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#homemade pasta like they made in the neighborhood
dinosaurwithablog · 27 days
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I got a bunch of very cool real cheeses in NY!!!
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I have grated some pecorino romano and some Parmesan reggiano!!!! Ah, the fragrance is amazing. The flavor is sublime!! Then I made some pasta and hung it over a broomstick like the old Italian ladies used to do in the neighborhood. As you can see, Petey is looking forward to this as much as I am!! I'm making homemade fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli tonight!!! Mmmmmmmm ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ I can't wait to see the difference in my Alfredo sauce using the real cheeses instead of the packaged cheese from the store. I might be ordering a lot of these cheeses online from now on. They smell sooooooo great!!!! 😁😊😍🥰😋
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It's been a hell of a year for you, darling! So, please answer any or all of the following, if you would?
End of the year Asks
Song of the year?
Album of the year?
Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year?
Movie of the year?
TV show of the year?
Episode of tv or webisode that defined the year for you?
Favorite actor of the year?
Game of the year?
Best month for you this year?
Something that made you cry this year?
Something you want to do again next year?
Talk about a new friend you made this year
How was your birthday this year?
Favorite book you read this year?
What’s a bad habit you picked up this year?
Post a picture from the beginning of the year
Post a picture from the end of the year
A memorable meal this year?
What’re you excited about for next year?
What’s something you learned this year?
What’s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?
Favorite place you visited this year?
If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?
Did you keep any New Year’s Resolutions?
Did you create any characters (in games, art, or writing) this year? Describe one
Fun ask game from the wonderful @caffiend-queen!
Song: I mean, it has to be "Running Up That Hill" doesn't it?
Album of the Year: Selfish choice - hubs recorded his first album of original songs that I helped produce!
Musical Artist: Kate Bush resurgence for the 80's crowd!
Movie of the Year: I didn't have a lot of time to go to the movies this year. I liked Glass Onion.
TV show of the Year: Andor! I was late to the party, but it was so good! (Honorable mentions: Stranger Things, Severance, Succession)
Episode that defined the year: season finale of Succession. Even when you think you have all come together to win, someone or something unexpected fucks you over.
Actor: Tom. Always Tom. sigh. Otherwise, Fiona Shaw and Andy Serkis in Andor were stupendous.
Game of the Year: Nathan Chen winning the Olympic Gold Medal
Best Month: July. Got my first royalty check for a theater company performing my play!
Something that made me Cry: My father-in-law dying
Something I want to do again next year: get a show published. Editing my next play for submission to my publishers. Fingers crossed!
A new friend this year: I adopted my new kitten Hermia, and she became the light of my life and bosom friend and companion. She is fierce and sweet and playful and I love her.
I don't even remember what I did for my birthday this past year. In 18 days I have a big one though, and I will have to do something special.
Favorite book read: The Lost Queen by Signe Pike
Bad Habbit: I already had a lot, can't think of a new one
Pic:
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Memorable Meal: Had a dinner party with my closest friends where I made homemade pasta, pork tenderloin in Chianti wine and rosemary sauce, and chocolate sausage for dessert. It was yummy!
Excited about: possibly going to Europe for a month or more for a writing sabbatical!
Something I learned this year: professional off-broadway producers are just as flaky and unorganized as off-off-Broadway producers, if not more so. Give me the contract to sign and I am on board to direct, if not call me when you have it ready because I cannot put my life on hold for a "maybe" repeatedly.
Place of Residence: Everything is new!!! We have a new home and I love it. The neighborhood is friendly and convenient, I have a kitchen I can bake in, and it's all ours! No more subletting to friends to make the rent!
Favorite place visited: St. Augustine, FL. We didn't travel much this year, but I love visiting the ocean and being rejuvenated by the waves. Closest thing I have to religion.
Message to past self: Just keep going. This year is going to suck a lot and there will be a high level of stress, but you will come out stronger and in a better place.
Did you keep New Year's resolutions: I don't think I made any
Created characters: In fics I created Caroline, the feisty shrink who I love in Therapy Fit for a God; In my new play I created four idiosyncratic sisters who are all based in part on myself and my sisters written for actresses who will knock them out of the park if I can make myself finish the play.
Play along my dears! This was fun and made me think. Didn't have as much time for either creating or consuming content this year, but there were definitely highlights that I had almost forgotten about. Anyway, happy to have made it out of 2022 and hoping for a more tranquil and creative 2023!
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lonelyfanboy48 · 2 years
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Steven Universe At The Creek Chapter 5 Budgerigar Mission
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At Pasta La Vista, Bernard and Alexis had been working ever since they arrived earlier. After Bernard receives a text from Steven, he’s looking forward to showing what he does for a living as long as he gives him a tour of the neighborhood afterwards.
“You think Steven will enjoy my Alexis Special?” Alexis asked. “I promise I’ve made it much better.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll convince him to drink it.” Bernard cleaning the tables. “It’s just the food I’m worrying about.”
As Alexis kept an eye on the entrance of the restaurant, Bernard went to the next table to wash it. “Last night’s movie was a good choice for him. Do you wish he would move here at some point?”
“I guess, but it still depends if he liked the neighborhood.” He sprayed the table with clean water while wiping it down with a cloth. “If he did decide to live here, it would take time for me to get used to him. Like I found him really respectful last night, especially how he handles my brother, but when it comes to finding a job, I’m not sure if he’s willing to have this job.”
“You never know, but at the same time I hope he enjoys the food here.”
“Everyone’s a critic, even nice people like him.”
Outside of the restaurant, Steven arrived after leaving the library. He entered through the front door, with the rang from the doorbell getting Bernard's attention. As Steven looked at the restaurant itself, he didn’t expect much after the many restaurants he took during his trip.
“You’re here, welcome to Pasta La Vista.” Bernard walked up to Steven.
“Nice uniforms by the way.” He replied. “Do you think it’s okay that you give me a tour by walking once you’re done?”
“That’s fine, I can give you a map of the neighborhood if you catch on everything.”
“Don’t worry, I can catch on with navigating.”
“Good. Take a seat while I’ll give you the menu.”
As Steven sat down by the table, Bernard headed to the back to find the copies of food menus. Alexis soon placed her Alexis Special in front of Steven. “While you’re waiting, can you try my Alexis Special?” She smiled. “It's one of a kind, and improved.”
Steven looked at the cup itself, he did remember having beverages in the past, but when it comes to homemade from employees, he’s mostly unsure of the idea. “I'll take a drink of it later, I’m not thirsty at the moment.” He turned to Alexis.
“That’s fine, I just hope you would take a sip of it.”
“Be patient, like what I’m doing right now.”
Outside of the restaurant, Craig, J.P., Kelsey, and her pet Mortimer arrived after finishing at the Library. “So, you’re assisting that when Steven comes into the bathroom, Mortimor’s gonna flow in his shirt so you can take a picture from your phone?” Kelsey replied. “I don’t want Mortimor to get hurt, this is a risky plan.”
“I promise he’ll be fine.” Craig turned to Kelsey. “Besides Mortimer, Steven, and I are allowed in the boy’s bathroom.”
“And I’ll make sure that Steven will go to the bathroom by any means necessary!” J.P. added.
“Then what am I supposed to do?” Kelsey stopped her two friends. “Do you even think your brother would accept this? You don’t have any money.”
Craig could believe the only way to convince Bernard is to eat and pay for the food at the restaurant, but he’s not getting back at his brother, especially how this job means to him. “You can help J.P. to distant him while I’ll sneak into the boy’s bathroom.”
Before heading inside, Kelsey took the time to reflect on Craig’s strategy. She’s still impressed with Steven’s inspiration, but she’s not willing to harm him even by having her pet bothering him. On the other hand, she still wants to know what’s underneath his shirt with proof.
“Please make sure he doesn’t get a concussion?” She handed Mortimer to Craig.
“I’ll make sure of it.” He borrowed the bird.
Craig looked through the window, keeping an eye on his brother who just got into the bathroom. He opened the door, with the sound of the doorbell rang, Steven immediately looked at the front door.
Soon enough, Craig and his friends manage to hide behind one of the plant pots. “That’s odd.” He turned around as he finally took a sip of Alexis’s special.
Craig did the best of his skills to sneak to the other side of the restaurant. His friends checked in all of their surroundings in case they didn't get caught by Alexis. Soon they hid behind the final pot next to the restrooms.
“Okay, so once my brother comes out, I’ll come in while you distract him.” He whispered.
“Your brother is still in the bathroom.” Kelsey whispered back. “Besides there’s no way Steven’s gonna come in if it’s in an emergency.”
“Yeah, didn’t think that through.” J.P. added.
Just when they’re in a predicament of no return, Craig then sees the beverage Steven is drinking. It gave him an idea, if Steven can’t use the bathroom, he could still use the sink. He whispered into Kelsey and J.P.’s ear on their plan. Then Bernard came out of the bathroom, as Craig and his friends lowered their bodies, Bernard walked past, heading straight to Steven’s table.
“So you have made your choice?” He asked.
“I’ll just have a few bread sticks and a salad.” He handed the menu back to Bernard. “By the way, did you hear the doorbell ring?”
This only made Bernard roll his eyes, while Craig started to sweat. “We're gonna be caught!” J.P. commented.
“Uhhh, it’s just those old pranks from those eighth graders.” Bernard retorted. “Believe me, you have no idea how many times they’ve kept pulling those pranks.”
Craig took a deep breath in relief, lucky enough he got away with it for now. “Okay, I’m heading straight to the bathroom.” Without wasting any time, he sneaks inside the boy’s restrooms with Mortimer.
“Does this happen everyday?” Steven wondered.
“Pretty much, I can’t remember the last time in one day it didn’t happen.” Bernard said. “Your order will be done momentarily.” As he heads to the back with the menu, Steven as always waits for his food.
Both Kelsey and J.P. went out of the open, exposing themselves to proceed with their plan. “J.P.? Kelsey?” Steven took notice. “You finished your book cover already?”
“Yes we did.” Kelsey smiled.
This only caused Steven to look at the front door again. “Were you two the ones sneaking in here?” He turned back to the kids.
“Ummm…that’s a good beverage you have there.” J.P. changing the subject.
“Excuse me?” Steven raised an eyebrow. “Can you please tell me why you’re here?”
Kelsey refuses to tell the truth to protect Craig’s plan while J.P. grabs the beverage. “Why aren’t you answering my question?”
“Because I wanted to taste this!” Before J.P. would take a sip, Kelsey bumped into him, causing the beverage to splash onto Steven’s shirt. “Kelsey!”
“My shirt!” Steven backed away only to bumped into his chair. He took the beverage from J.P. while placing it back on the table. “You know, I would say that drinking someone else's drink is unacceptable, but…” He then took a deep breath, keeping himself under control. “...I don’t expect every neighborhood to be perfect. Please don’t take someone else’s drink.”
“Yeah, sorry I just like the beverages here.”
“We all like the beverages.” Kelsey added.
“Not surprised by that.” Steven headed straight to the bathroom while Kelsey and J.P. hid behind the other flower pots.
“You know we could just leave until Craig comes out.” J.P. replied.
“We would but what if someone hears the doorbell?” She pointed at the front door.
“Ohh…Craig didn’t think this through.”
“And I doubt his brother won’t see this.”
Inside the boy’s restroom, Craig hid himself while sitting on one of the toilets. He holds onto Mortimer, waiting for the right moment until it comes. Then he heard the restroom’s door pushed open, he looked under the stall to see Steven’s feet. It was his cue to place Kelsey’s bird on the ground, he turned on his phone, prepared to take a picture of Steven’s belly.
Steven took some paper towels and soaked them with water from the sink. As he wiped them on his shirt, Mortimer hoped his way behind Steven from a few feet. Craig slowly opened the bathroom door, while holding onto his phone, slowly making his way to take his picture at the right moment.
Just when Steven threw the paper towels away, he turned around as Mortimer flew in the air, catching his attention. “Wow! A bird.” He reacted while Mortimor landed on his hand. “How did you get in here little fella?” He checked around only to notice no windows in the restrooms. “Seems Bernard didn’t check the bathroom before opening.” Just when he heads straight out the door, Mortimer immediately flows out of his hand, thus flying inside his shirt. “Ahh!”
