book club // the goldfinch.

nearly a year in and book club is still going strong. i am really enjoying how it challenges me to read outside of my comfort zone and explore genres i otherwise might not. one fun thing we try to do each month is to pair our restaurant with the book—a plot point, a character's nationality, etc. this month, we went to veselka in the village for ukrainian. if you haven't read the goldfinch, there's a small hint…(and we loved it).

book club // goodbye to all that.

over the weekend, my book club met for brunch at bubby's to discuss goodbye to all that, a collection of essays by writers who loved—and left—new york. the book was inspired by joan didion's essay of the same name and it's got me thinking about my very own new york.

scattered all across this city are corners specific to my narrative—that favorite flower stand (83rd and amsterdam), morning commutes on the b train (if i am lucky, the c train if i am not), the shops where i buy cheese (fairway) and coffee (zabar's), the west village restaurant where i had my worst first date, the subway platform in soho where i had my best first kiss.

between this blog and my journal, the details of my days are mostly well documented, but these essays are inspiring me to take a closer look, to make a more thorough note, of not just what happened, but where. because if three years have taught me anything about new york, it's that it changes constantly, from one day to the next.

now is the season to know that everything you do is sacred.

on the first day of fall: a golden hour walk and carrot soup from scratch.

quote by hafiz.

four and twenty blackbirds.

a run out for pie. because saturday, because a birthday, because why not? i'm not sure what i liked more, the pie itself or the unassuming, light-filled space i found it in.

brooklyn kolache co.

on sunday, brooklyn kolache co. hosted a fundraiser to raise money in support of west, texas. having heard about kolaches for quite some time now from our texas-born friends, a few of us headed over to see about them. turns out, kolaches are sweet bread pastries stuffed with something savory (cheese, sausage, spinach, peppers) or sweet (cream, lemon, strawberries). and we approve. 

book club.

my girlfriends and i have started our own little book + brunch club, and it has quickly become a most anticipated saturday morning in my month. 

last month: nw by zadie smith and brunch at murray's cheese this month: bonk by mary roach and brunch at agave 

fun times, ladies. please let's keep this up!

grits night.

us, together

apple pie for later

afternoon bloody marys

a round of cards against humanity 

shrimp + jalapeno cheddar grits

the best saturday i can remember

lunch hour.

working in midtown (with friends, to boot) certainly has its charms.

baked potato soup.

i tried this recipe over the weekend and am pretty excited to add it to my files. it's perfect for sunday supper, for coming in out of the cold, for these last few days of february. can you believe we're already to march?

banana bread.

a homemade treat for the second time this week (it's been a good week over here), this one the result of a late night, post-laundromat fit of inspiration. and also maybe a desire to address the sad bananas on my counter.

i didn't have a tablespoon of bourbon on hand, so i substituted maple syrup out of curiosity and it gets along swimmingly with the cinnamon and nutmeg. i'm pleased.

also: it's february! my favorite.

home again.

the best part of being home after a few scattered weeks away is settling back into a life routine that includes fresh flowers on my table and lazy, chatty brunches with the best of friends. 

aside: if you're hungry for all day breakfast in nyc, head to delicatessen for apple pie stuffed french toast. it's maybe the best i've ever had. maybe.