“The Best Camera is the One You Have With You”

Truer words have never been spoken—and this was in fact my first photo-blog’s main title (a blog long-ago absorbed by this one). Early early this morning, around 1:00am at Jamaica Station in NYC waiting for the train to Manhattan, with a 5D Mk II and Olympus PEN E-P1 in my backpack, the camera that came out for this can’t-miss shot was my iPhone. A quick grab before she moved and/or the train rattled in, and a one-filter treatment in Chase Jarvis’s “Best Camera” iPhone application [iTunes] [Chase’s Blog], and this was achieved. Not bad for the first 10 minutes in New York.

Titled “Red”, taken at Jamaica Station, New York

Gascogne

Gascogne is quite simply one of my favorite restaurants in New York. It’s on my must-go list whenever I’m in Manhattan, and between the international smattering of friends that always join me there, the exquisitely prepared French food, the impeccable choices of (affordable!) French wine the staff helps select and the lively yet intimate atmosphere, every visit is better than the last. In warmer weather they open the back garden patio for dining, adding to the “you’ve just stepped into a piece of Paris” feeling I always get when I walk through the overly-narrow cold-weather double-door, into the cramped bar and on to the restaurant jammed with traditionally European slightly too-small tables which encourage intimate conversations with old and new friends alike.

Pan-seared Foie Gras with Pear and Honey glaze

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Mad in Manhattan

Apparently the only reason Ristorante Domenico's has been in business for 30 years is it takes that long to get served. Reservation for seven at 7:00. Menu arrived upon request at 7:40. 8:00 saw us walking out the door. Seriously, no one wants to take our order? Good bye.

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