Sunday, October 2, 2011

Upcoming Events!


CHOCOLATE SHOW

"The 2011 Chocolate Fashion Show, presented by Lincoln, is held at the Metropolitan Pavilion's stylish Metropolitan Suite, and will present haute couture chocolate designs and accessories created by teams of renowned fashion designers, pastry chefs and chocolatiers.This year's Fashion Show will feature a Broadway theme, showcasing designs that celebrate some of the Great White Way's most well-loved shows."

*Taken  from http://newyork.salon-du-chocolat.com/accueil.aspx

For all you chocolate lovers out there, New York's annual chocolate show may just be the event for you.  From demonstrations, exhibitions, fashion shows, and workshops alllll about....you guessed it chocolate, you're sure to love this event.  This year it will be taking place November 10-12, 2011.  Ticket prices vary from $30-$150.


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THE NYC FOOD FILM FESTIVAL
The theme is "Taste what you see on screen"
The menus at each event will include food celebrated in the films along with beer, wine, and cocktail pairings by Festival Mixologist Allen Katz.
Event starts Thursday, October 13th with "A cheers to burgers and beers" and continues until Sunday, October 16th with "Farm to film to table."  Other events include:
-Edible Adventure #3
-The tribeca taco takedown
-The food porn party

 

Monday, August 22, 2011

CANADA CAMPGROUNDS

I just returned from one of my many travel adventures and decided to share some of my tasty experiences with you.  If you're ever camping in Canada close to Perth, make sure you visit the following restaurants.  Here's a quick snap shot of the two!

~O'reilly's pub and restaurant
Author's picks:
-Beer batter fish and chips
-Calamari
-Wings with suicide hot sauce
-Purple Haze (alcoholic beverage)
-Fettuccine with pesto, chicken, and shrimp

~Fiddleheads bar and restaurant
Author's picks:
-Garlic shrimp skillet
-Garlic bread
-10 oz Grilled AAA NY strip loin with fries/mashed potatoes, veggies, red wine jus, and onions

Food for thought* Be careful when ordering steak, make sure the place honors cleanliness.  For the most mouthwatering steak try to at least order a steak that is medium-well, if you order well your steak will be dry.

Yup, I am officially an international food critic.


Jamaica, Jamaica!



If you're yearning for a taste of the islands without necessarily going to the islands check out Negril located in the Village (NYC).  I went there on a Friday night and it was jumping, with a large crowd both inside the restaurant and downstairs in the lounge, Negril was the place to be. 

Advantages: Taste the food, it's impecable and the drinks are nice and strong.

Disadvantages: Slightly small portions and overpriced food.

BANG for your BUCK*
Order the chef's tasting plate for $30 and you'll get to taste a variety of dishes made for 2 to share.  This plate includes: portions of Jerk Chicken, Oxtail Stew and Curried Goat, served with plantains and two sides. 

Author's picks**
If you visit Negril you must have the Jerk Chicken Ribettes mmmmm :)  Try the codfish fritters and the RUM PUNCH and you wont be disappointed!

Food for thought* Reserve your seats of ahead of time to avoid the hassle of a long wait, this place is always packed!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

RESTAURANT WEEK at Lure (fish bar)


This year for restaurant week I decided to go upscale!  Lure fish bar is a seafood, raw bar, and sushi bar.  For those who are a little intimidated with trying new things, don't fret there Lure also serves meats and other dishes. 

Advantages: Nice environment and if you appreciate food like I do you will really like this place.

Disadvantages:  There were no cocktail specials included in the restaurant week menu.

Best Bang for your BUCK
-Go during happy hour and enjoy atypical but cheap bar snacks.  Need some convincing? How about shucked oysters for $1.50, deviled eggs for $8, fried oysters $8, and clams $1.
-Go during a restaurant week for lunch to sample an appetizer, main course, and dessert all for only $24.07.  You'll get a variety of foods for a relatively decent price-its truly a bargain!

