Guinness St. Patrick’s Day Beer and Food Pairing

Socially Superlative
March 17, 2011

Who knew hump day could be so enthralling? Mine certainly was, as I spent yesterday evening learning about Guinness from Guinness Master Brewer and resident Dubliner Fergal Murray himself. Taylor, who conveniently have their offices located in the Empire State Building provided an intimate tasting and dining experience for the fifteen invited guests.

A proud Irish citizen myself, I jumped at the chance to meet Fergal and learn more about his craft. During college, I remember visiting Dublin and taking a tour of the infamous Guinness Factory. The only difference was that instead of drinking a Guinness overlooking Dublin, I was in the world’s most famous building overlooking New York.

Before the official tasting began, we were offered a beer to start us off. All of a sudden I started feeling a bit tipsy. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the alcoholic content was slightly more that 7 percent. That certainly explained some of my giddiness throughout the evening.

The first plate consisted of a Smoked Salmon Platter paired with Guinness Extra Stout. Although I never thought to eat salmon while nursing a Guinness, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. The balance of the different flavors agreed with my palate quite well. Second, Murray paired Guinness Braised Bottomless Short Ribs with the regular Guinness Draught. Again, a clever pairing and one I would not have been able to conjure up.

Finally, Oysters on the Half Shell were paired with Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This is the same beer I chose to start the evening off with, and before our plates were even brought out I noticed several water bottles had suddenly appeared in the center of the table. I guess I wasn’t the only one feeling a buzz.
The tasting concluded with pairing the same Guinness Foreign Extra Stout with a plate of various cheeses, delicious chocolates and fruit. I have quite the sweet tooth so I certainly helped myself to several of these desserts.

It proved to be one of those New York City nights; the ones that make living here like nowhere else. Murray is as witty as he is knowledgeable about Guinness and was a pleasure to meet. It was a great pre-celebration of St. Patrick’s Day for sure!

- Megan Eileen McDonough


http://sociallysuperlative.com/2011/03/17/guinness-st-patricks-day-beer-and-food-pairing/

Featuring: Moda Restaurant and Lounge

Socially Superlative
January 19, 2011

Earlier this week, Socially Superlative checked out Moda, the trendy Italian/Mediterranean restaurant and lounge inside the Flatotel on West 52nd Street. Their slogan immediately caught our eye: “Where food is to wine what fashion is to style.”

Moda’s décor definitely had style. Rows of comfortable leather sofas, each uniquely decorated with cool colors and elaborate prints, fill the lounge area that leads into their dining room.

Upon being seated, we were immediately introduced to Sergio, our attentive and very knowledgeable waiter for the evening. We started off with their cocktail list: the French Martini and the Raspberry Caipiroska.

The French Martini proved to be a perfect combination of flavor to alcohol content, but the Caipiroska (a Caipirinha with vodka instead of rum), bordered on being too sweet with the use of Stoli Razberi. Later on in the meal, we had white wine with recommendations from Sergio, one sweet and one dry, which completemented our meal and our personal tastes.

While waiting for our starters, we munched on the plate of delicious homemade Focaccia bread infused with EVOO and topped with parmesan cheese. Next up was their Butternut Squash soup with fennel and mascarpone. The mix of subtle spices and healthy ingredients gave the soup a nice consistency.

Their speciality salad was the arugula salad with beets, grapes, tomatoes, and warm goat cheese with balsamic dressing. The ingredients were very fresh and were well seasoned, the toppings of the salad providing a great contrast to the bitter arugula. Our final starter was the fried crab cakes dressed with a tangy mayo herb aoili sauce.

At this point we were already completely full, but next up were the restaurant’s specialty entrees based on Sergio’s recommendations. The Fra Diavolo angel hair pasta with shrimp had a fantastic kick in the spicy marinara sauce. We were told that Executive Chef Ishmail Mutazz has experience in Thai cuisine, which most likely accounts for the great energy in the flavor.

We then got a crash course on European seabass for the Seared Branzino, cooked medium-rare with a side of roasted rosemary thyme potato fingerlings.

We ended our meal by indulging in dessert. The Home-Made Tiramisu came in a glass mug, appropriately so since it was more of a pudding consistency as opposed to a rigid cake. The creamy tiramisu was delicious, but it came with a huge dollop of whipped cream on top that was overpowering with sweetness.

