Month: March 2019

Paneantico – Brooklyn, NY

I am a sucker for fresh made desserts. I got so excited when I walk into a bakery and smell all the sweet treats in the air. That is exactly what happened when I walked into Paneantico in Brooklyn.

This neighborhood Italian bakery offered up fresh pastries, assorted desserts, fresh baked breads, plus homemade sandwiches.

They have a few tables that you can sit at to enjoy your sweets there. However, I was on the go so I got my treats to go in order to eat them on my drive.

Everything in their cases looked delicious. I easily could have ordered one of everything but I limited it to what would actually fit in one box:

  • Cannoli (mini)
  • Carrot Cake
  • Napoleon
  • Black & White cookie
  • Éclair

I started with the black and white cookie. I could not wait to take a bite, making sure to get both the chocolate and vanilla icings. The cookie was definitely sweet. The cookie dough was soft but not too cake like.



The éclair was also pretty easy to eat while driving in the car. The chocolate icing on top was soft and gooey. The pastry was loaded with the vanilla pudding. The pudding was creamy and full of vanilla flavor.

The mini cannoli’s were a nice treat. The shell had a slight hint of cinnamon flavor to me. The filling was a sweet with a creamy texture. There were chocolate chips mixed through out to add a little crunch. The only downside is the filling did not go all the way through the shell. It stopped in the center.

So I took a break from eating everything in the car. I ended up saving two desserts to enjoy in the hotel. Once I got a fork I dug into the carrot cake. The cake was light and fluffy. It had a wonderful spice flavor and was loaded with fresh carrots. The cream cheese frosting was my favorite (it is always my favorite part). It was not too sweet and extremely creamy.

I saved the Napoleon for last. The layers of flakey dough were stuffed with the fresh cream filling. There was also the signature layer of icing that topped off the pastry. It was slightly hardened. When I went to take a bite the cream went everywhere. I ended up dividing it into two pieces, which made it easier to eat, plus using my hands verses a fork helped too.

I loved that I got to make a stop at Paneantico. Every dessert I had was fantastic. I would definitely make a detour back to Brooklyn the next time I am up in New York. They are worth crossing the bridge.

Check them out at www.paneantico.com

Enjoy!

T

Bella Mia – Bradenton, FL

I love Italian food. When I came across a little family owned restaurant called Bella Mia I wanted to make sure I stopped in for lunch.

I was greeted so warmly as soon as I walked in. As I walked to my table I noticed a wall full of pictures. These pictures captured years of customers enjoying the food created at Bella Mia.

The waitress brought over a full plate of garlic knots. This fresh made bread was loaded with melted butter and garlic. They also covered the knots with grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. After just one bite I knew these were addicting. I had to be careful because if I ate too many knots I would not have room for the rest of my lunch.

They offered a few lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. I went for the eggplant rollitini. It came with a side of pasta and a side salad. It was a large portion, especially for lunch.

The salad was a typical side salad. I got it with blue cheese dressing.

The eggplant was fantastic. It was thin slices of tender eggplant that was loaded with Ricotta cheese filling. The pasta sauce had wonderful flavor that was slightly sweet with a tanginess.

They gave a generous portion of pasta on the side. They covered it in the same pasta sauce. It was very filling and almost too much with the eggplant dish. It was rich because of all the cheese.

Bella Mia was a great little local place to get a quick homemade Italian meal. Check them out at http://www.bellamiafl.com

Enjoy!

T

Roux – Tampa, FL

I have written many times about brunch. Normally when I have brunch it’s on a Sunday. It’s a fun thing to do and enjoy time with friends. I was really surprised when I found a place that offered brunch on Saturday. Roux offers New Orleans cuisine in the heart of Tampa.

          

They are located in a small strip center and the parking lot is small. I got there right when they opened so it was not an issue but at dinner it could be a challenge. The good news is they offer valet parking. Though it looks small on the outside, they are fairly large inside. They have a huge bar so that you can enjoy a happy hour drink.

