Ice Cream Essentials

After having a great meal, you can't skip dessert! Let's be real, no matter how stuffed you are, there is always room for some ice cream. NYC is home to a number of different ice cream shops and many of them put their own flare on this tasty treat. Here are a few ice cream shops that I feel are worth the extra calories:

• Amorino
• This cute parlor on 8th Avenue in Chelsea serves amazing gelato of all different flavors. When ordered in a cone, the gelato is scooped to look like a cute flower. If you are a chocolate lover, be sure to check out their Amorino Chocolate. They do not have toppings like most ice cream shops but they do serve macaroons that can fill the void!



Photo Courtesy of @FoodwaliNYC

• Ample Hills Creamery
• This creamery is located inside of Bubby's restaurant which sits underneath the High Line. Ample Hills' ice cream as well as the toppings are made from scratch. They use hormone free milk and organic cane sugar for a natural flavor. All of their ice cream flavors are very rich and sweet. From "PB Wins the Cup" to "Nona D's Oatmeal Lace," there is a flavor for everyone to enjoy. If you can't decide which one to choose, purchase a tray of six to try a variety of flavors!



Photo Courtesy of @AmpleHills

• Big Gay Ice Cream
• If you're ready for high energy after eating dinner, this is the place to go to fulfill your ice cream craving. All of the employees are energetic and the shop is very bright. I highly recommend ordering the "Salty Pimp" if you are one who enjoys sweet and salty combos. 



Photo Courtesy of @SarahMakutaTV

• Momofuku Milk Bar
• With eight locations in NYC, you can find a Milk Bar whenever you get a sweet tooth. Milk Bar is known for their cereal milk flavored ice cream. The ice cream was created to taste like the milk at the bottom of a bowl of corn flakes. Aside from ice cream, Milk Bar also sells assorted cakes, truffles, pies, and cookies. They have something for everyone! 

Photo Courtesy of @TheReluctantFoodie

• 10Below
• Located in Chinatown, 10Below serves ice cream inspired by the streets of Thailand. The ice cream is made right in front of you! The liquid cream is placed on a cold surface and mixed with toppings of your choice. The liquid cream begins to turn into ice cream in the blink of a eye and then is rolled and served. To see how 10Below is able to create fresh homemade ice cream in less than two minutes, take a look at this video!

It's crazy that in one city, there are so many spots serving the same dish but in such vastly different ways. The next time you feel that you can spare some room for dessert, check out one of these sweet spots! Please let me know of any shops that you feel deserve the spotlight for serving awesome ice cream.

MMM... Chicken

After a recent scroll on Instagram, I came across a short clip of a little boy that made me laugh. You can take a look at the clip here. His catch phrase "MMM.. Chicken" is what has inspired this post! Sometimes, on the rare occasion that I don't eat out, I enjoy cooking. Here is a recipe for super crispy chicken tenders that I've recently tried and enjoyed!

To begin, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt
• 3/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder
• 48 oz container of Canola oil (don't worry, you won't be using all of the oil)
• Heavy duty cast-iron pot

Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken breasts into four tenders each.
2. Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a bowl. Stir.
3. Place the 16 tenders in the bowl of buttermilk and hot sauce and let soak for 30 minutes.
4. Crack the 2 large eggs into a separate bowl and mix them until beaten.
5. In another separate bowl, mix the flour and spices together.
6. Take a soaked chicken tender and dip it into the flour and spice mixture. Then dip the tender into the eggs and then back into the flour and spice mixture. You want the tenders to be coated.
7. Gently shake off any excess flour and place the tenders onto a baking sheet.
8. Repeat this process with all of the tenders.
9. Heat the canola oil (approximately three inches of oil) in a heavy duty cast-iron pot.
10. In small batches, fry the tenders for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Enjoy!

Chicken tenders happen to be my go to food. There are so many ways to make them but I feel this recipe keeps them juicy on the inside yet crispy on the outside. Try it out and let me know your thoughts on the recipe!

