Sex and the City...

Unless you are living under a rock on the Pacific Ocean floor then you know that Sex and the City opens today! I proudly admit that I am a fan of the show and I can’t wait to see the movie. It is a must for me to love the show—I’m a homo! And I know that there are closeted SATC straight guys who will sneak off to see the movie. I just purchased my ticket for a 10:15AM showing at Northpark tomorrow. I can’t wait!! The reviews are pretty good and I keep hearing that the movie is heavy on Carrie and Miranda. I love me some Miranda so I am sure to be happy with the outcome!!

Relationshipy…

Yesterday Ron informed me that we had received our first “relationshipy” mail. I could not figure out what in the hell it could be. When I got home I discovered that it was our new visa cards for our joint checking account. There it was-a solidification of reality. The small blue card with lots of numbers and my name. You see, I have done a nice little budget for us that will allow both of us to pay our bills and save more money than what we were doing. So we went over to Chase and opened a joint account from which we will pay or “relationshipy” bills (rent, car, utilities, etc). We sleep in the same bed, we eat off each others plates, we do “relationshipy” adult things and now a certain percentage of each income is our income. I guess I have officially grown up and no remnants of bachelorhood (except Ms. Kitty) remain. Not that I am complaining about it, quite the contrary!!

Cooking With Karen...

Ok everyone! I have finally got all this worked out and now the first episode of CWK is ready for your viewing pleasure!!!!

Beeping...

There is a beeping noise that has been going on ALL NIGHT LONG!  We even walked around last night to find out where it was coming from.  It is almost like morse code!  Three long beeps followed by a pause (--- --- ---).  It is seriously driving us both crazy and now the parking people are power washing the garage.  So we have the sound of that motor and sprayer and --- --- ---.  Oh the joys of urban living!  Ugh.

Forkboy on A Casa Fox...

There are few restaurants that really rock my world. Nero's Italian, Cafe Charbon, Monica's, and a few others really inspire my taste buds. Not everything is about the food. The atmosphere, the people, the location, etc can really make a place special. Over the weekend in New York City, instead of the old standby Cafe Charbon, The Hazard's introduced me to A Casa Fox. Like Nero's Italian this restaurant made me feel at home, like sitting around my own dining table. I felt just as responsible for the food as the chef did. If the food was not perfect then there was something wrong with me, not the food. The restaurant is tiny, not shocking considering some of the eateries of New York. I once had Pad Thai in a restaurant the size of my bathroom. A Casa Fox is new and the brain child of Melissa Fox, a New York girl with some serious Nicaraguan roots. She is just as cute as a button. Don't let the cuteness fool you. Melissa is one tough cookie. She put that restaurant together herself and when the contractor screwed up the fireplace (I believe he eventually stopped showing up) she added stone and brick masonry to her resume. She rebuilt it herself and it looks beautiful. We walk in and she greets us heartily like she was expecting good friends for dinner. The Hazard's have already been there and she new them by name. 

Atmosphere:
The space is small and cozy. There are two large tables that seat large parties and small tables for that more intimate feel. She does not have her liquor license yet so it is BYOB, which is the best way in my opinion. Mr. Hazard selected two fine bottles from his collection. He handed over the bottle of white wine to chill. That was for the white wine sangria. The sangria is homemade with a "special ingredient." Fresh cut fruit (apples, mangos, etc) were plentiful in each carafe we had. The beverage was the perfect ending to a somewhat stressful afternoon and the perfect beginning to a relaxed and beautiful evening. The tables are set with a bottle of salsa and the silverware is wrapped in traditional red/white or blue/white bandanas (which I could not stop smelling because I could smell the fabric softener!).

The Food:
We began with a few Empanadas ($5 each). I started with a Portobello Mushroom and Smoked Gouda Empanada and it basically melted in my mouth. Her Empanadas are not fried, rather they are baked. I had never had a baked one before and I will probably never have another fried one for as long as I live. Instead of tasting the fried dough, you actually tasted the inside-which is were it counts. The combination of the mushroom and gouda is brilliant. It had just the right amount of cheese. I mean, this ain't a Totino's pizza roll I am talking about-full of grease. In fact there was nothing greasy about it at all. I ended up ordering two more; another Mushroom and Gouda and one Chorizo and Manchego. I am not usually a fan of Chorizo but this one was tasty and not to greasy. I was tempted to try the Black Bean and Queso Blanco but didn’t want to fill up. Served on the table is a wonderful spicy salsa. It was tangy and quite spicy and went well with the Empanadas. After stuffing ourselves with Empanadas, and still enjoying our Sangria, we tried the fried plantain chips with three sauces: fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, and black bean molido. The guacamole and pico were fairly standard but the black beans were excellent. People either screw up black beans by adding too much spice or not enough. This was just right. The plantain chips were thinly sliced and not greasy.

Now it was dinner time.

I cannot believe I kept eating. I ordered the Costillas de Cerdo ($24). It was worth every penny. Pork ribs marinated 24+ hours and slowly braised in their own juices until they become lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The meat literally fell off the bone. This was served with Spanish fried rice (which apparently looks just like white rice) and black beans in a clay pot. Perfect portions all around. Although I really could have done without the dollop of sour cream on the beans. Mrs. Hazard enjoyed the Pollo Machada ($16) which is shredded herbed chicken and seasonal vegetables marinated in spices and slowly simmered. It to was mighty tasty.

