Bite Sized Foodie

EUROPE!!!!

2010-10-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

I have been neglectful in my Bite-Sized duties, and I sincerely apologize! It has been quite a summer, a busy one at that, but filled with lots of fabulous occasions with family and friends. And, within that agenda was a trip to Europe with my oddly similarly looking sister, Fiona! (HAHA) I fulfilled my foodie mission over there and ate lots of yummy local cuisine with good company, so here is a blurb and just a few pictures about my delicious endeavors.

Ah, London. What to say about London? I have lived there and been here several times and am lucky to have family in good ol' Blighty. It was a nice start to our holiday, seeing family, and not necessarily doing the whole tourist route. Food-wise,...I LOVE British food! I don't know what it is. I know it's not exactly on American Heart Association's list of top 10 healthy cuisines, but I find it comforting and so damn yummy! Of course, I HAD to have a Sunday roast. Since I don't have my parents nearby to cook a traditional roast like we used to when I was growing up, I've been practically drooling for one for the past 6 years. Luckily, we happened to be in London on a Sunday and Fiona and I were on a mission. Roast beef, pork, or lamb were the choices but I was in a beefy mood so I got that. But the sides were where my stomach was truly satisfied: roast potatoes, peas, carrots, and YORKIE PUD!!! Okay, that last one is Yorkshire Pudding, also known to some as popovers. I ate the whole thing (see picture!). And then some.

We ate well while in London and a visit there is not complete without going to Harrods. One might not necessarily associate a luxury retailer with food, but Harrods is absolutely a food mecca. 110% freshness and 110% quality foods. Their Foods Hall is big enough for a day trip and all 5 of your senses will be truly satisfied. They have caviar, seafood, foie gras, breads, chocolates, coffees, teas, fruits, cheeses, and more from around the world including various quick-stop restaurants, including a little sushi bar, oyster bar, pizza bar, dim sum, etc. We ate dim sum and it was smashing!!!

Our next stop was Paris. Of course in the city of light, the food was amazing; rich, decadent, and delicious! Along with brasseries and other cafes, there were of course the ubiquitous patisseries. As a result, I needed to eat a croissant everyday and no matter what, I will always think that croissants this side of the eastern hemisphere are better. It's probably the butter, which I'm convinced is much creamier in Europe. We had other wonderful fruit pastries every morning, too! And obviously, you need to stop at a creperie when in France! It was hard to choose a favorite, but I think the Nutella beat out the cheese crepes, but only by a taste-bud!

Another excellent meal was when we got fondue. Thankfully, fondue has come back in the States and resurrected itself (if you ask me, I don't know how anyone let it go... it's a carb dipped into melted cheese and some sort of wine. HELLO?!). In France though, I don't think it ever left. We ate until we couldn't take it anymore and then stared at other diners' fondue. Turns out, there's also a 'la raclette fondue' and it's awesome! Just picture a humongous hunk of cheese with a heat lamp on top of it. As the cheese slowly melts, you scrape off the top layer, eat it with whatever vegetables, starches, and meats you might have, and continue the process. So simple, yet so amazing.

As far as dessert is concerned, you need to go to the following place: Laduree (see picture!). Laduree is MUST. Truthfully, dessert was never my favorite part of a meal (don't get me wrong... I still love dessert!) but you need to go to Laduree whether you have a sweet tooth or not. They specialize in macaroons and they were the best I've ever tasted. It is a restaurant but they also have a large counter where you can buy many of the desserts. The macaroons are sweet, slightly crunchy, but mostly moist and soft with many flavors (pistachio, rose water, dark chocolate, raspberry, to name a few). I was amazed by how good they were, mostly because all of my macaroon experiences prior were terrible-- all horribly dry. Most of their desserts include a macaroon in it, but even if they don't, the confection is still genius. Fiona and I saved room to eat dessert here, after dinner one night, and it certainly lived up to our expectations! I will warn you though- like everything else in Paris, it was expensive, but well worth it.

One of my memorable meals was a simple picnic. Fiona and I walked through a fantastic outdoor food market. It was so adorable and I would love to have one around the corner from me in NY! It had several cheese, veggie, and bread (see picture!) vendors, a few meat vendors, and various other suppliers of delectables. We ended up buying a baguette, each, a wedge of native semi-soft cheese, figs, and pink lentil soup. BEST MEAL! We took our meal over to the magnificent Luxembourg Gardens. It was probably my favorite part of France. Food, people watching, and hanging out with Fee in a beautiful piece of art called Luxembourg... what could beat that? The bread, cheese, and fig made the most delicious sandwich and the perfect dipper to the soup. Even though the soup eventually became cooler, it was still silky and luxurious. I never had pink lentils before, but they are lovely-- slightly less 'beany' than the standard lentil soup I usually have.

Finally, we went to Barcelona and it was absolutely breathtaking. I've been to the south of Spain before but have always wanted to go to this populous seaport. It was such a great finale to our European adventure; relaxing but exciting. My heart swells with love for this city as I think about it. The people are so friendly and have such a zest for life. They truly enjoy their day... and meals, at that. Spaniards just know how to sit back and relish what is going on at that moment and it is something I secretly want, living in the very fast-paced NY. Not to mention, beautiful weather and vibrant food with brilliant flavors! On our first day after visiting La Sagrada Familia, the city's icon, we stopped at a nearby restaurant for a sandwich. Well, let me tell you, I can eat their sandwiches for the rest of my life and be fairly satisfied. Fiona got a sandwich with Jamon Serrano or Iberico... like no other ham you've ever tasted before. It has a hint of sweetness and LITERALLY melts in your mouth. And, they serve it on good crusty bread with their tomato spread seen all over Barcelona--- it's just tomatoes mashed up and spread on bread. The concept is so simple and so flavorful. I had a Manchego cheese sandwich. Manchego is a Spanish cheese that is slightly salty, nutty, sweet, and semi-soft. We traded half our sandwiches and then I combined the cheese and meat.... to die for!

Of course, we had to have tapas... we were in Spain, after all! Fiona was spectacular and found a very local restaurant in Barri Gotic ('Gothic Quarter') called Bar Celta Pulperia Tapa. Barri Gotic is filled with narrow alleys that serve as the streets (quite amusing because upon leaving the restaurant we had to wait a good 7 minutes for a truck who decided to try and squeeze itself in the road) and the architecture is, well, gothic. So beautiful and old... love it! Anyway, we ate fabulous tapas filled with the delicious flavors of Spain I had been anticipating so patiently. It was sort of a hole-in-the-wall place but that's usually where the good stuff is, ironically. The bar was filled with tapas that you choose from, or you can just share the menu on the wall with everyone else in the restaurant. Other days, we ate paella and lots of fish along the water, very fitting considering Barcelona is a seaport. The fish and seafood was so fresh and delicious. It makes an amazing difference and made me want to eat seafood everyday, which can be a rare impulse for me (see picture!).

A MUST in Barcelona is to go to the La Mercat de la Boqueria (see picture!). It is super-de-duperly touristy, but you just have to go. It is the biggest outdoor food market I have ever been to and just the colors alone are enough to make you go back. The food is uber fresh and the vibrant colors of the fruits, vegetables, candies are beautiful. Never have I ever seen bigger lemons or nectarines -softball size. Very intimidating. A great thing about the market, besides getting crisp fruits and veggies, fish, nuts, meats, eggs, olives, dried fruits and more, is that there are restaurants and food vendors! Instead of getting hungry and wishing for a kitchen to use all this great produce, they do it for you! I really enjoyed the fresh fruit juices, such as mango-coco (mango and coconut), and they had the best creperia outside of France (to me, at least). The crepe I had there is another thing I would like to eat everyday: brie, spinach, tomato, and tapenade. Another fantastic food in Barcelona was the famous xiocolata made famous in Madrid. Thick hot chocolate. That's all it is and we found a cafe that did it well and had it practically every morning with a croissant. Bottom Line: This place was such a wonderful experience and I want to go back!!!

Many amazing adventures, three amazing cities, and two very satisfied stomachs. Au revoir until next time!

Saigon Noodle House

2010-05-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Saigon Noodle House

1136 S Diamond Bar Blvd.

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

(909) 861-5020

So, a few things to lament my homecoming from California, my second home. Aside from leaving my ever-growing family, I will also be saying 'farewell for now' to California's abundant restaurants. My two favorites, although fast food chains, are In-N-Out Burger and Souplantation. Though one is greasy and the other super healthily delicious, and will probably never end up with a James Beard Award (imagine? Haha!!), I can't help but hope that one day they will find a niche in New York. Oh well, I did find something that can be found in NY, but only have tried for the first time during this trip to Cali... Vietnamese food!

I am always excited to eat a new cuisine and this time, it was Vietnamese. It's like experiencing a new country to me... well, maybe not as thrilling, but hey, if you can't go to Vietnam, try the food and maybe you'll get a feel for its culture. So, it's exactly what I did while visiting my family. My parents have eaten at this place a few times and thought Fiona and I would like it, being the happy-to-eat-any-food family that we are. I was actually surprised, not that they had suggested Vietnamese food, but that in all of my life, I had never tried it. Actually, I was shocked and even appalled at myself.. Haha.. yes, appalled. Oh well, no sense in dwelling what I hadn't done yet... let's eat the food!

