[Classic cocktails with an Asian twist]

Jerri Banks used to have a great Asian cocktail menu at the now-defunct Cinnabar in Manhattan. I wrote about two of the drinks:

Jade Bliss, made with a kaffir lime mix that you'd create by blending Kaffir lime leaves, lime juice and simple syrup in a blender and then adding calamansi lime concentrate. She combined that with vodka and green tea and garnished with a julienned Kaffir lime leaf.

The other one was Candied Ginger Cooler — made with ginger-infused vodka, ginger juice, lemon juice and club soda.

I feel like there was another drink that was garnished with a star anise, too, but I didn't write about that one so I don't remember it.

[RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue)]

Thanks Steven, but I found him.

[Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur]

Hmmm. With oysters? Could be. But it is on it's own, quite good. The acid in the lime makes a nice contrast to the slightly syrup-y quality of the pear. I think that lemon would be too sweet. I'm a big fan. Thanks Sam!

A photo, with an improvised garnish.... kaffir lime leaf!

[Easter Brunch]

This is the only holiday I host — and the only day of the year I invite guests for brunch. Once it was so warm we played bocce ball while sipping mimosas; once we huddled by the fire with bloodies.

This year I'll be making a leg of lamb for the first time ever. Suggestions? Grill? Roast? Herbs? Spices? Roulade? What else should go on the menu? I belive there'll be four of us, but it could be six.

[RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue)]

208 W. 23rd St. between 7th and 8th.

[RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue)]

The phone number, though not hooked up yet, is 212-524-4300. Thanks.

[RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue)]

Would anyone happen to have a number for the restaurant R.U.B. or for Paul Kirk? I've been trying to contact him about a story and the number here on his Web site won't take voice mail. I've tried faxing and e-mailing, too, to no avail. There's no listing for R.U.B. and I can't even find anything through a reverse address search!

Thanks for any help.

[ISO Rabbit in New Jersey]

Just as a back-up,

How far are you from Nyack, NY? Even though the farmers market is closed for the season, a livestock farmer from upstate NY goes there each Saturday afternoon for customers who can't live without his free-range meat. He sells rabbits for $4.50/pound. I'm sure you could e-mail him to ask for an order. dinesfarms@aol.com

[Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur]

I think this could make an amazing Pear Sidecar variant as well.

I can't believe I didn't think of that, what with all the sidecar drinking I've been doing lately. Yes, please let me know what you find from the booklet!

Sam, have you tried that pear martini? From what I've tasted of the Belle de Brillet, I'm thinking it might taste better with lemon rather than lime.

[Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur]

I got this liqueur as a gift, and would like to use it in cocktails instead of just for sipping.

Any suggestions?

[Putnam restaurants]

Pumpkin Lover,

I haven't been to Cunningham's yet... so I can't say. Sorry!

Liz

[The Sidecar]

Why oh why did I forget to pick up pineapple juice on the way home? Now I'm snowed in without a Tantris. Regular it will have to be. Cheers. Keep warm!

[Putnam restaurants]

I can't believe it's been another year. But it has. And that means another round-up of Putnam restaurants.

The new ones I know about since last year's piece — here's a link to the story on restaurants in Putnam — are Moonstone on Long Pond in Mahopac and Tavern at Highland's Country Club in Garrison.

Any others?

Thanks!

Liz

[The Sidecar]

Isn't the cherry smash a sidecar version too? I think it had cognac and lemon, anyway. I had that when I went last weekend.

edit to say yes, indeed: from www.flatironlounge.com:

CHERRY SMASH

Brandied cherries smashed with Kirsch Cherry Liqueur and mixed with Cognac and fresh lemon

[The Sidecar]

Thanks Sam. I'd been making them at home for years, and was reading along here at eGullet, but when I ordered one at that bar I mentioned in Irvington and the bartender told me it was the second one she'd been asked for in a few days — I knew I was on to something. Audrey's drink and Jennifer Baum's round-up convinced me I was right.

[eG Foodblog: therese - So, you want to remodel your kitchen?]

I particularly remember a series published by Time Life, with each book in the series featuring a different part of the world. More a travel series than just a cook book, sort of "A Cook's Tour" without all the swearing.

←

Please be honest: do you use or at least read them often? I am kicking myself for getting rid of my Dad's collection the last time I moved.

If so, maybe I need to start picking them up at tag sales?

[eG Foodblog: therese - So, you want to remodel your kitchen?]

Fennel?

[eG Foodblog: Chufi - Shopping and cooking in Amsterdam]

Chufi,

Thank you for doing this. I forgot how much I love Amsterdam. In the 1990s I visited 6-8 times in 5 years! I used to have a friend who lived in Eindhoven. It's lovely to be nostaglic!

Liz

[Bergamot oranges are in season]

Still haven't seen any in NYC.

Try the large fruit/vegetable joint in the Chelsea Market--Toby Cecchini and I just scored some there; they call them "sour oranges"--3 for $1.

One thousand blessings be upon you, my friend. Will check soonest.

←

Were they there? Looking for some myself.

[Dinosaur BBQ (NYC)]

I would admit to being puzzled by a lack of any wood-smoke smell in the vicinity of the restaurant. 

You don't smell it outside Blue Smoke either. Both places have smokers that are very well ventilated. If you catch the right breeze, you might be able to smell some Dino smoke somewhere in Fort Lee.

[Find new place for Kueh Kueh!]

I'd love to have an illustrated pocket dim sum or kueh guide, but since I don't I usually just point and say "Um... that one, please?" 

←

Here is a pocket guide to dim sum from Chronicle Books.

[South Norwalk, CT]

Neither was I particularly impressed with Miegas when I went about this time last year. It was fine, but didn't live up to its billing in the press.

I haven't been to SoNo in more than a year, but there used to be a small African place near the post office that I quite enjoyed (good peanut soup), and a Mediterranean/French spot (maybe it had Sol in the name?) on the same side of the street as Ocean Drive. These spots may be closed because I can't seem to find anything on Google.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[It's Friday, it's after 5:00 and I think]

It's 535 on a Thursday, but I'm headed out of the office on vacation. I've got the makings for egg nog in the fridge.

[Prensa]

Would you say you and your food have been accurately portrayed in the articles that have been written about you? Do most writers get what you're about? Are they able to properly describe it? What would you correct about your image?

Thank you.

[Northern NJ Recommendations]

Just for kicks, I thought I'd bump this up because it's so old, and because I found it on google when trying to help richw on this thread in the NY forum where he's looking for stuff in Bergen.

Can anyone help him?