How Are Bagels Made?

When your husband's best buds are behind Brooklyn's newest (and most insanely delish) bagel sensation, Bread Brothers, you get to do lots of cool things like:

1. Indulge in the shop's massive hand-rolled pillows of ultra-doughy goodness whenever you want without feeling bad (supporting 'the cause' always trumps calories).
2. Go behind the scenes and learn how everyone's favorite carb comes to be.

Here's what I learned on my day–or night rather–in the kitchen.

If it's getting me to East Williamsburg...

it's gotta be pretty amazing.

The Bread Brothers flagship!

Dressed for the part...

Go gluten...

or go home.

Step 1

Mix a multi-generational recipe (flour, yeast, salt, and some top secret ingredients to perfect various flavors) for about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Slice dough and roll bagels into their famous shape.

Rolling is seriously an art.

Step 3

Put the rolled bagels in the fridge for 24-36 hours so yeast develops and flavors really sink in.

Step 4

Dunk bagels in boiling water. You know they're ready for the next stage when they float to the top.

Steps 5

Dip bagels in seeds, place on burlap-covered wood boards, and bake in the oven, flipping halfway through.

Step 6

ENJOY

And, enjoy some more.

Fancy a schmear?

A.K.A. "Jewish gelato"

according to Bread Brothers co-owner Jeremy Rosen.

Thanks for the amazing tour Jeremy!

I will most certainly be back...

Does that slideshow make you as in the mood for a bagel as it makes me?!?! Visit Bread Brothers original East Williamsburg location or its second shop at 810 Grand (between Humboldt and Bushwick). And Greenpoint, get ready... Word is you're next on the bagel train...

A Stylish Valentine's Day to All

Dear Blog Readers,

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Red Cossabellas
Orgasm (by NARS)
Strawberries dipped in vegan dark chocolate
Emoticons!
Scent of bodega bouquets

Agent Provocateur surprises
Rose Millesime Champagne
E-colored sparklers

Room Service by OPI
Everlasting love, duh
Decadent homemade dinner

Violets are blue.
And I really love sharing this blog with you!
xo
Hali

Coffee Shop Style: Even Freelancers Must Dress to Impress

Even though your "office" is one square foot of your apartment or one tiny spot of counter at your local coffee shop, you can–and should–still show up to work in (super super comfy) style.

Dog Days: Benny Takes on NYC...

... And I take on city life as a dog owner.

When Larry and I agreed to watching Benny while my parents go on vacation, I pictured days filled with calm and fuzzy company while I write. I pictured welcome walking breaks.

About five hours in, I realize that this little guy may be much better off in the 'burbs.

During our first city stroll together, I learned that Benny is the only pup in Manhattan who can't seem to walk in a straight line. Nope- every step is another sharp zig or zag that makes us dodge flurries of angry not-dog-people on their Friday commute.

Also, it's nice that Benny feels the need to sniff every single piece of garbage on the street, every greying snow bank, and every homeless person. Like I have all the time in the world...

Turns out this little shih tzu is NOT the midday shopping partner I hoped for either. Bringing him to Second Time Around's 70% off sale: bad idea. Even with the leash pulled taut, Benny found a way to loop his way into other shoppers' paths. Some liked it. Some (understandably so) had zero interest in an animal coming between them and their $38 vintage Valentino heels. Not so long ago, that would've been me... It goes without saying that I could not try on a thing.

Benny: for us to make this work, you need to find some serious NYC sophistication. That means:
1. No trying to sneak in past doormen to buildings that are not your own.
2. Avoiding ALL slushy corners.
3. Walking close to me and in a straight line when I take you out.
4. Sitting still and patient in stores– ESPECIALLY when there is a sale.

Can you handle it?

Clay Time: Week 2

Week two of my clay class, and I've already got a nice bowl shape happening. Is it symmetric? Not a chance. But not bad for forming it sans wheel, right?

I think I'll keep this guy simple in terms of the silhouette, but get a little crazy with the glazing... Suggestions welcome!

(Free) Fro-Yo Face Off

You say snowstorm... I say fro-yo-storm. Because even the most freezing of freezing temps can't keep this lactose intolerant girl from slinking into the UES's bevy of frozen yogurt spots... and slinking out with enough free tasters in my belly to equal a small size cup (at least).

