Lynnette Marrero, co-beverage director of Brooklyn’s Llama Inn, shares the inspiration of the Flying Purple Pisco – a play on the traditional Pisco Sour and named after the Flying Purple People Eater. This refreshing libation features Peru’s infamous spirit, pisco, a grape brandy made in the country’s wine regions. It’s perfect for any season, celebration, and much needed happy-hour. Click hereto learn how to make the Flying Purple Pisco.
Courtesy of Llama Inn.
Flying Purple Pisco Recipe
1 oz of Purple potato puree (with simple syrup mixed in*)
½ oz Lime juice
½ oz Lemon juice
2 oz Macchu Pichu Pisco
1 Egg white
Directions
Dry shake all ingredients together.
Add ice to ingredient mixture and shake again.
Strain into a low-ball glass
Top with a streak of Angostura bitters and grated nutmeg
*Simple Syrup Recipe
1 part water
1 part white granulated sugar
Simple syrup directions:
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water.
Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved.
If you live in the vicinity of Brooklyn’s eclectic Bushwick neighborhood, or even voyage over the water from Manhattan (gasp!) you know ‘Roberta’s’ and heavenly ‘pizza’ are synonymous. This beloved Brooklyn pizza is as popular as New York City’s legendary bagels. So light and incredibly flavorful, the dough stands up to heavy-hitting ingredients.
Known for its relaxed, funky ambiance that serves up decadent ingredients like Italian caciocavallo cheese and delicious spek, Roberta’s is a favorite of locals and beyond. Surrounded by refurbished, trendy warehouses, vintage clothing boutiques, and local watering holes, this hotspot contends with the most favored pizzerias in New York City.
The thoughtful selection of wine, cocktails and beer are well-rounded and have an emphasis on supporting local vendors. One such beverage, the Wölffer Rosé Cider from Long Island, is an exquisite cider made in the style of Rosé wine. Tip:this bubbly bev. beautifully complements the Duck Prosciutto appetizer.The unique prosciutto interpretation of using duck compared to traditional ham is brilliant and is deliciously paired with the cider.
Any cured meat begs for bread and Roberta’s perfectly baked bread – flaky outside while magically light and fluffy inside – doesn’t disappoint. Truly, all of the doughy treats: brunch sticky buns, biscuits, and croissants are equally as mouthwatering, lush and baked on the premises. No wonder guests visit in droves, waiting up to two hours for a table sometimes. Unfortunately, reservations are not taken, but calling ahead for the wait-time status doesn’t hurt.
Duck Prosciutto and Wölffer Rosé Cider
Every pizza is made to order and fired in a brick oven that greets guests upon arrival. Although it’s hard not to order one of each menu item, there are a few must-haves. I recommend the delectable Family Jewels pie topped with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and prosciutto bread crumbs. If toppings are your jam, try the Spekenwolf with a whopping 14 toppings, including crimini mushrooms, eggplant and ricotta salata.
Roberta’s isn’t a one-trick pony, though. Other entrées like the zesty Sasso Chicken with salsa verde or the addictive Dry-Aged Wagyu Carpaccio are also showstoppers. With an enticing menu, regulars are always thrilled to try something different each visit or enjoy their ‘usual’ as if it was the first time. There are so many exceptional restaurants in unexpected places in Brooklyn – and Roberta’s is no exception to this truth. The quirky pizzeria is also a bakery and tiki bar in the middle of industrial and auto repair lots. It’s obvious Roberta’s doesn’t fit any molds but breaks them instead.
Most would agree that food and art go hand-in-hand. The same goes for bad boy chef, Chris Santos, who uses the pair to inspire his newly opened restaurant, Vandal. He may be a no-nonsense judge on the Food Network’s hit show ‘Chopped,’ but this restaurateur/chef has a soft side for global street food and the artistic influence of cultures.
Located on the historic Bowery in New York’s lower east side (LES), the bi-level urban, chic space houses two bars and lounges including one in the cellar, a garden dining area, and private dining room. Chef Chris is a vet when it comes to the LES dining scene. With two successful and trendy dines, The Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, Vandal is a welcomed new kid on the block.
The restaurant offers diners a world class experience of diverse small plates and tantalizing drinks while praising neighborhood and global art and architecture. When forming the concept, Chef says he wanted the “menu to be a culmination of inspiration from [his] life travels and includes nods to street fare from locations as varied as New York, Rome, Peru and Hong Kong.” As a result, dishes like snapper tostadas, lobster and sweet potato soup dumplings, Argentinian beef empanada and Chicken Katsu & Hong Kong egg waffles are served very evening to guests.
There’s a surge of buzz surrounding Vandal’s opening. No doubt the restaurant will see great success and yet, Chef Santos has more up his sleeves. Plans are slated for more restaurant project openings in Los Angeles and Las Vegas summer 2016.
No longer is the World Trade Center area considered NYCs ghost town, but instead a revival of life, gourmand presence and promise. There has been a huge increase in residents due to an influx of new eateries, mega-foodie markets and notable chef restaurants flocking to the scene. Not to mention, major media power house Condé Nast, set up shop at 1 World Trade Center.
A prominent example of revitalization is Le District – a bustling French cuisine centered marketplace offering coveted pastries, charcuterie, indigenous ingredients, and other provincial gems from the city of lights. Housed in Brookfield Place, guests can plan an all-inclusive visit by tasting Parisian delicacies, or try bites from the Blue Ribbon sushi and Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque outposts (among others) in Hudson Eats. Then treat his or herself to retail treats at Saks or better yet, DVF.
