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Japanese Kit Kat: Maccha-Sakura and Green Tea Flavor

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 1, 2017

Unlike the Soy Sauce flavored Kit Kat, the Cherry Blossom & Green Tea flavor did not disappoint. The bar boasts Sakura (cherry blossom) extract and says that it uses Uji Maccha (thanks Google Translate). As soon as I sniffed it I thought about the many times I have had Maccha tea, it was a delicate... Read More »

Mochidoki Review

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 20, 2015

I'm a HUGE fan of Mochi ice cream. If you've never had Mochi, you should. It's a Japanese dessert made up of Mochi (a pounded sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. It's the perfect size so you don't feel like a total heifer downing a whole tub of ice cream (so hard to stop once you've started), a... Read More »

Sammy’s Noodle Shop, Not as Good as It Used to Be

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 13, 2012

It had been a while since I had visited Sammy's Noodle Shop & Grill. Antonio and I were in the area and craving Chinese. It seemed an easy enough choice. We walked in and the crowd remained unchanged; stoners sharing huge plates of General Tso's, cops munching on Chicken and broccoli, and us sweaty ... Read More »

Review Azuri Cafe Midtown West

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • February 24, 2012

If you are looking for the best shawarma in NYC, Azuri Cafe may be it. I've been to this Hell's Kitchen joint three times and each time it has been wonderful. Here's the lowdown. Super tiny (I think there are 6 two people tables) Takes credit cards Kosher Cheap Delicious Vegetarian Friendly I mo... Read More »

Review Basil Brick Oven Pizza Astoria

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • February 23, 2012

I am constantly in the search for amazing pizza. Totonno's in Coney Island ruled my heart for years. I still love Totonno's, but on my last visit the crust was not as perfect as I remember. Could be a one time thing. I will have to return to see if this was merely a fluke. I recently met Bradley fro... Read More »

Ovens For Your Homemade Pizzas

  • Dani Peters
  • December 16, 2011

Pizzas come in different flavors and characters, made unique by ingredients and techniques. Beyond ingredients, the equipment used in cooking the pizza can make all the difference. Choosing the right pizza oven is a key element in creating perfect pizza. Amongst the pizza ovens available in the mark... Read More »

Review Fatty Cue New York

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • December 8, 2011

The Fatty Cue has taken over the space on Carmine Street that was once held by Cabrito. Funny how Carmine Street has become my default location for eating. I absolutely love Do Hwa, Sweet Revenge, and now Fatty Cue. The space is small, trendy and comfortable. I had not secured reservations for my v... Read More »

Review Morso Restaurant New York

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • December 7, 2011

I recently had the chance to dine at the brand new Upper East Side restaurant, Morso. It is the latest creation from NY restaurateur Pino Luongo and Chef Tim Ryan (Picholine, Bouley). I went to Morso on a rainy evening. it's located on 59th street, right by the bridge. There is a large outdoor area... Read More »

Review Sweet Revenge

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • October 28, 2011

The first time I met Marlo Scott was when she had just left her corporate job to pursue the dream many people have: to open her own business. In her case it was a cupcake and wine bar. Marlo has not only survived the insanity that is the restaurant industry but risen above it. I had breakfast with M... Read More »

Review Market Table Restaurant New York

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • October 13, 2011

Upon my return from Europe, it was necessary to catch up with all my friends and colleagues. What a great excuse for grabbing lunch. I met up at Market Table on Carmine Street to chat with Chef Jennifer Cole to about her new role at The Fat Goose in Brooklyn. I had eaten here on various ocassions ... Read More »

Review: We Give the SodaStream Soda Maker a Big Thumbs UP

  • Spence Cooper
  • September 8, 2011

At home carbonation systems allow you to turn regular tap water into sparkling water in seconds. They're fun and simple to use, and if you have one or more prodigious soda drinkers in the family, making carbonated beverages from home saves you from lugging heavy soda bottles or cans from the superma... Read More »

Dining Near the Vatican in Rome

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • August 17, 2011

If you're looking for a more hands down travel activity, I recommend a visit to the Vatican City in Rome, Italy. The Vatican City has been a very popular name, especially for the followers of the Roman Catholic church. It has been the residence of the Popes, the leaders of the churches. This is co... Read More »

Colle Bereto Restaurant in Florence, Italy

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • August 14, 2011

Strozzi Piazza is one of the heavily-populated tourist areas of Florence (Firenze). I first walked past Colle Bereto and decided to skip it. It was night time and there was some pretty loud techo music coming from the stage across the piazza. My last night in Florence was a Sunday. Everything was c... Read More »

Food Films of Early 2011

  • Dani Peters
  • August 1, 2011

People love to eat and watch different movies at the same time. What will happen if food invades the big screen? In 2011, more food films have been created to satisfy the hunger for discovering the food industry. Everyone talked about the movie No Reservations which took us in the life of a lady ch... Read More »

Grilling With Big Green Eggs

  • Dani Peters
  • July 28, 2011

Save some money and help preserve mother nature by doing your usual grilling stuff on these huge egg-like grillers, made for your own comfort. The whole egg griller idea first started in 1974 when Ed Fisher, the genius behind this cookware, has his thoughts set on greater things. He took inspiratio... Read More »

Restaurant Review: What Is Every Word Worth?

  • Antonio Evans
  • July 15, 2011

There are only two things in the foodie world that can make you visit or re-visit a restaurant. It's either you have had the pleasurable experience of dining in a particular restaurant or you heard some good words from a friend or have read restaurant reviews. But what is a good restaurant review ... Read More »

Raging Bitch â” The Untamed Hormones of a Good Beer

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 8, 2011

Have you ever had your favorite dog in a cold bottle of beer? Nope, I'm not talking about a literal "dog"in a bottle. It's been around for 2 decades, serving up some crafted beer. The beers of Flying Dog! The gang of Flying Dog has consistently been creating bottled beers in fun and very creative la... Read More »

Wines Of Chile: The Long Road To Fame

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 6, 2011

A good wine couldn't be referred to without the perfect blend of wine ingredients known as grapes and the wine bottling equipment, wine bottles, and wine bottle labels from world-class winemakers. With a long viticultural history under its name, it's no shocker that Chilean wines are reaching glo... Read More »

Epicerie Boulud: A Welcome Addition to the UWS

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 5, 2011

Chef Daniel Boulud recently opened Epicerie Boulud next door to his fabulous restaurant Bar Boulud. This is a welcome addition to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In the mornings one can see locals enjoying sinful bites as they watch their fellow New Yorkers heading to work. A must try at Epicerie... Read More »

Boulud Sud Another Gem from Daniel

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 4, 2011

Right around the corner from Bar Boulud and Epicerie Boulud is another gem of the Daniel Boulud empire; Boulud Sud. Boulud Sud completes Daniel's goal to provide his flavors to all types of clientele in a one block radius: Bar Boulud: Upscale wine bar and charcuterie. The prices reflect the quality... Read More »

Top Roses for Summer 2011

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • June 14, 2011

A wine region situated in the Southeast of France, Provence takes pride in producing a big quantity of rose wines that are of great quality. The region was formed by the Romans into their first ever Roman province outside the Alphs " hence its name Provence. This region reflects a Mediterranean clim... Read More »

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