Tag Archives: decor

Claw’s Lobster Mac & Cheese

On my way home from a friend’s birthday dinner I passed by Claw — a restaurant that I walk by every single day but have yet to go in. (I pass by every morning when I commute to the subway.) It was 11:15 p.m. and I wasn’t even hungry and I all of a sudden got a huge hankering for lobster mac and cheese. I clearly knew what was on the menu because after reading about the joint on Thrillist, followed by reading several rave reviews on Yelp, I knew I needed to stop it.

Immediately after walking in I noticed how spectacularly clean the restaurant is. It’s only made up of a few tables and it’s definitely an in-and-out sort of joint… no way whatsoever is this a place where you go to sit for a long drawn-out meal. You can also see right into the kitchen — the chefs must have OCD because there wasn’t even food any where to be seen (it was that clean!). Since Claw is open until midnight, there were still people dropping in to pick up some late-night food, from the hard-working business man that just left his office, to a group of what looked like book-club ladies that happened to have strolled in.

Of course Lobster is going to be pricey. Luke’s Lobster truck is pretty much priced the same as Claw, except 1. your lobster comes from a truck, 2. you can’t sit down to eat it, 3. there isn’t a wide menu selection like there is at Claw, 4. There is less lobster in Luke’s serving than Claw’s.

I was all of a sudden craving lobster like you wouldn’t believe. And obviously I had come to the right place where everything is made with lobster — lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, lobster quesadillas, lobster bisque, etc etc. But I had to stay calm and think to myself “I will come back, no need to order everything on the menu.” So I stuck with just the Lobster Mac & Cheese and I ordered to go because it was getting late and was about to rain.

I spoke with one of the chefs/owners of the place — a very young guy who was telling me that him and his friends (chefs/other owners) graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and had opened this joint together. Claw in Chelsea is doing so well, they are thinking about opening another location in Midtown! I hope this happens — it would be nice to have more good food options up in the neighborhood where everyone is working. These friends/chefs/owners really know how to cook lobster — they clearly mastered the art of cooking seafood, the proof is in every single bite.

So I ordered the lobster mac and cheese and headed home. I live only a few blocks away but when I walked out Claw’s door the sky opened up and the biggest rain drops I have ever seen started to fall from the sky. It was such a gorgeous night, not having an umbrella didn’t bother me one bit.

When I got home, I opened up my take-out container, turned around to grab a fork and when I went to dig in Mr. Hudson was sniffing down the gigantic lobster claw that was on the top of the macaroni. HUDSON! I DON’T THINK SO! No way was this cat going to chow down on that lobster, sorry buddy.

types of macaroni

I was fairly surprised with the choice of macaroni used in this dish. I don’t know why, but I found it pretty different since I’ve never seen Campanelle pasta used in a lobster mac and cheese before (I was also comparing to Catch’s choice of elbow macaroni — I thought their lobster mac and cheese was good… but Claw’s is out of this world!). For those who can’t picture campanelle pasta, it’s the type of pasta that looks like “church bells,” actually the literal translation of campanelle in Italian is “little bells.” (Fun interesting fact for you.) But to my surprise the campanelle was an amazing choice since it did a great job holding on to the lobster and the cheese! After googling what the pasta should be used for, I discovered that the noodle is best in a dish with a thick sauce! And the chef cooked it perfectly, obviously the macaroni was in a to-go container for about 15 minutes, it was hot enough to keep cooking a bit while I carried it home — but the campanelle wasn’t soggy or mushy, it was perfect Al Dente.

The lobster flavor was perfectly infused into every single bite. And large chunks of fresh lobster was distributed around the noodles. Not to mention, there was a claw that was used to top off the macaroni! The brioche bread crumbs that were added to the top add another great texture to the plate as well. So, you have the rich, creamy, crunchy, savory lobster mac and cheese — now what!? Now, I need to return for a lobster roll and lobster quesadillas! The freshness and quality of the food just blew me away, there’s no way I can stay away from this restaurant!

