Guest Services

I've written previously about how, as a hostess, I appreciate ambiance and the incumbency on hostesses to make their guests feel comfortable.

We recently had the pleasure of attending a fundraising dinner for Chabad on the Upper East Side, held at  Guasavino's, a New York City interior landmark located under the 59th Street Bridge.  I was fascinated with this venue, which I had never seen before. Another guest remarked that one usually associates those congregating under a bridge with indigents, not with those indulging in luxury. But luxurious it was. The high, vaulted ceilings and ful-length windows made for an impressive space. The lighting upstairs also added to the feel.

But by far, the most impressive guest service that I experienced nowhere else before was what I have decided to call "Reverse Coat Check".  There were no guests standing in line at a window with heavy outerwear slung over their arms awaiting a numbered ticket. Instead - Guastavino's staff were the ones to stand in line at the ready, awaiting each guest and taking  their coats to be whisked off to the coat room.
Very cool.....

Stuff People Say at the Seder

Joey's Purim Grammen 2013 ... Well... MOST of it....

For those of you that still care, but don't know why anymore...... ;)

Somebody Got Hungry....

I came home from work yesterday to find only NINE of Haman's sons remaining on our front door.
I wonder which of the neighbors got the munchies..... :)

Purim Seudah at Chez G6

...grammen may or may not be posted, pending all legal mumbo jumbo and releases signed in triplicate.

Ads Seen Only In Bais Yaakov Playbills.....

Mini Gourmet Apples for Tu B'shvat

Remember my penchant for minis?

These may the best ones yet.

Miniature gourmet apples.
How perfect would they be for Tu B'shvat?

How did I do it?

I simply used a melon baller on a granny smith apple, skewered the balls, dipped in melted chocolate and toppings.

The results are quite convincing... and no core :)

Wouldn't these be pretty at a kiddush?
Along with my Croatian Star Challahs, they would also tie in nicely with Rosh Hashanah.

You can also try using butterscotch or peanut butter chips for dipping.... the possibilities are ENDLESS.

Let me know if you try them and how they worked for you.

December Kosher Connection - Chinese Food

I've posted this recipe before but was prompted to repost by the kind folks who run the Kosher Connection Link Up. This month's theme is Chinese Food and my yummy Pastrami Egg Rolls are always a hit at our Friday Night Table.

I begin by combining a can of stir fry vegetables, chopped fine, with some sauteed chopped onion and red cabbage and some finely diced pastrami. I seasoned it with soy sauce and some seasonings. This recipe is very flexible. I have, on occasion, added canned mushrooms as well. If you like it - ADD IT!  Then roll the mixture up in egg roll wrappers and fry them quickly in super hot oil.

The results are pleasing to both the eyes as well as the palate.

Sometimes a Wednesday's Wacky Sign Just Can't Wait...!

This gem was spotted today in Teaneck, NJ.
Otherwise I'd have said, "Only in New York!...."

Pirsum Project - Clever Camera Tricks

This clever photo comes to us via Annette from Chashmonaim.
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Her special lens created a magen david around each flame :)

Pirsum Project - Zos Chanukah in Har Nof

Thanks to Debbie for sending this lovely photo to round out this year's Pirsum Project!

Food Photo Friday - Gearing Up For An Engagement Party

These "simple" sugar cookies have become somewhat of a tradition for me for family simchas.
The problem is, that although the dough is simple and even the WRITING is (relatively) simple (if not dull and repetitive), the icing and outlining is quite tedious. 2-3 minutes per cookie x 100 cookies = you do the math.

Oh, and let's not forget that those little nonpareils which delicately outline each heart, skitter everywhere and I continue to step on them for days, no matter how often I sweep. I end out with the loveliest polka dotted soles of my feet.


They do, however, add a bit of fun, love and personalization to a simcha.

So if you ever want to attempt these cookies, consider yourselves forewarned ;)

Pirsum Project - Good Enough To Eat

This clever menorah is courtesy of Gourmet Glatt in Cedarhust. How creative!!

Pirsum Project - How The Time Flies

Pirsum Project - Enjoying the Light

Thanks SquasH (@EmesOrNT) for sending in this sweet photo of her son who sat enjoying the lights of Chanukah in that exact position for half an hour :)

Keep the photos coming! Email them to guesswhoscoming2dinner@gmail.com and tell me how/if you'd like to be credited. Extra props to the person who can take a nice outside photo of Washington Heights windows (I've never managed a good one...)