Mortimer flowed underneath the bottom of Steven’s shirt, he then pulled on it which was the cue for Craig to come out to take the picture. Unfortunately, Steven moved to the sink, trying to get the bird out of his shirt. While Craig moved back, he laid down on the ground to take the picture, while making sure Steven didn’t spot him. But then Bernard came in, after hearing pounding from the back.
“Craig!?” He reacted which caused Steven to turn around as Mortimer flew out.
Craig then took a picture just before Steven’s shirt came down. “Bernard!” He reacted upon standing up while putting his phone away.
“What are you doing here!?” This only caused Bernard’s memory to come back to him. “You were the one who opened the front door and sneaked in!?”
“You were?” Steven exclaimed, getting the feathers out of his shirt. “Wait, that would mean his friends did sneak in here.”
“What!?” Bernard soon got out of the restrooms to spot Craig’s friends hiding behind the flower pots. “Get away from that!” Soon Kelsey and J.P. got out in the open, caught without any way to escape. “Craig, you could’ve broken something and I’ll end up paying for it.” As Steven came out of the bathroom, Mortimer flew back onto Kelsey’s head. “Okay, you three are banned here for the day.” As Bernard grabbed his brother’s arm, Craig, Kelsey, and J.P. got kicked out of Pasta La Vista.
“Bernard, we didn’t mean to-”
“Zip it Craig!” Bernard shouted back. “Everything would’ve been fine if you didn’t sneak in here. Do you even have any money?”
Craig lowered his head. “No.”
Bernard signed as he closed the door. “I’m sorry about my brother, I didn’t think he was going to do that.” As Steven took the last feather out of the inside of his shirt, he straightened his shirt. “What happened to your shirt?”
“I had to wipe it with water because your brother’s friends splashed my beverage on me.” Steven answered.
“Why am I not surprised by that?” Bernard looked up at the ceiling. “This is what I was talking about yesterday.”
“He’s just a kid.”
“Did you even notice what he was doing in the bathroom?”
“I didn’t see what he was doing until you came in.”
“Not to mention he took a picture of you. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of this once I’m done giving you a tour of the neighborhood.” As Bernard headed to the back, Steven didn’t head back to his table. He looked straight at Craig and his friends outside the window with a straight face after what happened.
As Kelsey checked Mortimer from all sides of his body, Craig took out his phone. “Did you take the picture?” J.P. asked.
“Yes but…” When he pulled up the photo, he zoomed in on Steven’s body only to see bits of Steven’s belly button. “I didn’t get the whole thing.”
When Kelsey looks at the picture itself, despite the blur, she notices the shape of the object. “I think it looks like a pinkish orb.” She replied.
“If it was an orb, it would’ve been sticking out but it’s not.”
“It’s almost like a button in a belly button.” J.P. commented.
“But I doubt he’s a robot, there’s gotta be more than that.” Craig tries to come up with another plan but for the time being, he and his friends are banned from the restaurant. “I think that pinkish thing has to do something with Steven’s…Steven’s…”
“Steven’s what!?” Both Kelsey and J.P. replied.
“I don’t know!” Craig took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Let’s just leave.”
As Kelsey and J.P. walked past their best friend, Craig looked at Steven who’s still staring at him. He wasn’t mad, but still gave him the same straight look while noticing his phone. Craig didn’t move a muscle, giving Steven the same look he’s giving. He knows he doesn’t have much time to stick around, but he’s never going to let it go from his mind. The object inside Steven’s shirt means more if his life’s that different than his.
“Steven!” Bernard called as he placed the food on Steven’s table. “Your order is here.” Upon hearing the call, Steven headed back to his table, while Craig followed his friends.
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chaopescaoborn · 21 days
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Chao Pescao Born
Barcelona's Born district is a vibrant tapestry woven from history, art, and, of course, delectable cuisine. While exploring the charming labyrinthine streets, a rumble in your stomach is inevitable. But fret not, for Born offers a delightful array of restaurants catering to every palate. This guide will unveil some hidden gems and steer you towards a truly special seafood experience at Chao Pescao.
A Culinary Adventure Through Born's Backstreets
Born's culinary scene reflects its eclectic character. Nestled alongside traditional tapas bars, you'll find innovative gastropubs and international flavors.
Tapas Time: For a quintessential Spanish experience, delve into the world of tapas. Bar del Pla, a local favorite, boasts an extensive menu of delectable bites, perfect for sharing with friends. Order a glass of Rioja and savor classics like patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp).
Global Gastronomy: Feeling adventurous? Born caters to international cravings. Can Cisa offers a taste of Italy with its wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas. If Asian flavors tickle your fancy, delve into the vibrant curries and noodle dishes at Uma. Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered to as well, with restaurants like Flax & Kale offering healthy and delicious options.
A Seafood Paradise: Unveiling Chao Pescao
But for a truly unique and unforgettable culinary experience, look no further than Chao Pescao Seafood. This haven for seafood enthusiasts has recently opened its doors in the heart of Born, adding a touch of maritime magic to the neighborhood.
A Market-Fresh Philosophy
Chao Pescao embraces a "lonja" (fish market) concept. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a glistening display of the freshest catches – plump prawns, glistening lobsters, and an array of vibrant fish. Here, you choose your seafood directly from the display, ensuring the utmost quality and freshness.
The knowledgeable staff is readily available to guide you through the selection, offering recommendations based on your preferences and the daily catch. Whether you're a seasoned seafood connoisseur or a curious novice, their expertise will ensure a delightful experience.
A Culinary Canvas: From Sea to Plate
Once you've made your selection, the skilled chefs get to work. With a focus on simple yet flavorful preparations, they transform the fresh ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Indulge in simply grilled fish or succulent shellfish bathed in a light garlic sauce. For a touch of indulgence, opt for their signature lobster paella, a vibrant dish bursting with seafood and fragrant rice.
Chao Pescao caters to all preferences. Vegetarians can savor a selection of seasonal salads and grilled vegetables. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine list, featuring both local and international options to perfectly complement your meal.
Beyond the Plate: Ambiance and Experience
The warmth and charm of Chao Pescao extend beyond the exceptional food. The restaurant itself exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Exposed brick walls and warm lighting create a relaxed setting perfect for savoring a leisurely meal. Whether you're catching up with friends or enjoying a romantic dinner, the ambiance enhances the dining experience.
A Perfect Fit for Born
Chao Pescao seamlessly blends with the spirit of Born. Just as the neighborhood celebrates tradition with a modern twist, the restaurant's concept reflects this philosophy. It offers the freshest seafood prepared with time-tested techniques, presented with a contemporary flair.
So, as you explore the captivating streets of Born, remember to factor in a culinary pit stop at Chao Pescao. This exceptional seafood haven promises a delightful gastronomic journey, leaving you with a taste of the sea and a memory etched in your culinary repertoire. Click here Chao Pescao Born
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napolispizzakitchen · 3 months
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Must-Try Italian Restaurants In Sherman Oaks: Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen
Nestled in the heart of Sherman Oaks, Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen is a beloved local pizzeria that brings the flavors of Italy to the neighborhood. With a commitment to using fresh, quality ingredients and traditional recipes, we offer a taste of authentic Italian cuisine that keeps diners coming back for more. Join us on a culinary journey through the must-try Italian restaurants in Sherman Oaks, starting with Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen.
Artisan Pizzas Made With Love At Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen, we take pride in crafting artisan pizzas that pay homage to Italy’s rich culinary heritage. From the classic Margherita to our signature Napoli’s Special, each pizza is lovingly handcrafted using only the finest ingredients. Our hand-tossed dough is made fresh daily, and we top it with premium cheeses, locally sourced produce, and house-made sauces for a truly authentic taste experience. Whether you’re a fan of traditional toppings or crave something more adventurous, our menu has something for everyone.
Indulge In Italian Comfort Food In addition to our mouthwatering pizzas, Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen also offers a selection of homemade pastas that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From creamy Fettuccine Alfredo to hearty Spaghetti Bolognese, our pasta dishes are prepared with care and attention to detail. Each dish is cooked to perfection and served with your choice of sauce, from marinara to pesto to creamy Alfredo. Pair your pasta with a glass of wine from our curated selection, and you have the perfect recipe for a memorable dining experience.
More Than Just Pizzas And Pastas While pizza and pasta may be our specialties, Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen offers a diverse menu of Italian classics to tempt your taste buds. From crispy calzones to flavorful subs and fresh salads, there’s something for everyone at our pizzeria. Craving something light? Try our Caprese Salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil drizzled with balsamic glaze. For something heartier, sink your teeth into our Meatball Sub, loaded with homemade meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese. With options to please every palate, Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen is your go-to destination for Italian dining in Sherman Oaks.
Hospitality That Feels Like Home At Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. That’s why we go above and beyond to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll be greeted with a smile and treated like family. Our friendly staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have and ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional. Whether you’re joining us for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, you can always count on a warm welcome at Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen.
Discover The Napoli’s Difference When it comes to Italian dining in Sherman Oaks, Napoli’s Pizza Kitchen stands out as a true gem. With our commitment to quality, authenticity, and hospitality, we’ve earned a reputation as one of the must-try Italian restaurants in the area. Join us today and enjoy the Napoli’s experience for yourself. From our mouthwatering pizzas to our homemade pastas and beyond, we’re proud to bring the flavors of Italy to Sherman Oaks. Buon appetito!
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jetsetvenue123 · 4 months
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Exploring the Best Italian Pasta Spots in NYC
Picture this: it's a chilly winter day in New York City, and you're craving something cozy and comforting. What could be better than a piping hot plate of pasta? It's not just a meal; it's like getting a warm hug from Italy itself. Let's take a stroll through the lively streets of NYC and uncover some of the best Italian eateries where you can indulge in the ultimate pasta experience. Each of these places has its own charm and flavors that will transport you straight to Italy, one delicious bite at a time.
SERRA by Birreria, Eataly Flatiron
Step into SERRA by Birreria, and you'll feel like you've been whisked away to the tranquil countryside of Italy, even amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect setting to enjoy their homemade potato gnocchi. Trust me, each mouthful of gnocchi smothered in creamy Parmigiano Reggiano DOP sauce and drizzled with Villa Manodori Balsamic is like a little piece of heaven.
Tarallucci E Vino, Upper West Side
Tarallucci E Vino captures the essence of Italian dining with its commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their homemade lasagna is a true labor of love—a delicious combination of beef and pork ragù, silky béchamel, and aged parmigiano that will leave you wanting more.
La Pecora Bianca, Bryant Park
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Bryant Park, La Pecora Bianca offers a peaceful retreat where you can indulge in daily homemade pastas and inventive dishes. Don't miss their house-made rigatoni with vodka sauce, topped with creamy burrata—it's the perfect blend of classic and contemporary flavors.
Uva, Upper West Side
Nestled in the charming Upper West Side neighborhood, Uva is a cozy spot that feels like home. Their house-made cavatelli, coated in a light, creamy pesto sauce, is a simple yet flavorful dish that will warm your soul.
Quality Italian, Midtown
True to its name, Quality Italian offers an upscale dining experience with a unique twist. Their dry-aged porterhouse agnolotti is a must-try, featuring a rich blend of flavors like 24-month-aged parmesan, brown butter, and vincotto—all wrapped up in a delicate pasta shell.
So, whether you're looking to escape the winter chill or simply craving some authentic Italian flavors, these pasta spots in NYC are sure to hit the spot. Come hungry and leave satisfied—it's the Italian way.
Related Keywords: Best Italian pasta in NYC, Authentic Italian dining in New York, Cozy pasta spots in NYC, Gourmet Italian cuisine in the Big Apple
Visit us- https://jetsetvenue.com/
Call us at 646-470-3127
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funkatello · 6 months
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The Ultimate Guide to Italian Dining in Darlinghurst
Known for its lively food and bar scene, Darlinghurst offers some of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney. You’ll find authentic flavors and hospitality in this dining hub, from upscale ristorantes to cozy trattorias. Ready to explore the area’s top Italian eateries? Here’s your guide to indulging in la dolce vita in Darlinghurst:
Classic Trattorias
For a true taste of Italy, cozy trattorias serve up homestyle classics in a bustling, informal setting. Top picks include:
Stanley Street Social - Charming corner trattoria dishing up Sicilian specialties and wood-fired pizzas beside vintage vespas. Cash only.
Bar Locanda - Vintage trattoria vibes meet modern Italian fare like duck ragu pappardelle and smoked cod croquettes.
Love. Fish - Bringing Sicily’s seafood traditions to Sydney with bold pastas and grilled whole fish.
