the orient express

What later became synonymous with luxury travel, the Orient Express was first the long distance train service that ran across Europe from 1883 to 2009. Although the route changed some over time, vintage posters most often show Paris - Munich - Vienne - Pest - Belgrade - Constantinople. I got a taste of that journey.

We began at French Roast.

It was mid-afternoon. I savored a croissant and espresso.

My two companions enjoyed fancier fare with a café au lait and mocha.

Next we shopped our way through the West Village before coming upon a turn-of-the-century bar car on the famous train, the Orient Express.

The menu boasted classics from the traveled regions with plates like the Red Pepper Rollatini (above) and the Mediterranean Stew (below) . The cocktails are inspired by stops along it with names such as the Sleeping Car and the Nagelmackers (the founder of the original train company).  

The wine list is limited but sufficient.

But the interiors, oh the interiors! "Beneath the curved ceiling, vintage luggage racks are stacked with trunks; oak-paneled walls give the room a warmth that Agatha Christie would have approved of," says T Magazine. It is clear that the founder, Osman Cakir, is as much an antiques dealer as he is a bar proprietor.

Then we ended our trip sweetly with cookies from Magnolia Bakery. Why did we not get cupcakes, you ask? Well, if you can believe it, I'm not too big of a fan. Not to mention that none of us had  cash on us and they didn't accept credit cards. 

It was a fun little adventure we had, Liz, Christina and I. 

on-hudson

Since I didn't get a chance to post yesterday... Happy (belated) Father's Day! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful one. Mine was mostly spent in the river town of Irvington. It was beautiful, even with the clouds and humidity.

My family and I had lunch at the new and soon-to-be ridiculously successful Day Boat Café right by the train station and on the Hudson. It was nice to take Papi (as we call him) out to eat for a change, he deserved it.

The seafood restaurant is decorated like a northeastern boat house, and both my grandfather and my dad loved it. Especially with fantastic Bloody Marys and an amazing selection of fresh rolls, cornbread, and sweet butter.

For my meal I ordered a Frisee salad with goat cheese and the scallops entrée. P.S. My sister took most of the mashed potatoes before this shot :).

Then, with a family of sweet tooths (myself and my dad excluded) we no doubt ordered dessert. The first, a mixed berry pie with cream, and the second, the Boathouse Ice Cream Sandwich. Following in my daddy's footsteps I also had an espresso.

I have my dad to thank for my quirky humor, facial features, peaceful introversion, constant curiosity, support of Mexico in the World Cup, determined nature, and humble pride. As for my love of ice cream, I owe all that, and more, to my maternal grandfather. I love them both, plus mi abuelo, for all of it. Happy Monday.

stoked & sentimental for life

Hey there, good lookin'. What a past two days I've had! Pro: I crammed in everything I wanted to do. Con: I'm behind on studying for finals and preparing for final assignments. Pro: No con, no matter how important, could make me regret any of it.

Most of Saturday was spent inside the confines of my study zone. I worked on my magazine article and an iced coffee at Freedom of Espresso for the early afternoon and then made my way over to Panera for the rest of it. I've been getting excited about how well the article is coming together; Countless studies, ten interviews, seven references and three months later and I am almost done! Although I doubt I'd wish to read about fertility, infertility or acupuncture for the next hundred years, I hope you're interested in reading it eventually :). 

I also squeezed in a bit of Spanish-paper-writing and Beer-final-studying. Did you know that a good beer is essentially ruined when a slice of lemon or orange is added? Anyway, supposedly the weather was beautiful. I obviously completely missed out, but with good reason. Case in point:

Saturday night. A group of 13 girls and I went to Tokyo Seoul to celebrate our friend's second 21st birthday (otherwise known as her twenty-second birthday but who's counting?).

Despite our reservation, we were sent to the bar, before being seated, as the staff prepared our table for us. I had a glass of refreshing Pinot Grigio to keep me company.

Not too long after, it was onto the food! FYI: This Korean restaurant is popular for it's Japanese Hibachi. No questions asked, we enjoyed soups (mine was miso) and salads as watched as the chef prepared our meal right before our eyes.

Later, as I nearly cleared my plate, I was thinking about how unhealthy my dinner most likely was... and how I did not give a damn. When I think of living a healthy lifestyle, it is representative in times like this. You see, most of the time, I eat well and clean because it makes me feel my best and is ultimately better for my health, but on that same token, doing so allows me to have these out-to-dinner meals (that don't quite get the nutritionist's bill of health) without guilt. Mental well-being is just as important as, if not more so, than physical well-being. Nourish your soul.

