Take a trip to mexico without leaving the city

I caught up with two of my girl friends in NYC and we went to café frida, a Mexican restaurant on the upper west side. The atmosphere and décor is fantastic. We sat upstairs and they had an indoor authentic-looking fake roof. It's a very young, fun scene. We had chips and guacamole to start – excellent, you can never go wrong with chips and guac. I had a mojito to begin the night, it's a drink for special occasions, since I usually drink white wine or vodka soda. They add tons of mint leaves, it was a great drink choice! Since I am kosher, I eat vegetarian when I go out. I ordered the chile relleno – roasted poblano pepper stuffed with sweet potato, wild mushrooms, toasted pumpkin seeds, ricotta, fresco and cotija cheese. It sounded delicious but lets just say I was very surprised when they brought my dish out. It was one green pepper stuffed with what looked like pink mush. Much to my dismay, they pureed all of the vegetables. I would have loved for the vegetables to have been chunky and it seemed from the description they would cube the vegetables and cook it together. I would go back to the restaurant but I can guarantee you I will not order that dish again.

Screwdrivers and mimosas

I have been to Isabella's on the upper west side in NYC twice for brunch - once on a Saturday and the other on a Sunday. The only difference is drinks are included on Sunday beginning at noon. Isabella's is in a great location- they have outdoor seating and the decor is rustic. The portions are a good size, the price is right and the food is great. You can't make reservations for brunch but I have not waited more than 15-20 minutes and it is so worth the wait. There is a food market on the next street you can walk around to kill some time. The wait staff is great, they can alter things on the menu an  they certainly do not rush you to finish eating. The first time there, I ordered the French toast stuffed with caramelized bananas; it was fantastic! I can picture it now, two pieces of what seemed like cinnamon raisin bread cooked well done with caramelized bananas in between. It comes with grand mariner strawberries (I asked for fresh) and warm syrup. It was delicious and filling. This past weekend I went back for Brunch and ordered the farmers egg white omelet. I got it without turkey bacon and salsa. It was delicious - the vegetables were cooked perfectly and had a very light and tasty seasoning. It wasn't an omlete per se because the veggies were not cooked in the omelet, it was more like the eggs were a tent over the vegetables. It was a very large portion. I also got well done potatoes - it had a rosemary seasoning - mmhm yum. My only complaint was that the egg were not hot. I also would suggest they try cooking the vegetables in the egg. The way it is now you have I fish under the egg to eat the veggies. Overall though the taste was certainly there and the food was fantastic. Everything looked great as well. I would say 4.25 stars - I highly recommend this restaurant!

Banana Egg Rolls... yumm

Last week I went to PF Changs near chinatown, Boston with a large group of friends. We started the night off at the bar with drinks and lettuce wraps (chicken and vegetarian). The bartenders were great - a white sangria was not on the drink menu but they made it for me anyways and it was delicious! My other friend ordered one too. After we finished our first round of drinks we moved over to a table. I ordered the buddhas feast for dinner - its vegetarian. It was really bland, the vegetables and tofu were steamed with no sauce and the tofu was extremely thin. I don't like a lot of sauce in dishes, a little goes a long way. For dessert, I split an order of the banana egg roll. Its amazing - it comes with coconut ice cream and caramel sauce. Its a must have! Now, if you don't like bananas this will convert you into a banana lover for certain!!

Q Restaurant

Two weekends ago about 5 of my friends and I went to dinner at Q restaurant near chinatown, Boston. The restaurant is known for hot pots - you cook your own meats and vegetables in a boiling broth - meat takes about 30 seconds and vegetables about 2-3 minutes. I got the vegetarian broth and a variety of vegetables (tofu, broccoli and corn). Everything was very fresh but quite bland. They do provide some dipping "sauces" but some were spicy and another was just simply minced garlic. 

Overall, it was a fun experience. The wait staff was great - very attentive and friendly. I would probably not order a hot pot again but I wold certainly return because the atmosphere was great for a group.

