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

Grace Street

My first inkling of Grace Street was a few years ago when I first fell in love with film photography. At this time I've become more aware of my surroundings in a creative sense. I'd look more carefully at the juxtaposition of certain objects to a scene, the way certain colors blended into a sunset or the architectural design of a building. It was then, while walking down this block for what seemed to be the hundredth time, that the huge crowd of people gathered in this gallery-like space caught my eye. There was no discernible sign, yet with the assumption that it must be worthwhile by looking at the number of people—I stepped through the door and became part of the crowd.

Fast forward to a few years later and I'm still coming back, time and time again I find myself settling into its cozy corners with my favorite latte and Korean doughnut. Sometimes I'm alone with my favorite book, but most of the time I'm here meeting friends whilst discussing the latest chapters in our lives. Grace Street has proven to be an oasis from the fast paced lifestyle we New Yorkers are most known for. Open from 12pm to 12:30am, it's a place that will soon feel like a second home after your first visit.

Grace Street is just not another run-of-the-mill cafe, it's a truly unique experience offering a variety of snacks and drinks. Their focus on local, fresh, and organic ingredients plays hand-in-hand with their mission: their proceeds go to charity whilst supporting local businesses; this is a dynamic that I haven't seen in other cafes. While there are a good amount of cafes in NYC that are also local and organic, to my knowledge there are not many that donate their proceeds to charity.

TO EAT

L: Jasmine Green tea, R: Black Sesame Shaved Snow w/ mochi, strawberries, and dark chocolate drizzle — **L: Jasmine Green tea, R: Black Sesame Shaved Snow w/ mochi, strawberries, and dark chocolate drizzle**

The sweet smell of hodduk fills the air as you sit down and the warm voice of Jay Park's serenading acts as the soundtrack to your stay. Hodduk, a soft, pillowy korean doughnut filled with melted brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts is one of the few things that Grace Street is known for. This popular Korean street food is a delicious series of contrasts: soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. Decadent with molten brown sugar running down your mouth, yet light and not heavy. It's served piping hot from the grill, and when combined with ice cold vanilla ice cream, it becomes the perfect mélange that entices your tastebuds to have another bite.

Another favorite is their shaved snow. Taiwanese shaved snow has been gaining in popularity all around New York, but Grace Street has been on the bandwagon way before the trend started. Shaved snow is melt in your mouth, barely there, ice cream that is as addicting as the hodduk; it's delicate and airy as it falls off your spoon. You can choose the set Shaved Snow options on their menu or customize your own, an option that my friends and I have fun with.

Listed below are my favorite go-tos at Grace Street.

FAVORITES:

Hodduk w/ vanilla icecream

Beignets w/ powdered sugar and green tea ice cream

Black Sesame snow w/ mochi, strawberries + chocolate drizzle (custom order)

Green tea snow w/ mochi, red bean, + strawberries (custom order)

The O.G.: Black Sesame snow w/ strawberries, mochi, red bean, misugaru + condensed milk

Elixir: Green tea snow w/ red bean, diced taro, honey boba + condensed milk

TO DRINK

**Top to bottom: Jasmine milk tea, honey matcha latte, soy jasmine matcha latte + ice cream mochi**

Depending on your mood, Grace Street has options to satisfy both your coffee and latte art cravings. They serve the standard coffee drinks: latte, cappuccino, cold brew, etc. But if you're in the mood for something different, they offer unique lattes that change with season and holiday. Their most popular lattes: honey matcha latte and the jasmine matcha latte, are lightly sweetened with honey. Both the jasmine latte and the jasmine matcha latte are a fragrant and elegant take on green tea's lush and earthy flavor.

They also serve a variety of bubble milk teas with customizable milk options that can be served hot or cold, and with their honey boba or red beans. Their milk is fresh from Battenkill Valley, NY but if you're not feeling dairy, then they offer nondairy options such as soy, almond, and macadamia milk. Sticking to organic and fresh, the cafe doesn't use any powders, artificial flavors, or high fructose corn syrup. The most unique of their bubble teas is their Yin Yang, which is a delicious mixture of black milk tea and cold brew coffee.

An example of their rotating menu is shown through their newest additions: the organic rose petal latte and strawberry latte. The strawberry latte was created specifically for Valentine's Day, and at the moment is no longer served. Though this drink is gone, the rose petal latte has quickly taken its place as a favorite on instagram and as one of my go-to orders. I'm not sure if it will stay a permanent item on the menu (here's to hoping), but I recommend giving it a try if you enjoy fragrant floral notes such as jasmine.

This was not my first rose latte, yet tasted like it was. Other rose lattes that I've tasted failed to have the rose flavor take center stage. While to some—sipping on a drink made of one of the world's most loved flowers "tastes like a bar of soap"—to me it's an experience to taste something that has evoked emotion in people around the world. From paintings to poetry, from perfume to the color—the rose conveys feelings and states of being across different mediums. In this case it happens to be a creamy, delicate drink that captures the essence of what it means to partake in a particular aesthetic.

