Sean Henri

The best part of waking up?

March 11, 2008 // 7 Comments  // Add yours »

I can say with confidence that I'm now addicted to coffee.  It's become a part of my daily routine.  A cup or two in the morning, then usually another from Starbucks in the late afternoon.  I would say it's the caffeine that I'm addicted to, but I feel like I can easily go without a red bull or a can of coke.  Maybe I'm wrong, but it feels like there's something more to a cup of coffee then a quick shot of energy.  I just can't pin down exactly what it is.  Maybe it's the social aspect?  Maybe there's more?

I feel better when I've had my morning cup of coffee.  I feel worse when I have a Red Bull or Monster energy drink.  With coffee I feel that I'm more focused and productive. That's just not the case with the energy drinks.

I've read plenty about the benefits of drinking coffee.  Apparently it's the top source of antioxidants in American's diets.  It can potentially help prevent Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, colon cancer and diabetes.

Then again it also puts you at a higher risk for heart disease.  If you drink too much, the caffeine can temporarily stiffen your arterial walls.  That's scary stuff.

So what's your take?  Say I drink 3 cups of coffee a day - two in the morning, one in the afternoon.  Do the pros of coffee outweigh the cons? Or am I just making my heart a ticking time bomb?

Posted in:  Food and Drink, Health | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (7)

The best fries I've ever eaten

February 16, 2008 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

Last night I enjoyed the best fries that I've ever eaten.  At least within Manhattan, but after scanning through my memory of delicious potato eating experiences I think this may be at the top of the list.  If you're ever in the city along 2nd Ave between 9th and 10th St and you're looking for a bite to eat, be sure to stop in Ryan's Irish Pub and get the Cajun steak fries with melted cheese.  The burgers are great as well and only cost about $5 bucks.

We had originally planned on going to Pommes Frites, which until last night had my vote for the best place to get fries in the city.  If you've never been there I'd recommend checking it out as well.  From my count, they offer 35 different toppings to put on top of your fries.  It comes in this little cone.  You walk in, you walk out with fries, and life is good.

The enthusiasm is real.

I've posted a few more pics here.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink, NYC | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (1)

Starbucks coming to Derby?

June 26, 2007 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

I hope so.  It does appear to be likely but I can't confirm it.  I'm not "in the loop" on city business, so all I know is what I see posted on Derby's official website.  I've been hearing rumors about it over the past two months, so I did some quick investigating and found some talk about it in the minutes of the April '07 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.  It mentions a proposal to open up a Starbucks at 552 New Haven Ave., which is the location of the former Pearl Vision building.

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Derby really needs a Starbucks.  We could use a few non-franchise coffeehouses as well. 

Posted in:  Derby, CT, Food and Drink | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

Tuesday Nights

May 23, 2007 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

We've slowly expanded the Skybox group from 3 to a group of around 10 now.  If you aren't coming, you should probably start.  And if you're interested, go join the Facebook group.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

Good Food

March 07, 2007 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

Last night Steph treated me to a top-quality home-made Mexican meal.  It had chicken, peppers, cheese, and mystery spices, with guacamole and chips on the side, and some Spanish red wine to drink.  Beats the McDonalds I'd probably be eating for dinner a year ago.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (1)

Dinner in Little Italy

February 21, 2007 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

Last night, I was lucky enough to eat dinner in New York's Little Italy with Steph.  We went to this great place called Amici II, where we were their only customers so we got their full attention.  They had great wine, great food, great service, and the classic Little Italy atmosphere.  While I've only been to a few restaurant on Mulberry Street thus far, at this point, Amici II has been my favorite.  After a filling meal we walked around a for bit and checked out some of the nearby shops.  It was a late night for a weekday, but with the help of Red Bull we pulled it off.

I'd like to start  to start getting a group of friends to go out to dinner in New York every other week or something.  It's a painless 50 minute drive from my place, and it's no more expensive then going out to dinner at a local chain restaurant.   If you're interested, definitely let me know.  When you're living within driving distance of one of the greatest cities in the world, you should really be taking advantage of it.

