Food – Uptown Moxie

Pizza, pizza!

March 18, 2014 Mandy1 Comment

Due to a busy morning and, per the schedule, what looked like it was going to be a busy afternoon, yesterday I planned to take a short lunch break. Because I like to pretend I’m tiny and wealthy, I usually grab lunch from one of the near-ish delis on my break. Due to pressed timing, I decided to opt in for the closest thing available: a pizzeria next door to my office.

Upon walking into the pizza shop, at almost the exact same time my stomach loudly roared in hunger just as my eyes landed on an attractive, stylish man sitting close to the register, eating a single slice of pizza. I was greeted by the guy behind the counter, “hello Señorita, what can I get you?” Ummm one slice WAS enough last time. I’m trying to lose some weight here, is pizza really the best option? From the counter guy I heard, “HOW MANY SLICES YOU WANT?” Okay, I’m actually starving but the cute, metro boy is just eating one slice. “ONE? TWO? THREE? FOUR?” I panicked. My stomach growled for a second time. “FIVE? SIX? SEVEN?”

“Uh, the margherita. Just one slice, please.”

Who was I kidding? I was back for seconds twelve minutes later. Thankfully, the most-likely gay young man (remember, I work in Chelsea, hello?) had finished his skinny man meal and left. Also thankfully, the owner gave me slice number two at a discount — maybe because I scorned him for judging me, but probably because he really was. At least I burned more calories having to make the walk twice?

Moral of story: always trust your gut. Especially when it comes to pizza.

Dough Loco

December 18, 2013 MandyLeave a comment

Last week, a friend told me about a new-ish donut shop that opened up a few streets over from my apartment. It was allegedly getting rave reviews, and was known for its huge, doughy pastries PLUS it serves the smoothest coffee this side of the Hudson: Blue Bottle. He didn’t have to say much more to convince me to check it out on my day off.

Dough Loco is located in a small hole-in-the-wall hipster shop on Park and 97th. I went in the early afternoon on a Thursday and it was dead — literally zero customers inside — which should have been awesome… except they didn’t have wi-fi and the guy behind the counter was giving off some awkward vibes, so I decided to indulge in my fit of gluttony in Central Park.

The donuts I decided to try were the Maple Miso, per all of awesome the Yelp reviews I read, and the Raspberry Sriracha because HELLO, RASPBERRY SRIRACHA?!?! Also, the Yelp reviews were all “they’re SO big — there’s no way any normal sized person could eat more than one — really even an entire donut!” Needless to say I ate both, fulfilling my need to constantly affirm my impending obesity. They were big, doughy, just the right amount of sweet, and ever so satisfying. The Maple Miso was fine — really just tasted like a regular sweet donut to me. The Raspberry Sriracha, as the name obviously suggests, is where it’s AT. The Yelp reviews also foiled me into thinking it was going to be heavy on the raspberry flavor and light on the spiciness of the hot sauce — not the case. I got a fun little kick with each bite, and wouldn’t hesitate to call it the best donut I’ve ever tasted. [Disclaimer: I’m not a donut enthusiast, so keep it in your pants, Doughnut Plant obsessives.] Regardless, Dough Loco is a great, trendy addition to the UES/East Harlem hoods, and I’ll definitely be back.

Friendsgivukkah Recipes

November 25, 2013 MandyLeave a comment

Thanksgiving week us upon us, pals! While I’m excited to have a few days off of work, spend time with some of my amazing friends and see the Macy’s parade in person, I’m a little bit dreading cooking for Friendsgiving (Or Friendsgivukkah, as I’m refer to it while pretending I have Jewish friends that will be in attendance). While I’ve had my outfit picked out for a week, I’m a little more last minute when it comes to preparing my portion of the menu. I like to pretend I can hold my own in the kitchen (I CAN if you consider “holding my own” microwaving a veggie patty and eating it off of a paper towel); but in all honesty, cooking is challenge for me. Perhaps, more that it’s something-I-don’t-allot-the-time-for-because-I’m-single-and-content-eating-microwave-popcorn-everyday, and less an actual challenge. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Here are some recipes I’ve found on the web that sound awesome — so someone should probably make them and bring them to our gathering because letsbehonest, I’m bringing wine.

Bacon + bourbon + carbs are a few of my favorite things…
Brussel spouts with balsamic and cranberries. A perfect side!
Growing up, brownies were kind of my specialty. This brownie pecan pie doesn’t look too daunting.
And pumpkin bread pudding? Come on. Come. ON.
This recipe for Spiced Cranberry Sangria looks exponentially tasty, and in all realness, is probably what will be my contribution to the holiday.

Restaurant Review: Meatball Shop

November 7, 2013November 7, 2013 MandyLeave a comment

My friend and I recently had a dinner date at New York’s favorite meatballery (that sounds like a thing, right?). TMS has five locations in the city (we went to the one in Chelsea) and is known for their completely customizable menu. You choose your type of ball, sauce, and how you’d like it (i.e. on a salad, in a sandwich, etc.). I had only been once before (during the two months that I was a vegetarian, so it doesn’t count) and my friend had never been, so we were excited to get our meat on.

