Kitchen3N

Recipes and food fun from Apt 3N

Fishkill Farms

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My little guy munching on a cucumber, enjoyin’ da ambiance.

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seriously, could it get more perfect than this?

I read somewhere once about a 5th grader who didn’t know what a tomato was. This bit of disturbing news consistently motivates me to educate my kids about where their food comes from. I regularly point out fruit and vegetable plants in my neighborhood, show them around my in laws’ garden, and go some sort of fruit picking at least once or twice a year. This past weekend, we headed upstate to our favorite pick your own fruit farm. Now, I’ve been to a lot of farms in the tri state area, but nothing beats the picturesque beauty of Fishkill Farms, nestled in the heart of Hudson Valley, overlooking verdant rolling hills (cheesy? oh, I know). Located just south of Poughkeepsie, this place is really a throwback to my newlywed days. My husband and I started out apple picking there, about 4 years ago. But since then their offerings have grown: strawberries and blackberries in June, cherries in July, delicious stone fruit in August, and of course apples and pumpkins in the fall. They have a CSA and even sell at some farmers markets around the city. They are all about sustainability and minimizing the use of chemical pesticides, though they aren’t certified organic.

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Pickin’ peaches. Only a handful were really ripe for picking, but it was a lovely experience regardless!

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My dad is cracking up because the rooster pecked my son through the fence.

IMG_1337 IMG_1338 They have a great farm stand offering fresh produce, local cheese and dairy, farm fresh eggs, meat, and other goodies. The ice cream just makes the experience complete. Really delicious, locally produced Jane’s ice cream. Benches out back overlook the beautiful landscape. Livestock are great for the kids’ viewing pleasure, though not for petting since they’re not tamed. I’m glad they didn’t sell out that way… keeping it an authentic working farm rather than a cheesy petting zoo.IMG_1340 IMG_1341 IMG_1342 IMG_1343 The grill has been a great addition. They’ve hired a lot of super friendly Jamaicans who play Bob Marley over the speakers. It was so chill! Since we keep halal, I only tried the corn (which was delicious)! Other than that, since my parents were involved, we kept true to desi day trip style and packed our own lunch (you guessed it, nothing other than chicken curry). IMG_1344What a great way to enjoy this glorious summer weather, and get your city kids some exposure to agriculture and the countryside. I hope you are able to get to your own local farms for some fruit picking! Happy picking (and eating)!

La Boulangerie

I had one of those TV pregnancy moments last year when I woke up one Monday and desperately craved pain au chocolat from La Boulangerie. So, my husband faithfully made the trek before the start of his workday only to come home with wannabes from another Forest Hills bakery. I may have shed a tear. But I learned a very important thing: my favorite bakery is closed on Mondays.

I realize when most people come to Austin Street, they grab a slice of the “famous” red velvet cake from Martha’s, or one of their pretty good napoleons or chocolate mousse cakes, but hopefully not any of their awful cheesecakes or mediocre cupcakes. But if you’re a local, you’re going to stand in line for a real, buttery, carefully crafted croissant, or an eclair filled with a heavenly chocolate mousse, or a classic french baguette at La Boulangerie. Forest Hills has long been a good-bread starved neighborhood, or come to think of it, any good food. You have your standard sushi, pizza, and everything in between. But La Boulangerie is one of those places that has a certain transportive power. Where the owner has actually worked on his craft and stayed loyal to traditional techniques. And the decor is rustic with unpolished wooden furniture yet tasteful with quality serveware, so that you feel like you’re in Breton (except I doubt they serve large cafe lattes in France).

IMG_4621Depending on the time of day, you may or may not find the treat you were anticipating. They’re so good, they just run out (but they’re working on another batch, unless it’s past 5PM). I have tried just about everything from the apricot cheese danish, to chocolate almond croissant, parisian flan to gateau breton. They pretty much all satisfy your craving for a rich buttery indulgence (though admittedly, I am not as big a fan of the croissants as many other patrons).

And if it’s a savory treat or meal you prefer, they offer:

  • soups, which vary daily
  • sandwiches (classics, like ham and brie)
  • foccaccia
  • quiches (delicious)
  • salads (nicoise, etc.)
  • and eggs on weekends

All with giant windows looking onto the kitchens so you can watch the chefs and bakers do their magic.IMG_4618

A big plus for parents are the children’s books (in English and French) that are perfect for keeping little hands busy while you take five two minutes to yourself. That, or the  Jacques Torres chocolates available for purchase.

Coffee is strong but good. But careful when ordering a large latte – they are served in big handle-less soup bowls for some reason.

Finally, if it’s bread you are fiending for, apart from the traditional french baguette, the pain aux cereales and pain bordelais are highly celebrated.

So, happy eating!

La Boulangerie

109-01 72nd Rd
Forest Hills, NY 11375
347-644-5606

Hahm Ji Bach

I’ll start the first of my restaurant reviews with my favorite Korean spot, Hahm Ji Bach. Located deep within Queens, in one of the most vibrant Asian communities in the city…it’s a trek even from the last stop on the 7 line (Main St, Flushing). If you’re driving though, you’re in luck. Valet parking is on the house.

It is a rare establishment that serves up authenticity alongside hospitality so that even a stranger to the cuisine or the culture wouldn’t be intimidated. You walk in and are immediately greeted with a round of “Yobosayo!” from all the waitresses. Among the seated are Korean families, students from nearby colleges, and groups of buddies from all across the racial spectrum.

The menu is massive. But the one thing you’ll see on every table, aside from a plethora of banchan (small dishes, including lots of pickled vegetables, fresh greens and if you’re lucky, soft shelled crabs). are the bbq pork belly (daepae samgyupsal). Since I keep halal, I can’t share what makes this dish so ubiquitous. But for the pescatarian, the chilean sea bass cooked in kimchi, the broiled mackerel, seafood dolsot bibimbap (rice served in a hotpot) are all winners. Be weary, though, if you can’t handle the spice. Towards the end of my meal, I was wiping my nose and taking a gulp of ice water after every bite. I’ve never had food that hurt that bad, taste so good.

Dessert is limited to a small bowl of pumpkin slush and some slices of pineapple, served at the end of the meal to every table. Nothing to write home about, but definitely unique to this place.

Best part? It’s such a good value! Entrees range from $15 to $25 and include all these freebies.