my heath as I'm clearly getting old.  What I've noticed in my research is that many health enthusiasts these days are frowning upon excessive, long intervals of aerobic activity.  Specifically long distance running.  Now I do enjoy aerobic activity so I'm not going to knock it, I think its important to have that increased heart rate and get all sweaty however I also think that it is hard on your body so I'm not the biggest supporter of long distance running. So quite a few fitness articles I've been reading have highly suggest just plain ol' walking to get your heart rate up.  Now I'm in no way a nutritionist or doctor but I like the idea of this, I like to walk. 
Yesterday, after 40 minutes of cardio at the gym, I was dying of boredom but was still wanting a little more exercise. So I decided I would walk home.  From the Financial District of Manhattan, to SoHo, across Canal to the Westside Highway, up the Hudson (a brief stop at Magnolia Bakery in the West Village to get some, oh so delicious, banana pudding), through Riverside Park, across a bridge that rose over the wafting aroma of Dinosaur BBQ, right on 135th st, through St. Nicholas Park, and 11 miles later I was at my door.

It took awhile I'm not gonna lie (about 4 hours with my break), but it was a fantastic day yesterday so it was worth the time AND I made some new discoveries along the way. Namely the south end of Riverside Park is amazing.  I had never ventured so far south in this particular park that begins at 58th st. and goes all the way to 156th st.  But at the beginning it's really quite beautiful; sculptures are placed through out the greenery and a boardwalk right along the rivers edge.  I'm glad I made the trek otherwise I would have never gone there in a million years.   
I don't know if the pizza I ate in my bed when I got home canceled out my walking extravaganza but oh well. If my stomach says pizza, pizza it is. 

I really love Maru.

I mean he is wearing a freaking raincoat here people!!!!!!!!!!!

This REALLY made my day.

This is just.....

This is just hilarious.....oooh my gosh how it brings me so much joy.....

Sister Act

I saw Sister Act the musical brought to you by Ms. Whoopi Goldberg herself and it did not disappoint.  Although, on a side note, I must add that it was freaking freezing in that theatre.  I realize it's Summer and all but I felt as if I should have brought my Winter coat along with me.   But I digress.  When I was little I loved the movie Sister Act I would walk around singing those songs like I was just at Sunday school...even though I don't think I've been to Sunday school a day in my life.


 Nothing you could do 'cause I'm stuck like glue to my god 






Patina Miller was perfectly cast as the lead, Deloris Van Cartier.  The humor of the script and Ms. Miller seemed to agree. She embodied the character and was quite hilarious with her over exaggerated movements. But don't get me wrong, she certainly wasn't over the top.  And let me say in the last number I have never seen such a sparkling set in my life.  I won't give anything away but just imagine a giant disco ball-esque Mary Magdalene. 
On my way home I was singing the songs just like I did when I was little. All in all a great performance.

Just sayin

I was just reading one of my favorite blogs and I came across a post of a "peel-able banana paper craft"  and it made me realized just how phallic bananas are. As I look at this picture all I could think about was a penis.

Maybe it's just this image itself......but the resemblance to a white man's penis is uncanny.  I mean sure a very pale white man, maybe even an albino but still...uncanny.

Makes me look at banana's differently.

Sister Sister

Apparently Tia and Tamara Mowry have a new reality series that premiered last week on the Style Network.  How did I not about about this?? I loved Sister Sister! I also loved Roger from Sister Sister.  Which I realize is slightly humorous, but I had the biggest crush on him.  Especially after he joined the R&B group Immature. 




I had dreams of him singing that song outside my window in those overly baggy clothes.....awww *sigh*

But honestly what was up with his hair?

I mean his character, Roger, on Sister Sister was simply annoying but in reality Marques Houston has grown up to be quite the looker. 

I MEAN REALLY! Too bad he's short.....I think.....

Oh well. I'm gonna have to DVR this new show the ladies have.  Maybe Marques will make an appearance ;)

MOMA PS1

MOMA PS1, originally uploaded by Red Fox..

Summer has literally flown by! I can't believe it's already August and unfortunately I don't feel that I've done much notable this summer....

I mean sure I've been outside absorbing the rays, but I feel that I've been missing out on some summer activities. Simply put I feel sad about it.

But lets not dwell on my pointless sorrow. I mean I did get outside. I also ventured out to Long Island City to PS1, the extension of MOMA that has fun parties all summer on Saturday afternoons. So until September 3rd you can visit PS1 any saturday and enjoy the 'Wram Up." Pay the cover and enjoy some tunes as you wander the halls of the former public school that has extracted the children and replaced them with various exhibits and mediums. Plus they spruce up their front lawn by changing the various installations each year. The only downfall is that you will be surrounded by hipsters. So don't say I didn't warn you.



On my way out I also took a gander at 5 Pointz, as it's pretty much across the street, an old factory covered that is basically an outdoor gallery covered in legal graffiti. Ever changing, as the less popular pieces are painted over by new. It's worth a walk around the building at the very least. Where you'll see some amazing art and people at work, in the midst of creation.

So summer isn't all bad I guess.... I still have half the month left, I need to get outside!

Congrats Maru!

One of my favorite internet sensations has a book!

Maru!

The adorable cat that likes to squeeze himself into whatever little space he possibly can.

Actually now that I think about it I'm not sure if Maru is a boy or girl....oh well congrats Maru!

And you if you would like to get to know Maru a little better check out his blog and prepare to have your heart warmed:

http://sisinmaru.blog17.fc2.com/

Or if you need a good book.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062088416/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mitogo05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0062088416

Or if you just need a little taste of cuteness:

I like a good cocktail. I'm not going to lie.

I hear people often questioning if it's appropriate to drink in the early afternoon or what is the proper wine to drink with a certain meal. These are defiantly valid questions and inquiries. Personally I find that Bourbon to be more of a fall/winter drink myself. Rose to be consumed on warm evenings after a sunny day.
But there is one drink that is so universal it can be consumed at any time, any season, and location. Although it is associated with a very specific circumstance. And this is exactly why I love it so much.



The Pina Colada.

So tasty. So refreshing. So makes you feel like your on a beach vacation in the tropics no matter if it's the dead of winter and you're wearing a parka! There is nothing to make a summer day feel that much more summery or take you away in the middle of the winter than such a creamy concoction.

But where to find such deliciousness in NYC?? Pain Killer, that's where! Of course you can also get a variety of other tasty cocktails at this Tiki bar tucked away inconspicuously on Essex St. But how can you resist a beverage served out of pineapple with a umbrella and pipe cleaner flamingo??!!

I may or may not have walked by the door a couple times before joking with the door guys that no one knows where the place is and are afraid to ask the two black guys outside for directions. She's not the most obvious of establishments. But the drinks are tasty and really who can resist a Tiki bar?

ONCE AGAIN.....

I'm bringing back the blog! I know, I know. It has been over a year since I've made a single post. I've said like twice before that I'm bringing back the blog after long stints of silence and then been a total loser and not posted. BUT I'M SERIOUS THIS TIME PEOPLE.

In the past year a lot has happened! Kitty and I moved to a new, bigger apartment and we also had a new addition to the family.....baby Charlie Sheen!



Not only is he cute as pie he is excellent at catching flies and a bit crazy, hence the handle. So Kitty now has a buddy to party with and, to be honest, Kitty is a quit the mentor. But its obvious he would be.