TIPSY PARSON (156 Ninth Avenue)

Ok kids, if you haven't been to this find on the Manhattan Foodscape, you have to get there. There are many offerings on the tight menu, but everything is delicious.

Last evening, a cold evening in Manhattan, Guy made reservations for 7:30 and we were seated immediately. It was a quiet night with only four or five other tables seated around us. Each time we go to Tipsy Parson, we notice the heat works-REALLY WELL. But it gets better each time.

We started with a sidecar martini, and that is just where we started. Guy had the Ambrosia Salad which is a deconstructed take on the classic dessert side dish. I opted for the Warm Spinach Salad. Both were yummy. Oh wait, did I forget to mention that we had cheese sticks and hush puppies to tide us over before our salad? WOW! YUMMY! D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!

Then, the Braised Pork Shank with melted apples was Guy's choice for entree. Falling off the bone and deliciously surrounded by essence of apples. I chose the Duck Breast with a Concord Grape reduction and roasted grapes. The perfect accompaniment was a glass of Pinot Noir.
WOW! Unbelievable.

Unlike our other visit, we both wanted dessert. Guy ordered the lemon custard tart and I the bourbon fritters. Both pleased the crowd.

Get there please! NOW!!!

Tell them Mr. B. sent you!!!

My Bio

Steven Birkeland, born Steven Matthew Birkeland on May 14, 1972 in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York at Southside Hospital to Diane and Steve Birkeland of Bayport, Long Island, New York.

Steven attended Academy Street Elementary school from 1977 to 1983 where he excelled in his leadership abilities at an early age. During the kindergarten show he was the ring leader and master of ceremonies.

Steven attended James Wilson Young Middle School, in Bayport, Long Island, New York from 1983-1986 and proved to be a leader among his peers on stage, with his musical abilities and also socially.

Steven attended Bayport-Blue Poing High School, Bayport, Long Island, New York from 1986-1990. He graduated in the top ten percent of his class, a class of 156. He continued to aspire to leadership roles including president of the Key Club during his junior and senior years.

Steven attended the Catholic University of America for one year, 1990-1991, and then returned to his native New York to graduate from Manhattan College in 1994 with a Communications Degree and a Bachelor of Arts with honors. Steven was invited into the Honor Society and was also the president of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society during his senior year. During all three years at Manhattan College, Steven also worked as an opening store manager, assistant store manager at Banana Republic locations around the metropolitan New York area.

During the years from 1994-2003, Steven travelled, held various jobs in retail and in the service industry. Steven worked at East Hampton Point Resort in East Hampton for two years before returning to his love of education.

In August of 2003, Steven began his journey in education as a leader in his group at Long Island University, C.W. Post while studying school counseling. Steven quickly got to work networking with students and faculty to promote the industry and create a hum in education about the need for more school counselors across the nation. Steven worked as a guidance intern in the Sayville Middle School as well as the Counseling Center at Babylon Junior-Senior High School before graduating in January of 2006 with his master of science degree in School Counseling.

Steven currently works as a school counselor in the South Bronx at P.S. / M.S. 31 for the New York City Department of Education. Steven holds permanent certification in the area of school counseling.

In the fall of 2008, Steven was awarded a scholarship to attend Bank Street College of Education to pursue an advanced masters degree in Leadership for Educational Change: Focus on Special Education. During his first semester on campus, Steven distinguished himself as a leader among his peers. He organized a group from his cohort to attend a three day learning lab at Harvard College, Graduate School of Education in April of 2009. Following the learning lab, Steven took his district leadership test and is certified to become a district leader.

In the fall of 2009, Steven was elected the President of the Council of Students at Bank Street College. This post is a first for the college and Steven is the first President to be elected and provide the voice of the students at the college.

Steven's endeavours including attaining a Doctor of Education from Harvard College in their new Ed.L.D. program beginning in the fall of 2010. Steven hopes to be one of the members of the first cohort to go through the program. A collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School, participants will have a global lens to provide systems level leadership. Steven hopes to use this knowledge and lead the nation toward gaining back the ground we have lost of the years to other countries. Also, Steven hopes to be Secretary of Education in 2022.

Tipsy Parson

Tipsy Parson! Yay! A wonderful addition to the Manhattan Foodscape!