A few more things: I loved the decor in the restaurant. Guess what color was used on the booths… CORAL! It reminded me of the beach, the summer, and it overall completed the ambience!

Since there are only a few tables to sit at, if it’s busy just take the food to-go. I’m always hesitant about taking my food to-go because I am convinced the food tastes differently, but the food carried out at Claw remains perfectly fresh!

Coral Making a Comeback

I won’t beat around the bush on this one — coral made a comeback over night thanks to Kate Middleton sporting a comfortable pair of coral colored skinny jeans. I bought a pair myself the weekend before and contemplated whether or not I should return the jeans since it seemed like everyone ran out to buy a pair (Bloomingdales sold out the next day). But I still have them (the tag is still on them of course).

Other than wearing the color coral, I keep seeing it every where around me! And this spring, I’m excited to be adding more color to my life — my favorite colors to be exact!

Check out this gorgeous color palette made of a lemony yellow, minty greens, as well as the exceptionally popular coral! For those behind on posts, the other week I was yapping about how obsessed I am with lemons and how I really enjoy the color of mint. Catch up on the posts if you missed out!

Some of the inspirational photos in today’s post is perfect for because I am desperately in need of a few colorful things around my apartment. For one, I have been searching hard-core for a beautiful entry table. And this beautiful minty fresh green table pictured above has made me reconsider the color of the table I will buy for my apartment. Why not add a pop of color to a piece of furniture that everyone will see when they enter your home!

A few of my friends now have outdoor space thanks to the back yard options that a few have in the borough of Brooklyn. I’m insanely jealous. I would love to be shopping for patio furniture! These bright yellow chairs are the perfect addition to a city balcony or backyard get-together! Instantly you have color!

floral centerpiece ideas

No to the chairs? How about some gorgeous color on the table? In this beautiful centerpiece you can see my favorite three colors all grouped together (mint, yellow, and coral/salmon). Add a few small clementines or mini lemons and you can turn the center piece into a tasty one!

throw pillow ideas

I have been in search for some throw pillows that will bring color to my bland apartment. I’ve been debating the color for a while now and I’ve finally decided that coral is the way to go! These pillows pictured above are exactly the shade I am hoping to find! I’m addicted to a website called soap.com (when you live in a city the last thing you want to have to do is lug home heavy loads of groceries and toiletries so soap.com is perfect for me — everything gets delivered to my door!). Well, the sister website of Soap is called Casa — it’s a new edition to the site but boy oh boy it is fantastic! It has nothing to do with toiletries, obviously. The site features all of the things you might need around your home. The site has a gorgeous selection of throw pillows — which will be where I go to to find a bright coral selection!

(Note: these photos were taken from Pinterest. Take a look on my site for further references! And be sure to follow me, I’ll follow back! I’m always interested to see what everyone is pinning about!)

Put The Lime in the Coconut

After writing the post’s title I now have the song stuck in my head…

I’m trying to branch out from my obsession over lemons and put some lime in my life. Done correctly, lime in food is fabulous! I’m such a zesting machine — I love to zest citrus into various dishes (from pasta to salads, it really spikes the flavor).

If lime is so fantastic in food, then why not add a little color punch to the rest of my life?

Below are some inspirational lime photographs that I am excited to share with you!

Super retro — and super fabulous!

The incorporation of a lime-green on the exterior of this building is done perfectly! The color accents the shrubbery around the building and is incredibly vibrant in many ways.

I feel like in my home I would initially take a more subtle route when it comes to picking out back-splash, but this green tiling is so beautiful I might break out of my comfort zone for some lime-green colors!


The soft lime-green ribbons are elegant and graceful around the cake. And the sliced limes add some extra color to the dessert. I can picture myself using this idea for a short single tiered cake for practically any occasion!

I feel like green can be overwhelming and my immediate interpretation of “lime green” is an obnoxiously bright shade of green. While I browsed around to check out the color I discovered you can really brighten up your home without over-doing it. This green color palette is the perfect example on how I would love to add some green into my life.

Ultimately, I have been overwhelmed with green accents in the past — but I have come to discover the beauty of color’s shades.

