Tufino: Astoria, NY

Interior

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).

Interior

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

Monello: San Diego, CA

Monello is an intimate Italian restaurant found in San Diego’s Little Italy district, between Kettner and India. Among the endless Italian restaurants and cafes you’ll find there, Monello is a restaurant that is timeless—it strives to serve the freshest homemade and unique pasta in the city.

Interior

Food + Drink

Braised short rib gnocchi + Calabrian salami pizza

Originally, we had wanted to visit Monello for their famous cheese wheel pasta but ending up choosing menu specials. A good thing to note about their cheese wheel pasta is that it doesn’t allow you to customize your pasta order—you order the pasta depending on whichever is the flavor of the day. While everything on the menu looked and sounded delicious, the short rib gnocchi and pizza caught our eye.

Dinner–Braised short rib gnocchi with cream sauce, topped with poppy seeds + Spicy salami brick oven pizza. Served with oregano+ chili flakes and Parmesan cheese on the side

Drinks–Sangiovese wine; a dry red wine with supple flavor, perfect for Savory dishes. Dry and with Berry fruit flavors compliment the spice in the dishes and heightens their flavor profiles. A great red to have alongside anything spicy, burgers, or even like we did with pizza.

Dessert-Pine nut cake served with fresh homemade whipped cream and berries. Served with house made vermouth.

A big thank you to the team at Monello, especially our server “Kris with a K.” You made our Valentines Day dinner extra special and extra delicious. We look forward to stopping by the next time we find ourselves in San Diego. Also a big thank you to Chef Claudia Sandoval to recommending Monello to my boyfriend.

Monello can be found next door to their brother restaurant “Bencotto.”

750 W Fir St. San Diego, CA 92101 bwtn Kettner and India

Website

Instagram

Chef Claudia Sandoval

All photos taken by me and Jose.

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.

Interior

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

Food52's Spring Pop-Up Event

**Food52 set up their office and HQ as a showroom for their products**

Last weekend I had the chance to visit Food52's HQ here in New York City. Every so often they'll have pop-up events, offering the opportunity to interact with the products before purchasing them. Having missed their Holiday Market last year, I made sure to add the pop-up shop on my weekend list of to-dos. Their pop-up was a three day affair with different events going on while you shop. Some of the events included wine tasting Portuguese wines, dessert tastings from Mah Ze Dahr Bakery, and tastings for Ample Hills' newest flavor Burnt Toast.

If you haven't heard of Food52, it's an online shop and community that offers products for the kitchen and home; from beddings, bath robes to vintage cast iron pans and jugs, Food52 has quickly become a mainstay within both the food and the design community. Since their creation, they've had collaborations with brands such as Madewell and continue to branch-out—offering products that are handmade or locally made.

SHOWROOM

KITCHEN

Food52's style and aesthetic can be defined as rustic chic—combining simplistic and innovative items with vintage charm.

**Copper, Brass, and enamel Louise trays by Hawkins New York**

**Madewell x Food52 collaboration: scented soaps, candles, napkins, and small dishes**

BEDROOM + AROUND THE HOME

**One of Food52's collaboration with Hawkins New York**

Food52 teamed up with Hawkins New York to create a series of exclusive candles that evoke the smells and memories of the seasons. While Winter Wreath was the only one lit, they offer more candles that were scattered through the showroom. The collection contains two scents: Tomato Vine and Winter Wreath, but Hawkins offers more scents such as Aix-en-Provence, Hudson, Wellfleet, Marfa, Jaipur, and Ouezanne.