And that is why it is important to have fun and live a little, or a lot. I did not partake in the sake-bombing at dinner (I was a driver, after all) but I certainly enjoyed watching it and once home, made up for it with a fabulously-extended night on the town Marshall Street.

STAY STOKED FOR LIFE.

Thankfully, beneath my fun-loving exterior I am quite the mature little college student, so I made sure that I was able to hop out of bed at 8 a.m. this morning. I had a race to run for me. Remember?! Breakfast was thus kept light, highly-digestible, and energizing: almond butter toast with cinnamon and banana, cut into fours because I am additionally a child at heart.

At nine, myself and three other lovely girls drove down to Clinton Square for the Mountain Goat Run.  I was pretty excited to pick up my shirt and get right up to that starting line :). 

I love the energy on race day! Without that, I doubt I would have made it through as quickly as I did (15:42). The run itself was fine, I had prepared myself well, the air, on the other hand, was disgusting. I was literally carving my way through it with each stride. 

But of course, despite our states of complete grossness, Kate and I were pretty thrilled and proud to have made it through with flying colors. Following a the entirety of a refreshing water bottle and quite a few orange slices (I felt like I was at an AYSO soccer game), we walked over to the starting line again to watch our other friends take off for their 10 miles. There were so many people, young and old. Inspirational, to say the least!

Then we made our way back to the Syracuse University campus, but not before acting our age and posing along the way.

It was a spectacular morning and I only have Kate to thank: When I found myself suddenly single, it was her that suggested I find something healthy to motivate and distract myself with. Enter my re-entry into running, and putting myself back together again. What will I do without her and everyone else in a few months?

Hi, my name is Danielle, and I apparently cry for everything. Oh yes, sentimental Sunday made an appearance once again, and multiple times this round! In addition to my last day of classes ever (this Tuesday), last final ever (next Tuesday), and my first day as a college graduate (the Sunday after next), tonight marked my last Alpha Chi Omega chapter meeting. 

I will also be moving out of the house three Mondays from now, unless I can figure out to pause time...

buongiorno amico mio

Hello sunshines. I hope you've been enjoying your weekend! As I mentioned before I'm currently spending a busy one at home with none other than the best of friends, family, and boys :). In the mean time I'd like to continue the Plates from Around the World series. It will continue to run each Saturday morning until you all stop having incredible experiences with wonderful food in amazing places. Another example, you ask? Today, as the second guest post, I'd like to welcome a  fantastic girl of my own heart, K, from K's Good Eats.

Traveling to Europe has been one of my fondest memories of my life thus far. I knew my Italian adventure would be a little different the moment I boarded the plane. Typically flights to Europe use planes that are quite large. Usually the layout is two seats, an aisle, four seats, an aisle, and then two more seats. Additionally, each seat has personal media players that allow you pass the time watching any movie your heart desires, listen to world radio stations, or play Bejeweled until you go crazy. This particular trip however? Nothing like previous flights I had been on. Think domestic flight (three seats on each side with one aisle down the center) and a shared TV screen that played one episode of The Office. I was not impressed!

Upon landing in Italy, I knew the awful Trans-Atlantic flight was worth it. It may have been sleep deprivation but as soon as I saw the sprawling vineyards, this country was going to be my favorite place I’ve been to so far. In particular the city of Venice won my heart. I was lucky to have been there during Mardi Gras – woohoo, right?! Well, their Mardi Gras is a bit different than the Mardi Gras American’s know and love.

The food? Well, any reader of my blog knows that I don’t eat very much Italian food. Since I have been spoiled with the real deal, nothing can even come close to comparing. Fresh gelato, tiramisu, pasta, bread, oil, cheese, espresso, everything! Nothing was premade or from a packaged. Our hotel chefs proudly prepared every meal from scratch that day.

The whole act of dinner is completely different from what Americans are used to. The first night we were there, in our delirious state of mind, we ended up sitting at dinner for well over 3 hours. Course after course would be brought out. Being so new to this way of life, we hardly had room come dessert – we filled up on the first course which, after the usual bread and vegetables, was an amazingly rich risotto. My first experience with the rice dish is still vividly imprinted in my mind to this day.

