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Diced – Cary North Carolina

Two years ago, at the age of fifty-seven I decided to get healthy. I needed to lose weight and hated the idea of dieting. I looked all over town for places I could go that would not only be healthy but would deliver on taste. I tried a few places, but they were either too expense for the amount of food served or they were the same boring food that everyone produced.

Diced Gourmet Salads and Wraps

Once day I came across a restaurant called Diced Gourmet Salads and Wraps. It is tucked into a corner in a small shopping center. You can easily miss it if you are not looking for it. But it is well worth the visit. Diced provides healthy, interesting, vibrant food. There is a variety of options for any type of appetite.

When you order a salad, you can choose the base you prefer, everything from brown rice to spring mix, spinach, romaine or iceberg lettuce. There are the normal offerings for salads like tomatoes, cheese and croutons but there are also the exotic offerings such as roasted beets, sweet potatoes and edamame. The food is rich in color, cooked to perfection, and very well-seasoned.

Salads

They do have suggested salads that you can order from, but if there is something you don’t care for you can exchange it for something you do want in the salads or wraps. The other option is to craft your own salad with the multiple ingredients they provide. Or if you prefer something different you can have the ingredients enclosed in a whole wheat, spinach or gluten free wrap.

Diced also offers many different fresh handcrafted dressings or if you prefer drizzles to finish off your meal. There are also finishing touches like croutons, cashews or chow mein noodles. The beauty of Diced is that you could eat there twice a month for a year and never eat the same thing.

Daisy Duke

One of my favorite salads is the Daisy Duke. It is made with turkey, bacon, cheese, eggs, red onions, grape tomatoes and croutons. I’m not a big fan of red onions or croutons, but I can substitute one of the other thirty-one vegetable offerings. The server loads a bowl with the ingredients for the salad and then dump it all into a large metal bowl. Once in the bowl they take a curved knife known as a Ula knife and they chop the salad up into bite sized pieces. This means you don’t need a knife and it makes the salad so much easier to eat.

I have had the grain bowl as well and found that just as delicious as the salad. Diced believes in sourcing as much as it can locally.  The chicken used is cooked daily. Diced provides organic, grass-fed filet and antibiotic free chicken. They provide the freshest possible ingredients, so you get the finest possible food for your body.  You can’t go wrong no matter what you order.

You must try

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to fast food, then you need to try Diced Gourmet Salads and Wraps. It is a great alternative for those of us who are health conscious.

Rate this restaurant if you go there

New York City Delights

  

As an individual who visits New York occasionally, they have many restaurants for their tourists and people who live there. I would like to share my experiences at these restaurants I’ve dined at previously.

Dallas Barbecue

Dallas BBQ
Dallas BBQ Jamaica, Queens Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dallas Barbecue is an establishment located in Times Square, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Chelsea, East Village, Jamaica, Upper East Side, Washington Heights, and Rego Park in New York.

While visiting New York, I’ve dined at Dallas Barbecue in  Times Square and East Village.

This restaurant is a popular hang out for people who regularly visit New York City. The dining environment has a sophisticated and relaxing setting for people who like to socially interact. They offer online ordering, catering, dining, take out and group parties for their customers. Their menu has a variety of tasty food selections available to the public.

Dallas BBQ – BBQ Ribs & Chicken Combo Source: Wikimedia Commons

According to the menu, they have Jumbo Shrimp, Fried and Sticky Tenders, Shrimp and Wings Combo, Crab Cakes, Garden Salad, Caesar Salad, Spinach Salad, Homemade Coleslaw, Steamed Veggie plate, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Texas Crispy Wings, Hot Wings, Honey Basted Sticky Wings, Chili, Chicken Soup, Barbecued Brisket, Beef Ribs, Pulled Pork, Chicken and Hot Dogs.

I recall going to the Dallas Barbecue restaurant with my sister and her friends. I ordered the Honey Basted Sticky Wings which was one of my favorite items on the menu. The wings were fried and coated with a honey Barbecue sauce with an amazing taste. It surprised me when I saw the portion size of my food order.

