Ketchup (Creative I am not)

I've been very good at filling up my free time lately, so if any of my four readers wonder what's been going on I'll try to summarize the last 4 weeks!  First I'll cover the running, and then we'll get to the food.

So I'm still not to where I want to be, but I think I've been improving.  Besides a little break for my brothers wedding and a reawakening of an old back injury, I've been trying to stick to it.  It helps that the weather is finally getting nice.

• Run 14 - 6 Miles - April 22
• Run 15 - 3.1 Miles - April 25
• Run 16 - 6 Miles - April 29
• Run 17 - 5.58 Miles - April 30
• Run 18 - 4 Miles - May 2
• Run 19 - 4.1 Miles - May 3

And because I was so good about running (not really) I had to indulge heavily in food.  Of course this is all after the eating (and drinking) at my brother's wedding and rehearsal dinner!

First, Cate has mastered the onion tart, and has had it ready for me twice upon arrival in the city.  Sweet onions and smoky bacon glued to the tart with creme fraiche.  It takes a bit of time following all the steps for this apparently simple dish, but I find it well worth it (especially when she's making it!).  While Cate slaves away over meals she prepares for me, I find the simple recipes.  Its not because I can't cook, or am afraid to try more daunting recipes, I just find simple tastes good.  A few Friday's ago I made Cate and I a simple dinner.  It was just a salad and roasted potatoes, but more then enough for a meal.  The salad was an Asparagus salad that was very interesting.  After cleaning and trimming the asparagus, I used a vegetable peeler to create paper thin slices of asparagus.  I then tossed the shavings in with a vinaigrette I made from grated Parmesan, lemon juice and olive oil.  It was airy and refreshing as well as easy to make, that is, after I figured out how to shave the asparagus!  The potatoes I just roasted and served with a chive presto.  Simple, delicious and good for you.  

Besides the one meal I made, we went out to many different places.  For now I'm just going to list them out, but hopefully I get back to write more about them later, and what I thought:

• Katagiri - Interesting that it makes the list as this was a japanese grocery store where we found some cheap and different mochi and other desserts
• Bocca di Bacco - Nice wine bar around west 50s
• Bar Carrera - One of my favorite places for laid back tapas
• Boqueria - A new tapas place we tried after Tribeca Film Fest.  Maybe I'll start a new adventure to find the perfect Patatas Bravas
• Fada - Small French restaurant in Williamsburg.  Had mussels fries and ratatouille.  Want to try the bouillabaisse which you have to call ahead for two days in advance with a minimal party of 4. 
• Studio Square- Beer Garden in Long Island City.  Do not get the large fries if you only have two people.  Great pretzel.
• New Leaf - Beautiful restaurant in Fort Tryon Park.  Nice brunch on a gorgeous day
• Grand Daisey - Bakery with a asparagus egg sandwich that I often crave.
• Bel Ami - Small french bakery/cafe between our apartment and the park... if you go out of your way a few blocks
• Levan - Bakery with awesome everything

I'll come fill in some more later and provide some photographs as well!