Marie Fromage

A Day Away – Governors Island, NYC

I know what you’re thinking.  How does a trip to a park in New York City count as a getaway?  Doesn’t the subway go there (sort of)? Well yes, the subway does sort-of go there.  And then you hop onto a ferry (free!) and in about 5 minutes you will find yourself in an urban oasis, a world away surrounded by water, grass, trees and peace.

First stop - Water Taxi Beach

The journey ends right here for those who simply want some sand between their toes, hot sun on their faces, a little music, a hot dog and a cold drink to go with the spectacular view.  

But don't stop there...

There's so many options for fun and relaxation on Governors Island (see map here).  Once you've fueled up on beer and burgers, hop on a tram, start walking or rent a bike from Bike and Roll and hit the road; there's 172 acres to explore!

Cruise past Castle Williams...

                                       and make your way to Picnic Point, located at the Southern tip of the island.

If you time things right you'll be able to score a hammock! And the view of Lady Liberty can't be beat.  

Quirky and sometimes haunting moments pierce the peace as you tour the island, with art projects sponsored by Creative Time, FIGMENT, Sculptors Guild and others popping up here and there.  At Picnic Point you hear a woman sing "where are you going, where are you going" from the 70's musical "Godspell" every 15 minutes over loud speakers coming from a place that you can't quite pinpoint.  It's weird and brings to mind prayer time at a cult.  But I digress...

Also at Picnic Point is a three-acre organic farm and there's plans to sell the produce at Water Taxi Beach. 

More gorgeous open space can be found at the Parade Ground, located at the halfway point of the island. 

On the edge of the Parade Ground there are giant wind chimes that make eerie low tones evoking a haunted spooky feeling, a running theme on the island.

Governors Island has a large number of abandoned buildings, remnants of the days when the island served as a military outpost and most of the buildings are slated for demolition. However the Northern part of the island has many structures dating back to the 19th century and are protected as a historic district.  

The old Officer's Club

Several of the more interesting buildings have been opened up to the public and currently serve as art installations and galleries. 

St. Cornelius Chapel seems like it would be a typical old church until you step inside... 

                                                                                                

 

it looks like Satan lives here now!

 

Nolan Park has several small victorian homes that give this area a New England feel.

Many of these homes are now functioning as temporary art galleries, but I secretly fantasize about turning one of them into my summer cottage.

The grandest home of all is the Commanding Officers House. Host your wedding here!

There's a huge kitchen that has peepholes on the doors, so you can check on the caterers to make sure they're not slacking off.

But wait, there's more!  There's almost not enough time in the day to experience everything that Governors Island has to offer. There's artsy miniature golf, kayaking, ranger-lead tours of the historic district, live music concerts and there's even a day camp and art classes for the kiddies. And the beauty part is most of it is free-free-free. I like the sound of that!

Get up to the minute info by checking out the Governors Island blog. 

Governors Island is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 30th through October 11th.  The ferry to Governors Island is located at the Battery Maritime Building, located next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan. Click here for directions & a ferry schedule. 

(photo credits: all photos by Mary Connolly)

Bites: Dating Tips from the Cheese Mistress, Bar Centrale, La Cense Burgers, Dirt Candy

Cheese

Something Stinky This Way Comes: Cabot Clothbound Cheddar

Oh yes.  This is REAL cheddar people, a small-batch Vermont cow’s milk cheese that has been swaddled in cloth, not wax, and tenderly aged to tangy perfection. Pair it with a sudsy brew for your own personal culinary fireworks display.   

Dating Tips from The Cheese Mistress

“Is anyone single? Try carrying around a Coor's Light soft cooler as a purse. Full of cheese. No beer. Boy, men go nuts for that. Don't forget the heels and tight shirt.”

A Glass of Wine, A Plate of Cheese & Thou:  Bar Centrale

Enjoy your wine and cheese in peace, tucked away in a cozy nook far from the paparazzi and your adoring fans. It’s so great to know that there are these intimate little secret places where one can relax with a nice piece of Cantalet, a robust red and sure, what the heck, while you’re at it order one of those luscious lobster rolls they are famous for. Go on, no one will know…

Bar Centrale:  Midtown West.  324 W 46th St. between 8^th & 9^th Avenues (no sign). 212-581-3130.

 

Eats

 La Cense Burger Truck

 There’s a new truck in town, one that’s been rolling around Midtown at lunchtime when folks are at their weakest, most hungry and with palates open to suggestion.  I’m always amazed by the lines at some of these mobile culinary question marks.  The La Cense Burger Truck has lines of epic proportions.  Why?  What makes this one different from all of the other lunch trucks? Well this one offers a burger made of 100% grass-fed, free range Black Angus beef that comes directly from their ranch in Montana.  No antibiotics, hormones or steroids.  No grain in the feed ever!  A beef that’s lower in fat and calories than regular beef and packed with Omega-3s and antioxidants!  A highly unusual find for worker bee lunch fare, which also comes with a promise of little-to-no guilt. 

But the bottom line for serious eaters always comes down to this - does it taste good? Will it haunt my dreams? Is the line worth it? Is it the best burger ever?  Um, it’s just ok.  It’s fine, but it lacks a little…something.  They top it off with caramelized onions and cheese and it’s still not quite there.  Evil, unnatural grain-fed beef makes for more flavor because the meat is more fatty; fat = flava.  So as it turns out, guilt tastes better.  And I’m deeply conflicted by that!