Author's PICKS*
-Appetizer shrimp tempura (normally $16 alone)
-Appetizer salmon tar tar (normally $14 alone)
-Main course grilled salmon
-Main course sushi combo (normally $39 alone)
-Dessert warm chocolate cake w/ caramel ice cream and candied popcorn
-Dessert homemade ice cream sandwiches (2 types)


Food for thought**** Before eating any raw substances do some background research on the restaurant. 


Saturday, June 25, 2011

International Affair



Can you say 5 stars?
If you're ever in Luanda, Angola make sure you stop by Tamariz Restaurant and Beach Club.  This upscale restaurant rests on the Rua da Murtala which is located in a section of Luanda known as "a isla" (island).  The restaurant was large, modern, and on the beach.  With European and African influences, the decoration, food, and ambiance were spectacular.  Have children that you want to keep busy while you wine and dine?  No problem, they have a kiddie room full of toys and activities that is sure to keep them busy.
So if you're ever in the area be sure to eat the calamari, mixed meats dish, lombo de porco (pork loin) and mashed potatoes, shrimp, and any fish dish because they are all fantastic.

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK $$$$
I went with about 5 or 6 other people, we ordered 2 appetizers and 4 dishes (2 meat and 2 fish).  Ask for all the dishes to be placed in the middle of the table and everyone sample a portion of each dish!  This is a very cost effective way to try a wide array of dishes without splurging.  Trust me after all that sampling, you will definitely have a full belly :)

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The BEST croissants
You don't have to travel to France to enjoy a good croissant.  If you happen to be in Portugal, be sure to stop by Santo Andre located in the region of Portugal known as "Alentejo".  Perco Tempo is a small cafe that from the outside does not seem to harbor any special fixins but once you order your first croissant there, you'll want to keep returning.

Advantage: Every croissant is made fresh to order and is larger than life!
Disadvantagee: It's in Portugal, if you happen to be anywhere else you wont be able to enjoy this pastry (bummer).

Author's pick*
Try the chocolate filled croissant and the sweet egg and almond filled croissant.  It may sound strange but I invite you to take this taste challenge that I am sure you will love!

Food for thought****  Make sure you come there very hungry because you will want to order two croissants and they are huge.  Who thinks they can finish two?
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Alentejo
This summer I traveled to Portugal and I rested my head in a small town in the "Alentejo" called Sines.  One day I happened to be walking around and decided to sit down at this restaurant to grab a bite to eat.  Restaurant a nau  is a small restaurant/cafe with outside seating and very reasonable pricing.

Advantage:  They have daily deals on dishes.
Disadvantage: The dishes (on this daily deal list) are limited.

Author's Pick*
Bacalhao com natas (cod fish with cream)
This dish is amazing!  In this restaurant, this dish contains little pieces of shredded cod fish, potatoes, shredded carrots as well as natas.  After it is baked in the oven the top becomes nice and toasted and it gives another element of flavor to this dish.

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK$$$$
Each daily deal includes bread and olives, a choice from one of the preselected dishes, a drink, and coffee.  All this comes to your table for....only 7.50 euros!  If this isn't a deal I don't know what is.

Food for thought****  The portions are made for two so if you come with a friend and want to save even more, you can share ;)

A Portuguese Favorite

Anyone who is Portuguese or who has a Portuguese friend knows that Pasteis de Nata are a traditional dessert.  However, Pasteis de Belem top Pasteis de Nata any day.  The only place where you can get these top notch desserts is of course....in Belem, Portugal. 
I am going to attempt to describe this dessert but the only way to truly capture the essence of it is to go and try it yourself.

*****Caution, your mouth may salivate while reading****
Pastel de Nata is a dessert is an egg tart pastry that is very common in countries influenced by Portugal.
It is believed that pastéis de natas was created before the 18th century by Catholic nuns at the of Belém, in Lisbon.  The Casa Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon was the first place outside the convent selling the original creamy dessert, after the monastery was closed in 1820s, and there they are called pastéis de Belém, after the name of the area and its famous bakery. Since 1837, locals have gone there to get them warm out of the oven and sprinkled with the cinnamon and powdered sugar. These are very popular, with tourists literally waiting hours for them.

