if you play your carbs right

I honestly struggled with what to focus on in this blog post. I was blown away with all of the food that I ate at Calandra’s Italian Village in Bloomfield, NJ. The visit to this literal village was definitely unexpected. I never planned and definitely did not expect this delicious of a meal on this particular night. Originally, I was just planning to go with my really good friend and her mom to their dress fitting for her upcoming wedding. I have to say it really was so fun and exciting because they both looked so beautiful in their dresses. I was so caught up in it all that I totally didn’t even think I was hungry.

Then we got into the car…and I was hungry! My friend said we could go to Calandra’s bakery and although I am typically down for bakery visits, I really felt like I needed to eat real food. Who knew that Calandra’s was not only a bakery but an Italian restaurant directly connected to it.

Because it was so late, we had to pick up out baked goods first. The place is HUGE!! I didn’t know where to start. So many displays, so many options. I could have purchased the entire store. and I really wanted to for my dad but I held back.

These are just a few of the displays. The cupcakes looked so amazing and there were so many options. Although the cookie case does technically look “empty”, it was about 9:00 at night which tells me that their cookies are an absolute HIT! I decided to buy a few mini treats. I had a mini vanilla cupcake, mini lemon cupcake, mini raspberry cupcake, an eclair, a cream puff, and a mini fruit tart. All so cute and adorable. The cupcakes were my favorite though. Not too sweet and freshly baked for the perfect fluffy texture. Just the perfect amount of frosting on the top with so much flavor! I want more!

Once finally making a decision and packaging up all of our treats into little white boxes, we headed to the restaurant portion of the building. Which was beautiful by the way. The tables were beautifully set and huge windows lined the walls.

As soon as we sat down this was put on our table…

Oh my God. A whole ramekin filled with grated parmesan cheese- YES! And right next to it…

just beleaf

It’s really easy to find good pizza, burgers, bagels in New Jersey but what is not so easy to find is a really good salad. I mean really good without having to change your expectations and break the caloric intake for the day. I had faith though- faith that good salads were out there and that they were going to find me (or I find them- whatever, that’s just logistics). It took some time, as most things worth having do, but I finally found not one, not two, not three, but FOUR really good salads in just a couple of weeks. They’re out there people, you just got to believe.

Salad #1 comes to you from Stefano’s Pizza in Branchburg. Although this place seems like an ordinary pizzeria, what lies beneath the surface is something unexpected. It’s an outdoor oasis filled with trees, plants, a huge brick oven, and a wood burning fire place. You’d never know that you were in the middle of a strip mall when you enter. That being said, their Stefano’s Salad is just as satisfying to the palate as the decor is to the eyes.

a dairy delicious dream

I guess it’s a safe thing to say that dairy is one of my favorite food groups. Not necessarily because of milk but because of what milk can become- cheese, ice cream, whipped cream, even yogurt sometimes. YUM!

I didn’t realize that dairy had hypnotized and lured me into a place of no return until I really thought about the dinner I ate last Tuesday- that I’m still dreaming about. That I wish I could have again, right now.

This dream-like meal took place at Chimney Rock Inn in Bound Brook. Now when I tell you I used to eat mozzarella sticks like it was my job when I was younger, I’m not lying. Maybe if I a got a quarter for every mozzarella stick I ever ate I wouldn’t be so stressed about finances and where my future is headed. But unfortunately, that salary never came through and I realized that mozzarella sticks aren’t really good for the figure either. So, I hardly ever have mozzarella sticks. Until I do. And I am hooked on the homemade mozzarella sticks from Chimney Rock. Yes, homemade. Fresh mozzarella is breaded and fried to a crunchy perfection. The cheese is stringy, warm, and super satisfying. Topped off with some tomato marinara and it’s like when you’re head hits the pillow after a long day and you take that first relaxing sigh of relief. Ahhhhh…

Alright, so now I feel like life can’t get any better. But it does- good things are always coming my way. This was brought to the table…

pizza fri-yay!

