So Soft... So Sweet!

Restaurant : Kyotofu
Location : 705 9th Avenue (between 48th and 49th street), NY
Website : www.kyotofu-nyc.com


Tofu originated with traditional Chinese 'doufu', created by compressed soy, and cut into blocks. Variations range from firm(extremely dense) all the way to silken (extremely soft).
Funny enough, even though tofu originated in China... the Chinese refused to release their secrets of productions... It was the Japanese and Koreans who began to share it with the world.

Tofu can be used in so many ways...
And one of my personal favorites is as a dessert!!
Also known as "doufu hua" in Chinese...
A sweetened silk tofu often served with a sweet syrup, or fruits or creams.

Kyotofu is a adorable little Japanese tofu restaurant that opened up on the west side known for their delicious sweet tofu.

A couple weeks ago, I went with a few friends to test run their brunch!
So while keeping sweet tofu in the back of my mind... we dived into some delicious 'pre-sweet tofu' nibbles...



This is their Mac n' Cheese...
Quite tasty... creamy with a crunchy top.
I would definitely recommend giving this a try!

This is their french toast...
Comes with a shot of syrup and sweet coffee and some home made sausages.
Pretty good as well...
Definitely a nibbling portion... but hey, we are ALL saving room for dessert...

AND... let the dessert begin!!


This is their Cheesecake...
Quite good!
Extremely light and creamy...

And the sweet tofu!!

Of course we ordered the 'Signature Sweet Tofu'
And I must say... it didn't disappoint!!
It was sweet, light and smooth...
Came with a cute little crunchy seaweed chip...
(Which was pretty much forgotten because of the yummy tofu)

And a little parting gift...
Some little coconut cupcakes!

Bunnie's Rating

Money : Cheap-Moderate
The prices aren't bad... but keep in mind this is more of a nibbling and dessert place... So dont come here expecting a huge filling meal that will leave you with a serious food coma...
But brunch does come with a free brunch cocktail!

Must Try : The sweet tofu of course!! And the Mac n' Cheese...

Type : Trendy and small... intimate. A good place for a small group of friends or a couple to grab a bite and sit and chat... The service is good and friendly... A very comfortable setting.

Reservations : I did, but I dont think its entirely necessary... Its a hit or miss...


Pro's

Very sweet and attentive staff... Good food... Intimate setting.

Con's

I wish they had MORE variations of the sweet tofu...
But who knows what happens in the future!

Until next entry...

Eat. Drink. And have Dessert!

A tasty 'Blend' of Cuban

Restaurant : Blend
Location : 47-04 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY
Website : http://blendlic.com/


Craving some good Cuban food? Who doesnt?
What I like about Blend is it food definitely satisfies that craving AND its trendy restaurant environment brings it to a new, and more fun level!


They have some great 'tapatizers'! Ive tried the quesadilla and the calimari.
Both were delicious... but I think my favorite was these adorable little Empanadas!
This is the 5 piece sampler with pollo (chicken), carne (braised beef short rib), quesos (cheese), chorizo (spanish sausage),and espinaca y queso (spinach, cheese, and pecans). They were all really delicious! A good option for if you cant decide! Or are like me... and wanna try a little bit of everything!



And the entree!!
Always the classic and one of my favorites!!
The Arroz Con Pollo with some fried plantaines!

The Pernil (porkchop) is also fantastic...
Another good choice, if you feel like some seafood, is their Paella.



Bunnie's Rating

Money : Cheap-Moderate
They also have great a great lunch deal!

Must Try : The Empanadas were one of my favoite little munch to start out with!

Type : Trendy and friendly. I obsedrved couples, friends, groups, and families all eatting here before!

Reservations : Not necessary... yet


Pro's

Great attentive staff... quality cuban food... and a relaxed trendy atmosphere!

Con's

They are still in the process of getting their liquor license... so might need to wait a little to have a glass of wine or a nice cocktail.




