French Baguettes @ Vesuvio Bakery

These loaves of french baguettes were among the many offerings at Vesuvio Bakery in SoHo. I did not appreciate (nor enjoy) crusty bread like these until I was an adult because I grew up on those pillowy soft white bread, otherwise known as Wonderbread from the supermarket. Now I love these crusty baguettes as well as other breads like olive loaves and focaccia.

So do you like bread? What are you favorite kinds of bread or starch?

Cheese Aisle at Grand Central Station Market

This is the cheese aisle at the Grand Central Station market where I like to shop when I'm invited to dinner. Since I don't cook, I usually offer to bring a selection of cheeses and fruits for the host/hostess.

Next to the cheese aisle are the sausages and deli meat section and the bread and dessert section. Last summer, some friends and I stopped by here to get some cheeses, sausages and bread before heading to Bryant Park for an inpromtu picnic. Oh and there is a wine section at the market too.

For me, cheese was an acquired taste. I didn't grow up eating them so I don't like stinky cheeses until I went to France in 1996 where my friend introduced me to them. Since then, I love all kinds of cheeses. My favorites are Greek feta and chèvre (fresh goat cheese).

So what are your favorite cheeses?

Lunch Is Served!

This is one of my favorite lunches -- a tri-color salad mix made with bitter radicchio, sweet endive and peppery arugula, topped with some tangy goat cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The meal was served with warm rosemary focaccia bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil or EVOO.

Does that sound healthy or what? To be honest, I have atrocious eating habits. I eat a lot of hamburgers (medium rare) topped with bacon (salty & crispy) and served on a nicely toasted bun. And I like REAL hamburgers, not the nasty stuff they serve at fast food restaurants.

So do you have a favorite salad? Do you have a culinary vice?