Guy and I feasted on a two salads last evening. I opted for the Country Ham salad with thinly sliced ham as the base of the salad and then a big bed or arugula on top. Delicious lemony mustard vinaigrette on top. Guy had the Celeriac Salad. We both had the fish dishes on the menu and chose well with the mac and cheese (with bacon-a must) and spicy grits!

Food is just as good at the bar. Service, attentive.

Hello from Long Island

Hello everyone,

Thank you for keeping up with my posts. I know I haven't put anything up in almost a month. This is the time of year when I recharge my soul at the beach and take pictures, try out new recipes, talk, laugh and love at the beach on Fire Island. This year Guy and I took a half share in a house in the Fire Island Pines. Have met so many interesting new friends and plan to meet more when I return on Saturday the 15th.

Friday, August 14, 2009, marks my sister's fifth wedding anniversary and the wedding of my dear friend Sharon to Karim. They are celebrating at the Giraffe Hotel (26th and Park Avenue South) with a party under the stars. Cannot wait to see what a beautiful bride she will make and how happy Karim will make her as he continues to do each day.

Saturday, August 15, 2009 is the return to the beach. Having breakfast with a buddy at 7:30 at Nussbaum and Wu before an 8:23 train to Sayville to connect with the 10:30 ferry to the beach.

Two weeks ago, met a group guy by the name of Bret Koehler who may help me out with my next venture in life. Thinking beach side cooking show. Starting out at the Pines and then travelling around the country and possibly the world. Post your comments.

Until then, I am writing to you from the beautiful campus of Adelphi University in Garden City where I work with 400 international students for an orientation to the United States of America with PAX (Program for Academic Exchange). pax.org

Have a great rest of the week.

Until the next time, keep your toes in the sand and allow for the sea breeze to keep your spirits high.

SMB

Angelina's Pizza Bar

Broadway between 104 and 105, July 21, 2009.

815 pm. A sizable crowd of varied you and old, singles, families and a nice buzz throughout.

I ordered a gin and tonic (T&T) to start and perused the menu. Yummy selections for an anti paste, salads, pasta and then pizza both personal and regular with a choice of traditional or extra thin.

I chose the tomato salad which was described on the menu as having tomatoes and vidallia onions, basic and cucumber (vidallias were red onions tonight-but it was still delicious) a little salt, a little red paper flake and the seasoned olive oil that dressed the plate came to life. The basil made the dish. Surprise on the plate is what seemed to be toasted brioche as the toast points. While surprising delicious and decadent, not what I would suspect in a PIZZA shop!

As the crowds came and went, the atmosphere at the bar changed with a couple of "businessmen at the end having a Patron (tequila) on the rocks and an Absolut and Cranberry-both in wine glasses. I wanted to ask, "Who are you hiding from.

At approximately 850 music emerged above the chatter of the crowd as I waited for my personal, thin crust Nonna (mushrooms, artichokes). I ordered my second T&T.

Said to be their most popular pizza, the Nonna does not disappoint. Although it would have been better had the artichokes been baked on the pie, rather than tossed on as an after thought, the cheese was perfectly melted, the sauce perfectly balanced and the crust, as it should be in a wood burning oven, charred with flavor! A little parm, some red pepper flakes and a touch of salt, brought out the flavor in every bite. The bartender suggested the house red, a sangiovese which was a great compliment to the pie.

Let's look at dessert...

Dessert? Canoli's of course! Amazingly stuff and served with raspberries, blueberries, cocoa power, chocolate sauce and whipped cream! A nice short rocks glass of Frangelico accompanied my final course!

Met a lovely lady visiting from Perth, Australia who just happened to be in the neighborhood and staying by herself. She stumbled upon the establishment and came in for the lasagna. She thoroughly enjoyed it. As did I.

Off to home and bed. Well fed

July 19, 2009, Fire Island Pines

Oh, the day was amazing yesterday. Started at the beach and finished at the beach. Just an amazing day. I have no other words to explain the day. XXOO GUY!!!

Fire Island Pines

Woke up this morning with my friend INSOMNIA and took my but to the beach. Check out the pictures on my facebook page of the sun rising over the houses on the East End of the Pines. An incredible start to what will be a good weekend. Missing my GUY on Fire Island. Please come and play with me.

XXOO