Since I got there early in the day getting a table was easy. However, I would recommend a reservation if you head there for dinner. My waiter mentioned that the evenings are usually very crowded.

   

I started brunch off with one of Roux’s BOGO mimosas. I had my choice of juice so I went with pineapple. I love pineapple juice; it makes the mimosa much sweeter than orange juice, which can make a mimosa sour.

Since they are a New Orleans restaurant they had boudin balls as a starter. They came with three jumbo balls filled with pork, rice, and seasoning; right in the center they were stuffed with pepper jack cheese. They were lightly breaded with a seasoned flour and there was a decoration of spicy mustard on the plate.

When I cut open the boudin ball, the melted cheese poured out. The spiciness of the pepper jack added extra flavor to the finely shredded pork that was used. The breading on the outside added a lot of crunch but it did not have a lot of flavor, but I used the spicy mustard for that.

Part of their brunch specials were $1 oysters. They naturally could be ordered raw, but it would not be a proper New Orleans restaurant if they did not offer char-grilled oysters. They can be ordered in 6’s and 12’s. I started off with 6, this way they would stay hot and if I got too full I would not waste any.

The oysters they use come from New Orleans, so they are a little sweeter. They came loaded with parmesan and Romano cheese and a house made compound butter.

As soon as the first oyster hit my lips I knew I was going to order another 6. The butter was loaded with garlic and each oyster was drenched in it. The cheese was melted in the center but the edges were crispy as they touched the hot shells. They were smaller in size which I prefer because it makes them easier to eat in one bite. Little pieces of grilled toast came with the oysters, which were essential to dip into the excess garlic butter.

If you have never eaten oysters before I can offer up one little trick. Make sure after you have eaten one you turn the shells over. This way you do not miss a single bite.

Roux offers up a very different brunch experience than I am use to. It was delicious and I would recommend them to anyone. They have many more traditional brunch items on their menu as well. You can check everything out at http://www.rouxtampa.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

 

Pizza & Calzone – Brooklyn, NY

I was enjoying my visit to Brooklyn. There were so many places to eat every where I looked. It rally came down to what tickled my fancy. When I saw people coming in and out of Pizza & Calzone constantly I figured they must be good.

As soon as I stepped through the door I was hit by that wonderful smell of pizza cooking in the oven.

They had several varieties of pizzas to choose from. Their slices were huge.

After looking over all the options I went for a Sicilian slice, Unlike regular slices of pizza that are cut in the traditional triangle shape, Sicilian pizza is cut into squares.

I also ordered one of their homemade calzones. I got a single one with just mozzarella cheese. What makes their calzones so special and stand out is that they are deep fried. This allows the dough to be extra crispy.

Since I was going to be heading back to Manhattan, I got my order to go. I figured I could eat it in the car on the way back.

The pizza had a super crispy crust. The fresh tomato sauce was amazing. It was sweet and full of the flavors of oregano and basil. Speaking of basil, they also added fresh basil on top for added flavor.

The crispy calzone was also amazing. Although it was deep fried, the outside was not greasy. The dough had a slight sweetness to it but it was masked by the saltiness of the creamy cheese.

Whether you are eating there or getting something to go Pizza & Calzone is a must visit. www.houseofpizzacalzone.com

Enjoy!

T

Ferdinando’s – Brooklyn, NY

I ventured over to Brooklyn to check out an Italian restaurant that has been serving up homemade dishes since 1904. I could not wait to check out Ferdinando’s.

It was in between shops and houses. It had that old school vibe both inside and out. From the cool original tile on the floor to the Holy Family statues displayed in the corner, Ferdinando’s was filled with a rich history.

It is a history of feeding generations of families with homemade Italian food, made with love.

I started off ordering a Manhattan Special. This is a coffee soda that is bubbly and sweet. They actually have it on tap, which I have never seen before.

The arancina special was calling my name as soon as I spotted it on the menu. I could not wait to dive into one of my favorite Italian dishes.

This rice ball was filled with chopped meat, peas, and sauce. Because I ordered the “special” my arancini was topped with Ricotta cheese and covered in a homemade tomato sauce. Naturally they also covered the sauce with grated Parmesan cheese.

