Free Coolhaus Ice Cream from Mozilla Rocks the House

I love food surprises.  But not other surprises that pertain to birthdays , anniversaries, proposals and the like...just food surprises.  That's why I was delighted when this morning, Bo suggested checking out a free ice cream sandwich promotion from Mozilla Firefox, by way of the Coolhaus ice cream truck.

The most convenient and wonderful aspect of this deal was that it was close to my daytime gig, so I was able to meet her during lunchtime.  As soon as I arrived, I noticed the long line, which was growing by the minute.  Although not surprised to see that, as with all free-bees crowds gather, I made sure to get a spot asap and observe the ice cream frenzy. 

While on line, we were warmly greeted by a Mozilla fox mascot that you see above and got a few cool giveaways including phone stickers, pins, etc. - just some tchotchkes to keep us happy and occupied during the wait.  However, we also spied the sandwiches that were progressively being given away, and they looked quite impressive and large.  We were really looking forward to getting one soon.

Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches:
Delighted to see that there were four enticing options to choose from, we selected our sweet sandwich of choice ahead of time.  Here's what was on the menu:

The Foxy Brown - Nutella toasted almond ice cream on an oatmeal cookie
The Beta - Earl Gray ice cream on a brioche cookie
The Mozilli Vanilli - Vanilla with real Madagascar beans on a chocolate chip cookie
The Chilla from Mozilla - Blood orange sorbet on chocolate cookies

Before I get into our choices and how they tasted, I wanted to also introduce the Coolhaus ice cream truck, which is officially making its debut in NYC this weekend. 

Originating in LA, this new-to-the-East-Coast food truck, founded by Natasha Case and Freya Estreller boasts handmade cookies and inventive ice cream flavors, made of all-natural ingredients.  Sure that their selling points are the trigger words a lot of food companies use these days such as "local, seasonal, natural," etc, but what I really found intriguing was the variety and originality in both ice cream and cookie flavors. 

If you visit this truck on a regular basis, you'll be delighted to find funky ice cream flavors such as dirty mint chip, brown butter candied bacon, pistachio and black truffle, butterscotch & rosemary, Thai iced tea and more.  Cookie varieties are also far from boring and include dark chocolate with sea salt, ginger molasses, lemon rosemary, vegan chocolate chip, pistachio agave and the like.

But now...about our particular ice cream sandwiches:

The Foxy Brown - You won't be surprised that this was my choice, being the Nutella freak that I am.  I loved the chocolatey richness of the ice cream, and its slightly soft consistency.  Appreciating the small bits of almonds that were interspersed throughout, they didn't compete with the chunky oatmeal cookie that sandwiched it - instead it was the perfect complement.  The only negative was that I couldn't actually taste the Nutella - it was more chocolatey than anything.

The Mozilli Vanilli - Bo chose a classic vanilla flavor, paired with a deliciously soft chocolate chip cookie.  I had a bite and loved the clean, classic flavors of the vanilla, and the lovely little black vanilla beans that decked this usually just-white frozen custard.  It was a bit meltier than mine, making it slightly hard to eat, but regardless, it was pretty excellent.

If you'd like to catch this truck this weekend, you still can.  Check it out this Sunday in Union Square (near West 16th Street) from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
For more info about this awesome ice cream truck and its everyday locations, check them out daily on social media:

Twitter
Facebook
www.eatcoolhaus.com

A Penchant for Veggies - Roasted Portobellos and Snap Peas

Still on a healthy kick (aside from when I eat out of course), I decided to make a purely veggie dish.  My goal was to make something earthy and yummy but still sustainable enough to keep me full for a long period of time.  Inspired by Martha's Stewart Everyday Food May issue, I made these gorgeous portobellos, which rested on a soft bed of polenta with parmesan.  I went light on the cheese, to make sure I was maintaining the healthfulness of this dish, which I feel I did.

My favorite part of the meal were the peas, which had a nice salty outside (sort of like edamame but roasted) and the actual peas were slightly soft but still crunchy enough, maintaining their freshness.  It turned out that I had a lot of leftover peas, so I ended up saving them and putting them in a hummus sandwich the next day.  Mmmmm...that was quite enjoyable.

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Polenta and Snap Peas

Ingredients (serves 4)

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups, quick cooking polenta (not prepared)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 large portobello mushrooms, stems trimmed to 1/2 inch
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 lb snap peas, trimmed
Grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.  In a medium pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil over high.  Slowly add polenta, whisking constantly.  Continue whisking until thickened, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally, until polenta is thick and creamy, about 20 minutes.  Pour half the polenta into baking dish and let cool; cover and refrigerate for other use (you can always fry it the next day).

Meanwhile, place mushrooms, stem side up, on a rimmed baking sheet.  Drizzle each with 1 tbs oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast 9 minutes.  In a small bowl, toss together snap peas and 2 tbs of oil; season with salt and pepper.  Add snap peas to sheet with mushrooms and roast until snap peas are crisp-tender and mushrooms are tender and beginning to release their juices, 8 minutes.

Divide polenta among four plates and top each with a mushroom, some snap peas, and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

eXo - Think About Mother's Day Brunch

Image by exorestaurant.com

Mother's day is coming up in just under two weeks and restaurants are getting ready.  For those of you who enjoy the day with Mom by dining out, you'll know how busy this holiday is for the restaurant industry.  Key take-away - get there early and make your reservations now.

eXo, one of my all-time  Greek food favorites will be pulling out all the stops for mama with a special brunch and dinner menu prix-fixe.  I'm already thinking about brunch, and wanted to share the enticing options.  I hope they inspire you to treat mom to something homemade and wonderful.