SCENT PROFILES

Winter Wreath: Fresh pine, evoking the sentiments of the holidays

Tomato Vine: Earthy and slightly sweet, evoking farmer's markets in the summertime

Aix-en-Provence: Fresh lavender and wild summer herbs

Hudson: Smoky and sweet, evoking the first fires of fall and smoke from brick chimneys

Wellfleet: floral and beachy, evoking the sunlit flowers of June

Marfa: woodsy and desert-like, evoking campire nights and burning embers

Jaipur: Vibrant saffron, bergamot + musk

Ouezanne: sweet citrus w/ blood orange and anise (inspired by the Rif region in Morocco)

Candles can be purchased on Food52's website here

**A few of the recipe books Food52 sells**

WINE TASTING + MAH ZE DAHR BAKERY

**Mah Ze Dahr served mini samples from their bakery menu + white wine**

Discovered by Tom Colicchio, the quaint bakery can be found right on Greenwich Avenue in West Village. They offer personal twists on desserts we know and love: devil's food cake, cheesecake, and chocolate mousse. What the bakery is most known for is their cheesecake, which has a different taste profile and consistency; it's not dense, and is light and airy with a tart lemon flavor. The crust consists of dark chocolate cookie-like crust. I personally do not like cheesecake, but gave it a try as per request by the bakery staff and the outcome: success. It changed my view point as to what a cheesecake can taste like and it's bakeries like Mah Ze Dahr that do a good job of changing a person's perspective on foods that they may dislike.

**L to R: Coconut marshmallow, raspberry pistachio tart, choux**

**Chocolate + passionfruit mousse verrine**

WINE TASTING BY WINE AWESOMENESS

From 5:00-6:00 p.m., Wine Awesomeness offered tastings of three of their wines from Portugal. Starting from their white wine, then rosé, and finally the red—you're introduced to a wine company that is eager to share their love of wine for countries not immediately thought of for wine. The company offers a monthly wine subscription, taking you on a journey tasting wines from the best regions. They were happy to answer any wine questions pertaining to flavor notes and as well as giving their recommendations for optimal taste. If you don't want to subscribe, they also sell bottle of wines individually.

TATTLY

Tattly is a Brooklyn-based temporary tattoo parlor that specializes in tattoos that are real works of art by real artists. They offer scented herb and flower tattoos that are long-lasting; it took about three days until the tattoo faded. Though scented, the tattoos are safe and non-toxic. It's a fun idea to try it out on how you feel about having a tattoo without the lifelong commitment.

I had a blast at Food52's pop-up event and though I was unable to attend for the other two days, I'm looking forward to their future events—plus utilizing their space and site for endless home inspiration.

Here are the links for the companies that helped make the event feel even more special.

Mah Ze Dahr Bakery

Wine Awesomeness

Tattly

and most importantly, Food52

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend,

x Yzabelle

Exploration Through Literature

To all my book lovers out there, have you ever wondered the history behind that book that you're holding? For new books, that's a simple answer. But old books on the other hand, that's a different story. I've always wondered about the past lives' my books have lived—to whom did they belong to? What have the previous owners left behind? It's a question that's always in the back in my mind—especially when I'm at Strand, Book-Off, or any other second-hand book store.

I no longer buy books to solely read them, but to collect them. Even if I already own the novel, I like having multiple editions with different art work, introductions and edits. Owning and interacting with an old book is a form of exploration. You're not only drawn in by its prose and narrative, but in your hands you're holding a piece of the past, literally.

Over the years I've collected books ranging from 1900 to present day and have found interesting things in-between their pages. In an old copy of Lady Chatterly's Lover, I found an Amtrak ticket from the 90s. It was a one-way ticket for an evening train from D.C. to New York. The ticket was left in-between the book, and I'm assuming the owner used it as her bookmark, eventually forgot about the book, and then sold it off.

**A few of the old books that I've found treasures inside**

**Found at the bottom of a shelf in an army navy store, 1927**

This copy was such a gem to find because all I had hoped for that day was to buy a vintage bag from the Army Navy store. After no luck with bags, pins, or anything remotely close to my size (petite woman problems), I found a dusty shelf with stacks of manuals. Amidst them I found this copy and knew I had to have it. It's apart of a ten volume collection, and I have yet to find/buy the others. One day I'm hoping to purchase the rest to complete the collection.