For directions and reviews of Amici II, click here.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink, NYC | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

Irish Nachos

February 14, 2007 // 4 Comments  // Add yours »

Ok I know this doesn't look all that pleasing, but trust me, it's DAMN good.  Irish Nacho's - bought from an Irish pub called Sullivan's- located on Chapel St. in New Haven.  I discovered it about a year ago and now it's hard for me to pass the place without stopping in and getting some.  This order was placed to go, so that's why the presentation isn't that great, but Christ it tasted so good.  It's regular french fries and sweet potato fries, covered in a ton of cheese, sour cream and chives.  Get it with a pint of Guinness or Smithwicks.  Forget about health food, the pleasure you get from eating this will automatically extend your life by 5 years.*

*May also cause a gain in weight.  But you know what?  That extra body fat will make you last longer if there's ever a famine.  So who gives a care.

Posted in:  Food and Drink, New Haven | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (4)

Around Fairfield...

December 05, 2006 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

I've been drinking a lot of coffee lately and I'm not too happy about it.  Say I buy a cup a day at 2 bucks a piece.  That's 730 bucks a year.... that's 730 double cheeseburgers I could buy. 

I'm just kidding, but it is kind of a pricey habit.  It's something to do though.  Been going to Las Vetas Lounge in downtown Fairfield sometimes during my free time.  It's a good place to relax. Has live music every now and then and they do a movie night every Sunday.  There's a few Beatles references in there too including a "All you need is love" quote on the counter.  Bryan tried applying here back in September and one of the questions on the application was "Who is your favorite Beatle?"  Anyplace that has that on their job application must be good. 

Another place I've been going to a lot for breakfast and lunch is Groovy's Cafe.  It's right down the street from Las Vetas, opens up bright and early and frequently has live music.  They have a wide selection of really good sandwiches and wraps.  Both places have good coffee and wifi.  So if you're ever in the area early in the morning or around lunch, give them a try.

Some things to check out:

• Mappy Hour - a map site that shoes you good places to go for Happy Hour.  You enter in your location and it zooms you in and plots out any place that has happy hour near you with a Beer mug symbol.  It looks fairly new, so most bars don't have their info added in.  But with some effortless contributions, it could be a really cool website.
• The Beatles "Love" - features 26 tracks of Beatles songs reworked and mashed together to make an all new and incredibly good Beatles album.  The album was produced by Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin.  They were given one rule:  They could only use original Beatles recordings.  So while some of the songs sound completely different, it's still authentic Beatles.   "Get Back", "Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing", "Strawberry Fields", and "Hey Jude" are my favorites on the album.  DEFINITELY buy this.
• A few other new Cd's that I think are pretty good are My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade", and Incubus's "Light Grenades".  But I'm still extremely disappointed with music lately.  I need a new, revolutionary sounding band to come around.  Any suggestions?

Posted in:  Food and Drink, Music, The Beatles | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

Energy Drinks

December 02, 2006 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

It's a slow Saturday morning and I'm bored.  The usual for the past year or so.  I used to pass the times with intense Wikipedia sessions, Gourmet Heaven visits and ridiculous convo's with my weigh-master buddy, but times have changed.  So now I have junk food to pass the time. 

Today I did some energy drink testing.  Now I'm a devoted Red Bull fan.  Tastes great, and gives me a nice burst of energy without any worrisome side effects.  But all my friends are always telling me to try out some of the new ones that have been coming out.  The other day my friend Joe told me about a new one called "Cocaine Energy Drink".  I was surprised by the name, and a little curious about it's potency.  The drinks been getting a lot of hype, and was even recently featured on the Daily Show.  So today I tried it.

Well it sucks.  The energy is definitely there.  One can is equal to 3 1/2 red bulls.  You feel it.  If it had a good taste I'd be all for it.  But it doesn't.  It burns as it goes down your throat and kinda reminded me of Atomic Fireballs candy.  It has way too much caffeine.  There's absolutely no need and the thing doesn't even taste good.

