Vendome Patisserie macarons...

"The only one to rival Laduree - NY Times"...and I'd say it's pretty close. Other than Kee's, I'd say this is one of my faves in the city. Laduree can be a little too sweet for me, and Kee's is the only one with 'weird' flavors like Vendome Patisserie has--I def dig the campari macaron! Julia got a bunch but I nibbled on some for research purposes...heheehehehehehe.

If I remember correctly, they're only open on the weekends (near Rucola, on 104 Bond St. in Boerum Hill)...


I can't remember all the flavors but there was your usual pistachio, jasmine, etc...

But also champagne cocktail, peanut butter, and of course...CAMPARI!! :) Mixed with what I read as "pample mousse" from my way over exposed photo :) Super friendly peeps, I like.

And...here's an obligatory shot w/ a half eaten macaron :)...

Rucola brunch...

Meant to go here for their ramps special but brunch was good too! (Strangely not crowded!)

Start out w/ my usual drinkies in ice shot:

Fontina & ham risotto cake + fried egg w/ bechamel;

Trout salad with stuff:

 

Bombolone w/ pastry cream--one of the better ones I've had since Sicily--and sfogliatella!

Pastries were really good, trout salad was meh compared to risotto cakes--the sammiches @ Rucola looked pretty spot on too!


Stickin' to my resolve to just post pics and limit the gab, YEAH!!!!!

:)

new Acme!...

New start, new rules: 1 sentence per photo, minimal formatting/post photo editing blahblahblah.
ACME!! Yummy--better portions than Isa, different path than Battersby...def worth the trip!

Sweet shrimp & bison tartare--briny, a touch of sweet, great contrasts with endive and red cabbage, bison-y is all I can put down at the moment (a little gamey? Albie didn't take to it as much but I did! Moohahahahah!):

Split pea soup--Albie's fave of the savory: pea shoots are a nice touch, as pea-esque as u can get (in a good way):


Sunchokes! My favorite--I could've sworn there was some basil or something like it in there, but there's black truffles and gruyere:

Pork cheek! Very rich, capers cut thru nicely, super tender, another savory I liked.

Seabass--not too memorable, carmelized tomatoes was a nice touch (so were bitter greens).

SWEEEEETS!!! beer & bread porridge: i'd like it a little more viscous, but it was different and tasty--not too beer-y, same taste profile as bread pudding.

Chocolate crisps (with incredibly rich chocolate ganache & some white choco ganache i think)--very strong coffee ice cream--packs a punch but clean and refreshing after something like pork cheeks!!)

Had some coffee, i wanted to pinch this sugar 'pig'!