Well, the menu was predictable but I still think it's appropriate to discuss what is arguably the most important meal of the year- Thanksgiving Dinner!
A couple of weeks prior to the feast, we had an informal meeting to discuss the menu. Last year it was just my parents and I, and we went against tradition by making boeuf bourguignon, Julia Child's recipe (and when I say "we", I mean my mother). It was amazing and deserving of its own post. That dish was suggested again this year, but since the nephew was with us this year, we opted for traditional fare. Turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, stuffing, cranberry sauce. My dad had other suggestions, but since we knew he was going to sit on his ass all day and not contribute anything to the meal, he was denied some of his more elaborate and work intensive requests.
I was actually allowed to contribute some elements this year, which is unusual. My ideas are often frowned upon or dismissed so that my mother can make the whole meal and then play the martyr because she did all the work...one of those covert family traditions. I arrived at the parents' house around 9:30am to watch the Macy's parade. Around 10:30am, I started making mimosas- my idea, and a huge hit. Later we enjoyed the appetizers I was allowed to provide. Ruffles and dip- a slacker classic and crowd pleaser. I also brought a cheese tray. The three cheeses I selected where a dill havarti, smoked gouda, and a champagne cheddar (yay giant Wegmans cheese department). Again, pretty pleased with myself, I got good feedback on my contributions. Maybe next year I'll be allowed to heat somthing in the oven, but I'm not holding my breath.
The main meal was the best I can remember. The turkey was perfectly juicy. My mother's mashed potatoes still remain my favorite (and the only ones I would eat for the first 25 years of my life). We had enough delicious gravy for a family of 15. The stuffing was made from scratch and the best I've ever had. I avoid the squash because I don't like it, and I don't eat cranberry sauce because I don't like fruit mixed with things, but Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without the can shaped jelly burped out into a formal serving vessel.
Although every bite was delicious, I have never in my life been compelled to stuff my face on Thanksgiving and did not do so this year. One moderately sized helping was enough for me. The other tradition in our family is that my father will keep eating until my mother rolls her eyes so hard at him that it looks like they'll never be able to focus properly again. I think he finally stopped after about 3 plates, and probably only because he knew dessert was still on the way (and I saw him eat some of my nephew's neglected turkey and stuffing when he was clearing the table).
Dessert, compliments of yours truly, was a pumkin cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. I may not actually cook any of the things I bring, but I know how to shop for stuff other people make. I dare say the dessert was the perfect finish. Nephew, who did not finish his dinner, was still allowed to eat dessert in the spirit of the holiday. I'm pretty sure it was the best Thanksgiving dinner I've had, and the most tolerable 10 hours I've spent with my family. I'm very thankful for that. And for mimosas.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Reunion Time Again - Already? Yea, it is!
Well it wasn't an official reunion and it wasn't even a "complete" reunion since we were missing some of our compatriots. However, we got that question TWICE the other weekend when me, Rose and Schmat visited our homeland - Saratoga Springs, New York. This is our town. This is where we formed our little family.
It is also where all this madness about talking about our food began because we love the food of Saratoga so much.
I know we've blogged about our Saratoga eats before but I will blog again because I love this food and look forward to it every year. And this trip we really got it down to a science. We had various obstacles to face - only one night, a smaller group, and we are a whole year older. But may I just say - we rocked! We made our 34 year old selves proud - and even found a little bit of that 21 year old sparkle!
Since we only had one night we had to make some strategic choices about eating, drinking, timing etc. However, we are planners and this skill has served Birch D well when it comes to food.
Lunch
Rose and I met Schmat in the parking lot at the Inn at Saratoga promptly at 12 noon. Our agreed upon meeting time to ensure that we could get in a Roma's sub for lunch. This is where important planning comes in - Roma's is not open on Sundays - making Saturday our only option and you need to make sure they do not run out of bread. Before we left for Roma's we quickly checked into the hotel and mentioned our lunch plan in front of the Front Desk Staff. The young whippersnapper behind the desk actually said to us, "You know, it's moved right?" I thought daggers were going to come out of Schmat's eyes. "Yes, we know. We've been back to Saratoga since it moved." Try every year, lady! We are no strangers to the goings-ons of Roma's. Do not doubt us. Does she know who we are?!
We put this behind us and focused on the matter at hand - sandwiches. Yummy, yummy sandwiches. We arrived at Roma's - the delicious aromas greeted us as we entered the store. We got in line and our two favorite men were behind the counter, Mr. Roma and the other guy (I don't know his name but we love him). He looked at us, smiled and said "Reunion Time?" It was good to be home.
We all got turkey. I added fresh mozz, italian seasoning, mayo and mustard, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes. It was amazing - as always. Roma's does not disappoint. I believe we've said before - it's all about the bread but also how they combine everything together. (See some old posts for more details.) A perfect bite is created at all times.