I was in heaven as soon as I took a bite. The rice was tender and moist. The meat had the right amount of sauce to add flavor not just to the meat itself, but also to the rice. The peas added extra sweetness to the sauce that already was sweet.

All the cheese on top added a creaminess to the sauce and to the rice. This hands down had to be one of the best arancinis I have ever eaten.

I also ordered a Panelle and Potato special while I was there. I had never had this before. So Panelle is chick pea flour that is made into a patty and deep fried (almost like a potato pancake). The potato part of this special was a potato croquette.

These two elements are combined on a fresh made Italian roll, along with fresh Ricotta cheese. The cheese made the sandwich creamy. The panelle added crunch. The potato added the heartiness to the dish that made the sandwich quiet filling. Since I had already eaten an entire rice ball, I only ate half of the sandwich. Luckily I was there with a friend who I could share it with.

Ferdinando’s was an amazing place. It is full of a rich history of feeding hungry families across the generations. You have to experience this little piece of history when you visit Brooklyn.

Check them out at www.ferdinandosfocacceria.com

Enjoy!

T

Felice Italian Pork Store – Clearwater, FL

Are you looking for a little piece of New York’s Little Italy in Florida? If you said yes then you must head over to Felice Italian Pork Store & Deli. It is tucked away in a shopping center but when you walk in you think you have been transported to New York.

There are racks of imported Italian sauces, oils, and foods including a freezer section filled with pastas.

There are deli cases full of fresh cheeses, homemade sausages, deli meats, fresh Italian breads, and pastries. Plus there are fresh made Italian dishes that you can either get them to go or have them warmed up and eat in their small cafe area.

     

     

     

I did get some items to go in order to fill up the refrigerator at home. However, I could not pass up having lunch there. I started off with a bottle of Manhattan Special. This is a coffee soda that is sweet and bubbly. I have never seen this outside of New York.

I made sure to get some of the fresh Italian bread. It had a crispy crust and was soft on the inside. I ate a few pieces with some fresh olive oil but saved the rest to dip in the pasta sauce that would be coming with my order.

I picked out a few things from the deli case. The good thing is they warmed everything up until it was nice and hot and then they drenched it in the pasta sauce.

The aranchini was the first thing I tried. I love aranchini and I always get them when they are on menus. The filling was ground sausage, peas, and mozzarella cheese. The sausage was full of flavor and tasted amazing with the sauce. These rice balls were really cheesy. The rice helped soak up more herb flavor from the sauce. Absolutely delicious!

The next thing on the plate that I tried was the meatball. It was only one and it was huge. The meat was dense but still very moist. They did not use a lot of filler so the seasoning of the meat shined through and it had great texture.

The final item was the eggplant. This was an Eggplant Rollatini. It was filled with cheese so when I cut it the cheese just oozed out. The eggplant was cooked perfectly. It was tender but still firm. Eggplant and cheese go so well together.

Now I could not go to an Italian place without getting a cannoli. Because my lunch was so filling I got a cannoli to go. I knew I would enjoy it later.

This was one of the best cannoli I have ever had. The shell was super crispy. Sometimes cannoli shells can get slightly soggy once the filling is in. The filling was creamy and soft. It did not have that gritty texture that sometimes can happen. They also were extremely generous with the filling; they filled all the way through the shell. I took a bite and filling went everywhere.

Felice’s was a great find. Whether you are eating there or taking something home you will not be disappointed. Check them out at www.felicedeli.com

Enjoy!

T

Savannah’s Candy Kitchen – Savannah, GA

Savannah is a fascinating city. It is filled with a rich history. There are a plethora of places to eat and drink. There are also several places that can help satisfy a sweet tooth. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is the place I chose to check out for something sweet.

This candy shop has been around for over 40 years. They have several locations in town. I visited their location along the famous River Street. I could smell the yummy chocolate as I walked up to the door. They are known for their pralines, which I found out as soon as I saw their sign.

