Wonka, Schnitzelfest and NYC Foodies Get-together

Hi boys and girls, How was your weekend? 

Mine was dandy, even though I started it out by watching the *terrible* new version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I'm a big fan of the original, and felt that I should probably give the new version a chance.  While I will admit that the special effects are quite something, the new movie had none of the heart of the original.  I never felt sorry for Depp as Wonka, he was just too... hmmm, creepy and unsympathetic.  I missed Gene Wilder singing "Pure Imagination", Jack Albertson and Peter Ostrum singing "(I've Got a) Golden Ticket", and the original Oompa Loompa songs were unbeatable.  I did like Freddie Highmore as Charlie and David Kelly as Grandpa Joe, but still... it's just not the original. 

Saturday our dinner group met at the Old Heidelberg restaurant in Bethel CT for their annual Schnitzelfest.  Here's the menu of schnitzels:

Schnitzel Festival Menu

Wiener Schnitzel - our most Favorite Zwiebel Schnitzel - caramelized Onion Zigeuner Schnitzel - caramelized Bell Pepper Jaeger Schnitzel - brown Gravy & Mushroom Heidelberger - Mushroom, Onion & Bacon Muenchner Schnitzel - topped with Sauerkraut Holsteiner Schnitzel - with Egg sunny side up Schweizer Schnitzel - Tomato& melted Swiss Cheese Rahmschnitzel - not breaded. Cream Sauce & Mushroom Huehner Schnitzel - Chicken Schnitzel Sauerbraten Schnitzel - with Sauerbraten Gravy Bratwurstplatte - Bratwurst with Sauerkraut & mashed Bayerische Schweinshaxe - Pork Shank Koenig Platte - Pork Shank & Bratwurst Kaiser Platte - Pork Shank & Schnitzel

Beer of the Fest: Schwelmer Bernstein, Weizen, Alt & Pils

 

I myself am not a fan of veal, so I opted for chicken schnitzel with sauerbraten gravy.  Served with red cabbage and spaetzle, it made for a mighty tasty plate.  We started out with some salads (including an excellent cucumber salad) and ended with berries and vanilla sauce and kaisershmaren (hmmm, like thick crepe pieces dusted with pwdered sugar, very yummy).  Great rockabilly band too, The Ultra Kings.  Only down side, a ton of mosquito bites.  They bit me through my jeans!?  How rude!

Sunday we had been planning this get together of our NYC foodie group in Central Park.  Rain ruined those plans, but Rebecca kindly offered her apartment in Brooklyn.  Hooray, the event was saved!  In attendance: Dave, Susann, Jessica, Rebecca, Lisa and her boyfriend Sonny (Lisa, I *know* I must have spelled that wrong... please correct me!), and Lisa's parents who were visiting from outside Philly.  We took some pictures that I will be posting, and if you took pictures, send them my way and I will post them!  The food was so good!  Everything from Susann's version of Clotilde's Broccoli and Cornmeal Cake, Rebecca's pizza with smoked mozzarella, Lisa and her gang's lentil salad (must get that recipe!), our edamame hummus, vegetarian muffaletta and bresola mozzarella pesto sandwich, the list went on!  And for dessert, Jessica's macaroons, doughnuts from the Doughnut Plant (square jelly doughnuts, yum!), currant bars and chocolate walnut Daim cookies from me... we had ALOT of food!  I can't wait to get together again with this great group of people, so many nice folks who just happened to meet because we all read one woman's blog.  Small world!

An aside about the small world aspect of this group... Lisa and her parents listen to alot of the same music that Dave and I do (including, but not limited to, Chris Smither and Erin McKeown) and they're going to Falcon Ridge next weekend to boot.  But the really amazing little fact is that Lisa's mom has read If I Never Get Back, one of my all-time favorite books!  I have *never* met anyone who had heard of this book, let alone read it!  And she told me there is a sequel!  Whoopee!  Must. Find. Book. Stat.  Looks like it's out of print, but I can find a used copy through Amazon which will be fine.

All in all, a nice weekend.  Didn't have time to read any of the new Harry Potter, but I should be able to get to it soon.  Should have brought it to read at the gym.  Ah well.  :D

Comments

[Lisa]

Hi Sam! Nope, you got "Sonny" perfect! What a lovely lovely lovely post here. Mmm. Thanks.

The one nice thing about not having read much of the new Harry yet is that you've got that much of it left still! I didn't plan it really, but somehow I've gotten into this strange but supremely satisfying thing wherein I am always one book behind. So I'm still on #5, and don't have to face up to the big wait for #7 just yet. I love suspense :)

I just came from Willy Wonka -- and, well, I guess we have to have just ONE thing to disagree about. I'm all smiles. Also, I was in a major mood for chocolate when we left ... we marched many late night blocks in its pursuit, but I'm going to bed with a belly full of Scharffen Berger, so the trek was well worth it.

Wow, this is long -- perhaps I should have just emailed!

Thanks again --
Lisa

[Swan]

How cool you guys really got together! It sounds like the beginning of a really good tradition. Sorry I couldn't be there!! I was in another great city, London, with a friend who also reads 'our' foodblog. And we ran into the premiere on Leicester sq. of Charlie and the chocolate factory. I* almost* met Johnny Depp :).

Big Hurray for new friends and new traditions!

[Samantha]

Hey Lisa, Glad I got Sonny's name right! Truth be told, I'm still in the middle of book 5 too, I completely agree with you about the suspense. And yeah, I would watch 'Charlie and the CF' again, my feelings have mellowed a bit. Still love the original. Did you go to the Sharffen Berger store? Yum yum! And you've been to the Chocolate Bar, right?

We'll have to get together again soon... maybe after you're back from Falcon Ridge.

And hey Swan! We wish you had been there too! Mmm, London. D and I are thinking about going to London for the Olympics. But I *heart* London, I'd go tomorrow if I could. And almost meeting Depp, very nice!

New friends are indeed great!

[Pat Steinbrueck]

Hi Sam!

It's Pat...Lisa's mom. I have the sequel to "If I Never Get Back". I'll give it to Lisa this weekend and she can give it to you at your next get together. I've not read it yet but there's no rush getting it back to me...I have many many books in my "to read" pile.

-Pat

[Samantha]

Aw, thanks Pat... that's so nice of you! I promise to return it with some cookies or another treat.

Have a great time at Falcon Ridge! And we'll let you know the next time we're in Philly, we might have to check out a Tin Angel show with you.

[Jessica "Su Good Eats"]

Hi Samantha, oooh do tell, where did you get the bread, cheese, meat and pesto for the sandwich? It was delicious. My favorite way to revive sandwiches if to put them in a pan, covered, over low heat for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. The crust gets crispy like the bottom of a well-cooked pizza, while the inside is soft and spongy.

[Samantha]

Hi Jessica,

Everything came from Trader Joes, we are lucky enough to live very close to one. And that sounds like a yummy way to heat up a sandwich, I must try it. :)

[Jessica "Su Good Eats"]

*Sigh* I so miss TJ's. (I'm from CA). They're opening one in Union Square this fall I believe. How are the TJ prices in New York?

Oh, heating leftover pizza in a pan is great too. It even makes Domino's taste good!