Well, it is the moment we've all been waiting for! (At least I know I have been waiting for it.) Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale has finally reopened their outside dining section!
Candlelight, for those who don't know, is a fairly well-known mom-and-pop owned restaurant located on Central Avenue.
Once a residential house, owned by the Tracey family, Candlelight was turned into a restaurant in the early 1970s. It is family-ran and boasts the title "Best of Westchester" in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Other awards include the Hottest Wings award in 2011 and the Best Late-Night Dining in 2008.
Candlelight is the go-to place for wings and a cold beer. Regardless what time you arrive at this place, you are sure to find both the bar and the dining area packed.
Its kitchen is open until 3 a.m. every night of the week, and they do not believe in taking off for vacations! You can literally get Candlelight at almost anytime! And the best part is, they just recently started delivering until 12 a.m.
Usually, Candlelight does not open its outside dining section until after Memorial Day weekend but, because the weather has been so cooperative the past 2 weeks, they decided to open it sooner.
Dining outside at Candlelight is a different experience than dining in doors. Inside, though comfy, it is somewhat crowded. Picture a medium-sized living room turned dining area. It's pretty crammed and if you're not sitting in a booth you're probably going to have to share a table with another couple. This can either turn out to be a great experience of the worst night of your life, depending if you get along with you fellow diners.
Outside, it is breezy and comfortable. The waitresses never forget about you and, because they pool their tips, multiple waiters and waitresses will serve and get you whatever you need throughout your time there. There is no need to hunt and wave down your waiter as you would at a different restaurant.
I recently went to eat at Candlelight with, who else? My boyfriend.
First we ordered the broccoli poppers. I get this every single time I go to Candlelight (which is more than I'd like to admit) and they are amazing!
I've never seen them at any other restaurant, so let me explain to you what these consist of. Broccoli poppers are a head of a piece of broccoli with American cheese rolled into a ball of flour and deep fried. Yup, amazingness.
The small order comes with 6 and the large comes with 10, we usually try to stick with the small. This will run you around $6.
For my meal I ordered the grilled chicken Cesar salad (I know, boring, but all this eating is getting me fat!) It was great, as usual. The croutons are always nice and crunchy and their homemade Cesar dressing has just the right amount of Parmesan cheese incorporated into it. This costs around $11.
My boyfriend ordered the hot buffalo wings cooked well-done and of course I had to have a few. They are so good, but sooo spicy! If you cannot take the heat, do not order the hot wings, they will have you panting for breath. This will run you about $10
We ordered a pitcher of Bud Light for about $12, which poured out to 2 glasses of beer each.
If you're looking for a great, little spot to stop and grab a quick bite and a beer, Candlelight is your place to go! It's great for all ages and very family friendly.
For another take on Candlelight, here is a review from Matt L. on Yelp.com:
If you've never been here, GO!
It's nothing fancy but the food is always good. Every time I go I expect to wait for a table, whether it be 5 minutes or 45 minutes, it's worth it - however there have been several times when I sat down immediately.
I love the wings, ribs, meat nachos, any of the fries (regular, curly or waffle), burger, etc. and recommend anything on the menu.
PS,
In regards to other people's negative reviews; ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Texas De Brazil Opens in Yonkers!
Texas De Brazil is a must-go-to Brazilian restaurant. It is an authentic Brazilian-American steakhouse that combines the foods and spices from Southern Brazil with the "everything is bigger in Texas" mentality.
There are over 50 items to choose from including appetizers, main dishes, sides, and deserts.
At $45 per person, it is an all-you-can-eat soirée! Simply turn your place card to "green" and prepare to be swarmed by a troop of waiters and waitresses serving various cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage.
But wait -- there's more! Each cut of meat comes with you choice of side item and house-baked Brazilian cheese bread. You will leave there feeling more full than ever!
But wait... What about drinks? If you've been reading my blog posts, then you know that I am a lover of a great glass of wine.
Texas De Brazil's in-house wine connoisseurs will help you to select the perfect wine that pairs well with whatever it is that you're eating. It saves you the headache and the anticipation of wondering if your drink pairs well with your food choice.
As you can imagine, the meat is fall-off-the-bone good. Made daily, all of the food is very tasty and prepared well using spices and herbs that will awaken your senses.
