Our evening could have been tarred by the construction crew across the street, chemical fumes do not add much to one's dinner experience, thankfully they wrapped up their day a few minutes after our arrival.

Last night, I took a couple of hours to relax and get a taste of Cote d'Or, a week young New York restaurant has to offer.
As a good omen, the rain that fell most of the day decided to stop.

After sitting down and perusing at the wines by the glass ( I don't really do cocktails), I settled for a glass of Cremant de Bourgogne and sparkling water.

Before placing our order for starters, crusty bread and grougeres were brought to the table with rillettes and cornichons, a campagnard touch.

For first course, my dinner companion and I picked classic escargots (parsley butter sauce), a pike and vegetable quenelle and frogs legs which I have not eaten in a`long while. All offered a good balance of flavors. Classic food does not revolutionize but warms the soul.

Chef Philippe Roussel (a Breton like myself) who was kind enough to stop by our table has the good sense of keeping the size of the first courses in check so you do not fill up on them.

The escargots are cooked and served in a cassolette that makes the dish look as good as it tasted.
Being the only one to drink wine, I had a glass of White Burgundy (you know Chardonnay) with this course, Olivier Leflaive "Les Setilles" (2005).

After getting advice from the unobtrusive yet attentive and knowledgeable serveuse, the choice of entrees was Veal skirt steak with mixed greens, French fries, mustard and natural jus for yours truly and Grilled Trout, green lentils and vegetables ragout and Dijon violets mustard.

The Veal arrived a tender perfect medium rare. The tangy mustard sauce offering a nice counterpoint to it. The fries did not do justice to the dish and the mixed greens were a repetition from those offered with the Frogs Legs earlier. Mind you, despite these reservations, I was content.

As for the Trout, it was cooked as should be. Lentils and vegetables offered all the taste and health quotient desired by my dinner partner.

I sipped a glass of Mercurey 1er Cru "Clos Voyens", Isabel Marie (2003) with my main dish.

At this point, we should have been reasonable and stop. The waitress convinced us to try the Tarte Cassis. I could not resist the Ginger Creme Brulee and a little Cinnamon Ice Cream completed the trio.

The tart was good, the Ginger Creme Brulee perfect as was the Cinnamon Ice Cream, subtle and refreshing.

They are still working out a few details, after all this child is only a few days old.

All in all a very satisfying experience except for the fries and the repetitive mixed greens.

The restaurant was originally supposed to be called Charolais. They changed the name late in the game so for now there is no web site that you can visit for menus, directions and the like.

This should be corrected soon.

The wine list is extensive and mostly Burgundian. I did notice a few of my favorite California wineries such as Paul Hobbs and Peter Michael though.

Treat yourself to an authentic Kir Royal made with Aligote and L'heritier Guyot Creme de Cassis.

This New York Eaterie, Cote d'Or is located in Tribeca at 225 Varick St., at Clarkson St (phone: 212-727-2775).

Take the number 1 subway train to Houston Street and you are only a block away.

On a closing note, the front of the house has some kinks of its own to work out it seems.
While browsing the opening notices, I noticed that Florence Fabrikant of the New York Times mentioned a 15% opening discount on Food until July 29. I believe we were only given 10%.

A small misstep considering the whole experience.

So if you live in New York, love things French or just good wine and cuisine visit Cote d'Or.

Beats Monday Night Football for me!

You might ask who Jane is. Not Jane Birkin. Jane is the wonderful waitress whose service we were lucky to get.

My wife was my dinner companion.

Bonne chance Cote d'Or.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Erin Schmitz

Same topic: For the love of escargots, dinner at Cote d'Or is on my Must Do List

Running on the treadmill of life without pausing can be hazardous to our health and good judgment as my friend Ryan Carson reminds us in The importance of Quiet Time.

This is short and to the point. He does not get up one hour earlier to be more productive. In any case how can you accomplish more by cutting down on your sleep.

He just uses this hour to reflect on personal issues, relationships, priorities, what really matters and why he does what he does.

As for myself, quiet time is sitting down for half an hour in the morning with an espresso and the Financial Times.

When faced with difficult decisions or issues, I also find that jotting down your thoughts with old fashioned pen and paper helps clarify your thoughts and clear your head.

Related story: Doing better by being less accessible inspired by the book 'Don't just do something, sit there'

You should not judge a Babe just by her looks as Brownie Babe of the Month proves.

This contest/ event is hosted by none other than (western spaghetti lover?) Once Upon A Tart where Myriam of Zurich (Switzerland) shares her passion for 'the sweet stuff in life'.
Her nostalgic picture graces this post.

If you want to participate, you have to submit your entry by August 17th.

Hey! It's Summer so I felt like a fun offering on Monday Morning.

I found Brownie Babe on the menu of Is My Blog Burning

Most recent sweet treat: Grom...Gelato, same as it ever was

As`the UK is learning to kick the habit, the ban on smoking in public places took effect on July 1st, cigarette boxes get a new lease of life as book covers.

Idea generator and design mavericks Tank Books adopted the cigarette pack format as the package to reissue literary classics such as Joseph Conrad  "Heart of Darkness", Ernest Hemingway “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis”, Rudyard Kipling “The Man who would be King”, Robert Louis Stevenson "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and Leo Tolstoy “The Death of Ivan Ilych”.

Besides the subversive aspect of using the sinful packaging to offer these solid writers, I have to recognize that it its format is practical for Summer travel.