Mother's Day Brunch - Sunday, May 8th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., $26/person

Eggs Benedict Spanakopita - Poached eggs, feta, spinach, bechamel

Sizzling Lamb “hash” (pictured above) - Sunny side eggs, cured lamb, smoked paprika

Greek American Brunch - Eggs any style, smoked bacon, country sausage, feta tater tots

Fluffy Corn Pancakes - Seasonal fruit, warm maple syrup, powdered sugar

Double Dipped French Toast - Seasonal fruit, warm honey syrup warm dippy eggs

Soft Boiled Eggs - With warm hummus, grilled pita, arugula

eXo Egg Burger with Cheese - Double smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, hand cut french fries

Soft Shell Crab Panini ($5 supplement) - House made chips, Greek tartar sauce, pickled onion

eXo Lamb or Beef Burger - Brioche bun, french fries, spicy feta spread

Greek Feta “Caesar” Salad - With grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp

Steak n’Eggs our Way - Charcoal grilled hanger steak, olive oil baked egg, feta tater tots

Dessert (choice of 1): Chocolate cake for 2, honey doughnuts, or filo custard pie

Mother's Day Dinner - Sunday, May 8th from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., $36/person

First course (Choice of 1)

Dozen Fresh Shucked Oysters - Sheep’s milk yogurt, lemon, smoked pepper oil

Baby Arugula Salad - Marinated olives, cucumber, red wine vinaigrette

House Smoked Salmon Platter - Baby arugula, red onion, capers, grilled pita, tzatziki

Sizzling Cheese Saganaki - Olive oil fried cheese, white wine, lemon

Housemade Feta Ravioli - Toasted garlic, black pepper, mint

Crab, Spinach and Rice Balls - Tsatziki, fried dill, dehydrated feta

Grilled Lamb Sausage - Baby lettuce, pickled onion, lemon

Entree (Choice of 1)

Roasted King Salmon - Sauteed escarole, Greek style polenta

Pan Seared Lemon Chicken - Root vegetables, lemon, oregano

Swordfish Souvlaki - Hummus, kale, crispy chick peas, lemon oil

Grilled Diver Scallops - skordalia, garlicky beets

Charcoal grilled hanger steak rosemary, lemon, potato/feta croquettes

Dessert (Choice of 1)

Gooey chocolate cake for 2, honey doughnuts, or filo pie

eXo - 15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 1135
718.767.4396

exorestaurant.com

5 Napkin Burger Introduces An Outdoor Cafe

Here's a fun update, especially relevant since the weather was so darn gorgeous today - 5 Napkin Burger is opening up a new outdoor cafe area.  It'll be quite extensive, seating around 60 people who'll be able to eat and drink al fresco. 

In honor of this new development, 5 Napkin will be extending their awesome Happy Hour special to this new outdoor area.  So anytime between tomorrow, April 27th and Thursday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) you can enjoy $2 sliders, 5o cent Hell's Kitchen Wings, $2 Pork Taquitos and $4 drafts.  Not only will you get your money's worth, I think you'll also really enjoy these goodies.  My personal recommendations are the turkey slider (pictured above), the original 5 Napkin Burger slider and the pork taquitos.  Enjoy the outdoors and this delicious new deal.

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com

Sugar Freak Comes to 30th Avenue

Since my last post, I've received some exciting updates from Sugar Freak's owners. See below in red:

Yet another Astoria newbie, which I noticed the other day while strolling on 30th Avenue is a restaurant called Sugar Freak.  Interesting name that's still very much a mystery to us.  Mackenzi says that it's going to be a Cajun restaurant, which is intriguing but not obvious from the interior decor.  I peeked inside and liked what I saw - refurbished, shabby/chic furniture, natural earthy embellishments and an inviting bar.

I saw that they're currently hiring cooks, servers and bartenders, so if you're interested make sure you email them. 

An update about an estimated opening date and a menu will come soon. I've reached out to Sugar Freak about these details and hope to report back soon.  In the meantime, feel free to chime in with helpful nuggets of information.

Updates:

Sugar Freak is a New Orleans home style restaurant. The menu is still being finalized but will definitely include gumbos, jambalaya, po'boys, muffaletta, as well as, a few yummy signature dishes, signature cocktails, and alcohol infused dessert. Low to moderately priced. Large portions. Chef is a New Orleans native.

When designing the interior, I tried to used as many reclaimed materials as possible. The restaurant ceiling started it's life as a barn in Minnesota. The exterior gate and interior wrought iron all reclaimed and brought from NOLA. All lighting, most of the wood, and all textiles are also reclaimed.

The soft opening date is the first week of June.

Sugar Freak - 30th Avenue between 35th and 36th Street, Astoria NY 11103
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
Email: sugarfreakastoria@gmail.com

Eating Lighter After the Holidays with a Mixed Bean Salad

Even though we all love celebrating food centric holidays such as Easter and Passover with lots of goodies and indulgences, there's always that post-holiday period when we look to get back on track.  I definitely fall into this category, and after a very carb-heavy week, I'm happy to eat something earthy, protein-rich and healthful.

That's why when I tried this mixed bean salad with tuna, red onions and a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing, I knew I had to share the wealth.  The recipe came from the latest issue of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine.  It boasted just 229 calories per serving, which was a good incentive.  As I usually do, I added in some embellishments such as craisins and also substituted lemon juice for the vinegar, which I found lighter.  In addition to just eating it on its own, it's also quite nice in a sandwich the next day. 

Mixed Bean Salad with Tuna:

Ingredients: (Serves 2)
Coarse salt and pepper
3/4 pound of green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tbs, white wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 can (15.5 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 can (5 oz) solid white tuna packed in water, drained and broken into pieces
1/4 cup thinly sliced pepperoncini (about 9) - I omitted this ingredient
Handful of dried cranberries

Directions:
In a medium pot of boiling, salted water, cook green beans until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.  Drain, rinse under cool water to stop the cooking, and pat dry.

In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar (or lemon juice) and oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Add green beans, cannellini beans, onion, tuna, pepperoncini (if using), craisins and stir to combine.  Serve immediately.

Just Burgers is Coming to Ditmars...When?

There's been a lot of buzz in the nabe about Just Burgers, which looks just about well done and probably in a couple of weeks, ready to open.  Occupying the space at the base of The Acropolis building on the corner of 34th Street and Ditmars, the location couldn't be better for residents and visitors alike.

Although I'm not really sure when this place will debut its burger offering (and maybe unlike its name suggests, some other goodies too), I wanted to take your pulse on this matter and see if you know any details.  Chime in with your knowledge...people want to know.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a solid burger experience in the nabe, here are a couple of great options you can hit:

Fatty's Cafe - I love their turkey burger with jalapeno mayo, peppers and onions.  25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105.  718.267.7017

Sparrow - Not only do they use grass fed beef, the thick-cut bacon and herbed fries, which you can add on are an extra bonus.  24-01 29th Street, Astoria NY 11102.  718.606.2260

BareBurger - You can't go wrong with any burger here, but my personal favorites include the Big Blue Bacon Mushroom Onion Burger and the Lamb BareBurger.  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.777.7011

5 Napkin Burger - Even though there's about 10 burger options to choose from, I highly recommend going with the classic, The Original 5 Napkin Burger with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, and 5 Napkin's special rosemary aioli.  35-01 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106.  718.433.2727

A Spring Fling Cooking Class is Coming

**NOTE: The date of this cooking class has changed**
You may remember me mentioning a fun cooking class last month that was targeted to brunch.  Organized and taught by my friend and chef instructor, Raquel Rivera-Pablo, I'm happy to inform you that the first one was such a hit, that she's rolling them out monthly.

The format is intimate and personal, where you'll really get your hands dirty and truly learn some beautiful techniques.  Not to mention all the fun you'll have - just take a look at the above pics from the previous brunch class.

With the next class scheduled for June 11th, here's what you can expect in terms of the menu:

Spring Fling Menu:

Appetizer: Roasted Tomato-Onion-Goat Cheese Tarts w/ Mixed Greens and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Main Course: Orange Glazed Chicken with Roasted Fennel and Wild Rice

Dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Crostata with Vanilla Ice Cream

Mmmm...that sounds delightful.  But don't just take my word for it, here's what people are saying about Raquel's cooking classes:

"I think you are phenomenal at what you do.  I definitely look forward to taking more classes and having a ton of fun with you in the future!"

"I loved the class last weekend...and was thinking that [it] might be a great gift for my mom for Mother's Day."

Here are all the pertinent details. 

As a special offer for Foodista readers, the first 5 people to respond and mention "The Foodista" get 10% off your class.

Classes are 3 hours, occur in a professional kitchen in NYC's theatre district. Space is limited to 8 people.  All classes are hands-on.

$85/person or 2 for $150 - a glass of wine is included. And make sure you apply your Foodista discount too.  Contact Raquel to find out more.

Mojave - Celebrating Easter the Southwestern Way

With Easter and Greek Easter this Sunday, you may find the normally buzzing neighborhood a bit quiet.  A lot of businesses and restaurants will be closed, in honor of this holiday, but others will remain up and running and will feature some enticing specials.  One of these comes from my favorite Southwestern eatery, Mojave.  When it comes to celebrating something special, they're always ready and willing to pull out all the stops.  Here's what they'll be featuring this Sunday.

Easter Sunday at Mojave:
Sunday brunch with a $15 add on for unlimited drinks. 

They're offering 10% off the entire check with the use of a coupon.  If you're interested, email me and I'll send it over to you.

Here's a peek at their brunch menu to further entice you.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy Easter.  Eat meat and be merry!

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny.com

El Ay Si's "Reworked" Brunch

Image by elaysi.com

I love brunch. Who doesn't love brunch?! I haven't met a person to date who doesn't enjoy this relaxingly starchy weekend meal.  That's why I was pretty pumped when I received news that comfort food eatery, El Ay Si is re-jazzing their brunch offering.  By that, I mean putting their unique spin on classic brunch dishes, that are already comforting by nature, but reworking them to be even more cushy.  Here's a sampling of what you can expect:

Eggs Benny with smoky pancetta and creamed spinach...$13
Omelette with Chorizo, Caramelized Onions and Manchego...$11
Eggs Any Style with Papas Bravas and Toast...$9
Steak and Eggs with Papas Bravas and Toast...$17
The X Sandwich - Scrambled Egg, Maple Irish Sausage, White Cheddar on a Toasted English Muffin with Tater Tots...$10
The Red Eye - Peanut Butter, Banana and Bacon between slices of French toast...$11
French Toast with Sweet Balsamic Glazed Mixed Berries...$11
Wild Boar Shepherd’s Pie...$17

Wowza...break me off a piece of any of that, which by the way also comes with a choice of a spicy Bloody Mary, Mimosa or fresh squeezed juice.

El Ay Si Brunch - Saturday/Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

El*Ay*Si - 47-38 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
718.389.8781
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.elaysi.com

Passover Candy with a Twist

Being that Passover has just started and I'm still riding the high of the first Seder, I wanted to provide you with another fun recipe for something sweet.  Those of you who are familiar with this holiday know that traditional flour must be omitted from everything, and therefore cooks always hunt for new, creative approaches that do without it.

Enter these delicious little Passover candies made simply of dried apricots, good quality melted dark chocolate such as Ghirardelli or Scharffen Berger and whole almonds.  I got the idea from the latest issue of Food Network Magazine, but raised it up a notch by using dark chocolate covered almonds instead of plain.  But you can opt for plain nuts if you like or use another nut altogether.

There's really no method to this dessert except for melting the dark chocolate, submerging the apricot into it half way and immediately placing the almond on top.  Then put the finished product in the fridge for about a half hour so the chocolate hardens.

For that extra umph factor, I packaged these babies up in pretty little monogrammed cookie boxes that I received as a gift from my sister-in-law, Diana. I believe they come from Williams Sonoma, and I think they're great.  Check them out and get your own to beautify your creations.

My Version of Brutti e Buoni For Passover

A few weeks ago, you might recall me talking about a wonderful Italian cookie called Brutti e Buoni, which I learned to make at the Tasty Tuscany cooking school.  Sporting a clever name, which means "ugly but good," these cookies delivered both on aesthetics and taste.

Remembering how easy they were to make, as the original version consists of only 3 ingredients (none of which is flour), I decided to make them for tomorrow's Passover Seder at my brother and sister-in-laws'.  If those of you who regularly follow my cooking adventures, you'll know that I like to alter recipes, and for this one, I also added cranberries and a drizzle of good quality dark chocolate.  Just a little something to beautify the brutti.

Foodista's Take on Brutti e Buoni - Adapted from recipe used at Tasty Tuscany

Ingredients (makes 24 cookies)
3 - 4 large egg whites - depends on the size.  I used 3 and change
1 heaping cup of granulated sugar
8 oz of roughly chopped hazelnuts
Big handful of dried cranberries (craisins)
Good quality dark chocolate, melted (I used Ghirardelli)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Toast hazelnuts for a minute or two in a nonstick skillet.  You'll know when they're ready when you can smell them, but watch them closely to make sure they don't burn.

In a medium bowl, whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.  Throughout the process, add the sugar and keep whipping until you can turn the bowl upside down without the egg whites moving.  Gently stir in the hazelnuts and craisins.  Mix well but make sure you're careful when mixing, so you don't completely deflate the egg whites.

Take a spoonful of the mixture and spoon into a greased cookie sheet.  It's OK if the shape isn't perfect - these cookies are meant to look rustic.  Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until golden brown.

Let cookies cool for about 15 minutes and then carefully remove from the cookie sheet.  Place on a wire rack and let cool for a few minutes longer.  Then take the melted chocolate and drizzle on top with a fork in an irregular fashion. 

Buon appetito and Happy Passover to those who celebrate. 

The Chocolate Swirl - Fun, Local Treats for Easter

Image by thechocolateswirl.com

Here's another heads-up for Easter, Passover or any holiday or non-holiday of your liking.  This one comes from one of my favorite Astoria-based businesses, The Chocolate Swirl, which produces homemade truffles, brownie pops, cakes, cupcakes and other confections.  I adore this company for their thoughtful and creative presentation (they're not afraid of color and texture) and the decadent, rich and delicious flavor of their products.  My ultimate favorite of theirs is the red velvet brownie pop (the moistest cake pop I've had to date) closely followed by the s'mores brownie pop, which is slightly more indulgent.

But for holiday themed sweets, check out their Spring collection, which includes:

Bunny Brownie Pops (they're super cute and would make a great gift for kids)
Springtime Easter Cupcakes
Chocolate Pretzel Nests (pictured above - a clever little treat worthy of a conversation starter)
Truffle Topiary (for Mother's Day)
Double Decker Brownies
Brownie Pop Flower Pot and more...

Intrigued?  You can check out The Chocolate Swirl in person at Astoria Market on May 1st or you can learn about their goodies online.  Enjoy and don't forget to lick your fingers.

The Chocolate Swirl

Koliba Gets Ready for Easter

Although it might seem far away, Easter is right around the corner - next week actually.  It's nice to see that some Astoria restaurants are getting ready ahead of time and planning special menus, such as one of my all-time favorites, Koliba.  It's a marvel to see that they'll remain open on Easter Sunday and will serve the following yummy menu:

Course 1: choice of
Beef soup
Slovak kielbasa with dumplings and turnip pepper sauce

Course 2: choice of
Smoked pork with potatoes and veggies
Baked pork with bread dumplings and greens
Chicken in natural gravy, bread dumplings and mushrooms
$20.75

Course 3: choice of
Roasted duck with red cabbage and bread dumplings
Pork or chicken cutlet with veggies
$22.75

Chicken shish-kebab a la Baca (fried)
$26.75

Course 4:
Coffee, tea and strudel

Enjoy these delicious eats, and do let me know what you liked and didn't. 

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Ask Italian - You Shall Receive a Lot More

Ask Italian - 50-60 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2RZ
0207 224 3484
www.askrestaurants.com

After a very full day of work, and a much needed gym session after it, I was definitely in the mood for some good food.  Spending a few days in London already, I see that there's never a shortage of restaurants or quick little cafes to get a casual bite.

On my way home, I noticed a colorful, modern sign that said "Ask Italian." I thought it was a restaurant, but wasn't 100% sure, so I walked by and indeed, my suspicions were confirmed.  Glancing at the menu, I liked what I saw and decided to go in and experience it first-hand.

Atmosphere:
The bright, cheery atmosphere of Ask immediately captured my attention.  I liked how simplistic it was, with lots of open white space and really funky lighting (see above photo).  There was a nice mix of intimate seating as well as long tables with bright red benches for larger groups.

It was also nice to observe Ask's big open kitchen, where their deliciously fragrant specialties were made and delivered to enthusiastic diners.  The restaurant keeps late hours, especially for London, so you'll see a lot of young 20 and 30 somethings enjoying a late dinner (like me) or some small bites and wine.

Food:
As soon as my waitress warmly greeted me and set in front of me a pretty red and white vellum menu, I had a hunch that something good was in store. 

Bread and Olives - Offered up by my waitress, this pre-meal snack sounded absolutely perfect, and I assumed it was complimentary. Guess again (and I should've known) but this was a hidden add on item.  While it annoyed me a little after the fact, while I was eating it, I had no idea and enjoyed both the bread and the olives tremendously.  The bread was wonderfully crusty on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside, coated with good quality olive oil and sprinkled with a variety of Italian spices.  I very much enjoyed topping a small piece of bread with each a green and black olive and then placing a few drops of house balsamic vinaigrette on top. 

Terrina Mediterraneana - A highly recommended dish, I was intrigued by its description, which promised a terrine of chicken breast, king prawns in a homemade tomato sauce, also dressed with butter beans, olives, red peppers, etc.  Basically, everything under the sun. 

Because I adore stews, I was really looking forward to tasting how these eclectic flavors would blend together.  The result was brilliant (as the Brits often say) and offered up a rich complexity in flavor.  From hearty chunks of chicken to the slightly sweet tomato sauce to the salty olives, the stew sent your mouth on a multi-faceted sensory tour.  And the fact that it was also served with a side of fresh, warm rosemary bread was an added bonus, and a perfect vehicle for scooping out that extra, leftover red sauce.

Apple Rustica - Having a really tough time choosing between this, and a dessert called "Our Chocolate Nemesis," in the end, I think I chose wisely.  Presented in a black ramekin, it reminded me of spoon bread because it was soft enough to break and scoop up with your spoon.

Essentially, this was an Italian version of an apple tarte, with shortcrust pastry, interlaced with slow cooked sweet apples with almond cream and a scoop of really good quality vanilla bean ice cream.  Even though the actual tarte was clean-tasting and gorgeous, my favorite part was the ice cream, which boasted beautiful little black vanilla bean specs.  The quality and that extra detail wasn't lost on me.

Service and Cost:
As I mentioned, my waitress was personable and helpful and came by to check on me once in a while, without being intrusive.  She let me relax, as a solo diner and only came over when she sensed I had a question or a request. 

The above dinner would've amounted to less than 20 Pounds if it wasn't for that extra bread and olives.  Lesson learned, and even despite this, I would wholeheartedly come back again.

Appetizers - 2.60 - 11.25 Pounds
Salads - 8.45 - 11.95 Pounds
Pizza - 6.55 - 9.15 Pounds
Pasta - 7.15 - 10.15 Pounds
Mains - 9.45 -12.25 Pounds
Dessert - 3.95 - 5.65 Pounds

3 Mmmms

Galleria Restaurant - A Persian Lunch in Trendy Marylebone

Galleria - 17 New Cavendish Street, London W1
020 7224 1692
www.galleriarestaurant.co.uk

After what was a long trip over from NY, I was a bit disheartened but not completely surprised to find out that my hotel room wasn't ready when I arrived.  And being that I didn't eat a thing on the plane, I was appropriately famished, therefore deciding to get a bite to pass the time (and to satisfy my hunger).

Not walking too too far over from my hotel on Welbeck Street in Marylebone, I hit New Cavendish Street, which offers a pretty walkway with some charming brownstones and a helping of cafes, bakeries and some trendy boutiques.

Right away, I noticed a nice eatery called Galleria with outdoor seating and an eclectic Persian menu.  This was automatically a big plus for me, as I love ethnic food, and something meat-focused is just what I needed to sustain myself.

Atmosphere:
As I mentioned, I was initially drawn to the Galleria for its casual outdoor seating.  The overall feel was very different from my dining experience on Marylebone High Street, as you didn't get the background noise from the car or the pedestrians traffic.

And while the interior of the cafe was attractive and inviting, boasting a variety of modern art and portraiture, it was a lot more nice to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.  While I felt that the service must've been quicker inside, I didn't feel neglected outdoors and got to relax and even do some sparse people watching, which is always fun to do in a foreign country.

Food:
My area of focus quickly became the sandwiches, as they sounded delicious and filling, but at the same time, they had an attractive price point (under 7 Pounds).  I wanted to get something more interesting and ethnic versus the ordinary bruschetta, chicken club or tuna melt, so I went for the Pan-Fried Persian Cotlet Wrap.

Pan Fried Persian Cotlet Wrap - I adore lamb and the fact that this sandwich was made up of a fried version of it totally sold me.  Not to mention that it was lighter on carbs, served on thin Lavash bread that resembled a wrap.  What I loved about the latter is that it had an almost tortilla like texture, but in terms of flavor, there was a lot more there.