Even though the menu offered many appetizing dishes, I really wanted to try the Pho (pronounced, 'fu' as in fun), which is essentially a beef and rice noodle soup. The one I chose, as there are several varieties, was Pho tai chin nam (pronounced, 'fu-tie-chin-nom'). This was slices of eye round, well done brisket, and flank steak. You are served a generous bowl of beef broth, noodles, and the raw meat is shaved very thin and put into the boiling broth where it cooks quickly before your eyes.

Honestly, I mostly wanted to order the soup for that very reason- I am easily amused and find it rather fascinating to watch the meat cook like that in your bowl. Also, my dad had described a similar dish he had when he went to China, and I always wanted to try something similar. Another reason I was excited to try Pho was because you can make the soup your own; it is served alongside a plate of bean sprouts, which I adore for the crunch, green hot peppers, limes, and fresh basil. All these flavors, depending on how much you add, really transform the soup into a unique creation every time. I found that the broth was subtly sweet, maybe from the rice noodles, flavorful, and tangy from the squeeze of lime. I also added a bit of Sriracha, a popular hot chili sauce, found in many Asian eateries. This made my soup perfect, well, for me, and I even found it to be a great comfort food. This picture is of my Pho with everything in it.

The soup had the right amount of textures and flavors, and while it tasted wonderfully harmonious, you could somehow still taste each ingredient individually. Another perk to this restaurant, aside from the super helpful and friendly staff, was that it is cheap, cheap, cheap! Only about five dollars for a gigantic bowl of Pho that I couldn't even finish! Below is a dish that my mom ordered. I don't completely remember what it was, but I believe it was some type of marinated chicken with a Vietnamese egg roll, and very delish.

Now that I have finally sampled a hint of Vietnamese cooking, I would love to try more, if not for the rustically yummy ingredients, but for the experience!

FINO wine and tapas

2010-04-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

Fino Wine & Tapas

39-13 Bell Blvd.

Bayside, NY 11361

(718) 229-1330

So, unfortunately I've been very busy and have not had time to update foodie. I feel awful, but at the same time, I did not want to just write when I had a few spare moments just to write a mediocre blog. Not to say this is the stuff of Aristotle, but I care about what I write and want people to enjoy this blog. Anyway, enough babbling. Here is a blog that's been well past due, buon apetito! (And I also apologize about not having pictures. Me being the ever terrible photographer could not get the right lighting and being that it was so dark in there, the photographs look like edible blobs).

It's always great to research places on-line, whenever unsure of an area. This is what I did when I was choosing a place for Rich's birthday. I was bored with Italian, just ate Greek and since Rich is kind of new to food experimentation, I was not going to pick something overly exotic, especially for his day. When I read about this restaurant, I was excited to take him here. It turned out to be a very romantic setting with dark lighting, good for couples.

As for the wine, they offer an extensive list. And, if you don't know wine too well, such as myself ($8 Cabernet Sauv makes me happy!), a knowledgeable server is there to help. Well, let me bite my tongue-- for all I know he just picks a random wine and suggests it.... it just so happened, we liked the suggestion! It was a half bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, too bad I don't remember the name :(

So, as the resto name says, this is a tapas place. They also serve regular entrees, but I really wanted to at least sample some of their tapas offerings. It is relatively expensive with small servings and I wouldn't suggest going here everyday if you're on a budget, but for this occasion, I was happy with our meal, so it was money well spent for the birthday boy. We ordered the Mushroom en Croute, aka, mushrooms on toast. I loved the crunchy bread and the meatiness of the mushrooms. I am also a garlic lover (no vampires near me!) and the amount of garlic on the toast and in the mixture added enough spark to compliment the savory mushrooms. We also sampled the grilled lamb chops with chickpea puree. I was excited to get this because I don't eat lamb very much, as I have not cooked it, but I do enjoy it. When it arrived at the table, it was a bit anticlimactic, as the portion was incredibly small. However, the small cuts of chops were compensated by the great salty, char-grilled flavor with a little bit of spice that was offset by the creamy chickpea. It was very Mediterranean and I felt that I should be on a sailboat in Greece... wonderful!

As for our entree, we were also please with our choice. However, with one stipulation- when our NY Strip steak was presented at our table, we were expecting a beautiful, full cut of meat, but what was given was steak already sliced into portions. I was initially disappointed because I thought that was rip-off and I was afraid that they maybe didn't let the meat rest, letting the juices run out of the steak. But my anger was quelled by the great flavor! The accompanying dipping sauce was sweet, almost balsamic-like, and the cheese was creamy and slightly tangy, like Roquefort blue cheese; when eaten together, it was a wonderful marriage of flavors. The one exception to the flavor was the overabundance of herbs, mostly rosemary, on the steak, but it was easily forgotten after dipping it into the sauces. The steak came with roasted herbed fingerling potatoes which were also excellent. We also needed a veggie for the meal, so we ordered braised Brussels sprouts with bacon. They were good, but mine are better :) It turned out to be a surprisingly excellent meal and i absolutely savored my last bite of the dish. I'm going back for seconds. Also an exciting tidbit- they change their menu, so you can never get bored!

Les Halles

2010-03-02T17:36:00.001-08:00

15 John St.

New York, NY 10038

(212) 285-8585

Les Halles!!!!! Finally me and the usual suspects are going going here after much waiting and hemming and hawing about not having been. The usual suspects being Fiona, Rich, Julie, Joe, and of course, myself. Fee and I really wanted to come here since one of our favorite food critics/chefs, Anthony Bourdain had his start and the famed restaurant. Yes, the cantankerous and witty Bourdain! I think I have a crush on him HAHA. Either way, it was so exciting to visit his original home in the restaurant world. Unfortunately, not everything was as wonderful as we'd hoped. Well, I give the food an A--for astonishing and the service also and A-- for appalling. If it not had been for the food, my disappointment would have been at an all time high and I would have been a cranky ice skater in our subsequent adventure to Bryant Park.

I ate the Ouef Poches a l'Ecossaise, poached eggs on an English muffin with Bearnaise sauce and a slice of smoked salmon. I've been on a smoked salmon kick, because while I adore the cooked kind, eating the smoked stuff has been a slower progression for me. Lately, I've taken to it nicely, especially with the popular paring of bagels and lox (with a tomato, thank you very much). So, to further my quest of smoked salmon one-ness, I ordered as mentioned. It was absolute heaven! The salmon melted like salty butter in my mouth, balanced by the delicate acidity of the Bearnaise and soft, smooth, runny yolks. (WITH very slight smokiness). Even Rich, who either didn't realize that it had smoked salmon on it when I ordered, or just plain forgot, loved it-- which is, let's be frank here, miraculous considering all he likes in terms of fish is the fried kind.

Fiona ate the Ouef Meurette, with bacon and a white wine shallot sauce. I, of course had to try, and my sister and I both agreed this dish was also delicious and a different twist on regular eggs Benedict. Rich ate the Crepes aux Fruits Frais. It was a great dish, however, since my sweet tooth is relatively small, I thought it was a bit too sweet for a brunch. But, to each his own! Julie and Joe had Ouef Benedicte. The following pics are of Fiona and Rich's orders.

Like I mentioned, the service was fairly bad, but if you're willing to overlook or forgo that crucial part of your own dining experience, I'd say it really is worth going to Les Halles. Food was the saving grace here. We were well fed and on our way to fall on our bums at Bryant Park!

Tea and Sympathy

2010-02-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

108 Greenwich Ave

New York, NY 10011

(212) 989-9735

You know, I've decided that it's really kind of upsetting to hear people say, 'Oh, I thought British food is terrible,' even without trying it! So it's very gratifying when I can matter-of-factly say, Not so! And, I have many reasons to prove that person wrong. One being, Tea and Sympathy. Set in the West Village is this little itty-bitty restaurant. And I'm serious. It's small. But the wait at the door for that coveted spot where you squeeze in next to that stranger at the adjacent table is so incredibly worth it.

I've had the fortune to eat here many times, thanks to my dad, a Brit, who got to explore the city having worked downtown for so long. You will often find many natives here and the owner, Nicky, has managed to build sort of a mini British empire on the street; the area now cozily, nostalgically, and lovingly dubbed, Little Britain. There are many Brits populating the tiny locale of the city and shops filled with products from abroad. I recommend going to A Salt and Battery if you want a quick meal of fish n chips if you are on the go, which is right next door. Luckily, my dad, Fiona, and I had all the time in the world and arrived for Sunday brunch. Surprisingly, this was our first time going there for brunch, as we are usually there later in the day. Either way, I don't mind.

I had the Welsh rarebit which, like most other British food is very much composed of whatever the farmer had available. Subsisting on meat and dairy, basically. Anywho, my food was lovely- whole grain toast with melted cheddar, a tomato, and British mustard with a side of Branston pickle (a typical vegetable spread put on many foods, akin to the use of ketchup). Seems simple enough, but the combination warms you to the core on a cold day. I ate it with a side of baked beans. Yes! Baked beans is a big staple in the British household and my favorite are Heinz... as if you really wanted to know! Fiona ordered the same, but with British bacon, which has much more meat on it than the kind found in the states.

My dad, another huge fan of breakfast, had the English breakfast, consisting of scrambled eggs, slab bacon, beans, tomato, and a banger. It turned out to be a very satisfying brunch, if I do say so. And if you're ever in the area, I would certainly stop by at this place.