Dallas Barbecue has a wonderful frozen drink menu to quench your thirst. They serve Pina Coladas, Margaritas, Daiquiris, Pine Apple Crush Virgin Pins Coladas, and Virgin Daiquiris. There are a variety of flavors such as Strawberry, Wild Berry, Peach, Raspberry Mango, Tangerine, Blue Hawaii, and Blue Bull.

My drink had real strawberries not the artificial strawberry taste. The strawberry daiquiri was the best I’ve ever had.

The Times Square restaurant is located 241 West 42nd Street, 7th and 8th Avenue, New York, New York 10036.

The East Village location is 132 Second Avenue, St. Mark’s Place, New York, New York 10003.

Famous Amadeus Pizza Restaurant.

In the summer of 2011, I visited a pizzeria called the Famous Amadeus Pizza Restaurant.

I ordered 2 Sausage Slices with a pink lemonade. The pizza was delicious from the sauce to the crust, it was everything I dreamed of. This restaurant had a cozy and hospitable vibe when you dine in.

The menu consists of Heroes, Wraps, Panini, Baked Dishes, Salads, Italian Dinners, Appetizers, Calzones, Rolls, and their famous New York Style Pizza.

The Heroes, Wraps, and Panini are available with Grllled, Crispy chicken, Buffalo chicken, Cajun chicken, Ham, Italian, Turkey Breast, Turkey Club, and Tuna. The Baked Pasta Dishes such as Ziti, Spinach Ravioli, Lasagna, Stuffed Shells, Spaghetti, and Manicotti are available.

Salads such as the House Salad, Caesar Salad, and Greek Salad with grilled or crispy chicken is a great option. Italian dinners are available with Grilled, Crispy Chicken Parmigiana, Penned with Alfredo Sauce, Veal and Shrimp Parmigiana. The Appitizers listed on the menu are Garlic Knots, Beef Patties, Mozzarella Sticks, Garlic Bread, Pizza Fries, Garlic Shrimp, and Fried Calamari.

Calzones and Rolls have a variety of toppings such as Classic, Pepperoni, Ham, Chicken, Broccoli, Meatball, and Sausage with Peppers. Their famous New York Style Pizzas are available with toppings such as Cheese, Margarita, Sicilian, Meatlovers, Hawaiian, and Buffalo Chicken.

The Famous Amadeus Pizza Restaurant is located 408 8th Avenue, New York, New York 10001.

In December 2018, I went to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree for the first time.

Bill’s Burger Bar

I had dinner at a restaurant called Bill’s Burger Bar. I ordered Buffalo Wings with French fries and lemonade. The atmosphere of the restaurant was mellow and laid-back.

It’s a great place to be with friends during the Christmas Holiday to see the store front displays. This restaurant is located 16 West, 51st Street, 5th Avenue, New York, New York.

The menu consists of Chips and Qeso, Guacamole, Artichoke Dip, Loaded Nachos, and Junk Fries. A soup menu with three flavors such as Clam Chowder, Smoked Bacon Chili, and Pepperoni Pizza Soup. The Burgers and Non-Burgers menu has the Bill Burger Mini Burgers, Grilled Shrimp Burger, Ultimate Cheeseburger and Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

Their milk shake menu has flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies and Dream, Campfire, and Not So Thin Mint.

The restaurant has excellent service with polite waiters and waitresses.

If you’re interested in these restaurants in the New York area, check it out for yourself!

5 Exotic Fruits and Vegetables That Everyone Should Try

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As globalization increases ever more, it becomes increasingly easier to have access to food products that were once totally foreign to America. Believe it or not, there was a time when fruits like mangoes couldn’t even be eaten in America if people tried, because they took so long to ship over that they would be rotten when they arrived.

But now, nearly two decades into the 21st century, there is a lot you can get your hands on, and fast. Specifically, there are a lot of exotic fruits that you can now purchase in America if you have access to the according international market. I’ve researched some of these fruits and compiled a list of five of the most interesting-looking and enticingly described exotic fruits I could find. If you’re into trying new things, you might find these recommendations helpful.

