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Now, I’m sure many of you are familiar with the tasty delight or general foodie-buzz surrounding Momofuku and their various locations in NY. I too, have heard many rave reviews of their food, but I was particularly interested in trying the sweet treats at the Momofuku Milk Bar, which also happens to have its own highly-regarded cookbook.

While on vacation in NYC, I made it a point to mark the Milk Bar on my Google map of “places to eat”. Between me, my sister, and Alex, we were able to try a bevy of talked-about sweets including the cereal milkshake, compost cookie, crack pie, corn cookie, and b-day cake truffles.

Momofuku Milk Bar

Clockwise from top left: Crack Pie, Milk Bar bag, compost and corn cookie, birthday cake truffles

I wasn’t thrilled with all of the treats, but the cookies were definitely the highlight. The compost cookie is the perfect balance of multiple flavors/textures — sweet, salty, crunchy, soft, chewy — while incorporating unique ingredients like potato chips and coffee grounds. I also loved the corn cookie which was like a mildly sweet corn muffin-meets-sugar cookie concoction. The crack pie, on the other hand, was a bit too sugary. The sticky and rich caramel custard with the chewy crust was overpowering after the first few bites. Similarly, the birthday cake truffle was extra sweet, although much more manageable in such a small size. All of the items matched perfectly with a sip or seven (yes, that good) of the cereal milkshake, which tasted exactly like you’d imagine (a frozen version of the milk at the bottom of your favorite breakfast cereal bowl).

All in all, it was a bit of a Goldilocks-type of excursion, but I finally found cookies that were a perfect fit for my sweet tooth. In fact, they were SO delicious, I’ve been contemplating buying the Milk cookbook just so I can steal their softly-baked secrets!

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I’m telling you: the east coast is usually such a deterrent with its impatient attitude and summer humidity, however, I’m forever seduced by the food-ventures that are awaiting me there.

I realize that we are pretty spoiled here in San Francisco, but there is something exciting about the food scene on the east coast. From creative ethnic food to strict traditional fare, the sheer volume of undiscovered hole-in-the-wall joints and world-renowed restaurants always bring me back. I’m no Magellan, but I’m on a constant hunt to find the lesser known spots and revisit some classic favorites when I’m on the east coast. Here are a few of the most memorable bites from my recent foodie-vacay (snapped with Instagram). Enjoy!

Washington DC and New York City Best Food from Instagram

Best bites from my Instagram journeys in DC and NYC

1. Fried Chicken Big Biscuit w/Gravy from The Cardinal - East Village, NYC

2.  Tostones Mochimeros from Caracas Arepa Bar – East Village, NYC

3. Grilled Corn Mexican Style from Habana To-Go – Nolita, NYC

4. Mayan Chipotle Mac from Macbar – Nolita, NYC

5. Boneless Chicken Breast Kabob Plate from Food Corner Kabob House - Dupont Circle, DC

6.  Classic Beef Pho from Saigon Shack - Greenwich Village, NYC

7. Crab Pizza from Artichoke Basille’s Pizza - Chelsea, NYC

8. Mini Hazelnut Dolci from Eataly - Flatiron, NYC

9. Cheeseburger, Fries, and Vanilla Milkshake from Burger Joint (at Le Parker Meridien) – Midtown West, NYC

 

I’ve always been the picky eater in my family. Meat on the bone, like wings and ribs, are not my favorite. Sandwiches and burgers are mostly ordered condiment-free. And messy meals have always been a bit unappealing… that is until I discovered the pure meaty joy of some darn good BBQ.

Famous Dave’s BBQ has become a consistent pit stop for road trips down south. In fact, it’s no longer just a coincidental meal on the road, it’s a strategically planned out event that Alex and I refuse to skip when we’re crossing through Gilroy. The decor is delightfully cheesy, and the food has never disappointed.

