Tufino: Astoria, NY

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I love Tufino for its intimate and quaint space, decorated with signs of Italian beers and liquors. The wooden walls give a rustic and cozy feel. It’s a a true gem not only because of the good food, Jose and I had one of our first dates here and it’s become a date-night favorite. Due to COVID-19 Tufino recently has been only doing delivery and take-out. With NYC finally allowing indoor dining again, we wanted to commerate our first indoor dining experience by visiting Tufino again.

We have our favorites here—but during this pandemic, Tufino has been creating a new menu of mouthwatering specials that we were eager to try.

Food + Drink

Normally we order some cocktails; For a change, we ordered off their wine menu. I chose Terresacre Rosavitte Rosato (earthy, fruity, refreshing) and Jose had the Tufino House Red Wine(med. bodied, red fruits). Both wines were equally delicious, the rosé paired well with the lobster gnocchi, while the red wine paired well with the burrata burger.

One of the best calamari’s I’ve had, I love Tufino’s calamari for its slight spice and crispiness. The breading is crunchy + flaky, not at all greasy or heavy. Their calamari is addictive, complete with their homemade marinara to dip it into. Before you know it, you’ve finished it all. It’s the perfect appetizer that prepares your palate ready for the next course.

The lobster gnocchi is a delicious addition to the Specials menu—Soft pillows of homemade gnocchi, fresh Maine lobster, cognac cream, and summer corn topped with shaved parsley. It’s decadent, fresh, and flavorful. You can taste the difference in this gnocchi vs. the store-bought version. The sauce is creamy and full of lobster and cognac flavor. It’s perfect to pair with a rosé or white wine.

**Truffle Burrata Burger w/ crispy prosciutto**

This is how a rustic Italian restaurant restaurant does a burger and it does it well. The truffle burrata burger first caught my eye on their IG stories, and knew we had to order it the next time we went to Tufino. The burger is a generous portion of freshly ground beef, insanely juicy + flavorful (We ordered the burger medium). Topped with the melting burrata, truffle aioli, balsamic + the crispy and prosciutto, the burger is a a medley of flavors and textures that work so well together. Make sure to order extra napkins!

Truffle Burrata Burger: Butcher’s blend patty, imported burrata, truffle aioli, balsamic reduction on a toasted brioche bun. Add crispy prosciutto ($2 extra).

Other options: Add black pâté, fresh shaved black truffles ($5 extra).

**Parmesan fries topped with fresh parsley. Served with burrata burger.**

A big thank you to Tufino to making our first indoor dining experience during this pandemic safe, welcoming, and delicious. We look forward to trying your future specials, we can’t to see what you come up with next!

Tufino is still doing take-out and delivery. If you prefer indoor dining, temperature checks will be done at the door, tables are spaced out, and hand sanitizer is provided for each table.

Tufino can be found at 36-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105

Website

Instagram

x Yzabelle

Hendrick's Tavern: Roslyn, NY

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One step into Hendrick’s front doors you feel like you are being welcomed into someone’s home. The Tavern is the restored estate home of Hendrick Onderdunk, built in 1740. The building is full of history, and still remains today now as Hendrick’s Tavern serving a variety of delicious dishes, desserts, and drinks.

As you walk through the restaurant to your table, you’ll notice the beautiful decor throughout—it’s eclectic mix of historical and modern decor. History is adorned on each wall, with vintage portraits and paintings, even antique mirrors.

The dining room and the various seating arrangements throughout are cozy and intimate, perfect for a special occasion or for date night.

Malbec tends to be a drier wine with a higher alcohol content, and its fruity notes (usually raspberries and/or blackberries) pairs extremely well with a nice, juicy steak. It was the perfect pick for dinner and even for our dessert too. I’d recommend it to pair with super sweet desserts as well, (e.g. chocolate desserts) as Malbec has the perfect bitter to sweet contrast.

***Salad special: Heirloom tomato salad***

To start off our meal, we ordered the salad special. It’s important to note that Hendrick's has daily specials, and certain items might not be available after that evening.

We ordered the heirloom tomato salad—sweet corn, red onions, avocado with a chardonnay dressing topped with fresh ricotta salata.

The salad was light and refreshing, my only wish was that I wanted more ricotta salata in the salad to add a contrast to the sweet, juicy veggies. Other than that, the salad was delicious and it’s a perfect starter to a big feast.

To accompany dinner, the first side we ordered was the Truffle Lobster Mac & Cheese. The flavors of both meld together beautifully—it’s truly melt-in-your-mouth. They use black truffle in this dish (very generous amount), and its earthiness compliments the meaty lobster and gooey cheese. I guarantee you it’s so delicious and addicting you almost don’t want to share.

Since Hendricks is known for their steaks, I took this opportunity to try my first-ever wagyu. The wagyu is 10oz. and granted it is smaller than the other cuts, but what it lacks in size it makes up in flavor. The meat is extremely juicy and tender—it was delicious with the au poivre sauce and the bulb of roasted garlic. Jose ordered the Colorado rib eye (16oz), a thick and juicy cut. The rib eye was cooked medium—both juicy and well-seasoned. Both steaks were amazing on their own, but topped with the au poivre sauce (be sure to ask), made it even more memorable.

Other than the salad, another vegetable dish we ordered was the roasted asparagus with garlic chips. The asparagus was juicy, crunchy and tender—it’s the perfect choice to complete the meal. It’s topped with more roasted garlic, added a crunch to each bite.

To finish off our feast (and feast we did), we chose the Chocolate cloud cake—Decadent slices of chocolate cake are sandwiched together with sweet, vanilla cream; it’s served with fresh, homemade whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a wafer to top it off.

The dessert was sweeter than anticipated, but with some wine still left it was the perfect pairing. Who doesn’t love chocolate and wine together? The berry notes and the bitterness of the Malbec paired well with dessert. If you ever find yourself with a chocolate dessert that’s too sweet, look no further than a delicious, bitter red wine. If you can’t find Malbec, I recommend Sangiovese.

A big thank you to Hendrick’s Tavern and to our waiter Marvin, to making our anniversary extra special. From the food to the atmosphere—Hendricks is the perfect place for any special occasion. The wait staff is very attentive, and will answer any questions you have about the menu and even suggest the best wine pairings for your dishes.

A big thank you to Jose— thank you for a wonderful evening and memorable anniversary experience. Tqmm.

For more information on Hendrick’s Tavern:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Reservations are recommended, masks required.

To make a reservation: (516) 621-1200

Hendrick’s can be found at 1305 Old Northern Blvd Roslyn, NY 11576

x Yzabelle

The Roosevelt Room: Austin, TX

The Roosevelt Room is a hidden gem in Austin’s downtown warehouse district. Behind their large doors and curtains, lies an award-winning cocktail bar/speakeasy that will surely be an experience you’ll never forget. First opened in 2015, The Roosevelt Room prides itself upon concocting unique and unforgettable drinks, food and dessert. Did I mention even the desserts are cocktail-inspired? (i.e. Mezcal cheesecake).

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This hidden gem evokes the feelings of a 1920s speakeasy—from the dim-lit decor, jazz music, to the black-and-white paintings on the walls—one step past their curtained doors feels almost like you’ve been transported to one of Gatsby’s haunts.

There’s a variety of seating throughout the bar, from sitting at the bar, privates tables by the entrance, intimate booth seating against the wall, or a banquet-sized table down the center.

If you want to take home a momento of your experience, the bar will let you purchase the drink menu if you’re not in the mood to buy a souvenir t-shirt.

What’s amazing about their menu is their the cocktail portions are divided up into decades. If you’re interested in trying a cocktail that was popular during the Roaring- twenties, there’s a portion only for that time. The menu starts from the 1800s, to the Victorian Age and Industrial Revolution, to the age of Old Hollywood in the 40s and 50s all the way to modern day. There’s even some drinks inspired by famous writers such as Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

The Roosevelt Room also offers a variety of Non-alcoholic beverages that are just as carefully crafted as their alcoholic counterparts.

Drinks

The cocktails at The Roosevelt Room were truly a piece of art. We decided on “Too Little, Too Late” and “Cigar Box.”

Too Little, Too Late: Arette Blanco Tequila, red grapes, thai basil, coconut, honey, jasmine water, lycheee juice, verjus

Cigar Box: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, lavender bitters, tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick

It was a beautiful presentation for both cocktails. “Too Little, Too Late” was fragrant, creamy and the perfect balance of refreshing and sweet. “Cigar Box” was served with a lit cinnamon stick, first making its way to our table with the sweet and smokey smell of cinnamon. Both were delicious, but between the two “Cigar Box” was my favorite for the presentation, taste and the transformation of flavor as you sip the drink.

My experience at The Roosevelt Room has me looking forward to trying their extensive drink and cocktail-inspired food/drink menu. It was truly an experience that I will never forget, and it’s a place I want to share with everyone in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for an amazing, hand-crafted cocktail experience I recommend if you find yourself in Austin to visit this speakeasy.

For more information about The Roosevelt Room, click here.

Roosevelt Room IG

The Roosevelt Room can be found at 307 W. 5th Street Austin, TX 78701

x Yzabelle

Le Grand Verre Wines

One goal of mine during quarantine was to learn more about wine and expand my palate. I’ve always loved red wine, but never understood the difference to detect the proper way to taste a glass, or even the endless notes it could have. I’m excited to collab with Le Grand Verre Wines to share my wine adventure.

If you’re hesitant about purchasing regular-sized bottles to sample, Le Grand Verre or LGV offers you a tasting menu of different type of wines in portions. The company—a French Artisanal wine company— prides itself upon introducing people to a variety of wine grapes and styles with notecards indicating the flavor notes.

They offer sets varying from white wine, red wine, and rosé. I decided on the red wine set that includes 100% pinot noir grapes and one that is a mixture of Pinot Noir and Syrah.

To Drink

Each set includes:

4 bottles of your choice of wine
Informational note cards with flavor notes
Information on the grape varietal and the distinctive winemaker

The wine bottles are the perfect size for a picnic in the park (as we did) or even small get togethers. The bottles can be recycled or reused. I’ve seen others use them as cute vases for their flowers as well.

The wines included in the Pinot Noir set:

Bourgogne La Pascerette: 100% Pinot Noir
Domaine des Hautes Vallées: 100% Pinot Noir
Le Temps de Cerises: 100% Pinot Noir
Tandem Pinot-Syrah: 60% Pinot, 40% Syrah

All the wines were delicious, but between the four my favorites were Le Temps de Cerises and Tandem, the Pinot/Syrah blend. Even though they all were made with the Pinot Noir varietal, depending on the region the grape is grown in and if there’s any aging effects everything from the smell, color, and especially taste.

Red wine, especially Pinot Noir is a great pairing for meat dishes and we decided to pair our wine tasting with a brick oven pizza from my favorite place in Queens, Nick’s Pizza.

To Eat

To complete our wine tasting, we ordered a pie from Nick’s Pizza in Forest Hills. They specialize in brick over pizza made-to-order and everything is made in-house from the dough to their Italian sausage. Every pie comes with their homemade sauce, basil, and mozzarella. You can add or subtract as many toppings you would like. We ordered the Large pie with Italian sausage and ricotta.

This is the pizza I’ve grown up with and it’s the perfect blend of light and hearty.