Buddha’s Hand

Buddha's hand
Source: Pixabay
Buddha's hand
Source :Pixabay

The first fruit we’ll investigate is commonly referred to as Buddha’s hand. This fruit just has a wild shape to it. When you look at a picture of it, you’ll understand where it gets its name – from the wildly dendritic, finger-like digits that extend from its base. A lot of people think this fruit is some kind of deformed lemon, which isn’t too far off, considering Buddha’s hand lies in the category of citron fruits. What’s odd about this fruit, however, is its near total lack of fruit inside. There are no juices or pulp-like fillings; it’s more of a rind. Because of this fact, a lot of people choose to use it as a flavor or zest in different foods that they want to incorporate a citrus-ey element into. You might even find it used as a key flavor in meals at restaurants. You never know!

Cherimoya

Cherimoya
Source :Pixabay

Similar to Buddha’s hand, cherimoya is a fruit with a name to distinguish itself from fruits we consider traditional in America. This sweet and somewhat pulpy fruit is usually soft and fits inside of its soft, green peel. A lot of people compare it to certain varieties of apples for its sweetness. The cherimoya has even been referred to by some as a “custard apple” due to the texture and consistency of its insides. You can practically scoop the fruit out with a spoon when it’s ripe. For any apple-lovers out there or folks with a sweet tooth, I would recommend trying the cherimoya!

Romanesco

Romanesco
Source :Pixabay

As distinct as the name is for this vegetable, it’s really just a type of broccoli. That’s right. It’s green and looks almost nothing like the mini-tree shape of traditional broccoli, but it has a similar taste and borders along the lines of a green cauliflower. What is probably the most distinguishing factor of Romanesco is its patterned, spiral shape. It just looks cool, and what’s more, it’s pretty easy to grow.

Cucamelon

Cucamelon
Source :Pixabay

This one looks pretty much as the name describes it. Cucamelons are kind of like hybrids between watermelon and cucumbers, due to their sourness. They grow on vines, and they look like little miniature watermelons. They’re very crunchy and watery.

Lychee

Lychee
Source :Pixabay

You may have come across this fruit if you’re a big fan of Asian foods or if you’ve had bubble tea before. This fruit is a very sweet, white mass that is encased in a spiky outer shell. It’s often used as a sweet flavoring for different foods, and like the other foods on this list, is extremely unique in shape and color.

Nostalgic and Hungry

The Royal Bagel Bakery & Deli and Lancaster County Dutch Market have been in Germantown, Maryland for as long as I can remember. I moved with my mom down to North Carolina fourteen years ago, and I always miss them when I’m feeling nostalgic and hungry. So, when my fiancé, a Floridian who had never been north of Richmond, Virginia (where we got engaged!), suggested we take a trip to Washington, D.C. and my hometown, those two places were the first to cross my mind.

We had fallen asleep at 2:00PM to prepare for a witching hour roadtrip departure. We wanted to fit as much as we could in two days, with Germantown being the first main stop (after a couple 7-Elevens for Slurpees, of course). We got there right as the sun was rising.

The Royal Bagel Bakery & Deli

The Royal Bagel Bakery & Deli offered comfort from the cold morning. We ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on an asiago cheese bagel and a chocolate cigar (a pastry I only ever remember getting from this specific bakery).

The Royal Bagel Bakery

As we were hanging out at our table, people in hoodies and pajamas or workout clothes would come in every few minutes for their breakfast or a treat. One father even video chatted with his family so he could show them the wide selection of donuts available, instead of rattling them off over a phone call or text. That’s one of the smartest things I have ever witnessed.

dutch market

Our food was called out to us and I thankfully took the brown paper bags of gold. The bagel was warm and surprisingly sweet with filling insides, and the chocolate cigar was fun but a little hard to eat because it’s sticky, but so very tasty. This was a great wake-up meal to keep us going (but, at the same time, not wanting to leave).