Service:
Our waitress seemed a bit off that evening and kind of slow and clueless. Mainly Ms. Fox was the one who took care of us. She even sat down and shared some wine! Then she brought more wine-it seemed someone couldn’t finish their sangria! We all sat there and talked and enjoyed ourselves. Then she insisted we have desert. So she ordered someone in the back to put an apple crisp in the oven. This was served with crème fraiche. So decadent and tasty it lasted all of about 2 minutes. The bill was paid we got up to leave and she came over to hug our necks. When visiting I recommend you bring an appetite! We left stuffed to the gills.

Bottom line:
I simply cannot wait to return.

Atmosphere: 5.0
Food: 5.0
Service: 4.0 (based on our waitress, not Ms. Fox)
Health Score: Who cares (the place was spotless)

A Casa Fox
173 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
212.253.1900

www.acasafox.com

Photo credits: Eric Hazard

New York in Spring...

Isn't there a song about New York City in the spring?  I think there is and if there isn't then there should be.  I just recently was in New York City to visit my friends and fellow BP's The Hazard's.  The weather was absolutely fabulous!  I just could not believe it.  I arrived Friday night, delayed of course.  I walked out of the airport to locate my car service and it was somewhat misting/raining and all I wanted to do was to rip off my glasses but then I would not be able to find my car if it was two inches from me.  I make my way into Manhattan chauffeured in a silver Town Car/Indian restaurant whose special that evening was beef kabobs-heavy on the curry.  The only English I could understand of my turban clad friend was "car 970, cross street, thirty-four dollars."  I lost interest in his musings as we crossed into Manhattan.  That view should be one of the wonders of the world!  When I arrived I declared that I MUST EAT NOW!  The rain had stopped and Ms. Hazard and I walk over to Charlie's Pizza.  Look for a review of Charlie's soon from Forkboy.  

The next morning I awoke from the light of a thousand suns and it was only 5am.  Lying on the sofa I should have brought my sunscreen.  Saturday was such a beautiful day that it would have been a crime to stay inside.  Our purpose that morning was to get ready and head over to a memorial service of a friend who passed away way to soon.  The memorial was very nice and there were a ton of people there.  She will be missed by many and I only wish I had known her more. 

So, afterwards we head back to the apartment to change clothes and head out to an early dinner.  In true Hazard fashion we walked to the East Village.  I am starving and searching out a pretzel with none to be found.  We end up at A Casa Fox, a Nicaraguan restaurant that had recently opened.  It was so fabulous that it is difficult to speak!  Look for a review soon from Forkboy.  Afterward we head over to a friend of the Hazard's for drinks and a courtyard viewing of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Sunday we head on out to Madison, New Jersey.  We take a train out of Penn Station and honestly I was not all thrilled with the swampy scene.  As we got further from New York the scenery turned lush and green.  Unfortunately it began to rain when we arrived.  What I saw of the town reminded me of my grandparents town in Arkansas.  The quaint little houses, quiet streets, and super lush greenery really took me back to my childhood.  We here there for a BBQ.  Now being from Texas I get a little skeptical of BBQs outside of Texas but Mr. Hazard's friend from South Texas now lives in NJ and had a bunch of mesquite wood shipped to him since you can't get it up there.  He also had cases of Shiner Bock that is apparently almost impossible to find.  The grilled food was so good and the company was even better.  

Now I am back at home.  I go from 60 degree weather to 99 degree weather.  Damn the humidity!!!  

Overall, I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get back there soon.  I think Ron and I will be making a trip up there late summer or early fall.  I ain't going when it is 5 degrees outside again!  

Texas Polygamist Folks….

With all this talk about the children and mothers.....what I want to know is….where are the men, the father(s)?

Cooking with Karen...

Damnit!  I am having al kinds of issues posting the Cooking with Karen episode.  I am working to correct this and as soon as I do I will get the damn thing posted.

I am headed to New York City on Friday to see my fellow BP's, The Hazard's. I am exicted to get to NYC and see my peeps. Due to the quick planning of this trip I opted to cash in miles instead of paying the rediculous price of $800. Anyway, we will also be attending a memorial service for a fabulous person who left us way to soon. I will be posting more about this trip later.

Sooooo......

Friday morning before my flight I will be doing a real quick Cooking with Karen. I will edit this on the plane and by the end of the day friday there should be a completed version posted. I PROMISE!!! I will be making a nice summer salad that requires no stove and will be easy enough and quick enough to get posted!

Maury Povich Part II

Ok, I haven't seen another episode of Maury since the last post but a co-worker sent me this video:

Me Talk Pretty...

We all know about the ongoing debate that is illegal immigration but I think she should take a dose of her own meds.  This woman is from Houston, Tx and is obviously wearing a quilt.  She should be deported post haste!!

Cape Day 2008

Cape Day in Dallas is a large gathering of comic book people, artists, and weirdos.  My friend Jeff asked me to go with him this year.  He was dressing up as Batman and he needed a boy wonder and apparently I am small enough to fit into the costume.  98% of our costumes were made by Jeff and his mother and are incredibly authentic.  I had a blast!  It is amazing what happens when you put on a mask!  

Cooking with Karen...Test...and Intro

Alright ya'll, tell me what you think about this video.  I added music, credits, and fades!  Next post will be an actual show.  Promise!  I still need to mess around with the editing but I will worry about that later!  Rome wasn't built in a day!