We had some challenges funding the place as I mistakenly thought that the name of the restaurant was also the address.  I am obviously not a New Yorker.  I marvel at how they navigate their own city especially the subway.  Stations will be marked by certain street addresses and they are no where near those streets! But I digress….  Our “Almost Six in the City” split up for Sunday matinees-three seeing “Wicked” and two for “Billy Elliot“.  It was when we reassembled to have some supper before a night tour of Manhattan that we got a little mixed up.  What a happy event as there was a street market happening right in Time Square and the shopping was marvellous.

I am rambling a titch about the events surrounding the day because when we found the restaurant on the second floor of the Renaissance Hotel the food itself was underwhelming.  I was almost content with my Baked Ziti with sausage and eggplant but those that ordered the Hazelnut Pesto Fettucine were disappointed with its complete lack of flavour.

No matter, we ordered some high faluting drinks and the view of the Square was a million dollar one.  We prairie gals know how to do New York city!

Kath’s quote:  “Manhattan is a narrow island off the coast of New Jersey devoted to the pursuit of lunch.”– Raymond Sokolov

Let love be multiplied.

Just to set the record straight…the life of a foodie is not always about dining out, trying new products and concocting inventive dishes, sometimes we just wanna be a couch potato.  Last night I served my family popcorn for supper.  And it wasn’t the trendy new sweet and salty variety and it wasn’t even air-popped.  It was Orville Redenbacher’s “Buttery”  (I thought that I exhibited amazing restraint by not grabbing the “Extra Butter” variety).  To make matters worse I didn’t pull it out of my well-stocked foodie pantry…I ran out and picked it up at Mac’s just before we settled in to watch “The Amazing Race” (a Sunday evening TV treat).  Since I have created this time of self-confession I should fess up that I then proceeded to watch another 2 hours of  TV because it was the finale show of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” (my Wednesday TV treat).

So that you don’t get all concerned that I only consumed fat and carbs last night, I also had a two “just pulled from the garden” carrots and a glass of red wine.  So I did ingest some vitamins and anti-oxidants too.

In reality we did have a lovely sit down Sunday lunch instead of our usual dinner as D’s folks were able to join us from the country (hence the carrots).

Kath’s quote:  “But some of us are beginning to pull well away, in our irritation, from…the exquisite tasters, the vintage snobs, the three-star Michelin gourmets. There is, we feel, a decent area somewhere between boiled carrots and Beluga caviare, sour plonk and Chateau Lafitte, where we can take care of our gullets and bellies without worshipping them.”-J.B. Priestley

Let love be multiplied…..

My West Kildonan sojourn continued with a stop at Lisi”s (Ranch House Restaurant-1761 Main St.) -a place we had driven by so many times and never had a reason to try.  On this day I stopped in for take out and to be honest, I was glad that I was not dining in.  I can manage spartan or outdated decor.  In fact, some of my favourite out of the way places would be in the running for “Restaurant Make-Over”.  But on this day when the sunshine was glorious outside I was not impressed by their lack of natural light and wood panelled walls.  Some might think it “cozy”-just not my cuppa tea.

What did I care anyway as long as the take out was good right?  Well…..the chicken fingers that we were willing to sample for the sake of comparison did not pass the test.  They were a pre-fab version that you find anywhere. We were putting all our hopes for Lisi’s on the pizza…and it came through!  The meat lovers had literally stacks of meat-as if you had just bitten into a deli sandwich.  The crust was obviously hand mixed and tossed as it had the right combination of crustiness and yeastiness.

Would I try Lisi’s again?  Since I live across town, likely not.  But if I was in the neighbourhood, I would definitely have it n my list by the phone for Friday night’s pizza and a movie.

Kath’s quote:  “There’s a pizza place near where I live that sells only slices. In the back, you can see a guy tossing a triangle in the air.”-Steve Wright

I have lived in Winnipeg all of my life and am still finding new little places that fascinate.  My husband and my son often chat about donairs from their backpack trip through Europe together.  I have never tasted a donair but understand that it is beef and veggies on a pita.  If it is made with chicken, does it become a shawarma?  I need to do some more research-yum…..