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Upscale Italian
Several Darlinghurst restaurants offer refined takes on Italian cuisine with attentive service, smart decor, and globally-inspired menus. Standouts include:
Automata - Sophisticated modern Italian degustation menus paired with natural wines.
Funkatello - Slick two-level restaurant celebrating Italy’s flavors with housemade pasta, creative cocktails and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons - Lavish modern Italian fine dining complete with chandeliers and suited waiters.
Pasta Perfection
For the best pasta in Sydney, Darlo has specialists serving homemade pastas cut, rolled, stuffed and sauced to perfection. Top pasta bars like:
Pilu at Freshwater - Handmade Sardinian delights like culurgiones ravioli and malloreddus pasta.
Restaurant Hubert - Decadent dishes like black truffle rigatoni and plump gnocchi blanketed in parmesan cream.
LP's Quality Meats - Luscious lasagna and bolognese-loaded papardelle at this upscale steakhouse.
Pizza Lovers Paradise
Alongside pasta, Neapolitan-style and gourmet pizzas fired up in wood ovens are a Darlinghurst specialty. Our top pizza picks:
Tipo 00 - Authentic Neapolitan pies with paper-thin, charred crusts in a casual setting.
Da Mario - Hefty Roman-style pizzas al taglio by the slice or whole pies.
The Dolphin Hotel - Perfectly blistered and chewy artisanal pizzas alongside boutique wines.
Italian-Inspired Cocktails
Don't forget drinks! Stanley Street restaurants and bars shake up Italian-influenced craft cocktails. Sip on Negronis, Spritzes, and new concoctions featuring Italian amari, vermouths, liqueurs and more. Top cocktail contenders include:
Maybe Frank - Italophile bar with Frizzantes and complex amari cocktails.
Continental Deli Bar Bistro - Creative yet classic Italian libations served until late.
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Bringing Italy Home
Several restaurants like Funkatello also offer delicatessen takeaway counters for Italian feasts at home. Stock up on freshly made pasta, sauces, antipasti, pizzas, dolci and imported Italian goods.
Mangia bene! Let your taste buds travel to Italy through Darlinghurst's diverse Italian dining experiences. With fantastic food, hospitality, cocktails and ambiance - this Sydney gem delivers la dolce vita.
Conclusion
Darlinghurst truly encapsulates the spirit of Italian dining and hospitality. The neighborhood provides an authentic taste of Italy's regional cuisines, from cozy trattorias to upscale ristorantes. The bustling Stanley Street strip comes alive each evening with the sights, sounds and aromas of Italy.
Beyond the classics, talented chefs also put modern spins on Italian fare, focusing on seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and Italian-inspired cocktails all thrive thanks to passionate purveyors. Whether you seek a homestyle dish Nonna would approve of, or imaginative new flavors, Darlinghurst delivers.
For the ultimate Italian dining experience in Darlinghurst, book your table at Funkatello. Our fresh pasta, pizzas, cocktails and warm hospitality provide a sublime taste of la dolce vita.
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dohabarloun · 7 months
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Savoring Astoria: Exploring the Culinary Delights and Good Restaurants in Astoria, Queens
Nestled in the heart of Queens, New York, Astoria is a vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhood that boasts a rich culinary scene. Known for its history, picturesque streets, and close-knit community, Astoria also stands out as a food lover's paradise. In this article, we will embark on a gastronomic journey to explore the diverse and delicious options for food near Astoria, Queens, and uncover some of the best restaurants that this neighborhood has to offer.
Astoria's Cultural Tapestry
Astoria is famous for its multicultural tapestry, which is vividly reflected in its culinary offerings. The neighborhood is home to a melting pot of cultures, including Greek, Egyptian, Italian, and more. This diversity has given rise to a remarkable variety of cuisines and flavors. Let's take a closer look at some of the must-visit restaurants in Astoria, each representing a unique cultural experience.
Taverna Kyclades - A Greek Gastronomic Oasis
Astoria's Greek heritage shines brightly through its culinary scene, and Taverna Kyclades stands as a beacon of authentic Greek cuisine. This unassuming restaurant is renowned for its delectable seafood, grilled meats, and traditional dishes like moussaka and spanakopita. Dining at Taverna Kyclades is like taking a trip to the Mediterranean without leaving Astoria.
El Khetyar - Egyptian Delights in Astoria
El Khetyar brings the flavors of Egypt to Astoria. This family-owned restaurant serves up a delightful array of dishes, from koshari, a satisfying blend of lentils, rice, and macaroni, to delicious shawarma and falafel. The cozy atmosphere and friendly staff make it an excellent choice for those seeking a taste of Egypt in Queens.
Trattoria L'incontro - A Slice of Italy
Italian cuisine enthusiasts will find their paradise at Trattoria L'incontro. This fine-dining establishment offers a romantic and elegant setting to savor classic Italian dishes like homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and delectable tiramisu. The extensive wine list ensures the perfect pairing for your meal, and the service is impeccable.
Arepa Lady - Venezuelan Street Food Sensation
For something a bit different but equally mouthwatering, head over to Arepa Lady. This small, unassuming eatery serves up a taste of Venezuela through its namesake dish, the arepa. These gluten-free cornmeal pockets are filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, from tender pulled pork to creamy avocado. A visit to Arepa Lady will leave your taste buds dancing.
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - A Taste of Tradition
Astoria is not just about international cuisine; it also has a deep-rooted tradition of beer gardens. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is one of the oldest and most iconic beer gardens in New York City. This spacious and rustic venue is the perfect place to enjoy a cold brew, hearty Czech dishes, and live music in a communal and lively atmosphere.
Muncan Food Corp - The Best in Meat
If you're a meat enthusiast, a visit to Muncan Food Corp is a must. This butcher shop is renowned for its high-quality meats, sausages, and charcuterie. Whether you're looking for prime cuts for your own cooking or pre-made deli sandwiches, Muncan is your go-to destination for meaty delights.
Ample Hills Creamery - A Sweet Finish
Every culinary journey deserves a sweet ending, and Ample Hills Creamery has you covered. This Brooklyn-based ice cream shop brings its innovative and mouthwatering creations to Astoria. Whether you're a fan of classic flavors or daring combinations like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Ample Hills offers something for everyone with a sweet tooth.
Exploring Astoria's Food Scene
Beyond the specific restaurants mentioned above, Astoria's food scene is a treasure trove of culinary exploration. You'll find an abundance of bakeries, cafes, and food trucks offering a wide array of global cuisines. Whether you're in the mood for a crispy slice of pizza, a flavorful falafel wrap, a hearty plate of tacos, or a classic New York bagel, Astoria has it all.
One of the best ways to experience the neighborhood's culinary diversity is by taking a leisurely stroll along the bustling streets, from Broadway to Ditmars Boulevard. You'll encounter charming cafes, family-run delis, and hole-in-the-wall gems that serve up incredible flavors.
Conclusion
Astoria, Queens, is not just a neighborhood; it's a culinary destination. With its rich cultural diversity and the strong influence of various ethnic communities, Astoria offers a remarkable array of culinary delights. From traditional Greek and Italian restaurants to hidden gems serving global street food, the food scene in Astoria is as diverse as it is delicious. The neighborhood's welcoming atmosphere and friendly residents make it the perfect place to explore and savor the rich tapestry of flavors that this area has to offer. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, make sure to embark on a culinary adventure in Astoria and experience some of the best restaurants in this remarkable neighborhood.
For more info:- good restaurants in astoria
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discovernashville · 8 months
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The Best Restaurants in Nashville You Need to Try
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Nashville, often dubbed the "Music City," is renowned for its vibrant music scene, but it's not just the melodies that make this city sing. Nashville's culinary landscape has been hitting all the right notes in recent years, attracting foodies from around the world. Whether you're a local or a visitor, embarking on a Music City tour would be incomplete without indulging in the delectable dishes the city has to offer. In this article, we'll take you on a gastronomic journey through some of the best restaurants in Nashville.
1. Hattie B's Hot Chicken: Spicing Up Your Taste Buds
Start your Music City tour with a bang at Hattie B's Hot Chicken. Nashville's signature dish, hot chicken, has taken the culinary world by storm, and Hattie B's is one of the pioneers in perfecting this fiery delight. With its crispy, spicy, and succulent chicken served with classic Southern sides like coleslaw and baked beans, Hattie B's will make your taste buds dance to the beat of Nashville's culinary rhythm.
2. Husk Nashville: Farm-to-Table Excellence
For a taste of true Southern cuisine, Husk Nashville is a must-visit. This farm-to-table gem is dedicated to using locally-sourced ingredients, ensuring that every dish bursts with fresh flavors. Their ever-changing menu showcases the best of what the region has to offer, making it an essential stop on your Music City tour. 
3. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack: Where Hot Chicken Was Born
While hot chicken has become a sensation, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is where it all began. This historic establishment has been serving up spicy poultry since the 1930s, and the recipe has remained a closely-guarded secret for generations. If you're a fan of heat and history, Prince's is a must-visit on your culinary journey through Nashville.
4. The Catbird Seat: A Culinary Symphony
For those seeking a dining experience that's as unforgettable as a live performance at the Ryman Auditorium, The Catbird Seat is the place to be. This intimate restaurant offers a front-row seat to the culinary creativity of their talented chefs. With a constantly changing menu featuring seasonal and innovative dishes, The Catbird Seat is a fine dining experience that harmonizes perfectly with your Music City tour.
5. Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint: Smoked to Perfection
No visit to Nashville would be complete without savoring some authentic Tennessee barbecue, and Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint delivers the smoky goodness you crave. Their pitmasters work their magic with slow-smoked meats, creating tender and flavorful dishes like brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. 
6. Rolf and Daughters: Italian Fusion with a Southern Twist
Rolf and Daughters is where Nashville's culinary scene takes a creative turn. This restaurant combines Italian flavors with Southern ingredients to produce dishes that are both familiar and intriguing. From house-made pastas to inventive cocktails, Rolf and Daughters is a culinary adventure that will elevate your Music City tour.
7. The Loveless Cafe: Biscuits, Blessings, and Hospitality
If you're looking for a quintessential Southern experience, The Loveless Cafe should be on your list. Famous for its mouthwatering biscuits, homemade preserves, and Southern hospitality, this iconic establishment has been serving up comfort food since 1951. 
So, as you embark on your Music City tour, make sure to include these exceptional restaurants in your itinerary. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Exploring Nashville's Parks and Recreation Areas
A Tour of Nashville City's Lesser-Known Attractions and Neighborhoods
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taruntravell · 8 months
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A Vegan-Friendly Way To Roman Eateries
Exploring Roman eateries in a vegan-friendly way can be a delightful experience. Italian cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients, and there are plenty of vegan options to savor in Rome. Here's a guide to help you navigate Roman eateries while adhering to a vegan diet:
Research Vegan-Friendly Restaurants: Start by researching vegan-friendly restaurants in Rome. There are many establishments that cater specifically to vegans and vegetarians. Popular vegan restaurants in Rome include "Ops! Cucina Mediterranea Vegana" and "Ma Va'?".
Visit Local Markets: Rome has bustling local markets, such as Campo de' Fiori and Mercato di Testaccio, where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, and other vegan ingredients. These markets are great for picking up snacks or ingredients for a homemade vegan meal.
Classic Italian Dishes with a Vegan Twist:
Pizza: Order a vegan pizza with toppings like tomato sauce, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes. Many pizzerias offer vegan cheese as well.
Pasta: Look for pasta dishes made with vegan-friendly ingredients. Classic options include pasta with tomato sauce, garlic, and olive oil (spaghetti aglio e olio) or pasta with vegetables.
Bruschetta: Enjoy bruschetta with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Ensure the bread is vegan-friendly.
Minestrone: Try a hearty bowl of vegan minestrone soup, which typically consists of vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful broth.
Vegan Gelato: Don't miss out on Italian gelato. Many gelaterias offer vegan flavors made with almond, soy, or coconut milk. Ask for a cone or cup of your favorite vegan gelato.
Explore Vegan-Friendly Neighborhoods: Areas like Trastevere and Monti have a high concentration of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Take a stroll through these neighborhoods and discover vegan-friendly eateries.
Ask for Modifications: In non-vegan restaurants, don't hesitate to ask for vegan modifications. Most chefs are willing to accommodate dietary preferences. You can request dishes without cheese, butter, or meat.
