For me, I see the Tavern in a different light. It reminds me of my childhood. NBC hosted its family Christmas Party at the venue each year, going back as far as I can remember. The entire space would be rented out for the NBC staff and their children. There was kid food, arts & crafts, santa hats with your name on them, spin art, sand art, Shirley Temples, live music, carriage rides, photos and, of course, the real Santa Clause. I had convinced myself that all of the other party/department store Santas were fake, but the one I met each year at the Tavern was the real deal. You'd sit on his lap, tell him what you wished for for Christmas and then you'd waddle off with you huge bag of presents (compliments of NBC Universal.) Usually you'd get some toys, an NBC tote bag or backpack, a lunch box, sweatshirt...things of that nature. So you see, when I go back to the Tavern I'm not thinking about the touristy glitz or the spot where Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson shared their first wedding anniversary on MTV...I'm remembering what it was like to be tiny, running around, thrilled that Christmas was finally here. It's magical going back, but in a different way.
Our night began with a cocktail hour in a small dining room. Drinks were served along side a buffet of fruit, vegetables, cheese and assorted flatbreads, as passed appetizers made their way around the room. I was impressed by the appearance of mini sliders on one waiter's tray. Unfortunately my excitement waned as I bit into a soppy bun and a patty that tasted like it was sitting under a heating lamp for the past several hours.
At the buffet I stuck to what I knew was edible. The roasted vegetable platter at the Tavern is consistently superb in my opinion. I loaded up my plate with salad, roasted zucchini, salmon and a taste of the potatoes/pasta. As expected, it wasn't inedible but it wasn't phenomenal either. Lets just say we go to the semi-formal for the dancing...not necessarily the cuisine. The salmon was definitely over done, but damn those potatoes are pretty killer.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Recipe - Shortening
16 oz dark-chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
fresh strawberries
1. Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. In the bowl melt the chocolate & shortening, stirring until smooth.
2. Dip the strawberries into the mixture.
3. Set the strawberries on a piece of parchment paper and let them cool.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Recipe - Cream
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3 tablespoons heavy cream
(same direction)
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Recipe - Oil
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon oil
(same direction)
Watching your girlish figure? Dip berries in just plain melted chocolate or sweeten some yogurt with unsweetened coco powder and a bit of Splenda for a creamy alternative. Enjoy!
It's only weird that they are standing there because of course you want to put one of everything on your plate! Who wants guilt in human form hanging over you lol.
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