The actual lamb cotlets were delicious and boasted a thick crispy skin that made this sandwich feel like an indulgence.  Dressed with a bit of mayo (maybe slightly too much for my liking), fresh tomato slices, and tangy, long slices of pickles (or gherkins as the British say), it was a nice way to try something new without dipping into too much uncommon ground.  I'd recommend this option to anyone who loves Middle Eastern food, including falafel, as this strongly resembled it in texture but not so much in flavor.

Service and Cost:
Giving off an authentic vibe, I believe that our servers were native Persians and they had a clear control of the menu and what it offered.  Their attitude was more or less low-key, which I liked but at the same time I felt taken care of - but in a more lax way.

Costs are moderate for this expensive neighborhood and the aforementioned lunch with a drink set me back about 9 Pounds, including tip.

3 Mmmms

Bonne Bouche - A Taste of Hazelnut Heaven

Bonne Bouche - 2-3 Thayer Street, Marylebone London W1U 3JD
(020) 7486 9584

One of the first places I hit in London, purely a result of my geography, was Marylebone High Street.  For those of you who've been there or have heard of it, you won't be surprised about how enlightened and charmed I was by it.  What a food and specialty store mecca!  There were restaurants, coffee shops, patisseries on every corner, and I naturally had a hard time choosing what to try first.

Being that I had lunch at a nearby Persian restaurant (more on that later), I wanted to get a little something sweet to satisfy the sugar fiend in me.  First seeing Paul, a high end French bakery and patisserie chain that's also located in the U.S., familiarity made me feel comfortable, but the exorbitant prices did not. 

I walked down a few steps only to find a cute corner cafe and pastry shop called Bonne Bouche, which looked just as inviting and charming, but the prices were about a quarter of those at Paul.  Hmmm...I was intrigued, and decided to try it.

Atmosphere:
What first drew me to Bonne Bouche was the wonderfully informal outdoor seating and its exterior quaintness.  Even before walking inside, I could tell by the exterior that it'd be a sweet little French cafe and pastry shop with all your favorite classics such as eclairs, shortbread, tartes and more.

Once I actually walked inside the pastry shop, which is located right next to the Bonne Bouche cafe, I saw that it very much matched my perception.  An enormously long display case dominated the room that showcased a plethora of beautiful baked goods.  I liked the chilled out vibe in there and I felt that I could take my time admiring all the goodies and then ordering at my leisure, which I did.

Sweets:
After some deliberation (chocolate eclairs...marzipan...fruit tartes...etc), I decided on a chunky hazelnut treat.

Hazelnut Chocolate Shortbread - When I first looked at this dessert, I was transfixed - hazelnuts, chocolate, caramel, and shortbread? All my favorite things in a tight little package!  Being in an unfamiliar place and liking recommendations, I asked my server if this was a good way to go and she affirmed it.

Before I dug into this gargantuanly rich treat, I walked for about two miles in and around Regents Park, with the hazelnut shorbread being my reward.  Chocolatey and carameley on the outside, it had a lovely crunch from the chunky hazelnuts on top.  I think that was my favorite component - making sure I got a bite of the nuts, loving the way their earthy flavor married with the indulgence of the chocolate and caramel.  The sweetness of this dessert was dulled out by the buttery shortbread inside and while I didn't have any on hand, it begged for a tall glass of milk for a chaser.  As the portion was quite large, I saved half of it for later, which I plan to savor soon.

Service and Cost:
As mentioned, the service was quick and informal and my server was helpful and knowledgeable when it came to suggesting products.

Costs are competitive, and for a very large treat that lasted me for two sittings, I paid 1.40 British Pounds, which is about $2.25.

3 Sticky and Sweet Mmmms

Foodista Takes London

I'm on the road again readers, this time in London for work.  So this week, you can expect to see posts that are greatly influenced by Great Britain.  Known for eclectic food and colorful ethnic cuisine, I'll bring you everything from Middle Eastern eats to good ol' British comfort food.  Lucky to be staying in the posh Marylebone area, there's never a shortage of something interesting when food is involved - and as you can tell by this picture, there's also no shortage of William and Kate wedding frenzy.

Stay tuned for my adventures this week - I'll start with dessert and end with some solid dinner options.  If you have any specific recos you'd like me to try, please holler until the end of this week.  I hope I get to try a little bit of everything.  Cheers!

La Vena di Vino - Eating and Drinking Like a Tuscan

La Vena di Vino - Via Don Minzoni, 30.  56048 Volterra, Italy.
+39 0588 81491
www.lavenadivino.com

I’m going to reminisce about Italy one last time before I completely veer off the topic. Here I want to recall an awesome day trip we had with Paolo, our first in fact, to a Medieval Tuscan town called Volterra. Established in the 11th century by the Etruscans, Volterra is located in a hilly region close to San Gimignano and Lajatico, the birthplace and still home place of famous tenor, Andrea Bocelli.

While in Volterra, Paolo showed us all around, taking us to ancient squares, cathedrals, and most interestingly to artist’s shops that sell alabaster works. Alabaster, a mineral, discovered by the ancient Etruscans, was and still is the most popularly used element to make art. We were enamored by the versatile uses this stone had – from musical instruments to mirrors, jewelry, toys and more.

After some great sight seeing and absorption of history, we stopped for lunch and a wine tasting at a local restaurant/pub called La Vena di Vino. Paolo is well acquainted with the owners, boisterous, good-natured Italians who extend their hospitality with gusto and like to share their passion for wine. We dined in their quaint wine cellar at the only communal table, which felt both intimate and special.

