Lychee Martinis

Dinner was selected based on the request of lychee martinis. Since I don't drink, it wasn't an issue for me.  But our birthday girl loves her lychee martinis!

For dinner we had 4 appetizers, 2 orders of naked shrimps, upon my recommendation after trying them with Kevin, coconut shrimp, and Chinese sausage. The mains included a whole fried sweet chili sauce red snapper, drunken noodles with squid, and cashew chicken.

For dessert, we had a flaming volcano ice cream, Laura attempted a wish...

Solution to Peckish

After the spa, we decided we were a bit peckish and needed a snack. We sat down at an outside table at Cognac, just north of Times Square.

I had a lobster salad, very fresh and flavorful, both tail and claw meat included. 

Country Breakfast

In preparation for our spa day, Laura, Aimee and I went to Whym for breakfast. I had grits with eggs overmedium, maple glazed butternut squash and andouille sausage. It was a delicious way to start the day, especially with a sweet touch of a carrot muffin to start.

Westside Evening

Laura and I went to the west side to meet Aimee. 

We started out with snacks and drinks at Pier i cafe overlooking the Hudson. Old bay fries and curried cannoli bean dip with chips, to nosh until dinner.

Then went to Gina's. We three shared watermelon, feta and mint salad, and a crab avocado salad in a Parmesan basket. Then Aimee and I split the prosciutto and fig pizza. We also shared a chocolate bomb to celebrate Laura's birthday eve. 

Jac's Intro to Stagshead

We hadn't been to Stagshead in a while. We hasn't ever taken Jac to Stagshead. Rather, she hasn't previously accepted the invitation. Alex was back from her maternity leave, so I got to chat her up and see photos of Logan. I had the fried chicken salad. Delicious. 

Not a Cheap Date

I was on a training webinar, texting Scott about how hungry I was. No food. No coffee. Then, like a godsend, Tom came into my office asking if I wanted anything from Ess-a-bagel. Yes please! 

I took a pause from my webinar to write my order on a post-it. Pumpernickel bagel, toasted with lox tofu spread. Plus, my usual coffee order from Starbucks. 

He came back with food and receipts announcing to the other team members that I was not a cheap date! 

Leftovers Plus Leftovers

Leftover pasta sauce from last night, leftover veggies from two nights ago and some frozen tortellini made an easy and delicious meal tonight. 

Bowl Split & Bubble Tea

Jac and I split a chicken and egg bowl and a beef and garlic stem bowl. They were both lunch specials with salad, miso soup & pickles. 

After lunch Scott and I went for taro slushes with bubbles. 

Too Hot Sauce

Some of my taste buds are still raised from the first bite. I can't believe how hot my pasta was!

I boiled water and cooked up the rotini. Meanwhile, sautéed an onion in olive oil, salt and pepper. I added 3 spicy Italian sausages removed from their casings. I added dried rosemary and "Italian seasoning". I slowly added a can of crushed tomatoes,  a splash of balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Then added the rotini.

Tossed together and topped with a bit of parmesan cheese. Delicious, but definitely needed some time to cool down!

Dig Inn in the Rain

Even though we had time to sit down forlunch today, it was pouring.  So we ran down to Dig Inn and grabbed food to eat in the break room.

I had a bed of spinach with salmon salad, summer pasta salad, cucumber watermelon salad, and roasted green beans. It was tasty and filling, but disappointing overall. The break room is an unideal location for lunch. But a good break from working all day. 

No Pumpkin in August

I've been failing miserably at making my chia seed pudding. I've skipped breakfast a lot. Today I was hungry, so I dropped into Au Bon Pain for my usual jalapeño cheddar bagel. 

They had their launch of pumpkin products this week, so I was tempted but decided pumpkin in August was too early and went back to my staple.

Backwards Dinner

Atomic and I were walking home from work when I had an insane hankering for frozen yogurt. He joined me for a Pinkberry... Half chocolate hazelnut, half cookies and cream with oreo cookies, hazelnut wafer cookies, almond roca and caramel.

We passed by Whole Foods where I grabbed bok choy and cremini mushrooms.

I got home and cooked up an awesome dinner.

I stir fries half a yellow onion, one whole red bell pepper, a head of bok choy, sliced cremini mushrooms, in olive oil, a splash of sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, pepper and some sweet chili sauce.

