Lunchtime Links for May 1st, 2013

• Serious Eats: Potato chip cookies. 
• Kathy YL Chan: Bouchon Bakery sweets. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Peanutty Buckeye bars. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella custard pie. 
• Oh, Ladycakes: Yellow cake with creamy chocolate frosting.

Lunchtime Links for December 20th, 2012

• Two Peas and Their Pod: Mini hot cocoa cookies. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Ad Hoc fried chicken. 
• Cookies & Cups: Crock pot candy. 
• How Sweet It Is: Salted dark chocolate truffle cookies. 
• Gossip Girl: 26 memorable style moments. 

Lunchtime Links for December 5th, 2012

• Serious Eats: Epic Smokehouse in Arlington, VA. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Gingerbread Oreo blondies. 
• How Sweet It Is: Creamy tomato and chicken baked penne.
• Eat, Live, Run: Banana pudding sandwich cookies. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Bouchon's chocolate chip cookies. 

Lunchtime Links for December 14th, 2011

• The Kitchn: 10 spiced cookies.
• The Budget Babe: Theory cable knit sweater. 
• Serious Eats: Homemade Milano cookies.
• Kathy YL Chan: Bouchon's bouchons. 
• I Am Baker: Tangled Christmas lights cupcakes.

Lunchtime Links for September 14th, 2011

• Jersey Shore: Recap from TVGasm.
• I Really Like Food: Review of the Ciao Bella s'mores gelato. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Thomas Keller's brioche bread.
• In Good Taste: Grilled Caesar salad. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Steakhouse pizza.

Lunchtime Links for September 12th, 2011

• Eat Drink Pretty: Spring rolls.
• Most Eligible Dallas: Recap from TVGasm.
• Annie's Eats: Pumpkin spice pancakes.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Bouchon Bakery. 
• The Budget Babe: Sally Hansen's Halloween nails.  

Lunchtime Links for August 22nd, 2011

• Jersey Shore: Recap from TVGasm.
• Ohdedoh: 10 items to buy with a craft store coupon. 
• Peanut Butter & Co.: Peanut butter cake with caramelized bananas and chocolate.
• The Budget Babe: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall 2011.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Chocolate bouchon.

Bouchon Bakery - Macaron & TKO Cookie

Thank you S for the tasty treats from NYC's Bouchon Bakery!!!!! 

Up at the top we've the got the famous TKO cookie, aka Chef Thomas Keller's version of an Oreo.  Isn't it super cute?? 

And here we have one of the bakery's macarons - they are a little larger than most macarons, but that definitely doesn't affect the taste.  A crisp shell surrounding a smooth filling, yum yum.  I <3 Bouchon Bakery!

Lunchtime Links for March 28th, 2011

• Serious Eats: Yeah! Burger in Atlanta.
• The Budget Babe: Trench coat roundup. 
• The Kitchn: Pasta with cauliflower, sausage, and bread crumbs.
• Bethenny Ever After: Recap from TVGasm. 
• Michael Ruhlman: Behind the scenes at Bouchon Bakery.

Lunchtime Links for October 29th, 2010

• The Kitchn: Cupcake bars.
• Jersey Shore: Recap from TVGasm.
• Blondie & Brownie: Brunch at the Breslin.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella chocolate chip cookies.
• Serious Eats: Halloween treats at Bouchon Bakery.

Trader Joe's Macarons

 

I first heard about the elusive Trader Joe's Macarons in a Serious Eats and totally wanted to try them as soon as I could get my hands on them.  Which, as it turns out, was harder than I expected.  I couldn't find them at either of the two Trader Joe's by me, and had pretty much given up after a few sporadic visits.

