Signs of Spring, Part I

White tree. What contrast.

White trees are all the rage.

Tiny buds springing forth.

Maple leaf imprint on sidewalk.

New house (and new tree) down the block.

Photo montage taken May 9. NHP, NY.

Spicy Hot Book

Steamy. Sizzling. Scintillating. It's all that and more.

I'm talking about the Muji Spice Taste-leaf Book.

If you're always on the go, don't have space for an expensive spice rack, or are just too lazy to bother with intricate recipes, this mess-free alternative is just the thing for you. It's brought to you by Yanko Design, the masterminds behind unconventional umbrellas and fan blades made of chicken wings. The company's M.O. is "Form Beyond Function," and Yanko works hard to deliver.




Made with edible quality paper, the taste-book comes with an assortment of spice choices, from white pepper to red chili. Simply tear the perforated edges and plop into your dish! Perfecto.

I scanned the rest of the site, and, I have to admit, my inner green bookworm yearns for one of these.

50 Cent Gelati, Italian Slices & Cannolis @ Rizzo's, Astoria

This just in: Rizzo's Fine Pizza in Astoria is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with new 50 cent specials over the next few months. All Gelati, Italian slices and cannolis are just 50 cents until May 29. Choices vary by day, but daily selections include: lemon sorbet, coconut, cherry, piña colada, Dutch chocolate, pomegranate, Mandarin orange, apricot-mango. Promotion valid in-store only.


Location:
Rizzo's Pizza
3013 Steinway St
Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.9862
www.rizzosfinepizza.com

For Mom, With Love

Happy Mother's Day!

I made French toast.

And strawberry-mango-banana fruit salad.

We really like to play banana phone.

Going for the "experimental" look.

(This may or may not have been another one of my bad ideas.)

Fulfilled.

Fuji Sunrise.

Pleasure Palate posted an excellent write-up on the new Beverly Hills opening of Fulfilled, a bakery that sells Imagawa-yaki, or Japanese pastries. A traditional "ima" has a pancake-like exterior and is filled with sweet Azuki red bean (Azuki is also perfect in pat bing soo, or Korean shaved ice with fruit). I've never tried one, but they certainly look delicious.

Best of all, they come in all kinds of flavors, both sweet and savory. In that way, they're similar to crepes. Some of the savory options include Green Ninja (spinach, feta cheese, sun dried tomato), Sumo Italiano (prosciutto di Parma, smoked ham, aged Parmesan, fresh basil) and Spicy Samurai (chicken apple sausage, pepper jack cheese, diced chili, fresh cilantro).

Are you drooling already? I know I am!

On the sweet side, there's the Fuji Sunrise (custard creme filling), Harajuku Monkey (banana and nutella) and Karaoke Kitty (strawberry, cream cheese Ghirardelli white chocolate). You'd probably enjoy the Fuji Sunrise if you like cream puffs a la Beard Papa's. Those are just a few of the Imagawa-yakis available. For the most diverse experience, I'd gather a bunch of friends and try them all!

Harajuku Girl - ergh, Monkey.

Location:
Fulfilled
9405 S. Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.860.0776
www.fulfilledpastries.com

All photos by Pleasure Palate.

Design It. Price It. Make It.

Photo by Ponoko.

Ponoko believes you can create what you envision. The company functions as a public marketplace for designers to buy and sell their goods. As such, Ponoko helps people produce their own intricate furniture, toys, electronics and "everything else."

No fees. No minimum orders. No gimmicks. Just follow a few simple steps to get started. Using design software, your own camera or a designer's expertise, you can have that very own customized monster lamp delivered to your door. Or how about a fortune cookie Christmas ornament? Luckily, Ponoko's products are as functional as they are fashionable. This swallow necklace caught my eye.

If I were a kid again, I'd totally want this psychedelic choo-choo train for my birthday. Just be careful with the Nintendo zapper...

Plus, Ponoko recycles and reuses materials, so it's good for the environment too! For customized swim caps, pillows and other design musings, check out their blog. Ponoko was recently featured in Treehugger's Green Gift Guide.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

1. Red Velvet Cupcakes, made by Emily for our coffeehouse in April. And it was her first time baking them! These were my far the best dessert of the night. Look at all that homemade love.




2. Ban-chan. Because a true Korean meal just isn't the same without it. You've got your choice of black beans, kimchi, dried squid, sausage & asparagus, silky tofu and the requisite leafy salad with ginger dressing. (I think I may be secretly Korean.)




3. Pork Gopdol (stone bowl) Bibimbap. Please excuse the blurriness, which was due to all the hot steam rising from the dish. This version was lacking in the sweet and spicy department (Chef - what happened to your taste buds tonight?) but it didn't fail to fill me up. Gotta love that grub! (Han-gang; 34 West 32nd St; New York, 212.736.0099).

Note: I ate this pre-Swine Flu, so I had no problems with the pork.




4. Tomato soup, made in my very own kitchen. You, too, can make it yourself. Adjust the black pepper to your liking. Also, I find this soup pares well with grilled cheese-bacon-mushroom sandwiches. A wonderful meal on a rainy day, just like the ones Mom used to make.




5. New York mushroom slices. Take a look at the middle slice - big love! Generous New York portions.