The staff will not hesitate to cater to any needs you may have during your dining experience. More pepper? They will gladly get you it. About to finish you last sip of wine? They are right there, waiting for you to put your glass down so they can refill it for you.
I came to Texas De Brazil with my boyfriend for our anniversary. We decided to go last minute, so we did not have time to make reservations. We figured that since it was a Monday night, it wouldn't be too crowded.
We arrived around 8p.m. and there were a good number of people there. We got a drink at the bar while we waited for our handheld buzzer to alert us that our table was ready.
About 15 minutes later, we were brought to a nice cozy booth.
First, I decided on the filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes. Both were fantastic! The filet minion, as expected, was juicy and tender.
My boyfriend ordered the pork with caramelized bananas and It was just as amazing.
Though I was pretty full after my first main course, I could not help but want to try more! I turned my place card over to "green" and had the waitress cut off some lamb for me. As imagined, it was SO good!
Our bill, including the alcohol, came out to about $120. You must remember, it is $45 per person, all you can eat, but alcohol is not included in this flat rate.
I totally recommend this place to a group of friends looking to have a fun, festive meal or a couple looking for a wonderful, romantic dinner.
Texas De Brazil is child-friendly, and children under 2 years old eat for free. They also offer senior and military discounts.
For another take on Texas De Brazil, here is Santos' Yelp.com review:
"Great place to take out your family, plus it has the most wonderfully staff. I has a party of 16 and they handles us easily. Food was OMG great the manager is a good person... Joe the waiter was great He know how to make a large good of people feel like we are at home... Great job Joe!"
There are over 50 items to choose from including appetizers, main dishes, sides, and deserts.
At $45 per person, it is an all-you-can-eat soirée! Simply turn your place card to "green" and prepare to be swarmed by a troop of waiters and waitresses serving various cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage.
But wait -- there's more! Each cut of meat comes with you choice of side item and house-baked Brazilian cheese bread. You will leave there feeling more full than ever!
But wait... What about drinks? If you've been reading my blog posts, then you know that I am a lover of a great glass of wine.
Texas De Brazil's in-house wine connoisseurs will help you to select the perfect wine that pairs well with whatever it is that you're eating. It saves you the headache and the anticipation of wondering if your drink pairs well with your food choice.
As you can imagine, the meat is fall-off-the-bone good. Made daily, all of the food is very tasty and prepared well using spices and herbs that will awaken your senses.
The staff will not hesitate to cater to any needs you may have during your dining experience. More pepper? They will gladly get you it. About to finish you last sip of wine? They are right there, waiting for you to put your glass down so they can refill it for you.
I came to Texas De Brazil with my boyfriend for our anniversary. We decided to go last minute, so we did not have time to make reservations. We figured that since it was a Monday night, it wouldn't be too crowded.
Pork and filet mignon with dipping sauce. |
About 15 minutes later, we were brought to a nice cozy booth.
First, I decided on the filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes. Both were fantastic! The filet minion, as expected, was juicy and tender.
My boyfriend ordered the pork with caramelized bananas and It was just as amazing.
Though I was pretty full after my first main course, I could not help but want to try more! I turned my place card over to "green" and had the waitress cut off some lamb for me. As imagined, it was SO good!
Mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas |
I totally recommend this place to a group of friends looking to have a fun, festive meal or a couple looking for a wonderful, romantic dinner.
Texas De Brazil is child-friendly, and children under 2 years old eat for free. They also offer senior and military discounts.
For another take on Texas De Brazil, here is Santos' Yelp.com review:
"Great place to take out your family, plus it has the most wonderfully staff. I has a party of 16 and they handles us easily. Food was OMG great the manager is a good person... Joe the waiter was great He know how to make a large good of people feel like we are at home... Great job Joe!"
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
City Island's Oldest Restaurant Still Can't Be Beat!
I have been to the Black Whale in City Island in the Bronx numerous times, and everytime it has been a delightful experience.
Just yesterday my boyfriend and I decided to go there to grab dinner. We were exhausted and did not feel like cooking (we love being waited on and catered to.)
The Black Whale seemed like a perfect fit, it is quiet and comfy and you feel as if you're sitting at home with your own personal chef.