The Warm Chocolate Lava Cake was drizzled lightly with caramel sauce. Both desserts were garnished with a pink and white chocolate straw, a playful and cheerful detail. We chased dessert with a flavorful cappuccino to wake us from our food coma.

In the warm weather, there is a large outdoor seating area with a separate bar. We’ll definitely be back over the summer to enjoy their specialty cocktails, either the Tuscan Pear (Grey Goose Le Poire Vodka, Domaine de Canton, Limoncello) or the Grapefruit Basil Martini (Hendricks Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Fresh Basil). We’ll save you a seat!

Yours,
Megan and Von




http://sociallysuperlative.com/2011/01/19/featuring-moda-restaurant-and-lounge/

Featuring: Eddie’s Pizza Truck

Socially Superlative
December 20, 2010

The first time I heard of Eddie’s Pizza Truck was this past summer from an intern working at our company. Originally from Long Island where Eddie’s first opened, he raved about the quality of their pies. Since then, I’ve been meaning to taste their pizza and decide for myself.

Featured during NYC Wine & Food Festival, an event hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Eddie’s Pizza Truck received favorable reviews for its debut. After many requests to open a Manhattan location, the pizza company set out to conquer the trendy New York borough. Believing that being mobile was the most effective way to reach as many people as possible, Eddie’s decided on a Bar Pie on-the-go serving style. 
 


This past Friday I put my taste buds to the test. Nestled on Park Ave, between 26th and 27th streets, the bright red truck was hard to miss. Well actually it was parked right next to another red truck, causing momentary confusion as to which truck to approach. The Top 40 music blasting from inside and fan photos posted on the outside paint made it clear which truck belonged to Eddie’s.

Being very hungry but feeling less daring, a co-worker and I ordered the 16’ large, whole-wheat pie with half cheese and half pepperoni. We waited about 15 minutes for our lunch, which in the cold winter months seemed a bit long. On the flip side, at least the workers were handling our pizza with care.
 


Back at the office, we chowed down our pie. I usually tend to prefer thicker crusts, especially when I am starving but I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of Eddie’s recipe. I later learned that a 10’ personal pie from Eddie’s is only 270 calories. That’s pretty hard to beat health-wise and also proves to be a good selling point in a city with such a competitive pizza industry.

Eddie’s Pizza Truck is also a favorite of the Entourage cast, featured in episode 1 of season 2, The Boys are Back in Town. In this episode, Turtle, aka Jerry Ferrara, has authentic New York style foods, including Eddie’s pizza, shipped to their bachelor pad.

-Megan Eileen McDonough


http://sociallysuperlative.com/category/food-and-beverage/

Custo Barcelona: Spring 2011 Runway

Socially Superlative
September 14, 2010

Time sure flies when you’re having fun and despite the stone-cold expressions of the models at the Custo Barcelona show this past Sunday, they must have been enjoying themselves because they were flying down the runway. Although many of my photos ended up a blurry mess, it was hard to look away from this eye-catching collection.

Unlike the average New Yorker, Custo Dalmau is not afraid to use color – and lots of it. True to his design aesthetic, there was not a solid color in sight. Each garment was bright, bold, and anything but boring.

Flowing dresses, billowy shorts, feather embellishments, and glamorous heels all graced the runway. Sunglasses and beach-styled hair completed each look. Custo’s loose-fitting designs are both comfortable and sexy at the same time. He allows women to look beautiful without feeling constricted.

Dalmau wanted to create a world where fantasy and reality meet. Based upon the fact that I let my mind wander away from the crowded tent at Lincoln Center to the bohemian beaches of Barcelona, I’d say he succeeded.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


Images via Elle.com

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/09/14/custo-barcelona-spring-2011-runway/

Elise Overland: Spring 2011 Runway

Socially Superlative
September 13, 2010

Elise Overland has emerged as one of my favorite designers. After falling in love with her winter collection last season, I eagerly anticipated her show at Exit Art this past Sunday.

Inspired by a 60s Mod look, Overland created a balance of vintage styles mixed with modern silhouettes and bold colors, all while experimenting with geometric design and proportion.

