Five Lessons Learned During My First Week in NYC

Posted on May 25, 2013 by gourmetgab

1. People don’t make eye contact on the streets. It’s game face from point A to point B. No smiling, no saying “sorry” and no chit-chat. I’ve got places to go and people to see!

2. Just because you get off at the right Metro stop does not mean you can walk up the closest flight of stairs and magically be at your destination. Your next challenge after navigating the subway is finding the right street exit. In the 10 times I have taken the metro to or from work this week, I have ventured on a different route every time. On Friday I finally figured out which one works best…finally!

3. The noise never stops. Cars driving, subways rushing, feet walking. Judging from the noises I hear from my apartment window, I can tell sirens and horns are going to be the soundtrack of my summer.

4. Even if you’re not in a hurry, walk fast and act like you are…it’s more fun. Plus, there is always a sea of humanity bumper car racing around you. Might as well win the race!

5. Never leave for work in the shoes you actually plan to wear all day, unless they are absolutely 100% pain-free. Women carry their work shoes and wear a pair of sneakers or flip-flops regardless of the clashing outfit combination. It makes the commute much less fussy and saves the tootsies from unneeded blisters.

Any plans for Memorial Day weekend? Unfortunately it’s been chilly and rainy here, but I’m hoping to catch some sunshine rays by Sunday or Monday. Central Park is calling my name. I may even get to visit the Hamptons…cannot wait to share! Safe travels.

Love food. Love self. Love life.

Gabriela

Food Network Intern Diaries

Posted on May 22, 2013 by gourmetgab

Greetings from the Big Apple! I am beyond thrilled to announce that I will be working at the Food Network and Cooking Channel this summer as an Online Editorial Intern. I will be eating my way through the city, exploring the incredible culture and learning from the best culinary resource in the media. I completed two full days so far and already love the people I work with, talking about food for 8 hours a day and especially Chelsea Market.

Chelsea Market will be my stomping ground for the next few months. It’s a food court slash boutique slash office complex. Originally it was home to National Biscuit Company so it still has the old-fashioned factory-like charm, exposed brick walls and rustic touches. Right when you walk in you can see what other companies are housed upstairs. I spy Food Network!

It is honestly surreal to think that I am working in the same office as the people who run my favorite channel! I am optimistically hoping that I will run into Bobby Flay in the Food Network Test Kitchens or get to talk to Giada De Laurentiis, my all-time favorite Food Network icon. Who knows, maybe I’ll get behind-the-scenes scoop of The Next Food Network Star or get to sample the creations from Chopped. Fingers crossed!

I promise to share everything that I am working on, like photo slide shows I create or Healthy Eats blog posts I edit. You just have to promise to follow along in my adventures and recommend fun things to do or amazing places to dine in the city. I haven’t been to New York since I was ten, so I am ready to absorb the East Coast lifestyle and jump into the quick-pace lifestyle!

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The weather has been rather cool and breezy lately, minus a few days or rain–not my favorite. My curly locks have expanded into a fluffy little fro thanks to the humidity. I cannot even imagine what my hair will look like at the end of July! Pictures to come, even at the cost of my potential embarrassment.

Tonight my friend and I walked along the High Line, a public park that spans two miles along old railroad tracks on the West Side in Chelsea. It is so unique and was filled with people soaking up the evening sunset. Rows of beautiful plants and trees line the tracks and every once in a while, a piece of public art pops out. I loved the colors in this remake on the classic V-J Day in Times Square photo.

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This is only the beginning of an amazing two and a half months in the Big Apple. I will be sharing stories, restaurant experiences and travel posts with you while I am here, so make sure to check back regularly! Since I am surrounded by recipes all day at work, I hope I pick up a good handful of cooking tips to share with you. I am so excited for all that is to come!

Love food. Love self. Love life.

Gabriela

P.S.
I will be Tweeting and posting Instagrams on @Gourmet_Gab, so be sure to keep up with me there! Don’t forget to like the Gourmet Gab Facebook page, so you can see photos and posts.

The Hidden Gems of Eugene, Oregon

Posted on February 19, 2013 by gourmetgab

Eugene, Oregon has certainly found its niche in the world of cuisine. The city’s locally owned, speciality restaurants thrive–and thrive off customers who are willing to take old classics to new levels. Last weekend I visited my boyfriend, Alexander, at the University of Oregon and we had so much fun exploring the food joints that add their own spin to the menu.

Off the Waffle left an impact on me that keeps my mouth-watering. Their sweet, savory and off-the-wall Liege Waffles sounded crazy on the menu, but turned out unquestionably genius. Alexander ordered the “Goat in the Headlights” with avocado, sunny side up eggs and fresh basil. I ordered the “Be Brie-Peared” (so clever!) with pear, caramelized onions, melted Brie and a maple-balsamic glaze. Both were incredible and included the most interesting, complementary flavors.

Two brothers started Off the Waffle to share the authentic Liege waffles that they grew up eating in Belgium. Liege waffles are special due to the chunks of pearl sugar that crystalizes in the batter during cooking. I am on a mission to learn how to replicate these pastry like waffles. They brought me back to my trip to Brussels, Belgium last year!

Lunch at Cafe Zenon was classy, gourmet and just right for a chilly afternoon. I ordered the grilled cheese and loved the simple pairing of house-smoked cheddar cheese and crisp, buttery white bread. The side soup of French Onion Lentil with Sausage was bursting with flavor. Meshing the saltiness of fresh onion soup with zesty sausage took a potentially boring lentil soup to a gourmet level.

Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen transported me from Eugene right into the heart of the South. With classics like BBQ pulled pork and chicken, fried okra, mac-and-cheese, and Kool-Aid, it wasn’t hard not to feel the authenticity of the food. I ordered the BBQ Chicken Sandwich, which was awesome. The meat was tender, the sauce was sweet and the crispy cole slaw added the perfect crunch.

How clever is Papa’s menu design? It completely beats a boring list of food typed in Times New Roman. (Graphic design nerd alert!) Make sure to arrive before the dinner rush, seating is sparse and the food is popular!

Have you visited Eugene, Oregon before? If so where are your favorite restaurants? I am looking forward to doing some more research and exploring the other hidden gems that make Eugene’s food community stand out.

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela