I am NOT on a diet. Absolutely not.

So, since Tula has recently closed (tears shedding), Mr. M and I ended up at Mezcal for brunch this weekend. I often get the "Entomatada", which is basically a stacked enchilada plate with a spicy red sauce, topped with eggs and bacon. It's more delicious than it sounds and just the thing to hit the spot after working all night.

We also hit Abyssinia again recently, drinking Meta (the Ethiopian beer that tastes like honey), eating with our hands, and licking our fingers clean in what can only be described as a truly sensual dining experience.

On another note, have you tried Ca Del Doge Chianti 2006 (Tuscany)? We had some last night, and I was a bit worried given the high-end wines we were drinking over the holidays. But it was a fantastic accompaniment to our dinner last night, and you can't beat the price. Go get it at Marczyk's Wine Store now - here's an excerpt from their website:

Ca Del Doge Chianti 2006. Tuscany, Italy. A WOW Chianti, even at twice the price. Beautiful clear ruby red in color with a vibrant floral nose. A plethora of integrated flavors of cherries and cranberries, flirty hints of cinnamon and cloves round out the palate. The sweetly charming introduction is backed up by judiciously firm tannins and a lengthy finish. An outstanding food wine! Regular price: $13.99 - Sale price: $9.99 - Case discount price: $ 8.50.

Also, I bought some yummy cheese at Marczyk's the other day. One of my very favorites of all time is the Pierre Robert triple cream brie. Unbelievably creamy and rich - one of the best ways possible to break your New Years resolutions. I also bought another one that I can't remember the name of right now, but it's a goat cheese, I think, marinated in red wine and has a reddish/purplish rind - if you look, you'll see it. It is also quite good.

So, if you're having trouble with Weight Watchers, don't worry. You can always count on me to encourage you.

Happy New Year!

Mr. M and I had a quiet New Year's Day dinner at home. We had some beautiful grilled ribeyes, an arugula salad, and some decadent creamy polenta. We lubricated this meal with a bottle of 2005 Ca di Pian, La Spinetta (Piedmont) Barbera. What a way to start off the new year. No diets for us!

Spicy Creamy Polenta (modified from Paula Deen's Rosemary Polenta recipe)

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (more or less as desired)
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups milk
2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup good grated Parmesan


Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly sprinkle the cornmeal into the hot milk while stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 10-15 minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan. Serve immediately.