Okay, so many of you have probably vowed to spend 2012 in the gym working off all those winter pounds you acquired while hibernating… and while that’s all good and fine, let’s be serious. You will probably last at the gym for about a week (two tops) before going back to your old ways.  And well, that’s okay.  Promises are made to be broken, right?  Okay, okay.  You should keep your promises, but if you happen to have a cheat day and are craving a bit of comfort food, I have the perfect little place (and recipe)  to do just that.

The Meatball Shop with three locations in New York, is exactly what it sounds like.  A restaurant serving up meatballs with little fuss and lots of flavor.  With a straightforward menu (checboxes included), there are plenty of options without being overwhelming.  While I opted for a classic meatball hoagie, you could order anything from naked balls, to sliders, to spaghetti with meatballs.  There is something to to please everyone’s palate.  A small venue that doesn’t take reservations draws in celebrities and locals alike.

Can’t make it into the shop?  Here’s a recipe to make your own balls. (Their cookbook is now also available for purchase here):

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs olive oil
• 4 tbs unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup Franks Redhot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
• 1 lb ground chicken (preferably thigh meat)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 celery stalk, minced
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450.  Drizzle the olive oil into a 9×13 inch baking dish and use your hands to evenly coat the entire surface.  Set aside.
2. Combine the butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan, and cook over low heat, whisking until the butter is melted and fully incorporated.  Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes.
3. Combine the ground chicken, hot sauce mixture, egg, celery, bread crumbs, and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Roll the mixture into round, 3/4 inch balls, making sure to pack the meat firmly.  Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid.  The meatballs should be touching one another.
5. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through.  A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165 degrees.
6. Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.
7. Serve with blue cheese (or ranch) dressing.

Nice balls.
xx,
WhyDid

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While traipsing around San Francisco, running errands and popping into open houses (what? it’s okay to look), we managed to work up a little appetite.  So, we stopped in for brunch at The Tipsy Pig to grab a quick bite.  I have to say the name drew me in, but the menu is what got me to agree to stay.

To me, this place was like a grown up sports bar.  There were plenty of other restaurants and bars nearby that were filled with loud SF fans… and I really can’t be bothered with that.  The Tipsy Pig still had all the games on their several scattered TV’s, but I didn’t have to worry about a drunk  jersey clad fool falling into my breakfast.

Speaking of booze, I don’t drink beer, but I could be persuaded with the way they named their sizes: Piglet (10oz), Pint (15oz), and Tipsy Pig (20oz).  How cute is that? Oh, and apparently, they have a pretty extensive selection of beers for those of you who are interested.  Instead I opted for a Mary Pig (bloody Mary) and my dining compadre tested out the root beer float (an adult beverage version).  Both were delicious.

For our midday snack, we ordered the Pig’s Almost Famous Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese (it was good… but I’ve had better) and the Pulled Pork Sloppy Joe to share.  I was pleasantly surprised with the pulled pork and for a great recipe to try at home, click here.

So what would be a great outfit for a day of strolling and shopping?  An outfit that won’t get you thrown out of an open house, but will still be comfortable when you curl up in a booth with a bloody Mary?  I love colored skinny corduroys and a snuggly sweater.  Throw a big fringe bag over your shoulder and wedge booties (still the height without the pain) and you’re good to go.

1. Polo Ralph Lauren Aberdare Sweater, $725, 2. Blank Skinny Corduroy Pants, $86, 3. Ember Skye Tote, $468, 4. Charlotte Russe Multi Sized Metallic Bangles, $4, 5. Elizabeth and James Manor Wedge Booties, $375

Everybody’s gettin’ tipsy.

xx,

WhyDid

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I know I give San Francisco a bad rap, but I guess it’s not all bad. The do have delightful Mexican food, afterall (and I love some good Mexican food). A friend suggested we try out Mamacita in the Marina, so we obliged and were happy we did so. The place is a bit crowded on a weekend and you will probably have to wait if you don’t have a reservation. So, you’re probably going to want to go ahead and get the party started with a pitcher of pomegranate margaritas (made with pomegranate infused tequila) and a bit of the guacamole while you wait for a table. I’ve had a lot of good guacamole in my day, but never have I had any so creamy. I would love to know what they put in there to get that smooth consistency. So far, so good.

We actually didn’t have to wait as long as we’d thought and started things off with Tamales de Elote (sweet corn tamales) and Crudo de Atun (tuna tartar). Both were out. of. this. world. After gorging ourselves on appetizers , we each opted to try a different type of taco- Chuleta de Borrego (lamb), Callos de Mula (scallops), and Carnitas Cerditas (pulled pork). I would say I was the “loser” of the bunch with the pork tacos. They weren’t awful, but compared to the rest, they fell a bit flat. The word that kept coming up when testing out the other tacos was “smooth.” We were so happy with our meals that we had no room for dessert and I would absolutely head back here for my next taco fix.