 Information taken from Wikipedia

To me, Pasteis de Belem are that much richer, creamier, warmer, and tastier than any random Pastel de Nata found around the world.  The only place that you can get Pasteis de Belem is in Belem and the whole plane ride to Portugal all I could think about was this pastry. 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Battle of the lunch trucks

I never thought I would be writing about lunch trucks.  I'm on the search for lunch trucks that offer unique and tasty edible treats and I am sure I have found my first one. 

TACOS IDIOLO
 Often when I get out of class I am distracted by this lunch truck, it is colorful and there is always a long line standing in front of it.  One day I finally decided to give this lunch truck a try.  This truck serves Mexican food and when you first approach it, you instantly hear the music that prepares you for this tasty journey. 
As I looked at the menu I realized that the food offered did not look out of the ordinary but it did have some mild differences compared to the usual Mexican fast-food. 
I tried the Taco (soft corn tortilla topped with onions, cilantro, radish, and your choice of meat) with a side lime wedges.  This BANG FOR YOUR BUCK was only $3.00 and although it may appear small it is very fulfilling.  When I tasted this taco it was very delicious and the ingredients all seemed very fresh. 

My next experimentation was the Tamales (with chicken on red or green sauce) and the key to both dishes is the spicy, green salsa sauce.  Each Tamale was only $1.50!  The flavors in both of these dishes were bright and like an explosion of fireworks. 

The meat selection was not your average pork, beef, or chicken menu.  It ranged from chorizo (sausage), beef tongue, fried pork, beef tripe, ear, goat, and spicy chicken and pork!  You can wash it all down with their Agua Frescas (horchata, tamarindo, or arroz con leche).  So if you're in the mood for some tasty, cheap, and fresh Mexican food be sure to locate this food truck in NYC!



Food for Thought**  The best part about this food is that the portions are very manageable and everything seems so fresh.  You can almost trick yourself into believing you are eating healthy food, so eat away!

Friday, May 13, 2011

A Taste of Cuba



Looking for a vibrant Cuban restaurant?  Look no further, right in the heart of the city (NYC) lies Havana, a small restaurant with lots of Latin flair.  With its colorful artwork, latin music, good service, and flavorful food this Cuban "lugar" is an excellent place to hang out with friends.

Advantages: The food is very flavorful and the restaurant has a great vibe that seems to put you at ease.  Some nights they even have live performances :)

Disadvantages: With NYC taxes being so high, your bill may end up being much higher than expected.

"Comida"
Calamares Fritos – Fried Calamari $ 11.00
Guacamole and Plantain Chips (The guacamole is impecable, a must-try).

All entrees served with your choice of rice and Beans
Ropa Vieja – Cuban Style Shredded Beef in a Creole Sauce $ 12.00 ((((AMAZING))))


Author's cocktails:
Mango mojito   12.00
Watermelon mojito   12.00

Food for Thought* Go with a bunch of friends, share appetizers and meals.  This allows you to split the bill, pay for your own drink, and sample many different types of foods. How's that for the biggest bang for your BUCK?

Thursday, April 28, 2011

~A chic hole in the wall~


I recently had the pleasure of seeing Kevin Hart live at NJPAC in Newark, NJ.  After the show my friends and I were pretty hungry and wondered, "Where is there a lounge, here in Newark, that is laid back, relaxing, and still chic?"  The answer was, on Halsey St. downtown @ this small restaurant 27 Mix.  This restaurant is a South Western, Asian, and Italian fusion restaurant with a sprinkle of soul!
If you're looking for a place to wind down after a long day of shopping, seeing a performance at NJPAC or Prudential, or just want to grab a bite to eat with your signficant other, this place is perfect!

Advantages: Good food, good music, and great environment and service.

Disadvantages: I would say there are none but I did have the experience of a critter somehow getting on my food (it was alive).

Author's picks
-Crispy Cajun Calamari (amazing)
-Chicken Ceasar Salad
-French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
-Key Lime Chicken

The calamari was light and fluffy and very flavorful, one of the best I have eaten.  You're probably thinking fries???? Yes fries, they come with three types of dipping sauces (vinigrette, ketchup, and ketchup & mayo) I have to say the vinigrette combo with the fries was pretty awsome. 

