Are you a restaurant regular?

I read this great article in the New York Times last week about the comfort (and perks) of being a restaurant regular. Long-time critic Frank Bruni says, "What you have with a restaurant that you visit once or twice is a transaction. What you have with a restaurant that you visit over and over is a relationship." It's so true. Since moving to New York—as crazy as this sounds—I find that I rarely go to the same restaurant twice. It's mainly because there is always so much new and interesting food to experience and try, but in the back of my mind, I miss having a regular haunt.

In Boston, Eastern Standard was my go-to spot. They knew my name, my drink order (an Au Provence), and somehow always managed to squeeze me in when no reservations were left. So far, Brooklyn has become my best shot at reclaiming this kind of intimacy when dining out. I've been testing the waters with both Van Horn & Company (love their B.L.A.T.) and Ted and Honey (their veggie burger is to die for). I go frequently, and the ease of familiarity between myself and the waitstaff is slowly starting to sink in. Bruni is right—it's about the relationship, not the transaction, and I look forward to stopping by.

Do you have a regular restaurant? Where is it? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Colonie, pictured above, is another place I'm courting as a new, long-term spot. :)

(Image 1, 2, 3, and 4)

Matchbook memories

When you go out to eat, do you snag a restaurant matchbook on your way out the door? I clearly do. As I begin packing up my apartment for my big move to BK, I am amazed at how many matchbooks I have picked up over the years. Useful and a good thing to have on hand? Absolutely. But these matchbooks are also a fun way to remember the special memories that happened at each place. 

For example, Eastern Standard—in Boston next to Fenway Park—served up my favorite cocktail, and is where I celebrated turning the big 2-5. NIKO—a swanky sushi spot in Soho—is where I toasted my good friend's engagement with champagne. And Quality Meats—a stylish Midtown spot—is where I had my first meal with my new boss. Every one of these matchbooks means something to me. Will I carry them with me to Brooklyn? Yes!

(Image via Instagram)

A toast to 2011!

Happy 2011 my dear readers! What did you do to ring in the new year? The holidays always go by in a blur, but I wanted to let you know that I'm back to posting daily, Monday through Friday, for you to enjoy! Above are a few shots from my New Year's Eve toast with friends. We said goodbye to 2010 in style with plenty of champagne and delicious cocktails at Eastern Standard in Boston. Wishing you lots of love, good times and happiness in the year ahead — and of course, lots of time spent reading my blog!

My Weekend

Cocktail hour at Elizabeth.

This weekend brought me into Elizabeth for Saturday night cocktails and dinner with a friend. Known for their drinks, I ordered the +64, a mix of tequila, agave nectar and kiwi. My friend got the Double Down, another tequila-based cocktail, this one with cucumber puree, lime salt and chili pepper, fixed to be as hot as your tastebuds can handle. The drinks were fantastic — the company, even better — but I couldn't help but think back to my favorite place for cocktail hour in Boston: Eastern Standard. There, the Au Provence was my drink of choice. A vodka gimlet made with tarragon and lime, it is skillfully mixed at the hands of the restaurant's staff mixologist Jackson Cannon. Sipping an Au Provence (or two...), to me, ES was always the place to be — for cocktails, dinner and more.