And until it becomes illegal (god forbid), I'll keep doing it.

Want in?

Here's where and where-not to go for your free-ish Upper East Side frozen yogurt fix.

Orange Leaf (83rd & 3rd)
On a good day (read: short staffed), the counter person will give you one or two sample cups, and not pay attention while you stuff your face with a million bites of ultra-creamy goodness. On a bad day, they'll walk you over to the self-serve machines and limit you to two. Warning: the super-richness always hurts the stomach.
Verdict: GO anyway.

Tasti D'Lite (85th & Lex)
A ridiculously strict one-sample-only policy means that even when you act really, really nice and ask to try two flavors, they still cram them into one taster cup. I mean....?!?!?!? BUT, after countless years in the biz, Tasti D' still beats the competition with its airy deliciousness. Plus, the prices are so comparatively low that you won't even feel guilty shelling out for a pint–or quart.
Verdict: GO...and buy.

Swirl Whirl (78th & 3rd)
I waited nearly a decade for this place to open its doors, and when it did, the bright lights and spacious interior seemed promising. But after one visit, I vowed NEVER to return again. Not only did the yogurt taste like chemicals, but samples were absurdly tiny. Next.
Verdict: Stay away.

Pinkberry (82nd & 2nd)
Everyone knows I pretty much hate all major food chains (that includes you, Chipotle). But somehow Pinkberry has managed to avoid my wrath. Maybe that's because 100% of the times that I go, I'm greeted with a huge smile and immediate sample offering. In fact, the staff is SO nice, that I don't even feel an ounce of guilt prancing out with a taste of every single flavor under my belt. Not. One. Ounce. All that and I feel oddly healthier post-experience.
Verdict: Sure!

16 Handles (also 82nd & 2nd)
Long lines. Huge possibility of running into someone I don't want to talk to. Pre-teen hangout vibe. Two sample max policy. Germs. Nothing that seems remotely healthy. Um, I'd rather eat a potato to satisfy my sweet tooth than be subjected to this misery.
Verdict: Definitely not.

Just Salad (83rd & 3rd)
Nope- this place is NOT just salad. And their nearly hidden yogurt machine just so happens to churn out some of the most delicious, just-tangy-enough goodness in town. I'll even venture to say that I've popped in for a soup or salad just so I can savor one overflowing taster cup of their frozen treat on my way out. So why haven't I bit the bullet and paid for this one? The serving cups offered are WAY too small. DUH.
Verdict: GO.

Yogurtland (69th & 1st)
"Welcome to Yogurtland. Are six bazillion sample cups enough for you ma'am?" The crown jewel of the Upper East Side. Heaven on earth. I will gladly walk eleven streets and two avenues from my apartment to this unbelievable frozen yogurt mecca. As if the truly unlimited self-serve sampling program isn't enough, Yogurtland's constantly rotating array of *deluxe* healthy-sounding seasonal flavors is to-die-for. Homebaked Lemon Cookie! Black Sesame! Taro?! And then, just when you can hardly take it anymore and are about to go into diabetic shock, you look up to see a poster about an upcoming Free Yogurt Day. There. Are. No. Words.
Verdict: RUN THERE.

It's Clay Time!

Last night I had the privilege of taking my very first art class since 2002. Yes, I am now a student of the JCC Manhattan's Projects in Clay: Sculpture and Vessels course (2014 new year's resolution, check).

And you, dear blog readers, are invited to join me on my 10 week journey through the world of coils and kilns.

Starting from the bottom, here's a recap of week one:

Met my classmates: a little-English-speaking male Taiwanese exchange student, a retired Israeli child psychotherapist, and a retired Upper West Sider born and raised in Queens.
Met the instructor, a Las Vegas transplant with a degree in ceramics looking for acting gigs in NYC.
Learned the basics of the studio (see pic above).
Learned a few basic techniques for building vessels.
Got to work on building basically whatever we wanted–for me, that was a round bowl that may evolve to a vase.

Since the class is tiny class, the projects are basically up to us. So of course, I had to peruse Pinterest for some inspiration. What do you think I should make?!?!