Running Away To Join Le Cirque

I am so excited. I'm finally getting into my groove and things are coming together for me. I'm still not perfect at everything, but my first report card was much better than I thought it would be and everything still tastes delicious. Although I am in serious need of a tart break.

Apparently someone heard my plea for a break, because today we had the snowpacalypse. Ten inches of snow have cost me about $320, since we will not make up the day. For the first time in my life, I am mad I had a snow day.

My roommate (also mad about the snow) and I decided to have some fun and went out to eat at my first world-class NYC restaurant, the legendary Le Cirque. We were just excited to get a reservation two hours before we wanted to eat. That and a cheaper meal thanks to New York Restaurant Week. A three course meal at one of the best restaurants in the world for $35? Yes, please.

Worth the nonexistent wait.

The restaurant itself is absolutely gorgeous and I felt like I was out of place the entire time. At least until I saw the girls sitting two tables over in jeans and sneakers. Then I just sat back and soaked it all in.

So what did I get for my $35? Sautéed Maine Shellfish with fregola Sarda (like Israeli couscous) and red peper-bergamot broth; Monkfish Bouillabaisse with clams, mussels, and fennel; and Crème Brûlée. I have never in my life had such well cooked seafood. The shellfish melted like butter in my mouth and the crème brûlée was so smooth I'm still trying to figure out how they did it. I floated on air the whole way home.

I now have a goal for what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be a dessert in a three star restaurant.

Ah, To Be Home

So I made it to New York. My parents, who were kind enough to drive me, and I got in last night. Strangely enough, it's almost the same distance from Salt Lake to MN as it is from MN to NYC. Like within 50 miles. If I keep up with this pattern, the next time I move it'll be to either Lafayette, Louisiana or Sundance, Manitoba.

I think I'll break it.

No new recipes as of yet, since I spent the day unpacking and getting drenched (55 degrees, but minor torrential rains, a flood of less than biblical proportions, and small Asian ladies being blown into the sidewalk by the wind).

Instead, here is some of the scenery from the drive in.

Scenic New Jersey:

The lovely Holland Tunnel:

And exotic New York:

I think for the next 6 months it'll be me trying to pretend that the buildings are mountains.

Although I did manage to try one of the neighborhood places for lunch, the Park Plaza Restaurant:

It's a lot bigger on than it looks. The bathroom inside is not.

The lunch counter where I did not eat my lunch.

Tomorrow I will be brave and bold and venture out to find a Best Buy, where I can return the wrong cable I bought for one that will work, and a matress pad for the brick I call a bed. And if I'm very, very good, maybe lunch from a hot dog cart. High class all the way.