Top Five Pizza Places in NYC

One food that never fails at being delicious is PIZZA! No matter what hour of the day, you can always find a pizzeria open in NYC. From a $1 slice to a $70 pie covered in truffle, there is something for everyone. Here, in my opinion, are the top five pizza spots in NYC:

1. Joe's Pizza
If you're looking for a classic regular slice, Joe's Pizza is the place to go. With four locations in NYC, you can be sure to find a Joe's slice where ever you are. Founded in 1975, Joe's serves an authentic Italian slice from 10 AM to 4 AM everyday. If you're in a cheesy mood, be sure to ask for some fresh mozzarella on top.

Photo Courtesy of @DJSharad

2. Rubirosa Ristorante
If you're looking to sit down at restaurant that serves phenomenal vodka sauce pizza, look no further! Rubirosa is located on Mulberry Street. The menu offers a number of classic Italian dishes and an extensive selection of pizza pies. For the gluten free folks, don't fret because Rubirosa also offers gluten free pizza.

Photo Courtesy of The Infatuation

3. L&B Spumoni Gardens
Located in Brooklyn, this old-school Italian spot has an indoor restaurant as well as a pizzeria. L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for its square Sicilian pizza pie priced at $17.50. After you finish your pizza, make sure to get some homemade spumoni. If you visit L&B during the summer months, give yourself some time because the outdoor seating can get packed.

Photo Courtesy of @LBSpumoniGardens

4. Artichoke Pizza
If you're looking for a late-night slice, this is the place. Artichoke Pizza offers an array of pizza's but is most known for its creamy artichoke slice. Artichoke Pizza has numerous locations in NYC, but more recently opened a location in Miami. If you happen to stop at the 10th Avenue location at night, be prepared to wait in line with intoxicated club-goers that are also looking for their pizza fix.

Photo Courtesy of @ArtichokePizza

5. MAMO
This upscale Italian restaurant is one of the few in NYC that serves a pricey focaccia al tartufo pizza, that features fresh white truffle. MAMO is located on W Broadway in SoHo. Unfortunately, MAMO is currently closed due to a fire that broke out on the second floor. The restaurant will reopen in the fall so make sure to keep them in mind when you get your next truffle craving!

Photo Courtesy of @Mamo_NYC

Pizza is an extremely popular dish and NYC has so many fantastic eateries that offer it. If you think there is a pizza spot that deserves to be on this list, let me know so I can check it out! I am always looking for new places to explore.

The Boy Behind Brunch Boys

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to score an interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, the legend behind Brunch Boys. For those unfamiliar with Brunch Boys, it is an Instagram account and blog that focuses on... you guessed it... brunch! Brunch Boys has over 451,000 followers on Instagram and a large following on YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. Jeremy is a Brooklyn native and has been in the media industry for years. He has had some pretty awesome career experiences along the way. Here are some of the questions I was able to ask Jeremy during our call:

Me: When did you start blogging and Instagramming?
Jeremy: They both started simultaneously four years ago. Back then there really was no food
                Instagram accounts. At first, I thought I was just going to do a [one time] thing just
                for Brunch Boys, but then I got the idea that maybe I'll own the account altogether.

Me: Where did your love for food come from?        
Jeremy: I was always around food since I was working for Food TV. I worked on a bunch of
               different shows but first started off working as a personal assistant on Worst Cooks
               in America. I moved on to other roles and was even a personal assistant to Bobby
               Flay. I was doing Brunch Boys on the side from what I had already been doing for
               years.

Me: What was it like working for Bobby Flay?        
Jeremy: It was great. Honestly, best job ever.

Me: Which do you prefer more, blogging or posting on Instagram?       
Jeremy: Majority of my content is on Instagram. When I blog it's usually pretty general. I
                prefer Instagram since all of my content is visual and pretty video heavy.

Me: Although it's a fairly new term, do you consider yourself to be an
        influencer? If yes, why?       
Jeremy: I do. I am paid because I am an influencer. That is where all of my money comes
               from.

Me: What is your favorite food?       
Jeremy: Definitely sushi.

Me: What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?      
Jeremy: Gato. It's on Lafayette.

I am super thankful that Jeremy took time out of his busy schedule to let me interview him. He was a pleasure to speak with and insightful into the world of influencers. I look at the Brunch Boys Instagram frequently for blog inspiration and restaurant recommendations. I look forward to checking his favorite restaurant, Gato, which happens to be owned by his former employer, Bobby Flay. If you are not already following Brunch Boys on Instagram, click here to explore the page. For more information on Jeremy and Brunch Boys in general, take a look at the blog here.