A few things on the menu I highly recommend are the Cornish Pasty; Afternoon tea for one, which have finger sandwiches, tea, and scones with jam and clotted cream (MMMMMMMmmmmm!); Shepherd's Pie; Bangers and Mash; and last but certainly not least- all of their daily special desserts which is usually some type of pudding or cake served with warm custard. I could just order custard and be happy, though, which isn't a bad idea either!

Caffe Cafe

2010-01-25T16:14:00.000-08:00

Caffe Cafe

8401 3rd Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11226

(718) 748-8700

This place has some sentimental value to me and happily I returned here with Rich. It is a little coffee/tea/dessert shop that he had taken me to before, nestled conveniently near the Verrazzano bridge in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn. While it does not offer the most spectacular or scrumptious of desserts, it is a cozy place where you can sit for hours with friends or enjoy people watching. This visit, I had the chocolate mousse. It was okay, your standard mousse, not with much flair. I do enjoy their selection of drinks, which includes various items you might find on a Starbucks menu. Either way, the ambiance, unpretentious decor, and coziness of it all makes it feel like you could lose yourself with a hot drink and good book for hours. And, a perk that I like very much about the cafe is board games! This is that fun little place where you can sit, chat, and play from an array of board games that some kids now would have no clue existed due to the lack of bright lights and noises (i.e., backgammon, chess). Hellooooo technology free and relaxing evening!

The Curry Club

2010-01-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Curry Club

2 locations: Setauket and Lake Grove, NY

Being a foodie, not only do I enjoy sampling other delights that people cook for me to eat, but I also love to cook in general- from Italian, to Mexican, to Bite-size Foodie concoctions, you name it. However, while my repertoire is no where as impressive as I would like to admit, I am willing to try to cook anything, as long as my budget and roomie sister can stand it! One fare I have yet to attempt is Indian. While I'm a big consumer of the food, I have slight trepidation about trying to cook it. Maybe it's the abundance of spices? Who knows, because my dad used to cook it all the time at home and it seems simple enough. But, while I hesitantly wait for the day when I attempt it, I will happily eat at an Indian restaurant.

The Curry Club is a...... wait for itttt...... Indian restaurant! located in Long Island where my family has eaten at repeatedly due to its reliable (or so we thought) food. We hadn't been here for a while, so we figured, why not? So, we waited in mock suspense for our expectantly good food. Well, let me tell you, the mock suspense turned into actual surprise when our food arrived.

Since I've been here so many times, I will first tell you what I recommend:

Vegetable samosas: think of a fried pierogy, the size of a baseball-- pastry puffs filled with a yummy combination of potatoes, vegetables, and spices. One of my all time favorites!

Chicken tikka masala: chicken in a creamy tomato sauce with spices

Navrattan vegetable korma : cream curry garnished with nuts and raisins. Please read more below about this dish

Chicken biryani: sort of a chicken and rice variation with Cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, etc.

During this visit, Fiona, my dad, and I ate: vegetable samosas, dal makhni (black lentils in a creamy sauce), navrattan vegetable korma, shrimp jhalfrezi, tandoori chicken--marinated in yogurt and spices cooked in a tandoor oven, roti and naan unleavened breads to mop up all the yummy sauces on the plate. We also ordered rice with our meal, which is another prominent staple in Indian food. The samosas were just as I expected; crunchy pastry on the outside with a slightly spicy filling. I could probably eat 3 of these in a sitting they are just so good! Dal makhni was initially subtle, relative to heat, then the spice hits you the next moment at the back of your throat. This visit was the first time we had tried the lentil creation but it was lovely and I would certainly order it again. Korma was the big disappointment. I usually love this dish and rave about it when I'm eating it, especially from Curry Club, but visually and taste-wise it was drastically different, unfortunately. It was white-- a big old warning sign that something went awry, when the millions of other times we've had it, the sauce was yellow. Also, it was bland and there were no raisins, as Fiona pointed out, which is the big component that offers a bit of sweetness to the savory dish. The jhalfrezi is a particularly spicy chili masala cooked with vegetables, reminding me of what my dad made on his curry nights, which were usually blow-out-your-brains-spicy. Thanks, dad :) Finally, the tandoori chicken was good, a bit dry, but tasty. I think this is a mild dish and good start for someone who has never tried Indian food. Also to note, not all Indian dishes are spicy. Spice does not always = Indian food.

Regardless of the disappointment of part of the meal, the roti and naan made me happy. I definitely recommend ordering some sort of bread whenever eating Indian food. I absolutely love them carbs, and naan is the one for me. It's great and absorbent to sop up the goodness that your fork failed to scoop up. And certainly a more polite tool than licking up the plate. Wouldn't want to insult anybody, would we?

Unfortunately, the next time I go to the restaurant, I am going to ask for their old recipes back, as the new changes were far below our expectations, not only for the food, but for the restaurant. They have been serving up hearty, delightfully tasty food for years, so to change it now seems a bit puzzling. As the old saying goes, don't change it if it works.... or maybe I just made that up, but you get the point. Maybe this visit has lit a fire under me to cook my own Indian food.. I'll let you know how it goes, when it happens!

JT's Corner Cafe

2010-01-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

JT's Corner Cafe

204 Smithtown Blvd.

Nesconset, NY 11767

(631)265-5267

Breakfast is probably my favorite meal. The comfort, variety, and homeyness of it all are probably the reasons for being so. I like to cook breakfast a lot, but it never hurts to stop by a place and have someone do it for you. I've frequented JT's a few times, mostly out of convenience, because who wants to drive far when you just need some fast, good ol' grease in your tummy after an interesting night with friends?

JT's is a small place filled with locals where you are served by friendly staff. It's got quaint and quirky decor, kind of like a cross between 1910 stuff and tchotchkes. You can even call for take-out breaky!

They have a fairly large menu with lots of different takes on omelets and Benedict's. This time, I ordered the Extreme Benedict. It was surprising combination of poached eggs, sausage patties, English muffin, hollandaise, peppers, onions, jalapenos, and olives. I like that it was spicy from the peppers but at the same time, it lacked something to counteract the spiciness of it. Eventually, the spiciness turned into some kind of funky bitter/sour taste in my mouth.

Even though I did not end up liking this dish too much and I think the ham would have turned out tastier than the sausage, I still like going to JT's because they do have other nice dishes to eat! At this visit, the following pictures are Rich's and Fiona's orders; Dutch Apple French Toast with apple-filled syrup and the Cafe omelet with brie, apples, and bacon.

Happy Holidays! & Tai Show North

2009-12-24T12:52:00.000-08:00

Tai Show (North)

316 Main Street

East Setauket, NY 11733

(631) 751-2848

Happy Holidays, everyone! Whether it is Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, or something else that you may celebrate! I hope everyone has a safe, loving, and joyous time with family and friends. I know I am lucky to have a wonderful family, boyfriend, and group of friends who I can count on to keep a smile on my face year round. Now, on to the food! I am not Italian, but in the spirit of things and to follow some sort of tradition known to many of my friends, Christmas Eve is the night of seven fish. So, my visit to Tai Show with Fiona and Rich is quite appropriate for this day! Enjoy!

Fiona is not only my lovely sister, but also a great go-to for decent restaurants. She had been to Tai Show with Julie, another anti-big chain restaurant girl (no offense, TGIFriday's) and they loved the atmosphere and raved about the sushi. Located in scenic north shore LI, Tai Show offers something for everyone, from hibachi to sushi, and other Japanese fare. Walking in, I was immediately excited. They have a separate room for hibachi, but in the main restaurant, you can request to sit in a room, where you are immediately transported to a Japanese room complete with authentic looking Shoji divider doors enclosing your party in your booth. Mucho points for atmosphere and interior design!

As for the food, I was so impressed by the variety's of sushi rolls they offered. I don't know why, I just was, but they had great flavor combinations and it was super fresh. I have found, throughout my sushi-trying years, that yes, sushi is definitely an acquired taste that has only increased with intensity, for me, at least. And a great way to try different fish is to order a roll with other fish that you've tried before and like. It's like taking baby steps. So far, it has been a no-fail way for me to try different sushi.

Another good way is just to sample what your friends order, which is precisely what Fiona, Rich, and I did. We started with the pork shumai appetizer. Although shumai always looks so pallid and rather boring to me, there's was still visually boring but tasted wonderful. Then again, I guess it's kind of hard to make pork dumplings look truly appealing. Anyway, it was perfectly cooked and the sweet and salty dipping sauce is a great paring. I also had miso soup, which I love and it was nice here, too. Rich ordered Shrimp Asparagus- rolled in panko and fried and served with an interesting dry salt-herb mixture. I thought it was a bit plain tasting, but the herbs added the saltiness which it needed.

Finally our rolls came and they were visually spectacular. It's one thing to plate something visually appealing, but I am always amazed by the way food is presented in some Japanese restaurants, such as this. They are truly works of art... literally edible art, and you can really appreciate the time that the sushi chef took to make the roll. I ordered the Diamond roll (tuna, yellowtail, cucumber, avocado with salmon on top), Fiona chose the Amy roll (tuna, salmon, yellow tail, spicy mayo, tempura flakes topped with avocado), and Rich got the Dynamite roll (tuna, fluke, scallion, caviar, cucumber with spicy scallop and tempura flakes). As for all of the rolls, I really enjoyed them all. I absolutely love the salmon sashimi on top, as it is one of my favorites and the crunchy cucumber with the soft fish and creamy avocado were wonderful with the wasabi dipping sauce, which I traditionally make a bit spicy. As for the most different, it was Rich's dynamite roll. His was partially cooked (the scallop top) and I'd never had it with sushi before. It was a bit ginormous to eat in one bite, but a big flavor roller coaster in your mouth!