We requested our favorite waitress, Melissa, and ordered a drink right away. She then informed us that the Black Whale began a special since the last time we had dined there: Add $6 to the price of any salad pasta or fish entree and recieve an appetizer and a dessert.
The choice of appetizers are: Mixed Green Salad, Caesar Salad, Soup of the Day or Fried
Potsticker Dumplings (shown below, right.)
You can also choose you desset from the following: Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Layer Cake (shown below, left) and Crème Brulee.
This seemed like such an amazing deal and we just couldn't pass it up!
Fried Potsticker Dumplings |
I ordered the Fried Potsticker Dumplings (pictured right) and my boyfriend ordered the Ceaesar Salad. For dessert we ordered the Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream and the Chocolate Layer Cake.
We split our appetizers and desserts and I walked out more full than I've ever felt! (There goes my diet!)
The Potstickers were amazing, they had just the right amount of pork to vegetable ratio and the soy sauce tasted like one we usually get from our favorite chinese food restaurant.
The desserts were beautifully presented and scrumptious. The Apple Crisp was crispy and flaky, and melt in your mouth delicious. The vanilla ice cream completmented the texture well.
The chocolate layer cake was even better. Layers of chocolate mousse combined with layers of chocolate pound cake topped with chocolate icing and a strawberry smoothered the plate. Need I say more?
Chocolate Layer Cake |
Our bill, not including our drinks, came out to around $35. This is including two appetizers, two desserts, and two entrees. If you ask me, it's a pretty amazing deal for exceptional food, great service, and wonderful atmosphere.
For another take on the Black Whale in City Island, here is Mark Anthony B.'s review from Yelp.com:
Monday, April 2, 2012
Dellprimo's Pizzeria in Yonkers Hits the Spot
Dellprimo’s Pizzeria is an Italian pizzeria/restaurant in
Yonkers, NY on Central Ave. It recently had its grand opening, and I have been eager to give it a try.
Being that I live in Morris Park in the Bronx, I am very
biased when it comes to traditional Italian cooking. My boyfriend, whowho has already eaten there many times, has been telling me about this pizzeria and claimed that I would love it
(he knows how picky I am.) So, just yesterday I decided to cross my fingers,
walk on in and order a slice.
To my surprise, he was right! (I’m usually the one who’s
right… only about 100% of the time.)
The owner greeted us warmly when we arrived. He
recognized my boyfriend, since he has been going there since they first opened.
He took our order, personally brought our food to us and asked us if
we needed anything else. It is a very small place, but they treat you as if you’re
dining in an elegant restaurant.
The menu is priced well and, besides pizza, features
traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna, baked ziti, and stuffed shells. Appetizers,
and hot and cold sandwiches are also made to order.
Regular slice from Dellprimos |
For an Italian restaurant/pizzeria in Yonkers, I would have
to say that this is the best I have been to. The pizza crust is thin and
crunchy, and there are a wide variety of foods available. If you’re ever in the
area, it is definitely a place to stop by to grab a quick bite.
A slice of pizza will run you around $2.50, but if you get a fountain drink you can purchase a soda and a slice for $3.50.
Their slogan is “Where Quality isn’t Expensive… It’s Priceless!” And they do live up to it.
A slice of pizza will run you around $2.50, but if you get a fountain drink you can purchase a soda and a slice for $3.50.
Their slogan is “Where Quality isn’t Expensive… It’s Priceless!” And they do live up to it.
For another take on Dellprimo’s Pizzeria, here is J.E.’s
review from Yelp.com:
I've been ordering food here regularly for a few months now.
After ordering from six or so pizzerias in the area, this is the best I've
found so far. Their pizzas usually arrive on time and they're always hot.
Greasy as hell, but delicious nonetheless. Granted, I live nearby, but I've had
pizzas delivered over shorter distances that seem to have crossed a minefield
in Siberia to get here, so this is always a plus (not that I don't admire the
courage it takes to cross a battlefield in the tundra to deliver food, mind
you).
Apart from the pizza, their menu seems pretty big, and just about
everything I've ordered from here (pizzas, calzones, some sandwiches) was good
enough to order a second or even a third time.If you're in Yonkers and you love
greasy, delicious Italian food, then yeah, this is for you.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Yard House: Great Food, Great Service, Overall A+
Steele Platt founded Yard House
in the early 1990’s. The first Yard house was located in Long Beach in Southern
California. His idea to create top-notch quality food at affordable prices
combined with over one hundred beers on tap won over the hearts of the locals.
