Cocktail Time! - Sweet Tea Vodka

This is something to get excited about. My friend Beth wrote me an email talking about Firefly's Sweet Tea Vodka and I kept think how delicious that would in Two Sisters Tea!!



So dear foodies, spice up that sweet tea recipe from yesterday with a little sweet tea vodka and I think you have the perfect summertime drink!



Visit http://www.fireflyvodka.com/home.cfm for more information.

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Recipe - Two Sisters Tea

This recipe is from Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Allison, and is the finest sweet tea I have ever had. I promise you I didn't like sweet tea until I allowed this delicious nectar to grace my lips.

Without further adieu, here is the recipe...

Two Sisters Tea (makes about 2 quarts)

Ingredients:

• 4 regular size tea bags (not family bags)


• 4 cups boiling water


• 6 oz. can of lemonade


• 1 scant cup sugar


• 4 cups of tap water

Directions:

Pour boiling water over tea bags. Cover & steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove tea bags after steeping. Add a 6 oz. can of lemonade, 1 scant cup sugar, & 4 cups of tap water. Stir & refrigerate.

**For mint tea: add mint to tea bags, pour boiling water over to steep. Remove mint & tea bags.
**Diet tea: use Splenda instead of regular sugar.

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Restaurant Review - Southern Hospitality

When Lex told me that the SEC Happy Hour was to be held at Southern Hospitality, Justin Timberlake's "Southern" Restaurant on the Upper East Side, I was more than apprehensive.

I decided to go, mostly to mix and mingle and maybe eat a little bit.



When I got there I was overwhelmed with the themed decor, you can definitely tell someone was trying to set the Southern vibe, which for me was a little over done. I will admit, however, the smells from the food passing me by did look more than appealing.



We decide to sit and eat, and I am telling you dear foodies, if you go here for true Southern BBQ, you will not be disappointed. Yes, you read that right, JT did his homework and apparently got some recipes from his grandmother to help compile the menu. She is a wise woman. It was great.



Here's an overview of what we ordered taken straight from the menu (note: These portions are HUGE, I would definitely share)

• Haystack Onion Strings - thinly sliced yellow onions, golden fried and piled high served with our homemade dippin' sauce


• Baby Back Ribs - slow smoked and brushed with our bbq sauce


• Macaroni And Cheese - a dinner sized portion of the classic served bubbling hot and nicely browned

I realize that this is only three items, but between four people we couldn't finish everything. The service was great, the food outstanding (I am still thinking about those onion strings) and an amusing ambiance, that while overdone was entertaining.

Southern Hospitality
1460 2nd Avenue b/t 76th & 77th
New York, NY 10021
(212) 249-1001

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaId=1&restaurantId=44092

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Mississippi in the Park

There's nothing better than finding a piece of home in NYC. For me, it was this past weekend at Mississippi in the park, a day in Central Park with people from all around Mississippi. For those that don't know I spent 4 glorious years at the University of Alabama, and while I realize this is not Mississippi, when 4 out of 6 roommates are from the Hospitality state, you tend to

Anyways every June people from all around can gather and get a sample of a Mississippi lifestyle. Blues band, catfish, watermelon seed spitting contest (I kid you not...), its amazing.

This year was no different the catfish was fried to perfection, thanks to a special catfish frying team that drove all the way from Madison, MS with a frying station attached to the back of their pick up truck. The hushpuppies were AMAZING, slightly spicy with a sweet onion taste -- thankfully they only gave us three or I would have eaten them all. This meal couldn't be complete without sweet tea, and thankfully McAllister's was there to quench our thirst.

Despite the heat wave (the first of many 90 degrees days in NYC) everyone was gathered under a tree, listening to blues music and having a great time in Mississippi by way on Central Park.

For more in formation check out: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/upcoming_events/events.php?id=27647

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Cocktail Time - Sangria

In tradition of summer, what better drink is there than Sangria?! This is from my cousin Lisa, who obviously likes her alcohol because this sounds POTENT! Haha, just kidding Lisa, these portions are definitly for a party

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine ( I prefer white)




• 1 bottle 7-up




• 1 bottle orange juice




• 1/2 cup brandy




• 1/2 cup triple sec




• 1 bottle Zodiac Vodka




• 1/8 cup lime juice




• 2 apples cubed




• 2 oranges sliced




• 2 cup of grapes

Mix it all together in a container that will fit that much liquid (I am definily thinking a cooler of some sort) and have yourself a summertime PARTY!

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Restaurant Review - Pipa

Pipa

With so many places to pick from its hard picking a favorite. I can't help it I LOVE TAPAS. I just like having a little sample of everything, and if you are looking for true spanish influenced tapas in great atmosphere Pipa in Union Square is the ultimate choice. I'm so happy that Jef, the wonderful restaurant finder he is, took me here.

From the second you walk in you know this is going to be interesting. There are almost 100 chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, their crystals sparkling in the dim light. Each chandelier is for purchase and you can see that some have already been sold.

To start off you have to get a pitcher of Sangria, no one does it better than the Spaniards and Pipa does it the best. Strong but not over-powering, just the way I like it :)

While everything is good, here are some things that I've ordered and never been disappointed in. I recommend 3-4 dishes per 2 people, its ok to order some and if you are still hungry order some more.

• Crispy Calamari - thinly sliced, lightly breaded and served with a smoked paprika aioli (My personal favorite -- best calamari EVER)
• Mushroom Coca - wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, and figs, topped with serrano ham and toasted almonds and then drizzled with truffle oil - YUM
• Tuna Pequena - pan seared tuna slices with sauteed spinach and wasabi ginger aioli
• Spanish Potatoes - sliced potatoes with a spicy cheese sauce, order two, they are so good
• Blue Cheese plate - sample of different types of blue cheese, served with bread and crackers

I've been back to Pipa many times and never been disappointed!

Pipa
38 E 19th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-2233
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?neighborhoodid=0&restaurantid=2978

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