I’m happy to be partnering with Le Grand Verre wines to share an at home wine experience straight to your doorstep. For more information about the brand, click here.

As a partner I’m happy to share my referral link to anyone who is interested in trying wine, or even adding a few bottles to your dinner rotation. Click here

A big thank you to Le Grand Verre for all the delicious wine, and thank you to Nick’s pizza for the mouthwatering pizza. To order online or pick-up from Nick’s click here.

Hope you all enjoy the wine, I’d love to hear what you guys order and especially would love to hear if you decide to pick up an impromptu pie from Nick’s. :)

x Yzabelle

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Austin, TX

Moonshine is a local gem that we discovered on our first trip to Austin, and it’s one of the reasons why we look forward to each time we return. The restaurant reminds us that good ‘ole southern hospitality is always welcome, especially with a warm side of cornbread to take back to your Airbnb.

With all its charm, Austin is home to historic buildings including Moonshine—one of Austin’s oldest buildings that was formerly a trading goods store that also housed a saloon and domino parlor. Though now a restaurant, it retains that Texan charm with its Western style decor and candle-lit tables.

Food + Drinks

Initially when we sat down, we looked at the menu but to honor our first trip to this Austin gem, we decided to stick to what we ordered the year before. The only thing that we changed were our drinks, deciding on their house cocktails over their moonshine. If you enjoy moonshine—especially ones locally made with different flavor profiles—then this place is the one for you, offering a moonshine flight that we had tried previously. Each moonshine ranges $7-8 per serving, but for the flight you can mix and match for $18. If you’re not into cocktails and moonshine they have an extensive bourbon, whiskey, and rye menu as well.

Appetizer—The original moonshine “corndog” shrimp with honey mustard sauce topped with a blueberry swirl. Definitely an interesting combination but one of the items that Moonshine is known for. Mustard sauce + blueberry compote meld together well and complement the outer crunch and soft, warm pillowy center. Truly addicting, and after one bite you’ll be wanting more.

The restaurant also serves their in-house made popcorn that has a nice seasoning to it while you wait for your dinner, as well as a piping hot basket of jalapeño cornbread with a side of butter.

Dinner—Chicken fried steak with chipotle creamy gravy, side of Mac n’ cheese. Beeler’s center cut chop with bourbon spiked apples, side of garlic mash. Portions are Texan-sized, but we don’t mind leftovers as it’s going to be just as delicious for a next day brunch with piping hot cups of cafecito.

Drinks—The Waterloo: Waterloo gin, cucumbers + grapefruit juice. Silvermoon margarita: Silver tequila, Paula’s Texas orange. This time around opted for their house made cocktails to have with dinner; both were refreshing and paired well with our southern-style dinner. Definitely one of my favorite gin cocktails that I would order again the next time we go.

Waterloo cocktail, corndog shrimp and housemate popcorn

Corndog shrimp with mustard blueberry sauce

Chicken fried steak + Mac n’ cheese, Bourbon pork chops w/ peaches + garlic mash

After a long dinner and a few cocktails later we still had some food left on our plate. As big eaters, we often finish what’s on the table, but even at Moonshine they took care of us when we asked to take our food to-go—Our waiter gave us a full basket of jalapeño cornbread and more bread, even asking us if we wanted more.

Moonshine is an Austin staple, and it’s a stop that you should make even if you’re in the city for a layover. Reservations are not required, and walk-ins are welcome. Both times we did not have reservations and never had an issue with getting a table. If inside dining is too full, they also offer patio seating decked out with romantic lighting.

A big thank you to our waiter and the staff at Moonshine for the great food and Southern hospitality, we look forward to dinner the next time we’re in Austin.

You can find Moonshine’s Downtown location at 303 Red River Street, Austin TX 78701.

Website

Instagram

x Yzabelle

Josephine House: Austin, TX

Josephine House, found in the booming tech city of Austin, is a homey farm-to-table restaurant serving dishes with the freshest ingredients possible. On the corner of Waterson street, the restaurant fits right in making it seem like a person’s home but there is more than meets the eye. As you walk closer you’re welcomed into what feels like an old farmhouse, fullness of old world charm.

Through endless Yelp and Instagram searching, I discovered this gem as the place to celebrate my anniversary.

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Food + Drink

Because the restaurant prides itself on providing the freshest ingredients, the first thing you’ll notice is a smaller menu. Even though the menu is smaller than what some may be used to, each dish is crafted with care. Other than the freshness of their ingredients and the decor, Josephine House is most known for their Steak Frites. It’s good to note if you’re only looking to try this dish specifically, Monday nights is Steak Frites night (Steak Frites + unlimited wine!). If you’re not able to visit them on a Monday, you can still order the Steak Frites as we did.

Josephine House accepts walk-ins, but reservations are preferable.

Their wine menu ranges from Rosé to crisp whites and drier Malbecs, but for dinner we decided on a full-bodied Pinot Noir to go with our dishes. If you’re not quite the wine drinker the restaurant also offers different southern-inspired cocktails as well as refreshing mocktails for those who prefer to skip out on the alcohol.

Drinks with dinner: Bottle of Ken Wright Pinot Noir

Homemade bread and butter with appetizer salad

For the appetizer we ordered one of their popular salads, aqua dulce lettuce topped with fresh ricotta, chopped hazelnuts, shallot vinaigrette, watercress, crisp radishes, and cucumber. The salad had a bite to it with the cucumbers and radishes, contrasted with the warm nuttiness of the chopped hazelnuts. Fresh and vibrant— definitely a combination of flavors I wouldn’t have thought of, but after the first bite we wanted more.