Dutch Market

With the Dutch Market not opening until 9:00AM on Saturdays, we decided to drive ten minutes down the road to the townhouse I grew up in and take pictures and walk around the neighborhood and my old stomping grounds. I’ve been a night owl most of my life, so seeing this area so still almost seemed unreal.


Never been to the Lancaster County Dutch Market of Germantown, MD? Take a quick visit while watching this video!

That changed as we drove the ten minutes back into town and saw people making the pilgrimage to the Dutch Market. I didn’t know the donut shop inside opens an hour before the rest of the market, but we waited inside my fiancé’s car until about ten minutes after 9:00AM to give the vendors time to collect themselves before we walked through the doors.

dutch market

It was like a dream, dark with a soft glow.

I was so excited. Eleven vendors line both sides of a big square. Almost anything you can imagine is sold at this market. Our inner children led us first to the candy, where we bought the best buckeyes (peanut butter dipped in chocolate) I’ve ever had. They’re smaller than normal, so easy to pop in your mouth, and they have a comforting percussive sound as they shake next to each other in their container.

dutch market

We continued the circuit and I’m salivating over the rest of the chocolate, chicken salad, fried chicken, handmade furniture, bread, cookies, and pies (let pecan pie be a part of my last meal, please), spices, and flowers.

dutch market

My fiancé bought a bottle of crisp apple cider, and I bought .03lb of bay leaves for only 84 cents that I absolutely love to currently use when making curry and for spiritual practices. Had I had more money, all of it would have been spent there.

dutch market

Both of these locations have been in Germantown for over twenty years.

The Royal Bagel Bakery is covered in photos from New York City (a nod to its Long Islander founders), and every Thursday-Saturday, the vendors travel down from Pennsylvania to run the Dutch Market. They are dedicated to providing for and sustaining love within this DC suburb, making it a part of themselves and their home.

If it’s been years since you’ve been back to your hometown, make a trip. It’ll be weird, eye-opening, and cool, and worth it. And if you’re planning on going to DC, take some time to trek to Maryland and discover the magic of these two locations.

Hickory Tavern – Holly Springs North Carolina

Good fun, good food, good atmosphere! If you are looking for a classic American pub, then this is the place for you. It is a great place to go anytime day of the week, including Sundays. The dining room is quite large and there is an area that can be closed off if you need a more private area for a party. The dining room area is light and well decorated. There is a great mix of pub-style tables and regular tables. There are also long pub-style tabs for large groups.

Hickory Tavern

For sports fans, you couldn’t ask for more. There are large flat screen TVs everywhere. You can sit anywhere in the restaurant and have a front row seat to any sporting event you could desire. The atmosphere also lends itself to sports addicts.  The bar is at the back of the restaurant and TVs line the entire bar space. Depending on your area you can find a large contingency of fans for local sports teams gathered together, cheering, groaning and high-fiving each other. The food also caters to those that love game days. It ranges between shareable appetizers to wings. There are a variety of sandwiches and salads as well. The food is delightful, and the portions are large.

The staff are professional and friendly.

The hostesses are quick to greet you when you come in the door. There is seating inside in case the wait is longer than normal. The waiting area is not very large, but it is warm during the colder weather. There is also a lovely patio area if the weather is decent enough. There are patio heaters and an unusual fire pit. Hickory Tavern also has games on the patio, such as bag toss. They have created a fun and inviting space for anyone but especially families.

Hickory Tavern

The bar is open and well maintained. Hickory uses local brews along with the regular selections such as Bud Light and Blue Moon. It has some interesting premium cocktails such as Prickly Pear Margarita, Southern Peach Cooler, and Coconut Mojito. The drinks are well made and delivered quickly.

The overall experience at the Hickory Tavern is a good one. The only negative that is worth talking about is that the dining room can get quite loud. Between the number of people and the lack of acoustics in the room the volume can make having a real conversation very difficult. Of course, this depends greatly on the day and time that you visit. If you are going to catch up with friends or have an enjoyable night out with your significant other refrain from going during important sporting events, or you will be disappointed with your time at the Tavern.