**The previous owner underlined only in pencil**

The book is small enough to fit in your palms and has that old book smell so many people love. While I didn't find anything such as tickets or notes, the previous owner underlined a lot, such as words and excepts of poetry. The previous owner also dog-eared many of the pages, something that I'm very much guilty of.

**Found at a City Island antique store**

This book is the oldest one that I own, being published in 1900. It's a collection children's stories and fairytales and what I found inside I thought to be quite fitting.

I found an old set of instructions from the 1940s in the middle of he book. Heavily creased and yellowed, it still retains every single word and letter. It was most likely included in the box as the page shows no signs of tearing.

It's summer, 2015. After gorging ourselves on crispy seafood by the pier, we explored the area of City Island. It's a place that you imagine what a small town would be like. At City Island, the houses lined the streets with endless gardens of flowers, everyone knows everyone and there is one small ice cream stall. In the middle of the summer heat it was quiet for 5 p.m.—a time when small towns cease to make noise. One of the antique stores was still open and inside we went.

A cornucopia of history, the store was a collection of old toys to estate jewelry. We say hello to the owner, an older gentleman with the probable age of 65-70. My senses are overwhelmed by the smell of history, by the sight of everything piled together. I stride towards the jewelry and pick up a vintage pearl necklace. Nine dollars.

I asked the owner if he sells any old books. He is excited by my question. "I do!" he pulls out stacks of old magazines and recipe books from behind the counter. He then guides me towards the front of the store. There are shelves upon shelves of books both old and new. I spot Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, and "How to Start a Business."

"You like to read?" I nod.

"I've collected many books over the years. This one is my favorite. Do you like history? It's about this explorer and his wife—"

He hands me the copy of "The Greek Treasure" by Irving Stone. I then tell him I have an interest in Ancient cultures and mention Ancient Egypt.

"If you're going to buy one book in this store—buy this one. It used to be mine and it has maps of his explorations. It takes you on an adventure!"

I buy: "The Greek Treasure," Nora Roberts' "Midnight Bayou," "Fanciful Tales," and an old pearl necklace.

"It's nice to see young people read. Thank you for stopping by, please come again! And when you come again, tell me how you liked that book. It's very good!"

We shake his hand and he hands us his card. He continues to wave as we walk out the door, back into the sweltering heat.

In this copy of The Great Gatsby, I found love dedications with the owner comparing his beloved to Daisy as seen in the first photo. How I came across this copy of Gatsby is a story in itself. I didn't buy it at Strand or find it searching ebay.

Back in high school, a classmate of mine received it from her mom and wanted to either donate it or throw it away—a plan of hers as soon as the year was over. She hated the novel and found it boring. Fast forward to after our exam, when I asked her if I could have the book since she despised it that much.

"This?" she said, flipping through the pages. "It's not even that good."

"If you don't want it, could I have it? I like the book." Excited, I ended up going off on a tangent about how rare the copy was. That was my mistake.

"Nah. I'm going to sell it. It must be valuable if you want it that much."

"I'll pay you—"

"I think I'll sell it."

Months later, it was the end of the school year and I was cleaning out my locker when it happened.

"Hey. No charge. I wasn't going to sell it anyway." She tossed the book at me and walked away. I was first hit with confusion then excitement.

Maybe she got tired of holding onto something that just added weight, or maybe it was sheer luck. Either way, it was when I realized I've always and will always have a love affair with the past.

It was one of those "aha" moments in life when you discover something about yourself. In my case, that I'm a bibliophile who would rather get her hands on the oldest copy possible instead of a new one.

Do you guys collect old books and have you found anything in-between the pages?

x Yzabelle

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

Scent of the Tropics

With the first official day of summer come and gone, I find myself reaching for scents that evoke the tropics. The smell of the salty sea, the taste of sweet coconut, and fragrant tiare flowers are just a few senses that, for me, evoke the type of daydream that we can find ourselves slipping into from time to time.

