Category Archives: Food Photography

The Farmhouse at Bedford Post

The Farmhouse at Bedford Post  is a pretty little jewel up in the 914 area code. The spiel is that Richard Gere is part owner and does show up from time to time, but I’m not sure if they taught their valet guy to ask guests if they’re “Looking for Richard?” The service was decent, and the food was okay for a $75 five-course tasting menu. That evening it was comprised of stracciatella beet salad, ricotta pansotti, steamed cod and citrus, “suckling pig” with fig and marjoram, and an apple tart with creme fraiche gelati. Note the quotes on the suckling pig, it’s hard to please Asians who are aware of how tender and creamy an actual suckling pig tastes. This was just pig (sorry!). The stracciatella was good, as was the ricotta pansotti (sufficiently truffled!). The cod was of an interesting gelatinous texture and a little greasy. Mine was very salty while others on the table felt theirs was bland. The tart was very good but was three times larger than it should be. It’s difficult when the dessert is bigger than all the courses. And two of the people at the table felt the gelati was contaminated with onions. Oh no!
I’m still a fan of pretty food photos but I was a little disappointed. Given that at $75 it wasn’t so painful, but apparently there aren’t a lot of nice places in that area so this must be a nice addition to the neighborhood. Unfortunately it’s not a place I would drive from the city to dine at again. As for little out of the city detours touting the whole farm-to-table bit, I still prefer (and adore) Blue Hill at Stone Barns for dinner or brunch. Bedford Post could learn a thing or two from that lovely place.
But if you live up there, I don’t see why Bedford Post wouldn’t be worth a shot.
A bread basket.  I enjoyed the cranberry bread on the right, though as always
I wish restaurants would serve their bread warm. It shouldn’t be that hard.
Pretty table flowers.
Not so pretty dining flowers. 
Parmesan cookie appetizer things.
Stracciatella (a torn apart mozzarella mixed with cream), beets and olive oil.
Pansotti (triangular-shaped ravioli) with ricotta, black truffles, and cheese. 
Cod, citrus and marjoram.
“Suckling” pig, fig, pomegranate.
Pork, yukon potatoes, brussels sprouts
I liked the copper ramekins. Yukon potatoes.
Brussels sprouts, walnuts, cinnamon.
Apple tart and creme fraiche gelati. 

Blue Hill at Stone Barns – Brunch

Blue Hill at Stone Barns still remains one of my most favorite dining experiences in the NYC area, even if it’s actually about an hour’s drive from the city. We came here once before for Blue Hill’s eight-course dinner and had a great time and were inspired to try their brunch (Farmer’s Lunch at $88). As always the service was thoughtful and attentive. An added bonus: upon reaching the front after your meal, your coats are ready and they know who gets which coat, and your car is up front and warmed up! The food here consistent, beautiful and impeccable. Please enjoy our revisit’s documentation below:

Photos of the stone barns.

Main dining room, brunch.
Baked sweet potato and thyme leaves hanging on a steel tree.

Beet burgers on a bed of sesame seeds.
Pork rinds on a bed of nails.
Always the highlight – liver terrine and chocolate caramel.
Maple syrup soda.
Farm greens, mushrooms, radish and a crispy soft boiled egg.
Brook trout, Maine crab, endive and citrus.
Beef heart and grits.
Venison, roots and fruit.
Coffee condiments.
Port cheese beignet, bosque pear, candied chestnuts and maple syrup ice cream.
Nice farm decor.
Saying hi to my farm dog. đŸ™‚

Oia, Santorini: Taverna at the Bottom of the Cliff


Oia is a hilltop town in Santorini, Greece


The trek down to the water may be steep and cumbersome
especially in the evening when there is no light.
Some people ride mules to get down.


There are several tavernas at the bottom, as one can see to the right.


We chose one that had octopus grilling in the glare of the setting sun.

And a view of the sunset cruise.

Grilled octopus to share.

Hummus and tzatziki delights.

A couple of grilled whole fish.

Homemade Pho

A lady who can make pho will have my heart.
Pho is a vietnamese noodle soup with a base of beef soup bones, broth, burnt onions, anise, and other herbs served with vermicelli, mung bean sprouts, cilantro and basil. Love the bone marrow in this photo.

Broth in a stockpot that has been cooking all day.

Cooked and raw beef slices on a bed of vermicelli waiting for the hot broth.
Yum <3
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Arroz Caldo Dinner, New Year’s Day

Arroz caldo is a Filipino rice porridge in a chicken base, a popular dish to celebrate the New Year 
because the expansion of the rice when cooked symbolizes growth and prosperity.

Chop up some garlic, onions and ginger.

An uncle once said, “The secret to making good arroz caldo is to wash the chicken very, very well.”
It really makes a difference.

Washed chicken pieces.
Saute garlic, ginger and onions until garlic is brown and onions are clear.

Add chicken and coat with oil.

Add rice.
The chef says that the secret is to coat the rice with all the sauteed chicken goodness.
Add broth and simmer on low heat for two hours, skimming the top every so often.
Chop up some scallions for topping.

Key toppings include scallions, fried garlic, lemon juice.

For the occasion we opened a 2003 Cakebread Cab we’ve had since a Napa trip in 2006.

For appetizers we had rye crackers, truffle honey and Hungarian duck liver pate.

Drizzle some good stuff.

I love these hand-carved glasses.

Ladle on the arroz.

Nothing compares to this.

Aling Rosing’s Chicken Arroz Caldo

1/2 head garlic, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 medium sized ginger, sliced into strips
10 chicken pieces, washed and dried
2 cup white jasmine rice
2 chicken bouillons
bottled fried garlic
scallions, chopped
lemon slices
fish sauce
In a 10 liter stock pot, saute ginger, garlic and onion until onion is clear. Add chicken pieces and coat with oil for about five minutes. Add rice and coat with oil. This is a very important step that allows the rice to take in the flavors of the chicken and oil. Allow to cook for five minutes, stirring to prevent sticking to the pot. Add bouillons and water up to three-fourths the pot’s height (7.5 liter mark). Simmer on low heat while mixing often to prevent sticking. Do not allow to boil over. Cook for about two hours until rice is broken. This version results in a soupy kind of arroz caldo, so add more rice if you want it coarse and thick like a risotto. Top with scallions, fried garlic and lemon juice. This recipe is huge (serves eight), so adjust portions accordingly for a smaller pot.
Enjoy!
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