How to Snag a Reservation at These Trending NYC Restaurants

How annoying is it when you want to dine at a specific restaurant but you can't get a reservation because they're all booked up? Well here are some tips and tricks that I have learned to get reservations at the following restaurants.

           1.     Le Coucou

•       This upscale and elegant French restaurant is located on Lafayette Street. Le Coucou is constantly booked up and requires advanced reservations. The trick to getting a reservation is to check OpenTable every morning at 10:00 am. At 10:00 am each day, Le Coucou releases upcoming reservations for 24 days in advance. For example, if you would like to dine on August 24, you would need to book that reservation on August 1.

           2.    Carbone

•       This old school Italian restaurant takes classic dishes and refines them by adding a little bit of a twist. If you are looking to try out their infamous spicy rigatoni, you must know how to make a reservation. Carbone is part of Major Food group, a company that owns various restaurants in NYC. The key to making a reservation here is to avoid OpenTable as there is hardly ever any availability. To make a reservation, email reservations@majorfoodgroup.com. They will be able to give you reservation dates and times that are not listed on OpenTable. 

           3.    The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

•       This sought-after spot combines French and Japanese cuisine for its 25 course dinners served at a price point of $395 per person, plus tax. The Chef’s Table is one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at because of its limited seating. The first seating is at 6:30 pm and the second is at 7:45 pm. In order to get a reservation at this exclusive spot, you must call on Monday’s at 10:30 am as you cannot make reservations online. Be sure to have your phone in close proximity when the time hits so that you can call immediately as spots book up at the speed of light.

There are many NYC restaurants that require reservations months in advance. Follow my tips to score reservations at the restaurants I’ve mentioned, as well as others. If you are interested in a particular restaurant that always seems to be booked, give them a call and ask when they release upcoming reservations. With a little bit of persistence and conversation, you can get a reservation where ever you’d like. Enjoy!

Can't Believe this Iconic NYC Spot is Closing

In a recent post by a favorite blog of mine, Eater NY, I discovered that an iconic NYC restaurant will be shutting its doors in fall 2018. Eater NY's post can be viewed here. The Coffee Shop, located in Union Square, serves Brazilian-American fare at a mild price point. The menu offers a wide variety of options from pancakes to Mexican style street corn, and of course coffee served multiple ways. The Coffee Shop has been a fan favorite to many on the East Side due to the shop's late night hours and central location.

Photo Courtesy of @KateSchweitzer

The Coffee Shop was started by three former Wilhelmina models in 1990. It is known that the Coffee Shop's employees are mostly aspiring models. Many say the restaurant gained fame due the its numerous appearances in former TV show, Sex in the City, and being known for having A-list celebrities dining there daily. Co-owner Charles Milite blames the rising costs of rent and doing business for the Coffee Shop's downfall. He broke the news of the closure to the Coffee Shop's 150 employees on July 12, 2018

Unfortunately, the Coffee Shop will be closing on October 11, 2018. I have eaten at the Coffee Shop numerous times and urge others to do the same before this Manhattan staple closes its doors in less than four months. Don't miss the opportunity to dine at one of the few non-chain restaurants remaining in Union Square. The clock is ticking!

Found the Parm

Today, I was craving risotto again which caused me to think about my previous risotto post. My risotto frenzy can be read here. The previous post discussed my deep search into all things risotto, including Wikipedia's definition. I was unhappy with Wikipedia's definition because it failed to include one of the main ingredients in every risotto recipe, parmesan cheese! I used my expertise to change the definition. After checking back today, I was relieved to see that my alterations were still there. You can take a look at the current Wikipedia definition of risotto that reflects my edits here. I hope my edits inspire others to share their knowledge so that the online community, more specifically Wikipedia, continues to grow and develop.

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

On Saturday, July 7th, I gave Smorgasburg a chance to redeem themselves due to the mediocre experience I previously had. You can read about my Smorgasburg Prospect Park experience here. In my earlier post, I concluded by saying that I would be giving Smorgasburg another chance by visiting the Saturday event held at East River State Park in Williamsburg. I'm glad I said that because the second chance was definitely worth it. The array of food and beverages was off the charts!

