Fiore Baby Love

What is the most annoying comment you have got while being pregnant?

Ladies let's have a laugh because I really could use one today. What is the most annoying question you have got while being pregnant and how did you respond?

Here is mine:

(At work) You still haven't had that baby?

Me: Yep. I had him yesterday... He's at home and I'm back to work already. I'm just still really swollen.

Ladies fiore away. I'd love hear some other stories!
LOL! Oh yeah! I love the twins comment too! That one is really annoying!
Ladies you are simply making my day! Some of these answers are simply hilarious!!!!

lol... that's funny
I would say always toward the end of pregnancy, people are just like man your still pregnant, when are you gonna drop that load. Dont you think if we had a choice, we would have let it drop as soon as we could!
I always carried my weight in the stomach mostly. so from the back you couldn't really tell I was preggo.
I had a guy whistling at me. i had on one of those little summer sun dresses, from the back you couldnt see my stomach, he kept goin excuse me, excuse me can i talk to you, and i turned aruond, he saw my stomach he was llike my fault i see your taken. lol. i wasn't offended at all, and my boyfriend was amused and satisified with himself. lol

LPE122 $125 “Time for Peaceâ€? A chic Swiss-action, mineral crystal watch,  features a baby blue peace sign on the face and a cool camouflage canvas strap. The face measures 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  View more peace sign watches. 

KH009 $175 Pay homage to one of the most creative, bold, and socially-conscious artists of our time.  These solid brass earrings are plated with 18k gold and feature the iconic "baby" image that was regularly seen in Keith Haring's work.  Cubic Zirconia stones fill the "baby" image for some added sparkle and shimmer.  These showstoppers have a diameter of 2".  Born May 1958, Keith Haring was an openly gay artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.  He was inspired by graffiti art, and his bold lines, vivid colors, and active figures carry strong messages of life and unity.  By expressing universal concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war, Haring was able to attract a wide audience and assure the staying power of his imagery, which has become universally recognized in the 20th century. In 1988, Keith Haring was diagnosed with AIDS, which resulted in his establishment of the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989. His main goal was to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children's programs, and to expand the audience for Haring’s work through exhibitions, publications and the licensing of his images. Haring enlisted his imagery during the last years of his life to speak about his own illness and generate activism and awareness about AIDS. At the very young age of 31, Keith Haring died of AIDS-related complications.   Since his death, Haring has been critically acclaimed for his artwork, and for his work in the community.  The work of Keith Haring can be seen today in the exhibitions and collections of major museums around the world. For more information about Keith Haring or the Keith Haring Foundation, please visit www.haring.com. A portion of the proceeds of all jewelry purchased from the Keith Haring Collection will be donated to the Keith Haring Foundation.  

KH013 $45 Add some funk and flair to any outfit with this 18k gold plated brass Keith Haring "Baby" pin.    With red enamel, this iconic symbol represents Keith Haring's brilliant use of color and shape, and is one of the most well-recognized images of any artist today.  Wear this piece everyday to show your support for an artist who wasn't afraid to take a socially-conscious stand. This baby measures about 1 3/4" wide by about 1" in length. Born May 1958, Keith Haring was an openly gay artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.  He was inspired by graffiti art, and his bold lines, vivid colors, and active figures carry strong messages of life and unity.  By expressing universal concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war, Haring was able to attract a wide audience and assure the staying power of his imagery, which has become universally recognized in the 20th century. In 1988, Keith Haring was diagnosed with AIDS, which resulted in his establishment of the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989. His main goal was to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children's programs, and to expand the audience for Haring’s work through exhibitions, publications and the licensing of his images. Haring enlisted his imagery during the last years of his life to speak about his own illness and generate activism and awareness about AIDS. At the very young age of 31, Keith Haring died of AIDS-related complications.   Since his death, Haring has been critically acclaimed for his artwork, and for his work in the community.  The work of Keith Haring can be seen today in the exhibitions and collections of major museums around the world. For more information about Keith Haring or the Keith Haring Foundation, please visit www.haring.com. A portion of the proceeds of all jewelry purchased from the Keith Haring Collection will be donated to the Keith Haring Foundation.

