Alessandro Ristorante In Campagna
Nothing beats dining in another country when you have gracious hosts to show you the best places. For our third and final night in Milan, we drove out a bit to a town called Masate to dine at Alessandro Ristorante (In Campagna). The place and the meal are what I would call rustic northern Italian. You would never find food, decor, or people like this at any typical Italian restaurant in New York, and all three factors were part of what made this meal extra special. The proprietor was generous enough to show me the back yard, and even one of his prized white truffles. The meal was outstanding, and the company made it the most memorable meal of the trip.
For more, visit Alessandro Ristorante on Facebook.
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A Santa Lucia, Milan, Italy
I recently had the opportunity to travel abroad for work, our destinations Milan, Italy, Markdorf, Germany. Much of the time was spent working with our partner companies – doing what we do – but if there’s one thing we can learn from the Europeans it’s to take time to enjoy our meals. Far too many meals are eaten on the go, or at our desks. Do we even notice what we’re eating? Do we take the time to enjoy it?
On our first day in Milan we spent maybe two hours at A Santa Lucia, a very popular, famous, and delicious spot in the heart of the most stylish part of the city. Many of the patrons were business lunchers, like us. The beauty of the Milanese in their way of dressing themselves, is it seems effortless. Men don’t look stuffed into their suits. Women wear heels as easily as we wear sneakers. And there’s a certain comfort that is obvious in the way they tie it all together with a modest plate of pasta, or in my case, probably the best eggplant parmigiana I have ever tasted…
Gravy | Bowtie, Bowties…
via downeast + out*You may notice that lately there has been a lot of GRAVY. I’m still working out the details of how I ultimately want this site to look. I have a number of photographs that I am preparing to share, but sometimes life just gets in teh way of blogging. Anyway, fret not friends. I plan on making this site considerably more interesting in the new year. In fact, a lot of things may get more interesting…
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Everybody Eats When They Come to My House
In honor of my wife & I hosting Thanksgiving for the first time in two years of marriage, and six years together total, I give you this clever video rendintion of Cab Calloway’s “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House.” I hope you enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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via Cafe ApostropheSides | Setting The Table, Choosing The Menu, Sampling The Dishes
In the few weeks since I started Cut + Basted I’ve had time to think about what I really want to do with the site – what’s the image I want to portray? What sorts of articles and photos do I want to share? Do I need to post every day, a couple times a week, or do I just take my time with it and post only what I feel is quality, and true to the purpose of the site?
In an ideal world these would have been things I would have figured out before launching the site. But I’m not perfect, the world is not perfect, and I’ve had fun with what I’ve posted so far. But I digress…I have had time to think about these things, and I think I know where I want to take Cut + Basted, and what I hope to achieve from there.
Be patient. Over the next few weeks I will be visting lots of restaurants in New York City, Italy, Germany, and perhaps even New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. I will take lots of photos; some of which I will share with you. What these photos will show shall remain in my head for now. But I do think you will enjoy.
Thanks for reading.
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J.Crew’s Culinary Style
Anyone who reads my original blog, Crabapple knows that I am a fan of the ever-so-popular clothing store, J.Crew. In fact, I even worked for the company back in 1998; before the Mickey Drexler days; before they defined prepster cool. I would say 80% of my wardrobe is from J.Crew from suits to shirts to sweaters to ties and swim. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say most people do not associate J.Crew, or most clothing stores with anything to do with food. And with the exceptions of the Rugby Cafe, Armani Cafe, and numerous department store and mall food court options there would be no reason to associate the two. (more…)
Gravy | Mad Men, Martinis
Mad Men (AMC) not only showcases the corporate culture and impeccable style of those who wee a part of it in the 1960′s, but they also feature some iconic New York City restaurants and bars including one of my favorites, PJ Clarke’s. I can’t wait to see where they decide to go next. March isn’t that far away…
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Gravy | Billy Reid, Turkey
Friends, Family & Tradition Way Down South
Designer Billy Reid and his loved ones give thanks at home in Alabama with bacon, bourbon, and Buttermilk-Lemon Chess Pie
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Outdoor Drinking Really Is For Fall
Last Saturday, some friends + I braved the subway and PATH to Jersey City to check out Zeppelin Hall, an outdoor beer garden. When many people think of beer gardens, they immediately think of it as being a summer activity. But the truth is, the fall is an even better time – during Oktoberfest, in particular.
Oktoberfest varieties were in abundance. The food was hot – I had a schnitzel. The air was brisk – warranting sweaters and coats, and even a scarf from our lady friend, Liz. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.
From left | me, Ari, Amos, Liz, Pedro
Zeppelin Hall, 88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07302
My Look | Vest, cotton shirt, and t-shirt all by J.Crew, sunglasses by Ray Ban, watch by Longines, Oktoberfest Beer by Paulaner.
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Dressed Up to Dine Down
Just because you’re still dressed up doesn’t always mean you have to dine in a fancy establishment. On that same line, sometimes the tastiest food in New York City is found in the most unassuming places. Turkish restaurant, Bereket (187 Houston E Houston St @Orchard st) doesn’t look like much but the food is outstanding. My wife spent a few days in Istanbul last year and has been trying to convince me that we need to return together. We shared some grape leaves, and each had the adana kebab shaved fresh off the spit. If the food in Turkey is ha;f as good as this, I’ll book my ticket tomorrow.