Here are a few vendors exclusive to the Williamsburg location that deserve recognition:

• Himalayan Horizon
• If you are looking to try a new street food, Himalayan Horizon has got you covered. They serve a Himalayan dish called Shabaley, which is similar to an empanada. Shabaley is a circular shaped pocket of dough that can be filled with either beef, buffalo meat, or potatoes. The sealed balls of dough are then fried until crispy, golden perfection.

• Bread & Monkey
• Started by a 15-year-old boy named Jack, Bread & Monkey serves strictly banana bread and banana chocolate chip bread. I was a fan of the banana chocolate chop bread. Jack says that his delicious breads always sell out before the end of the day. So make Bread & Monkey your first stop on the way in!

• PopdUp
• This tea vendor made its first debut on the East Coast for Smorgasburg's 2018 season. PopdUp sells cold brew teas, rather than typical cold brew coffee. The tea leaves come from a farm in Taiwan and are typically brewed for a full 24 to 48 hours before being served. 

Those three vendors are just a sampling of the 100 vendors Smorgasburg in Williamsburg has to offer. I highly recommend planning a day to explore the Saturday event because you won't be disappointed! If you are thinking of checking it out, be sure to take a look at my previous post here to read my tips on how to prepare for the event.

Bet You've Never Been to this Kind of Brunch

Financial planning is a struggle for many. I can attest to that as I always find myself spending more than I'm saving. Going to dinner with friends and ordering take out can add up. You're probably asking yourself right now, "I thought this was a food blog. Why is she writing about her finances?" Well for the food lovers who are seeking financial freedom or just looking to learn how to invest, there is a brunch for you. Brunch and Budget® is a brunch that can help you conquer your finances, whatever your situation may be. 

Pamela Capalad is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) based in NYC, and the mastermind behind this informative brunch. Brunch and Budget® is a one-on-one financial planning session with Pamela that takes place over brunch. When asked why the meeting takes place over brunch, Pamela responds by saying:

It's not about the food (though we love the food) or about the numbers (though I'm a nerd about the numbers). It's about sharing and building together on common ground. Breaking bread with you cuts away the pretense, the gravitas, and, frankly, the BS, that often comes with engaging in the financial services industry. As we uncover what you really value and what you truly want your life to look like, we can put in motion the strategies and tactics that will bring you financial clarity. All the other noise is silenced, all the other distractions disappear. Brunch & Budget® isn't about brunch or even about budgeting. B&B gives us the space to have real, open, and vulnerable conversations. It's about getting to the heart of why we're sitting across the table in the first place - to help you find the path to live the life you want to live. Let's get there together.

Due to Pamela's transparent and relaxed approach, she does not put a price tag on how expensive or inexpensive the brunch must be. If you need some suggestions on where to host the initial brunch, the B&B team has you covered here. If you're strapped for cash, Pamela  enjoys home cooked meals as well. She does not take payment for the initial meeting, as she only accepts the free meal. You can check out the services that Pamela and her team at B&B provide here. B&B has a blog as well as podcasts that highlight different finance topics by giving tips and tricks on how to achieve your goals.

Don't let brunch be the only thing holding you back from experiencing financial freedom or from taking the next step to invest in your future! First brunch meetings are booked until October 2018, but hop on the wait list here to secure your spot for down the road. 

It's Almost that Time Again!

NYC restaurant week is slowly approaching! From July 23rd, 2018 to August 17th, 2018, consumers can experience delicious cuisine at over 100 restaurants in NYC at a discounted price. A two-course lunch is $26 and a three-course dinner is $42 at participating restaurants. If you have been dying to check out a certain restaurant but feel that the menu is a bit overpriced, restaurant week is the time to do so.

Restaurant week was created to make top notch restaurants available to everyone. Take a look at this video presented by Zagat that provides a brief rundown on how to make sure you get the most out of restaurant week.

The full list of participating restaurants will be available here on July 9th, 2018. You can browse participating restaurants and make reservations directly on the site. Restaurant week only happens twice a year. Make sure you don't miss out on the amazing deals!

The Starch that Goes with Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

What starch goes with every meal? One that can be prepared in multiple fashions - potatoes! From home fries, to french fries, to mashed potatoes, there is a potato for every meal. Below are a few restaurants in NYC that serve a fantastic potato with their dishes.