Just as I had pretty much given up on them, I stopped into a Trader Joe's in NJ with my mom one weekend- and there they were!!!  I quickly snagged a box, and brought it back in a cooler with me to Maryland at the end of the weekend.  The box recommends taking out however many you want and thawing them at room temperature before eating.  However, I (along with my friend A) have found that the Vanilla macarons taste really good frozen/not thawed out, sort of like a custard-y sweet ice cream-ish treat.  I personally like the Vanilla macaron more, because it's a v. specific Vanilla taste that is similar to a vanilla custard they use in Japanese ice cream, snacks, and pastries.  Loves it! 

 

Both flavors are good though, surprisingly so for being a frozen macaron, haha.  I'm no way near a macaron expert- I've only had them a few times, including Bouchon Bakery in NYC, but I don't really know enough about different brands/types at all.  Just saying that these (if you can find them) are a great snack/dessert item to keep around for a quick sweets fix, and/or bring to a dinner party to share.  I just hope they eventually start carrying them at the Trader Joe's stores that are actually close to me!

Ad Hoc Cookbook

 

<3 Thomas Keller <3

Like many food-lovers I know, I loooooove collecting cookbooks.  And I really mean "collect", as I unfortunately wind up oohing and aahing over the photographs and then never make anything from the book, haha.  That being said, I was SUPER excited to win a copy of Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home, because a) Thomas Keller is amazing (as you can see from my numeous Bouchon posts); and b) I've had this on my Amazon wishlist for a while but never pulled the trigger and bought it.  I haven't had much time to really read through the book yet, but I'm super excited to sit and drool over the recipes and photographs, haha.  Maybe even one day I'll actually make something from there :o)  A huge "Thank you!" to Artisan Books for hosting such an awesome giveaway!!

Lunchtime Links for March 30th, 2010

• Yogurt: Yoplait's new Greek yogurt.
• Momofuku: Compost cookies from Momofuku for 2.
• Blondie & Brownie: Bouchon doughnuts, yum.
• From Komi to Marvin: Checks out the Sauca truck in DC.
• Real Housewives: Recap from TVGasm.

Review: More Treats @ Bouchon Bakery, NYC

 

Nonfat Latte + Chocolate-Almond Croissant

The morning after the Lady Gaga concert, I found myself with some time to kill on my own.  I took advantage of being in a great location and headed over to Bouchon Bakery to see if I could get something that I didn't get on my last visit there.  

I got there mid-morning, which might have contributed to the somewhat lacking quantity of breakfast items.  I love sweets any time of the day, but I wanted it to have some semblance of a morning food, haha.  Hence, the chocolate-almond croissant above.  The croissant had the great shatter of a classic flaky croissant crust, and an even schmear of thick chocolate in the middle.  I couldn't eat it all but it was a perfect way to start the morning.     

 

The Namesake: Chocolate Bouchon

Yes, it was mid-morning, but I couldn't resist!  The tiny little chocolate bouchons looked so cute, and I didn't get this last time, so I picked up two for E and I to try later in the day.  For being so small, these are PACKED with decadent chocolate!  I could easily see myself polishing off a half-dozen of these at once, eek!   

Bouchon Bakery is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to try out new treats, especially in the morning.  If I personally had one of these near me, that would be so so so dangerous.  But for now, I will undoubtedly enjoy their offerings as much as my schedule allows when I'm in NYC :o)  

Lunchtime Links for February 12th, 2010

Some Valentine-related links for you, since the actual day falls on Sunday:

• Sweet Treats: Cakespy looks at Fields of Cake's many sweets.
• Cuppie Love: Really cute stamps from Cakespy.
• Chocolate: Mail-worthy chocolate from CHOW.
• Interesting Combo: Chocolates + Beer.
• So Cute!!: Heart-shaped red velvet macarons.
• Bouchon Bakery: Some of their Valentine-themed treats. 
• Bakerella: Love-filled cookie cake.

Lunchtime Links for January 25th, 2010

• Holy Moly: Doughnut Upside Down Cake recipe.
• Apps Only: Frankie's 457 Spuntino appetizer review.
• Love This Place: Some offerings from Bouchon Bakery, NYC.
• Cooking Light: New uses for pantry items.
• Bliss Spa: Review of the DC Bliss spa.