LW178 $295 A true budding beauty! This vibrant flower pendant will brighten up any day. The originality of this necklace sets it apart, with a reflective feature which makes the pendant appear to have multiple layers of beautiful colors when looking head on. Made of 18k white gold and attached to a 17" baby blue cotton cord, this is absolutely a standout piece!

Fiore by Isabella Fiore Leather Hobo with Embroidered Pai $186 Bohemian beauty. Your free spirit will love this charming leather hobo bag, designed with brightly colored, embroidered paisley details on the front and hanging tassels on the zipper. From Fiore by Isabella Fiore.

Baby Fiore Infant & Toddler Organic Clothing(Pack of 100) $20.99 Beautiful assorted lots of infant and baby clothing from organic clothing line Baby Fiore! The lot includes an assortment of hats, hoody blankets, tank tops, hoodies, pants, jumpers, short & long sleeve onesies. Size increments: 0-3 months, 3-6 month

Baby Love: Baby Wonder $5.99 Baby Love: Baby Wonder

Baby Love: Baby & Friends $5.99 Baby Love: Baby & Friends

15 Standardsbased Science Activities Kids Will Love By Fiore, Julie/ Lei, Gwenn $16.99 Author: Fiore, Julie/ Lei, Gwenn Subtitle: Grades 48 Publication Date: 2006/02/01 Number of Pages: 64 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 8.50 Height: 11.00

Bunny Love Baby Bib $8 The sweetest bunny bib you've ever seen! A dainty white ruffle surrounds soft, pastel-pink, washable fabric that features an embossed bunny, pink flowers and the words ""Hippity Hop"".

Butterfly Fun in the Sun Baby Set $48 Too cute to keep indoors! The new baby girl will love being outside in her super-soft, 100% cotton, short-sleeved tee shirt with diaper cover and matching twill hat. The back of the diaper cover can be personalized with a pale-pink initial and baby's name.

Love Beyond Measure Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons Baby Shower Favor $4.2 They can't measure a mother's boundless love, but these charming, heart-shaped measuring spoons add just the right amount of joy to the sweetest things in life--and they're ever so tasteful for thanking baby shower guests who've come to help you celebrate the happy occasion! Measuring spoons help bake the cake--and this practical favor takes the cake! Features and facts:Heart-shaped measuring spoons are crafted from stainless-steel The four spoons feature ""measures of love"" on one side with traditional measurements on the other: ""A Pinch of Patience"" = 1/4 teaspoon; ""A Dash of Kindness"" = 1/2"" teaspoon; ""A Spoonful of Laughter"" = one teaspoon; ""A Heap of Love"" = one tablespoon Spoons measure approximately 5"" h x 2 1/4"" w Delightful gift presentation includes a white box covered with multi-colored polka dots and circles, a white-organza ribbon and bow, and a matching tag with a baby sitting in a spoon and the words ""Love Beyond Measure"" Gift box measures 5 3/4"" h x 2"" w x 1"" d

Baby Love $24.99 Baby Love - Photographic Print

Baby Diaper Carriage-Girl $54 First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes diapers as a baby carriage! This charming gift is as useful as it is cute and oh so clever. Carriage includes: 28 disposal diapers (1-2 size) plush bear terry velour bib 4 burp pads washcloth pacifier rattleAll rush orders must be entered by 11:00 AM EST.

Baby Diaper Carriage-Boy $54 First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes diapers as a baby carriage! This charming gift is as useful as it is cute and oh so clever. Carriage includes: 28 disposal diapers (1-2 size) plush bear terry velour bib 4 burp pads washcloth pacifier rattleAll rush orders must be entered by 11:00 AM EST.