Learn Basic Italian Phrases: Knowing some basic Italian phrases related to veganism can be helpful when communicating your dietary preferences. Learn how to say "I am vegan" ("Sono vegano/a") and "Does this contain dairy or meat?" ("Contiene latticini o carne?").
Use Vegan-Friendly Apps: Utilize smartphone apps like HappyCow, which can help you find vegan and vegetarian restaurants and stores in Rome.
Respect Local Customs: While traveling, it's important to respect local customs and traditions. Italian cuisine is often rooted in tradition, so approach your vegan choices with respect and understanding.
Stay Open-Minded: Be open to trying new vegan dishes and experimenting with local ingredients. Italian cuisine offers a wide array of vegan-friendly options, and you might discover some delightful surprises.
By following these tips, you can savor the flavors of Rome while maintaining your vegan diet. Remember that Italian cuisine is diverse, and there are plenty of vegan-friendly choices available in this beautiful city.
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scavengerhunt-toronto · 8 months
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Top Restaurants in Corso Italia, Toronto
Corso Italia is a neighborhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on St. Clair Avenue West, between Westmount Avenue (just east of Dufferin Street) and Lansdowne Avenue. It is contained within the larger city-recognized neighborhood of Corso Italia-Davenport.
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The neighborhood includes numerous cafés, clothing shops, shoe stores, restaurants, and food markets, as well as several gelaterias and bakeries. The community is considered Toronto's second Italian ethnic enclave after Little Italy on College Street. There is also a significant Latin American and Portuguese community in the area. Corporate activities Toronto.
Pizza e Pazzi
Not only is our custom-built brick wood-burning oven guaranteeing every pizza comes out mouth-watering, but our homemade pasta prepared for you by the owner and the skilled chef of twenty years is bound to leave you unable to put down your utensils until every bite is finished. But why take our word for it? We invite you to test this for yourself and join us for lunch or dinner at Pizza e Pazzi.
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The term “pizza” first appeared in Latin text dating from 997 AD. A dish of the poor people sold in the streets of Medieval Naples, pizza was not considered a kitchen recipe until the 18th century. Legend has it that King Ferdinand of Naples and the Two Sicilies disguised himself as a commoner and visited a poor neighbourhood in Naples “to sink his teeth into a food that the Queen had banned from the royal court”. Authentic Neapolitan Pizza is a thing of beauty designed to delight with every bite. Like an insatiable desire to rip it to pieces in a fit of passion you won’t stop until you’ve devoured it.
​Its ingredients consist of a palette of delirious flavours. The tart like tinge of the San Marzano tomatoes add a sweet quality to the soft, blistered, flame-licked bed of dough.It is then topped with any and all of your chosen delights to create a work of art for your consumption.
Frank’s Pizza House - Corso Italia
Established in 1965, Frank’s Pizza House is one of the best and oldest pizzerias in Toronto. We’ve received numerous awards over the years: Best Pizza In Toronto by Now Magazine; Best Panzerotti in Toronto by BlogTO; Best Pizza Delivery Toronto by BlogTO; and many more. We’re your neighbourhood pizza place in Toronto with fast delivery for all your pizza needs.
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Frank’s Pizza House is a family business that has been operated by the Taverniti family since 1992. With classic Italian dishes, we offer our clients a warm atmosphere filled with friendly faces and aromas of freshly made dough, sizzling pizza, and savory espresso. Dine in at our restaurant on St. Clair, or place your delivery order today!
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Scavenger Hunt Anywhere offers scavenger hunt Toronto in corporate offices. Our scavenger hunts come complete with all of the materials needed for your hunt—from pens and paper to snacks, to prizes—and we'll even help you set up the hunt so that your employees know exactly what they need to do! We'll even give you tips on how best to run it so everyone has a good time without getting too competitive or distracted from their work.
If you're looking for an easy way to break up some serious business with some fun time outside of the office, Scavenger Hunt Anywhere scavenger hunts are exactly what you're looking for!
Scavenger Hunt Anywhere 36 Toronto St. Suite 850 Toronto ON M5C 2C5 1-866-994-6832 https://www.scavengerhuntanywhere.com/ https://www.google.com/maps?cid=1210609155025681665
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cherriesfineline · 3 years
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Au Pair – Chapter I
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It's finally here – I'm sorry this took so long, this past few weeks have been a mess but here it is, our first chapter for the Au Pair series; I kinda hate this, ngl- I always hate first chapters, a lot of introductory info and bla bla but yeah.
In the weird case you happen to enjoy this and want to be added into the taglist (starting next chapter) you can request it here.
Feedback, likes or reblogs are so, so appreciated! I'm very much new to the whole writing world so yeah it'd be really helpful to hear your thoughts about this <3
Love you all, have a wonderful week beauties!
Warnings: none specifically for this chapter – age gap.
WC: 6.6k
Masterlist
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Y/N was tired, to say the least.
And it wasn’t the tiredness she used to feel after a long work shift at her previous job -where her boss was an old, grumpy lady with horrible manners- or the exhaustion felt after spending hours crying due to a fight with her mother. No, this was different. It was a tiredness she couldn’t get rid of; a tiredness no lavender smelling bath or hours upon hours of sleep could amend.
She couldn't pinpoint the exact moment her brain shifted in such a drastic way. Y/N could easily recognize and admit her life had never been an exciting one; a memorable one. Ever since she was a little girl it all seemed to fly by; graduations, birthdays, friendships – nothing ever seemed to leave an impact and nothing ever seemed as exciting as everyone else put it to be. She knew she struggled with allowing herself to enjoy things, but this far her life had been pretty average.
Maybe it was the fact that she was 22 years old and never been in a real relationship what skyrocketed her fear of dying alone. Now, she knew it might seem exaggerated – 22 years wasn’t a long life at all, but the pungent emptiness she’d been feeling felt like her inevitable destiny – like that’s how life was supposed to be for her.
England felt different, though. But in all honesty, her emotions hadn’t had switched into completely different ones like she’d expected to happen when she applied for this job as an Au Pair all the way back in February.
With a steaming hot cup of coffee between her cold hands, she sat down next to Coco (a very soft grey Scottish Fold) on the giant couch of her new home, scratching in between his tiny ears earning a low purr in response. Coco had become one of her closest friends so far, along with Anya, a three year old girl with cute blonde locks and a laugh so contagious it made the muscles on your cheeks ache after a long playdate.
Maybe moving away wasn’t the smartest choice. It actually might be one of the stupidest choices she had ever made, actually – moving all the way across the globe when she cried herself to sleep most nights due to her loneliness overcoming her (almost inexistent) self-awareness. Y/N liked to believe she had a wide understanding of her emotions, but it was a blatant lie.
At least she was distracted for most of the day – taking care of two kids and looking after a teenager wasn’t an easy task. It required a lot of mental presence; but by the time she was in bed at night, it all hit back again. She thought maybe this is how life is supposed to be for her, lonely – maybe it was not her brain playing her tricks but her brain making her see how her life truly was.
It’d been two weeks since the Lockehold family picked Y/N up from the airport, and on one side getting physically adjusted to this new life hadn't been as rough as she thought it’d be. She did have it easy, if she had to admit – a big room in a giant, beautiful home and a car to her disposal. Emotionally, on the other side, life was still the same.
She knew the moment she heard heels hitting the cold marble staircase Bella was on her way down with Ivy, the eldest of the three sisters, following close behind, complaining about a hangout she was apparently going to miss because they “are expecting a guest” as Bella announced, meaning neither of her parents could drive her. That’s how Y/N found herself sitting in her (borrowed) blue Jeep Renegade driving Ivy to her friend Lily’s house – who lived in the same rich, over-the-top neighborhood as her guest family, which meant the ride to and back was no longer than twenty minutes. During those minutes together, though, Y/N could physically feel the irritation running through Ivy’s blood because first, she still wasn’t too fond of Y/N because she is 16 and doesn’t need a babysitter -her words, not Y/N’s- and second, Y/N is still not accustomed to driving on the other side of the road.
Technically, Y/N had the weekends off. Living with the same people who employed her gladly didn’t mean working 24/7, but she hoped she could earn a couple of points in her favor if she took her free time to drive her around.
After a short conversation between the two (where Ivy refused to save Y/N’s number in case an emergency came up because she could always call her dad), Y/N dropped her off and drove back to the Lockehold’s. What caught her off guard, was the sight of someone in the driveway at the house next door getting suitcases out of the trunk of a black cab – there hadn’t been any movement in the old Victorian mansion since she’d moved in next door. A man, definitely very tall, dressed in a dark suit is all Y/N could decipher since it was already dark outside and she had to strictly concentrate on not switching to the opposite side of the road out of habit.
Alex was coming down the stairs when Y/N locked the front door – Bella’s husband was a very handsome man for his age, probably anyone could admit it. He was kind of scary sometimes, but was a true sweetheart on the inside; he’s in his mid-40’s and it was clear as day his family meant everything to him, he even treated Y/N like his own daughter, always making sure she’s comfortable and inviting her to most family hangouts – even though Y/N declined pretty often to allow them to have quality time as a family (and because being too socially involved drained her, but they needn’t have to know that)
“You wanna join us for dinner? We have a guest tonight. A family friend.”
“Oh, no, I'm good, you guys enjoy yourselves. I’ll say hello, though.” Y/N replied with a smile; and as before mentioned, even though she had the weekends to herself, they still loved to insist on her joining them for fancy dinners and whatnot. The Lockehold’s loved being hostesses, loved having people around (from what Y/N learned this past two weeks) but she really wanted -and needed- some time for herself after being with them the entire week, and even though she loved hanging out with them, she just wasn’t in the mood tonight.
“You sure? Bella made homemade pasta, from scratch. Her specialty.” Mouthwatering, Y/N thought. Bella was such an amazing cook, and even though she worked hours upon hours every day, she still came to her husband and kids in time to make dinner every night, not missing a single day.
“Sounds delicious, but I think I’ll pass, I’m just really tired.” And before anyone could make another comment, the loud bell ringing through the main floor of the house startled Y/N as it’s louder than ordinary – and sounded kind of old and creepy, in her opinion. By the time the constant thud in her chest lowered to a normal speed, she could recognize Bella’s voice in the foyer, meaning she was the one who received their guest, with a deep voice following after saying 'thank you for having me'.
"He's here!" Alex clasped his hands together, a wide smile appearing in his face. Y/N followed him into the living room where Bella was already chatting animatedly with a man; tall and with broad shoulders (but not excessively; just the right amount) his figure was leaning slightly forward as he listened to Bella rambling about all the 'good things he had missed while he was away'. His hands were clasped on his back and when he lifted his head, he made direct eye contact with Y/N without even having to search for her eyes. His brown curls were perfectly placed on top of his head looking extremely soft, and when he ran his hand through it Y/N couldn’t help but swallow harshly. He undoubtedly looked like someone who belonged in Hollywood next to a young Leo DiCaprio and he was definitely older than Y/N – probably already in his 30's, she guessed, but ageing like the finest wine. He had the softest looking wrinkles in the corners of his eyes – those eyes, forest green; reminded Y/N of what used to be home for her. His intense gaze held a lot of emotion, a lot of thought, unlike his face, that appeared stiff and cold, with a slight crease between his brows. His pink, heart-shaped lips were pressed in a line, a cute mole adorning one side of his chin.
"Harry! It's so good to see you, we've missed you." Alex's excitement forced him to drift his gaze away from Y/N, leaving her like a heated teenager salivating for him. Y/N honestly thought he might had left her speechless and most likely with increasing probabilities to make a fool out of herself if someone needed her to talk, as she was certain she wouldn't be able to formulate any coherent sentences.
Harry. It totally suited him, Y/N repeated his name a couple of times inside her head to check on its pronunciation. Alex reached him and pulled him in a big hug, patting each other's back, and Harry's lips broke into a huge smile making a line of pearly white teeth appear. And dimples. God, he had dimples.
This is how I die, Y/N thought.
"So good to see you, Alex." If sex was a sound, his voice would definitely be it.
"Your skin is glowing, Harry. Italy always does you wonders." Bella gushed. And she was right – his skin had this beautiful golden undertone, but it looked natural and radiant, almost like the sun itself kissed and caressed his skin with the softest touches. Alex snapped Y/N into reality when he turned to face her and grabbed her hand to pull her closer to them, starting a long introduction no one was paying much attention to, explaining how he’d missed her arrival, like he even cared, and how she was the Au Pair they’d all been talking about ever since February. It wasn’t until Alex mentioned something about Y/N and Harry probably seeing each other a lot she was suddenly interested in what was actually going on.