Lunchtime Links for December 18th, 2009

• Random: Peeps store opens in MD.
• CCCC: Wild card round!
• Lady Gaga: MAC campaign.
• Taylor Swift: Classy and generous!
• New Treats: At Bouchon Bakery.
• PB&J Gifts: I love the lunchbag!

Lunchtime Links for December 15th, 2009

• Mmmm: Apple and Pear Beignets recipe.
• Thomas Keller: Sasses it up (sorta) at a book signing.
• Cute: Wilton Brownie Bites Tray review.
• Top Chef: Recap of the finale by Food Network Humor via Serious Eats.
• Sounds Good!: Tea-infused hot chocolate, anyone?

Lunchtime Links for December 9th, 2009

• Bouchon Cookie: Mixed Review of the Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix.
• Starbucks: Will sell French Macarons in-store...interesting.  
• Jersey Shore: Recap- YESSSSS.
• Muji: Holiday gift ideas from the fun Japanese brand.
• Gossip Girl: NYMag Reality Index.
• Top Chef: Recap of last week's episode - FINALE is tonight!

Restaurant List

This is a running list of restaurants that I haven't been to slash want to go to- if I don't write it down somewhere I'll never remember them all.  Thanks to N for the idea of keeping a list on my blog!  This list can also be found from my main page, via "View my Complete Profile" on the sidebar, then to "Wishlist".

• ACKC Cocoa Bar
• Addie's
• Againn (Rockville, DC)
• Babbo
• Balthazar
• Bayou Bakery
• Birch & Barley
• BGR The Burger Joint (Arlington, Bethesda, Dupont Circle)
• BlackSalt
• Bouchon Bakery (Carryout, Dining Room)
• Bouley Bakery
• Bourbon Steak DC (Bar, Dining Room)
• Buttercup Bake Shop
• Butter Lane
• Capogiro Gelateria
• Central
• CF Folks
• Churchkey
• City Bakery
• CityZen (Bar, Main Dining Room)
• Co./Company
• Corduroy
• Cork Wine Bar
• Dessert Club ChikaLicious
• Di Fara Pizzeria
• Doughnut Plant
• Eleven Madison Park
• EN Japanese Brasserie
• Ess-A-Bagel
• Estadio
• Et Voila!
• Eventide
• Fatty Crab
• Financier Pastry Shop
• Four Sisters
• Gramercy Tavern
• Honey Pig
• Inn at Little Washington
• J & G Steakhouse
• Jacques Torres Chocolate
• Katsuhama
• Kin Shop
• Komi
• Kotobuki
• Kushi
• L'Arte del Gelato
• Le Bernardin
• Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte
• Locanda Verde
• Luke's Lobster
• Lyon Hall 
• Mandu
• Maoz Vegetarian
• Marvin
• Masa 14
• Masala Art
• Medium Rare
• Me Jana
• Michael's Noodles
• Michel Richard Citronelle
• Minetta Tavern
• Minibar at Cafe Atlantico
• Momofuku (Ko, Ssam, Noodle Bar, Milk Bar, Ma Peche)
• Murray's Cheese Shop
• Otto
• Oyamel
• Palena
• Payard
• Perilla
• Ping Pong Dim Sum
• Po
• Poste Modern Brasserie (Bar, Dining Room)
• Present
• Rasika
• The Redhead
• Ren's Ramen
• Restaurant Eve
• Rogue 24
• Russ and Daughters
• Screwtop Wine Bar
• Shopsins
• The Source
• Sou'Wester
• Spotted Pig
• SquareBurger
• Sugar Sweet Sunshine
• Sullivan Street Bakery
• Sundaes & Cones
• Sushi Taro (new)
• Sushi Yasuda
• Tabard Inn
• Tavira
• Ted's Bulletin
• Topolobampo
• Two Little Red Hens
• Volt (Dining Room, Table 21)
• WD-50
• Xie Xie