In the words of Rachel Zoe, “I die.” And speaking of Miss Zoe, her trusty Style Director Brad Goreski was in the front row along with Kelly Osbourne and Nicky Hilton. Despite my love for Brad, I was able to take my eyes off of him during the show, and that is saying a lot coming from me.

Overland’s leather mini-skirts, form-fitting pants, cropped jackets along with her inclusion of color block were used in several looks. Ankle high boots and bright neons and blues flittered in between her neutral colored garments.

Elise’s hard, leather pieces paired with softer, more feminine silhouettes allow women to look edgy and sophisticated at the same time. All women want a hint of mystery, and Overland certainly knows how to achieve this to great avail.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


Images via WWD.

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/09/13/elise-overland-spring-2011-presentation-2/

PAPER Magazine and Ray-Ban: Hanson Concert

Socially Superlative
September 8, 2010

Last night, PAPER Magazine and Ray-Ban successfully hosted a violence-free Hanson concert. You may recall that their first attempt back in June was a disaster to say the least. After a couple of rowdy Drake/Hanson fans decided to drunkenly throw chairs from a balcony at Southstreet Seaport onto the crowds standing below, the concert was obviously cancelled. I peaced out way before the debacle escaladed. I like Hanson but I don’t like them THAT much.

Despite a slight fear of history repeating itself, I eagerly headed to the beautiful Roseland Ballroom, where the concert was held. British sensation Dan Black started off the night a bit shaky. Struggling with the sound system, or should I say lack-there-of, he eventually gave up and put on the best set he could. I quite enjoyed his beats and his witty banter with the audience in between songs. The Brit can certainly dance, creating moves I didn’t even know existed.

aking the stage next were DJ Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe. Moe’s exceptional violin talent paired with DJ Moretti’s dance-heavy Top 40 beats proved a popular combination. Opening with La Roux and ending with Lady Gaga re-mixes, I wished their set had lasted far longer.

Before I knew it Hanson was already on stage playing songs I hardly recognized. Taylor was dressed like a preppy sailer, wearing khaki pants, a skin-tight shirt, and… suspenders? I must have missed the memo. Isaac looked awkward just as I remembered him being, and Zach was wearing…well…probably the same styled shirt as he did in his MMMBop days.

I must confess that this blast from the past put me in an elated mood. Hearing my favorite Hanson song “If Only” made me giggle like the carefree ten year old girl I used to be. I left with a giddy crush on Taylor. I guess there is just no getting over him.

- Megan Eileen McDonough

Photos via Guest of a Guest

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/09/08/paper-magazine-and-ray-ban-sounds-like-paper-with-hanson-dan-black-mia-moretti-and-caitlin-moe-2/

Linnaean Libation League: Centennial Soiree at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Socially Superlative
August 17, 2010

This past Thursday on August 12th, 2010, the Linnaean Libation League threw the Centennial Soiree at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Although the rainy weather threatened to put a damper on the evening, that did not stop guests from arriving in their vintage 1910-inspired attire.

Attendees enjoyed a classic game of croquet on Cherry Esplanade. As I watched guests awkwardly strike the stubborn ball into the target I couldn’t help but be reminded of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, where the game is played with the crazy queen and her poor, suffering flamingos. If I had been wearing proper rain boots I would have given the game a shot. It certainly looked fun from the bench where my friend and I were perched.

Those not partaking in the outdoor activity enjoyed delicious Chandon champagne with lemon and sugar flavoring as they snacked on fresh vegetables. Dessert was provided by Melt Bakery. Despite eating several of their delicious peach-bourbon ice cream cookie sandwiches at a different event the night before, they still managed to satisfy my sweet tooth.

The second portion of the night was held at the Lily Pool Terrace. The walk from Cherry Esplanade to the Terrace once again made me think of Alice as she chases the White Rabbit all around, until eventually falling into her Wonderland.

Once inside the beautifully lit venue, Saranac and Hendrick’s cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were offered to guests as they took their seats. The first sight to catch my eye was a magnificently decorated cake from Elegantly Iced. The masterpiece was stationed in the center of the room, silently commanding attention from all its admirers.

Upon leaving the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, I also quietly departed from my own little Wonderland and back into modern reality.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


[Photos via Linnaean Libation League]

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/08/17/linnaean-libation-league-centennial-soiree-at-the-brooklyn-botanical-gardens/