Atmosphere:
When you first walk into Vena, it feels very much like a bar – a casual pub actually or a dive bar as us Americans would say. What classifies it as a dive? Well the myriad of bras hanging up all over the ceiling and walls in the main room, for starters. This gave us a good laugh and broke the ice quickly, at the same time making us wonder, “Where did Paolo take us?” But like everything else we experienced that week, what you first saw was not what you really got.

We proceeded downstairs to their cellar, where we’d have lunch and a proper local wine tasting. I loved the cellar immediately because it emanated with history and old, cool-looking things. Gone was the kitsch from the upstairs room and in came the tasteful vintage décor such as an old scale, shelves of what looked like precious wine and also an antique dentist chair that was used to surf the web (OK…I guess not all the kitsch was gone).

Food and Wine:
As it happened, the menu was in Italian so Paolo graciously ordered for us. But I had a feeling this would’ve been the case regardless of the language on the menu. Despite meeting him just the day before, we trusted him to order something good – I guess last night’s dinner he cooked proved to us that he understood good food.

Ribollita (Zuppa Volterrana) – Since it was still pretty chilly outside (the only cold day we had, luckily) we were delighted when the ribollita, a steaming bowl of thick soup arrived. Packed with vegetables such as zucchini, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and bread as its thickening agent, it absolutely hit the spot. It was deliciously hearty and flavorful, making me think of an Italian version of chili. Paolo described it as the epitome of peasant food because it used simple ingredients and really stretched them to the max.

Cured Meats and Cheese Plate – Now this is how I like to eat lunch – a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and some crusty bread to go along with it. The plate of goodies we received was impressive, boasting 4 types of meats, 3 cheeses, spicy red pepper jam and a crostini with chicken liver. I adored everything and especially the fennel salami that proved to be as earthy as it was primal. The red pepper jam was lovely to spread onto the crusty bread, which was then further topped with a rustic slice of fresh sheep’s mozzarella cheese. As you can see, the portion was quite generous, and even though my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach, I managed to polish off the whole thing. I think you would’ve done the same.

Wine – We had a great time tasting three types of local red wines, one was a Chianti (most commonly known in Tuscany), the other a moltepulciano and the final a Francesa Romana Terenzi. The pairing was perfectly matched with what we were eating – full bodied, red wines with full bodied feel-good food. Our bellies were satisfied and our psyches, needless to say, were relaxed, producing laughs and ridiculous tangents that turned into more laughs.

Service:
Since we were with Paolo, a native Italian, we received wonderful treatment and lots of detailed explanations about the wine and the food. Bruno, Vena's gracious owner, recited an interesting history of where the wines came from and also about the cuts of meats we were enjoying. I felt really happy and lucky to be where I was at the moment, enjoying the good things in life and being in the company of genuine, interesting people who shared my interests.

If you ever find yourself in Volterra, I couldn’t recommend this place more – just ask for Bruno or mention Paolo. You’ll get the red carpet rolled out for you.

3 full bellied Mmmms

A Greek Easter Extravaganza is Coming to eXo

Living in Astoria, I doubt I have to explain to you the beauty and the fun of Greek Easter.  For those of you who live directly in the nabe, you'll know that it gets pretty quiet during this time and some of your favorite local Greek restaurants will most likely be closed for business.

And that's why I encourage you to branch out and take this time to visit other parts of Queens, Whitestone in particular.  You might've heard me talk about the amazing meals and the boisterous cooking demos I've experienced at eXo Bistro, so when I found out they're doing a big  Greek Easter feast, I wanted to let you know about it. 

Really bringing out the generosity and hospitality of the Greek culture, they'll be serving a whole spit roasted lamb and a trapezi (feast) buffet to go along with it.  Here are the deets:

eXo's Greek Easter Trapezi Dinner:
Sunday, April 24th (confirming timing)
Spit roasted lamb (4-course dinner) with all the fixins
$30/person

Exo - 15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357
718.767.4396
www.exorestaurant.com

Cream Bakery is Kaput - Is it True?

I had dinner with Meg and Charlene today, and we talked about our upcoming QueensSwap project (more on that soon).  Breaking bread with these ladies is always enjoyable and fruitful since they're well connected to our nabe - Charlene, a more recent Astorian. 

Through our conversation, Meg tipped off an interesting piece of news that I thought you might find useful.  She mentioned that the still infantile, Cream Bakery on Steinway Street has closed.  Some of you may be surprised and some may have downright expected it, but this little cupcakery is reported to be no longer functioning.  I'll try to investigate about its possible future and the full story, but in the meantime, if you're in the mood for cupcakes you can still get some pretty damn great ones here:

Martha's Country Bakery - With any and every flavor you can imagine from your classic vanilla to red velvet, oreo and more, you can satisfy virtually any type of serious cupcake fiend.  36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.9737

Astor Bake Shop - It's no secret that this relative newbie has been producing solid, gourmet sweets, and I think it's safe to say they'll stay a while.  Their cupcakes come in a big and mini size and flavors vary between double chocolate, coconut and red velvet.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102.  718.606.8439

Terrizzi Pasticceria - Terrizzi veers on the side of traditional, and you know what they say..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I agree and think they have a great thing going.  Their cupcakes are moist, the size is just perfect (not too large but not a mini) and flavors vary between pistachio, peanut butter, double chocolate, oreo, vanilla and more.  35-14 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103.  718.726.9698

Bringing it Back to Venice with Suso Gelato

Last week, I filled you in on my Tasty Tuscany cooking school experience in Italy, and this week I want to do my due diligence by shining a light on the food I ate out. 