Baby Einstein The Fast & the Curious Baby Gift Basket - Personalized Available $79.99 Baby will kick learning and exploring into overdrive with this fully loaded ready to go delightfully personalized Kara Nessian baby gift basket. Baby and parents will love the educational and practical items such as the Baby Einstein Neptune teether and rattle, the adorable Let's Look book full of adorable animals, Shapes & Numbers Discovery Cards, and tons more. Features and Facts:Color(s): Blue, White and Red Materials: N/ADetails: Included in this gift basket--a teether, rattle, animal look book, shapes and numbers discovery cards along with a red body suit and matching bib. Dimensions: N/APackaging Dimensions: N/ASelling Unit: EachMinimum Quantity W/O Personalization: N/AMinimum Quantity With Personalization: N/AAssembly Required: No

Baby Girl Bunch Gift Bouquet $62.5 Girls of all ages will love this pink baby bouquet! Perfect for Mom and baby, this delightful bouquet of baby clothes comes inside a gift box decorated with a floral motif and sealed with a clear presentation lid. Bouquet includes: one pink bib, one pink t-shirt, one pink hat, two pink onesies, one pink pair of socks and one white pair of socks. The super-soft 100% cotton clothes are sized for baby girls 0-6 months, or up to 16 lbs. The clothing ""buds"" are encircled by pretty pink fabric roses and green leaves. Facts and features: Includes: one blue bib, one blue t-shirt, one blue hat, two pairs of socks (one pink pair and one white pair) and two blue onesies 100% cotton Gift-boxed Size 0-6 months

Ciliegio in Fiore $144.99 Giuseppina Tartagni Ciliegio in Fiore - Framed Art Print

Fiore Arancione $6.99 Gregory Garrett Fiore Arancione - Art Print

Fiore Verde $44.99 Gregory Garrett Fiore Verde - Giclee Print

Account limit of 2104 requests per hour exceeded.

Country Joe and The Fish - Love

Picking Up the Pieces

Picking Up the Pieces

This Alex Gottfried photo for a New York cover was rejected as “too glamorous”

Not everyone gets to read their obituary in the New York Times. Indeed not everyone gets a premature obituary in the Times. So I guess it was a triumph of sorts. I got fired and the paper of record actually cared. Friends from around the world saw the story and sent bracing words. I read it Wednesday morning with my heart pounding. Not exactly what I would have written myself but hey… almost totally kind. It was kind of a hoot. And a revelation. I never knew any editor objected to my choices of restaurants to review or chefs to pedestal. I just blithely danced away thinking if it interested me, the foodie audience would care and if I loved it, most of you would love it too. That same incurable… shall I call it confidence or vanity?

I do wish my critics and chroniclers weren’t quite so hung up on how many chefs or celebrities I bedded. (Funny way of putting it. Like who bedded whom?) But then clearly I brought that upon myself by being quite candid in my memoir. I thought it was amusing that I got led into the bedroom by the young and adorable Elvis Presley fifty years ago because I just happened to be the only woman in the hotel room at the moment of his between-concerts horniness. And that he asked me to order him a fried egg sandwich afterward.

The fact that I didn’t have the character to resist romantic dalliances with chefs while a restaurant critic has always seemed unprofessional and risky to me. But there are no secrets in the tight little food world. Oral personalities, you know. I thought it best to confess before I got outed. But if you consider that there were just three chefs and three restaurateurs in 40 years of reviewing restaurants, it doesn’t strike me as an addiction or a felony. I think it sounds as if I wasn’t trying hard enough.

I say thank heaven the Timesman Glenn Collins in his reportorial vigilance was able to reach Michael Batterberry the venerable historian of America’s dining revolution, creator with his wife Ariane of Food Arts and before that, founders of Food & Wine magazine. He put my unexpected forced retirement into historic perspective. “It’s as if they removed the lions from the library steps,” he said. Dearest Michael. And a toast to Robert Lape too for testifying that I haven’t lost my tastebuds or my bite.

I promise you won’t see me dancing with the stars.

***

No Lipstick on This Pig

A daunting assemblage of pig at the revised Irving Mill. Photo: Steven Richter

There are pig people and no-pig people. Personally, I don’t encounter many who are neutral about it in my crowd. When it comes to pigging out, it’s us and them, those who avoid pork out of faith, health, animal activism or fear of the unknown. It’s not that they won’t find sustenance on the menu at Irving Mill. I say, go in good health. Have the eggplant and ricotta bruschetta, the fluke crudo. Try sunchoke and hazelnut soup with grilled endive, the loup de mer with quinoa, walnuts and soy beans. I could easily go for the aristocratic chicken for two from Four Story Hill farm myself if I weren’t so distracted by so much porky creativity.