Overall, the dinner was great. Here, I had the full sensory experience: Visually, olfactory, tasting, texturally, it was all appealing, which I believe takes a restaurant to a higher caliber/top-notch (change wording). And, it was not too expensive for a sushi night.

Pastis

2009-12-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

9 Ninth Ave.

New York, NY 10014

(212) 929-4844

Pastis is set in the heart of possibly my favorite part of Manhattan- the Meatpacking District. It is like another world there, without the sardine can-like crowds and the cobblestone streets remind me of Europe and the old world. I love it and could spend a day in the little nook of the city people watching and staring at the lovely buildings and architecture. Anywho, Pastis, I feel is perfect for the area. The 1940's french themed bar and restaurant are precisely how I want to decorate my future kitchen! Fiona suggested that we go here- finally! We went with fellow foodie, Joe, and had a ball. It was very crowded and there was a wait, but nothing too complain about while we admired the decor. I was just excited that we were going to have brunch!

Coincidentally, the three of us wanted the same thing, so to change it up, I ordered the .... which are from the bakery, Balthazar owned by the same proprietors. I should have known it was a funny selection because of the waitress' questionable expression on her face and the fact that she said "you just want the pastry for brunch?" I thought nothing of it, of course, but then understood when my order came. My order consisted of a croissant, chocolate croissant, sticky bun, and orange brioche. For some reason when I ordered, I envisioned tiny bite-sized pastries, but no, it was an enormous bread basket, obviously made to share as a side dish. Either way, after I giggled at my order, I was very happy. Helloooo carbs! I was instantly transported to an outside boulangerie in Paris. Each pastry was sugary, sticky, flaky, and just as buttery as I'd hoped. I shared with Fiona and Joe and I think they had the same sentiments.

I also stole some of their Eggs a la Basquaise- the dish we all wanted originally (poached egg with polenta, peppers, onions, and prosciutto). We were all surprised by how small the serving was, when presented. However, it was lovely. The yolky egg and peppers were an excellent flavor combination. Very much like a breakfast-y sausage and peppers. But, towards the scraping of the plate at the end of the dish, the very obvious question came to be-- Where is the polenta?? I don't know if they were sleepy back there in the kitchen, but it certainly was not on the plate. Oh well!

To end, my sister and my dessert was poire au vin rouge or poached pears. Instantly, I thought of the winter holidays. Each bite of pear was very reminiscent of a mulled wine spiced with cloves. The pear was tender but not mushy and soaked in the flavorful wine. Quite yummy and a lovely light choice to end our brunch. Joe ate bananas foster, which was okay, but I'm not a big fan of bananas unless it is right out of its' peel. I will definitely go back here again as the other menus seem spectacular and it is a good excuse to go back to the meatpacking district... a pretty decent excuse, if you ask me!

The Odeon

2009-12-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

145 West Broadway

New York, NY 10013

(212)233-0507

Going out for dinner is obviously very much a social event and The Odeon provided a great menu for my friends and I to dine on. Fiona, friend Joe, and I happened upon this place recently and determined that it would be the next spot for us to meet. So, with the three of us, Rich, Sal, and Kristin, we enjoyed a French Bistro-esque type meal. With all of us, we practically ordered half the dinner menu, and I felt very lucky to sample much of it! I think that's one of the great things about going out with larger groups- you get to taste a bunch of food. Sounds good to me!

I ordered the Country Frisee Salad, Angus Hangar Steak, and, if you've read my previous blogs, you won't be at all surprised to read that I ordered the Molten Chocolate Cake (I know, I know, I'll change my dessert choices, but I just love that gooey chocolate. Mmmmmm!).

The salad was simply seasoned with a vinaigrette and garnished with bacon lardons. It was absolutely delicious. The fatty bacon and lightly acidic dressing cut the tangy cheese so nicely and I wanted to lick up my plate. Except, I remembered that I should act like a lady and waited hungrily for the next course. Gladly, my friends came to the rescue and I was able to nosh on their appetizers which included a Warm Goat Cheese Salad, Baby Beet Salad, Spicy Chicken Dumplings, and Chicken liver mousse which was a special. They were all very tasty but if I chose a favorite of the three, it would be the beet salad.

Eventually, our entrees came and I was eager to dive in. My steak was cooked precisely as I'd ordered- medium and thinly cut into strips. I was admittedly taken aback by this presentation, as I was anticipating a whole cut of steak. However, that was soon forgotten because the combination of bearnaise sauce, fabulous confit potatoes and steak juices melded beautifully together. It was practically sublime and I did not have an ounce of regret with my choice. The only thing I was disappointed with was that I hoped for more. The portion was fair, but I definitely wanted a few more bites to savor.

Lastly, after good conversation and a few sly forkfuls of Rich's meal, the famously predicatable chocolate cake emerged. Now, I have to defend myself slightly because when we passed The Odeon, a couple weeks ago, there was an ice cream cart with a guy serving up some cones and we found out that they made their own ice cream. Therefore, even though I got the cake, I also was able to taste a very nice hazelnut ice cream served on the side. It was very smooth and creamy and had a nicely subtle hazelnut flavor which complimented the cake.

Overall, it was a very yummy experience and I also want to return to the area, which was littered with many restaurants I want to try. Another restaurant down, many more to visit!

Funchos

2009-11-29T15:46:00.000-08:00

1166 West Main St.

Riverhead, NY 11901

(631) 369-7277

As soon as we pulled into the Funchos parking lot, I knew I would enjoy my meal. The tiny place (sits about 15 people inside and there are outside tables) was full in the middle of the afternoon and just the decor- orange, neon greens, and purples cover the walls- invited you to gorge on some messy, scrumptious food. Me and some girlfriends came here, famished after apple picking, at the request of my good friend Lianne; if she raves about a place, it must be worth it!! The menu is big, but trusty Lianne and sis, Fiona suggested 2 fantastic tacos for my meal...

I ordered the highly recommended Chili taco, Funchos style, and West Coast Fish taco with yellow rice and black beans. The first thing I noted before even tasting the food was the abundance of fresh vegetables on the tacos. No soupy salsa from a jar, but good old homemade chunky salsa. I ordered the Chili taco on a hard shell, Funchos style; in addition to lettuce, tomato, salsa, there is also sour cream, corn, olives, and jalapenos. That alone could make you feel good on a cold day. Eat 2 or 3 of them and you'd be satisfied. Eating it, a lovely mix of heat, spice, and coolness combined together for a nice lingering sensation on my taste buds.

I was also eagerly anticipating the West Coast fish taco, as my sister ate here once before and said it was the best one she's had outside of southern California. Those are some bold words and some big shoes to fill, so I ordered it with high expectations. If you've never had a fish taco, you are probably thinking, "Bite-Sized, you are one nutty person." But, fish tacos are actually an overwhelmingly popular fare in southern California and so amazingly tasty! They often come either fried or grilled. Looking at mine, it seemed like a standard white fish taco on a soft corn tortilla with the usual accouterments. However, the taste was far from ordinary or standard. The fish was not 'fishy' at all and was nicely fried, not oily, and stayed crunchy despite the jalapeno cream sauce on it. I think the corn tortilla brought it over the top. The flavors worked so well together and felt light at the same time, not too heavy where you are too stuffed from eating.

The last picture is one of my friend's burritos and she said it was delish! Overall, the meal was very satisfying and cheap! Now if I want a good fish taco, I know where to get it. There is also a relatively generous offering of drinks to quell the spice (Dos Equis, Coronitas) that came as a surprise, being such a small place. And there's a bonus! There just happens to be a great little ice cream place right next door, all homemade, and very creamy, with various unique and standard flavors. Many thanks to go to my friends who often suggest the places for my foodie adventures :O)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! Even when it's not the day, I am thankful always to be surrounded by loving family, friends, and given wonderful opportunities in life. Have a safe and fun day and I promise to put up a new post... I've been busy lately, but thanks to all who've been reading!

L&B Spumoni Gardens

2009-11-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

2725 86th St.

Brooklyn, NY 11223

(718) 449-1230

Today I decided was the perfect time for me to post this blog because yesterday on "Man vs. Food" (Travel Channel), he was in Brooklyn and featured this wonderful eatery. It's fate-- who am I to mess with fate?

L&B is always full whether it's dinner time on Tuesday evening or you're hungry after a Saturday night out. There is outdoor seating for the pizzeria and indoor seating for the restaurant, which I intend on sampling from soon. I have been here many times, thanks to a certain someone, just for some pizza. When I first went to L&B a long long time ago, not even knowing the popularity of it all, I think I was actually just going, begrudgingly. I thought, 'what's so great about Sicilian pizza?' I never cared for it. I've always been a pepperoni and mushroom slice kinda girl. That is, until L&B!