On the day that I visited Baraka Pita Bakery (1783 Main St.) pita pies and pita pockets were going in and out of the oven and there were a number of people sitting at tables waiting for their late lunch.  I was intrigued by a little pita packet displayed on a counter that was folded into a triangle.  When I inquired, I found out that it was a spinach fatire and the handsome gentleman behind the counter offered me one to taste.  I bought a dozen to have at home with soup or as an appetizer and this past Sunday proved to be the right time to test the taste with my family.  They loved the concept but found that the spinach was too lemony.  Perhaps next time we’ll try the beef fatires.  There looks to be falafel, dolmades and a  number of dips.  I am planning on shopping at Baraka again soon to have a bon voyage dinner for my husband who is off to Israel next month. 

Kath’s quote: “On the subject of spinach: divide into little piles. Rearrange again into new piles. After five of six maneuvers, sit back and say you are full.”-Delia Ephron, ‘How To Eat Like A Child’

Marrying into our family would be no easy fete.  The criteria is seemingly endless but the short list would include: must love babies and dogs, the beach, sitting around fire pits and be available to attend family dinner on Sunday night.   An interest in the NFL would be helpful.  Somehow our son and subsequently D & I  found absolutely everything in the person who I refer to as Daughter #3.  She is kooky and beautiful, artistic and talented, has created a beautiful home, wants lots of babies and loves my zany son-what more could a Mother-in-law wish for!

The biggest check mark is a desire to assemble with us at the cottage whenever possible, but for sure on long weekends.   We take turn making the meals at “Life is Good” and recently Daughter #3 planned ahead and brought out these already prepared and savoury frittatas.

Frittata is the Italian word for omelet but we describe them more as crust-less quiches.  They can be prepared ahead of time and reheated making them a perfect lake brunch.  As people awake, we sit around and drink endless pots of coffee and visit and then all of a sudden it is almost noon and we know that the guys will be home from their daily tennis games and ravenous-so a dish like this is the perfect solution.

They are Jamie Oliver fans but she said that she found her recipes on line so I did my own search and came up with versions likely very close.

Bacon & Tomato Frittata

6 slices bacon

7 eggs

1/4 c milk

1 t Dijon mustard

1 c coarsely chopped seeded tomato

1 garlic clove, minced

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Cook bacon in large skillet; remove reserving 1 tbsp drippings in skillet; break bacon into bite sized pieces; set aside. In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk and mustard; blend well. Heat reserved bacon drippings over low heat; add tomato and garlic; cook 2 minutes or until tomato is warm Stir in bacon. Pour egg mixture into skillet; cook over low heat 4 minutes; as edges set run spatula around edge of skillet and left egg mixture to allow uncooked egg to flow to bottom of skillet Cover; cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until top is set but still moist. Sprinkle with cheese; cover tightly; remove from heat; let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted cut into wedges to serve.

I don’t think this was the recipe that she used but it looked very appealing:

Artichoke and Spinach Frittata

1 1/2  t  olive oil

2  c  refrigerated hash brown potatoes

1  T  Greek seasoning

1/2  c  coarsely chopped drained water-packed artichoke hearts

1  c  tightly packed pre washed baby spinach leaves (about 1 1/2 ounces)

6  large eggs

1/3  c  fat-free milk

1/4  t  freshly ground black pepper

2  oz  feta cheese, crumbled

2  Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

Preheat broiler.

Heat oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add hash browns; sprinkle with Greek seasoning, and saute 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add chopped artichokes, and cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in spinach, and cook 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring frequently.

Separate eggs, reserving 4 egg yolks for another use. Combine remaining 2 egg yolks, whites, and milk, stirring with a whisk. Pour egg mixture over potato mixture. Sprinkle with pepper and feta cheese. Arrange tomato slices over feta. Cook over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or until edges are set. Place frittata under broiler, and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until center is set and top begins to brown. Cut into 8 wedges.

Kath’s quote: “When she goes about her kitchen duties, chopping, carving, mixing, whisking, she moves with the grace and precision of a ballet dancer, her fingers plying the food with the dexterity of a croupier.”-Craig Claiborne