Paris 1906: Escoffier Style

I was thinking about Next today (to be specific, eagerly anticipating the next menu offering...El Bulli!!!!) and then all of a sudden my stomach felt a little funny.  I had the pleasure of dining at Next during the Summer with some great friends.  However, in the midst of Summer stuff, a basement flood, and life in general, did I ever publish the Next post?  And, sadly, NO, I did not.  I can't believe this.  What?!?!  One of the most memorable meals of my life and I forget to hit a button!!!  I have forgotten or simply haven't had the energy these days to posts things and I can live with that but Next.  OK, the world will continue to rotate but I need to do this.  So, here's the original post.

June 22, 2011

A couple of days before my birthday this year, I had the pleasure of sharing a unique dining experience with some dear friends.  This time, it was the mysterious "Next".  This is the new restaurant by Grant Achatz.  I say mysterious because the buzz of this restaurant started over a year ago with a short video clip of what was to come---a new restaurant with a twist.  Rather than reservations, you order tickets.  Rather than order from a menu, you only know the location and period of time of inspiration for the menu.  You don't pay at the end, you pay up front.  I guess it's sort of like ordering tickets toto a movie, yet you don't know the exact movie....just the genre.  The menu changes every 3 months and so does the table decor.

The hype surrounding this restaurant creates challenges for getting tickets to the restaurant.  Luckily, though, we had our secret weapon--Mel.  She followed the opening chatter religously.  And on the date we were given to start the ticket process, she sat in front of her computer for several hours with several open screens hitting the refresh button every few minutes, with no potty breaks, shower breaks and just enough of a break to grap a bite to eat (eating at her computer of course).  Until finally.....she got through!!!!  We were a group of 6 and they only have one 6 top, the kitchen's table, so that was our table.  And, boy, was it worth the time and energy!!!!

I can't even begin to go into the specifics of the meal, but it was incredible.  I am very fortunate to have this opportunity and to have such awesome friends to share an experience such as this with.  Thanks Elmo's and Pettit's for an unforgettable night!

Look who's back!

Niriana a/k/a ELF 

Our house is bursting with excitement these days with the arrival of Niriana.  She (yes, Elf is a she....) is definitely magical.  M is extra sweet with her around.  Can't wait until ARose gets the Elf magic so that we can use it to our advantage with her (can't come quick enough I'm afraid!!)

2011 Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Multerer's and one of Chris' classmates--Batzaya.  This was Batzaya's first Thanksgiving as she is from Mongolia.   We had never "encountered" a Mongolian before so, unfortunately for Batzaya, she was inundated with loads of question about her native country.  I know I showed our ignorance about her country with my silly questions but she was a real trooper.  Just in case you are wondering, it's true.  Mongolians do in fact eat A LOT of beef but our version here in the States is not the same.  Shocking, I know!

Our thankful theme was that we are all thankful for our friends and family, opportunities and turkey.  Some of us are thankful for hippos as well!

Thanks Multerer's and Batzaya for a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

How to Catch a Turkey

By: M Frigs

This is how to catch a turkey.

Step 1. Go to a farm.

Step 2. Pick up a turkey.

I love this "how to" note!! I'm just thankful that she didn't say "go to the store"! Of course that's what we all do but at least she knows that the stores have to get them from someplace else. I'm totally cracking up picturing her running around a farm trying to pick up a turkey:-))

Happy Thanksgiving!

Girls on a Shelf

I don't know why the fascination but there is something so sweet when kids want to play on shelves. I remember playing on shelves (and bails of hay....that's a different story for another time!) when I was a kid. Too cute....of course with adult supervision:-)!

Fairy + Dragon Ninja

= adorable trick or treaters

The Great Carving

Apparently, my recent posts have stirred the anticipation in Uncle Mike. Where are the carved pumpkins, he asks?

Here are our 2011 Halloween masterpieces.

This was the most fun year yet and with the girls getting older it will only get better. M really got into the carving. She was working on her pumpkins for a good couple of hours, until her hands started to hurt. Even ARose got into the action ….coloring, pulling out the slimy insides (which she thought was really cool) and carving. I think I’m going to be my own pumpkin next year and create my own!!!

The Pumpkin Patch

We visited Sonny Acres this year.  ARose was in a mood (happening a lot lately...hello terrible 2s!!) so she didn't enjoy it as much as M.  M benefited from the extra tickets though....carnival rides, bouncy, pony rides, hayride, etc. 

Is it wrong that we picked the pumpkin patch based solely on its proximity to a brewery:-)? It's just that we've been meaning to get out to Two Brothers for a long time and thought this was the perfect opportunity. The girls loved the root beer and the food was delicious (in fact, the best fish tacos I've had and the pulled pork was really, really good...that's saying a lot from a Southern girl who is particular about her pulled pork)!!!! We weren't able to join the tour....well, because of a certain 2 year old...but that's OK. This gives us another excuse to come back. Over the summer, one of our friends celebrated his birthday by biking out the brewery and having lunch. That's a thought......

The Witches Brew

We began our Halloween weekend with a Halloween party, of course!  ARose’s daycare had the BRILLIANT idea of having their party the Friday before Halloween so that it didn’t interfere with the Trick or Treating on Halloween day.  Man, was this a life saver!   Each year, they put on quite a show for the little ones with the witches brew.  The kids absolutely love this magic trick.  I can’t imagine a Halloween without the witches brew, in fact.  We will have to continue this tradition even after the kiddos are long gone from daycare (sniff, sniff). 

They are always so sweet to include M in the party.  She still gets a kick out of it and ARose thinks she’s really special having her big sis with her at her party.  Have I mentioned lately how much ARose looks up to M?  She emulates her every move….which is so adorable.  I’m going to have to get the old lady walk on video and post.  I think it’s hilarious (but I’m partial!!).  

Creepy bones...so cute and easy to make...a hit with the little ones!