I choose the spicy pork balls with classic tomato sauce aside of the roasted veggies of the day: brussel sprouts. My friend ordered the chicken balls on top of carrot and thyme risotto with a side salad. We both loved what we had, although I wish they had turkey balls on the menu…for some reason eating chicken in a ball weirds me out.

Because we’re both fatties and my friend heard amazing things about their ice cream sandwiches, we decided to splurge on dessert. We both had brown sugar ice cream (which was unreal!); he sandwiched it between snicker doodle cookies and I with the daily cookie: pecan devils food cake. I raved and raved about it so much in the following days that my colleague at work walked down on her lunch break and tried my creation for herself. :)
P.S. The era of bad cell phone pictures on here is coming to a close soon, I swear. You’ll just have to bear with me for a littttttle while longer. Sorry!

Restaurant Review: The Boil

October 22, 2013 MandyLeave a comment

The past few weeks have been very work-centered for me, so when a good friend asked me to catch up over dinner this past weekend, I jumped at the opportunity. She was craving crab, so after she conducted some internet research, we decided to hit up The Boil, a seafood restaurant in the Lower East Side.

This local spot’s core competency is that after “boiling” your critter (i.e. shrimp, lobster, clams, etc.), they combine it with a sauce and spice-level of choice, shake vigorously, and serve it in a plastic bag. The real fun is in sloppily maneuvering through your sauced-up friend(s) with plastic gloves and de-gutting them before eating. It’s very hands-on, a little murdery, and probably not the best first date joint — unless you have absolutely no inhibitions in which case I’m indefinitely envious.

If these official Yelp reviews don’t sell it for you; Go. For. The. Garlic. Bread. But, seriously. That bread is heaven-sent and like $2. Done and done.

The Boil is definitely a one-of-a-kind seafood joint, even in the plentiful land of restaurant options that is NYC. My friend and I both really enjoyed ourselves, and although beheading two pounds of shrimp isn’t something I see happening again my personal near future, I’d go back sooner rather than later for the experience alone.

Beers, Birthdays and Blurbs on Feminism

September 20, 2013 MandyLeave a comment

Happy Friday to all, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my dearest friends, Jorge! May the next quarter of a century present as many adventurous and prosperous fortunes to you as your first!

Jorge and I (along with a few other friends) stumbled into this fantastic West Village beer garden called Houston Hall last Sunday, and needless to say it was a very pleasant surprise. The restaurant/pub opened earlier this year, and apparently the location was converted from a functional parking garage. Their beers were hoppy, their grilled cheese menu was one of the best I’ve seen, and their atmosphere and ambiance was truly unique. Having so many options of restaurants and bars in the city, I often don’t frequent the same place twice, but I can honestly say I can’t wait to head back here.

P.S. I didn’t forget Feminist Friday! My intentions are not to always take the easy way outs, but for this week, here’s a great interview with Anna Holmes, the founding editor of jezebel.com, who strongly believes that this f-word doesn’t deserve the negative connotations it often carries.

Enjoy the last few days of summer this weekend!

Some New York Style Fun

February 2, 2012February 2, 2012 MandyLeave a comment

I’ve spent the past week or so with some great people doing some really fun things. From watching the sunset over downtown Manhattan from the Brooklyn waterfront to attending a free jazz concert that turned into a free stand up comedy performance, I love exploring things I haven’t done before in the city. I’ll share with you a few of my new-found favorite places:

Korzo Haus in the East Village: This place’s signature item is a DEEP FRIED HAMBURGER…need I say more?

Vagabond Cafe in the West Village: From paninis and crepes to beer and tea, this cute little restaurant doesn’t stop its variety act there. At night, it turns into quite the popular hangout–complete with live jazz music and stand up comedy acts, all free of charge.

The Strand Bookstore in Union Square: “18 miles of new, used, and rare books.” Anyone could literally spend a whole day exploring this one-of-a-kind bookstore that has been around since 1927.

The Continental at St. Marks: $2 drafts and 5 for $10 shots of anything. If you’re in the market for ambiance, it might not be your place. But if you can’t afford much more, I highly recommend at least pregaming here.

Blockheads/Mother Burger in Hell’s Kitchen: I really can’t pass up anything cheap, but $4 margaritas that are actually strong–done and done! The food (which is American at Mother Burger and Mexican at Blockheads) isn’t bad either.

2011_0306spring110209 — Why yes, that is a margarita topped with an extra shot of tequila and a Corona.

Argo Tea in Columbus Circle: This joint offers insanely cool and unique offerings of tea. I would classify it as a little hipster-y version of Starbucks–except I guess not entirely because it’s still a chain. Regardless, it’s still cool in my book.

The Highline Park in the Meatpacking District: If you don’t know, this is an elevated park that used to be railroad tracks. It’s beautiful and free and gives you a fun few of the river and some different areas of the city.

Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg: Local artists and antique finders (?) get to showcase and sell their hard work. It’s only open on the weekends, but for the one-of-a-kind items that you will find there, it’s work the trek to Brooklyn.

Although all of these places are insanely dope, who you are spending your time with is equally important (probably more) as what you spend your time doing. A lot of the time, game nights and movie marathons with friends trump going out to the hippest local venue there is. :) Hope everyone is having a great week!