Cocktail of the day: White Wine Sangria (a pitcher)

Food for thought* Out with the old and in with the new.  Bread and butter have never tasted the same, try their bread and sweet butter.  I tried to ask the waiter what was in the butter but he didn't know (I think he was just holding out....grrr I'm determined to find out). 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The perfect marriage-Bacon & Chocolate? HuH?

This is not an error, nor is it a hoax.  Every one loves bacon and who doesn't love chocolate????  I found the perfect recipe that unites the two and I have tweeked it a little.  DRUM ROLL....A BACON CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE :)  This chocolatey goodness of a cupcake is so yummy and fun to make!  A couple weeks ago I had a couple people over for a jewelry party and decided to make cupcakes (the boxed kind) for this event.  I suddenly had this sudden urge to make and create cupcakes and decided I was going to search for an original recipe that would make me a real risk taker in the cupcake world.  I came across this recipe from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dark-Chocolate-BaconCupcakes/Detail.aspx  and felt like a real dare devil as I was making this chocolate treat.  The cupcake fulfills all your chocolate desires, it has dark chocolate, milk chocolate shavings, and cocoa powder in the frosting!  Throughout the cupcake you'll find bits of bacon and a couple bits on top of it all.  The saltiness/sweetness of the bacon paired with the rich dark chocolate, sweet milk chocolate, powdered sugar, and coffee all make for a heavenly taste of goodness!  Below is the recipe with a few of my personal touches and changes, trust me this is a must try recipe and best of it all it's made from scratch. 

INGREDIENTS
6-12 slices of maple bacon
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
1 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cocoa powder, for icing (optional)
1 can of whipped buttercream or vanilla icing (optional)
1 hershey's milk chocolate bar
Confectioner's sugar

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bacon in a baking sheet or rack (lined with foil) and put in the oven. After 5-10 minutes sprinkle some brown sugar on the slices.  Once the bacon is halfway cooked turn and sprinkle more brown sugar.  Cook until cooked, brown, and crispy. If you have to place the bacon in the broiler for 10 seconds to brown, do so.  Drain and pulse in a blender (you want the bacon to have a crumb consistency), set aside. Place your chocolate bar in the freezer.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center. Meanwhile mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl (eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil) and pour into the well. Stir just until blended. Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish.  Also, take your chocolate bar and grate into batter, much as desired.  Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. For the frost see below*  Sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top, grate a generous amount of chocolate and dust with confectioner's sugar.
FROSTING
Take your standard whipped buttercream or vanilla frosting (or you can substitute chocolate frosting-but the buttercream is amazing) and mix in 1 tbls of cocoa powder.  Mix the frosting until it becomes light brown (add more cocoa powder if need be).  Eat and enjoy!



CARROT CUPCAKE



Ingredients
-2 cups of brown sugar
-2 cups of flour
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp of salt
-2 eggs
-1/3 cup of milk
-1/3 cup vegetable oil
-1 tsp of vanilla extract
-2 cups of shredded carrots
-1 1/2 ts of cinnamon
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-grated ginger
-chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).  Mix all the dry ingredients together (brown sugar, flour, salt, baking soda & powder) in a large bowl.  Make a well in the center. Meanwhile mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl (eggs, milk, oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg) and pour into the well. Stir just until blended. Mix in the shredded carrots and the grated ginger. Also, mix in the nuts, reserving the rest for garnish.  Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. For the frosting see below*  Sprinkle the tops of the cupcakes with nuts.
Frosting :)
-cream cheese
-sugar
-vanilla extract

Directions:
Beat all ingredients in a medium bowl for about 2-3 minutes.  Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and then frost your cupcakes.

Food for thought **** Place a pot with hot water next to your cupcake pan while your cupcakes are cooking in the oven.  This will moisten the cupcakes and make them delectable.  Bon appetite!