Because the tropics are such a huge inspiration for me, I've found that these types of scents have become my signature in a way. While I do wear other types of floral scents, I'm still drawn back to the soft and sensuous smell of a humid day in the tropics. At the moment these are all of the tropical scents that I own, but I'm excited to add more (hopefully, soon) from Coqui Coqui and Monoi Tiare Tahiti.

The necklace shown is beautifully handmade in Indonesia and utilizes local materials.

"It's on days like these--

when the sun is hot,

and the air is sweet.

when the palm trees dance

and the sand beneath my fingertips

is cool to the touch."

**Maison Martin Margiela's Replica: Beach Walk and Urban Outfitters' Lait De Coco**

What destination/place inspires your favorite scents?

x Yzabelle

more summer inspiration on the blog

Apr 9, 2016

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

Violet's Bake Shoppe

Violet's is a delicious addition to Forest Hills, adding to the round of new establishments to come (i.e. Shake Shack and Snowdays). Other than Fay Da, there isn't another Chinese bakery in the area. And while I do enjoy the treats (and baos) at Fay Da, Violet's has a special touch. The baker who can usually be seen greeting customers behind the register is passionate about his treats; assisting customers with questions, ringing them up, and letting you know if there are freshly baked goods on their way.

The baker bakes all the pastries on site, all by himself. Though he bakes everything even he has a preference over what he makes. His favorites include the pork buns, mango mochi, and coconut custard. What's special about Violet's (past their customer service) is the approach to traditional Cantonese delicacies (pork buns, pineapple bun, egg tarts). All the sweets offered at the bakery are not as sweet as their counterparts at Fay Da. And not to forget, there is the use of fresh ingredients; their pastries are a healthier approach to sugar and butter laden cakes. The dedication to fresh, quality ingredients can be seen and tasted--my favorite being the mango mousse cake, topped with real mango puree. In the mango mochi there are real mango pieces, as well as real coconut in their coconut pudding. Their treats are naturally sweet with the fruit that is already included, which means you don't need to feel bad when having seconds.

I've gone so often that the baker remembers me, even while walking past he'll wave hello. The baker and the staff is friendly and welcoming, and often offers free samples while you decide on what to get. Violet's is the perfect addition to the neighborhood and is perfect for a coffee date with friends or family.

FAVORITES:

Mango mochi

Coconut pudding

Mango mousse cake

Coffee egg tart

Portuguese egg tart

Chicken curry bun

Whole wheat loaf

Violet's Bake Shoppe can be found at

72-36 Austin St. New York, NY 11375

*All photos by me on a compact film camera*

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

Sea Salt Breezes

Ocean waves, the sun's warmth on your back and sand in-between your toes —these are things that people usually associate with summer. But last December I took a chance and headed to the beach. Though it seemed like a crazy idea at first with it being winter, I went regardless and it turned out to be a memorable and awe-inspiring day. Sometimes it's the unexpected moments that leave an impression. There are times that we need to move out of our comfort zone and try something new. One thing I'm looking forward to are picnics on the beach and taking dips in the ocean.

It's good to know that the beaches are empty during the winter making it a prime location for relaxation and down time. Just remember to bundle up!

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

Interior

Menu

Food + Drink

Interior

Menu

Food + Drink

Interior

Menu

Drinks

To Drink

To Eat

Food + Drinks

Interior

Food + Drink

Interior

Food + Drink

Dinner

Dessert

Interior

Food + Drink

Food

Drink

SHOWROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM + AROUND THE HOME

SCENT PROFILES

WINE TASTING + MAH ZE DAHR BAKERY

WINE TASTING BY WINE AWESOMENESS

TATTLY

TO EAT

TO DRINK

"It's on days like these--

when the sun is hot,

and the air is sweet.

when the palm trees dance

and the sand beneath my fingertips

is cool to the touch."