FAVORITES:

Cappuccino

Honey Matcha Latte

Jasmine Matcha Latte

Jasmine milk tea w/ bubbles

Rose Petal Latte

Yin Yang

**Organic Rose Latte w/ soy topped with rose petals**

This post will be a continuation to my "Café Visits/Series" on the blog, with more to come in the future. If you visit Grace Street, I'd love to know your favorite drinks/snacks.

Grace Street can be found in Korea Town,

17 West 32nd street and 6th avenue

x Yzabelle

Where to get the Best Bubble Tea in NY

Bubble tea is one of those things that has increasingly become popular, yet still passes under the radar. If you're a boba drinker, you might still get questions like, "What is that?" and "Why are you chewing your drink?" (at least, I get these questions from time to time). Often it's these questions that can open a person's horizon on what a drink can be and introduce them to something new.

There is a bubble tea for everyone: For the sweet-tooths, tea connoisseurs, and even the health conscious (yes, there is health conscious boba).

For those who are hesitant of trying this delicious concoction, think of it as an adventure next time you trek out on your next food trip (P.S.: it's also a great conversation starter). And to those who have given bubble tea multiple chances (maybe even one), give these places a try, you won't regret it.

For the tea lovers/connoisseurs: Shiny Tea (Flushing, Queens)

If you're craving high quality tea or looking to quench your thirst, Shiny Tea is there for your thirst-quencing needs. All their tea is shipped straight from the Hanlin Tea Room in Taiwan and will probably be the closest you'll come to authentic Taiwanese bubble tea (P.S. they also have location in Taiwan and a new UWS location). They also have a variety of toppings you won't find at your typical boba joint such as aiyu jelly or dried plums. Besides the tea, they're known for their "mixed bubbles" (small and big tapioca). Be sure to ask for a stamp card, you'll receive a free drink of your choice once it's full. *ice + sugar level customizable, cash only*

**Osmanthus green tea with herbal (grass) jelly and mixed bubbles**

**Wenshan tea with herbal jelly and mixed bubbles**

Favorites:

Wenshan tea with mixed bubbles (white mini pearl +black pearl) and herbal jelly

Osmanthus green or oolong tea with aiyu (fig) jelly

Pu-erh tea with herbal jelly + mixed bubble

Tieguanyin tea with aiyu jelly + mixed bubble

Your new go-to: Kung Fu Tea (Multiple locations)

Kung Fu Tea's popularity has been increasing since their first opening a few years ago. Now a franchise, you can get your bubble tea fix in more than one borough. As with all franchises, it's key to find the best locations that are consistent; some locations make the drinks better than others. They offer cool flavor combinations, have regular competitions, and promotions. Kung Fu Tea is interactive with their boba drinking community; I recommend to use their hashtags to win gift cards or free boba. At KFT, You can order slushies, straight tea, milk tea, and even coffee (certain locations only). *ice and sugar level customizable*

**Grapefruit green tea at Kung Fu Tea's Chinatown location**

Best locations:

Kung Fu Tea, St. Marks Place (Manhattan) *has coffee options*

Kung Fu Tea, Chinatown (Manhattan) *cash only*

Kung Fu Tea, inside New World Mall food court (Flushing, Queens) *cash only*

Kung Fu Tea, inside Food Gallery 32 (Korea Town, Manhattan)

Kung Fu Tea, inside Queens Crossing Mall (Flushing, Queens) *cash only*

Favorites:

Golden oolong/jasmine green tea with bubbles and herbal jelly

Grapefruit/Orange green tea with bubbles and herbal jelly

Matcha slush with red bean and bubbles

Mocha slush with bubbles

Mango slush with bubbles

For the health conscious foodie: Tea + Milk (Astoria, Queens)

Tea + Milk has been getting a lot of recognition for their healthier approach to bubble tea. They have a variety of tea flavors that are the shop's personal brews. If you love taro milk tea this is the place to get it; they use real taro, not the purple powder most are accustomed to. What's special about Tea + Milk is not only the welcoming atmosphere, but an amazing cup of freshly brewed tea. This would be a good location if you're just trying boba for the first time, especially if you're feeling iffy about texture. The do still have tapioca, but also offer aloe and chia seeds. And while they do have milk tea, try their signature cream instead--especially with the heartier teas like roasted oolong and black tea. *sugar level customizable*

**Roasted oolong with signature cream and hibiscus peach white tea with aloe and chia seeds**

Favorites:

Roasted oolong with signature cream and tapioca

Fuji Apple Chia Green Tea with aloe

Hibiscus Peach White Tea with aloe and chia seeds

Jasmine Green Tea with chia seeds and aloe

For the Organic and Green Tea lover: Nohohon Tea Room (St. Marks, Manhattan)

Nohohon Tea is a new St. Mark's addition that offers bubble tea in all things matcha and organic. Tucked away upstairs from the main strip, Nohohon transports you to Japan with it's intimate space and Japanese decor. The matcha used to make your drinks is 100% real, organic matcha from Japan, not the fake matcha served at Starbucks. If you're lactose intolerant, hate milk, or vegan, they offer non-dairy milks and use natural sweeteners like agave. Nohohon also offers the traditional tapioca, but I recommend trying their adzuki beans for an added element of flavor. You'll find unique matcha drinks here utilizing coconut water, lavender, and hazelnut. Though small, there is a bench available to sit and watch them make your drink from scratch, using traditional methods to whisk the matcha. Sign up for their rewards program and receive promotions such as buy one, get one free or a free upgrade or topping.

**Tokyo fog w/ red beans and Furano Field with tapioca**

Favorites:

Furano Field with tapioca/red beans and soy milk (lavender matcha)

Tokyo Fog with red beans and soy milk/almond milk (vanilla matcha)

Green Haze with tapioca and soy/almond milk (hazelnut matcha)

I'd love to know if you've try any of these places! Hopefully they become favorites of yours too.

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

Matcha Bar

Matcha, a ground up powder made of high quality green tea, has been the new health craze in NYC. From matcha lattes to matcha baked goods and even matcha smoothies, NYC has a coffee equivalent craving for all things matcha. Matcha Bar has opened a Manhattan location which makes it much easier to get your matcha fix.

ABOUT

Opened by Max and Graham Fortgang, they're one of the few matcha-focused cafés that are changing the matcha game with quality and service. They serve their own brand of ceremonial grade matcha (the highest grade) that they get from Nishia, Japan. They're extremely welcoming and are happy to answer any of your matcha-related questions. If you're looking for good quality and real matcha (not Starbucks), this place is a good place to start.

INTERIOR

The window seat is the best seat in the house, with pillows and lots of room for a group. The large windows, which are open on nice days, let in the perfect amount of natural light. It's smaller than their Williamsburg location but still has the same chill, retro-esque vibe that makes them unique.

DRINKS + TREATS

They have different types of matcha drinks and there's something for the traditionalist and the new-comer.

A few unique drinks include:

-Peaches and cream matcha (w/ almond milk)

-Cucumber mint matcha

-Cinnamon maple matcha

I have yet to try all their treats, but so far their matcha macaroons and matcha cacao bars have my heart. If you're craving something more savory they also have sandwiches avaliable.

**Large iced matcha + large iced peaches and cream matcha (w/ almond milk)**

Join the matcha family by using the hashtag #matchafam, grab a stamp card and a couple matcha bar stickers while sipping on your delicious cup of matcha goodness.

You can find Matcha Bar Chelsea at 256 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011

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

The Whitney

I have fond memories of The Whitney. I remember the numerous visits my mom and brother took me to as a child. One of my favorite things was their workshops, specifically the sewing one. It was then that I learned how to sew and make my own pillow, some of which I have to this day. I was ecstatic and excited when I found out about the construction and opening of the new Whitney. *This is part three of the photo series from my mom's birthday (Check out the others here and here).*

Check out the new Whitney at 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

All photos by me.

Camera: Canon Powershot ELPH 130 IS

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

Matcha Cafe Wabi

I think I fell in love with Matcha Cafe Wabi at first sight. I discovered the cafe through one of my favorite bloggers (here). It's cute and offers a wide variety of treats to satisfy your matcha needs and cravings. I was eyeing the affogato (matcha or espresso) and parfait, but I'm leaving that for when the weather gets a bit warmer. P.S.: It's quite a walk, but totally worth it.

Matcha Cafe Wabi can be found at 233 E. 4th bwtn Avenue A and B.

Instagram

x Yzabelle

Kyoto Dreaming

Yesterday I stopped by Ippodo Tea with my brother and Siu. For a tea lover (specifically matcha) it's definitely a place to visit. There's craftsmanship and care put into each cup of matcha with a variety of teas to choose from. If you're looking for real matcha, this is the real deal. They also offer classes, one of which I'm looking forward to signing up for.

So far, the best matcha I've ever had. I'm looking forward to the day when I get to visit their Kyoto and Tokyo shops. Do you guys like matcha and/or tea? What's your favorite?

Ippodo Tea can be found at E. 39th between Park and Lexington Ave.

For history and more information:

Website

Faceboook

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

Coffee Shop Vibes

I love coffee shops. There's something about the intimate setting that can spark unexpected conversation. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to finally visit Rex; I've been wanting to stop by for quite some time. Rex is small compared to some Starbucks', but makes up for it with the music, atmosphere, and coffee. My friends and I tried their cortado as well as their cookies (chocolate chip and peanut butter). Their cookies were flavorful and moist and I'm looking forward to trying their other baked goods. As for their cortado, it's one of the best ones I've had other than Abraço's in East Village.

When the Starbucks or my favorite café is crowded I'll definitely be stopping by for some good coffee with a book intact.

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