So Long, 2010!

Looking back on 2010, I have to say that it’s been a pretty darn good year for me in terms of food.  I bookended the year with trips to the foodie paradise of San Francisco, first for New Year’s, then for the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in November, and maintained a frenetic pace of cooking and eating in between.   Sure, I didn’t meet all the goals I had set for myself this year—that jar of squid ink still lingers in my fridge, now contending for space with a pesky jar of shrimp paste—but I am pretty darn satisfied with 2010 overall.  If there’s anyone who deserves my credit for making this such a good year for me food-wise, it is the people at Foobuzz, who provided two of the biggest highlights of my year in Foodbuzz Fest and Project Food Blog.  Both events exposed me to some incredibly talented and kind bloggers and showed me just how much fun I can have with this blog.  Oh yeah, and Project Food Blog got me to make a pretty mean batch of curry! 

So what’s in store for 2011, the third year (gasp!) of this blog’s existence?  Well, I’m going to push myself to make some big-time improvements.  You should see more frequent posts, more original recipes, and better photography on this blog.  All in all, I’m going to aim for every post on this blog to be Project Food Blog-worthy.  It will mean I have to spend a little more time in my kitchen and working on this blog, but it is a fun challenge that I can’t wait to begin. 

And with that, I am tipping my hat to 2010 and plunging into 2011! I wish you all a happy New Year!

My Top Food Memories of 2009

As you read this, I am flying across the country to bring in the new year in the food-lover mecca of San Francisco.  While 2009 was a hard year in many ways, it was a wonderful year for this blog and brought me some foodie moments that have had a lasting effect on me.  My top 5 food memories of 2009, in no particular order are:

• My anniversary at Gramercy Tavern: I went to Gramercy Tavern to celebrate my anniversary with the Significant Eater.  From the setting to service to the food to the lemon muffins the restaurant sent us home with for the next morning, the night was perfect.  For 2010, I resolve to treat others with just as much respect as Danny Meyer gives his patrons.  
  
• Valentine's Day at Momofuku Ko: By some stroke of Cupid, I was able to secure a Valentine's Day reservation at David Chang's 12-seat, 10-course prix-fixe restaurant.  The restaurant was worth the hype (but maybe not the painful internet-only reservation policy).  My favorite dish of the night was the fluke with buttermilk, soy & poppy seeds, the recipe for which appears in the Momofuku cookbook.  I have resolved to make this recipe at home in 2010. 
  
• My birthday at Maialino: Although my visit to Maialino on my birthday was only two weeks ago, it would have been just as memorable had it been twelve months ago.  The restaurant showed hardly any signs that it was two months old.  I resolve to return to Maialino in 2010, when I suspect the restaurant should really be hitting its stride. 
  
• Black Squid Ink Risotto for the Significant Eater's Birthday: I cooked this risotto on the Significant Eater's birthday this year.  It was one of the more ambitious dishes I've ever cooked, and the results could not have been any better.  For 2010, I resolve to use up all the squid ink that's still sitting in my refrigerator. 
  
• Gnocchi, My First Attempt at Pasta: The execution may not have been perfect, but in making ricotta gnocchi this year, I overcame my fear of making pasta.  For 2010, I resolve to try my hand at pasta more than once. 

I wish you all a New Year full of happiness! Eat, drink, and be merry!