Mmmm... meat

One of the very nice perks of my job is that I get taken out by vendors.  A lot.  Usually for lunches, which are very nice but sometimes for dinner as well.  Dinner is more fun because I can have a drink - I never have more than one.  I never ever drink anything with alcohol at lunchtime on a work day.  Last night one of the vendors I've been working with quite a bit took me and my assistant, Jeanette, out for a lovely dinner at one of Bobby Flay's restaurants - Bar Americain.  I had a drink called a Dark and Stormy, (dark rum, ginger beer and lime) which was VERY strong but tasty.  A couple of sips were enough to tell me that I needed to pace myself.  It took me the whole meal to finish it, since I didn't want to embarrass myself.

Now I love my veggies, I can and have eat salad until the cows come home, but sometimes I need a good steak.  No, not a "good" steak.  A great steak.  And that's what I had last night.  I had the filet mignon, which was divine.  Melt in your mouth tender but still some toothiness - I hate mushy steak.  To start I had a very nice asparagus chopped salad with Cabot (!) cheddar cheese and Meyer lemon dressing - very light and tasty.  My dining companions split the grilled pizza with carmelized onions, double smoked bacon and toasted garlic which I have to say, smelled AWFUL.  I'm not sure exactly why, but I was very glad to tuck into my salad and leave that thing alone.  We ordered some sides to share: "Brooklyn hash browns" - rather ordinary, not terribly exciting (or reminiscent of Brooklyn) and California flat leaf spinach which was lovely.  Much wine and beer and other cocktails were consumed, none of it by me.

And of course we had to indulge in dessert.  I tried to stay sort of light and had the blackberry souffle, which was amazing.  The two vendor people split a strange dessert recommended by the waiter - Cabernet poached figs with goat cheese mouse and honey crisps.  Sounded a little weird, looked stranger and didn't taste very good, according to the folks who tried it.  Jeanette got the caramel whiskey elcairs which I did try and were incredible.  Simply outrageous. 

All in all, a very nice evening - good conversation, lovely food and a great atmosphere.

I will say I have gotten to go to some very nice places with this job.  I could never afford most them - way too pricey!

Here are some that I've been to recently:

Russian Tea Room
Milos
Redeye Grill
Del Frisco's Steakhouse
Tao
Smith and Wollensky
BLT Steak
BLT Market
Osteria del Circo
Remi
McCormick & Schmick
Rue 57
Per Se
Aquavit

There are probably more that I can't recall right now, but that's a pretty good list.

The job may drive me insane at times but at least I get some benefits.

Mmmm... meat

One of the very nice perks of my job is that I get taken out by vendors.  A lot.  Usually for lunches, which are very nice but sometimes for dinner as well.  Dinner is more fun because I can have a drink - I never have more than one.  I never ever drink anything with alcohol at lunchtime on a work day.  Last night one of the vendors I've been working with quite a bit took me and my assistant, Jeanette, out for a lovely dinner at one of Bobby Flay's restaurants - Bar Americain.  I had a drink called a Dark and Stormy, (dark rum, ginger beer and lime) which was VERY strong but tasty.  A couple of sips were enough to tell me that I needed to pace myself.  It took me the whole meal to finish it, since I didn't want to embarrass myself.

Now I love my veggies, I can and have eat salad until the cows come home, but sometimes I need a good steak.  No, not a "good" steak.  A great steak.  And that's what I had last night.  I had the filet mignon, which was divine.  Melt in your mouth tender but still some toothiness - I hate mushy steak.  To start I had a very nice asparagus chopped salad with Cabot (!) cheddar cheese and Meyer lemon dressing - very light and tasty.  My dining companions split the grilled pizza with carmelized onions, double smoked bacon and toasted garlic which I have to say, smelled AWFUL.  I'm not sure exactly why, but I was very glad to tuck into my salad and leave that thing alone.  We ordered some sides to share: "Brooklyn hash browns" - rather ordinary, not terribly exciting (or reminiscent of Brooklyn) and California flat leaf spinach which was lovely.  Much wine and beer and other cocktails were consumed, none of it by me.

And of course we had to indulge in dessert.  I tried to stay sort of light and had the blackberry souffle, which was amazing.  The two vendor people split a strange dessert recommended by the waiter - Cabernet poached figs with goat cheese mouse and honey crisps.  Sounded a little weird, looked stranger and didn't taste very good, according to the folks who tried it.  Jeanette got the caramel whiskey elcairs which I did try and were incredible.  Simply outrageous. 

All in all, a very nice evening - good conversation, lovely food and a great atmosphere.

I will say I have gotten to go to some very nice places with this job.  I could never afford most them - way too pricey!

Here are some that I've been to recently:

Russian Tea Room
Milos
Redeye Grill
Del Frisco's Steakhouse
Tao
Smith and Wollensky
BLT Steak
BLT Market
Osteria del Circo
Remi
McCormick & Schmick
Rue 57
Per Se
Aquavit

There are probably more that I can't recall right now, but that's a pretty good list.

The job may drive me insane at times but at least I get some benefits.