north fork table & inn

 

We drove out to the North Fork of Long Island for my birthday, and spent a lovely evening at The North Fork Table and Inn. We stayed at the Inn for the night, which was so cozy and comfortable. The restaurant offered plenty of seasonal fare, including many ingredients sourced from nearby farms. If you like eating delicious farm-to-table cuisine, this is some of the freshest you can get. It was such a quick and easy getaway from the city too, but felt like a million miles away. The perfect mental reset and escape to nature- I definitely recommend it. Check out some of the nearby wineries if you have time!

 

babu ji

 

Babu Ji has been on my must-try list for a while now, so I was excited to go the other night with my husband. Our consumption of Indian food usually involves delivery, so this was a welcome improvement. If you make a reservation at Babu Ji, then you must get the chef's table menu, which is a tasting menu chosen by the chef. My husband has had that before (and thoroughly enjoyed it), but this time we wanted to choose a la carte, so we walked in right when they opened before they got crowded. According to their site, the Hindu term Babu Ji refers to someone with a "mayor of the block" type personality, and they have successfully created a restaurant with that ethos & vibe. The menu offers a nice mix of Indian street food, regional curries & Tandoori specialties, all of which are made with high quality ingredients. Several of their items are also vegan and/or gluten free, so it's an enjoyable meal for almost everyone. We each got their housemade specialty (kulfi on a stick!) for dessert, which ended the meal on the perfect sweet note! Scroll through below for a peek at our flavorful dinner!

 

chocolate sheet cake with coconut pecan frosting

My husband and I both seriously love chocolate. For his birthday this year, he requested German chocolate cake. I also really love coconut and pecans, so I was more than happy to oblige. We were hosting a casual daytime pizza party with friends for his birthday, so instead of baking a fancy German chocolate layer cake, I thought a giant sheet cake (Texas style!) would fit the bill perfectly. This cake is so easy to throw together, you don't even need a mixer. It's super rich & chocolatey, and I love the texture it gets from the coconut & pecans! It's easy to slice and serve, and can even be eaten hands-free, brownie style! Feel free to make a more traditional German chocolate-style frosting (egg yolks & evaporated milk base), but I opted for more chocolate to accompany the coconut & pecans. You can dig in immediately while the cake and frosting are both warm, or make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to enjoy!

German Chocolate Sheet Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting:

Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups cane sugar

  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate

  • 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 cup butter

  • 1 cup boiling water

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 6 tbsp whole milk

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 pound powdered sugar

  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare a half sheet tray (13" x 18") or jelly roll pan. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate. Add cocoa powder and whisk together until combined. Add boiling water, allowing it to simmer for about 20 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour chocolate mixture over dry ingredients, and stir lightly to cool. In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Add chocolate batter and mix until combined. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes (14-16 min for jelly roll pan).

While cake is baking, make the icing. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Once fully incorporated, add the pecans and coconut. Pour the frosting mixture over the cake immediately after it comes out of the oven, spreading it evenly across. Dig in immediately, or allow it to cool. Cut into squares and enjoy!

*Adapted from Chocolate Sheet Cake by The Pioneer Woman.

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the mill

 
the mill2.jpg

One of the best things about getting to travel so often for work is that I get to dine at amazing places all around the world. The Mill in San Francisco has a cult following (as seen on social media), and for good reason. True, it's just bread and coffee, but it's Josey Baker Bread and Four Barrel Coffee, which is some of the best around. All their bread is freshly baked each day, so get a loaf to take home and enjoy later. While there, however, you should indulge in their specialty item- toasts. Thick slabs of bread, toasted, and topped with various spreads and toppings. Think almond butter & cinnamon sugar on whole wheat sesame bread, or dark mountain rye with cream cheese, salt & pepper. The menu changes seasonally, and there's always a weekly special too. My choice was whole wheat sesame bread with almond butter, apple butter, and sea salt! Toasted to perefection, with a crisp and crusty exterior and chewy crumb in the center. Be sure to go early so you can snag a table!

 

lenoir

 

Lenoir is one of my favorite Austin restaurants. They offer a three course pre-fixe, and you get to choose any three dishes from the field, sea, land, and dream (dessert) categories of the menu. It's always hard to narrow it down to just three, but don't worry, because you can add an extra course for only $10! Lenoir changes their menu each week, so there's always something fresh & creative to enjoy. The bright and seasonal dishes are worth the trip alone, but the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant ensures you'll be adding it to your list of regulars at once. There's even a beautiful wine garden where you can sit outside and enjoy a drink with small bites. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in Austin!

 

isa

 

Isa is one of our go-to local neighborhood spots. I love the comforting atmosphere, which almost feels like a log cabin in the woods. When it's nice out and the windows are open, it creates a lovely open-air breeze throughout. A wood-burning oven is a sure fire way to make almost anything delicious, and Isa uses their's well. We love the pizzas, whether it's the breakfast pizza topped with an egg, a Spanish style chorizo with jalapeños & black olives, or a roasted cauliflower with nettle pesto! The crust is perfectly charred and chewy.

I loved how bright and beautiful the seared tilefish was, and the chickpea puree, shaved golden beets & rainbow carrots were the perfect accompaniments. For brunch, you can't go wrong with the brunch bowl. It's a healthy yet hearty vegetarian dish featuring whole grains, fresh & roasted seasonal veggies, all topped with a soft boiled egg. Their unique cocktails are refreshing and worth ordering as well- below is the Vernal Potion, with gin, celery, fennel, lime & herbed sea salt. The menu (which is a super cool piece of art in itself) changes often, but the food is consistently satisfying & delicious!