So what does one wear when munching on Mexican in the Marina? This area is a bit “preppy” or maybe even “yuppy” so, most of the patrons were pretty conservatively dressed. But when’s the last time you felt the need to fit in? Keep it casual with a bit of a twist with a silky blouse, skinny jeans, and funky accessories. You’ll stand out without looking like a total outcast.

1. Ya Ya Fisher Nom De Plume Blouse, $69, 2. 7 For All Mankind Gwenevere Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, $170, 3. Jimmy Choo Peep Toe Patent Platform Pump, $695, 4. House of Harlow Val Studded Clutch, $195, 5. Kendra Scott Nasha Necklace, $145

Bonita mamacita!

xx,

WhyDid

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Yes, birthdays should last longer than just a day. I mean we’ve spent the last 364 building up to just one day?  Why not go ahead and spread one’s birthday out over a few days… a week perhaps?  Well, thanks to some super spoiling, that’s exactly what I did.  After spending the day getting royally pampered at bliss, I was whisked off to an “overnight adventure”- location TBA.

It was a beautiful night and we drove with the windows down until we reached Malibu where we turned into the Malibu Beach Inn.  Sheer bliss ensued (for the second time that day).

After checking in and settling in our cozy but well appointed room, we cranked up the fireplace and spent some time out on the balcony which overlooks the ocean.  I couldn’t believe that it was the middle of January, yet here I was at the beach.  I mean, I know I haven’t been 100% sold on Los Angeles just yet, but this weather certainly does make a strong argument.

Dinner was just downstairs at the hotel’s restaurant, Carbon Beach Club.  There is both indoor and outdoor seating, though I can’t really imagine who would want to sit inside when you could be dining almost literally on top of the ocean.  Call me crazy. Anyway, while the heaters and fire pit kept us warm, we began to order the spicy tuna tartar and caprese salad.  Both were very fresh and delicious. The spicy tuna tartar is a really different and original take on your run of the mill tartar.  For dinner we had the three cheese ravioli (um, you had me at ravioli) and the NY steak.  Again, both were insanely delicious and I had to stop myself from shoveling every last morsel of the ravioli into my mouth.  Clearly, I needed to leave room for dessert: cheesecake with fig and a lemon tart.  We left incredibly stuffed and happy. So stuffed that I conveniently slipped into a food coma while listening to the crashing waves.

I also awoke to the sound of crashing waves.  And then it was time for brunch.  Back downstairs we went.  Brunch was also a delight.  Huevos rancheros and prosciutto sandwiches are the best way to start your Sunday.  Oh- a delicious bloody Mary never hurt anyone either.  I really would have stayed there forever, but alas… it was time to depart and return to reality.  Goodbye Malibu Beach Inn… goodbye birthday week.

I will leave my bags packed until next time:

(L to R): Fluxus Nomad Scarf, $48, Bear Creek Weekender, $498, Madewell Mae Open Drape Jacket, $88, C & C Triblend Slim Jogger Pant, $26, Ray-Ban Metal Aviator, $129

xx,

WhyDid

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While in the midst of packing up the few final boxes of my New York apartment last week, my packing companion informed me he was craving a New York hot dog.  Seems reasonable.  So, of course, the first place I thought of was Crif Dogs in the East Village. They claim to be the number one weiner in the city, and I would tend to agree.

Now, it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to hot dogs, but Crif Dogs really outdid themselves in order to make sure they would not disappoint. The chihuahua (bacon wrapped dog with avocado and sour cream) is my personal fave. Couple that with some tater tots and cheese dipping sauce and you’ve got a meal made in heaven. So, let’s say you’re ready to kick it up a notch… Well, you’re in luck.  It just so happens that Crif Dogs houses a “secret” bar.  That way if your hot dog has you ready for a little more excitement, you can enter through the phonebooth located on the left wall to a little place called PDT (Please Don’t Tell).  Now, while this is probably not news to most of you, I’m going to go ahead and spell it out for those of you who aren’t familiar:

So, you go into said “phonebooth,” pick up the receiver to get the hostess on the line and ask to be seated.  If you have reservations, this shouldn’t be a problem.  Otherwise, the hostess will give you the once over and decide whether or not there is any room for you inside.

Once inside, you will have a few rules to follow, but they are totally worth it when it comes to the delicious concoctions from the bartenders (mixologists?).  Don’t bother ordering something average. You will be snubbed.  If you’d like to just cut to the chase or you get a little snacky at the bar, you can order the same hot dogs from Crif Dogs.

Crif Dogs/PDT

113 St. Marks Place

New York, NY 10009

While munching on hot dogs sounds like a pretty casual outing, you may want to spruce up a little if you want to stand a chance of getting in next door. Try a little bit of casual, elegance with a touch of East Village hipster.  (Fellas, don’t even bother coming in your suits- We saw more than a handful of rejects).

Forever 21 Trad Plaid Flannel Shirt, $12.50

Diane von Furstenberg Sequin Dax Shorts, $113

Hue Ribbed Sweater Tights, $22

Dolce Vita Hawk Lace Up Clog Booties, $265

Where my dogs at?

xx,

WhyDid

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