by Chrysa Smith A tinny Edit Piaf playing in the background, a loaf of crusty French bread, perhaps a glass of Bordeaux and voila! It's almost like being in........Paris.OK, it was actually Philadelphia, but one needn't have a transatlantic flight and digital photos of the Eiffel Tower to feel the comfort of French peasant food. The restaurant was Caribou Cafe; an eclectic bistro on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Tiny cafe tables, a long, [...]
by Chrysa SmithWhen I first blogged that I would be blogging about winter comfort foods, I heard from a faithful subscriber. Puddin, she said (She's from the south, and I have to admit, she did say pudding, but I do love the homey southern slang, y'all). So, puddin it is.I must admit, when I was thinking comfort food, I hadn't thought of puddin. Meatloaf, mac and cheese, crock pot meals, stews and soups [...]
by Chrysa SmithSome of my favorite food memories from working in NYC come from West 46th Street; affectionately known to locals and foodies as Restaurant Row. On a few stretches of that street are almost wall-to-wall eateries of every possible persuasion. From Joe Allen's (theater hangout) and B. Smith's (stylista/fashionista/restaranteur), to Barbetta's (oldest Italian restaurant in NYC/Historically elegant) and Becco's (Lidia Bastianich), it's a haunt for Food Network celebs and would be celebs. [...]
by Chrysa Smith Chinese food as comfort food? I guess I had never thought too much about Chinese food falling into this category, but after lunch today at Chin's in Doylestown, next to my favorite vet and odd spice shop (Cross Keys Shopping Center), it got me very warmed up, comfortable and satisfied.After a snowy, cold morning and a bagel for breakfast, something hot that didn't contain packaged bread for lunch, seemed like [...]
by Chrysa Smith Exactly 18 years ago next month, my friend Dolores gave me 'Cooking with Regis & Kathie Lee.' I'm not sure what the occasion was, but I am happy to say that Dolores and this cookbook are still my good friends. I must admit that at first, I wasn't sure what the morning tv hosts could contribute to my recipe collection, but let me tell you that through all these years, [...]
by Chrysa Smith It's cold. It's gray. It's winter. And nothing helps us stay warm and keep the cheer better than a good man, a good friend, a good dog and some hearty, old-fashioned comfort food. And we're bringing it on (well, not the friend, man or dog---but glorious food).During the next few weeks of post-holiday/pre-spring blogging, we're covering some of the favorite staples of our winter pantries. And we're encouraging you to [...]
by Chrysa SmithLet's face it. Unless you walk the labyrinth of concrete, glass and steel that is NYC on a daily basis, there's always something new. But what's new that I might be tempted to spend another $25 in parking to see? Eataly.That's right. It took a year of planning and a trip into NYC yesterday to catch the urban holiday spirit (it was wonderful!) with longtime friend and fellow 'middle ager' Carol. [...]