Reviewed in RESTAMAG

Rate this restaurant if you go there

Take Out Review- Primavera Pizza

We live a busy family life. The ideal of a fresh home cooked dinner, set out on a dining room table is wonderful. For our family, it’s just not that realistic! Busy work schedule and being parents of a busy toddler make knowing where to get good, affordable take out a must.

Primavera Pizza in Clifton Park, NY.

We’ve got many, many fast food options in the capital region of upstate New York. Pizza, however is a family favorite of ours, and of most families around us. There are many pizza options as well. Here, I will review my experience at my family’s personal favorite pizzeria in the capital region, Primavera Pizza in Clifton Park, NY.

Primavera Pizza

Primavera Pizza is tucked into a corner spot in an unimposing strip mall in Clifton Park. The green, red and white sign are noticeable from the highway, but because the pizzeria sits off the road, it’s easy to miss. The door is located on the left side of the building, hard for passing traffic to pick out.

Primavera Pizza

Wonderful smells of Italian seasonings

Immediately upon entering the establishment, you are greeted by the familiar, wonderful smells of Italian seasonings. A friendlier-than average face welcomes you in and offers assistance.

The standard lineup of ready-to-serve slices lie behind the glass display. Classics like pepperoni, sausage, meatball, and plain cheese are available, as well as more complex slices such as buffalo chicken, hawaiian, barbeque chicken, and broccoli. There was also a decent amount of garlic knots in a large silver bowl, ready to be headed and served to incoming guests

Primavera Pizza

For us, tonight’s order was a meatball and cheese calzone for my wife and I to share, and a slice of pepperoni pizza for my daughter. Both arrived home still warm and ready to eat. The calzone was wrapped in strong tin foil and didn’t even get soggy on the trip home.

The flavors all there, and the crust was perfectly crispy and delicious.

My toddler enjoyed half of her pepperoni slice, and I was able to confirm that the other half was indeed good. The flavors all there, and the crust was perfectly crispy and delicious. The cheese on the pizza is always fresh, and even slices up well when cutting it into tiny pieces for little mouths

We had ordered take out from Primavera many times before, but this was the first time that I can remember ordering a meatball calzone. We usually order calzones from Brooke’s Pizza in Ballston Lake – so I was looking forward to giving this one a try. From the quality that I’ve experienced with their other products, I expected this meal to be just as great as the others that I’ve enjoyed thus far.

Calzone

Unsurprisingly, I was not disappointed! The same crispiness of the crust that I am used to with the pizzas came across perfectly with this calzone. Inside, the calzone had perfectly equal portions of ricotta, melted mozzarella, and meatballs. The marinara-style dipping sauce was light and flavorful, which brought the entire meal together.

My family has ordered from this restaurant many times without issue. We’ve ordered for large groups and ordered for just ourselves. We’ve never been disappointed with a meal from Primavera, ever. Other great menu selections include the buffalo wings (large wings cooked perfectly crispy) and salads (cool and crispy, made with fresh veggies).

Primavera will always be one of my favorites!

Overall, Primavera has become a family favorite due to the consistent quality of all of the food on the menu, the speed of preparation, and family feel of the restaurant. Every time I’ve gone, a friendly face has treated me kindly and focused on personal customer satisfaction. There are many different pizzerias in upstate New York – this will always be one of my favorites!

Reviewed in RESTAMAG

Rate this restaurant if you go there

The Master of My Destiny

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I think I was nine years old when I ate an entire medium pepperoni pizza by myself. I didn’t think anything of it; I wasn’t even really all that hungry. It was there, and I just kept going back to the kitchen stovetop for more slices. It wouldn’t be until about five years later when I started caring, not caring, and beating myself up about what I ate and consumed.

A common theme throughout my life was never feeling good enough, something pointed out by a perceptive woman when I opened up to her about eating disorders, toxic relationships, and my struggle with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease. I have a habit of putting others’ beliefs, needs, and problems before my own. It’s like I’m nothing without other people. The less I weighed physically, the less of me, the more important I was. And even that wasn’t enough.