And remember from one of the funniest movies ever, “Meet The Parents,” Jack tells Greg, “Well they say geniuses pick green.” (So true!)

(Note: these photos were taken from Pinterest. Take a look on my site for further references! And be sure to follow me, I’ll follow back! I’m always interested to see what everyone is pinning about!)

Honey in the Hive

I always keep a jar of honey (that includes honeycomb) in my kitchen. As as much as possible, I use honey when baking (and even cooking) because honey is such a natural way to sweeten up a meal. Even Michelle Obama would agree with me on this one. Did you know that the Obamas are the first first family to have bee hives at the White House? Whether or not I have outdoor space I know that’s something I could never pull off having. A fresh convenient little herb garden — yes. A collection of bee hives — no.

Whether it’s used in the kitchen, or used as inspiration around a home — I think the honeycomb pattern is gorgeous and is a fantastic way to incorporate the beauty of food into your decor. Take a look at a few ideas:

What a fantastic way to put the honeycomb pattern in a bedroom! The shape’s edges are curved and soft so they aren’t a stiff hexagon! (Not to mention, the color is fantastic!)

Look closely here and you’ll see what looks to be a renovated park fence type of wall decor. What an incredible way to hang items on a wall too!

I couldn’t help it — I had to include a piece of jewelry! So simple and elegant, the shapes from a honeycomb make the perfect necklace!

(Note: these photos were taken from Pinterest. Take a look on my site for further references! And be sure to follow me, I’ll follow back! I’m always interested to see what everyone is pinning about!)

Artichoke & Brussel Sprout Inspiration

We all know how much I love lemons… whether I am eating them or using them to put together the perfect centerpiece, I love love love the fruit! The color yellow is vibrant and reminds me of my favorite place in the world, Capri. Read my post from last week for more inspiration on lemons.

But this week, I had to showcase some of my favorite things about artichokes and brussel sprouts. Two fantastic vegetables that not only taste good but they also make fantastic decor! I love being able to show off my insanely fresh and vibrant vegetables before I cook them up to eat them! What can I say, I’m super flashy when it comes to veggies!

Here are some fantastic ways to put your artichokes and brussel sprouts on show for everyone to see:

Not flashy and not too obvious; a subtle artichoke is put in the middle of this casual bouquet. I love this as a centerpiece that you can use for multiple tables, for the: dining room, foyer table, and even on a buffet table.

This tree assembled of brussel sprouts is gorgeous! And more importantly I can see it on a mantel during other times than Christmas time!

I feel like this is the most elegant way to show off your artichokes! Just by placing them on an elegant, flat elevated plate does so much! Whether you place this centerpiece on a dinner table or a table during tea-time I know it’ll be the perfect table top addition!

This rustic bowl of brussel sprouts is also simple, modest, and beautiful! Show off your unbelievable vegetables for your friends and family to see! (If I found such a great selection of these green veggies, that’s exactly what I would want to do!)

(Note: these photos were taken from Pinterest. Take a look on my site for further references! And be sure to follow me, I’ll follow back! I’m always interested to see what everyone is pinning about!)

Lemon Obsession & Inspiration

For some reason I have been obsessed with lemons lately… lemons in recipes, lemon decor, fashion inspired lemon jewelry… whatever it is, if it’s lemon-themed, I love it!

Another new interest of mine is Pinterest, do you have an account? If not, get one! there’s so much inspiration on this site I don’t even know where to begin.

I can link my lemon obsession to my love for Capri, Italy. I only spent a few days in Capri, but I was swept away by the magical Italian island. I can’t wait to go back. If you don’t know the connection to Capri and lemons, read up on a past post of mine from last year!

Below are a few photos I didn’t share with you this past fall from Capri. The first one is a picture of my father and I sitting on a bench with a little old Italian man. We were sipping on cold beverages while waiting for our dinner table. This little old man didn’t speak a lick on English, but we tried talking with him any way. By the time we started talking to him he had just finished watching a wedding party leave a church in Anacapri.

