Veritasty: Truthfully Delicious

Sorry for the hiatus: I'm icky sicky!  Still, wish you all a very happy, healthy 2012!

At midnight on December 31, 2011, I am drinking a large mug of coffee, specifically Starbucks Via that Alex so thoughtfully got me as one of my Hanukkah presents.  Five more days! cappuccino and cream-filled croissant from happier times; Milan, 2010 Now, according to Wikipedia, this year I have been barring myself from a substance that may: - reduce risk of Alzheimer's Disease and dementia - reduce risk of gallstone disease - reduce risk of Parkinson's Disease - improve cognitive performance - act as a painkiller (against migranes/headaches) - reduce risk of diabetes - protect the liver from cirrhosis - reduce oral cancers - reduce mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases - have antioxidant properties (...but then, right under all these, Wikipedia also lists the detrimental effects of coffee.  Hmm.) spanakopita and filtered coffee from the foot of the Acropolis; Athens, 2010 Looking back at my (so far) 360 days sans-coffee, I ha...

Happy holidays and, today, Merry Christmas from Veritasty!

Counter Happy first night of Hanukkah! To celebrate, we tapped into Alex's heritage and had a little nosh from one of the most famous Jewish establishments in the Lower East Side, Yonah Schimmel's.  We've passed by it a few times, and Alex has raved about their world-famous and centuries-old knishes and other noshy things.  The storefront is decorated with peeling and fading newspaper clippings and printouts, celebrating its 101 years of existence (mazel tov!).  There are even more newspaper articles and photographs inside, so much taped to the walls that they probably don't need wallpaper!  This is one of those places with so much history etched in its foundation that even though I think the health department would be really turned off, it is a great place to grab a bite. Pac-Man! When we first got inside, it was empty except for the guy who works there and one customer, hunched over a dingy counter with mounds of knishes inside.  They were hav...

So I invented something and I think I'm totally brilliant. I give you, Nutella and saltine crackers! You know how people crave a combination of salty and sweet, like chocolate-covered pretzels or maple bacon? Well, here's an easy combination for you! Who doesn't love Nutella? Nutella could make shoe leather taste good. And I always have saltine crackers on hand because I love hummus and cheese on crackers. Try this, it's kind of fun! P.S. I used a generic brand "Nutella" because, not only am I a busy college student, but I am also a poor one.

French Pastries! Sorry for the lack of foodventures lately.  It's finals season and we are undergraduates, after all.  And although I haven't even taken my finals yet, I'm sitting at my work study job doing nothing so I might as well write about one of the most delicious macarons I've had yet. Naturally. Last week, we took a little trip uptown to Rockefeller Center to see one lovely and enormous Christmas tree.  We were delighted to also be in the vicinity of a bakery famous in macaron circles, Bouchon Bakery.  We tried coming here once in the summer, but they close at 7pm so we missed out on macaronage that time.  No worries, Bouchon Bakery was buzzing and bustling this time! We waited on a sluggish line and eventually ordered one large peppermint macaron for $3.25.  That figure kind of bothered me.  I mean, the thing was pretty big, like the size of a hockey puck almost, whereas most other ones we've had are the size of half-dollar coins....

Wining and dining  In your best Italian accents now: let's have-a risotto for-a dinner. Also, shout out to Alex's dad, who joined us for dinner tonight and serves as our guest photographer today! It's a really rainy day today. Pretty good day for a warm, stick-to-your-ribs plate of creamy rice. We've heard some good reviews about this place: cozy, romantic, and above all, delicious. All these things came true! Risotteria seats about 20 people, tops. It is super "cozy"...really small...but in a way that fits with having a cute and intimate ambiance. There is a bar lined with wine bottles and other Italian imported goodies. There are some cute black and white photographs on the opposite walls. All the tables have empty wine bottles, which we later found out were labeled with the drinks list. How creative! Chicken, olive, pepper Although Risotteria is known for its risotto, one would hope, they also have salad, pizza, and panini on...

Shrimp Ceviche GuacaMOLE Holy mole! Steak A Groupon coupon beckoned us to have Mexican food from Chiles & Chocolate in Chelsea.  The restaurant has got a pretty eccentric ambiance - a lot of mirrored walls, dark wood surfaces, and multicolored Christmas lights everywhere. Our Groupon allowed for appetizers, entrees, and dessert, one apiece, so we went all out. I had shrimp ceviche and Alex had guacamole.  The shrimp came out on a plate...which was unexpected because I'd always thought of ceviche being served in a cup or margarita glass.  There was a little mound of shrimp in spicy red salsa, cilantro, peppers, and onions.  It wasn't what I expected of a ceviche, but it was tasty.  The shrimp wasn't so crisp and there were bites that were stinging in how spicy they were, but overall it was a nice appetizer. Holy moly Chicken mole The guacamole was served in a funny pig-shaped rustic mortar...

Bosie Tea Parlor macarons What a crazy random happenstance that the day we decide to get macarons at Bosie Tea Parlor, Groupon has a Groupon Now deal for macarons at Bosie Tea Parlor. Alex and I went with a friend, another macaron connoisseur, perhaps even more than the two of us.  I've heard great things about Bosie Tea Parlor's macarons, and it's really close to campus so why not have a lovely foodventure after class one day! The tea parlor is a darkly-lit, cozy little restaurant.  Shiny bronze tea canisters line one entire wall, and a lit glass case beckons entrants from directly across the door.  It took me a while to decide which to get, and I really wish I had money in my budget to buy macarons all day, errday. Darjeeling Macaron! I settled on: maple bacon, raspberry, pistachio, jasmine, chai, and passionfruit.  They came in a cute bulbous fold-up box and I was so eager to get home, pop it open, and indulge in macaron heaven. Maple bacon ...