On top of it I had one of the worst pepperoni pizza's I've ever had.  Got it from Yalies Pizza on York St. in New Haven.  Great for slices during the summer but should otherwise be avoided at all costs.

Posted in:  Food and Drink | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

McSorley's Old Ale House

November 05, 2006 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

The closest thing you'll find to an authentic Irish pub in NYC is McSorley's Old Ale House - located at 15 E. 7th St. in the East Village.  Opened in 1854, it's Manhattan's oldest continuously operating pub, and over the years has served people like Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Boss Tweed, and E.E. Cummings.  It was one of the countries last "men only" pubs, and it wasn't until 1970 when the National Organization for Women sued McSorley's that they finally opened their doors to women.  Inside you'll find Irish bartenders, great ale sawdust on the floor, rowdy customers, good conversation, and about 150 years of history on the walls including a pair of Houdini's handcuffs attached to the bar rail, as well as an original "Wanted" poster for Lincoln's assassin.

On Saturday I was in the city with Justin, Steph, Patti, and Scott walking around the East Village.  I took them there and they loved it. It was extremely crowded, which

Continue reading "McSorley's Old Ale House"

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink, NYC | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)

Surge

October 28, 2006 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

I think Justin is drinking a Surge here.  We used to love that stuff.  Somewhere in CT is a tape Justin and I made with some friends back in the late 90's of our own Surge commercial.  I've been trying hard to find it for years but with no luck.  We really did some strange stuff back then.  I was wondering what happened to Surge and I came across SaveSurge.org.  I guess Coke stopped making it in 2002 but introduced a similar soda called Vault in 2005.  Why do I care?  I don't.  I'm bored at work and this is what happens.

Posted in:  Food and Drink, Memories, Riceminers | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (1)

My apologies to the seafood industry:

July 18, 2006 // 2 Comments  // Add yours »

Only now after more than 22 years of life do I realize that I have been foolishly missing out on the glories of seafood.  I decided at a very young age that I didn't like it and I've gone almost my entire life up to this point boycotting any form of food that comes from the sea.  I don't think I ever had a very good reason.  I remember when I was little my mom would make my fish sticks and while I think I liked them at first, I slowly began to think they were disgusting.  I quickly realized I HATED tuna fish (and still do) and once I no longer liked fish sticks I decided that seafood wasn't for me.  And that was it.  I refused to try anything new that was labeled seafood because I was convinced I wouldn't like it.  But now, thanks to the constant encouragement from Stephanie Bell, I realize that I actually do like some seafood.  In the past month or so I've tried muscles, scallops, and smoked salmon.  Tonight I tried grilled Atlantic salmon with saffron cous cous, olives, sun dried tomatoes, and red onion at Hot Tomatoes in New Haven and I loved it!  We also tried something called Pasta Pillows, which is sweet potato ravioli covered in a sage cream sauce and is incredibly good!  But back to the seafood... I'm a sucker for avoiding it for 22 years and I realize the errors of my ways and I promise I'm a changed man.  To the seafood industry, I express my deepest apologies.  I should have given seafood a chance much, much earlier.  There's still many things I haven't tried and I admit that I'm still a little scared, but at least I'm willing to give things a shot now.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Food and Drink, New Haven, Personal | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (2)

White Castle

April 24, 2006 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

I could go for some White Castle right now.  I don't understand why there aren't any in CT.  I suppose it's a good thing since it makes it harder for me to waste my money.  They seem to attract the local crazies anyway.  Here's a pic of Justin and his case of burgers from Sunday's late night trip to the Bronx:

There are a few more in the newest pics album.  Sorry for my lack of posting lately.  I've been running around a lot and spending my free time working on a few things.  I'm also trying to think of some new stuff to add on here.  Anybody have any suggestions?

Posted in:  Food and Drink, Personal, Photos | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook |Comments (0)