The Grand Gourmand

Treetop Dining!

Grand Gourmand — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:02:29 +0000

We interrupt this hiatus for a very important special announcement.

A Short Hiatus

Grand Gourmand — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:14:08 +0000

It’s looking like growing food in the backyard will be a much bigger endeavor and time investment than I had planned for initially. The BF and I keep digging up some unexpected surprises. Both large and small.

The BF discovered these lovely vintage bottles.

While pulling up weeds I have found lots of snails, a variety of worms, and ladybugs. All signs of quality dirt.

And then the BF dug up a kitchen table top, bath mats, plastic containers, and rugs from what we believe looks like the 70′s. Who buries their kitchen in the backyard??! Maybe after we dig everything up, I will do a follow up post with pics. We basically have a landfill just a few inches under the “good” dirt. I will be back soon. Taking a short hiatus to sort out the backyard. Hopefully we will find gold bricks instead of human bones or a sofa!

New Food Pictures

Grand Gourmand — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:06:06 +0000

Here are new food pictures from some recent recipe testing. I will be posting and updating the blog over the weekend. Sorry for the pause, things are a little bit busy this way!

And the winner is…

Grand Gourmand — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:13:26 +0000

We just pulled a name from a hat… Gregory Taddeo you are one lucky duck! CONGRATS!

We raised $755 and a few more donations are still rolling in too. Just fyi, the link will remain live until May 27.

Again, thank you to everyone who donated money or gifts!!!

Donate $10 To City Harvest & We Will Enter You In A Raffle For An AMAZING Gift Bag

Grand Gourmand — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:12:14 +0000

Anyone who donates at least $10 to our team’s online City Harvest link will be entered in a raffle for a gift bag generously sponsored by YumYum Chefs, Sony Music, Turner PR, The Takedown, and Brooklyn Fare.

Just a few of the prizes include:

Lunch for two delivered to your home of office from YY2GO

2 tickets to the Ice Cream Takedown

CDs from Sony Music

$25 AMC Movie Gift Card

T-shirts from Airwalk, One Tribe, and K-Swiss

$10 Brooklyn Fare Gift Certificate

We will leave the link up until 10 a.m. May 13th and announce the name of the lucky duck that evening by 8 p.m.

Click here to donate and please feel free to re post, share etc. We also have collection bags at Brooklyn Wine Exchange, Saxelby Cheese (LES), and Love Thy Pet.

Raising Money For City Harvest!

Grand Gourmand — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:51:07 +0000

With the increased demand for food assistance, in light of budget cuts and lay offs, City Harvest could really use some help. They feed up to 260,000 families per week. This year they will pick up and deliver up to 26 million pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste.

A donation to the link below will help provide groceries or meals to hungry children and families. Contributions will immediately go to work to help meet the increased demand for safe, nutritious food.

Click here to donate online.

There is an *other* option listed under the suggested amounts for those who want to donate less (or more!) than the suggested amounts. If anyone feels uneasy about paying online, or wants to help out, please email me at: thegrandgourmand@gmail.com

I am also in the process of setting up City Harvest branded paper bags at local businesses and will have a list up next week!

Aint no party like a Cinco de Mayo party!

Grand Gourmand — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:48:47 +0000

While sending out an email about meeting up for tacos, Elevators by Outkast came to mind. Me and you, your mama and a taco too…

The choices for our Mexican feasting tonight include:

The Bellhouse Guactacular event is sold out or that would have been an option as well.

Hoping the BF will make it. He has more dental work today and I am still trying to convince him that margaritas and guacamole are acceptable soft foods.

Kakes: New Wedding Cake Designers in Cobble Hill

Grand Gourmand — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:13:13 +0000

Spotted this on Sackett St. between Hicks St. and Henry St.

I love living in a neighborhood that’s bursting with creative entrepreneurs.

This was on the door. The website is: www.kakesnyc.com

One of the perks to life in New York are these kinds of little unexpected covert surprises. The window display put a smile on many sullen faces as they walked by. Sometimes something so simple can bring a bit of cheer to a dull day or schlep home. I hope Kakes does well and look forward to more lovely window displays.

Beet It T-shirt

Grand Gourmand — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:50:58 +0000

Working with beets can be a little messy.

Mile End Delicatessen in Boerum Hill Brooklyn

Grand Gourmand — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:45:01 +0000

I really did have every intention of dropping by Mile End Delicatessen sooner. Now, they may never get rid of me! The food was great. Good quality brisket and the technique of curing, smoking, and steaming makes for one incredible melt in your mouth experience. The space is sun filled and small but cozy. Attentive, bright, and sincere staff. Great vibe. One fair warning though, the smoked meats are not available until after 12 and they do sell out on some days. If you plan to make a trip over for the smoky goodness I would aim to get there close to 12 or check their Twitter feed for status updates at http://twitter.com/mileendbrooklyn.

The walk over…

The nifty pick up window for orders to go…

Dinner service starts in May. I tried some of the smoky duck they were testing. Delicious!

Slaw and pickles, all made in house. And poutine! Hand cut crispy fries, cheese curds, and mushroom gravy…