Dinner and Drinks
Since we had one night in Saratoga we decided to forego actual restaurants and get down to business - drinks and dough boys. We started our night early (we are 34!) with a proper drink at 9 Maple. 9 Maple is a great bar. If it was in Boston, I would be there every day. Sipping on yummy cocktails and eating peanuts.
We asked the new-to-us bartender for three cocktails - I ordered a Manhattan. As some of you may know, I love me a good Manhattan and 9 Maple did not disappoint. Instead of telling him how I wanted it, I left it up to the bartender to make it how he saw fit. I wish I could tell you what Schmat and Rose ordered but frankly, I don't recall. I do recall we talked alot about Wegman's and how it's the greatest grocery store in the world with the new-to-us bartender.
Following our round of proper drinks it was time for phase 1 of dinner - or our first dough boy. Now, Esperanto's, home of the dough boys, moved into a bigger space but still on Caroline St. This occurred when we were in 'toga last year. (Take that, Front Desk Lady!) The dough boy was perfect blend of cream cheese, spice, chicken, scallions and dough. YUM. God bless the dough boy.
From there we went to DA's for our first round there. We sat at the bar, not in the booth and ordered our $3.75 (love!) drinks. I played Ms. PacMan to keep up my energy post - dough boy. Then we called change of venue and it was off to the IceHouse. Now, I love the IceHouse or I should say I loved the IceHouse. Back in the day...it was a great little dive bar with the best jukebox in town. It's a garage and you open the door, sit at the bar and stare out onto the summer madness that is Saratoga. The IceHouse has been updated and renovated and after Rose and Schmat were nice enough to indulge me, I've decided I no longer need any part of the IceHouse. Things change, what can ya do?
From there it was phase 2 of dinner - D'Andrea's pizza. Rose has never had sugar-in-crust-D'Andrea's pizza so it was a mandatory stop. It wasn't the best pizza I've had there but it was still good. Not too cheesy, sugary crust and a little sweet sauce. Oh D'Andrea's...I do miss the days of ordering a stuffed bread and pint of Ben and Jerry's to my room (and the metabolism that went along with that).
We returned to DA's to finish up the night. We slid back up to the bar to find Rock behind the bar. Rock's been there since before I've been there. We order our $3.75 (!!) drinks and continue our drinking when Rock looks at the three of us, tilts his head and says "What are you up here for a reunion or something?" I explain why we are there. And he responds, "Great. So what's it been 4-5 years?" [I love you, Rock!] "Uhm, we graduated in '98." "Holy shit, it's been 12 years!" "Uh yeh, let's not talk about it."
After many more cocktails, Rose schooling some old dude about the price of drinks outside upstate NY and telling him to cram it, we make our final on the way home drunk stop at Esperanto's. I go all out and get a dough boy and a twice baked potato. Now I enjoy the twice baked, but don't love it but for some reason it sounded good to me that night. Well, it was a waste of calories. It was good but another dough boy or a slice would have been a better use of those calories.
And I just have to say here - even if this makes us old ladies - we went out 6pm and we strolled in around 1am. Not too bad for some old timers who on Fridays like a little buzz and to be in bed by 10pm. I want a standing ovation!
Brunch
We wake up - not even hungover! And Rose and I head to Country Corner for homemade breakfast goodness. Country Corner has expanded since we've been gone and I am all for it. It was a great little cafe that seated about 25 when we were in school and we always had to wait so I am happy about a little expansion. We sat down and I ordered my favorite - chocolate chip pancakes and bacon. It was just as good as I remembered. The chocolate chips melting in the pancake (none of this drizzling on top, bs!) and the contrast with the salty bacon made it the perfect breakfast.
Bellies full of our favorite foods, we packed up the car and waved goodbye to our hometown and the perfect fall weekend it gave us.
It is also where all this madness about talking about our food began because we love the food of Saratoga so much.
I know we've blogged about our Saratoga eats before but I will blog again because I love this food and look forward to it every year. And this trip we really got it down to a science. We had various obstacles to face - only one night, a smaller group, and we are a whole year older. But may I just say - we rocked! We made our 34 year old selves proud - and even found a little bit of that 21 year old sparkle!
Since we only had one night we had to make some strategic choices about eating, drinking, timing etc. However, we are planners and this skill has served Birch D well when it comes to food.
