Brrrr!!

The lone wolf says "winter is coming..."

Hello and happy Monday my merry friends! Here in NYC we woke up to mighty chilly temperatures (38 degrees!!!) which was a real shock to the system after Saturday's "leave your coat at home" sunshine. In an effort to get us feeling cozy and warm, I thought I would share a few hearty, hot and tasty recipes. Time to get cookin!!

Slow cooker bolognese sauce sounds just my style. This recipe from The Kitchn lets your slow cooker do all the patient simmering for you and the basic ingredients make it easy to prepare. Perfect for Sunday dinner, I can't wait to give this recipe a try. (Pin it HERE)

This is the self-declared "Best EVER Black Bean Soup" so I think it's worth a try! With only 8 ingredients (and 1 is water!) this recipe from Comfy in the Kitchen is easy enough to whip up after work and would be perfect over rice as a chilly evening supper. I think I've got tomorrow night's menu all figured out! (Pin it HERE)

Another hearty but healthy (and comfort foody!) dinner option, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe from Cooking Classy may seem intimidating when you look at the ingredients list, but I'm willing to bet it's just a matter of checking your spices supply and you'll already be halfway there! Easy to whip up once you've got all the ingredients on hand, I can't wait to serve this one up sometime soon. (Pin it HERE)

I am actually salivating over here... These cheesy chicken parm meatballs from Tracey's Culinary adventures are much easier to pull together than I would have expected and anything that has a surprise cheesy center is a winner in my book. Dr H better be hungry because I have some serious cozy cooking to do!!! (Pin it HERE)

Feed your face at FRANK

Frank Restaurant & Vera Bar
"A Place to Eat"

A few years back Dr. H received a gift certificate to a little Italian place in the East Village. Discretely located off the corner of 5th St on 2nd Ave is FRANK, now one of our absolute favorite burrata/bolognese/vongole/fresh pasta/whatever you order it will be amazing restaurants in the city. Frank is a tiny spot with a cozy atmosphere, ridiculously good dishes (a menu posted on their website and changed daily!) and hearty (but not glutinous) portions. Outdoor seating and a solid bar menu are icing on the cake. 

Holy yum.

Frank is where I discovered burrata, which is essentially your standard fresh mozzarella on crack (and by crack I mean, with cream (and who knows what other awesomeness) added to the inside). Combine with some "where on earth did they grow these!?" tomatoes and Frank's Buratta appetizer has made it hard for me to consider any other options (though the menu has plenty, including a once tried and truly delicious Arugula Salad).

Eat the bolognese. Just do it.
(Full disclosure, this is NOT Frank's dish, but a google-sourced replica
of the ridonky gnocchi bolognese lunch I ate on Saturday)

Squid ink pasta w/ seafood is often a part of "Today's Specials"

FRANK’s amazing daily additions to the standard menu make it nearly impossible to select a main course. Though I’m willing to bet (and stake my restaurant recommending reputation) that the non-pasta entrees are delicious (I was eyeing the meatloaf this weekend and almost went for it) I have only ever ordered pasta at FRANK because it’s too freakin good not to. More than enough to share, but not so much that you can't take a dish down on your own, good luck making it to dessert (homemade tiramisu anyone!?)

www.frankrestaurant.com

Given the massive deliciousness I just mentioned, I suggest dining at FRANK on "off hours" (Dr. H and I popped in around 4pm on Saturday) or planning a little wait-time into your visit (they do take reservations for groups of 8 or more). The only other "know before you go" thing to mention about FRANK is that they are cash only. Though this can be annoying, I promise the meal will be totally worth your trip to the ATM beforehand!