Being a vegetarian in Italy was quite easy. The chefs would graciously prepare a special meal for me (which I dreaded only because I didn’t like being the center of attention – the one with the “special needs”). Besides our decadent multi-course dinners, lunch would often be street food. We would either find a little café and sit outside to people watch or grab a quick bite at the many stalls they had selling ‘fast food.’ Those ‘fast food’ meals were often my favorite – pressed Panini with fresh mozzarella, olive oil, tomatoes, and basil or a baked round of bread stuffed with seasonings and cheese.

At the end of the week, I came home one well fed girl. I plan on going back at some point in my life – I couldn’t get enough of Venice while I was there. I know everyone claims that Paris is the most romantic city in the world but I beg to differ.

Oh my gorgeous, thanks so much for sharing your story K!  Have you ever been to Italy? Or possibly just love real Italian food? Who doesn't... um, yum. If you'd like to participate in this Plates from Around the World series please email a description favorite place, and your favorite foodie memory from there, along with a few photos of the place/food itself or those that were taken nearby to aroundthworld340@gmail.com. Thanks in advance, and see you in a few days with a photo-recap of my less than worldly adventures in NYC ;) I have a camera now!


P.S. I am in the October issue of Fitness magazine! And it's out! Take a look at pages 20, 22 (two places), and 110. I'm so excited :)

souvenirs

One of the first French words I ever learned was souvenirs, and it has become one of my most favorite foreign words and concepts. To me, memories seem to evoke a bittersweet nostalgia, glimpses into a remembered past; souvenirs, on the other hand, are present and real.

Souvenirs are reminders of what was and who you were without the risk in losing them. They're the kinds of things that you take away from your past experiences and hold close with you forever, treasured smells, tastes, feelings, and thoughts that you carry throughout the rest of your journey through life. 

Doesn't that make every moment and memory seem so much more special?

Ah lovely, a little Tuesday morning cultural philosophy :). As I look back, some of my fondest memories in Strasbourg are somehow food-related. Shocking. Above, Café Brant, was the location of my most diligent studying and paper-writing, in addition to e-mail replies to friends and blogging. I preferred the latter responsibilities, of course.Most of the time I enjoyed a small espresso or green tea during my time there as to save money and stay focused on the task at hand but as the semester came to a close I began to explore their menu options a bit and my favorite lunch quickly became the delectable quiche du poireaux garnished with the freshest and tastiest of salads. 

Another lovely eating establishment was located about a half a block from my apartment building, L'eden. I had been eying this adorable Lebanese restaurant from the moment I moved in! It was decorated so uniquely with beautiful views of my old neighborhood and church and the food always smelled spectacular.

Of course, it wasn't the most budget-friendly place, so my friends and I needed an occasion to splurge... the goodbye dinner with myself and my closest girlfriends gave us all the initiative we needed. Oh an it was beyond worth it! They just don't make Middle Eastern (or North African food for that matter) the same in the United States.

There were a few glitches, (they lost our reservation, Liz lost track of time, etc) but other than that it was perfect. We began by purchasing a bottle of a local Pinot Noir and reminisced over our French semester.

As for our orders, Gloria and I split the Mezze Vegetarian, an assortment of veg-friendly appetizers. Every bit was incredible, from the eggplant spread to the tabbouleh,  even to the delicious falafals that rivaled the Irish creations I had gushed over a few months before.

We were ecstatic over every bite from each small plate, even the pita triangles seemed to be better than your average flat bread.It was the ideal amount of food too, balanced in nutrients and flavors,and it left us satisfied and happy and possibly a bit disappointed in ourselves that we hadn't made it a weekly habit to come here :).Nevertheless we still wanted some dessert, (ha, there's always room,) so we split assorted Lebanese delicacies. I probably had a bite of each yummy treat, all simply fantastic, but it was the crème brûlée that literally "took the cake."

 The best souvenirs are always shared.

And that officially closes my European chapter abroad. At times, I appreciate being back home but then there are those moments in which I miss being away. I miss having the freedom to selfishly explore myself and the world around me, I miss traveling, and just because this challenging transition was expected, it doesn't mean that re-creating a place to belong is any easier. 

Having some of my closest friends graduate from college has really had me thinking about my own journey into the real world and what I want to make of it. Gosh, I have no idea who I'll be, where I'll be in a few years from now! Yet. I'm choosing to look towards that uncertainty as exciting rather than terrifying. After all I don't have to do it alone, right? With friends and souvenirs from around the world, I'll survive :). What's new with you? Happy Tuesday everyone!