He then realized that his concept could be expanded, and decided to open
multiple locations.
Today, there are multiple Yard house’s in Arizona,
California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada,
New York, Virginia, and Texas.
Onion ring tower |
Yard house features American
fusion cuisine. There are over 130 items on the menu ranging from appetizers, salads,
pastas, sandwiches, tacos, grilled burgers, individual-size pizzas,
seafood, steaks and ribs.
The Kids Klub menu includes fresh-to-order favorites
including a selection of healthy items for children. The atmosphere can be
described as lively, classy, and young. Flat screen TV’s pointed in every
direction broadcast the day’s news and sporting event. It is a place that can
be enjoyed by families and friends.
Upon arrival to Yard house in Yonkers, my friend and I waited
around a half hour for our handheld buzzer to alert us that our table was
ready. It was a Friday around 8PM, so the amount of people there was excusable.
Summer salad |
We ordered the onion ring tower for an appetizer and I had the summer salad, which consisted of romaine lettuce, strawberries, avocado, oranges, candied walnuts, leeks and spiced balsamic vinaigrette. It was delicious and tasty. The ingredients were very fresh and complemented each other well. I ordered a strawberry daiquiri to compliment my food and it was just right. Not too strong, not too weak, the bartender put just the right amount of rum. I was a happy camper!
The bill came out to around
$70, which I thought was understandable for an order consisting of two
alcoholic drinks, an appetizer, and two salads.
The posh, young crowd made us feel as if we were right at home and the waiter was extremely attentive, helpful, and patient.
Upon leaving Yard house I
was extremely satisfied. I felt, as though it was money well spent, the food
and service could not have been better.
I recommend this restaurant
to a person in there 20s or 30s who enjoy an upscale, lively place with great
food and people.
For another take on Yard
house in Yonkers, here is Melissa S.’s review from Yelp.com:
I wanted to rate it a 3.5 and I'll tell you why...
Positives:
1. Service is good. Servers are very knowledge of there products and
have patience with you.
2. Setting is great for any customer-family, date, and
group of friends.
3. 130 beers to choose from-any beer lovers dream
4. Happy
hour deals that are beneficial considering the prices are a little steep on
some items.
5. TV's all over so great to go to for sporting
events.
Negatives:
1. Not impressed with the food. Small portions, big price.
And taste is decent.
2. The parking situation within the complex stinks.
Its $3.25 per car even if you're there an hour. And Yard House
doesn't validate the parking ticket, other places in the complex do.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Introducing the New and Improved Moonstruck Diner!!
Moonstruck on 58th |
Moonstruck Diner/Restaurant on East 58th St. is a young, cool place to visit, grab a sandwich and a glass of wine, and just kick back and relax. The atmosphere is cozy and fun, complete with shiny booths and a futuristic flare. Weird, spiral lights peek out from the walls and ceilings. Red, green, and yellow lights glow and will give you the feeling that you have walked onto another planet.
Recently, Moonstruck has been expanding its space. Another room has been added featuring more spiraly lights and a section of baked goods including various types of cakes, pies, and pastries. After some inquiring, I found out that they currently changed owners, which meant that the cooks, and entire staff is being changed also.
The food is better than ever. The price is rock bottom, especially for the midtown East side of Manhattan. It is not your typical diner food. The veggie burgers are out of this world delicious, the fries are just the right amount of crispy, and the chicken soup will cure the worst of sicknesses. The new chefs are amazing, named Choi and Roberto, and will wave at you as you walk by the entrance of the kitchen when they see you. The staff is overall friendly and kind, as well as extremely attentive.
My recent lunch at Moonstruck Diner. |
For my lunch yesterday, I decided I would order the veggie burger without the bun, a side of tomato as well as a side salad (as you can see, I'm watching my figure!) The food was prepared to perfection and not only was it delcious, it looked amazing. The chefs at Moonstruck take pride and truly love what they do. They do not just cook your meal, they arrange it to look visually appealing also.