Appetizer: Agua Dulce Lettuce- Ricotta salata, watercress, cucumber, shaved radish, hazelnuts, topped with shallot vinaigrette

After a light and refreshing app, dinner quickly follows. After hearing about their steak frites (one of, if not the best in Austin!), I wanted to try it myself. Verdict: Would order it again, especially on Monday Steak Frites night for the unlimited vino. My boyfriend chose another well-known dish—the Berkshire pork chop. Deliciously tender and melt in you mouth, the flavor profile of the pork chop blended seamlessly with the cheesy grits, roasted corn succotash and crunchy celery salad.

An important thing to note about their pork chop is it’s not cooked well-done. Yes, your immediate reaction might be “oh no!" but the chef and the waitresses explained to us when the pork is this fresh, it’s okay to eat it medium as you would a steak. I wouldn’t trust eating a pork chop medium everywhere, but this is definitely a place you don’t need to worry about.

Dinner

Steak Frites (cooked medium)-seared Niman ranch New York Strip, steak sauce (on the side), topped with maitre d’hotel herbed butter

Berkshire Pork Chop (cooked medium)-Oaxacan green corn grits, charred succotash, topped with fresh celery herb salad

Dessert

To finish off our night, Maria our waitress helped me make our night extra special with after dinner cocktails and a surprise dessert. Their desserts also incorporate a farm-to-table element, such as using flowers in their cream for their desserts.

Our experience at Josephine House was so memorable that I’m not only adding it to my list of favorite restaurants, but it’s a restaurant that I would dine again at in a heartbeat.

A big thank you to the Josephine House staff and our waitress Maria, who made our anniversary night extra special. Thank you also for the amazing southern hospitality.

For more info on Josephine House: Click here

X Yzabelle

Pane e Vino: Miami, FL

Tucked away at the end of Espanola Way, you’ll find an intimate restaurant that makes you want to book a trip to Italy. While it was difficult to get reservations, it was very much worth it. If you’re a lover of Italian food, especially homemade pasta and service, then Pane & Vino is a restaurant you need to visit next time you find yourself in Miami.

Interior

As you enter the restaurant you’re welcomed with endless lit candles and table side chatter. The interior is inviting through its charm of dim lights, in addition to the smell of freshly made bread and pasta. You’ll find it feels like you’re in a nonna’s house, and the restaurant is decorated with trinkets you’ll find around a house—small sculptures, fake potted flowers, decorative signs and paintings. Even the bathroom feels like it’s lived-in, and that’s what the restaurant makes you feel like—you’re welcomed into someone’s home eager for the culinary adventure you’re about to embark on.

Food + Drink

From their vast menu of homemade pastas to intricate appetizers, we started off with something light gradually moving onto the heavier pasta dishes. For wine we asked our waitress, Sara, for her recommendation based on what we ordered. We decided on a red wine from the south of Italy to pair well with each course.

Wine: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Appetizer: Burratina with parma, topped with sweet tomatoes and fresh basil and thyme.

Pasta: Cappelletti verdi Tartufati–handmade green pasta stuffed with fresh ricotta and mascarpone cheese, served with butter, Parmesan cheese and black truffle sauce

Tagliatelle Paglia e Fieno–handmade bicolor tagliatelle with crispy Parma prosciutto in a creamy portobello mushroom sauce

Dessert: shots of limoncello + Panna cotta ai Frutti di Bosco–homemade panna cotta with fresh mixed berry sauce on top

Homemade panna cotta with fresh berry sauce

Stomachs full and glasses empty, we spent time speaking with the owner and our waiters not wanting to leave. Our experience at Pane e Vino was amazing, delicious, and memorable. A big thank you to the owners and our waitress Sara for their hospitality, service, as well as making my boyfriend’s birthday a truly unforgettable experience. I’m looking forward to visiting this restaurant the next time I’m in Miami.

For more information about Pane e Vino:

Website

Instagram

x Yzabelle

EEEEEATSCON 2019

Eeeeeatscon which started out as a hashtag on Instagram, is now a yearly food festival bringing together the best food from around the United States. From ice cream to fried chicken and even booze, eeeeeatscon aims to please your tastebuds on a journey that will surely leave your palate and stomach satisfied.

This year The Infatuation–the company that created this hunger inducing event– was held in Forest Hills Queens from October 5-6th.

Food

Eatscon hosts a medley of collaborations with restaurants from around the country with local bites like La Contenta to sweet treats from Portland’s Salt & Straw.

It was a full day of eating, and even though I didn’t have the chance to sample everything I was able to try the most popular ones.

Some of my favorite stalls include:

Shake Shack x Uncle Boons: Boon burger made with Thai bird chili mayo, griddled sweet peppers, thai basil and topped with a beautiful fried egg

La Contenta: taquito dorados + pork tacos. Both topped with pickled jalapeños, quest fresco, homemade salsa. Crisp, hot tortillas and addictive flavor.

Kichin: Korean fried chicken garnished with sesame seeds. Sauce is sweet and salty, skin is crispy.

Mama Too’s: buffalo chicken pizza, pepperoni pizza, margherita slice (pretty much all the them)

Postmates doughnuts: strawberry milkshake, black gold. Eatscon offered free doughnuts if you have a postmates account (P.S. you can go back more than once).

Salt & Straw: From Portland, this homemade ice cream shop overs new and exciting flavors with ingredients like dandelion. I opted for their Cookies and cream (surprisingly vegan!) which was just as creamy and delicious as a dairy ice cream. The other flavor was vanilla cake with blueberry jam—slightly sweet with whole cake pieces making you reminiscent for a childhood you’ve never had.

Drink

Eatscon also did a few collaborations with companies such as Don Julio, Heineken, and Captain Morgan. Drinks are sold throughout the festival, and if you’re looking for something non-alcoholic there’s water stations and a twix booth offering complementary left or right bars with a cup of coffee.

Some stalls for boozy beverages:

Don Julio: tequila cocktails with the perfect photo props.