Breakfast Potatoes:

• Cupping Room Cafe
• This quaint American eatery located on West Broadway and Broome Street. This cafe opens at 8 am everyday to serve their home fries that guests rave about. The home fries are cooked to crispy perfection with a dash of chopped onions and peppers. Pair the home fries with a side of avocado toast for a delicious combination

Photo Courtesy of @Cabsy_King

• Sarabeth's
• With five locations in NYC, no matter what part of the city you are in you can count on Sarabeth's to serve delicious breakfast and zesty three-pepper home fries. The three-pepper home fries have always been a staple on Sarabeth's breakfast and brunch menus and taste even better when accompanied by the perfectly poached eggs benedict.

Photo Courtesy of Amazon Restaurants

• Lunch Potatoes:

• Pomme Frites
• If you're in the mood just for french fries, this is the place for you. Located on MacDougal Street, Pomme Frites strictly serves authentic Belgian french fries with over 30 sauces to choose from.

Photo Courtesy of @ForkInCle

• STK
• When looking for a more upscale but on a budget lunch option, this NYC steakhouse has two locations with a great prix fixe menu. The perfectly rectangular truffle french fries go great with any dish on the menu!

Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Dinner Potatoes:

• Smith & Wollensky
• This steakhouse located in Midtown East offers multiple potato sides to go with your dinner entree. Cajun baby potatoes, whipped potatoes, and loaded baked potato gratin are just a few of the potato dishes offered. You can't go wrong with any of them!

Photo Courtesy of Trip Advisor

• Anassa Taverna
• For a Greek take on potatoes, Anassa Taverna is the place. Located on the Upper East Side, Anassa Taverna serves tender lemon potatoes with all of its entrees.



Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Potatoes can be cooked numerous ways to accompany any meal at any time of day. Check out one of these restaurants next time you are in the mood for this awesome starch!

Pints on Pints on Pints

Alert! Museum of Ice Cream has launched a sweet treat on West 14^th Street just in time for summer. After collaborating with Target, Museum of Ice Cream has created its own line of ice cream and they can only be purchased at The Pint Shop! The Pint Shop is Museum of Ice Cream’s newest location since the opening of its original pop-up museum in 2016.

The Pint Shop is an interactive grocery store that offers exciting life-size, ice cream themed installations and adorably designed aisles. Visitors can learn about the extensive process of how ice cream is made. The Pint Shop is free and open to the public. For a more exclusive and expensive experience, visitors can book a tasting room for their private party. The tasting room experience is reservation only and limited to a party of 20 or less. Visitors are given a 30 minute, in-depth look at all of the ingredients that go into the making of ice cream. Guests also experience all seven of The Pint Shop’s ice cream flavors. All tasting room guests are sent home with a free pint of ice cream. For $1,250, yourself and 19 friends can embark on a tasting room journey. Reservation times for the tasting room are available on Thursday's each week at 10:30 am sharp.

Currently, The Pint Shop is the only location where patrons can purchase the exclusive ice cream flavors. On July 8^th, 2018, The Pint Shop will be sharing its signature pints with Target to allow consumers across the nation to indulge in the one of a kind ice cream. Pints will be sold for $4.99 at over 1,800 Target locations nationwide. The flavors include:

• Cherrylicious
• Chocolate Crush
• Churro Churro
• Nana Bread
• Pinata
• Sprinkles Pool
• Vanillionaire

Photo Courtesy of @Griff_Lipson

Many find Target to be an odd sponsor for Museum of Ice Cream to collaborate with but the two do share similar interests. In a statement given to Newsweek, Target commented on the collaboration.

It was Museum of Ice Cream and Target’s shared values of joy, inclusivity and creativity that brought the two together. In 2016, Target visited the first Museum of Ice Cream in New York City and knew it was something special. This will be the first time the Museum of Ice Cream ice cream will be available at a retailer. With this partnership, people nationwide will be able to experience the beloved Museum of Ice Cream signature aesthetic right at their local Target store, just in time for summer.

Next time you're in the Meatpacking District, be sure to check out The Pint Shop. Make sure to bring your smartphone as The Pint Shop's installations have been considered Instagram worthy.