So, maybe I was the fanciest guy in the place. According to SartorialIstanbul, however I’d have some stiff competition in country.
My Look: Jacket by GANT, shirt by Thomas Mason for J.Crew, cashmere sweater by J.Crew, jeans by Levis 501.
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Welcome to Cut + Basted!
Please enjoy responsibly…
Irish Italian Style
After a few days filled with meetings and eating, we decided to skip dinner after gorging at Ben’s for lunch. Today, after two very good meetings we popped into an Irish pub in midtown called Connolly’s for a quick, light bite of lunch. I will be sad to see them go, but will reunite in a few weeks in Milan (expect some nice photos, yeah?)
Guerino looks sharp (as usual), but exhausted.
I am still amused by it all. (Suit by J.Crew, shirt by Fifth + Brannan, pocket square by GANT)
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When Donning Deli, Keep It Kosher
My culinary (and business) adventures with my Italian friends continued on Wednesday in midtown with a meeting, then lunch at the classic Kosher spot, Ben’s Deli. As a Jewish kid from Long Island, I grew up eating this kind of thing. My Italian friends, however are not used to what we call Jewish Soul Food. Between the four of us, we ordered four classics; turkey, pastrami, corned beef, and brisket, plus two round knishes (potato, and spinach) to share. It’s like giving a baby cake for the first time – I love introducing people to new food, especially when they like it.
It was a rainy day on Wednesday, and I decided to wear jeans, an older shirt, and a sport jacket. As I build upon my foundation with this site, I promise to switch up the styles a bit, photograph other people, take better pictures, and probably concentrate more on the photos than on the text.
Guerino, my muse for the week enjoys corned beef on rye while sporting the signature Italian skinny scarf.
I keep it clean with hot pastrami. (Shirt and sport jacket by J.Crew.)
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Italian Burger King
Monday night, I brought my Italian friends to Union Square for one of the best burgers in the city, Stand 4. See, the trick is when entertaining people from another country, don’t try taking them to a restaurant that you think would cater to them. Italians from Italy don’t want to eat Italian food from New York. We may find it to be delicious, but they are just not impressed. Besides, do you want to go to Italy (or France or Germany) and eat McDonald’s? Didn’t think so.
I casually brood (shirt and cashmere sweater by J.Crew)
Guerino gives us sexy burger face.
This stylish burger joint is located just steps from Ralph Lauren Rugby, and was even featured on the RLR blog some time ago. The salesman in the video treated himself to one of Stand 4′s signature milk shakes. They even feature flavors made with a little something special like the Absolut Toasted Marshmallow, or my favorite Rebel Reserve Bourbon Fresh Mint. Of course, I had one. And we all had bacon. Bacon.
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Fancy Sunday at David Burke Kitchen
Sunday night in New York City is like any other. People eat as early or late as they want to. As a Jewish kid growing up on Long Island, Sunday night was for Chinese food. Last Sunday night, however I took some business associates from out of town to David Burke Kitchen in SoHo.
The menu is new American. And by new, we really mean classic. Before we stopped eating all the good stuff, we actually ate all the good stuff. Many chefs in recent years have gone back to innards of typical animals, and everything else on those once overlooked. Even the basics were truly divine.
Vittoria + Guerino from Milan enjoyed the casual, yet stylish atmosphere.
I kept it Sunday smart. (shirt and sport jacket by J.Crew.)
It would be a shame to leave without trying the monkey bread dessert prepared table-side by one of the stylish wait staff.
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Apt. 138′s New Dressing
As I continue to build this site; tweak the layout, content, and focus, etc. you will begin to notice me using words that describe both food and style. Take the title of the site, for instance – Cut + Basted. Both words have double meanings. Basted is defined for you at the right. Cut could mean a cut of meat, or to cut one’s meat, or to cut fabric, or the cut of a suit. Dressing also has double meaning. In style it’s the act of putting on one’s clothes in the morning (or evening.) In food it could be something you put on salad, or an alternative to Thanksgiving stuffing.
Boerum Hill’s Apt 138 still looks the same, but their menu has changed. Chef Simon Lange has taken a step to the side and has welcomed in a partner chef who helped create a new, seasonal menu which I had the distinct pleasure of sampling last week. (more…)
Casual Sunday at Hope + Anchor
If you’re considering breakfast in Red Hook, Brooklyn without the “scene” of Fort Defiance, walk a block north to Hope + Anchor. Located at the corner of Van Brunt + Wolcott Streets, this is a classic-style diner in every sense of the word. The prices are low and the taste is high. Choose the breakfast burrito, buttermilk pancakes, or any one of the house specialty hashes. And the coffee is pretty good too!
Kristina shows me her creamer. (sweater by Banana Republic)
I contemplate the salt + pepper shakers. (Sweater by Burkman Brothers, shirt by J.Crew, jeans by Levis)
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