MAX BRENNER

I was watching "The Best Thing I Ever Ate..." on the Food Network and Max Brenner's chocolate pizza was mentioned. Since I saw that episode over 6 months ago I have been dying to eat at Max Brenner. Lucky for me, a couple of months ago, one opened in Boston on Boylston Street. I finally got to indulge at Max Brenner in Boston 3 weeks ago. They have a very extensive menu - if you are indecisive I recommend looking at the menu online prior to going. I went around 10 or 11pm on a Saturday. It was busy, the bar was packed but the service was fabulous and very quick! I ordered the banana tempura fondue it was amazing!! If you are a banana lover, which of course I am, I highly suggest ordering it. Everyone was extremely happy with their dish as well. I cannot wait to go back and try the chocolate pizza. I highly recommend going to Max Brenner.

My rating is 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars.

Smoothie time

Yesterday, I took the blender out and decided to make a healthful filling smoothie and that I did. This recipe is for banana lovers.

1 large banana 

3/4 cup crushed ice

1 cup almond breeze milk (i use original, 40 calories/ cup)

1 tablespoon of peanut butter (optional)

Blend and in no time you have a delicious and very healthful smoothie!

Al Dente

Al Dente is a very small, rustic italian restaurant in the North End. I went for lunch on a Friday with 8 other people. I ordered the grilled fig salad to start. I thought the figs would be hot and cut up but instead it was cold, which was fine, but I would have preferred if the figs were cut more than just in half. I ordered the gnochhi for my entree; it was one of the best I have ever had - no complaints. One person in my party ordered veal parm and another chicken parm and the server mixed up the dishes but by the time they noticed they werent going to swap and neither wanted to return the dish. Another member order penne al vodka but the pepper seasoning was too overpowering. Another, ordered pesto with pasta but it was very oily- it was more like pasta with oil and a little pesto mixed in which was quite disappointing. Although, I had a fantastic pasta dish the rest of my guests were not thrilled which is disappointing since the North End usually never fails.

Modern Pastry, Not So Modern Recipes

Despite the name, modern pastry uses quite old and traditional recipes... thank goodness for that! I have been to Mike's Pastry many times so I wanted to try out Modern. I walked in with friends and family. Modern is much smaller than mikes and also has a much smaller selection. There also wasn't nearly as long of a line that Mike's typically has. I would say not off to a great start. We ordered a linzer tart, well i should say attempted because they dont have those nor knew what I was talking about. I then proceeded to order a rainbow cookie (3 layered cookie red, yellow and green). We also ordered a couple of lace cookies and a canolli (ricotta filling with chocolate chips). Now for the tasting review: I have eaten a fare share of rainbow cookies and these were not good. The lace cookies were okay. However, the canolli was fantastic and I am not one for canollis but there was nothing not to like. 

Side note: I love these cookies and have made them twice; it was quite the undertaking but they came out pretty good. I would also consider myself a rainbow cookie connoisseur. I buy them everywhere I go.

Next time I am in the North end, I will probably go to Mike's Pastry unless I am craving a cannoli and then I am crossing the street and walking into Modern.

Not your mothers Lavagna

Last Saturday evening it was pouring in NYC so My boyfriend and I did not want to venture that far so we went to Lavagna. It is a very small restaurant with a romantic rustic feel. The bread was fresh and the dipping oil had olives in it and was very flavorful.


We had one of the specials of the evening to start - white pizza with asparagus. It was good.


Then I ordered the fedelini fini (type of spaghetti) with toasted garlic and rusted tomato sauce. It was pretty good but a little spicy. The portions are a perfect size; not too big, not too small.


Dinner didn't stop there, for dessert we ordered the apple torte that sat in a pool of the most delicious butterscotch sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. We ate all the sauce and was on a sugar high later. I have one critique, I didn't taste much apple at all - there was more dough than apple.


I rate this restaurant 3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Symphony Sushi

Symphony sushi is the place to go when you are craving some Japanese food.

Salad with their scrumptious ginger dressing is typical of any japanese restaurant - but it never fails to get old. The edamame are also a must!

The sushi is good and fresh. Obviously, cucumber inside out rolls are my go to.

However, my favorite dish there is the brown vegetable fried rice. I have never had it before Symphony Sushi. I order it almost every time I go here. Its amazing, I eat it all up! Its a nice change and a little healthier than the typical white fried rice.

The mochi is really good too! Its a night and light way to end the meal.

Symph Sush is always busy and the service is great; everyone is very friendly and accommodating.


** They also deliver