Captain Morgan: Rum cocktails with glasses that you can take home (giant coconut anyone?)

Amex Gold Lounge: if you have an Amex or know someone that does, you’ll have access to get a free drink and tote bag. Drinks available for purchase that include souvenir cup.

Twix: Their booth makes you choose between right or left Twix which comes with a cup of coffee to dip it into to.

I’m excited to visit the next Eeeeeatscon here in nyc—I know it will be just as fun as the last. A big thank you to The Infatuation for having such a great festival, bringing together people in the industry who love to eat and know good food. Also big thank you to my boyfriend and friends who came with me to enjoy the experience.

Visit The Infatuation’s website for up to date food reviews in your city.

Restaurants mentioned:

La Contenta

Uncle Boon’s

Shake Shake

Kichin

Salt&Straw

Mama Too’s

ABC Kitchen

When combining a farm-to-table restaurant with an aesthetically pleasing locale you get the beautiful space of ABC Kitchen. Not only is their decor pleasing to the eye, but their food is as well. Every ingredient on your plate comes from local farmers with a majority hailing from Hudson Valley. ABC Kitchen changes the way you eat with locally sourced ingredients and combines them in a way that makes you think, "why didn't I try this combination sooner?"

Ranging from grilled fish, to roasted veggie burgers and a juicy beef burger, ABC has multiple options to entice your palate.

While aware of the farm-to-table movement, ABC Kitchen was my first taste of "fresh from the farm," at least in a restaurant setting. What I enjoyed was not only the atmosphere, but ABC kitchen was able to combine multiple aesthetics (farm-to-table, modern, and rustic) with one vision: fresh, quality food that bursts with flavor--no gmos, no pesticides--just good, honest, and clean work by the farmers.

At ABC Kitchen a burger isn't just a burger, it's a burger that, from the beginning, has had care put into it. Everything at ABC is grass-fed and organic, reassuring New Yorkers that what they're putting into their body is indeed, good food. Grass-fed means exactly what it sounds like, with the animals being given a quality diet.

Farm-to-table, organic, grass-fed, non-gmo, etc, etc is not just a temporary movement--it's a movement towards the way things used to be and it's a movement towards the way things should be. Healthy and clean doesn't have to taste bland or disgusting, but at ABC Kitchen, you'll find that their seasonal menus challenge this stereotype.

**Shaved raw fluke, crushed olives, dill, lemon, and chilies**

ABC Kitchen can be found at

35 E. 18th street, New york, NY 10003

Have you ever had a farm-to-table experience?

x Yzabelle

Perry St.

**The restaurant is situated right across from the water, which is perfect for watching the cotton candy colored sunset.**

Dreamy. Delectable. Enticing-

three words that I would use describe Perry St. The decor lends itself to the natural sunlight that filters through their wide, glass windows, setting the stage for each dish. Before we sat down to eat, we were invited to bask in the simple and modern aesthetic of this beautiful restaurant.

Housed in an apartment building (Hugh Jackman's, fyi), Perry St. is another delicious Jean-Georges restaurant. The restaurant is the work of the father-son duo: Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his son, Cédric. It's known for their tasting menu: Taste of Perry St.; you're served multiple courses, plus dessert, in order to experience the well-rounded flavors not found on the regular menu. It's good to note that when one person at the table orders the tasting menu that the rest of the table must order it as well.

**Each table is decorated with vases of flowers**

**Compliments of the chef: sesame crusted asparagus**

The complimentary appetizer from the chef had a hearty, roasted flavor from the sesame seeds. The crunch in each bite was addictive and had me reaching for more, until I realized there were no more left.

L to R: sochu smash, bramble, and vodka thyme lemonade — **L to R: sochu smash, bramble, and vodka thyme lemonade**

The drinks were fresh and light, not heavy in the least. You can order the drink as is or request substitutes, they're happy to make a mocktail if you don't drink. There were many more cocktails to choose from (along with wine), but we felt a lighter drink would compliment the dishes in contrast to a dessert-like drink. The drinks here offered a variety of unique combinations and reminded me of the drink menu at ABC Kitchen. Both menus are equally delicious.

**Chilled tuna tartare with serrano and pickled daikon**

Warm bread was served to the table along with butter and crystal salt on the side. At Perry St. you're served the bread by piece (no bread basket here), ensuring stomach room for your courses. Before we knew it, the tartare arrived artistically plated; The tartare felt quintessentially summer with the pickled daikon and fresh tuna. Usually served with crackers, the puffed rice in the dish replaces it. This being my second time having tuna tartare, this one takes the cake/tuna (sorry Landmarc).

**White asparagus, parmesan cheese, basil, edible flowers, and hazelnuts**

Vegetables and hazelnuts are a whirlwind combination, something I also found at ABC Kitchen. The blanched white asparagus acted as a blank canvas for the colorful herbs and flowers. Topped with shaved parmesan and shallots, the dish carried multiple flavors that work together beautifully: the nuttiness from the hazelnuts, the saltiness from the parmesan, the spiciness form the pepper, and the freshness from the herbs and flowers all work together to create a heavenly experience. This dish has expanded my horizon in edible flowers and displays Perry St.'s use of fresh, natural ingredients.

**Lobster thermidor with gruyere, shiitake mushrooms, and tarragon served with kale salad**

A classic, lobster thermidor is a French dish that dates back to the 1880s and it's made its way to Perry St. in 2016. This version of lobster thermidor is a mixture of Asian and French flavor, with the earthy shiitakes and pungent gruyere. The shell was hot, the cheese was boiling--creating a decadent aroma with the melange of vegetables and herbs. You can opt out of the cheese if you're lactose intolerant or are not fond of gruyere.

**Roasted crescent duck with turnips, celeriac, citrus, and a ginger-chilli sauce**

This dish is a celebration of the Asian influences that Perry St. has. Ripe, fresh fruit and herbs paired with melt in your mouth, roasted duck reminiscent of the flavors found in Chinese cuisine. The citrus was bursting with flavor and was a sweet compliment to the peppery ginger-chilli sauce.

**Chocolate pudding with lightly whipped cream and crystallized violets**

To end the tasting menu, the dessert is homemade chocolate pudding with whipped cream, topped with crystallized violets. The violets smelled and tasted fragrant like violet gum/mints (check Duane Reade) but that was no where in comparison to this. The violets do not pop like one might expect (like pop rocks) but crunch with every bite. The chocolate pudding was a dark and bitter contrast to the sweetness of the violets. The whipped cream was a marriage between the two, no sugar was added (I think) and tasted nothing but fresh, airy, and light. At times while eating this it's easy to forget that you're eating flowers, but the bowl is big enough for you to savor and enjoy not only the flavors but the experience.

While the tasting menu looked small due to the presentation, it was far from it. We were very full at the end of our dessert and satisfied on deciding on this over the regular menu items. If Perry St. decides to change the dishes served on the tasting menu, I would be happy to order it again. I look forward to coming back for brunch and lunch, especially when the longer summer days are upon us.

If my brother and/or Siu read this--thank you for a memorable and delicious birthday dinner.

Happy feasting,

x Yzabelle

San Marzano

Only a few years old, San Marzano offers homemade, high quality pasta for just $9. It's been a staple in my rotation of favorite restaurants--it's rustic and perfect for a casual hang out or date night. Their quality never falters and prices still remain affordable for everyone's budget. If pasta isn't quite your thing they also have a variety of paninis and appetizers to suit your fancy. There is also a separate brunch menu available which includes bottomless mimosas if you order alongside a meal. For my coffee lovers, coffee is bottomless for only $3.

The beautiful thing at San Marzano's is their customization with their pastas--pick a pasta then a sauce and dig in!

**Top: Garganelli with sausage and peppers, Bottom: whole wheat spaghetti with tomato sauce**

**Whole wheat spaghetti with broccoli rabe and sausage**

San Marzano can be found in East Village, at 117 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

x Yzabelle

Union Square Greenmarket

I love the authenticity of a farmer's market. I love being able to smell the ripe peaches and herbs and coming into contact with fresh and organic produce. It's great to talk to the vendors (sometimes farmers) about their produce or product. Even if you're not looking to buy anything there's something for everyone, plus it's always fun to look around.

From freshly baked goods (gluten-free, vegan, you name it), fruit juices, weird plants and camera crew this farmer's market is by far my favorite. It's even been my savior at times when I found myself close to hangry.

If you plan on visiting, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays have the best turn out with a majority of all the vendors being there.

For more information about Union Square's Greenmarket, check out their site here.

x Yzabelle

Sweet Summer

One of my favorite summer essentials is ice cream, the quintessential summer treat. Who doesn't love a scoop (or two) on a waffle cone? One thing I was looking forward to being back in Milwaukee was the frozen custard. It's smooth, thick and delectably creamy consistency is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Milwaukee, WI is known to have the best custard and you can take my taste buds' words for it. I also got to try The Purple Door, which had delicious beer ice cream.

**Vanilla + chocolate custard in a dish**

**Butter Pecan Praline + strawberry custard**

**Malted chocolate + Eastside dark beer**

What's your favorite flavor?

x Yzabelle

A Traveler's Notebook's Guide to Milwaukee, WI

I've been visiting Milwaukee for years, so often that I consider it a second home. When I say I'm visiting Milwaukee some people's eyebrows raise. "Does your family have a farm?" or "People still live there?" What many people don't know about Milwaukee is the wonderful sense of community the city has along with the amazing food culture.

The city is primarily known for its bratwursts, breweries and having the best custard on Earth (not kidding here). You can feel the foodie movement here. There are intimate coffee shops and artisinal shops popping up around the city. The city is bustling with hundreds of activities, places to visit and endless custard scoops just waiting for you to join in. Even though there is a lot going on, Milwaukee still has the small town feel that I adore. It's best to come in the summer as there are a variety of festivals: Greek festival and Summerfest to name two. And don't forget the Wisconsin State Fair.

I'm excited to share more of my MKE adventures and I will be posting more of my favorites soon.

If you're visiting or interested in visiting I hope you fall in love with the city as much as I have.

EAT

The Original Pancake House: The Original Pancake House is a chain with locations around the U.S. I prefer this location's cozy environment to the cramped one in Chicago. Charming and quaint, it's a bright and welcoming yellow house filled with pancake goodness. Complete with a gazebo outside for pictures. Everything is delicious but my favorites are: apple pancakes, blueberry pancakes, buckwheat pancakes and corned beef hash.

Breadsmith: Breadsmith is a banana bread game changer as I haven't met a banana bread that I did like. Amazing homemade bread and generous samples, they have more than 20+ kinds of bread and have seasonal ones as well. They now have a location open in Brooklyn, NY.

La Rêve: The Milwaukee destination for macarons and all things French cuisine. Perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner and an evening treat. Pastries are beautifully done and the decor transports you to Paris without really leaving.

Mazo's: More like a mom and pop shop, Mazo's also has great burgers allowing you to customize it as you'd like with a variety of toppings.

Culver's: Home of the famous butter burger and special custards of the day. They also have cheese curds.

Kopp's: Huge burgers and pretty good custard, a perfect summer combination. They stray towards more unique custard flavors like piña colada and watermelon.

Milwaukee Public Market: Milwaukee's Chelsea Market. There are a variety of food vendors, artisans, fresh seafood and really good coffee. I recommend having lunch or dinner (or both) at the St. Paul Fish Company, it's worth the wait. Get their raw oysters and lobster roll. You know you've arrived when you see a giant fish dangling from the ceiling.

Jake's Deli: Known for their corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, it's a different take on the Jewish classics. A little bit spicy, yet oh so tender it's perfect with their pickles and a side of their fries. They currently have three locations in Milwaukee.

Fujiyama: Japanese restaurant with a focus on fresh sushi and hibachi. The sashimi was extremely fresh and they did not skimp on quality or the amount of a particular ingredient. Start off with an iced green tea and kani salad. I recommend all of the sashimi entrees. Try the shiso (perilla leaf) that's served with the sashimi; the flavor complements the fish well.

Balisteri's (Wauwatosa): Family owned, Balisteri's is the perfect locale for lunch or dinner. Get the "everything but the kitchen sink" pizza and conch salad. Come in on Fridays for the Fryday fish fry.

Leon's: Leon's can be summed up in three words. Best. Custard. Ever. Everyone in Milwaukee has their favorite but Leon's is my go-to for real custard. They have special flavors of the day along with their usuals: chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan and awesome sundaes. Chocolate has been my favorite since I was kid.

The Purple Door: They don't have a purple door but they have really good ice cream. They have unique flavors such as Old Fashioned (yes, the drink), dark beer, whiskey, black tea + fig...the list goes on. My favorites are eastside dark beer, chocolate chunk and buttermilk blueberry.

COFFEE

Anodyne Coffee (MKE public market): Intimate counter setting amidst the crowd at the public market. Delicious cold brew with chocolatey, deep-bodied notes.

Colectivo Coffee: Their cold brew is lighter and has fruity notes. Perfect for studying, writing, snacking or breakfast. You can also purchase all their brews and merchandise; the mugs and t-shirts were my favorite.

SHOP

Third Ward: Milwaukee's historical district is the destination for food and the arts. There are a variety of stores such as Kit and Ace and a denim bar.

Milwaukee Public Market's Outdoor Market: Artisans selling art and jewelry. Only open on Saturdays.

Marshall Building: Home to galleries and boutiques, they have gallery nights and evenings displaying local artisans' works.

Kit and Ace: Cashmere basics that you can wash. From pants to tanks, they have every basic you need. This location also features a local artist each month.

Goodwill (Brookfield): Located a few minutes from The Original Pancake House, this goodwill is perfect after brunch or breakfast. It's not like the Goodwills here in NYC, this one is extremely clean and organized. I nabbed a pair of vintage Levi's for $5 that were $90+ in NYC. If you're petite like me, head over to the boys section for a treasure trove of trousers and denim. They also had a great selection of film cameras that sold for a lot online.

Army & Navy Surplus Sales: An old school surplus store specializing in military garb. It's perfect if you're looking to add a miltary-inspired piece (or two) to your wardrobe. Not much for a petite gal like me, but I loved the bags, pins/patches, hats and old books. I nabbed a book from the 1930s for $3.

TO DO

MAM: MAM or Milwaukee Art Museum is my favorite museum in the city. It's worth waking up early to see its wings open, it's absolutely beautiful and breathtaking.

Greenfield Farmer's Market: The samples here are huge and it's great to talk one-on-one with the farmers and sellers. They have the sweetest corn and juiciest cantaloupe.

Baylor Melons: The Baylor family is known for selling watermelons directly from their truck in Milwaukee and surrounding cities such as Chicago. Straight from Mississippi the watermelons are huge, juicy and perfect to cool off in the summer heat. From time to time they also sell roasted peanuts. Be sure to check their twitter for their location.

Apple Holler: Located in-between Milwaukee and Chicago, it's the perfect destination for family and foodies alike. Come here for the apple and pumpkin picking then indulge in their homemade breakfast dishes at their restaurant. They're known for their buttermilk pancakes with a special flavor each month. Grab a cup of cider for $1 while exploring the farm. You can also find their stall at the Greenfield Farmer's Market.

If you're interested in learning more about Milwaukee's culture and being in the know, I recommend grabbing a copy of the Shepard express and checking out onmilwaukee.com.

x Yzabelle

Class is in Session

If you don't know by now, I love tea. I love the variety of tastes and types; I prefer tea in its purest form. After visiting Ippodo Tea House (here) I immediately signed up for one of their tea classes. It wasn't any ordinary tea class but one for Shincha, a rare tea that is harvested only once a year. It was an amazing experience to learn more about tea, brew my own and connect with others over our love of all things tea.

**Miwa served iced matcha (usucha) before class started**

**Miwa gave us a taiyaki-like treat with mochi inside. Flown in straight from their Kyoto shop.**

If you want to learn more about tea or love it as much as I do, I highly recommend Ippodo's tea classes.

Ippodo Tea (Site)

Ippodo Tea (FB)

Photos by me and friend from the class.

x Yzabelle

Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream

If you've ever heard of Morgenstern's or seen it all over Instagram, one thing is for sure: it's really good ice cream. George and I made the trek down here, despite the super humid weather it was so worth it. I love the vibe of the place and how it's set up like a retro soda fountain (I have a thing for retro things). Treat yourself ("yo' self") and make sure to bring enough cash. P.S.: It's cash only but you'll be happy that you went to the bank.

What's your favorite ice cream place?

Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream at 2 Rivington Street,

Facebook

Instagram

All photos by me. Camera: Canon Powershot Elph 130IS

x Yzabelle

Astoria Exploring

Being a person who loves to explore one of my favorite things to do is wander about until I find a place that intrigues me. Pye Noodle and Tea and Milk were two of them. Astoria is a neighborhood I have yet to fully explore, but I'm looking forward to more delicious food.

