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Sunday, June 13, 2010

gemini bento

Hello bento pals--especially Geminis! My Gemini-themed bento takes inspiration from the fresh, tart foods and flavors associated with this sign (lemon, dill, fennel, capers, coffee, apricots) and also some traditional New York treats.

Why New York, you ask? Well, the city's bracing, ever-changing, restless energy epitomizes Gemini: a place where people move, think and speak quickly and newness and novelty is expected. Mercury rules the exchange of information, ideas and inspirations; NYC is a major center of media, publishing and trade, all Gemini specialties (I may feel a special connection to these themes as my parents met while working in publishing here...)

Inside the Gemini bento we have twin mini whole wheat bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, red onion, farmer's market dill and dill flowers. A delicious green bean and tarragon salad with piquant caper and green peppercorn dressing shares the magewappa, from a super recipe found at the interactive, dynamic cooking site food52.
Tart lemon slices, sweet watermelon and apricot, and a mini cupcake decorated to echo a New York-style black and white cookie also inside (Gemini-associated coffee was added to the chocolate glaze!).

I'd like to share a few more pictures from my recent NYC visit that highlight the mercurial, Gemini nature of the city. Grand Central Station is a NYC landmark, key local transportation artery (Gemini) and features a dynamic sculpture of Mercury as focal point:
Inside the station, its famous celestial ceiling features an image of the Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux:
At Gray's Papaya, patrons eat their speedily served hot dogs standing (ideally with a delicious papaya juice drink, a perfect compliment to the briny hot dog) surrounded by signs, testimonials and ever-changing city scenes:
At Rockefeller Center, another graceful image of Mercury:
The beautiful golden facade at La Maison Francaise, 610 Fifth Avenue:
 
 
 
New York-style cheesecake with strawberries in the window of Carnegie Deli:
Kinokuniya in Midtown is wonderful resource for printed Japanese culture: an airy, well-stocked emporium of books, magazines, stationary and more delights. For those interested in books on Japanese arts and crafts, especially, its a heavenly place to get lost in for a couple of hours. There's even a cafe.
The shelves include a good selection of books on bento:
 
Downstairs is a wonderful stationary department with some bento supplies...it was nice to see this NY Times article on bento featuring Sheri and Debra on display:
 
Cute temptation...
 
And for lovers of Japanese paper, cards, stickers, crafts, so many variations on the kawaii and beautiful!
Hope you enjoyed this month's Astro-bento and the NYC images...

24 comments:

Kuusou said...

I'm not a fan of orange but I must say that your bento may have just changed that...the shading and color is very lovely!

Oh, love the pics of the Rilakkuma things as well. ;)

tinyskillet said...

It is just stunning! What a gorgeous bento. You sure put a lot of thought into it, everything is so...I don't know how to put it into words, you are definitely and artist! I love your photos too! (I don't know, did that sound too gushy?) Can you tell I liked it? :D

Token said...

argh again one of the best bentos I've ever seen! *_* Again I'm repeating myself you know? XD Great photos from all the Bento-goodies, too! I'm in love with the beautiful fabrics/paper! <3 <3 <3

Bentobird said...

Thank you Kuusou, for your really sweet comments...and yes, Rilakkuma is a special type of kawaii!

Bentobird said...

Eeeeeek, Lyndsey that must be the nicest comment ever, thanks so much! I love how we really encourage one another in this community and your comments (and blog) inspire me to keep creating and sharing! Have a great week, "see" you online :D

Bentobird said...

Hi Token dear! Thanks very much...I loved your recent post of the great Japanese emporium you visited! "Bento Goodies" would be a great shop name :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Your bento are always so artfully arranged and delicious looking!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that bento is a work of art!!! That's so cool that there was the NY Times bento article with Sheri and Debra right in the store! So cool!

KidsDreamWork said...

You never failed to make your bento look so nice and tempting! I love the colour so much!
Those cute bento boxes in Kinokuniya is so adorable! Why I don't have these in my local Kinokuniya!!

Angi said...

Girl, I've been patiently waiting for this one and it's AWESOME!!!!!!! I love how you tied in the pictures with the bento. My fav is the one inside the station of the twins ;) YOU ROCK!!

Bentobird said...

Many thanks Jenn and as you know I love your very artistic bentos! :)

Bentobird said...

Hi Susan, thank you dear! I know, I was like, "hi guys!" when I saw the article there at the display, really made me smile! I'm guessing next time I'm at Kinokuniya, there will be an article/dispaly with you featured!

Bentobird said...

Hi there KidsDreamWork, such sweet comments, thank you! I hope these cute bento items arrive at your local branch soon....:)Have a great week.

Bentobird said...

Hey there Angi!! I'm so happy that as a Twin you liked this bento, yay! You rock, too!!

Sonoma Bento said...

Wow, bentobird! So much thought in this, and I love the duality you built into the bento: pairs of bagels, two slices of lemon, two halves of apricot, even two capers on the bean salad. This is just great!

Bentobird said...

Thanks Sonoma Bento for such a thoughtful comment, it made my afternoon :D Happy marketing, cooking, and bentoing this week!

tata | bonitafood said...

Wooooooweeeee.... Finally, you have launched it! My long awaiting process is over hehehe. It's crazily Loooooveeeeeelyyyyyyy with every beauty and taste in it!!!!!! I feel like you made it just special for me :D. Thanks a lot Jenn... Oh again, again, and again it's totally gorgeous, you are a true bento artist! Oya, my b'day is still two days to go, but this bento is the best present I've already got :D. I ask your permission to put your photo and link when I post my b'day bento later. Oki doki? :D

Lia Chen said...

Hi Jenn! How are you? So nice to get back to online and blogging and to see your super pretty bento. Love the clear background for this bento photo, it makes your bento pop up, fabulous!!
P.S. All those bento boxes just make me drooling hehehe :D

Kaimono888 said...

Brilliant bento creation :) I wonder if you have previously made a PISCES bento ~ that's my horoscope and I wish to see it ^.~

Oh I have a small hugable Rilakkuma ~ kawaii desu ne ^.~ I also collect many Japanese stationery and other stuff too :)

Bentobird said...

Hi Ta! Happy, Happy B-day on the way--hope it will be a great celebration! I was sure thinking of your sparkling personality when I made this Gemini bento, and would be honored if you linked to it :D! Thanks, dear!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lia! So nice to "see" you again--I've missed you! Hope you family's move has gone well and that you are enjoying your new place...hugs!

Bentobird said...

Hi Kaimono888, I have not yet, but plan to by this fall--so that when we come to November, I will have all the signs bento'd (Scorpio was my first astro-bento; I also have Capricorn to do!)...

Rilakkuma is a really sweet series, glad you like it, too. Have a great day, loved your recent "Sweet Spot" pics!

megan said...

you've done it again, made me excited to go explore hidden treasures in the *city i already live in*, haha! you have such an eye for shots that capture your own special view of the places you go.

and bagels, lox, peppercorn dressing? yum, i'm in!

(tata loved this btw, so sweet of you!)

Bentobird said...

hi megan! many thanks...NYC will never run out of "hidden treasures" and no doubt you'll find yet more in Brooklyn! Your recent city tours have been wonderful glimpses into the distinctive worlds of New Orleans and Philly, loved them!