I am constantly reading recipes, blogs and articles about food trends, buying cookbooks and dreaming about new menus. It seems that every mini trip or vacation is only enjoyable if I have planned where we will eat and managed to try a new cuisine or restaurant. But my obsession with all things epicurean can pay a toll on my waistline. And is there anything worse than looking at each meal for calorie count instead of flavor factor or satisfaction equation? So I have to exercise and occasionally sacrifice (no dessert on one night? wah!!!!) for the cravings of my palate.
We’ve just returned from NYC for a quick couple of days and I knew when I headed there that I wanted to try a restaurant that Food & Wine listed as one of the top 10 eateries IN THE USA for Fried Chicken & Waffles, my all-time favorite brunch menu item. But my dear hubby who is also facing a food-to-waistline crisis told me there was no way he could contemplate that meal without exercise! Ladies & Gentlemen, it was 30 degrees out and our hotel bed was warm and cozy on the 27th floor overlooking Central Park, snow-lined and glistening in the sunshine. BUT...the powerful pull of Ma Peche‘s habanero fried chicken accompanied by cornmeal waffles and drizzled in maple syrup…well, let’s just say I tied on my running shoes, layered up and hit that snowy trail. There were a lot of people out there doing the same thing, although unless they followed us to 56th St and 6th Ave, I’ll bet they were not as well rewarded for trudging out there in the cold – our brunch was divine!
Here’s a great article I recently read about 4 chefs who are throwing off the notion that you have to be fat, well-fed, and hard-drinking in order to be at your prime and how they are treating their health as an important part of their careers.
Fear not – this week’s menu, while filled with warm comfort, is not heavy. I’ll still follow my usual routine – a couple of days of walking, maybe some elliptical at the gym – but I will be able to indulge in deliciousness without guilt.
Place your order via email to butterfieldgourmet@gmail.com by 10 am the day prior to desired pickup. Available pickup times this week:
Tuesday – NW Hwy & Preston, 2:30 pm, 3pm, 3:30 pm
Forest & Preston, 4:30 pm, 5pm
Wednesday – NW Hwy & Preston, 2:30 pm, 3pm, 3:30 pm
Forest & Preston, 4:30 pm, 5pm
Thursday – NW Hwy & Preston, 2:30 pm, 3pm, 3:30 pm
Forest & Preston, 4:30 pm, 5pm