All three of us are swept up in Chef Ryan Skeen’s porcine obsession. “Oh God,” cries Ava. “It’s all pig. I’m having the pig ear salad.” Alas, we will not be tasting that cartilaginous crunch with radicchio, escarole and poached egg on top. It’s been "eighty-sixed", the waitress informs us ruefully as if to say, “And don’t blame me.” I look around the room with new respect – Is this a pig ear salad crowd that’s beat us to it? I wonder.

Irving Mill plans to add new art and more color to this vast sweep of room. Photo: Steven Richter

I never got to Resto where Skeen plumbed his fetish. But now he’s stepped into John Fraser’s clogs at Irving Mill. And overnight, the place has gone from Gramercy Tavern-lite to urban barnyard. Spicy pulled pork sandwich – two little sliders on soft potato buns – are frankly the least of it. But deep-fried minced pork toast – think shrimp toast in Chinatown – with creamy egg salad and a lick of caviar on top is weird and wonderful. Falling off the bone salt and pepper ribs, first marinated in soy and chili and lime, then braised, fried and propped up in a soup bowl – are merely marvelous.

We must taste the house burger too. Already iconic on the food blogs, it’s a gently formed chunk of chopped flap steak larded with fat back, running-red-rare, under a melt of cheddar in another soft potato bun. In the bowl riding alongside, fingerlings make slightly soggy, puffy little fries and there’s a choice of ketchup, mayo and mustard.

The Road Food Warrior’s pappardelle with a sauce of rabbit, roasted tomato and fabulous black olives only seems to be a relief from the porky theme but it’s not, given a sprinkle of guanciale (cured pig jowl). It desperately needs more noodles to qualify as a pasta. And after the greediness of our warmup, my charcroute plate seems remarkably daunting. “I asked for the smaller $22 size,” I tell our savvy and agreeable server.

“You got it,” she says, setting down a tray with grainy mustard, crème fraîche and violet mustard (with the flavor and tint of wine must).

“You sure someone didn’t just throw on a few extras?”

“No, that’s how it comes,” she insists.

The delicious rabbit pappardelle needs more pasta and less soup. Photo: Steve Richter

Of course I have to taste a bit of everything – that’s my job (even if New York isn’t funding my research anymore). I start with a cut of boudin blanc and the mini blood sausage (a special passion of mine, best indulged in measured amounts, alas). And with scholarly precision, sample a melting bit of pig’s head, some pork shoulder, some meat torn from one of the ribs (another taste to test consistency never hurts). My favorite is the pig’s foot, boned, breaded and fried into compact wantonness. Even a side of kale is lush, cooked in wine and shallots rich with butter. Indeed, the macaroni and cheese with pork rinds is the only serious disappointment. It’s not the pork rinds I mind. Pasta ears in cheesy sludge is not my idea of macaroni.

Don’t skip dessert. Treat yourself to banana parfait and apple fritters. Photo: Steven Richter

What we all need now is a trot around the block but I feel obligated to try at least one dessert. A butterscotch blondie ice cream sundae with hot fudge, bourbon caramel and spiced walnuts seems to embrace enough sweet endings to tell the tale. “Fabulous” is the headline. And since Suzanne Vega, one of the three partners has spotted me, apple fritters and banana “cream pie parfait” has been forced upon us. I have never noticed pastry chef Colleen Grapes before, though she’s been making the rounds since her first assistant’s job at Aja under Gary Robbins, but her remarkable apple fritters – packaging whole circlets of apple with cinnamon ice cream, seem to deem her for stardom. And the banana parfait with roasted banana ice cream, coconut macaroons, vanilla custard and chocolate layered into a glass is even better. Suddenly it seems criminal to leave any behind.

I find myself recalling a table of women at La Côte Basque years ago, sharing a dessert and then spilling water on it to discourage a rupture in discipline.

I definitely have unfinished business at Irving Mill. The partners are planning more artwork, more color, a more contemporary look. As if I needed an excuse to come back beyond the lamb cassoulet with leg, loin and belly, possibly also bacon. Brunch begins this week too, and Skeen is mulling all the porky favorites plus baked eggs with truffle and pork caviar, an oyster BLT, and cream of wheat griddle cakes with huckleberry jam. I like the way his brain works.