The way they make their Sicilian, you'd want to hit yourself on the head-- it's so simple! It looks funny too, since the sauce is on top, but it's perfect: dough, layers of mozzarella, sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, and a healthy dusting of Parmesan. To be honest though, if I attempted cooking it, I would still swear that L&B is better. I absolutely adore it and just thinking about it, even if I just polished off a whole pie to myself, would make me hungry for more. It is not overly doughy or chewy and has a nice amount of saltiness and tart from the tomato sauce, with yummy gooeyness from the cheese.

If you're ever in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, make L&B a priority stop!

The Palm Restaurant

2009-10-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

250 West 50th Street

New York, NY 10019

(212) 333-7256

Yearning for an excellent steak, I entered The Palm with very high expectations. It is another chain, just like Morton's but I let that slide. The decor is modern meets Tommy Bahama. Very southern Florida-esque and not too snooty. There are caricatures that paint the walls with famous people who have visited the eatery. And, apparently anyone can get their face up on the wall- with the stipulation that you join the Palm's 'club' and by earning a certain amount of points you, too, can be staring at patron's as they devour their steak!

Anywho, with a coupon that was mailed to my boyfriend, we were more easily able to afford dinner here. Otherwise I'd probably ONLY be eating the steak and then saying my goodbye's to the waiter. However, with the coupon, though limited menu choices, we were able to have a lovely full course meal with wine and have a pretty good opinion of the restaurant. I started with the Lobster bisque, and while I normally love the stuff (yes, despite my odd relationship with seafood), it really did not impress me. My boyfriend, however, loved it and thought it was the most amazing lobster bisque he's had. Maybe I've just been eating cheap lobster bisque all my life? Moving on to my entree, I ended up with NY Strip and we shared sides of sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes. The sauteed spinach, first of all was to die for! I am a huge believer in Ina Garten's theory that good quality food made simply can often be the best. This was precisely the spinach. It was fresh and perfectly seasoned with loads of garlic and salt. Ces't Magnifique! The potatoes on the other hand, while good were nothing to delight over.

Now let's see how the steak measures up- and if you haven't noticed by now, I take terrible pictures, so please, let's remember that old adage our mom's told us, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I took my first bite and knew that I had found it. And, I will readily admit that my NY strip was much better than the Filet Mignon that my boyfriend ordered. I actually have always found it rather interesting that many people believe Filet Mignon is the best cut; and while I have also thought so, sometimes I feel mislead, as there are many other wonderfully tasty cuts of steak, i.e., my NY strip! It was perfectly fatty and unbelievably scrumptious with a magnificent crusty char on the outside and juiciness on the inside. I have found the answer to my steak yearnings! It was a nicely sized portion too, as I needed to (happily) save the rest for leftovers. I ended my scrumptious meal with something I'd been wanting to try- macerated strawberries with reduced balsamic. The balsamic, reduced to a thick syrupy consistency became sweet and the tartness of the strawberries pared nicely.

I was so satisfied with my meal, I will be happy to oblige another trip to the Palm in the near future! Oh yeah, the one bad thing to this story- an apparent aura of Alzheimer's-like symptoms overcame me with a food coma and I forgot to put my leftovers in the fridge. My mistake was sadly realized the next morning. I hope you're happy, garbage can! You just got a really good meal in there!

Cafe Espanol

2009-10-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

172 Bleecker St

New York, NY 10012

(212) 505-0657

Spain has some remarkably complexly flavored, yet simple, savory food made with exceptional flair. Fortunately, because my Grandma lives in Spain, I've had the opportunity to experience some of the amazing culture and beautiful cuisine. Cafe Espanol has instilled great excitement in me that outside of Spain, there IS great Spanish food. Wonderful food and service is what you will experience here.

Ordinarily when I read something, it needs to be incredibly interesting or else my attention span, already unfortunately short, will quickly turn to something else. However, when I read menus, sometimes you can't budge my attention. At Cafe Espanol, I was blessed with that experience. First of all, when tapas are offered, how can you NOT peruse through each and every item?? I love reading through, salivating and wondering what my meal could potentially be, based on the menu. After a very difficult decision, the tapas I ordered was Chorizo Salteado. It was EXCELLENT. The saltiness of the sausage and sweetness from the peppers and onions permeated the sauce, which was wonderful to mop up with with crusty bread. I could have eaten that all night, to be honest. I only chose one tapas since the others also ordered some (which is typical of a tapas-style restaurant). One other tapas of note was the Tortilla Espanol, a Spanish omelet with potatoes. In Spain, many restaurants devoted to serving tapas and no other main dish, so of course, I would have been happy sampling the tiny appetizers throughout the evening picturing myself in the country, but tonight we all ordered a main course instead.

My boyfriend, as you can see in the picture, ordered a lobster dish and he loved it. I got the Paella Valenciana. This was a big step for me as paella is a saffron rice dish with chicken but primarily filled with a variety of seafood. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, seafood is not my forte, but I want it to be a part of my diet, so I bit the bullet. What happened next was a revelation: I LIKE most seafood! I still don't like shrimp, but the clams, mussels, and scallops were lovely as they were scented with the broth of the dish. There was also an abundance of food- I was given my plate plus a pot-full of more paella. I was generally satisfied, as it was a good choice and one that I am happy I made. It only makes me want to go to Barcelona and experience paella over there!

Morton's Steakhouse

2009-10-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Morton's Steakhouse

551 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 972-3315

(Multiple locations throughout the country)

I'm on the hunt for meat! Steak to be specific! I was eagerly anticipating my visit to Morton's, as it seemed a legendary place to eat some great steak. Hopefully the franchise will live up to my expectations...

I went here for a surprise proposal party, so of course, a fun evening with friends was going to be had. Upon entering the restaurant, it was a dark vibe and quite smaller than I had expected. Either way, the crowd appeared lively and I remained excited to eat.

Because we were here for a private party, the menu was practically pre-determined; choose your appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert from one or two selections. I was rather surprised when deciding what to order for my appetizer because there were only seafood choices: Broiled Sea Scallops, Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. Being a relative newbie to most seafood I was forced to choose the broiled sea scallops with bacon, as I unfortunately still do not like shrimp (I'm trying though!) and I didn't care to know what Alexander had to do with it! Reluctantly, I tried my selection and was actually quite surprised. Even though my scallop tasting history is scarce, I thought that these were very well cooked and paired nicely with the saltiness of the bacon. Satisfied, I was hoping for a lovely steak to follow. Unfortunately, my filet mignon was not as tasty as I'd hoped. I really hoped for something that would 'hit the spot,' but it tasted rather ordinary. It was not as juicy or lip-smacking as I'd hoped. Sides were also standard- potatoes and asparagus; didn't make me jump for joy. Oh well, I can always rely on dessert, right? I ordered the Morton's legendary hot chocolate cake- you know, the stuff with the gooey inside. I quickly forgot about my dinner and enjoyed the company I was with. With that said, I will not lie- my edible hopes were dashed Maybe you can't turn into a franchise and truly maintain quality.... will I ever find the Great Steak?

The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant

2009-10-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

709 North Harbor Blvd

Fullerton, CA

(714) 871- 7447

I was a bit skeptical when my dad said that we were going to eat at a British place. I thought, British food.. in California?! For some reason, it just seemed odd to me, but The Olde Ship was a lovely place and makes you think you just stepped into a pub on the corner in London. The vibe was very much akin to a true pub, not a dingy bar where you feel uncomfortable and people are spilling their drinks on you. I recommend going to the website and reading about what a real pub is because they have a great description on their menu. My pictures of the menu are a bit difficult to read.

Their food was very tasty, hearty, and abundant. I ate the Cornish pasty which is a light, flaky pastry filled with ground meat and different vegetables. The traditional usually calls for ground meat, but at this restaurant, the filling is with chunks of beef. I know that many people would tend to favor hunks of meat, but I was slightly disappointed as I expected and prefer the old-school way. My Cornish pasty was also covered in brown gravy which kind of banished my hopes for crunchy pastry. All in all, it was certainly not a bad meal, it was actually very flavorful and savory, but I guess when you are so used to one way, it's hard to stray from the familiar.

One awesome thing about the Olde Ship is that they serve their huge selection of beers in actual pint-sized glasses! This statement probably sounds funny, but sometimes when you ask for a pint in some bars, believe it or not, the glass is deceptively not a pint!

It was a grand "olde" (<-- ha ha I crack me up!) time at The Olde Ship and a nice place for some British type fare in SoCal.

Max's Resturant

2009-09-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

Please note, I will not normally write up on chain restaurants, but this was an exception. I visited the Max's in Puente Hills Mall in California. Multiple locations in Philippines, California, and Hawaii.

At long last! A Filipino restaurant! Unfortunately where I live, there is not a lot of Filipino cuisine unless you want to drive 45 minutes away. Luckily, my mom is an excellent cook and exposed my family to great Filipino cuisine. But, if you do not feel like cooking and happen to be in southern California, Max's is the place to go. SoCal is brimming with many cultures, including my mom's native, Philippines. At Max's, a chain establishment, they offer traditional Filipinodishes to give a taste of the homeland.

The best way I can describe the food is homey (probably because it was a big part of my childhood), rustic, and nutritious; containing fresh ingredients and a mostly simple preparation. I attribute these characteristics to the food primarily because of the influence of the land and surroundings of the Philippines-- aka there's lots of fish, rice, and fresh fruits and veggies. So the locals subsist on the land/sea- like most other cultures. Okay, at the risk of sounding like a cheesy school essay, I will stop my tangent now.