A staple in Italy, as many of you may know, is gelato.  There's never a shortage of this sweet, refreshing dessert in Italy, especially in the big touristy cities such as Florence and Venice.  But as much of it as exists in volume, it's unfortunately not all quality, and Paolo told us to look for gelato "artigianale" (artisanal) to identify the diamonds in the rough.  In Florence, our helpful guide Grazia led us to a nice artigianale spot where we each had a delicious gelato in a cone, but in Venice I was on my own.  Luckily, I bumped into Suso, a stylish gelato shop with the most intriguing flavor combinations.

Atmosphere:
A small shop on a quintessential Venetian, narrow street, its modern design and warm colors made me stop in my tracks.  This is the opposite of a neon, gimmicky gelateria that often populates touristy cities.  Suso was tasteful, interesting and communicated a high-end feel and product.  I also liked the neat, little illustrations on the wall that gave it that edgy, artsy vibe.

Gelato:
I walked in to be immediately confronted by a rich offering of classic and inventive gelato flavors.  Of course you had your basics such as hazelnut, chocolate, pistachio and vanilla, but there were also other interesting flavors such as frutta di bosco, panna cotta, mascarpone caffe and more. I went with the non-traditional route by choosing:

Orange/Dark Chocolate semifreddo and fig/walnut gelato - I really enjoyed the semifreddo option, since it's a lot softer and custardy than traditional gelato.  This one included a sophisticated pairing of orange and dark chocolate, which go really well together.  The richness in the chocolate dulled out the sharpness in the orange and the two complemented each other by producing a sweet and acidy flavor profile.

The fig and walnut gelato was something else.  It was a lot gentler and even creamier than the semifreddo.  I enjoyed the chunks of walnuts and the earthy fig aftertaste I got after each bite.  It was an unusual pairing with the orange and chocolate, but I thought it worked since the latter was rather strong in taste and the former was gentler. 

Not to mention that the gelato was served in a nifty little cone cup with a crunchy wafer too - it was a nice way to scoop up my frozen treat.

Cost:
The aforementioned combination wasn't too expensive and was generally comparable to other gelato options I've seen at 2.50 Euro/portion.

3 Mmmms

Suso Gelato, Venezia Italy
For the life of me, I cannot locate this place on the web.  If any of you find it, will you give me a shout? Thank you.

A Pinch of Salt Cooking Class This Weekend

Here's a piece of yummy news for you - a fellow foodie, chef and a friend of mine, Raquel is hosting a brunch cooking class this Saturday, and you're invited.  If you've been craving to take a hands-on cooking class with a small group and a kick ass instructor, I'd highly recommend Raquel.  I met this talented young woman a few years ago when we judged, Queens, A Taste of the World event at Citi Field.  We immediately bonded over our passion for food, and have kept in touch.  I can personally vouch for her and think you'd really enjoy learning from her.  So...without further ado, here's what's on the table:

Brunch Cooking Class with Pinch of Salt's, Raquel

Saturday, April 9th from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The menu includes:
Cheese Souffle with Mixed Greens The Perfect Omelet with Fine Herbs
Potato Hash
Roasted Asparagus
Blueberry Oat Scones from Scratch
Mimosa as your brunch cocktail

$50/person - includes an apron, take-home recipes, the above food and drink

Contact Raquel: raquel@apinchofsalt.com or 347.746.7258

Hope you get to go, and do let me know how you like it.

Fennel Orange Gnocchi Inspired by Tuscany

As a result of my amazing trip to Tuscany last week, I was inspired to use the cooking knowledge I gained from Pat and translate it to my everyday cooking routine.  This proved pretty fortuitous thus far, as the cooking we practiced in Tuscany was simple and used fresh ingredients, which consisted mostly of produce.  I added in some starch too, for a more filling result, and a dish that was once a salad in Pat's kitchen, turned into a gnocchi variation in mine.

I loved the use of the licoricey fennel in this dish, coupled with sweet, juicy oranges that were cut into bite-sized chunks.  Tweaks were made of course, as I dulled out the sharpness of the fennel by sauteeing it for a few minutes together with garlic, instead of serving it raw, like in the salad.  For some creamy tang, I also added a few crumbles of good quality goat cheese and for the greens, I used fresh basil instead of parsley.

Here's my refurbished recipe:

Fennel Orange Gnocchi a la Foodista by way of Tasty Tuscany

Ingredients (serves 2)

1 package of whole wheat gnocchi (I used Trader Joe's brand)
1 whole fennel bulb, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
1 clove of garlic, pressed or minced
1 fresh orange, cut into bite-sized cubes
A small handful of basil, rolled and then cut into thin pieces
A shake of red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Glug of good marsala wine
Salt to taste

Directions:

Cook gnocchi according to directions.

Meanwhile in a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat.  You can mix in a little bit of butter too if you have it, but use unsalted butter.  Add the garlic and make sure to stir frequently to make sure it doesn't burn.  Add the fennel and mix frequently until it gets a nice golden color (the fennel shouldn't get too soft though).  Incorporate the salt and red pepper flakes and keep mixing for another minute or two.  Then add the marsala wine and turn down the heat so the sauce thickens a bit.

Stir in the gnocchi and a little bit of gnocchi water too, to thin out the sauce, if needed.  Mix in the orange cubes and basil.  Stir well and spoon into bowls.  Crumble the goat cheese on top at the end so it melts in nicely with the still hot gnocchi.  If you don't love goat cheese, you can substitute, pecorino, mozzarella - or any other cheese of your choice.  Buon appetito.