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Real Ramen Noodles

If you're a college student then you know all about the packaged Ramen Noodles that you can get for .59 cents.  Yes, yes, yes the Top Ramen that you ate twice a day daily all four years of college, you remember those days right?  Well now that you're all grown up it's time to step it up and eat the real Ramen.  The other day I came across the University Cafe in NYC, right on NYU (New York University's) campus and ran into the best Ramen I have tasted thus far.  Let me entice your taste buds with a description:
Thick and flavorful Ramen noodles
Miso vegetable broth
Shredded chicken
Broccoli
Scallions
Corn
1 boiled egg
All put into this ginormous cup and topped with spices to make it a little hot & spicy! 
This meal kept me full for the rest of the day and it was so flavorful!  So the price was 6 times the price of your regular Ramen ($6.59) but it was worth it.
For a more elegant version of this dish, try the Akamaru Modern Ramen $14  at Ippudo in NYC on 4th Ave.
Description
The original "Tonkotsu" noodle soup topped with Ippudo's secret "Umami Dama" miso paste, pork chashu, cabbage, kikurage, scallions, and fragrant garlic oil. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and felt completely displeased?  I often wonder what my options are and what must take place in order for me to feel like I am not sacrificing something.  Usually when you go out to eat you encounter one of the following:




-Miniature plate of a meal that is barely there +delicious tasting food +great service +quiet and pleasing venue =YIKES! my wallets are hurting but this is sooo good, type of food.


-Average plate +average tasting food +good service depending on who comes to you +a venue that is not really alluring and enticing =overly priced food that wasn't worth half of my money but at least I didn't spend too much, type of food.


-A gigantic plate of fatty but delicious, unhealthy food +bad service+crowded venue +cheap eats :) =good on my wallet, bad in my vision, satisfaction of my guilty pleasures but I will regret it, type of food.


QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY:
Is there a place out there that delivers great tasting food that captures all my senses, with a pleasurable venue, and moderate priced food that wont completely hurt my wallets?  Is there a way for me to some how get everything I craved and wanted without regretting it once the bills come to the table? 
Well, if someone out there can identify and knows the answer please share :/ 


*That is all*

Monday, March 14, 2011

Going Meatless!


Whether you're making a small sacrifice for lent, going on a diet, or just don't feel like eating meat-these Salmon Cakes are the perfect substitute for any meat dish you thought you were missing out on.  This dish is just one of many that I'll be posting up, try this one for starters.  Hope you like my creations!

JPEARL SALMON CAKES W/ ARUGULA&SPINACH SALAD

SALMON CAKES
Serves 4 ppl (2 cakes per person)
Ingredients
-4 small cans or 2 large cans of canned salmon
-1 1/2 onions
-1 tbls of adobe seasoning
-pinch of course salt and 2 pinches of pepper
-handful of parsley
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup of breadcrumbs

Directions:
Separate salmon chunks with a fork, chop onions and combine the two ingredients.  Season mixture with salt, pepper, and adobe seasoning.  Chop parsley and add into mixture as well.  Add two eggs to the bowl and mix all ingredients with a fork, add a handful of breadcrumbs to the mixture.  Start forming salmon mixture into patties and coat with bread crumbs.  While they are resting, heat a skillet (low-medium heat) and add olive oil and butter to skillet. Brown and quickly cook the salmon cakes for about 2 minutes on each side.

*Creole Mayo
-1 cup of Mayonnaise
-1/4 cup of a combination of Dijon mustard and course ground mustard (w/mustard seeds) ~optional
-1 tbls of Worcestershire sauce
-3 tbls of hot sauce ~adjust to your liking
-2 tbls of paprika
-1 tbls of cayenne pepper
-1 lemon (juice)

Directions:
Just combine ingredients in a small bowl and serve with the salmon cakes.


ARUGULA&SPINACH SALAD
-Arugula
-Baby spinach
-Romaine lettuce
-Mandarin oranges (canned)
-Tomatoes
-Avocado

Directions:
Toss ingredients and serve with your favorite salad dressing.  Suggestions: oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste


*SERVING SUGGESTIONS: ACCOMPANY THIS DISH WITH WHITE RICE*

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Dont know what to to do with the leftover canned salmon from the last recipe?  Here's a quick and easy idea that is simple yet tasty!