Max's was great! First of all, the service was great and the native Filipino wait staff were so friendly; apparently, and I am not making this up, (I swear!), Filipinos are known to be friendly people and I would tend to agree. Secondly, I was dying to go to Max's because my family had already gone there and raved about the chicken. "Oh my goodness you MUST try the chicken!" "It's so good and crunchy!" Needless to say, I had to order it. My meal was a combination, "Max's Platter:" Max's chicken, Pancit Canton, and garlic fried rice. Ahhh, the ubiquitous rice! It is just not a Filipinomeal without the rice. My mom ordered the soup, Sinigang sa Miso and my sister ordered another combination, "Max's Budget:" Max's chicken, Lumpia, and rice. For dessert, my mom and I ordered the Halo Halo. Because many people are unfamiliar with Filipino fare, I will describe each component one by one. It is worth it, trust me!

It only seems appropriate to start with the much raved about chicken. Max's apparently does not like to leave any stomach full, so as a result, they serve you a quarter chicken and, of course, mounds of rice. The chicken was so simply prepared, I was actually stunned. To be honest, I was expecting something like Paula Deen would make: pounds of buttermilk and flour drowning the chicken so you can't find it. But this poultry would put that to shame, as Max's chicken was delicately seasoned and fried. As a matter of fact, it was quite reminiscent of my mom's Sunday roast. I was in my happy place. It was remarkably moist all over and just so darn tasty! Absolutely incredible! I now know what everyone was making such a fuss over and completely agree with them.

The Pancit Canton that accompanied my meal was not as memorable as the chicken, but also quite tasty. Basically Pancit is Philippines' answer to China's, lo mein. Pancit is a noodle dish with assorted vegetables, pork, and shrimp all stir fried to make a lovely mixture. Canton means egg noodles, and mine were a bit over done which I was disappointed about because, to me, that is the best part. However, a dash of lemon or lime juice surely takes the dish to new heights and made me forget about the sogginess. I will say, though, my mom's Pancit still reigns as number 1 in my book.

My sister's combination included the Lumpia. It is another food that many will find familiar in some aspects: the Filipino version of spring rolls. Max's was filled with the traditional pork and various vegetables. The Lumpia was nicely fried and the filling was good, but of course I was subconsciously comparing it to my mom's. Although the crunchiness was impressive, it does not stand a chance against my mom's! Did I mention she is a phenomenal cook??

The Sinigang sa Miso is a tamarind flavored soup. Well, actually, that is just Sinigang; broth and then you choose what protein you would like. The 'sa Miso' means milkfish, a flaky, mild fish. Sinigang is sour, which happens to be a very popular taste found in Filipino fare. The soup is also chock- full of vegetables. This was probably the most 'exotic' (depending on how you view food) food we ordered, as there was a whole fish in the soup. Some westerners may view this as unconventional, when the reality is, most of the world eats the WHOLE fish and it is actually kind of cool seeing the whole thing there in the bowl. I have had Sinigang before and while it was tasty, it was a bit too tangy for me to help finish off. Now, you remember how I said Max's does not like to leave you hungry? Well, this soup was enormous. There was enough for three of us and leftovers.

Finally, the Halo Halo topped off our meal, and even though I was full, I am so happy I had it. First of all, it has been one of my all time favorite desserts which literally means, "Mix-Mix." When it is made at home, it is more fun and it can be made with more of one ingredient than another, but Max's rendition was still just as good. It is a concoction filled with, among many things, shaved ice, macapuno (young coconut), langka (jackfruit), ube (purple yam), caramel custard, tapioca, beans... Now, your eyes are probably huge and you are amazed that all of that can be in a dessert. And I know what you are thinking. "Beans?! How absurd!" But, trust me people, this is why it is so exciting and enlivening to try another cuisine. The beans in the Halo Halo practically MAKE the dessert. The flavor combination and endless textures are out of this world and to die for, especially if you have a sweet tooth.

Max's was certainly a taste of home. Better yet, it was a lingering delight on my palate, leaving me wanting more Filipino food!

P.S. These pictures do not do the food justice, but I hope you enjoy them anyway!

Fushimi

2009-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

9316 4th Ave (btwn 93rd & 94th)

Brooklyn, NY 11209

(718) 833-7788

An additional location is in Staten Island

Set in the heart of the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn is a Japanese/ French fusion-type restaurant with your basic Bento boxes and also various combinations of sushi rolls. Dark lighting and modern architecture naturally create a mysterious aura and intimate atmosphere with the people at your table. Friendly and helpful service from wait staff provides a comforting experience. Typically, I do not favor chain restaurants, however, Fushimi exceeded my expectations with fresh fare and good service.

We were recommended this place by a friend and he mentioned the large cocktail selection with delicious mixed drinks. I had the Lychee Champagne, a refreshing and light cocktail with a garnish of lychee, which I loved. A nice balance of sweetness and bubbles cut the sharpness of the vodka.

I commenced dinner with the 'Amazing Crunchy Calamari' which were panko-breaded calamari, fried, and served with a dipping sauce that tasted like sweet duck sauce, with hints of jalapeno and sesame seeds for added crunch. It was delicious and a surprising spin on your standard fried calamari. For my entree I asked the waitress to suggest which roll to choose from ~3 that I selected from the menu. I find that, in many places, the staff or surrounding patrons are often the best measure of what to order. It definitely worked in my favor! I choose the Sunset Blvd roll: yellow tail, salmon, and spicy tuna with avocado and tempura flakes on a bed of plum sauce. Lately, I have gone on a trying-something-new kick, as, I believe, a normal foodie should be; take that risk and hopefully will enjoy what you select. Well, I was happily surprised. With the saltiness and slight heat of the wasabi-soy dipping sauce (standard sushi accompaniment), the delicate sweetness of the plum, and crunchiness of the roll, there was a lovely balance of flavor and textures with each bite. I thoroughly enjoyed my roll and my mouth is watering as I reminisce! My boyfriend had a chicken terriyaki- shrimp tempura Bento box with a side of shrimp shumai, which, while standard, was also delicious. Between my appetizer and entree, it was a perfect amount of food for dinner and I left Fushimi completely satiated! Side note: Fushimi does offer a tasting menu which is recommended and Zagat rated. It is approximately $70pp so bring your appetite!

Maroni Cuisine

2009-09-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

18 Woodbine Avenue

Northport, NY 11768

(631) 757-4500

So, I had always heard about Maroni's: not only from word-of-mouth, but of course, through the Food Network's, Throwdown with Bobby Flay- Meatballs. Maroni's has been featured for their meatballs and I have heard nothing but good things about them, so one day, as my boyfriend and I were walking through Northport village one night, we became hungry. We both wanted to eat outside since many of the restaurants offer such seating and it was also such a lovely night out. We passed Maroni's, which was full, but ...long story short, we got lucky and were seated in the outside section!

First thoughts were that it reminded me of an ally in Little Italy; very quaint and utterly romantic. But, it is also conducive for a fun night with a group. Of course, I knew about the tasting menu, but that night, we were both not starving, so instead of spending ~$150pp (Cash or check only) on their tasting menu, which I WILL do one day, we just went a la carte.

For an appetizer, I had the salad, which was a simple mesculin salad with shaved ricotta salata. The vinaigrette was wonderful- I don't typically pick standard vinaigrette, however, this was acidic, yet sweet and was perfect with the salata. My boyfriend ordered the baked clams oreganata. Now, clams are not my favorite, but I can't stop raving enough about these! They were crunchy and delectable, but not overly stuffed with breadcrumbs that you tasted a mouthful of dryness. These clams were still moist and tasty. Scrumptious! For our entrees, my boyfriend ordered a three-cheese-type pasta, which was delicious and the pasta was truly al dente. If you have not had truly al dente pasta before, please do! It really makes a difference to your pasta meal. As for me, I had to get the much raved about, Spaghetti and Meatballs. It was in a wonderfully light tomato sauce. The meatballs were not too heavy and simply garnished with basil. An even better treat (which most people might not do): the leftovers were equally as spectacular as the flavors melded together even more. To drink, we had Cabernet Sauvignon, which complimented my meal wonderfully.

Finally for dessert, I had a chocolate souffle (surprised?) with an oozing center of chocolate. Essentially, it was simple but a chocolate lovers dream. It was a fabulous way to end an even more fabulous dinner.

Side note: Seating is limited as it this is a teeny, tiny restaurant, so I would call in a reservation. Also, there is no menu, your options are tasting menu (approximately 20? various bite-sized nibbles for your palate- bring your appetite!) or a la carte, which the waitress or waiter expertly details for you.

Kitchenette

2009-09-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

156 Chambers St (btwn Hudson St & Broadway)

New York, NY 10007

(212) 267-6740

Kitchenette is a cute little restaurant located in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan. It drips with charm with eccentric decor-- the tables are old doors and is a great place to meet with friends after a night out. They do serve lunch and dinner, but we came here for brunch, which seemed to be many other people's idea.