“He owns the school the girl’s attend.” Alex directed towards her. Now, Y/N assumed the moment she laid eyes on him he was probably rich – who wears a suit to a Sunday dinner with friends? Rich people are weird, that’s something we can all agree on; but owning a school which’s monthly fees per kid were worth three of her salaries? That was quite unexpected.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry." Y/N offered him her hand, trying to sound as casual as possible, even if her skin felt like it was burning under his intense gaze and her eyes were definitely betraying her.
"The pleasure’s all mine, Y/N." He shook her hand. His strong hold sent shivers down her spine; the cold rings making a big contrast against the heat his hand radiated and she couldn't help but fantasize about how his touch would feel in some other places.
The sudden embarrassment feeling hot against her cheeks made her turn around impossibly faster, feeling guilty at the dirty thoughts consuming her brain while around her bosses – and in front of him. Making a beeline straight to her room, announcing she was calling it a night, she sent Harry a quick -but quite charming- smile, and couldn’t help but soften at the sound of Anya running down the stairs yelling an excited ‘Harryyyy’ once she was past the kitchen.
She knew she got lucky with her commodities – an entire studio-like apartment past the main kitchen of the house, where the servant’s area used to be located a handful of decades ago; but she cussed in a whisper when she remembered half way through her making of a sandwich (four hours after she’d retreated to her bedroom and because she decided on skipping dinner that night, not having enough energy to cook) that her lazy ass still hadn’t bought mayonnaise. Her small kitchen had enough space to hold her snacks, along with some ingredients to make a few meals, since she only had to worry about food on the weekends. Reluctantly, she took the small plate holding her sandwich and made her way towards the main kitchen. There was no way in hell she’d eat a sandwich with no mayo – never in a million years, too dry to go down her throat.
I guess they won't mind if I grab just enough to put on my sandwich, she thought. The house was quiet, everyone probably already in bed, therefore she almost pissed herself when she found Harry sitting in one of the kitchen stools, looking down at his phone with an annoyed expression adorning his face. Almost as if he could sense someone was in the same room, he looked up to find Y/N standing at the kitchen threshold, his face abandoning any sort of emotion.
"Hey."
"Hi." Y/N walked towards the fridge on the far right of the kitchen, opposite from where she came in. "Sorry, I thought no one was here."
"Don't worry, just waiting for Bella and Alex to come back down to have some tea, they're putting the girls to sleep. Would you like to join us?" He offered. And honestly, she'd love to say yes and just listen to him talk with that deep, melodic voice, but her stomach was really hating her right now.
"I'm good, just grabbing some mayo. Thank you, though." She declined with a small smile.
"Next time." He sounded more demanding than suggesting, which slightly baffled Y/N. "Can I ask where you are from?" He asked respectfully.
"A small town in the Argentine Patagonia." Y/N replied with her back facing him as she busied herself with the mayonnaise container.
"Never been to Argentina. Or anywhere in South America, actually." And when Y/N turned around, sandwich in hand ready to go back to her room, their eyes met across the kitchen and she felt the heat creeping up her neck for the second time that night. Y/N wondered how his gaze was always this intense – she wasn’t a fan of how they’d barely exchanged a few words and somehow she felt so exposed.
"You should. It's beautiful." She almost, almost, choked on her own words and when she looked down at her fuzzy pink socks and back to him to try and calm her growing nerves down, he surprised her when she caught him looking up and down her body – in any other case she definitely would’ve felt creeped out, but there was something about him, the fact that he definitely didn’t do it with the intention of her catching him (she noticed how he shifted uncomfortably on his seat after the exchange) and how he simply added a “I’m sure it is," afterwards, she knew she was fucked right then and there – she wanted him looking at her. Was that something bad?
But then – then she remembered how she was wearing her soft cotton pajamas, and she began wondering if he was just laughing internally at her outfit instead of checking her out like she initially thought. And just like a save from heaven, Bella and Alex appeared in the kitchen discussing who was picking Ivy up from her friend's house. "Hi Y/N, still awake?"
"Yeah, got hungry. Stole a bit of mayo, hope you don't mind." She shyly held the plate up.
"Please, this is your house too." Alex waved her off.
"Thanks. Gonna go back now." Y/N pointed towards the small hallway that led to her room. "Goodnight." Turning her body to walk away, she caught Harry's eyes, again, still staring at her, but decided on simply walking away, breaking eye contact, making that small interaction their last one for the night.
&
The following week consisted of Anya and Y/N playing lots of fun games, trying to get a word out of Charlie and Ivy ignoring her for the most part. Her relationship with each of them was completely different, each trusting her at their own peace, getting used to having a stranger around. Anya seemed the only one openly excited to hang out with Y/N every day, and even though she could tell Charlie didn't exactly mind her presence, she still hadn't talked to her as much as she'd like her to.
"What are you up to, Charlie?" Y/N asked the seven year old as she sat next to her in the big playroom they had on the main floor. Charlie kept her gaze locked on her drawing with a handful of crayons on her right hand as she drew with her left. "You're left handed? That's so cool!" Bella had mentioned some time ago that Charlie had a really hard time letting people in, Y/N knew it'd take some time for her to see her as a friend -like she wanted her to- rather than someone who gets paid to hang out with her, but Bella confessed Charlie was actually really excited to meet Y/N, which felt like a small relief, knowing she actually wanted her there – unlike Ivy. Charlie spoke only when necessary and struggled with making friends but her psych pedagogue said she's just really shy and that ‘once she breaks out of her shell, she's unstoppable’. "I love the birds you drew here." Y/N pointed at some small birds sitting in a tree branch.
"Bluebirds." She murmured.
Getting a single word from her was considered progress, in Y/N’s opinion, but that’s all she got for the entire afternoon – even after constantly sending comments her way while playing with Anya so Charlie wouldn’t feel left out, not a single word came out of her mouth. Anya mentioned Harry at some point while talking about her favorite doll (which Harry had gifted her for her 3rd birthday) and the flash of captivating green eyes almost blinded her internally (she couldn’t deny she’d thought about Harry every once in a while this past week)
And it wasn’t until later that same day, after spending a long while sitting alone in a nearby park, she got the chance to see him again – even if he had scared her (almost) to death, she couldn’t help but feel an annoying flutter in her stomach.
She would like to say she loved her long walks during the most unreasonable times at night, but her reasoning behind her late night needs of distraction didn’t exactly thrill her. It was during the quietest and most peaceful times of the day when her mind seemed to speed faster than ever before; the sleepless nights and brain-wrecking thinking of how alone and empty she actually felt, along with the laziness and reluctance when it came to things that used to make her happy weighed her down like carrying a sack of potatoes on her back.
As she was walking past her neighbor's house (the one where she had seen that man with the suitcases last week) she noticed someone sitting on the large porch. Weird, she thought. She hadn't noticed any movement in the house since that night a week ago, to the point she even considered it being empty again. The silhouette seemed oddly familiar though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
"Y/N." She slightly jumped as she heard them call for her, in a strong and deep accent. Was that...
"Harry?" She asked befuddled. Did he live there? She watched as he stood up from his sitting position on the outdoor couch and walked across his front yard to take a closer look at him stopping at the bottom of the short staircase that leads to the porch. "What are you doing up so late?" And then something clicked in her brain – he was probably the man she saw that night, with his suitcases. It made sense, how he probably got home from vacation the same day he had dinner at the Lockehold's – the same day Bella mentioned something about him being in Italy
"Can't sleep." He simply replied, with a small sigh. He then nodded to the seat behind him, and Y/N could physically feel her brain going a thousand miles per minute. She sat on the far left of the couch as he retook his seat on the right, "what are you doing up so late?" He repeated her question.
And Y/N repeated his answer. "Can't sleep."
So they sat in silence, what felt like hours barely being a few seconds. "Didn't know you lived next door." Y/N took the time to take in his side profile - sharp and long nose, the tip curving slightly downwards when he spoke the next line.
"Never mentioned it." He replied apathetically. The unexpected switch in his tone made her immediately shut up, and even though it confused Y/N as to why he would want her joining him if he didn't want to talk, she was dreading going back to her room alone to drown in her thoughts again. She'd take uncomfortable company over being alone when her head got like this, it helped her get distracted; overthinking this situation instead of the same scenarios that constantly lived in her head.
They again sat in silence for a while, this time for longer than a few minutes, and even though it was slightly uncomfortable, there was an unspoken understanding between them. He just wanted company, and so did she. This time, however, it was him who tried for conversation. "Why did you choose England for your Au Pair program?"
"I was actually convinced I was going to choose France," Y/N shared with a soft tone, "but when I met the girls in one of my interviews I just knew I had to come here. Anya was so excited about meeting me, she thought it was already settled." She ended with a small smile on her lips. The memory of Anya smiling happily at her through the computer screen even when she hadn't had met her yet warming her heart.
It was true, the fact that she’d chosen England because of the girls. She wanted to learn French – she knew her way around the English language pretty well; but the French family whom interviewed her didn’t come close to the Lockehold’s at all – she thought maybe the experience of living in a whole different continent with a wonderful family was better than choosing a place because of the language – the experience was being experienced either way.
"Anya is a very special kid. They all are." Harry declared, the left corner of his mouth turning upwards in a small half smile.
Y/N nodded slowly before asking, "How long have you known them?" She could recall Alex saying he was a family friend – but she had no other information about him besides that.
"A while." The small conversation went for a long while, he shared the real reason as to why he was awake so late, explaining how he has struggled with falling asleep ever since he was young, but besides that comment, he kept his life very private; not sharing much information about himself during their chat, and every time Y/N reciprocated a question, he would either answer vaguely or didn't answer at all, changing the subject with another question. "It's really late" He commented, Y/N’s phone reading 1:08am.
"Yeah, I should probably go to bed." She lifted her head to look at him, who was already searching for her eyes. Y/N cleared her throat when a few moments passed by, again, with no one speaking a word. She wondered what could possibly be going through his head at the time, but he nodded, got up and said, "I'll see you around, Y/N." Her name flowed so nicely out of his lips it made her knees get weak. Locking herself in her bedroom (after entering it by the door at the side of the house – which leaded straight to her room) she laid in bed trying to understand why they’d just hang out in his front porch way past midnight when they clearly didn’t know each other very well – or at all, better said.
&
First day of classes came by in a heartbeat. The first Monday of September Y/N found herself getting up earlier than she was accustomed to, since the girl's sleeping schedule was different during the summer. 6:15am read her alarm when she lazily threw the soft covers off her body. A quick shower and minimal makeup application later, she stood naked next to her bed checking the weather app, as to know how to prepare the girl's clothes.
After putting a soft pink sweater on and a pair of flared jeans, Y/N left the warmth of her room to wake the girls up. Going for Charlie first (since she didn't need any help changing into her uniform and Ivy used her own alarm) she didn't give Y/N any work at all, waking up immediately after softly calling her name once. Picking her uniform from her closet and leaving it for her to change, Y/N left Charlie’s room to walk towards the next door.
"Morning, Anya." She whispered as she brushed some of her hair out of her face. Anya’s little nose scrunched up and a soft whimper left her mouth as she switched positions, now laying on her side, "gotta wake up, love." Y/N shook her arm softly, and she finally opened her eyes, a tired smile creeping up her face as she noticed it was Y/N sitting next to her. Y/N left her to rub the tiredness off her eyes while she picked her clothes (since her daycare was at the same school her older sister's attended -Harry's school, Y/N couldn't help but think- her uniform consisted of only a white t-shirt with the school logo along with any pair of bottoms she chose for the day.
After picking up her cute small rain boots and help her get dressed up, Y/N did a cute hairstyle on her with the small butterfly hair clips she chose, and went back to Charlie's room to do her hair, Anya coming along.
They arrived at their school; a big, period-like brick building with hundreds of students roaming around and a beautiful fountain at the front – which actually made Y/N’s childhood look like a big joke; the school she had attended was located in the middle of the mountains in a remote field.
"I'll be here at two thirty. Good luck, girls, I'll see you later." Ivy walked away sending a 'mhm' her way to let her know she heard her, and Charlie offered a small smile along with a wave and walked away like her sister. Y/N took Anya off her car seat and helped her get out of the car, her tiny backpack sitting on Y/N’s right shoulder as she grabbed the hand Anya offered her.