My teen years and early adulthood were filled with depression and anxiety. I loved food because it made me feel good and I’d eat more to feel better, but it’d make me feel bad because I thought I was eating too much, so I’d either completely cut myself off after that or continue overeating to feel good again. There really was no middle ground, it was all an extreme hybrid carousel/rollercoaster ride.

I was about 22 when I got diagnosed with colitis. For months, I was like a natural laxative machine. I was running to the bathroom, I’m not joking, at least fifteen times a day. I lost forty pounds, I loved being able to count my ribs, and I had stomach pain and horribly low energy and was so pale all the time. (My stomach’s hurting just thinking about all of this.) No matter what I ate, I’d lose it all and more down the toilet. And all I was focused on was comments from people and friends asking, “Have you lost weight?” or excitedly saying, “Oh! You got skinny!!” It took someone else to tell me to go to the doctor before I even contemplated getting looked at. I didn’t care about myself. I was losing weight– why would I care?

But I went. And I met the coolest gastroenterologist who told me, “You are the master of your destiny.” Control was not something I was used to for myself. I was a dissociative daydreaming codependent, I wasn’t in control of anything. I took the anti-inflammatory medication he prescribed me for a few months, gained a lot of the weight back, and felt my money was better spent on smoking, so I just stopped taking the pills and stopped going to my appointments. I turned to bulimia to make the nausea from my colitis flare ups go away, then did it even when I didn’t have nausea, and was losing weight again. I was just adapting, I wasn’t truly acting or growing.

Then I met someone who helps me see the value in and of myself, just for being me. Not because of anyone else. I’m learning to balance my physical, mental, and spiritual health, and understanding that they are all correlated. I’m sober, going to the gym every other day, and being more conscious about calorie intake and what and how I’m eating. I have fewer negative and suicidal thoughts throughout the day, and found solace through meditation and energy/crystal work.

I’m about to be 27 very soon, and as a rock fan, singer, and bassist, that’s a very unlucky year for musicians. I honestly didn’t think I’d live past 30. I never planned anything for my life, but now that I’m feeling and seeing clearer, I know I can at least control my food in a positive way, which will build a solid foundation for more goals to lay upon.

Mydestiny

Nothing and no one is perfect. A conversation with an old coworker summed up that there’s no perfection, only progression. So when I want to make southern drop biscuits one day, and an avocado and veggie bacon (a lifesaver) sandwich on toasted sourdough bread the next, I can.

My destiny

Both were delicious! Now, I’m trying to enjoy and appreciate my life and all that is good and yummy, and take care of myself, not punish myself because I’m not something or someone else. I am the master of my destiny.

New Jersey Dining Adventure

My name is Jerrene Flounoy, and I would like to introduce my experiences at restaurants I’ve been to in my town or other states. My interests are animals, cooking, poetry, and reading. enjoy learning new skills in different hobbies.

In my career, I worked as a Kennel Attendant, Veterinary Assistant, Grooming Assistant, and a Kitchen Attendant for a hotel restaurant.

I have three siblings, mother and father which I can admit they keep me motivated to keep pushing forward.

As an adult, I realized during my childhood in the 90’s, there were limited places to dine in. There were fast food places such as Wendy’s, White Castle, McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Popeye’s.

Source: Red Lobster Website

On birthdays or holidays such as Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day my family enjoyed dining at Red Lobster. As a child, I thought Red Lobster was an establishment for individuals who were well to do with excellent jobs. In my generation, I grew up in a time when my mother cooked at home for my sister’s and I.

We ate whatever our mom cooked. No negotiations.When my family and I dined out at a restaurant, it was a decision when my mom didn’t feel like cooking on the weekends.

Now in 2019, there are so many food establishments to choose from with different cuisine styles from every culture.

I would like to share my dining experiences at the restaurants in my neighborhood.

In middle school, my friends and I would go to the local restaurants after school in the village area of Maplewood.