But this is just the beginning. Veterans such as the Odeon and North End Grill, are the catalysts since they have claimed stake in the area far ahead of the curve. Now names such as Mario Batali, Starr Restaurant group, April Bloomfield, and beloved Wylie Dufresne plan to get in on the action within the next 12 months. And the list keeps growing!
Anticipating more patrons, surrounding dines have changed their menus, entrées, and hours to meet the interests of the people: the Odeon added a breakfast service, newcomer Racines NY (Chambers St.) incorporated a refined lunch selection, highlighting flavorful yet light selections to attract local Condé Nast editors, and Warren 77 has recently noticed more customers during happy hour.
With a child-like hope and excitement for the near future, chefs, restaurateurs, and epicureans salivate for what’s to come. At such potential, Battery Park City explodes with life and culinary wonder. At such a time as this, it’s worth the journey and discovery to be downtown bound.
There’s nothing like wholesome, local produce! During the July 4th weekend, I decided to visit the weekly market in downtown Silver Spring and boy was it a treat!
Not only were there food purveyors there, some vendors were more of the crafty type, like Banner Bee – an all natural, sustainable honey harvesting company which sells infused honey and bee wax candles. Such infusions include lavender, chili pepper, and a lemon & thyme mix.
As if being surrounded by the colorful bounty of fruit and veggies wasn’t satisfying enough, there was even a live jazz band for a relaxed browsing experience.
Hosted by FRESHFARM Markets (the largest farmers market organization in the DMV with 13 locations overall) this outdoor experience not only makes sense for your wallet, it makes sense for your health too. Supporting local never tasted and looked so good!
Dinning in a small town doesn’t mean a dull dining experience. Such is the case when it comes to The County Cork Wine Pub. Nestled in a modest area of Eldersburg, (a suburb of Baltimore) this chic family owned wine bar has truly made its mark with locals. With an impressive selection of wines ranging from sparkling to the favored J. Lohr Chardonnay, delicious ports, and flirty rosés, this pub is well stocked for a great time. And let’s not forget vino from around the world like the Austrian Grooner Grüner Veltliner (a white wine with citrus and green apple notes) and the Argentine Alamos Melbec (a full bodied red with dark cherry flavors) is on hand – no passport necessary. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to choose; you can sample up to three wines for $10. No too shabby! The cocktails are great to boot, too!
There are so many great reasons to come visit with friends or to end a work day. On Tuesdays bottles of wine are half price and Wednesdays are free apps! My favorite appetizer is the bountiful Crab and Brie fondue- a cheesy pool of fresh, lump crab meat adorned with diced tomato and scallions. You can’t go wrong with the Shaved Lamb French Dip with swiss and caramelized onions along with a velvety au jus. Or even the glorious Grilled Eggplant Flatbread decorated with tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
The County Cork Pub has so much to offer; it’s not just another wine bar. The Cork’s library of wine, specialty cocktails, and craft beer paired with no-nonsense dishes provides a top shelf experience for guests. Throw in its superb service, warm atmosphere and affordable prices, there’s no wonder why this pub is an up-and-coming neighborhood favorite.
Location: 1716 Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD
Tid- bits:
OpenTable Diner’s Choice 2014 Winner, Happy Hours, Monthly Wine Events, and fantastic weekly specials
Hours: Tue- Sat 11am -1 am
Sunday brunch: 10am -3pm
Closed Mondays
Just got back from an enchanting trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. This suburb outside of Puerto Vallarta boasts the deeply rooted traditions of Mayan Indian traditions which are beautifully shown through its vibrant culture, food and people. Since a picture says a thousand words here is a feast from my foodie experience while abroad. Enjoy!!
Juicy Cuban Sandwich (turkey ham, roasted pork, gouda cheese, and crispy potato wedges) Restaurant: Havana Moon in Nuevo VallartaMexican Platter: Chili Relleno (tortilla wrapped green chili stuffed with cheese), succulent skirt steak, roasted veggies and a chicken taquito. Restaurant: Rumba! in Nuevo VallartaDoña Chanita Tequila Distillery: 5 varieties: Silver, Reposado, Anejo, Amaretto, & chocolate/Coffee. Distillery located on the island of Baja off the coast of Nuevo VallartaClassic Nachos… I couldn’t resistOne of my favorite displays, La PlazaMacaroon Pyramid in the gourmet bakery, La PlazaHazelnut Molten Cake in the gourmet bakery, La PlazaQueso Fondue with Chorizo Restaurant: Calle Encinco in Puerto Vallarta
Hello all! I know it’s been quite a while. CannyCandi is under some reconstruction. I’ve moved to the Washington, DC metro area, so my posts will feature the fantastic eateries in and near the nation’s capital! So get ready for scrumptious features full of fun, foodie finds spanning neighborhoods from Chocolate City all the way to Charm City!
Follow me on instagram and you’ll know what I’m dishin’ up. 🙂
Complements of Baja Fresh (one of my fav spots for wonderfull nachos!)
Hola Amigos! Happy Cino de Mayo 2012!!
Are you gearing up for tequila and yummy tequitos (rolled tortillas filled with beef or chicken and fried to perfection)? Canny Candi sure it. Headed out into NYC for a day of margaritas, nachos, burritos, and or of course Mariachis!
I suggest you work a taco or two into your day at some point. I’ll be checking in and tweeting about all the great fiesta fare and drink enjoyed this evening. Follow along!
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