Overall, the bill came out to be about $15, not bad for a diner in an exceptional area of NYC, huh? I recommend stopping in for a bite if you're ever in the area and the best part about it is that they're open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! You just can't beat it.
Moonstruck's menu can be found here. You will notice that the prices are extremely affordable, averaging in at around $10 for breakfast, $11 for a sandwhich, burger, or wrap (including fries), and about $25 maximum for a complete dinner including sides, salad, and optional soup. Overall, I think the prices are very fair considering this diner's location and it's quality of food.
For another take on Moonstruck Diner on 58th, here's Jenny C.'s review from Yelp.com: "On a scale of new york city, this place is average good. But, I come
here all the time because it's convenient, there's always room, they
have everything you could possibly crave on a Sunday morning, and their
salads are bangin'! Oh, and plus one, they have sanitary hand wipes
for all you germaphobes out there."
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Yucatán's Opening is a Far Cry From Grand.
The cool, baby blue awning catches your eye as you walk down Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx.Yucatán Restaurant describes its food as "a blend of Mexican and Caribbean" tastes that will awaken your senses like never before. Oh, how I wish it were true...
The hostess greeted us graciously when we arrived and attempted to seat us rather close to the noisy bar where sports games were turned up loudly. Strike One.We politely asked for a booth, she obliged.
We were given nachos and salsa to munch on before our meal arrived.The salsa was OK, just OK. In my opinion, the Tostitos salsa available at the supermarket is better. Strike two.
We began with drinks. I ordered a strawberry daiquiri and my friend ordered a Malibu bay breeze, both tasted as though they were virgin. Strike three.
Burrito from Yucatan |
For my main course, I decided on the steak burritos (see picture to left). The portions were rather large, but the food was sub-par. I had asked for my meal to be prepared without cilantro and the waiter assured me that everything was made to order. However, when my food arrived there was cilantro in it. I asked for it to be taken back. Strike four.
My friend ordered the chicken quesadilla's. After trying some of her food, my mind was made up. I would never come back to this restaurant again. The chicken was very dry, even paired with cheese and toppings. It seemed as if it was pre-made and thrown into the oven five minutes before it was served. Strike five.
Yucatán's bar area |
Our bill came out to a lot more than expected, about $95 for just two people. This confused me, since we hadn't even ordered appetizers! I guess the minute amount of alcohol poured in our two drinks really put the check over the top.
We were shocked to find that the restaurant did not have change for large bills. We witnessed waiters and waitresses scrambling around, speaking angrily in Spanish to each other, trying to figure out what to do. I'm not sure where they came up with the change, but eventually they did. Shouldn't a restaurant be prepared for situations like this?
All in all, it was a disappointing experience. Restaurant goer Edgar S. on Yelp.com, also had a similar dining experience. He said "I didn't get nachos. The bathroom had no paper towels (I had to dry my hands and face with a bar napkin that was stuck all over my face and hands.) I overheard the waiter tell a patron they ran out of chorizo. I was told I would get salsa and never did and apparently they had a hard time getting my change from my bill." Apparently, Yucatan Restaurant is not too fond of giving change to customers.
I would not reccommend Yucutan Restaurant to anyone looking for a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience. From the service to the food, Yucatán is below average.
Don't let the pretty awning fool you.
Do You Crave 4 Cupcakes?
Crosby Avenue in the Bronx is now home to a new upscale cupcake boutique, Craving 4 Cupcakes. Once only located in Manhattan, this adorable pink-themed store brings life and elegance to the once dreary and grey Pelham Bay area.
Craving for Cupcakes offers a wide range of good, but pricey treats for cupcake lovers of all ages. Upon arrival, the smell of baked goods hits you. You may think you've died and went to cake heaven.
This mini boutique delivers to all five boroughs of the New York City area including Long Island. Minimum order for delivery is two dozen cupcakes which you can personalize according to flavor, frosting, and topping. The options range from the typical chocolate or vanilla cupcake to the outrageous meringue, Oreo cookie and peanut butter flavored cupcake.
I decided to walk in and sample a few cupcakes myself. I decided to order the typical chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting, topped with sprinkles.It was good, but I'd choose my grandmothers cupcakes over these any day. Also, $5 for a rather small cupcake is a little too pricey to keep me coming back for more.
