International Center of Photography, NYC

I stopped into the International Center of Photography while wandering around New York this week, and just had to grab this photo. I stalked the shot for a while; fortunately the subject was quite entranced and was there for a long time, as I had to wait for other people to get out of the way. The path cleared, I fired two shots, and in the second, someone walked part-way into frame.

Patience and timing… two major components of photography!

It’s funny, a security guard stopped me. But I think he was waiting for me to get my shot before telling me “no photography”. Nice guy :)

Photography, Appreciated, at the ICP @ October 2011 | Fuji X100 @ ISO 3200, ƒ/8, 1/20

Sweet as Candy and One Smart Cookie

Walking down 9th Ave in Manhattan, this little girl was helping set up a window display. Or maybe she was the window display. Either way… adorable!

Sweet as Candy and One Smart Cookie @ Oct 2011 | Fuji X100 @ ISO 200, ƒ/2, 1/210

“The Best Camera is the One You Have With You”

Truer words have never been spoken—and this was in fact my first photo-blog’s main title (a blog long-ago absorbed by this one). Early early this morning, around 1:00am at Jamaica Station in NYC waiting for the train to Manhattan, with a 5D Mk II and Olympus PEN E-P1 in my backpack, the camera that came out for this can’t-miss shot was my iPhone. A quick grab before she moved and/or the train rattled in, and a one-filter treatment in Chase Jarvis’s “Best Camera” iPhone application [iTunes] [Chase’s Blog], and this was achieved. Not bad for the first 10 minutes in New York.

Titled “Red”, taken at Jamaica Station, New York

Gascogne

Gascogne is quite simply one of my favorite restaurants in New York. It’s on my must-go list whenever I’m in Manhattan, and between the international smattering of friends that always join me there, the exquisitely prepared French food, the impeccable choices of (affordable!) French wine the staff helps select and the lively yet intimate atmosphere, every visit is better than the last. In warmer weather they open the back garden patio for dining, adding to the “you’ve just stepped into a piece of Paris” feeling I always get when I walk through the overly-narrow cold-weather double-door, into the cramped bar and on to the restaurant jammed with traditionally European slightly too-small tables which encourage intimate conversations with old and new friends alike.

Pan-seared Foie Gras with Pear and Honey glaze

Tuesday night’s menu included pan-seared foie gras with a pear and honey glaze, confit de canard; my forbidden pleasure of a dish (how can you resist duck that’s been preserved in its own fat… I mean, seriously?!), and Crépes Suzette; crépes and orange zest flambeed in Grand Marnier. Two bottles of French Médoc, a complementary round of cognac from the ever-present Cyril at the bar, and five hours of laughter with friends stopping by the table all night long made for an exquisitely perfect evening.

Confit de Canard

Chateau La Gravette Lacombe Médoc 2003

Crépes Suzette on the menu

The flambee!

Crépes Suzette

Gascogne Restaurant

158 8th Ave (at 18th)

New York, NY 10011

(212) 675-6564

http://www.gascognenyc.com/

+1 212-675-6564

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rating: 5 feet

verdict: Amazing food, staff is helpful and knowledgeable, great wine at affordable prices, feels like Paris… what’s not to love?

Mad in Manhattan

Apparently the only reason Ristorante Domenico's has been in business for 30 years is it takes that long to get served. Reservation for seven at 7:00. Menu arrived upon request at 7:40. 8:00 saw us walking out the door. Seriously, no one wants to take our order? Good bye.