This is just the kind of day I like. Up before dawn, but who could tell because it is pouring rain. I love spring rain storms and the smell of the garden or the smell of the city streets.  It reminds me of tramping thru Bloomsbury or shopping on the Place de Madeline. A rainy day in New [...]

We are very lucky indeed.  Our country home has an fire pit fitted with an outdoor grill.  It overlooks Shinnecock Bay and the cool spring evenings are perfect for watching a moonrise and sipping a martini. Another perk is the ability to cook over an open fire all year round. A quick steak with a [...]

Earlier in the month I was in Los Angeles visiting my good and gracious friend Nancy on  my way to the TED conference.  We toured neighborhoods, shopping streets and farmers markets, enjoying the wonderful weather and delicious food. There seems to be a trend of white table restaurant chefs opening smaller, cozier, simpler spaces.  Jeffrey [...]

I opened Susan Goin’s “Sunday Suppers at Lucques”, a favorite cookbook of mine.  What to do tonight?  Inspired by my recent trip to LA, I defrosted an organic chicken from Iaconne Farms in East Hampton, bought two containers of  English peas – because one is never enough, and a couple of Meyer lemons and kumquats [...]

The winter seems to have passed with out much notice here on the east coast.  There was no snow to speak of and my garden soil never froze.  In fact I have 5,000 pot holes where a gang of very fat squirrels have dug up and eaten all of my spring bulbs.  The funny thing [...]

  So Cupid walks into a bar – assuming a guy with wings could get a drink at a bar – what would he order? I believe he would have to be in Venice. The Venetians are tolerant of so many legendary characters that I am quite sure Cupid would have no problem being served. [...]

Valentine’s Day means exactly one thing to me – Chocolate. And I am not faint of heart. I like a good bittersweet rich dark chocolate, preferring cake to candy. About 6 or 7 lives ago, I worked as a cook in the kitchen at Bouley in New York City. I was Garde Manger and loved [...]

What could be better than walking your local farmers market on a balmy winter’s day? Here in NYC the temperature just hit 60 degrees & the Union Square Market is glistening in the morning sun. I have my favorite Saturday vendors and today I was on a hunt for a pork shoulder. Nothing says a [...]

Welcome 2012! And with the New Year comes a checklist of reflections and maybe a resolution or two. For me easiest way to jump-start 2012 is a quick salmon dinner that brings together healthy food and seasonal flavors. The bonus is that it is a cinch to make – perfect for a family dinner or [...]

Fondue Moitié-Moitié is well suited for those long winter nights or after a day of skiing while sitting in front of the fire or watching an old movie.  With one pot to clean up what could be better? My brother-in-law James has a Swiss friend and colleague who has shared his family recipe for a [...]