gorgeous grub: NY Feast

It's been much too long, I know. I'm back and full of inspiration (and countless calories) from the phenomenal food I've been relishing at these incredible venues. In 2012, it's going to be more photos, fewer words -- cuz really, that's what you want. Right?

Okay. You ready? Let's go!

Boulud Sud, across from Lincoln Center, lovely environs and superb food & service.

Mediterranean delectables categorized in 3 parts: Sea, Garden and Farm

Grapefruit Givré by pastry chef extraordinaire, Ghaya Oliviera: sesame halva, rose loukoum, grapefruit sorbet and fresh grapefruit

Red Rooster in Harlem. American, down home comfort food.

Gospel serenade + jerk bacon & eggs = perfect Sunday brunch.

Cheddar cheese grits with balsamic. Never want 'em any other way now!

Caramel filled devils food cupcake with pretzels.

The Farm on Adderley in Ditmus (Brooklyn) is a farm-to-table neighborhood gem.

Feast.

House-made ricotta with shaved carrots.

Shaved brussels sprouts with parm.

Pork meatballs with roasted parsnips, chard and hazelnuts.

Almond, brown butter cake with quince compote and vanilla i.c.

Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria in Noho (sister to Il Buco) is like eating in Italy.

Fresh ricotta, favas, anchovies, olive oil.

Perfectly fried baby artichoke hearts (best I've had outside of Rome).

Raw veggies & bagna cauda (garlic, anchovies, olive oil, salt).

Fresh pasta chitarra with ramps, fresh chiles and parm.

Tender, juicy porchetta.

Blood orange almond cake with amaretto ice cream. Chocolate budino with chocolate wafers.

Peels in Noho is Southern comfort food -- brought to you by the folks behind Freemans.

Monkey bread with sweetened marscapone.

'Build a Biscuit' of your choice. Mine: egg, avocado, bacon on a buttermilk biscuit.

S'mores cupcakes.

Buvette 'gastroteque' in the West Village is worth the inevitable wait.

Yep, that's a pop-up in the menu. Wait til you see the wine list.

Gorgeous artichokes, peppers & olives. And that not so pretty lump in back is a pesto di parma (prosciutto, parm & sage) tartinette -- she defies her looks!

Coq au vin.

Leeks with vinaigrette.

The tarte tatin that stole my heart.

The Bar Room at The Modern, next to MOMA (post Cindy Sherman & Atget exhibits).

Tarte Flambée (Alsatian flatbread) with hen of the woods mushrooms, chive and Alsatian Münster cheese + red endive and arugula salad with bosc pear, pomegranate, ricotta salata & pumpkin-pistachio vinaigrette.