Yesterday I woke up feeling a little adventurous and decided to try out Heather’s Asian Fusion oats using tahini, miso and honey.
It was good, but I guess in my heart of hearts I was still half-expecting a sweet, nutty breakfast and I just couldn’t get past that. So, although I hate to waste food, I tossed that batch and made a new bowl of oatmeal with banana, almond butter, and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter. I was a happy girl.
There was no time to waste. After running some errands in the neighborhood with Ari, Josh and I went to a local deli to build-our-own-salads. I got a small bowl of mesclun with chick peas, red beans, artichoke hearts, corn, carrots, cucumbers and sesame ginger dressing on the side.
Then I met up with my friend Will, who I haven’t seen in almost 2.5 years! Luckily we were able to meet up during his short visit to the city. We went to Starbucks (and lamented the lack of independent coffee shops on the UWS); I got a grande skim mocha. ‘Tis the season!
After coffee, I met up with Ari to do some last minute sale shopping (you can always find the best deals between Christmas and New Year’s), then found my little redheaded friend in the same neighborhood for dinner.
We happened upon a cute little Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side; we were so excited for dinner that we didn’t even take note of the name!
As soon as we sat down, we were given plates with soft, warm focaccia and olive oil.
We shared a bottle of Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon to warm our cores…
For my entrée, I ordered the Tre Colore Gnocchi with portobello and shiitake mushrooms, goat cheese and marinara. A warm bowl of past was just what I wanted, and this was perfect. Don’t you love gnocchi?! I did a pretty good job on the dish, and just about finished it.
After spending a couple hours catching up and eating, we made our way to Magnolia Bakery for dessert. I got the cupcake of the day: German Chocolate!
I wolfed it down in about two bites 
Then I made my way downtown to meet Ari and the rest of the family and we piled in the car and drove to their parents’ house for the holiday. Not everyone had eaten, so we made a pit stop at Roy Roger’s (more on that later!)…
Good times.
Have you sent me your questions entered my giveaway? Git ‘er done!
Have a safe, healthy and AWESOME New Year’s!!! What are you doing to ring in the New Year?
The pasta and cupcake look great! Just what I’d eat in fact! lol Happy New Year!!
Yes I DO love gnocchi, thank you very much.
Staying in tonight, obviously! Catching up on some quality R&R.
Happy New Year!
The german choc 2 bite action looks like 2 great bites!
As does Heather’s Asian Fusion oats but I am soooo proud of you for Wasting your Food and pitching it! since you didnt love it. I believe that if Im gonna eat it, i should love it! And that’s where 2 yr old garbage disposal always hungry or always hungry and not picky hubs are very handy so we rarely truly waste the food. LOL
Got your holiday card in my mail pile, thanks sweetie
xoxox
Tahini is always a hit or miss with me. Hummus? Love it. Straight up? Mmmm not so much
The cupcake looks delicious. Happy New Years!
I love that last picture — too cute!
Staying home and watching the ball drop on TV. I’m a hermit. :p
<3 <3
WHich place did you get that salad? thanks
I’m glad you had such a nice New Year’s and enjoyed a Magnolia cupcake. I live right by Magnolia and it’s always so hard to walk by without stopping for a little treat;)
I spent New Year’s working in the ER, but it was a total blast. Have a great New Year’s!!!!
oh wow!! that german chocolate cupcake looks amazing. wow! and that gnocci too looks fabulous! Great eats! I actually ended up just staying in for NYE. Me and my husband made some pizza and watched some movies. Pretty low key=) It was fun though. I hope you have a wonderful day and Happy New Years!!!!
Fab party in the E. Village. Mix-y age group, where the over-30′s were the wildest. You should have seen them….too racy for the blog.
Great food, especially a lilveggie-friendly polenta with cherry tomatoes and pesto sauce prepared by the hostess with the mostest. Friends from all over the place.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO LVP AND ALL THE BLOGGIE FRIENDS
i just went to magnolia for the first time the other day yummm
happy new year!!
I loooooove gnocchi!! And always get a craving for it when I see it on your blog
Unfortunately, the last time I had it was in NYC…several Springs ago!!! The horror–hahah!! Will try and fix that soon, though
The added mushrooms and goat cheese must have made it sooooo amazing!! You’ve got some great restaurants in your city!
Happy New Years! Glad you didn’t have to work for this one!
what restaurant was that?
mmm your breakfast looks good!
So weird, but I just got this pingback today – crazy! Anyway, sorry the Asian Fusion oats didn’t quite do it for ya, but I’m glad you chucked it and went with something you really wanted. I hate to waste food as well, but forcing yourself to eat something you’re not enjoying isn’t worth it.
Haven’t had gnocchi in years, but yes, I do remember loving it.
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