La Cense Burger Truck: for updates on truck location, follow them on Twitter.com or go to www.lacensebeef.com

Dirt Candy

 “I don’t care about your health. And I don’t care about your politics either. But I do care about cooking vegetables.”  -- Chef Amanda Cohen

Folks, that is a real chef talking.  Cook for taste, taste is the priority – that’s what it’s all about. I don’t object to meat-free meals and consider tofu just another protein source.  However, I’m not a fan of vegetarian restaurants.  Unless the cuisine is naturally, culturally vegetarian the food usually just plain old doesn’t taste good. However, Dirt Candy turns the standard vegetarian restaurant model on its ear and presents meat-free meals that are free of political agenda and are cooked to just taste great; it’s vegetarian for non-vegetarians.

This is not a place to come when you’re on a diet.  The ingredients are top quality and it’s the fat factor that makes this flavor engine go – cheese, eggs and cream are all part of the family here and are at the heart of a several inventive, swoon-inducing dishes.   To wit: an appetizer of jalapeño-studded hush puppies with a decadent maple butter; portobello mousse served foie gras style with toast rounds and a pear fennel compote; creamy grits with pickled shitake mushrooms topped with an oozy and crunchy tempura poached egg; a Greek salad featuring crispy rings of trumpet mushrooms drizzled with a preserved lemon dressing.  And for dessert? A deeply delicious and creamy popcorn pudding grabbed my attention on more than one occasion.

It’s a tiny little slip of a place so prime time reservations can be tough to get, but it’s worth the effort for the dead-serious cooking served with a light-hearted perspective that will leave you satisfied. 

Dirt Candy: 430 E. Ninth St.
 bet. 1st Ave  & Ave. A  (East Village); 212-228-7732; www.dirtcandynyc.com

(Photo credits: Cabot Cheddar, Bar Centrale & La Cense Burger – by Mary Connolly; Greek Salad & Jalapeno Hush Puppies– courtesy Dirt Candy)

Bites: Not Your Mamma’s Grilled Cheese; The Asian Bloody Mary; Food, Inc; Dred Scott Trio

Cheese

 Something Stinky This Way Comes (with recipe): Halloumi

Halloumi is a firm Greek sheep’s milk cheese that holds up well to grilling, making it a delicious alternative to the usual hot dog & burger backyard BBQ fare.  Cut it into cubes, thread it on a bamboo skewer with your favorite veggies, brush with a little olive oil and lay it on the fire for cheesy kabobs. And here’s another serving suggestion that’s sure to please meat eaters and veggies alike!

 

Grilled Halloumi with Chili Oil

Adapted from Nigella Lawson

 Makes about 30 slices.

 3 blocks of Halloumi cheese, approximately 8 oz. each (available in the “gourmet cheese” section of most supermarkets). Cut into slices approx. ¼ inch thick.

 1-2 red chili peppers, seeds removed and finely chopped (you may also use dried crushed red pepper flake, about 1 teaspoon or to taste).

Fresh thyme (1-2 sprigs, leaves removed from stem).

3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ a lemon (lime would work well too).

1) In a small saucepan heat the oil on a low flame until it barely simmers. Remove from heat, add the chopped chili pepper, cover and let the flavors mingle as the oil cools down.

2) Using a non-stick pan (no oil needed), add the Halloumi slices.  Cook until toasty brown, about 2 minutes per side. 

3) Place on a platter and drizzle with the chili oil. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and thyme leaves.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Eats

 Marie Fromage, Gastro Chic & Joey Deckle walk into a bar…

and give birth to the Asian Bloody Mary, “the dangerous brain child of three food people drinking sake.”  Get the back story and Gastro Chic recipe here!

Food, Inc.

Food, Inc. is a new film currently terrifying eaters in major cities around the country.  

It’s a “Scared Straight” for the supermarket shopper, a horrifying indictment of the American industrialized food system featuring Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) and several other notable beacons of food sanity.  You won’t look at a piece of chicken breast the same again.  Or vegetables for that matter.  And you may want to rethink your late night Hot Pockets habit while you’re at it. It’s an important film to see if you care about where your food comes from.  But don’t plan on going out to dinner afterwards! For movie locations and more information, go to www. foodincmovie.com.

And since we’re on the subject, I also recommend that you pay a visit to the web site “Food Politics”, written by learned food lady Marion Nestle.  She’s lately become my go-to gal for getting my food facts straight and has more interesting things to say about this film, among other things, such as the safety of our food system.  Raw Toll House cookie dough anyone?

Music:  The Dred Scott Trio

Several years ago an edgy, swinging jazz pianist named Dred Scott decamped from San Francisco and landed in New York City, much to the delight of metro-area music fans. Dred Scott, drummer Tony Mason and bassist Ben Rubin can be found pretty much every Tuesday night at midnight at the cozy Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side, throwing down their fun, itchy, careening, cosmopolitan and sublime musical brew.  

It’s worth risking a little late-night music hangover at the day job to see this group play live.  They will soon be celebrating the 4 year anniversary of their residency at Rockwood and are on their way to becoming a Big Apple music institution.  But if by midnight you’re in bed and you can’t make it down to Rockwood in person, pick up their CD “Live at The Rockwood Music Hall” for an irreverent virtual concert in the comfort of your jammies. 

For more info go to their web site, dredscott.com.  Purchase “Live at The Rockwood Music Hall” on iTunes, Amazon.com and other fine retailers. 

Rockwood Music Hall: Lower East Side; 196 Allen Street (between E. Houston and Stanton); 212.477.4155


(Photo credits: Grilled Halloumi – by Mary Connolly; Asian Bloody Mary – courtesy of Gastro Chic; Food, Inc. - courtesy of Magnolia Pictures; Dred Scott – courtesy of The Dred Scott Trio)