The next photo is a picture of the inside of the Blue Grotto! Look at how gorgeous the water is! The most gorgeous shade of blue I think I will ever see in my life.

Here are some of my newly discovered lemony inspiration! If you have a recipe that uses lemon as a main ingredient, please send my way! I’d love to try out a new recipe! (All photos are taken from various Pinterest accounts.)

Food Adventures This Weekend

Where ever you turn, you’ll find food! Especially in New York City!

This weekend I headed to my neighborhood’s local market with my friend Stefanie. We were both on a quest to pick up a few Holiday gifts — and of course we had to go on the weekend because we have both been so busy with work during the week. On the weekends, the Chelsea Market is packed with locals and tourists — all determined to discover the newly opened stands and shops throughout the market.

While waiting for Stefanie to arrive, I strolled through a few of my favorite places. For one, I spent some time in The Lobster Place taking a few photographs to show all my readers. I watched as fresh sushi was made (yum! I love avocado on my sushi!) and I took in the smell of the store… All fresh fish! The smell reminds me of New England — the place I grew up for the first half of my life.

During this time of year the most gorgeous lights are hung in the very center of the Chelsea Market. They drape down below the clock and light up the market place. These are not up year-round and I love when they are put up at this time of year!

The Chelsea Market stretches a full avenue long, going from 9th Avenue to 10th Avenue. There are two entrances/exits both are on each side of the market. On the 10th Avenue end this weekend, there was a small petting zoo with cows. City children gathered ’round to pet the baby farm animals. I love seeing things like this… especially in the heart of Manhattan. It just shows that you truly can find just about anything in the city — and the city children get a taste of country life. Yes, I believe that children should experience the fresh country air. But I do believe that the city is a fantastic place to raise children.

On Saturday night I went to the new Spanish-Moroccan fusion restaurant only 1 block from the Chelsea Market (and only a few blocks from my apartment). I went with my boyfriend, his cousin, and his cousin’s wife. Ventanas is a new tapas restaurant located on 16th Street and 10th Avenue. The menu is large and may seem overwhelming, but you want to order plenty of plates because the portions are rather small (this is the only down-side to this restaurant). We ordered the following: Pisto (Spanish Ratatouille), Guacamole with Plantain Chips, Ceviches de Camarones (Shrimp Ceviche), Croquetas de Bacalao (Codfish Croquets), Frituras De Queso De Cabra (Goat Cheese Fritas), 2 Empanadas Espinaaca (Spinach and Manchego Empanadas), Albondigas (Lamb Meatballs), and Dulce de Leche Empanadas for dessert.

We enjoyed everything! Perfect bite-sized tapas that everyone was able to share with one another. I love tapas-style meals because everyone is engaged with one another over something as simple as the food on the table. Instead of ordering your own plate and keeping it to yourself — you are able to pass the plates around while saying “yum! Try this, you’ll love it!” The food also came out quickly so we would order 2 or 3 plates at a time! That way we weren’t too overwhelmed with an obnoxious amount of plates on the table. We all enjoyed the food, but we also loved the music playing in the background. Lots of exotic tunes had us practically dancing in our seats — like The Gypsy Kings (a French band that plays flamenco-style music), as well as other current, more popular songs as well. But I was excited to hear some music that I grew up to! My father often played The Gypsy Kings and over the years I managed to memorize some of their songs like Bamboleo. Besides the music, I loved the decor as well. You felt like you were some place exotic the moment you stepped into the restaurant. The shapes, the colors, the plush booths — you felt like you were in Morocco!

At 10 p.m. a belly dancer came out and circled the restaurant for some extra entertainment. A few rowdy people got up and danced with her — which was great entertainment for us! By 10:30 some tables were cleared off and pushed to the side and a bunch of people started to get up and dance … including us! I wasn’t expecting my tapas-style dinner to turn into a dance party! But we were all quick to jump to our feet and make our way to the dance floor!

This is such a fantastic place to go with friends! Order some drinks, get a little rowdy, but overall experience some fantastic food! Watch how much you order though, because the bill can get pretty high rather quickly!