I recall going to the Roman Gourmet to purchase a cheese pizza slice with a soda, lemonade, or iced tea. The Roman Gourmet is a popular restaurant with any Italian dish you could think of. When you visit the pizzeria, you’ll receive wonderful service and the food is worth the visit.

There are many food selections such as Ziti Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Tomato, Cheese and Basil Pizza, Empanadas, Italian Cheese Steaks, and Sicilian Pizza.

The location of this restaurant is 153 Maplewood, Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040.

The Bagel Chateau is another establishment known for their famous Bacon Egg and Cheese on a toasted bagel. As a teenager, I would meet up with my friends to purchase breakfast before class. This restaurant is a popular place to go when you want a delicious breakfast in a hurry. The food is prepared fresh with natural ingredients.

Bagel Chateau has amazing food selections such as the breakfast special, cereal, salads, burgers, subs, and breakfast sandwiches like Taylor ham and cheese, Bacon or Sausage, Egg and cheese.

This restaurant is a staple of my junior high school experience that I’ll always remember. On Valentine’s Day, the bagels were red to celebrate February 14th. During Saint Patrick’s Day the bagels were dyed green with a choice of butter or cream cheese.

The restaurant is located 180 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040.

My world opened up for me in high school since we were allowed to go out for lunch at the local restaurants in the neighborhood.

On Thursday and Friday, I would go out for lunch at the local pizzeria, A&P, and PathMark.

For the rest of the week, I would bring my lunch from home because I wanted to save my money for new school clothes.

While attending school, I began to build friendships with my classmates who had the same lunch period as myself.

Maplewood NJ
Maplewood NJ December 2005 Source: Wikimedia Commons

When I went out to lunch with my friends, I noticed a popular West Indian establishment called J&J Caribbean Restaurant. They served delicious food such as Oxtails, Beef, Chicken, and Vegetable Patties, fish, Roti with Beef, and Jerk Pork Stew. The beef Patty with cheese on Coco bread is amazing. Each time when I have a little spending money I would purchase one.

The restaurant is located 390 Valley Street, South Orange, New Jersey 07079.

After school, my mother, younger sisters, and I would go to the local pizzeria called Maplewood Pizzeria and Family Restaurant on Fridays to purchase Zeppoles. Every Friday I would look forward to the taste of crispy and fluffy goodness of fried dough in powdered sugar.

On Saturdays, we would go to the pizzeria to get an extra cheese pizza pie for our annual movie and pizza night. The pizza is absolutely delicious from the sweet and savory sauce to the fluffy crust. As a customer, you will never be disappointed with the pizza’s taste.

This restaurant serves pizza selections such as Cheese, Margherita Pizza, Pan and Personal Pizza.

They are located 489 Valley Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040.

I am glad to share my personal experiences about these restaurants in my neighborhood.

Hopefully, these articles will be relatable to a time when you created memories at your favorite restaurant with friends and family.

I believe life is all about great friends, wonderful memories, and delicious food!

What is Matcha, and What Can it Do for You?

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The past few years have seen a tremendous trend rise promoting the drinking of matcha, which, if you’re like me and haven’t tried it yet, is still a mysterious green powder you can buy at most grocery stores. As it turns out, though, matcha isn’t such a mystery, and it’s grown as popular as it has for a reason.

Matcha is unlike some other teas in that it’s actually made from the grinding up of tea leaves into a powder. It’s turned into kind of a fad because of its specificity, its ability to stand out as a frothy beverage amongst a host of plain, boring, flat steeped teas.

Matcha
Source: Pixabay Image by dungthuyvunguyen from Pixabay

Because of its powdered quality, matcha makes for a unique tea experience, since you don’t have to steep a tea bag. Instead, you can create a matcha beverage pretty easily by whisking the powder into hot water. The resulting product is an almost latte-esque drink that doesn’t require the milk or effort necessary in the latte-making process. This preparation process may seem somewhat foreign to tea drinkers now, who are used to the steeping process, but powdered tea is actually a pretty old practice dating back to early Chinese customs.