"Mommy said I have the penguins' classroom!" She said with excitement as they walked through the doors at the right wing of the building.
"That's so cool! I love penguins, let's search for the door which has penguins on it, shall we?" Y/N suggested even though she could clearly see their door at the end of the hallway.
"Yes! This one has elephants," she pointed at the door they were passing, "look, butterflies!"
"Like your hairclips!" Y/N exclaimed, and she giggled nodding her head. "Ah! Look what we found..." Y/N pointed at the next door.
"Penguins!" She skipped towards the door, dragging Y/N along. They entered the big and colorful classroom where they found some kids crying in their parent’s arms, others being as excited as Anya.
"Hi there! Anya, am I correct?" A woman who appeared to be around Y/N’s age came up to them, scrunching down to be on Anya’s eye level. She nodded frantically, excitement dripping from her smile. "My name is Miss Pia, I'm going to be your teacher this year." She introduced herself, Anya gave her an even bigger smile and slyly asked if she could go meet her classmates, to which Miss Pia agreed, asking her to first hang her small backpack in the rack at the back of the room, taking it from my hands and running excitedly to do it.
"You must be Y/N, then?" Miss Pia asked, getting back up to her feet. She was short with blonde curly hair sitting high in a ponytail, rosy cheeks and a cute teacher apron on top of her regular clothes.
"I am." Y/N offered her hand.
"The administration office said we would be having an Au Pair this year, they always give us a heads up with situations like these." She explained, and Y/N nodded as she continued, "we have the parents, nannies or in this case, Au Pairs," they both laughed," stay for the introduction, you can leave afterwards."
"Perfect, I'll sit at the back with the rest of the parents." Y/N ended up staying for about half an hour, smiling at Anya every time she turned to search for her when something exciting seemed to be happening. She won't be needing any adaptation, as Miss Pia said, and she was dismissed right before they had their first trip to the playground outside, taking advantage of the fact that it hadn't started raining yet.
Right when Y/N was walking out of the building, she spotted Harry at the main entrance, reading something on his phone. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt underneath, and he looked even more handsome in the daylight. She made her way towards him, walking up the marble stairs (marble stairs! In a school?), and when he noticed her, he put his phone away and slowly (and trying to be as discrete as possible – which he failed to, again) looked up and down her body. Something about him giving her his full attention made her insides burn, and she couldn’t help but bit her bottom lip to suppress a smile.
"Hi." She stopped in front of him, taking a moment to look at his eyes; they definitely looked a lot lighter now that there was natural light surrounding them.
"Hi." He repeated, "Dropped the girl's off?" He motioned towards the building with his head.
"Yes, just left Anya’s classroom." She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Miss Pia?" He asked, squinting his eyes.
"Yes. She's nice, looks like she knows what she's doing." Y/N shrugged. She didn't exactly know her enough to have a conversation about her – and she most definitely couldn’t be one to talk, since she herself didn’t know what she was doing half of the time. “How’s the first day back been so far?” He got cut off from his next comment by his phone, and the small crease between his eyebrows grew deeper, which didn’t go unnoticed by Y/N. "I'll leave you to it." She announced, but his eyes found hers again, and it was almost like he was asking for her to not leave him to it, but Y/N didn’t trust her instincts, not with him – not when he made her so nervous her brain couldn’t process things around him, and she was scared of misreading his expressions; he was hard to read. Not like she was expert at reading people but he was frustratingly confusing.
&
They didn't see each other again until a week later on a Tuesday evening – the same day Charlie, Anya and her decided to go for a walk and treat themselves with ice cream from a cute shop across from (what had come to be) her favorite park, Harry and Y/N found each other's eyes across his front garden, just like that night, but this time it was easy for her to recognize him as she could see his face clear and glowing from the sunset shine. His eyes were glued to her until the fence that divided their houses blocked his view, and again, Y/N wondered what could be going through his head.
It wasn’t until after dinner, past her work hours, she decided to leave the house through the door on her room with the sparking curiosity to test if she would run into Harry. Stopping on the sidewalk in front of his house, she noticed he was not sitting outside, and even though that's exactly what she had expected -he was not going to sit there for hours and hours, right?- There still was a small feeling of disappointment that rushed through her, and when she snapped back into reality, it was too late to stop herself as she knocked on his front door.
And Y/N didn’t know where to hide – not like hiding would be less embarrassing but God she did hate herself that moment. The embarrassment running through her veins was painful and made her lightheaded – she knew she had trouble sometimes with not thinking things through, but this was beyond her. He barely knew her. And suddenly his door was wide open.
"Y/N?" Of course she was not lucky enough for him to be asleep and not hearing her knock – life would’ve been too in her favor for that to happen. Of course he was very awake with a half drank cup of tea in his hand and the softest looking pair of grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips. "Are you ok? You look really pale." His voice was calm, probably the softest it'd ever been in her presence. At least he doesn't sound mad, Y/N thought.
Harry wanted to be confused, but he was more curious than anything else. For some reason, he felt very intrigued by Y/N – how she seemed confident but insanely insecure at the same time; it reminded him of himself, if he had to be honest. He just learned how to hide the latter.
"Uh, yeah- um, I was-" she nervously turned around halfway to look behind her and back at him again. He raised his eyebrows in curiosity and Y/N really tried her hardest not to step over her words. "I was about to go for a walk, uh, I was wondering if you'd like to join me?" Stupid. So, so stupid, Y/N thought.
"No, I'm good." He replied, finding oh-so-amusing the way her eyes gave her embarrassment away – he was having fun, watching her like a lost puppy trying to think through her next words.
Her mind was, of course, over speeding. She now felt even more embarrassed. Of course he doesn't want to go for a walk, Y/N conscience spoke to her, it's a Tuesday night and he's probably tired and I'm his friends' Au Pair – he probably thinks I'm this young and annoying girl who has a stupid crush and- "would you like to join me?" He interrupted her self-beating up raising his cup and she noticed the half smile adorning his face, almost like he could tell the wheels in her brain were fast-moving.
"Wouldn't want to interrupt-"
"You're not. I wouldn't have invited you in if you were. C'mon in, now. It's kinda cold out here." He disappeared inside of his house, leaving her on his porch with an open mouth and a blank brain. After closing the door behind her and taking her black vans off, she turned on her left as she guessed that was the way Harry went – and she knew she’d guessed correctly when she stepped into a big open-plan concept living room with a giant kitchen on the far back, Harry standing with his back towards her preparing her tea, "sugar?"
"No, thank you." She sat in one of the stools at the kitchen island as she took the scene in front of her. Her very cute (and much older), very hot neighbor Harry, in sweatpants and a very thin white shirt, a small patch of skin showing on his hip, making her tea. His shoulders were broad and she could see his back muscles moving as he poured steaming hot water into the cup, the little curls on his neck so inviting, if only she could run her hand through his soft looking hair just once-
"There you go. Cardamom." He snapped her out of her (probably inappropriate) thoughts, and she thanked him as she grabbed the cup from where he placed it; he stayed in his position standing in front of her on the other side of the island, with his forearms against the cold marble, sipping on his own mug, thinking about how strange it felt to have someone he wasn’t close with sitting in his kitchen after so long. "Why are you up so late?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"I figured. I couldn't either, looks like we both have a bit of sleeping issues, huh?" He sounded playful, but tired. Y/N knew exactly how it felt, being so tired but not being able to peacefully go to bed and get some needed rest.
"I remember you mentioning it before, I figured I'd check if you were up. Walking helps me relax, thought maybe you'd enjoy it too." OK, that wasn't entirely true but her reasoning to be there was quite similar – to check if he was up so they could, maybe, share a quiet night like that one a few weeks ago. None of them understood why they found such comfort in each other’s company – none of them felt like they needed to try too hard.
At some point during their conversation they moved to the couch, where they laid with a wide gap between their bodies. "Elton John's was definitely an interesting read. Lots of crazy anecdotes, you should read it."
"Probably not as good as Keith's, but I'll give it a go." He let a dimpled smile creep into his face, turning his head to look at her from across the couch and the annoying turn her stomach made obliged her to return it, just as bright as his. Finding out their music taste was quite similar made Y/N’s insides all warm and fuzzy, he showed her his vinyl collection (which was quite large) and ranted about how the modern industry was missing a rock star with some of that unexplainable essence old rock bands have – to which she respond saying maybe that something that makes them special was the fact that they were old bands... added to the fact that even though she was an old music lover, modern pop was her guilty pleasure.
Their third teacups were long forgotten on the modern coffee table by the time he noticed Y/N’s eyes were slowly beginning to close and he, as last time, said, "it's really late." And Y/N only nodded and tiredly got up from her position, with him following close behind.
"Goodnight, Harry. Thank you for having me even though I came unannounced." She shyly said, her actions still making her embarrassed even though it had already been a couple of hours.
"My pleasure. We should- do this again," He coughed into his hand, and uncomfortably continued, "I enjoy your company." That sentence alone made her heart explode with a thousand emotions, because even though they barely knew each other and it clearly pained him to admit he enjoyed having her around, his presence made her calm but anxious in a peculiar mixture of emotions. All she did in return was gift him a big smile, face hot of embarrassment (a nice kind of embarrassment, that feeling when you just want to smile really big and tightly hug whoever is making you feel that way) and slowly pushed herself up on her tiptoes to give him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Bye." He said lastly, and closed his front door with red cheeks and dimples on display.
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- Joey.
154 notes · View notes
night-rhea · 3 years
Note
Big question!!!!
What would Night serve Samantha as a Meal, when Sam ask them for a typical turkish meal?
*overexcited noices* @samshogwarts I HOPE SHE İS READY BECAUSE NİGHT GONNA PREPARE WHOLE BİG DİNNER FOR HER JFJLFMFMMFMFMF I think you will find these, a bit romantic. In a very different way. Turks loves to eat okay, really l o v e s.
We should start with a beautiful soup. Tarhana Çorbası (tarhana soup)! @cres-aragon come quickly its Cres's fave soup!
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"This is a soup that’s made and eaten at home. It’s a comforting, winter family staple. It’s what parents make and send to their kids who are away at uni or working away from home, just so they can be sure their offspring are at least eating one wholesome sensible meal occasionally."
Another famous Turkish dish, Dolma is next!
Maybe calling it turkish dish is wrong? Pff im not really sure. Wikipedia says it comes from Ottoman, but now it also means Balkan's knows that too!
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"Dolma is a family of stuffed dishes from Ottoman cuisine that can be served warm or cold. Some types of dolma are made with whole vegetables, fruit, offal or seafood, while others are made by wrapping leaves, most commonly grape or cabbage leaves, around the filling. These wrapped dolma are sometimes called sarma."
"Dolma is divided into two groups: dolma without meat and dolma with olive oil. Those without meat and cooked with olive oil are called yalanci, meaning imitation.
Meat dolmas must always include rice, or sometimes bulgur. As explorer Pietro della Valle wrote, "If it doesn't contain rice, it is not a Turkish dish." Nevertheless, the end result is always the same–delicious and flavorful stuffed rolls of grape leaves."
And you h a v e to eat dolma with Turkish Yoghurt aka Yoğurt. No, its not like the ones you know.
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(DAMN im so hungry now...)
"Once you cultivate an appreciation for plain yogurt you will have a hard time eating the sweet, fruity varieties, although they too are available in most urban areas. Turkish yogurt is so rich and creamy it more resembles sour cream.
Some varieties are sold with a thick layer of cream or skin on top, called 'kaymak.'"
Next? Mantı!
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aAh my beloved mantı... yes its also yoghurt you see top of it.
"Manti, which is also referred to as Turkish ravioli may vary in size and shape depending on the region from which it comes. They may be boiled, steamed, baked or fried, but the recipe itself is fairly standard. A classic pasta dough is rolled out and filled with a mince of either lamb or beef and onions and spices then folded and cooked. It is then served topped with a garlicky yogurt sauce and sprinkled with sumac, red pepper, oregano or mint.
The making of manti is nothing short of a family affair. Ladies get together rolling, filling and folding these dumplings, spending hours gossiping about the latest news. Aunts and sisters, mothers and daughters, the making of manti is a group effort. Especially if the dish is being served to celebrate a wedding or engagement. However, it would be just as common to make for the family dinner. While dried manti is sold in little shops and at neighborhood bazaars, there is nothing more comforting than homemade manti, it’s almost certainly the extra infusion of gossip that ishomemade manti’s secret ingredient."
