I am quite sure that Mother Nature is playing tricks on us all.
We really had days that were perfect, others that were hot and the very next day 48 degrees…
So in a month that usually beckons us to the market for ramps, fiddleheads, morels, sugar snaps and sweet tender peas, and asparagus, maybe early strawberries, we instead had wintered over potatoes, a smattering of salad greens and radishes.
But they were still delicious.
And we thankfully pulled on the ever glorious bounty of California.
Rhubarb, used in tarts and pickled for Foie Gras
Delta Asparagus from outside Sacramento
Cipollini Onions
And, the unbelievable sweet everything of Harry’s Berries, Strawberries. The taste of these seems almost not true, so intoxicating on the tongue, addictive.
So now we can cross our fingers and hope that June catches up. We can wait, we will all still enjoy, we will just be patient.
Photo courtesy of Millbrook Venison
May is always our time to be graced with the privilege of hosting the Masters Jazz Class of Juilliard for their special evening of celebration. We feed them, wine them, coddle them…and then they play us a few tunes. It can make your troubled soul feel calm, lift your heart right out of your body, no kidding.
Dr. Aaron Flagg leads an incredible program, his right hand, Anika is a force and our friend, Wynton, an inspiration. To us all. It is a gift to us to care for them on the day that begins yet new adventures for them to embark on.
Much like we feel about each one of you, that come to sit, exhale, enjoy. Your pleasure and feeling cared for lights up our little world.
One such couple celebrated the day they got engaged to pop in for a spontaneous late evening dinner.
And two weeks later, a beautiful couple sitting in the same corner table, dined after getting hitched at City Hall. These are magical evenings.
Tribeca continues to delight. Chip is in his element, in that large kitchen, with his wonderful team. Concocting new dishes for me to ponder wine pairings for. A happy hardship, don’t you think?
Rabbit came hopping back to the menu, thigh and loin en roulade, a plump Chartreuse filled with rabbit and mushroom mousse.
Cornalin, Valle de Aosta or Chignin Bergeron
Softshells had their Full moon to Full Moon seasonal residency and now we wait another year.
Assyrtiko in the glass.
Also Chardonnay, Savagnin blend, Jura.
Toss a coin.
Our friend Dan, up at Browne and Trading sent down a line caught Wild Halibut, caught off the coast of Maine, a rare treat for us to offer.
Classic Chablis took center stage on this one.
Chip did a sexy take on the Queen Victoria Sponge cake, using those Strawberries…creme Diplomat, oh my goodness.
Beaumes de Venise or Moscato d’ Asti, thanks very much.
We got the old Mercedes out for an early morning jaunt out to New Jersey. To attend an after the wedding day brunch. And due West on a Parkway was one of the most lush, greenest rides we have had in recent months.
The Garden State is an appropriate name.
June marks the beginning of the Exodus. When the city gets to breathe a little easier and we all stroll instead of fast pacing it to wherever we are heading.
I can almost hear those waves breaking shore and the cries of the seagulls overhead.
In the other direction, Upstate, lazy days on the porch sipping wine, staying perfectly still when you spot the family of deer on the forest edge.
It stretches out in front of you seemingly endless with the opportunity of serenity and hammock style snoozes. Summertime, sunshine and sunsets. Clambakes and picnics. New memories to cherish.
Old ones to remember.
Chip and I will steal a couple of wrap around long weekends to hopefully steal away. But we are open and welcoming all season long, so do come and sit a spell, visit and dine, rejoice in the treasure of “time…”
You know that I will pour something worth spilling into your glass, Rose, Champagne, Rolle from Corsica, light brilliant juicy reds…ice cold GiGi cocktails, as I call them, grownup style. My whole team is a team worth bragging about.
Take good care of yourselves and those around you.
Fill your days with all things happy…and yummy.
Oh, and how about those Knicks??
Until next month,
–Chip and Tina
Plus the super sonic team at Eulalie!
Oh, and keep your eyes on Greenwich Avenue for the spectacular and perfect Chez Stanley, opening any minute. Mike Kelly and his brother Mark are bringing a haven of hospitality to the Village. I cannot wait to go.
