Tag: bbq

  • Brisketlab

    Brisketlab

    Brisketlab

    Science never tasted so good. Brisketlab came to the Foursquare offices, and our friends had an extra pound of brisket to sell, which we snapped up. We all snagged seats at a picnic table in the Foursquare cafeteria—along with a few hundred other hungry people. There was a choice of “fatty” or “lean” brisket, or both (Jason wisely got us half a pound of each rather than split our orders), and some sides: Whole Foods mac n cheese and jicama-melon salad. Those stamped with a blue cow on their hands were in the first wave; though our wave (red) wasn’t ever called, it was clear the crowd was managing the flow themselves. Both types of brisket were pretty tasty, but both of us preferred the fatty. The spice rub had a decidedly pastrami vibe, and don’t get us wrong, we love pastrami, but it wasn’t what we were expecting. Our friends, who’ve sampled Brisketlab before, tell us that last time it was unbearably salty on the outside and flavorless on the inside. I don’t think that was the case this time—go go experimental method!

    Of course, because it was at the Foursquare offices there had to be some kind of perk for checking in, right? They didn’t disappoint, giving anyone who checked in a free can of Six Point beer (not a tiny thing). The cafeteria accommodates far more than the 110 employees we hear they have, and damn was it noisy. The band, Emily Asher, was fantastic though, and the music was a nice addition to the evening. Cap it all off with some great friends, and we had a fantastic time.

    Held at the Foursquare Headquarters

    Met up with some friends

    Tokens for food and beer

    The Crowd

    Next in line

    Yummy Yummy Brisket

    There was even a live band

  • Independence Day BBQ

    Independence Day BBQ

    Hot Dog

    Hot dogs and apple pie: It doesn’t get more American than that, right? Well, we had hot dogs, rabbit sausage, Mexican corn (elote) and strawberry-balsamic pie, and our friends are from all over the globe, but it sure was a great BBQ. And what’s more American than that?

    Our friends Tania and Loc had people over to celebrate Independence Day on their rooftop deck. The temperature was pushing 100°F that day, which meant everyone was clamoring for the shade. We braved the heat for the sake of grilled meats, though. Christina brought rabbit sausage, Jason’s new favorite thing, while Erin insisted on good ol’ Hebrew Nationals for her July 4th menu. Erin made her family favorite cucumber-onion salad (recipe below) and a potato salad that uses goat cheese instead of mayonnaise so the heat wouldn’t make things too disgusting. Everyone found a spot in the shade of the umbrella and gathered around the great big table.

    The Guests Arrive

    Obligatory Us Photo

    Colorful Placesettings

    Our Hosts - Tania & Loc

    McClure's Relish

    Enjoying the Food

    The Goods

    Cucumber-Onion Salad (at lower left in photo above)

    2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced (leave a small bit of peel for decorative purposes; use a mandoline to get really thin slices)
    1 small onion, thinly sliced
    1/2 cup sour cream
    1/3 cup white vinegar
    3 tablespoons sugar
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

    Combine all ingredients in a bowl. It tastes like summer!

    Dessert!

    Sunset over Manhattan

    Lights

    We ate dessert in their air conditioned apartment. Strawberry-balsamic pie from Four and Twenty Blackbirds, plus homemade lemon meringue by Christina and a lemon-olive oil cake from Pam rounded out our citrussy, tasty dessert spread. Once the sun had set, we made our way back upstairs to see if we could spy the fireworks, despite their location over the Hudson. And we could see them, sorta.

    Fireworks in the Distance

    Jason was committed to getting a great fireworks shot.

    Patient and Hopeful

    Erin preferred her view.

    A better view!