A dangerous side effect though, you might go blind reading the small print, less damaging than cancer but nevertheless a serious drawback.

Reminds me of Booking Bands at Coudal.

For full disclosure, I am a long time reformed smoker (over 25 years).

Got hooked on Springwise

Latest book bits: Stop obsessing on perfect job, slash

When I got news that the restaurant Cote d'Or just opened in New York, my curiosity was awakened.

I have a personal connection with all things Cote d'Or since my mother was born there.
After seeing Escargots on the menu and the mention of a Burgundian Wine list, I knew I had to pay them a visit soon.

The chef de cuisine is Philippe Roussel and Cote d'Or is located 225 Varick St., at Clarkson St.(Phone: 212-727-2775).

New York Magazine tells us that this New French Bistro Has an Old Soul. I will find out for myself and share my impressions with you.

Have you already paid a visit to Cote d'Or?

Related stories: For Thanksgiving, California Zin or Red Burgundy

Rather than drive ourself nuts by obsessing on trying to find the perfect job that will make ourselves happy why not switch our thinking to One Person/ Multiple Careers asks Marci Alboher whose book of the same name suggests that we "Follow Your Passions, Work on Your Own Terms and Create the Customized Career of Your Dreams".

As I learned after being injured in a work accident a few years back , even though most financial advisers preach the gospel of diversification, in our professional life we tend to bet everything on one number.

Since my injury, I have been adding to my work palette, thinking of new`ways to create income and sometimes work finds me in unexpected ways.

I often describe my outlook to others as preferring to sit on a 5 legged stool rather than a 3 legged one.

With 5 legs, if one fails I will not loose my balance.

Marci calls it Meet the "slashes".

Anne Zelenka explores the topic in Slash your Career on Web Worker Daily.

Related stories: Find new cows that you can milk

Too bad I was`reminded of the existence of the New York Outpost of GROM Gelato only this morning.

I could have used a`helping of some of their treats on Thursday after getting a taste of Jelly.
The weather was warm and sticky in the Big Apple and it might have cooled me off.

What GROM offers is Gelato that I would call Artisanal or Traditional or to paraphrase David Byrne 'same as it ever was'.

The company was started in Turin (Italy) in 2003. They opened GROM New York at 2165, Broadway (Upper West Side) in May of 2007 to rave reviews and draw in the crowds of sweet lovers.

Amongst current offerings I will have to try Crema come una volta made (imagine) with  full fat whole milk.

Another flavor that would have my vote (also using the full figured milk) is Cassata Italiana whose main ingredients are sheep milk's ricotta and candied lemon, citron and orange.

Yummy!

A number of the choices carry the Slow Food Presidia label.

This year, GROM also purchased its own Organic Fruit Farm so it could maintain high standards of taste and quality.

Next time I go to New York, I know I have to save time for a stop there.

Kudos to GROM!

Other Italian Food stories: When in Rome, visit 'Obika' Mozzarella Bar

This morning, I decided to have some social time. I got out of my New Jersey bubble to visit the New York one.

I joined Amit Gupta and many others for a Jelly session.

This was not a cooking session mind you, no Food Network here even though there was a bit of Martha and  the truth, nothing but the truth about News Groper.

It was my first peak at CoWorking which I have been musing about for a little while.
We all got out of our daily routine to see what others are doing, get feedback, test ideas and all that Jazz.

A day in the life of Serge the Concierge

Previously on CoWorking: Break out of your Shell....On my Radar...CoWorking...

The closest I got from celebrating Bastille Day this year was thanks to a nice little red wine from Ardeche called Petanque.
Petanque is also a sport popular mainly in Southern France. It combines social gathering, elements of comedy and sometimes a little kitty for tournament winners.

To get back to Petanque, the wine, it comes to us thanks to a family farm that has been in existence since 1670.
Named Mas de Libian, the farm also grows fruits and grains and has been in the same Thibon family ever since.
They started bottling their own wine in 1995 rather than sell to the local cooperative. They use natural methods.

The Vin de Petanque (I bought the 2006 vintage) is made of Grenache Noir.

The winemaker is Helene Thibon  (profile in French) who also belongs to Vins d'Autheurs (launched in 2005).

Vins d'Autheurs (info in French only) can be best described as the Indie Network for small and talented winemakers.
They stage a yearly event where wine lovers (amateurs) get a chance to meet the creators (autheurs).

Vin de Petanque is a young wine coming from old vines (40 to 50 years old) ready to drink now and retails for around $12.00.

To finish with a little local flavor, Mas de Libian is in the village of St Marcel d'Ardeche also known for its underground caves and its stunning views of Mont Ventoux which is famous with Tour de France fans.

Sante!

Also on Ardeche: Looking for a sunny yet peaceful vacation...take an 'Escapade' to Ardeche

Other Bastille Day stories: Celebrating Bastille Day, Gourmet Food and Wine

From being live on 'Second Life' to real life concerts and her new excellent new album 'Beauty and Crime', Suzanne Vega is it seems everywhere and in top form.

The production makes`these New York stories shine like finely cut diamonds.

You might think it is a little too much music for a day.

I had to share (not curb) my enthusiasm. Even young ears like it so it must be a good sign.

Visit SuzanneVega.com for the whole story.

Bonne Chance Suzanne!

More fine music from the ladies: Bonnie and Clyde, Belinda et Moi, Voila!