The shop was a magical place. There was candy and chocolate everywhere. I knew it was going to be hard for me to narrow down exactly what to get.

  

  

The main attraction that drew all the attention was the window that allowed customers to watch their famous pralines being made. If you are not familiar, pralines are a soft, creamy blend of sugar, butter, cream and pecans. The candy makers made the whole process look so easy. What was even more exciting was getting to taste a free sample. They were warm and sweet and the sugar just melted in my mouth. It is the perfect hook to get you to buy more.

They also gave out free samples of their homemade fudge. It was amazing. I tried the peanut butter / chocolate mix. It was extremely creamy and smooth. I would definitely recommend this treat.

I wanted to try a few of their other chocolate offerings. The chocolate covered raisin clusters caught my attention. I love Raisinets so I knew I would enjoy these. These homemade treats blew me away. They were 1000% better than anything you could buy at the store. The chocolate was extremely creamy and smooth. It melted in my mouth as soon as I took a bite. The raisins were tender and paired perfectly with the milk chocolate.

The one last chocolate treat I wanted to try was their Gophers. These were layers of milk chocolate, caramel, and pecans. These were basically chocolate turtles on steroids.

The caramel was super soft. When I took a bite it oozed out. The pecans added a ton of crunch and texture. The chocolate helped tie it all together. It was extremely sweet. One was definitely all I could eat.

Visiting Savannah’s Candy Kitchen was my favorite thing I did that day. I really felt like a kid again. I would highly recommend everyone make a stop by one of their locations around Savannah. You can also order some of the chocolate from their website at www.savannahcandy.com

Enjoy!

T

 

Bernie’s Oyster House – Savannah, GA

Strolling up and down Historic River Street I came across a little bar called Bernie’s Oyster House. The building was an old pre-Civil War warehouse. There were several people inside and by the looks of it they were all locals. There was fun writing all over the brick walls from past visitors.

  

They had a sign for their mimosa that caught my attention. They called it a Sassy Mimosa. I asked the bartender what made the drink “sassy” and it is because they use Svedka Clementine vodka in the drink. I think it helped make the mimosa sweeter. It tasted wonderful and I could have easily drank several more.

  

They had a few things on their menu that I wanted to try. I started off with a cup of their seafood chowder. It was basically a clam chowder. It was very creamy. There were nice pieces of fresh, tender clams throughout.

  

I also decided to try the fried stuffed shrimp. These fresh shrimp were stuffed with Monterrey Jack cheese. The breading was very crispy. On the inside the creamy cheese oozed out. It accented the shrimp really well. There was no need to dip these shrimp in cocktail sauce. The cheese added a lot of flavor.

Bernie’s Oyster House was a fun little hangout. I was glad I stopped in to check them out. If you are hanging out in Savannah, head down to River Street and check out Bernie’s. http://berniesoysterhouse.com/

  

Enjoy!

T

 

Cotton Exchange Tavern – Savannah, GA

All along River Street there are tons of old buildings. Most of them are old warehouses that date back to the 1700s. Several of these warehouses have been converted to restaurants, bars, and hotels.

I stopped into one of those bars called Cotton Exchange Tavern.

   

This place was packed. Every table was taken. I was lucky enough to find one of the last seats at the bar.

  

Since I was in Georgia and I love sangrias I knew I had to order their Georgia Peach Sangria. This was definitely a sweet sangria. There was just an accent flavor of peach. It was subtle, not overpowering at all.

  

While sitting at the bar enjoying fun conversation, I ordered the spinach dip. I figured that would be perfect to share.

The dip was loaded with fresh, sautéed spinach. I could tell right away because of the texture and taste. They also loaded this dip with creamy cheese. On top they added extra so that it became crispy after baking in the oven. The saltiness of the cheese paired perfectly with my sweet sangria. It really balanced each other out.

I really had just popped into Cotton Exchange Tavern. I do not even feel I got to experience everything they had to offer. I would definitely want to go back and try a few other things off their menu.

Check out their website at http://www.exchangetavernsavannah.com/

Enjoy!

T