Ice Cream
Source: Pixabay Image by keikei186123 from Pixabay

Matcha can be served as a hot tea drink, but you may also come across it being served in other specialty foods, like bubble tea or ice cream. This distinct flavor is lauded by many, especially those who have a high reliance on caffeine, given that this variety of tea derives a high caffeine content because the tea leaves are able to retain so much caffeine by being grown in the shade.

Its caffeine isn’t the only thing matcha is lauded for, however. It’s also known for being rich in health benefits ranging far and wide, from disease prevention to promotion of heart health. Perhaps one of the most simple benefits it provides, that most would agree they could get behind, is its rich concentration of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc.

Matcha is also thought to be beneficial in that it is thought to have a calming and enhanced mood effect. I’m not sure how accurate this belief is, though, due to the fact that it’s also supposed to have a higher caffeine content than most teas.

Perhaps what’s most well-recognized about matcha, however, is that it is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are powerhouses if you can find food that contains them. They play a huge role in heart health and helping to ward off some risks of bodily diseases. In particular, matcha can help to lower one’s cholesterol, which is a big contributor to poor heart health. You may consider incorporating a dose of matcha into your everyday diet if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having high blood pressure, heart disease, or any other heart-related condition that requires monitoring food and drink intake.

In any event, matcha is a good detoxifier and can provide some powerful health benefits day to day. If you consider yourself a regular tea-drinker and want to switch things up, you may think about trying your hand at this green-lover’s drink and seeing what all the rave is about.

Tailpipes: the Hottest Stop for Burgers and Shakes in Morgantown, WV

If you go to West Virginia, and are in search of some great food, then look no further than a little diner situated in downtown Morgantown, called Tailpipes. Tailpipes is a small diner-styled restaurant, modeled to look like an old-style diner. The atmosphere is fun, inviting, and built with special touches, like sparkling red and white booths, a few arcade games near the entrance, and a bar to eat at if you prefer. One of the special, local things about Tailpipes is the way that children can color on a coloring sheet, and the restaurant management will post the drawings around the walls of the restaurant.

While the atmosphere of Tailpipes is certainly a nice feature, the real selling point of this burger joint has to be the food and the specialty milkshakes. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to burgers, and on top of this, you can also choose from many classic diner options like chicken tenders, fries and sweet potato fries, salads, and fried foods like pickles, mozzarella sticks, mac ’n’ cheese, green tomatoes, and onion rings. One of the common choices is to build your own burger, since there are so many toppings available, but if you’re looking for something a little more special and unique, there is also a full list of specialty burgers to order.h

media preview embed code Credit: @burgers • fries • shakes

These include, but are not limited to, the Charger, which has peanut butter, fried bananas, smoked bacon, red onion, and pepper jack on a white bun; the Chevelle, which has beer-battered onion rings, house made chips, American cheese, and citrus honey mustard on a white bun; the Challenger, which has an ingredient called fire sauce, banana peppers, jalapeños, iceberg lettuce, and pepper jack cheese on a white bun; and the Barracuda, which has grilled pineapple, smoked bacon, caramelized onion, mozzarella cheese, and sesame-ginger teriyaki on a white bun. In addition to these crazy burger choices, most meals that have fries or chips come with the restaurant’s signature fry sauce, which is a secret recipe of a savory and somewhat tangy flavor.

The next list of items on the menu that usually has customers raving is the astounding list of specialty milkshakes. Although these milkshakes are pretty high on the price scale, most would agree that they’re worth it. Most of the milkshakes are really well decorated, too. Some of them even have multi-color icings that drip down the insides of the clear cups, making them look exciting and sugar-rush worthy. There’s a whole list of them, including cookies and cream, chocolate, vanilla, Fruity Pebbles, Nutella-based, and many more.

Overall, Tailpipes has a lot to offer in the world of restaurants known for burgers. Adding a modern twist on the classic diner-style restaurant, providing the classic diner foods and milkshakes with specialty recipes and ingredients, this dining experience is surely one you won’t want to miss out on.


Reviewed in Restamag

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