I ordered the Bridgehampton- silver dollar pancakes with fruit and yogurt. It was not a risky choice, but it suited me just fine. The pancakes were served with some type of strawberry butter. Now, normally I just push the butter off my pancakes because I think it's just plain weird, but oh my goodness this butter was spectacular! Syrup was not necessary due to the sweetness of the butter, but if you mixed the two together, it was heavenly. The butter concoction had just a slight hint of berry and touch of saltiness and was freshly made. If you put this butter on steak, I would probably eat it. Anyway, I'll stop being obsessive about the butter, because the other food was great too! I sampled some of my sister's fare- the Mixed Berry pancakes (scrumptious) and friend, Joe's, Breakfast enchiladas. I was actually surprised that I enjoyed the enchiladas, as it was a mix of charred poblano peppers, cheddar, and topped with creamy avocado. The only thing that did not agree with my tastebuds were the accompanying potatoes. Now that I think about it, I should have put the strawberry butter on them...

Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant

2009-08-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

7315 3rd Ave(btwn 73rd St & 74th St)

Brooklyn, NY 11209

(718) 836-1512

Yippee! I convinced my boyfriend to eat indian food for the first time and since I do not know of any places in Brooklyn, we just googled and found this place. Because it was his first time, I did not order anything too complex and stuck with my usual 'safety dishes:' vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma (vegetable stew in a cream sauce), and chicken biryani. All relatively harmless for beginners. Unfortunately, Taj Mahal was just standard, in my view; nothing spectacular. We did have a slight mishap, which I won't discuss as it is nothing to write about, but the staff was consistently gracious throughout our dining experience and attended to our needs. Overall, I thought the dishes lacked the spice and vibrant kick that you expect with a mouthful of curry. But, I will say, ironically, for that reason, Taj Mahal was a good choice since I was with a first-timer. Let's just label this is the Starter indian restaurant.

Quercy Restaurant

2009-08-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

242 Court St

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 243-2151

Since it was Brooklyn's restaurant week, many places were offering prix fixe menus. Quercy is a relatively small eatery and every table was full and lively with conversation. Here, the prix fixe was 3 courses for $23- not a price to complain about. Unfortunately, the same can not be said about the staff, who were slow and inefficient, to be quite frank. Anyway, lets talk food.

Starting, I ate goat cheese wrapped in puff pastry with salad greens. I thought that the warm goat cheese salad was relatively good. There was a housemade dressing on the side, which did not seem to complement the salad as a whole, so i did not use it too much. Basically it tasted like buttermilk-ranch dressing. However, the goat cheese was scrumptious... well, let's face it, anything wrapped in pastry is divine! The Coq Au Vin was relatively okay and was accompanied by a side of buttered green beans or, 'haricot vert'. It is a traditional french dish, meaning chicken cooked in wine. I expected much more vegetables in my stew, but I cannot complain about the quantity of chicken. Unfortunately, the stew seemed to be lacking something, though I could not pin-point what was missing. As for my dessert, I was very happy. The chocolate cake was flourless and decadent! Very chocolatey and a dense cake who would make any chocolate lover happy. I sampled some of my fellow diner's food: the chicken in a mustard sauce was excellent. The chicken was moist and the mustard sauce was not overpowerful, yet creamy and pungent enough to have a lasting taste on your tastebuds. Also, the scalloped potatoes were creamy, cheesy, and buttery. What more can you ask for in a potato?

I drank House wine and it was very good red wine. It was notable, as it came in a wine bottle where the label seemed to have braille on it; never saw that before. Definitely not a bad drink of choice, especially for house wine.

Overall the food was decent. I really wanted to try the beef bourguinon but it was not part of the prix fixe menu. Maybe I would go back and try that next time especially if the service changes. Hopefully it was just an 'off' night for the wait staff and next time they will be a bit more speedy with the service. Overall, the food was quite lovely.

Mama Mexico

2009-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

2 locations in Manhattan and 1 in New Jersey

Are you looking for a loud, lively scene? Well, vamos a Mama Mexico's! Mama Mexico offers a large selection of Mexican fare, with more than just your standard burrito and taco. However, this place is usually crowded with large parties and a mariachi band with over-sized guitars and sombreros! So, if you're expecting a fine Mexican meal, this might not be the best start. I have sampled many items including various enchiladas which are good, but not mind-blowing. I will, however, rave on and on about the guacamole. It is house-made at your table, which adds to the already chaotic scene, with a mortar and pestle. The creamy avocado is suddenly a memory with the medium blast of heat. It is perfect to wash down with their sangria. Portions are plentiful here and whether the food really wakes up your palette or not, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time with friends!

Dawat

2009-08-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

(212) 355-7555

210 E. 58th St (58th & 2nd)

New York, NY 10022

Indian food has played a big part in my childhood...thankfully. My father, hailing from England always cooked his 'Saturday night curry' and slowly introduced my sister and me to this excitingly mystical cuisine. I think that many people are intimidated by the strong aromas and spices that are not commonly used in western cuisine, but really it makes for some flavorful food.

Dawat (pronounced, Da-vut) was an excellent representation of Indian food. Owned by Madhur Jaffrey, cookbook writer and winner of several James Beard awards for cookbooks, this restaurant offers a varied selection of Indian dishes. Often times, dishes are shared, or, 'family style.' My group and I ordered vegetable samosa appetizers, lamb and chicken biryani, chicken tikka masala, and naan. All entrees were very tasty and with a good amount of spice. I often get samosas at Indian restaurants because any type of pastry stuffed with potatoes and veggies is bound to be yummy. These samosas were excellent, as expected, but they were on the small side, as were the entrees- really the only complaint I have. The lamb and chicken biryani's are essentially meat and rice. The meat, in both dishes, was tender and juicy in comparison to the al dente rice (can rice be al dente?... oh well, I'll go with it!). It was a nice marriage of textures. Finally, the masala, which is similar to stew: bite sized pieces of chicken swimming in a creamy, spiced tomato broth, was delicious and comforting. It is the perfect dish to mop up with fluffy naan bread, especially with the sudden heat that arises after a bite or two.

I was certainly happy with the meal and my company- my cousin and his girlfriend were visiting my sister and I, from the west coast! I would definitely return here, especially to sit in the back of the restaurant where you can view chefs cooking at the tandoors (ovens commonly used in middle eastern cuisine). Now, if only I can hop on a plane and get to India my experience should be complete...

ColYUMbian...

2009-08-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so unfortunately with this posting, I clearly don't have the name of the restaurant or location. The reason for this is that by the time I wrote the post, I had completely forgotten the name. The best I could do was this: it is located somewhere on W. Waters Avenue and Armenia Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Luckily my dad told me this. I feel very sad that I can not share the precise location, as this restaurant was an absolute gem!!! Ironically, I remembered everything that I ate. I guess you could say it left an impression on my palate. For the sake of everyone's sanity, let's just call this place, "ColYUMbian." HaHaHa I crack myself up!

"ColYUMbian" place was a true hole-in-the wall!!! But, these places usually have the tastiest, most authentic cuisine. Also, it's not filled with tourists, but the people of the culture! We were practically the only one's who spoke english. I loved it! I felt like I was in Colombia! The staff was SUPER friendly, helpful and always greeted with a smile on their face. Always appreciated!!!

If I had one word to describe the food at "ColYUMbian," it would be 'rustic.' Nothing was overdone, just food cooked from the heart, just how I like it. I ordered the half chicken with fried plantains, white rice, and beans. The beans were so tasty and wonderfully authentic! They were chock-full of shredded pork and perfectly seasoned. I would probably be happy eating that with rice for dinner! The chicken was good, in some parts a little dry, but it had good intentions with great seasoning and a perfect match with the plantains (another thing I could eat singularly for dinner). I sampled pork rinds that came with my mom's entree, and that was also amazing--fresh, crispy, and goooood pork fat and flavor. Who doesn't like pork rinds??

I would certainly go back here. The portions are monstrous and your stomach will be happily satiated for a long while, so expect to bring home leftovers. I have eaten Colombian food before in more fancy places, but this restaurant was much more authentic and the experience felt much more truly Colombian. I was overwhelmingly satisfied!

Boizao

2009-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

4606 W Boy Scout Blvd

Tampa, FL 33607

(813) 286-7100

If you have never been to a Brazilian steakhouse (often known as a Churrascaria), this is an excellent start. First of all, they are fun, lively, and just plain different, compared to standard dining. I love them! If you have been before, Boizao will surely meet your expectations, as it did mine. Basically, they give you a 2-sided dic, one side green, one side red. When you want the meat-servers to come to your table, you turn the disc to the green side. When you need a break, you turn it to the red side. Beautifully cooked meat comes to your table on a large skewer and they cut off the amount of meat you would like.

Here at Boizao, staff was extremely helpful and quick. The meat was served hot, which can be difficult at some churrascarias considering all of the tables they need to visit. It was tender, and extremely juicy. They are masters of their craft. The various meats (chicken, beef, lamb, pork) are served with mashed potatoes and fried bananas. The rest of the meal comes from a freshly and high-quality stocked buffet, filled with various cold meats and cheeses, lettuces, fresh vegetables, rice, beans, and surprisingly, even sushi. You WILL leave the place VERY full and VERY pleased!!! Finally, I somehow had room for dessert and ate the chocolate souffle. It was decadent and they used good chocolate. I could not complain a bit!

