GFJ (20-25) From Babbo, to Yerba Buena to Roast Chicken at Home and Morandi... 2011 has not been a year of the diet...

Remember the time when I said I was going to go rexic and be sober for January… Well, that never happened.. And I’m okay with that, are you?

Thursday: This was a Babbo Bonanza of an evening. Like, I don’t even know what to make of the evening. The company was divine, the food was phenom, the wine was delicious and then there was Batali, orange Crocs and all. I think the only thing I’d change would be my alcohol consumption… Btw: Thank you Babbo for hooking us up with the reservation, Bronxville C and Jersey Shore for the yum fest, Dee, for introducing le blog and then me to the crew and Short Hills for being manorexic. You aren’t allowed to be mano when we go to K-town.

BREAKFAST: Fage with Strawberry and Sunflower Seeds.
LUNCH: Salad with Sausage
DINNER: Babbo

Chickpea Crostini... Now, look at how small that bread is. Let's discuss how Short Hills didn't eat the bread after seeing how rexic Jersey Shore looks... Amazing

Babbo: Grilled Octopus with “Borlotti Marinati” and Spicy Limoncello Vinaigrette

Spicy Two Minute Calamari Sicilian Lifeguard Style

1. Did you know that Mario Batali’s dad is a butcher and Batali gets his meat sent in every day from his dad’s Seattle shop, Salumi.
2. I didn’t know this fact until Thursday night. I feel like Babbo (the man, not the restaurant) told me this.
3. I can’t remember which proscuitto is which:
Prosciutto San Daniele “Riserva”
with Black Pepper “Fett’unta”

Armandino’s Salumi
Finocchiona and Lamb Prosciutto

Ah, the pasta’s… I love how Italians view Pasta as a “primi”… I also love that we ordered a zillion pasta’s and all shared. I’m not going to lie, a lot of the plates ended up in front of me at the end of the course. I’m okay with this… only semi-embarrassed…(btw: Jersey Shore, I think you missed one of the primi’s)

Bucatiniall’Amatriciana
with Guanciale, Hot Pepper and Pecorino

Mint Love Letters
with Spicy Lamb Sausage

Bavette
with Cardoons, Breadcrumbs and Pecorino

This was my favorite pasta..

Jersey Shore, Dee and I decided to order three entree’s and switch.. Again, I feel like ate the majority of all three of our entrees. There is a reason why my pant are so tight right now.

Grilled Veal Chop
with Chanterelles and Black Truffle Vinaigrette

Barbecued Skirt Steak
with Endive “alla Piastra” and Salsa Verde

Grilled Pork Chop
with Cherry Peppers, Cipolline and Aceto Manodori

I just needed to share Short Hill's lame fish entree....

I think these were Babbo's Brussel Sprouts.. I could be wrong though....

Saffron Panna Cotta
with Quince, Pink Peppercorn and Quince Sorbetto

Pistachio and Chocolate Semifreddo

Warm Apple Walnut Budino with Cinnamon Caramel GelatoGelati and Sorbetti

Amazing cheese cake

Bronxville C was raving about this Pistachio dessert.. I think we had three at the table. I think it was agreed by all, it was our least fave.

Friday

BREAKFAST: Nothing
LUNCH: Grilled Cheese from Westville. It was NOT my best friend…..
DINNER: Hors D’oevres at WD’s and SR’s engagement party….

Saturday- Normally, when the weather is the pits, I do not leave my apartment. Seriously, I hate walking around with wet feet and dressing up for the evening in layers… However, Saturday was in honor of GDubb’s birthday and how could I miss that, right?

BRUNCH: Sapparo Ichiban Ramen
DINNER: Yerba Buena

Guacamole chunky avocado, chipotle red onion, queso fresco

Limeño hamachi ceviche, citrus miso, jalapeño, jicama, cucumber ..

Chicharron De Calamar blue corn meal crusted calamari, sweet plantains, tomato salad tamarind vinaigrette

Tacos De Pescado crispy tilapia baja style, jicama cabbage, chipotle slaw and Arepa bbq beef short ribs, cabagge slaw, pickled jalapeño

Yerba Buena - Black Cod , choclo corn, shitake, aji panka , miso glazed

Sunday – This is what happens when I’m hungover and it’s cold outside. I eat like a beast and spend all day at home. Another reason Why I need to relocate to Florida in the winter.

BREAKFAST: Sapparo Ichiban Ramen
LUNCH: Caracas
DINNER: Hot & Sour Soup, Dumplings and Brown Rice

Monday – I’m obsessed with Roasting Chickens. I can’t believe how easy and yummy it is!

BREAKFAST: Nothing
LUNCH: Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Gluten free Pasta with Parmesean and Truffle Oil

Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Gluten Free Pasta

DINNER: Since I was home, I made Roasted Chicken, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Fresh Basil and Arugula Salad with Pumpkin Oil Dressing.

Arugula Salad with Pumpkin Oil Dressing

Roasted Swett Potates with Fresh Basil

Roast Chicken with Thyme

Tuesday

BREAKFAST: Fage with Strawberry and Sunflower Seeds
LUNCH: Polenta Lasagna.. I found this gem in the freezer so I defrosted it and baked it up for lunch.
DINNER: Two Martinis and Bone Marrow Risotto at Morandi with Mandy.. Oh, I also molested the bread basket. It was good.

Morandi's Bone Marrow Risotto

Wednesday

BREAKFAST: Fage with Strawberry and Sunflowers
SNACK: Nuts and fromage
LUNCH: Leftover Roasted Chicken, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and a Whole Lotta Arugula Salad
Hors D’oevres: Lala made a homemade Boursin fromage. It was amazing.. She also had some TDF warm olives.. See the below picture.

DINNER: Albondigas and Lemon Lentils made by Lala (pictured below)

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