Lunch
Rose and I met Schmat in the parking lot at the Inn at Saratoga promptly at 12 noon. Our agreed upon meeting time to ensure that we could get in a Roma's sub for lunch. This is where important planning comes in - Roma's is not open on Sundays - making Saturday our only option and you need to make sure they do not run out of bread. Before we left for Roma's we quickly checked into the hotel and mentioned our lunch plan in front of the Front Desk Staff. The young whippersnapper behind the desk actually said to us, "You know, it's moved right?" I thought daggers were going to come out of Schmat's eyes. "Yes, we know. We've been back to Saratoga since it moved." Try every year, lady! We are no strangers to the goings-ons of Roma's. Do not doubt us. Does she know who we are?!
We put this behind us and focused on the matter at hand - sandwiches. Yummy, yummy sandwiches. We arrived at Roma's - the delicious aromas greeted us as we entered the store. We got in line and our two favorite men were behind the counter, Mr. Roma and the other guy (I don't know his name but we love him). He looked at us, smiled and said "Reunion Time?" It was good to be home.
We all got turkey. I added fresh mozz, italian seasoning, mayo and mustard, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes. It was amazing - as always. Roma's does not disappoint. I believe we've said before - it's all about the bread but also how they combine everything together. (See some old posts for more details.) A perfect bite is created at all times.
Dinner and Drinks
Since we had one night in Saratoga we decided to forego actual restaurants and get down to business - drinks and dough boys. We started our night early (we are 34!) with a proper drink at 9 Maple. 9 Maple is a great bar. If it was in Boston, I would be there every day. Sipping on yummy cocktails and eating peanuts.
We asked the new-to-us bartender for three cocktails - I ordered a Manhattan. As some of you may know, I love me a good Manhattan and 9 Maple did not disappoint. Instead of telling him how I wanted it, I left it up to the bartender to make it how he saw fit. I wish I could tell you what Schmat and Rose ordered but frankly, I don't recall. I do recall we talked alot about Wegman's and how it's the greatest grocery store in the world with the new-to-us bartender.
Following our round of proper drinks it was time for phase 1 of dinner - or our first dough boy. Now, Esperanto's, home of the dough boys, moved into a bigger space but still on Caroline St. This occurred when we were in 'toga last year. (Take that, Front Desk Lady!) The dough boy was perfect blend of cream cheese, spice, chicken, scallions and dough. YUM. God bless the dough boy.
From there we went to DA's for our first round there. We sat at the bar, not in the booth and ordered our $3.75 (love!) drinks. I played Ms. PacMan to keep up my energy post - dough boy. Then we called change of venue and it was off to the IceHouse. Now, I love the IceHouse or I should say I loved the IceHouse. Back in the day...it was a great little dive bar with the best jukebox in town. It's a garage and you open the door, sit at the bar and stare out onto the summer madness that is Saratoga. The IceHouse has been updated and renovated and after Rose and Schmat were nice enough to indulge me, I've decided I no longer need any part of the IceHouse. Things change, what can ya do?
From there it was phase 2 of dinner - D'Andrea's pizza. Rose has never had sugar-in-crust-D'Andrea's pizza so it was a mandatory stop. It wasn't the best pizza I've had there but it was still good. Not too cheesy, sugary crust and a little sweet sauce. Oh D'Andrea's...I do miss the days of ordering a stuffed bread and pint of Ben and Jerry's to my room (and the metabolism that went along with that).
We returned to DA's to finish up the night. We slid back up to the bar to find Rock behind the bar. Rock's been there since before I've been there. We order our $3.75 (!!) drinks and continue our drinking when Rock looks at the three of us, tilts his head and says "What are you up here for a reunion or something?" I explain why we are there. And he responds, "Great. So what's it been 4-5 years?" [I love you, Rock!] "Uhm, we graduated in '98." "Holy shit, it's been 12 years!" "Uh yeh, let's not talk about it."
After many more cocktails, Rose schooling some old dude about the price of drinks outside upstate NY and telling him to cram it, we make our final on the way home drunk stop at Esperanto's. I go all out and get a dough boy and a twice baked potato. Now I enjoy the twice baked, but don't love it but for some reason it sounded good to me that night. Well, it was a waste of calories. It was good but another dough boy or a slice would have been a better use of those calories.
And I just have to say here - even if this makes us old ladies - we went out 6pm and we strolled in around 1am. Not too bad for some old timers who on Fridays like a little buzz and to be in bed by 10pm. I want a standing ovation!
Brunch
We wake up - not even hungover! And Rose and I head to Country Corner for homemade breakfast goodness. Country Corner has expanded since we've been gone and I am all for it. It was a great little cafe that seated about 25 when we were in school and we always had to wait so I am happy about a little expansion. We sat down and I ordered my favorite - chocolate chip pancakes and bacon. It was just as good as I remembered. The chocolate chips melting in the pancake (none of this drizzling on top, bs!) and the contrast with the salty bacon made it the perfect breakfast.
Bellies full of our favorite foods, we packed up the car and waved goodbye to our hometown and the perfect fall weekend it gave us.
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