Famous Dave's BBQ

Menu and basket of sauces

The key to the goodness is in the sauces. They offer 5 traditional sauces and 1 kick-you-in-the-face hot sauce. As a devilish trick to make your mind explode, I’ve listed out the flavor profiles:

  • Rich & Sassy – A traditional BBQ sauce with great tang and a bit of honey (a fantastic staple)
  • Sweet & Zesty – Molasses based BBQ sauce with lots of sweetness and a flavorful punch (extra sweet but great when mixed)
  • Georgia Mustard – A smoky spin on the traditional honey mustard (not my favorite, but a good change from the rest)
  • Texas Pit – Tons of pepper and spices go into this smoky sauce (great peppery flavor if you love dry rub)
  • Devil’s Spit – A punchy and spicy sauce with a touch of sweetness (my ultimate favorite sauce at Dave’s)
  • Wilbur’s Revenge – KICK IN THE FACE habanero BBQ sauce (they serve this in a tiny tiny cup for a reason, fellas)
Chopped Pork Meal

Chopped pork, corn muffin, side of jalapeno mac and cheese

I can never seem to get past the trifecta of Georgia chopped pork, a sweet corn muffin, and the side of mac and cheese. It’s just the perfect combination of guilt, self-hate, and embarrassment that everyone seeks in BBQ… right? Well either way, it’s delicious. Yes it’s a chain, and yes there probably exists better BBQ in the Bay Area, but for me, this place is a gem and I look forward to road trips as an excuse to get my Q on.

My smart, funny, and massively good-looking friend, Danny (you’re welcome) celebrated his birthday last weekend at margarita-haven, Velvet Cantina.

Though I had never been, I was excited to try something new and, lets’ face it, surround myself in the company of beautiful and hilariously fun male friends. We started the night with a few pitchers of fresh fruit margaritas. Now my body can’t handle much tequila, but I did enjoy a sip or two of the generously boozy drinks from my boyfriend Alex’s glass. In between the whispers about our studly waiter and the intellectual conversation on a friend’s psychology research, we shared some pretty tasty bites.

I wasn’t able to capture all of the food in it’s clean and simple Mexican charm, but I was able to snap a few shots of my favorite dishes.

Velvet Cantina San Francisco

Clockwise from top left: Ceviche, Guacamole, Smores Nachos

The ceviche was tart and perfectly cooked with the bright addition of mangoes and crunch from thin tortilla chips. The guacamole was very different than most I’ve had before. It was sans-tomatoes, which made it much more decadent and thick. Then there were the sinfully sweet smores nachos. Who would have thought that crisp cinnamon sugar chips, chocolate sauce, and torched mini marshmallows could be so delicious? Actually, scratch that. Who wouldn’t be all over this combo?

The night was a huge success and everyone had an amazing time. Maybe it was the margaritas. It was probably the margaritas. Either way, cheers Danny! Happy 24th! Looking forward to many more birthdays, and many more trips to Velvet Cantina!

There is only one deep dish pizza place in San Francisco that I get truly excited to visit and that place is Little Star Pizza.

With various locations in the East Bay, Mission, and Western Addition, it has the neighborhood street cred with fantastic accessibility. I have only been to the Divisidero location, though I’d encourage you to try out the one closest to you– I’m sure they’re all good. Little Star does not offer your light and pretty Italian-style pizza. This is the kind of cool pizza joint you go to for casual brewskis and a tasty slice (or 3).

Little Star Pizza San Francisco

Top: Outside sign, Bottom: 'The Classic' Pizza

Although I almost always get the ‘Classic’ deep dish (sausage, mushroom, onion, bell peppers), their thin crust pizzas (like the pesto one) are delicious too. In terms of flavor, I think what sets Little Star apart from other deep dish places (like Paxti’s) is the crust. While many places get the texture and thickness wrong by making it too flaky or biscuit-like, Little Star keeps their crust crispy, thin, and full of the cornmeal-y grit that stands up well to the heavy toppings.

They also serve a few other items aside from pizza, like a caprese salad and spicy chicken wings, but you’d have to tell me how those are. When I’m at Little Star, my entire food-capacity goes strictly to pizza (and maybe a beer).