The tilapia was quickly sautéed in olive oil, salt and pepper, then topped with sweet chili sauce and lemon juice.

Saved by the Salad

So many meetings, back to back from 10:30-5! Jackie went to grab lunch and brought me back a Thai steak salad from Obao. 

Tom mentioned he was so hungry after not having time for lunch that he grabbed a bag of cardboard nutrisystem pretzels from Scott's stash. Saved by the salad... I didn't have to eat what Tom ate!

Wasabi Lobby for Sushi and Stories

I meant to see Laura this weekend, but I was in PA on Saturday and she was busy on Sunday. So when I decided not to work late tonight, she was my first call. Well, text. 

We shared a miso cod appetizer and two phenomenal rolls that neither of us had before. A panko crusted tuna roll and a new fusion roll, which was stacked instead of wrapped. Plus, red bean ice cream (compliments of the house). 

Amazing dinner & of course, great stories!

Meeting Vanesa

My colleague Alicia's daughter is turning 1 this week. Her name is Vanesa, one S... 

Alicia brought Vanesa in to meet people. I joined Alicia, Aleta and Erica for lunch and some baby play time! (Sadly I didn't take photos with or of Vanesa.)

I had a spinach salad with garbanzo beans, mushrooms, feta, red onion, and tomatoes. 

 

Muffin Cheer

A colleague, Rhea, who sits in the cubicle outside my office brought muffins in, today. She sent an email out this morning inviting people to partake. 

It was a basket full of muffins, chocolate, cinnamon and banana nut were the apparent flavors. I took the first two, but passed on the 3rd so as not to be too greedy.

Breakfast Tacos & Dessert

I felt like a breakfast burrito, but only had the soft taco sized tortillas. So I made breakfast tacos. Eggs and cheese, topped with salsa. Quick and tasty.

For dessert, I are part of Jonathan's joke. 

We have an amazing inside joke about Entemann's crumb donuts. So I bought a box, forgetting that he gives up sugar for long stints.

Fish and Chips at the Faire

Shawn and I made a drive into Pennsylvania for the Renaissance Faire.

I wasn't in the mood for anything in particular. I didn't feel like eating. Everything was fried, as things should be at a Faire.

Around 4PM, after waking up at 7AM, I had my first an d only good of the day... Fish and chips. I didn't feel like mayonnaise-y tarter sauce, so I made a weird mix of honey mustard and hot sauce. 

 

Seamless Coupon, Indian Prix Fixe

I ordered in an Indian prix fixe meal with my seamless coupon code. Yum & more for later in the weekend. 

Samosas, raita, chutneys, aloo gobi, rice and naan. Yum.

Sushi You

Scott's on vacation, so Jac, Tom, Dan and I were on our own to figure out our lunch. We went to Sushi You. 

Authentic Japanese. They had specials, where you save $3 if you pay cash. 

I had a seared tuna and uni bowl. It was awesome, so flavorful that it didn't even need soy sauce & wasabi. Plus green tea and a flavorful salad to start.

Cheap Chinese

Sometimes we have a great inexpensive meal at Sunny, sometimes it's subpar, but still cheap. Tonight was not good. We enjoyed our steamed pork buns, but the moo shu was disappointing! And such a strange fortune!

That's the Whole Menu?

It's always entertaining to go the steak frites place across from the office. People are always leaving shocked that all they have is the prix fixe menu of salad, bread and steak frites. Too pricy to go often, but enjoyable when we go. 

Cinnamony

Cinnamon swirl coffee cake and my usual iced venti soy cinnamon dolce latte. It was a cinnamony morning at Starbucks.

Microwave Pizza

I wasn't very hungry but wanted to eat something. I didn't feel like cooking, so I looked at seamless to order something. Nothing was striking me so when I opened the freezer to add ice to my water, the 3 minute microwave mini-pizza was an easy solution!

Obao Split

Jac saw some noodles in a skillet that someone was eating while we waited for a table. Pad Kee Mao and the picture of the Kalbi short ribs looked good too. When she was trying to decide, I said, let's get both & split!

Plus the free lunch appetizer of noodles in a peanuty sauce.

CYO Pasta

No breakfast or dinner, today... But I had Create your own pasta from Oxford during my 2PM meeting.

Bowties with half vodka/half spicy marinara, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, red onions, and parmesan.