**Salmon Pasta w/ Basil&Spinach Pesto

Pesto (can be made ahead of time)
-1 cup baby spinach
-1/2 basil
-1/4 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts)
-1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
-3 tbls olive oil
-2 cloves garlic
-Pinch of salt

Directions:

Quantaties depend on how much pesto you make.  Put all the ingredients into a blender and make sure all ingredients are completely blended.  Taste and season to your liking. 

Start off by making some pasta as you normally would (you can use angel hair, spaghetti, or whatever you have on hand).

Canned Salmon
-salmon (however much is left over)
-onion (an equal amount to match the salmon)
-salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

I used about 1/4 cup of salmon and 1/4 cup of chopped onions.  First, saute the onions in a pan, once they become translucent add in the salmon and season to your liking. 

Combine the pesto, salmon and onions, and pasta together and warm it up on low-medium heat until all items are warm.  Enjoy!
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As promised, I have yet another meatless recipe that is very yummy!

**Shrimp and Veggie Pasta Bake

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup of shrimp
-1 can of diced garlic and onion tomatoes
-1 can of tomatoe sauce
-pasta
-red pepper flakes
-4 garlic cloves
-basil
-salt and pepper
-2 hard boiled eggs
-1 sauteed zucchini
-sauteed spinach and arugula
-mozzarella  and grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Cook pasta to al dente (not fully cooked), you can use any type of pasta I used 3 types because I only had a bit of each in my cabinet (angel hair, penne, and macarroni). Strain the pasta.   Also boil the eggs then slice them.

Heat up a pan with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes, cook the garlic until it is golden then add the zucchini.  Once zucchini starts to pick up some color, add shrimp.  DO NOT OVER COOK SHRIMP!  Once the shrimp starts to get pink add the diced tomatoes and tomatoe sauce, let simmer for 2 minutes.  Add in basil leaves and this mixture to the pasta.

Saute the spinach and arugula, without over cooking them.  Meanwhile, put the pasta mixture into a casserole dish and add in the spinach, arugula, and eggs. Be generous with the mozzarella cheese and fold that into the mixture then top with a little bit of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.  Bake, uncovered for about 15 minutes in the oven. 

*Remember to season with salt and pepper along the way and for a bit more heat add in more flakes*  Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Drinks and Dessert please :)

If you're looking for a hip and comfortable place to get a couple of drinks and eat some dessert with a couple of friends, check out Dolces in Elizabeth, NJ. 

Advantages: It is a restaurant by day and lounge by night.  Great music and beautiful decor!
Disadvantages: It is a bit small and if you dont get there before 10:30 p.m., they may charge on certain days.

Author's Cocktail:
-Apple Martini
-Long Island Ice Tea



Author's Desserts:
-Molten Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream
-Tirimisu

~Creme Brulee & Mojito  (not the greatest)

Food for Thought* Try their food as well, their fair is a combination of Portuguese/Spanish/Italian/Asian.  Some of the dishes are really wonderful.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Some of my creations!


So I had alot of fun making these dishes, some of them are semi homemade and some of them are completely homemade, either way they were great!  More pics to come! 



















Monday, February 21, 2011

Comfort Desserts at Van Gogh's Ear!




Satisfy your sweet tooth by stopping by Van Gogh's Ear in Union, NJ.  This cafe is a small, eclectic, and cozy spot with nice art, dim lighting, and good musicians if you come on the right day. 

Advantages: The atmosphere is just so comforting and in the summer you can even eat outside.
Disadvantages:  When I find out I'll let you know!

Author's Pick*
Brown Derbie $6
Peach Cobbler $5

Biggest BANG for your BUCK
-Go during Hyper Hour (after 11 p.m.) and get half off on one of the 3 choices listed (one of which is a Brown Derbie). 

Food for Thought~ Just in case you are not persuaded to try a Brown Derbie check out my description below:
The Brown Derbie is a nice sized warm brownie with melting chocolate chips in it, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a good portion of whipped cream, and chocolate sauce all over.  Make sure you come in there with a bit of an appetite because after eating this dessert you will be full!