You can be sure Night will have one of the best homemade mantı's ever fufufu
My inner chef said Sammy should taste Kısır too. Baş üstüne Chef! (Hai hai chef)
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"Traditionally kisir is made with bulgur wheat, if you are avoiding gluten, you might want to use quinoa, millet or even rice instead. Kisir is one of these dishes that tastes even better the day after so it’s great for making a big batch in advance and bringing it into work the next day. If, like me, you like mezze-style meals kisir makes a great addition to any mezze.
Its zingy, spicy, and fresh taste will excite your palate and its vibrant colours will brighten up your table."
Hey Sammy, wanna something cold to drink? heres your Ayran! (It pronounce exactly like "I run." ) Another yoghurt in our dinner XD
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"By diluting plain yogurt with water and adding salt, you have created ayran. It is a very simple and very delicious drink which is served ubiquitously throughout Turkey. Common with meat or pizza sort meals, ayran is not often offered with seafood because of some superstitious about a negative reaction occurring in your intestines."
Are you full yet Sammy? Good! You ate so much didnt you? Youre lucky we are in the end!
Now we can have one of the best sweet in the world! Baklava!
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"The recipe may sound too easy to be true: chopped nuts are spread in between the phyllo (yufka) layers, dressed with butter, baked and sweetened with syrup or honey. But the excellence depends on the quality of the flour, the thinness of the dough (phyllo) and the proportion of the syrup."
And here something kinda funny:
"There was a special reason for baklava being a favorite among the wealthy families and the Ottoman Sultans with their large harems. Pistachio and honey were the two prime elements and when consumed regularly they were believed to be aphrodisiacs. Cloves of two spices, cinnamon for females and cardamom for males, were added to increase the aphrodisiac effect of the pastry."
See? Its a sweet of riches XD
Every quality Turkish meal must end with tea, and you will be suprised how it will help your stomach after all the things you just ate ✨
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The thing about Turkish meals is, not eating in hurry. I said Turks loves to eat right? Mostly, we love to eat together. Even if you were so busy with eating to talk, when your tea and baklava comes i can guarantee you, you will have such a lovely and warm time with the ones youre with!
Afiyet olsun! (Bon Apetite!)
21 notes · View notes
dexiao · 4 years
Text
Reminiscence (m) | Lee Taeyong and Kim Doyoung
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Synopsis: Doyoung and Y/N have been dating for some time and just moved in together on the day they ocasionaly met Taeyong, Doyoung’s old fuck buddy at a café. Doyoung just didn’t expect to still have feelings for him.
Pairing: Kim Doyoung x female reader x Lee Taeyong
Words: ~3.3k
Genre: non idol!au,  a little bit of angst, fluff, smut
Warnings: polyamorous relationship, dom!Doyoung, sub!Taeyong, handjob (male receiving), oral sex (male receiving)
This is a work of fiction. It does not portray the real personality of any of the members.
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The day Y/N accidentally first met Taeyong, she and Doyoung had been dating for almost a year.
She and Doyoung had just moved in together into a new apartment, close to Doyoung’s office, and were still getting to know the neighborhood – at least the parts you don’t get to see when you visit a district with work purposes only.
The couple entered a café, not so small, with something between half a dozen and ten tables, not to mention the seemingly enormous variety of sweets of all different colors that were displayed in the glass counters. They chose a more reserved table, close to a wall, and sat facing each other and holding hands on top of the wooden piece of furniture.
After deciding to order a mocha, Y/N lifted her gaze up to meet her boyfriend’s face, noticing his attention focused on a point behind herself. His eyes and mouth were open, eyebrows lifted in what Y/N interpreted as a surprise expression.
Since there were only a couple of tables taken besides yours, it was easy to discover what Doyoung stared at – a pale man with bright red hair, a slit in his left eyebrow and ears full of piercings, heading towards the counter with a soft expression after shyly smiling at an employee. His outfit was all black.
“Lee Taeyong?” Doyoung spoke loudly, standing up from his chair. At his call, the man turned his face towards their table, ears and face going immediately as red as his hair.
“Kim Dongyoung?” the man asked. His voice wasn’t as rasp as Y/N imagined based on his appearance. He approached the table as Doyoung reached out for a handshake. He shyly bowed at Y/N as Doyoung introduced the woman.
“This is Y/N, she’s my girlfriend Y/N, this is Taeyong, an… old friend of mine.”
“It’s nice to meet you” I said with an open smile. His expression made his discomfort evident.
“Nice to meet you too. You two are a beautiful couple.”
From his posture, it seemed to Y/N that things couldn’t become weirder, but then Doyoung sat down again and invited Taeyong to stay and have a coffee with them. He promptly refused to, due to a supposed appointment he had within a few minutes.
“Oh, so do you work nearby?” Doyoung asked.
“Yes, my studio is just a block away. Why do you ask?”
“Y/N and I just moved to an apartment a few blocks from here. Maybe we’ll see you around.”
“Sure” Taeyong responded, holding a closed smile. “But I really do have to go now, I’m sorry. It was a pleasure to meet you, Y/N.”
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That night, Doyoung told Y/N about his past with Taeyong.
Of course she knew about his bisexuality even before they started dating, but they never really talked about past relationships. At least not mentioning names.
Just as Y/N experienced while dating Doyoung, he was more on the dominant side with Taeyong as well. Both the boys went to the same college and lived in the same floor of a building, eventually meeting in the hallway and the elevator. Their relationship, however, wasn’t serious.
They were obviously attracted to each other, to the point Taeyong broke up with his girlfriend straight because of the guilt he felt from having a crush on Doyoung, his neighbor.
As weeks passed by, they got into a friends with benefits-like situation. Casual one night stands, in an agreement to not nurture feelings towards each other.
And it worked pretty well.
Taeyong was really submissive to Doyoung, leading him to explore dominance and to experience having an amount of control over someone else he didn’t think of having before. Both of them discovered a lot about themselves during this time.
As the semester ended, Taeyong graduated and moved out to the UK for specialization, and Doyoung stayed in South Korea. They lost touch. It was natural, as each of them continued busy with their own stuff, not wanting to disturb the other in his pursue of success.
Three years later, here they were. Taeyong apparently still hadn’t gotten over what Doyoung used to call ‘a phase’ of constantly changing his hair color – though Doyoung had never seen him with red hair before.
Also, now Doyoung had a serious commitment with Y/N and their relationship.
But it didn’t stop him from getting butterflies in his stomach at the sight of Taeyong becoming so flustered in front of him. As shy and softhearted as before. He couldn’t help but let his mind wander to whether Taeyong would still have the same behavior under his touch.
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About a month ahead, the couple managed to meet Taeyong again at the same café more than a dozen times before he finally gave into their persistence of having him over for dinner.
Y/N and Doyoung had an amazing homemade Italian style pasta almost done by the time Taeyong arrived. His hair was now a light tone of brown and he wore a black turtleneck with black pants, a brown coat hanging over his shoulders. Doyoung dressed pretty similar to him – black pants and gray sweater – while Y/N had a long sleeved bright yellow dress.
The three began drinking the wine Taeyong brought from the moment he stepped inside. All of them were noticeably nervous, but Y/N and Doyoung tried their best to not make Taeyong feel left alone. Y/N asked him about his work, college and personal life, since she didn’t know him besides what her boyfriend chose to say about the older man.
At first he seemed uncomfortable, releasing nervous laughs until the wine started making effect and relaxing him up, letting him be more spontaneous.
After they ate the pasta Taeyong had complimented a thousand times during the meal, a long silence settled as each of them stared at the empty plates and half empty glasses. The table was round, so they sat in a triangular shape.
Y/N’s hand reached for Doyoung’s on top of the table. The move didn’t go unnoticed by Taeyong, who didn’t have the self-awareness to not look at Y/N.
He was so confused.
It couldn’t be possible to like so much the person who literally dated the person he secretly wanted to date. Y/N’s personality was so captivating and bright, but still as caring and nurturing as Doyoung’s. And she was pretty. Of course she was.
And she noticed as the older man absentmindedly gazed at her, fingers playing at the edge of his glass.
Y/N pressed her boyfriend’s hand tightly before standing up, removing Taeyong from his daydream.
“I guess it’s my cue now” she stated, smiling softly.
The woman leaned and left a chaste kiss on Doyoung’s lips, to which Taeyong felt guilty to but watched happen nonetheless. Then she turned to Taeyong, whose face and ears were red (it was impossible to know if due to the wine of to the scene he just witnessed). The older’s eyes followed her movements as she leaned and pressed a kiss on his cheek before heading to her and Doyoung’s shared bedroom.
After a few steps, she stopped and turned to Taeyong again.
“It was great having you here. I really wish you can come more often.”
Then she left her boyfriend and his old crush alone, drunk, mildly turned on and facing each other.
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That night, Taeyong and Doyoung had a long and drunk talk. Doyoung explained how things were different from college, how he and Y/N started dating and what they expected for the future. Taeyong couldn’t understand why Doyoung was telling him all this, after all, he owed him nothing.
That went on until the younger spilled out how he felt about Taeyong. That he wanted to become close again and that it was okay if Taeyong did not want to, but Y/N felt just the same way as him and if he wasn’t committed to anyone, what's wrong with trying?
The matter was that Taeyong’s mind was slowed down from all the wine and nothing Doyoung said from that point on made sense to him. He left the apartment without giving Doyoung an answer and thinking he could just avoid the subject if they met again.
Doyoung, whose mind was clearer, noticed how he scared the shit out of Taeyong. Of course that was not the way he hoped the night would end, but he and Y/N came to an agreement before on Taeyong being fully aware on the ground he was stepping onto if he actually accepted to try this thing.
From that night on, the couple changed their approach.
They stopped going together to the café. Instead, since that was the only place they were sure they could meet Taeyong, they decided it was best to not see him together, in an attempt to make him feel less pressured.
The dinner night was never mentioned again and they avoided talking about each other with Taeyong.
Eventually Taeyong accepted to sit and have a coffee with Y/N, then with Doyoung. And then again with Y/N and so on.
He got more and more responsive to subtle touches on his skin, becoming confident to do the same as time passed on. Fingers brushing as he passed the menu, light touches on arms in the middle of a conversation.
Y/N invited Taeyong to a date in the park, and that was the first time they kissed.
It started so slow, as if they were afraid from one another, lips touching very lightly. After a few seconds, Y/N noticed the man release a heavy breath, which was enough to convince her it was okay to go on, that Taeyong did enjoy it. So Y/N pressed her lips harder against his, sliding the tip of her tongue over his bottom lip and deepening the kiss. Her hands cupped Taeyong’s face and determined the pace, while Taeyong used his only as support for his body.
Y/N found him to be a lot different from her boyfriend. While Doyoung was more dominant, Taeyong was the complete opposite. Even when it was clear as water that he wanted it, he wouldn’t make the move. She enjoyed being in that position and taking the lead, though they did nothing but kiss for hours, until both had lips so swollen they actually hurt.
The following day, Doyoung casually met the older at a flower shop. It was a surprise for both, and Doyoung felt afraid of Taeyong trying to avoid him or feel ashamed because of what happened between Y/N and him. Nevertheless, Taeyong was completely in his normal self.
Doyoung walked him back to his studio and asked if he could give him a kiss before going back, which Taeyong didn’t even reply with words. The older just closed his eyes and nodded, opening his mouth in expectation. Watching the scene, Doyoung couldn’t help but feel as he needed Taeyong in his life again. He was so innocent and precious Doyoung wanted to keep him in his pocket and protect him from the world.
For Taeyong, the man’s kiss tasted different. Not only different from Y/N’s, but also different from the past they had together. Doyoung’s lips were still has soft, his mouth still as warm; still, he could sense the carefulness irradiating from the younger man.
Other times he’d meet either Y/N or Doyoung at the café, they would greet him with a kiss so close to his mouth (still not on his mouth) it was frustrating. Taeyong tried his best to show them with touches and gazes that he wanted more, but it seemed to him that neither of them noticed his effort, and voicing it out was a big challenge.
The trigger was the day he sat down with Doyoung and ordered a cappuccino.