**L: Roasted oolong with signature cream. R: Hibiscus white peach with chia seeds and aloe.**

Have any favorites in Astoria? I'd love to know.

x Yzabelle

Feast for the Eyes

I have visual goodies for you guys! This will be part one of the photos taken from my mom's birthday. Last month my brother and I celebrated our mom's birthday at Cookshop. It's been quite a while since I've been and this trip reminded me why I love the place so much. I hope you're not hungry, cause this post might make you more hungry!

**L: Kumquat Ginger Lemonade, R: Orange Refresher**

Do you prefer seasonal restaurants?

Check out Cookshop at 156 10th avenue, on the corner of W. 20th.

x Yzabelle

PURE Thai Cookhouse

If I had to pick my top five favorite cuisines, Thai is one of them. With one of my fave Thai places closed down I'm still on the lookout for good, authentic Thai. I think I'll be adding PURE to my list... And the cheesy Thai pop music is a plus.

Green Papaya Salad with raw, salted blue crab

PURE Thai Cookhouse can be found between 52nd and 51st on 9th avenue.

Website

A Little Bit of Spain

Forever 21 moto jacket, J.Crew cashmere scarf, T by Alexander Wang cardigan, J.Crew long-sleeved shirt, Pilcro and the Letterpress jeans, Acne Studios boots, Vintage Dooney & Bourke bucket bag — Forever 21 moto jacket, J.Crew cashmere scarf, T by Alexander Wang cardigan, J.Crew long-sleeved shirt, Pilcro and the Letterpress jeans, Acne Studios boots, Vintage Dooney & Bourke bucket bag

The day after my birthday was truly a day for the senses. It was uber windy in West Village and before heading to dinner we spent a good amount of time at Anick Goutal, taking in all the wonderful smells. It was still a little chilly so I dressed up in layers. My outfit was simple, but I left it up to my accessories to add a little bit more oomph. I always pass this beautiful tiled mural when wandering Greenwich, the vibrant blue just evokes that rustic European charm. Definitely one of the hidden gems we have in Manhattan.

As for Spain...It's somewhere where I've always dreamt of going. And Salinas has brought a little bit of Spain to New York City.

When I walked in, I was overcome by the amount of flowers that they have in the restaurant. They're everywhere! The flowers were so fresh and so fragrant, I wished that I could take one (sadly, you can't). There's an additional fee ($15) for taking a flower, but that shouldn't stop you from visiting. These flowers are flown in once a week from Portugal, so they're pretty special.

View from our table. We were lucky to get a corner booth table.

For drinks we decided on sangria, available by the glass or pitcher. My brother and Siu ordered the sangria roja and I ordered the sangria seca rosada. The sangria roja was made with Spanish red wine, brandy, orange liquor, and peach liquer. The seca rosada was made with Spanish rose, black pepper infused vodka, orange liquer, and peach liquer. If sangria isn't your fancy they have a variety of cocktails and wines. Next time I'm planning on some cava.

For our appetizer, we ordered the plato charcutero which contained a variety of cured meats, served along with their eggplant-fig compote and bread crackers. In addition to this, we also ordered Iberico ham and a half-ounce of Manchego cheese. I couldn't name which meats were which, but they're all different. One was smokier, one was spicier...it was a flavor explosion. With the spanish guitar and lounge music playing, I was ready to book a flight.

One of the best parts of our meal, even though I loved it all, was the paella. For all my paella lovers, it's one worth trying. The way it works at Salinas is that it's charged per person, about 30 dollars. This works perfectly so you don't get too little or too much. We ordered the Nuestra Paella with bomba rice, free-range chicken, sepia, sea scallops, head-on prawns, clams, mussels, and chorizo. They also offered an option to make it more authentic, by having the rice a little crunchy. The rice was still soft, with a little added bite-- the texture makes a difference.

From L to R: Chocolate Y Pistacho (Siu), Mousse Fundiente (me), Arroz Con Leche Con Membrillo (Anthony)

Can you guess which dessert was mine? The one in the middle was, even though the one on the left has the candle (oops). No worries though, all the desserts were delicious. If it's yours or a loved one's birthday, mention it if you make a reservation.

Their small desserts packed a punch, with the focus being flavor and presentation versus size; it felt much more special.

Salinas' coffee was not the typical machine brewed cup o' joe. Thick and frothy, their coffee is flavorful and strong; it made me want to get up a little early every day just to use my french press. The coffee was served along with milk and if you're not a black coffee drinker like myself. The fun part of the after dinner coffee: frothed milk. We had to scoop the milk out and plop it onto our coffees.

What Chef Luis Bollo has done is bring a little bit of Spain to NYC. If you're looking to take a trip for your senses check out Salinas. Plus, it's intimate and romantic; perfect for date night. P.S. I'm trying to convince my boyfriend to take me here (here's to hoping!).

Salinas can be found at 139 9th avenue

xoxo,

Yzabelle

*Photo cred to my brother and his awesome iPhone 6+ et moi.

Tufino: Astoria, NY

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Menu

Food + Drink

Hendrick's Tavern: Roslyn, NY

Interior

Menu

Food + Drink

The Roosevelt Room: Austin, TX

Interior

Menu

Drinks

Le Grand Verre Wines

To Drink

To Eat

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Austin, TX

Food + Drinks

Josephine House: Austin, TX

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Food + Drink

Dinner

Dessert

Pane e Vino: Miami, FL

Interior

Food + Drink

EEEEEATSCON 2019

Food

Drink

ABC Kitchen

Perry St.

San Marzano

Union Square Greenmarket

Sweet Summer

A Traveler's Notebook's Guide to Milwaukee, WI

Class is in Session

Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream

Astoria Exploring

Feast for the Eyes

PURE Thai Cookhouse

A Little Bit of Spain