Cheesecake is also on the menu and I decided that a small bit couldn't hurt. Toppings to choose from include cherry, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and pineapple. The cheesecake is much better than the cupcakes. It is rich and creamy - it is melt in your mouth good. I ordered mine topped with strawberries. They tasted fresh and complemented the cake nicely.
Birthday parties for children can also be held at the bakery. Here, kids can learn how to bake and create their own personalized cupcakes for one another.
All in all, Craving 4 Cupcakes offers a friendly, warm and fun atmosphere. However, their cupcakes can use some improvement and their price should be toned down. Their delivery charges are also a bit outstanding compared to the quality of food they offer.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Mixing it Up With Some Japanese
Growing up in Morris Park in the Bronx, I have never had a reason to satisfy my craving for Chinese food with anything other than Mr. Q's Chinese Restaurant. The decor is inviting, simple, and clean and the staff could not be more attentive. This is not your traditional take-out Chinese place, it is far more than that. It is an experience in itself of the Chinese culture that helps you to appreciate the food even more.
Recently, as I was driving down Williamsbridge Road towards my house, I glanced at my favorite Chinese restaurant and noticed that something had changed. The awning no longer read "Mr. Q's Chinese Restaurant," but read "Mr. Q's Chinese and Japanese Restaurant." Boy, was I confused. What I did next was completely out of my control. I pulled over, found a parking spot, and marched right on in there.
Kim, the woman who is usually working the counter, greeted me with a smile.
California Rolls from Mr.Q's |
"Do you have..... SUSHI???" I asked, half shocked and half overwhelmed with excitement. She said they did, and she would be happy to give me some and have me tell her what I thought.
The sushi is great. The California rolls, which are most popular, are very, very good. The crab in them tastes fresh and each roll is made to order. Nothing is ever pre-made.
To this day, I have never been disappointed by anything I have ordered from Mr. Q's. Both the Japanese and Chinese food are both top-notch. As far as taste goes, I give them an A+.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Blackboard Pizza Shop Opens in New Rochelle
The smell of fresh baking bread and homemade marinara sauce hits you the moment you walk into Blackboard Pizza Shop. Promptly, a friendly man by the name of Joe greats you and gives you a warm welcome. Suddenly, a feeling of great comfort overwhelms you and you feel as if you're already part of the Blackboard family.
Blackboard Pizza Shop is owned and operated by college-aged culinary professionals who are attempting to give the word "pizza" a whole new meaning.
Among the traditional pizza featured on the menu, there are many sweet deserts and twists on traditional-style Italian food
The Peach BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza is to die for! It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Its ingredients include BBQ pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, roasted corn, and scallions. Each bite is bursting with an unexpected flavor.
Aside from the traditional pizza toppings such as grilled chicken slices and Sicilian-style pizza, Blackboard offers a wide range of paninis, salads, and pastas.
For the dieters, there is a whole wheat pasta dish dubbed"Cousin Steve." The pasta is tossed with sautéed broccoli, sundried tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella in garlic & oil. Need I say more?
The "Freshman 15" desserts are made to order. These devilish treats will have your stomach full and are sure to keep you coming back to Blackboard for a long time, maybe even after you've gained those 15 pounds! Included on this portion of the menu are Fried Nutella Oreo's and Reese's and Nutella Pizza.
Both desserts are made to order. The Fried Nutella Oreo's are similar to any fried oreo's you might find at a carnival or a neighborhood feast, but with a genourous helping of fresh, creamy Nutella. The Reese's and Nutella Pizza consists of pizza dough topped with tons of Nutella spread and numerous small chunks of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Talk about Freshman 15, more like Freshman 30!
All in all, Blackboard Pizza Shop is, so far, very successful. Iona College students, as well as the locals, have been flocking to this new spot since it has opened only a month ago. Business has been booming and shows no signs of slowing down.
Blackboard Pizza Shop is owned and operated by college-aged culinary professionals who are attempting to give the word "pizza" a whole new meaning.
Among the traditional pizza featured on the menu, there are many sweet deserts and twists on traditional-style Italian food
The Peach BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza is to die for! It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Its ingredients include BBQ pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, roasted corn, and scallions. Each bite is bursting with an unexpected flavor.