Until next entry...

Eat. Drink. And have Dessert!

A Delicious Dip...

Restaurant : Simply Fondue
Location : The Shops At Atlas Park
71-19 80th Street, Ridgewood NY
Website : www.simplyfonduequeens.com


My first taste of fondue ever was in Paris France. Delicious, savory, creamy bliss.
Who knew I could find some of to this amazing treat right in Queens, New York?
Simply Fondue's fondue isn't what I found in Paris...
But it is definitely a experience worth tasting!
Creative varieties of different cheese and chocolate fondues...
There so much to choose from!

Definitely better than a few of the typical fondue places I found in Manhattan,
where they only have classic simple fondues...
Like Swiss... cheddar.... and white chocolate... dark and milk chocolate...

And you cant beat the seductively trendy decor...

A cute little private booth for VIPs...


And let the fun begin!!


... and if you get a chance...
The 'Sextini' is delicious...


Beginning to heat up the pot...veggies... and bread chunks...
While nibbling on salads


First course...
The Strawberry Spinach Salad


Second course...
The Traditional Swiss Chalet (right) and Italian Fontina (left) fondues!

Soooo good... They were both amazing...

And now the Fondue Grill...


The Third course of the night...
You get to pick 9 items from the menu between 2 people...

Choices include things like teriyaki steak, jerk chicken, bacon wrapped pork, ahi tuna, salmon, scallops, coconut shrimp, etc.

The fun event of this course was we were able to grill everything up in front of us!
So be patient... its yummy!



And the finger-licking last course...
The chocolate fondue!!


The Bailey's Irish Chocolate (on the left) and the Rocky Road Fondue (on the right)



Bunnie's Rating

Money : Moderate-Pricey
Keep in mind that this restaurant operates on a pre-fix set menu!
The four course that I experienced was about $40 for 4 courses...
But there is also the 'chocolate only' option for $10 per person!

Must Try : Everything!!!! They also have a great wine and cocktail list...
Try out the 'Sextini'!

Type : Trendy and intimate. A place thats more designed for couples... but has the great option of a party room in the back for events!

Reservations : On Fridays and Saturdays I would recommend reservations...
Call or go on opentable.com
The place gets very busy 7pm on!


Pro's

Friendly, helpful, and attentive staff... the fondue recipes are delicious
The ambiance is relaxing... and the whole experience is just fun!
Great date place to go and cuddle up in a booth and dip into some fondue!

Con's

Your party should either range between 2-4 max...
or have a huge party and reserve the party room...
The bathroom is a little weird... but has nice decor...
And you have to ask for water refills...



Overall a wonderful experience and I'm definitely planning on going back!!!


Until next entry...

Eat. Drink. And have Dessert!

A savory bite of Italy.

Restaurant : Barbarini Alimentari
Location : 225 Front Street, NYC
Website : http://www.barbarini.net/


I lived in Rome, Italy for half a year and had yet to find a place in New York whos food could compare... and I can now happily say that Ive found it!
Barbarini is amazing... friendly and delicious...
Its the perfect place to go if you happen to be
downtown by the south street seaport and
want an AMAZING alternative to the malls food court options..

So let me give you a small taste of my personal favorites...


Their daily homemade spinach and ricotta Gnocci with homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella...

Homemade Lasagna Bolegnese

Fresh Spinach Linguine and creamy homemade tomato sauce

And lets not forget desert...

Homemade Tiramisu!!!
(And I gotta say... one of the BEST Ive ever had in NEW YORK CITY...)

Need I say more?




Bunnie's Rating

Money : Cheap-Moderate
Sandwiches range between $7-10 and pasta ranges between $13-14 (but very sharable)

Must Try : You can NOT leave this place without getting a taste of that Tiramisu!
Type : Shop-like restaurant... limited seating.
Reservations : I dont know if they make reservations... crowds come at the peak of meal times, so it can be a hit and miss.


