How to Host a Galentine's Brunch

Football season is officially over and our version of a super bowl party was to lie on the couch in pajamas while Kyle took a chemistry quiz online and I searched Pinterest for cake recipes using buttermilk, all while having Shake Shack in our bellies. My favorite commercial was the weiner dogs dressed as hot dogs running in a field toward ketchup bottles. Did anyone else see that one? I was so happy an Aggie won MVP of the game. Gig 'em!

So while our Super Bowl "party" of two maybe wasn't so exciting, I did have a small pre-Valentines party on Saturday in the form of a Galentines brunch, a la Leslie Knope. While I do think Valentines is a little silly and highly commercialized, I can't pass up an opportunity of an entire day to celebrate love! And not just with your significant other, but also with your friends and family. I do think we should show love everyday though, and not just one day a year!

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you spend it with people you love and don't make a big deal if you don't have extravagant plans. Here is the recipe for a low key and fun galentines brunch:

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• Chicken and Waffles!
  • for the chicken, you can use frozen or homemade, I opted for frozen popcorn chicken to make my life easier
  • Whole Wheat Waffles
  • Maple syrup and honey for topping
• Fresh fruit
• Donut holes
• Cheap bubbly + OJ
• Eggs in some shape or form (we had veggie frittatas)
• Coffee
• Taylor Swift YouTube playlist streaming through Chromecast on your TV
• Fresh flowers
• A swanky Facebook invite
• No men! (Although Kyle did join the last hour, but he didn't mind our TSwift playlist)

West Harlem/Hamilton Heights Restaurant Guide

While most people don't travel northward of 125th unless they are heading to their own apartment, West Harlem—and specifically the Hamilton Heights area—have a few hidden gems that are worth the trek for any food-lover. If you want to have an adventure, take the 1 or ABCD trains and get off at the 145th station. Then, continue by eating at a few of my favorite places in the neighborhood!

• The Hand-Pulled Noodle

If there was only one meal I could eat for the rest of my life, it would be noodles from the Hand Pulled Noodle. Chewy, perfectly seasoned, fresh, and steaming hot, the noodles here are made fresh to order and prepared with such care you can taste the love in each bite. Boasting as one of the few places in the Northeast to serve this style of Northwestern Chinese food, it is the only place of its kind in NYC. While the restaurant is small on space, the cozy atmosphere is inviting and modern. Other things on the menu include steamed bao, fried and steamed dumplings, and scallion pancakes.

What to order: Seriously everything! or Lagman noodles with chicken and veggie stir fry, pork and chives dumplings

• Harlem Public

Two doors down from The Handpulled noodle sits a dark pub with amazing bar food. Always packed with locals as well as visitors from other parts of the city, Harlem public has a wide range of beers on tap that change almost every week. They also serve incredible cocktails, including a Pop Rocks margarita and my personal favorite, the Adalyn, which is a Rosemary, lemon, cucumber and gin concoction of refreshing goodness. The appetizer list is diverse, including a creamy Mac and Steez with pulled pork, Mauricio's Guac, avocado fries, and fried pickles. For other food choices, the BLT is a solid choice as well as the Harlem Public burger with peanut butter.

What to order: Avocado fries, Mauricio’s Guac, any Harlem Public Burger

• Bono Trattoria

For authentic Italian food and pizza with the freshest ingredients, head over to Bono. Exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and a gigantic wood-fired oven set in the center of the restaurant offer a comfortable, upscale, and lively ambiance. The pizza is unbelievably fresh and made-to-order, with a crust that perfectly straddles the line between chewy and crispy. Other menu items include a variety of salads, authentic Italian pastas, appetizers, and a selection of wines and beers on tap. It is one of my favorite places to go for fresh Italian food and a drink after work.

What to Order: Bona pizza (sweet sausage, roasted peppers, tomato sauce and mozzarella), Roasted Beets salad, Strangozzi

• Geisha Sushi

With a dark and moody atmosphere, Geisha Sushi isn’t your typical Hamilton Heights restaurant. Easy to overlook, it offers a fresh sushi line-up with a variety of rolls, bento boxes, and other small plates. When I want something healthy and on the lighter side, this is my go-to. The careful presentation is thoughtful and plated beautifully, and the service is always attentive and engaging. Although they do not serve alcohol, it is BYOB, without a corkage fee. For dessert, try the fried oreos!

What to Order: Fire Island Roll, Manhattan Roll, Shrimp Tempura main dish

• The Grange

Rustic and unique, The Grange offers a welcome respite to city life with its farm-like décor and cozy interior. Browse the antiques on the walls near the bar, the vintage mirrors, and antique chandelier. Both a bar and restaurant, they serve a unique menu with a focus on comfort food and use seasonally fresh ingredients. The parmesan garlic fries are to die for, and the croquettes (when ingredients are in season) are perfectly crisp and satisfying. The salads are all equally fresh and filling, and the grass-fed beef burger on brioche roll is big and flavorful. I love coming here for the drinks, the atmosphere, and the comfort food!

What to Order: Fromage and Charcuterie plate, Croquettes, Garlic Fries

Caviar Happy Hour at Petrossian NYC

When Petrossian reached out to me about their Caviar Happy Hour in celebration of National Caviar Day, I was thrilled! While caviar may weird some people out, I am a seafood enthusiast and couldn't have been more excited to try the delicacy. I had never had caviar before, but it was amazing! It was light and refreshing, salty, and tasted especially good when paired with other types of food.

Some pairings that we sampled included: quail eggs with caviar on top, smoked salmon on a crostini with caviar, fig and goose liver with caviar (sounds strange, but actually really good!), and mini fried Parmesan cups with goat cheese and caviar. It was so fun learning all about caviar and meeting other bloggers in NYC, including Ashley of Wanderlustinthecity and Sarah of WhatSarahKnows! 

The entire exterior of Petrossian is so beautiful (see pics above), and the aura of the restaurant suggests nothing but elegance. It is like taking a step back in time and provides a nice escape from midtown Manhattan. When we arrived we were offered the option of white wine or champagne. We were introduced to some of the hosts of the event, and then Kyle and I chatted with a few other bloggers and their guests. Servers brought around the caviar hors d'oeuvres, and every single one of them was delicious. I met with owner Alex Petrossian, who was so friendly and thanked us for coming out. He even jokingly apologized for getting us into a new expensive hobby! 

Overall it was so fun meeting with other people, trying caviar, learning more about where it comes from, and experiencing my first real blogging event! I hope to be invited back again soon.. : )