Aside from the traditional pizza toppings such as grilled chicken slices and Sicilian-style pizza, Blackboard offers a wide range of paninis, salads, and pastas.
For the dieters, there is a whole wheat pasta dish dubbed"Cousin Steve." The pasta is tossed with sautéed broccoli, sundried tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella in garlic & oil. Need I say more?
The "Freshman 15" desserts are made to order. These devilish treats will have your stomach full and are sure to keep you coming back to Blackboard for a long time, maybe even after you've gained those 15 pounds! Included on this portion of the menu are Fried Nutella Oreo's and Reese's and Nutella Pizza.
Reeses and Nutella pizza paired with vanilla ice cream |
All in all, Blackboard Pizza Shop is, so far, very successful. Iona College students, as well as the locals, have been flocking to this new spot since it has opened only a month ago. Business has been booming and shows no signs of slowing down.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Old Italian Ambiance With a Modern Twist
"Oh my gosh, we're definitely getting one of those little pizzas!" I squealed, as Melissa and I walked into Patricia's Brick Oven Pizza and Pasta on East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx for dinner. This is not just any Italian restaurant, it is one of the best.
The atmosphere has an old Italian-style flare about it and upon arrival the wonderful scent of pasta and baking bread instantly has your mouth salivating. After being seated at a small table furnished with a few small candles in the center, we immediately ordered a glass of wine. Seconds later, to our surprise, the waiter arrived with one of those small personal pizzas and put it in the center of our table. "We didn't order this..." we said to each other, but we weren't complaining. Soon we realized that Patricia's does not only start their customers off with a generous sized bread basket, they also give each table a small, six-slice Margarita pizza to share! The crust is so thin and crunchy that you almost wish you can eat the whole thing to yourself, and I must admit that I had to hold myself back to leave room for my main course.
After devouring my lasagna in record speed, which was cooked to perfection, Melissa and I discussed if we should see a dessert menu. We said, "we'll just see what they have..." Well, what a mistake that was! The dessert menu consists of a variety of Italian pastries and cakes that will have you thinking you've died and gone to heaven. From tiramisu to homemade gelato, we wanted it all.
After having a heated debate over whether we would order Nutella filled pastries or zeppoles, we decided to call Tony the waiter over and ask him what his opinion was. That's the deciding factor, we thought. After explaining our dilemma, the waiter told us "don't worry girls, I'll make a special platter for you... it's on the house." Out came a beautiful platter consisting of light, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastries stuffed with delicious Nutella spread and fresh zeppoles straight from the deep fryer covered in powdered sugar and dollops of whipped cream. Need I say more? It was pure amazingness!!
After having a heated debate over whether we would order Nutella filled pastries or zeppoles, we decided to call Tony the waiter over and ask him what his opinion was. That's the deciding factor, we thought. After explaining our dilemma, the waiter told us "don't worry girls, I'll make a special platter for you... it's on the house." Out came a beautiful platter consisting of light, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastries stuffed with delicious Nutella spread and fresh zeppoles straight from the deep fryer covered in powdered sugar and dollops of whipped cream. Need I say more? It was pure amazingness!!
I strongly recommend Patricia's to all lovers of traditional Italian cooking. The atmosphere, the food and the service are simply unbeatable. The staff is so attentive and warm that you almost get the feeling that you are sitting at nonna's dinner table being told "mangia, mangia!" and you keep eating because, well, you just can't get enough.
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1. Crab cakes - scrumptious.. although not Maryland-style, they come pretty close
2. House red wine - French.. good enough.. get a bottle.
3. Banana honey shake (vanilla ice cream, honey & bananas) - you can taste the honey.. soooo good
4. Black angel (2-scoop hot fudge sundae served over angel food cake) - I opted for the cookies and cream and coffee ice cream, with whipped cream topping, of course.
5. Drunken whale (Godiva, Kahlua, coffee & steamed milk) - a must-try for chocolate-minded folks.
6. Crème brûlée - legit.. can't go wrong
7. Tiramisu - I forget how good semisweet chocolate sauce tastes like.
The place used to be just a dessert restaurant, and you can tell. They have outdoor seating and there's tons of funky stuff around the place. Plus, you can buy t-shirts as souvenirs.