116 East 16th Street between Irving Place and Park Avenue South. 212 254 1600

***

I’ll Bring the Turkey

Host Ed Schoenfeld contemplates Jacques Torres’ brilliant bird. Photo: Steven Richter

It’s not unusual for a New Yorker transplanted from somewhere else that friends are my family, the essential “we” of me, as my real family is scattered across the country. For the past few years our “family’ has joyfully let Eddie Schoenfeld choreograph and cook our Thanksgiving dinner. This year Eddie and wife Elisa expanded the congregants to three tables. Eddie did wings and drumsticks only, which was perfect for this mostly dark meat crowd. Eliza crowned an eclectic feast with prunes in port and crème fraiche, evoking memories of long ago great prune finales at Restaurant Troisgros.

Jacques Torres had asked if I would like a chocolate turkey. “Take it to your dinner,” he said, “and tell everyone it was made by Jacques Torres.” Late Wednesday afternoon, I stopped by his shop half a block from my office. The bird was huge and gorgeous, sculpted in dark chocolate, and actually looked like a three-dimensional Audubon. My guy and I had to take a taxi for fear someone would bump into it on the subway. At Eddie and Elisa’s I hid it in a closet so no innocent guest would sample the noggin before its debut. After dinner I set the gobbler on a beautiful Meissen platter and delivered it to Eddie. A few of the guests stood back awed. I had to break off the first piece. “Jacques Torres,” I said.

“Oh, of course, Jacques Torres,” someone echoed. Each small bite led to a second. Unlike all commercial chocolate turkeys I ever tasted, this one was made from chocolate worthy of Jacques Torres.

285 Amsterdam between 73rd and 74th Streets. 212 414 2462

***
Honor Thy Pasta

Dinner at Fiore always starts with a grilled thin crust pizzas... Photo Steven Richter

For forty years my life has pretty much revolved around dinner (with time out for dancing, sex and falling in love) so why would it change, especially at this, the foodiest time of the year?

On Saturday night we drove with friends to our beloved Fiore in Williamsburg, just four of us. We hadn’t been since late June when our good pals took their car and moved out to the lake for the summer. In Brooklyn no one seems to know I’ve been fired and I don’t have to be brave and pretend I’m okay. A hug from chef-owner Roberto Aita could be simply a welcome back. He puts us at a table against the door to the garden, right behind where he stands directing the kitchen from the pass-through. A waiter recites the specials. “Is it okay if I do a few antipastini for you?” Roberto asks. We nod.

It’s difficult to resist the hill of fried calamari and zucchini at Fiore. Photo: Steven Richter

It is wonderfully distracting to focus on pithy issues like whether Hillary should agree to become secretary of state and what we’ll do with Bill. We sip Roberto’s recommendation for a red by the glass, Negroamaro from Puglia, and discover we agree Hillary will be brilliant and half of us think Bill will behave. Two of us think Bill is the jewel in Hillary’s crown.

Roberto himself delivers the grilled pizza al formaggio with two cheeses, tomato and black pepper, really crisp and a nice happy medium between refined and abundant. Ava and I are planning to share the mushroom and roasted butternut squash salad – back on the menu now for autumn. And then it arrives, a plate for each of us, different than last year. Frisee makes it lighter. Roberto sets a bowl of intensely sauced braised baby octopus on the table and returns with a mountain of fried calamaretti and zucchini to a few groans. We had dared not speak its name but confess that we had all contemplated and rejected it – all that fat. Mere putty in the hands of fate, we devour it. As always, Tim seems pleased with a generous portion of fish, orata tonight. The Road Food Warrior sticks with his eternal favorite bucatini amatriciana. And Ava and I share the fine seafood pasta special.

As usual, no one wants dessert after the too-generous portions and extras that arrive in you-can- go-home-again style. But of course a trio of desserts descends. Chocolate and almond cake. A lemon tart. And smartly tart lemon sorbetto that turns out to be the perfect last taste.

284 Grand Street between Roebling and Havemeyer Street. Brooklyn 718 782 8222

***

About the Author

travel & food writer