Pro's

Amazing food and friendly staff. And the prices make this place an amazing find!
Go before everyone else discovers this little treasure!

Con's

Limited seating so dont bring more than a group of 4 people.



Make sure you go and enjoy the next time you feel like treating yourself to some great Italian food!! Not a bad idea to go to before enjoying a nice concert over at the seaport!



Eat. Drink. And have Dessert!

Back for Brunch

Restaurant : Masso
Location : 47-25 Vernon Blvd.
Corner of Vernon Blvd. and 47th
Website : http://www.lucaloungenyc.com/masso.html


Theres nothing like a delicious brunch to celebrate the weekend...
And thats exactly what we did!
With a wonderful coffee shop feel, this little restaurant in Long Island City, just blocks away from the Pepsi-cola sign stole my heart after the first bite of their eggs benedict!

The interiors have been cleaned up without demolishing the classical feel.
The ceiling keeps its original flare with the traditional New York copper ceiling decor. Even the bar still has the tiny ho

oks for each seat's occupant to have somewhere to hang their belongings.
During the warmer weather, the cafe doors open infront of comfy velvety curtains to allow the warm breezes to circulate. Outdoor seating is nice as well in this new and upcoming neighborhood.

Eats here range between $6-$15
And you cant have brunch without a delightful mimosa or a savory bloody mary!

They serve Brunch on weekends, and lunch and dinner all the time.

Bunnie's Rating

Money : Cheap-Moderate

Must Try : The fruit infused mimosas!! At $6-8 per drink, you cant pass this up on a Sunday!
Type : Cozy place... good for groups no bigger than 6
Reservations : Yes for groups larger than 4


Pro's

Great food, friendly staff, cozy en

Con's

Can get crowded at moments, so be weary!




Eat. Drink. And have Dessert!

A girl without her camera...

Yes, tis a sad sad story I must tell.

I apologize for not posting for quite some time. I have recently encountered the depressing event of loosing ones camera. Believe it or not, it was actually IN a restaurant. The clumsy waitress bumped into my chair, knocking it down and cracking its screen. So sad.

I am however shopping for a new one...

So be prepared!

I will return with a lot to say. =)

Til then....



Eat. Drink. And have Desert!

French Onion Soup Heaven

Restaurant : La Bonne Soupe
Location : 48 West 55th Street
between 5th and 6th Avenue
Website : http://www.labonnesoupe.com/


No question, the best French Onion Soup Ive had in new york city. Within a cozy little bistro, La Bonne is nested between tall midtown structures, catching passer-bys off guard. Hidden amongst the blur of 55th Street, this lovely restaurant has been more and more discovered every year. The prices are very 'Midtown' but the portions and quality is unquestionable.

Appetizer

French Onion Soupe

(Lunch special is $6.50 for a large bowl,
regular large bowl is $15))

La Forestiere Crepe

(Mushrooms, Ham, Swiss and Bechamel Sauce)

And dont kid yourself...
Everything is fantastic and everything is filling!!

Great lunch place or a cozy spot for soup on a cold winter night.
A favorite of mine for about 4 years.




Bunnie's Rating

Money : Pricey (Good lunch specials).
Soup is $6.50 for weekday lunches,
but $15 all other times.
But is a good portion to share with a friend.
The Creps, Burgers, and Omlettes are around $12
but are large in portions and extremely satisfying.
Must Try : But of course, the Onion Soupe!
Type : NOT for large crowds.. you will be waiting forever.
More for a date or a nice lunch or dinner with a couple good friends.
Reservations : None are taken. Its a hit or miss.


Pro's

Cozy, friendly, and fast. The food is outstanding and consistent. Although it is midtown, the place is designed with a strong rustic French countryside feel.

Con's

Pricey. Not looking for a good deal in midtown. EXTREMELY addictive... Trust me, after trying the soup, you will return more than once!




Eat. Drink. And Have Dessert.