The restaurant was quiet in the beginning, but the expansive space began to fill up by 7pm and made the atmosphere more lively. It was my sister and my birthday dinner and they brought us out an extra dessert AND sang for us a version of happy birthday in their native Portuguese. It was so lively and fun and everyone at the restaurant was clapping to the song. One of the best renditions of happy birthday I've ever had sung to me! You will not be disappointed. The beautifully simple decor, kind staff, and excellent food were something to beam about.

Salud

2009-08-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

142 Beekman St

New York, NY 10038 (btwn Front & South St)

(212) 566-2220

Stepping into this small restaurant, you're immediately greeted by the sounds of Latin America. Going with this theme, the lattice trim and white paint with contrasting wood floors solidified my out-of-world experience, sort of being in Cuba. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Even better? My food!

Instead of the standard bread on the table, fried Plantains were served in place of, with a spicy bean dip. VERY addicting. The spiciness of the dip hits you almost like a sudden thought and accompanied the plaintains nicely. We ordered from the prixe fix menu which was a great idea since we were in a big group. It turned out to be similar to a tapas bar where many small appetizers are ordered for everyone to share. I chose the Cubanito (Cuban sandwich), Yuca Frita (fried yuca with a garlic-type topping), Piononos (plantains with beef and monterey jack cheese), and Anticuchos (steak with chimichurri).

The Breakdown--

The Cubanito was spectacular- beyond words! It was excellent! I've only recently become obsessed with cuban sanwiches and this one was divine. The unexpected burst of pickle in your mouth is a nice surprise with the saltiness of the meat and cheese. If you've never had fried yuca before, you should try it. It is a root vegetable, just like potatoes. The starchiness of the yuca paired with the salty-sweet garlic was also yummy. It's an exciting twist on french fries. The Piononos were different, but I had to try it when I read it on the menu because I knew the flavors would be great. It was lovely- sweet, salty, and a nice texture combination. Who knew that a plantain would be a nice pairing with beef? Finally, I have recently become a big chimichurri (a parsley- based sauce often accompanying grilled meat) fan, so when I saw Anticuchos on the menu, I had to order it. It definitely was tasty, but unfortunately, I became too full to completely enjoy it. Don't you hate that?

The only complaint I had was the rice pudding I ordered for dessert. It was served with a caramel liquor which made it overly sweet (I tend to enjoy savory dishes over sweet ones).

Now, typically I don't comment on my drinks, but here I drank Sangria which was probably one of the best Sangria's I've tried. It was not too sweet and was choc-full of various fruits. Super refreshing! Also, they kindly served complimentary Mango shots, which were delicious (didn't really have any alcohol, but I did not care! Mango is one of my favorite things!).

My overall impression is that Salud is a bit pricey but definitely worth the trip to try something new aside from your general 'mexican' 'italian' or 'chinese' fare that many people seem to opt for these days.

Chip Shop

2009-07-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Park Slope location:

383 Fifth Ave. (at 6th St.)

Brooklyn, NY 11215

(718) 832-7701 / (718) CHIPSHOP

So, I was strolling down the street one day with a fine bloke (my boyfriend!), looking for a nice cuppa' when I spotted it... the Chip Shop... fantastic! Okay, okay, enough of the Brit talk. I wasn't looking for tea, but I must admit, when we were looking for food, it was quite a surprise to stumble upon this place. Being a native Brit (half), I always get giddy when I find a British place because they seem to be few and far between. The Chip Shop was a fun alley-type restaurant with the decor practically screaming, "I'm all about the UK!!!!" Lots of memorabilia and the wait staff was authentic too, which is always nice. For some reason, I find a restaurant more comforting and true-to-its-roots when the staff is native of the cuisine. Makes sense, right? Anyway, let's get to the food.

I ate bangers and mash, mostly because it noted on the menu that the bangers are from Myers of Keswick!!!!!! Myers of Keswick is a British food store located in Manhattan. They make a lot of their own sausages, cornish pasties, pork pies, etc. So, with that said, I was very satisfied with my meal. It was like a taste of home. YUMMMMM so good!!! The portions are quite huge and, in my opinion, worth the money.

I ended with good ol' Treacle sponge, a sponge cake with a sticky, sweet topping and usually served with custard. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed because it seemed like it was overly microwaved and I don't think it was the brand that I like (Heinz) but overall it was okay. The custard that covered it made everything okay. Then again, when DOESN'T custard make everything okay??

To wash everything down, I wanted still-Ribena, a deliciously sweet blackcurrant drink. They only had the fizzy stuff, so I just had water but did try the Holy Ale beer which was pretty good. It reminded me of fellow British beer, Boddington's... but that could be secondary to my poorly lacking beer-consuming history!

The Park Slope location was small but the native- Brit staff was extremely friendly, accommodating, and just plain nice!!! The decor is genuinely British with lots of memorabilia on the walls and tables that put a smile on my face throughout dinner because I love those type of unpretentious places that make you feel comfortable. We loved our waitress and she was so nice that we even got a free plate, straight from the UK, out of it!!! I am so happy to have found another UK haunt, this time in Brooklyn!

Side note: I did not try any of the fried desserts, which is what I saw advertised about the Chip Shop on television one day, however, I am waiting to go back. Oh, and PS, I also want to return to the street it was on. It was FILLED with intriguing looking restaurants; a nice surprise!

Perry St

2009-07-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

176 Perry Street

New York, NY 10014

(212) 352-1900

Perry St is a very sophisticated restaurant with modern decor and a black and white, clean theme. It is noticeably upscale, but, then again, what do you expect for Jean Georges clientele? Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the service because while they were efficient and met our needs, the staff appeared very haughty and condescending in their aura. Even if 3 young professional friends (my sister, our friend, and myself) come into the restaurant, everyone deserves the same respectable service and a comfortable atmosphere. Isn't that the point of eating out?

Anywho, the food was great! As a foodie, I was excited to be eating the food of one of the most celebrated chefs of our time (Jean-Georges Vongerichten). Yes, I am cheesy. Additionally, while my opinion stands that the food was avant garde, delicious, and exciting, I will have a word of warning: although most of the food is what most people eat with traditional ingredients, some of the offerings are definitely different and not of everyday combinations. It is prepared and cooked in a very different fashion. This could be a good thing for some, bad for others. You only live once, though. Why not go for the adventurous?

To start was an amuse-bouche (or, bite sized) which was comprised of a tomato-watermelon soup. This was certainly a very new taste to my palate, and I was unsure of what to think of it because while it was a bit different and slightly tart, it was very refreshing and I would certainly try it again.

Next was an Artic char sashimi which, to me, was an odd, yet fun way to move on from the amuse-bouche. The sashimi was very fresh and simply prepared with lemon and coarse grain salt. For my entree, I had steak with really nicely jazzed up potatoes which were delicious. Simple, yet divine. All of this was paired with a rose.

We ate from the prix fixe menu, which I highly recommend, not only for a nice taste of the menu from start to finish, but also for the lower prices. Needless to say, the staff definitely left a lasting impression and is the one reason why I would not go back. On the other hand, I would absolutely go back (prix fixe!) because I know the food would be superb. The fresh ingredients truly made a difference, even in less complicated dishes. It would be exciting to go back, as the menu seems seasonal and the creator of that fine menu seems to guarantee impeccable fare.

BXL Cafe

2009-07-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

125 W 43rd St

New York, NY 10036

(212) 768-0200

This is a nice cafe/ bar located just off Times Square. Normally, places so centrally located can be tourist traps and less than spectacular food, but this place caught me by surprise. BXL is a Belgian haunt offering various beers and, of course, Belgian food! Belgian food is very much influenced by french cuisine, so those who are leery of tasting it- do not be afraid... At all!!!

I ate Carbonnades flamandes (Sirloin tips stewed in Leffe Brown beer with fries) and it was absolutely wonderful, but don't eat this if you are on a diet. To me, this epitomizes 'comfort food' and was so delectable. The sauce was thick but not too heavy and the fries (pomme frites) were fresh and crisp. My sister ate the Bouchee a la reine (Puff pastry with chicken and mushroom in cream sauce) and our friend had Chicons au gratin (Baked endives wrapped in ham with swiss cheese and béchamel sauce gratin). Both were equally delicious -though I liked the gratin a bit more- and satisfying. Again, they melded with the comfort food theme but were very authentic to the type of food seen in Belgium.

As far as the atmosphere, it was a bit crowded and since it was near Times Square, that was probably the reason. However, most of the crowd seemed to be young professionals. There is a bar area and small restaurant area toward the back. Wait staff did their job. Nothing spectacular about them.

Overall, this place made me want to try more Belgian food! I love the French influence on it and the food just makes sense (unlike me sometimes!). It was a bit pricey, though. Again, that is probably attributed to the location.

All about moi!

2009-07-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

I am just a girl with a love for food! My parents always wanted my sister and I to have a broad palette, exposing us to various cuisines a very young age. Growing up, my mother loved entertaining and I was constantly surrounded by massive amounts of food. I loved to help her in the kitchen and while my cooking may not be up to snuff, my 'appetite' to try new foods grows everyday. My immense love and appreciation for food and cultures are my comfort and compose many of my treasured memories with loved ones. (No wonder I love exploring new foods!) I, in no way, profess to be an expert food critic. This is just my way to share my exploration of food and journeys to both hidden gems and top-notch restaurants. Bon Appetite!