As Taeyong rambled about something that happened at work, the flow of his words was suddenly interrupted by the realization Doyoung was bringing a hand to his face. The younger brushed his thumb over Taeyong’s bottom lip, wiping a little cream spot. Taeyong closed his eyes at the sensation and tried to not react, but it was impossible when his heart beat so hard and fast as if wanting to break his chest. He wanted to lean his head and suck Doyoung’s finger into his mouth, to show him how needy he was, to make Doyoung feel pity for putting him in this situation.
However, he waited some more seconds to open his eyes again and start breathing again as well. Doyoung stared at him seeming worried and asked if everything was okay. Of course things weren’t okay.
As they walked out of the café some minutes later, Taeyong closed his eyes to expect the torture of Doyoung’s kiss on his cheek, but it was his lips that felt the touch.
This time he wasn’t able to contain a sigh as Doyoung distanced himself. When Taeyong opened his eyes again, his vision was blurred and he felt a lump in his throat preventing his voice to come out normally.
“Please, Doyoung” he begged. “I can’t take it anymore.”
Doyoung brought one hand up to caress the older’s left cheek.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to push you” he said softly.
But that wasn’t what Taeyong meant and he got more frustrated, tears unwillingly escaping his eyes.
“It’s not that” he spoke, looking down.
Doyoung calmly asked what was the problem, gently making Taeyong face him again and wiping his tears away.
“I want you, Doyoung. And Y/N as well” he said in one breath. “I want you both to take care of me, make me feel good. It has been a while now” tears kept rushing down his face, even when Doyoung kissed him and told him he and Y/N would be more than happy to do whatever he asked for.
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Four months after that episode, Taeyong woke up in the middle of the night with an uncomfortable feeling between his legs. Involuntarily, he ran his right hand through his clothed crotch, realizing he had an erection.
Though he tried to for some long minutes, Taeyong was unable to go back to sleep, so he sat restless and leaned his back against the headboard of the enormous bed. The dim light from the street allowed him to observe Doyoung peacefully asleep in a white t-shirt on the other side of the bed, as well as Y/N in a nightgown in the middle of them.
Taeyong was getting more used to sleep in their bed than his own. He was getting used to be their baby.
It’s not that the man couldn’t take care of himself. Not only he could, but he did it for a long time. He wasn’t a child. He knew his body, he was able to recognize his necessities. Taeyong was an intense person, and that was noticeable at first sight. He was used to commit seriously to whatever he proposed to do, especially when it came to work; he worked hard to be the best, to do the best job.
But at the moment, he just felt helpless as his cock began hurting from the erection while the people he loved slept right next to him. He needed relief, and still couldn’t avoid the thought that jerking off right now to the amazing sex they had last night was wrong.
Mindlessly, the man reached for his phallus inside his clothes, bringing it out and just holding it, feeling the warmth of his palm against the pulsating member. Taeyong was decided to not jerk off, though he couldn’t keep his hips totally still, slightly thrusting into his fist, eyes closed to make the most of any sensation he could get, biting his lip to avoid releasing any noises.
And since he closed his eyes, he wasn’t able to realize the moment Doyoung woke up and watched the older quietly whimper for a few seconds before waking Y/N with a kiss at the nape of her neck, squeezing her waist with his right hand.
Y/N woke up with low hum that went unnoticed by Taeyong, who remained focused in the sort of failed attempt to please himself in silent. Doyoung’s body pressed against Y/N’s back and she suddenly became conscious of his hip upon hers.
The woman brought her right hand to Taeyong’s thigh and gently squeezed it, making him immediately open his teary eyes in surprise. His gaze shifted between Y/N and Doyoung, seeming desperate for help.
“Shh… Do you want help, baby?” Y/N whispered.
As Taeyong nodded and mouthed an almost inaudible “please”, she moved to Taeyong’s left, kneeling by his side, leaving him in the middle of her and Doyoung. The other man also moved closer to Taeyong, with a caring look in his dark eyes and a soft smile.
Y/N’s head rested on Taeyong’s shoulder for a moment, caressing his thigh and gazing at the hard cock, red tip glistening. She turned her head to face him, guiding his face towards hers with her left hand.
“Can I kiss you, baby?” she asked.
Taeyong hummed and closed his eyes, leaning in to reach her lips. The kiss was gentle as Y/N rushed her hands over his torso.
After watching the view for a while, Doyoung decided to join the couple, kissing Taeyong’s right thigh without getting up. His right hand reached for the other man’s erection, pumping it softly, taking whimpers from Taeyong’s lips into Y/N’s mouth.
One of her hands went under his t-shirt to play with his sensitive nipples, squeezing them one at a time; her kiss dropped to his jaw and neck, freeing Taeyong’s moans and needy whimpers.
Doyoung removed the man’s hand from his own member in order to properly please him, tightening his grip over the flesh. Taeyong was already so aroused that even small touches made him feel like tumbling down, which was perfectly visible for the other two.
“Y/N, spit” Doyoung demanded.
The oldest growled as Y/N’s kisses abruptly stopped, opening his eyes to watch as the woman let a long string of saliva drip from her tongue onto his pulsating shaft. Y/N knew it wasn’t necessary since Taeyong’s cock was already wet from the pre-cum oozing from his tip, but her boys loved it messy.
She kept just watching as Doyoung started jerking Taeyong again, as the man closed his eyes again and made small hip trusts into the younger’s touch.
Then he reached Doyoung’s busy arm with her left hand, signaling him with her eyes to stop movements and let go of Taeyong’s dick. As he felt the touch vanish, Taeyong opened his eyes in despair, right in the moment Y/N bent in front of him and took the head of his member inside her hot mouth, sucking it lightly before pulling off to look at Taeyong’s face.
Doyoung raised himself and supported his torso in one elbow, the other hand still resting against the other’s leg.
When Y/N leaned in to lick at Taeyong’s cock again, Doyoung went in as well, both sticking their tongues out and licking it up and down repeatedly.
Taeyong whined and bucked his hip up, the sensation and the scene in front of him triggering his orgasm. His eyes fluttered shut involuntarily as spurts of cum trailed out of his cock. Y/N and Doyoung alternated the leaking member into their mouths, both eager to taste Taeyong’s seed.
As his climax ended, Taeyong squirmed in overstimulation as Y/N kissed the head of his softening cock before dropping it and kissing Doyoung, mixing the cum in their mouths. The couple moved to allow Taeyong into the kiss, having him taste himself.
“Now let’s go back to sleep, huh? You were so good to us, love” Doyoung whispered, kissing the other’s cheek and laying down again. By the time Taeyong recovered his breath and laid down again, dick back into his clothes, Y/N and Doyoung were drifting into sleep, caring to cuddle the oldest who laid in the middle of them. Doyoung rested his head by Taeyong’s, and Y/N positioned herself in the curve between his shoulders and neck. Taeyong mumbled a "thank you so much", and feeling Y/N's warm breath hitting his skin, he finally went back to sleep again.
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A/N: I chose to put this by the end of the fic since there is a huge spoiler lol this is the first of all poly fics I worked on that I feel confident on posting (even though it does not involve a threesome or more than one person being pleasured). Also, about the disclaimer about not portraying their personalities - can you imagine Taeyong, as the cleaning maniac he is, just going back to sleep? LOL Feedback is always welcome!
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suckitsurveys · 2 years
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What are three of your favorite things to put on top of noodles? My dad’s pasta sauce, homemade pesto, cheese. What noises do you hear right now? One coworker is heating up his lunch and my other coworker is talking to an IT person. Name someone whose birthday is on the 9th (of any month). My friend Liz. Do you have a Netflix account? Yes.
Do you… like to take naps? watch Netflix? need to do laundry soon? have nice neighbors currently? own a pair of neon green tights? own a pair of knitting needles? Have you ever… owned the Bratz doll Nevra? worn a necktie? watched the news? been on the news? been to Norway? been scared of needles? swam with a pool noodle? written something on a napkin? made a list of names that you like? touched stinging nettle? had hives shoot up your arm after touching stinging nettle? been to Las Vegas, Nevada? been to Nebraska? cooked noodles on the stove? eaten Nerds candy? dressed up as a nerd for Homecoming Week? had a noisy neighbor? spotted a bird’s nest? thought Nymphadora was a cool name? worn nylons? wanted to be a nurse? been to nursing school? had a very rude nurse? Do you like… Neapolitan ice cream? Nerds? flashing neon lights? nachos? reading the newspaper? watching the news? live neighborhood events? More Q’s! List three foods you find nasty. Water chestnuts, veggie pizza, pork chops. Have you ever been on a nanny? Been on a nanny? List ten words that rhyme with “nine.” Dine, fine, line, mine, pine, vine, wine, incline, decline, feline. How many of these words do you know the meaning to: nebula, nebulizer, noggin, nocturnal, nanosecond? All of them. Have you ever used a nebulizer? Yes, as a kid I did a couple times. Name something you own that is neon. Nail polish. What are three things you’ve done that you will never do again? Work with my brother in law, train my brother in law, be in an office with my brother in law. List five things you like about your nation. Being able to vote, the diversity, the travel destination spots, variety of food, the entertainment. <--Yeah. List five things you dislike about your nation. The rest of it. What nation do you live in? The US. What nation were you born in? The US. When was the last time you blew your nose? I rarely blow my nose. Do you know anyone named… Nancy? Neisha? Nia? Nolan? Nathan? Nate? Nathaniel? Nick? Nori? Nora? Noah? Natasha? Natalie? Nevaeh? Noelle? Noel? Noella? November? Nevra? Nichelle? Niko? Nola? Ned? Nemo? Nebula? Nina? Nan? Nova? Would you say you are… nice? good with numbers? nocturnal? a noise lover? nifty? Norwegian? noisy? nasty? Final Q’s! Do you have a reading nook in your home, and if not, would you like to create one? I don’t. What is something that makes you nauseous? Spinning. What is your favorite novel you had to read for school? None of them. School completely ruined reading for me. What is your niche? Eh. What is your favorite number? 24. Do you take naps often? No. List five things that are necessary for survival. Oxygen, food, water, shelter, sleep. What is something new you’ve done recently? Hmm. Do you enjoy trying new things? Depends. What is something new you’d like to try? Learning a new language. What is something new you purchased recently? Food. What are four more new things you’d like to try? Painting, sculpting, learning guitar, traveling. List ten things you associate with the word “noggin.” Head, brain, the old tv network, thinking, ideas.... Have you ever watched Finding Nemo? Yeah. What is something you need to do soon? Take a shower. List five places in which you might find flashing neon lights. Carnivals, amusement parks, bars, clubs, stores. Have you ever wanted to write novels? Nah. Have you ever tried to write a novel? Nah. Do you have any nieces or nephews? I do! 2 nieces and a nephew by marriage. I also read somewhere recently that your siblings’ nieces and nephews (by marriage) are also considered your nieces and nephews, so in that case, I have 6 total nieces and 3 total nephews. Do you use paper napkins or cloth napkins? Paper. Do you watch the news often? I read it more. That’s all for now- have a nice, nifty day! :)
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nycbento · 3 years
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There are certain . . . well, most cooking projects that make almost no sense if cost-effectiveness is your marker.
Why make pasta?  Why make pizza?  And certainly why make bread?
If cooking stresses you out, there's truly no reason - all of these things can be gotten inexpensively with less effort.
But for me, it's relaxing, and the challenge is part of the reward.  I'm really proud of the fact I figured out how to make decent pizza at home (without spending $900 for a home pizza oven, which is too cost-ineffective even for me).
So far, a baguette/roll like the kind I love, airy with a crackly crust, has eluded me.  There hasn't been much incentive, because the kind I do like is available, quite decent and inexpensive at pretty much every supermarket in my neighborhood.
But I still wanted to see if I could do it, and a Mexican recipe for homemade rolls (bollilos caseras) seemed promising.
I came close enough to be encouraged.  What I learned recently about kneading a lot came in handy - the more you knead, the springier the crumb.
The thing I need to perfect is the crust, which is a little hard - and I'm pretty certain that's a function of steam.  So I'd like to figure out a simple steaming setup for my countertop oven, which I prefer to use over my stove's oven.  The main problem is that the thing I like about that oven - its small size - makes it awkward to put a pan of water in as well as the bread, etc.  But we shall see.
However, the fruits of my labors are not bad here, for my most homemade banh mi.  I made the bread, the char siu and the pickles.  So I'm pleased.  
And if I went to the store, I could have bought the roll for three for a dollar.  But let's not get too far into that.
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