Ever since I can remember my family would always resort to pizza for Friday night dinner. I actually believed at one point that all families have pizza on Fridays. Turns out, they don’t. Some actually have pizza on Tuesday nights. Which is totally cool but if you know me, I like consistency and pizza on a Friday evening is something I look forward to every week.

I mean I do change up my order from week to week. I’m not exactly like Sheldon Cooper ordering the same exact take out meal prepared exactly the same way every time. I do like variety.

If we’re lucky, sometimes we order pizza from a special place. A place that is extremely delicious but just a little bit out of reach for a rush hour Friday drive. We heard of Sciortino’s in South Amboy from a family friend. They told us that it is their FAVORITE pizza. So, we had to give it a try.

hit the board running

When this hits your table, you dive right in with enthusiasm! This beautiful display includes thinly sliced bread drizzled with olive oil and black pepper. Down the center, the board is a piece of parmesan, brie, and blue cheese. Along the sides of the cheese is a smear of mustard and pepper jam. The furtherest away in the picture are spicy cashews and tiny chopped pieces of bacon. 

so nice to meat you

(obligatory) taco tuesday

Ever since the new iOS update, I’ve been seeing tacos everywhere. I’m not complaining. I personally love a good taco. It feels even better when you can have a taco on a Tuesday. Monday is over-you made it! It’s Tuesday now, you’re in the groove and YOU deserve a taco!

There are many great places to get a taco in New Jersey but if you’re in the central jersey area, stop by Mariachi in Metuchen, NJ. The restaurant is fairly new and they are eager to please! The food is well done and authentic. The place is spacious, decorated to carry out the Mexican theme, and the staff is very friendly.

Like any awesome Mexican restaurant, Mariachi places the warm tortilla chips and freshly made salsa on the table to start you off. The salsa has a great consistency that is sure to please all. It is thin enough for those of you who don’t like tomato and onion chunks. (Come on, you know who you are, who dip your chip in the salsa but don’t pick up any of the good stuff). HOWEVER! It is also chunky enough for those of you who do know how to live life on the edge- the edge of flavor.

If you REALLY like fresh ingredients. Try their guacamole! It’s made right at your table just to your liking.

They literally roll out a cart, put avocado, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, salt, pepper, and lemon juice into a bowl. They mash it all up and serve it right on your table for your entertainment and enjoyment.

specialty tacos

Instead of ordering the regular tacos on the menu, I went for the specialty ones because they were made with hard shells which is different than what you can get at most places. As you can see, the portion is huge. I definitely did not finish all of this but I wish I could have. Inside each of the tacos was shredded chicken that was super juicy, tender, and filled with flavor that melted in your mouth.  The chicken was topped with pico de gallo, lettuce, and shredded Cotija cheese.

There was a nice spice-not too crazy- that gave you a warm and comforting feeling. Perfect for a cool fall or cold winter day.

Each bite was crunchy from the shell, warm, spicy, juicy from the chicken, and refreshing from the toppings. The meal itself wasn’t too salty but definitely filled with alot of flavor. I took one taco home and can’t wait to have the leftovers!

This is definitely a fantastic way to enjoy your Tuesday (or any day for that matter). So, treat yourself! You have my full permission.

(Only one thing I want to add for the owners- the meal was delicious! Thank you! My only suggestion would be to offer unsweetened iced tea to drink as well as a fountain sodas instead of the cans.)

For more information visit: Mariachi Restaurant

meal for a deal

“Want to go to that 1000 degrees pizza place for lunch?” Of course I replied with a “Heck yes”! Can anyone ever really turn down pizza? I know I can’t. Even when I smell pizza in my surrounding area, the cravings just consume my every sense. 

mac attacked- literally

August 26, 2015

So in my last post, I mentioned something that “happened” to me on my way to Montclair Bread Co. Well, I was mac attacked. Literally, I was walking down the street and right in front of me was a “gourmet cheesery” called Mac Attack and I was stopped dead in my tracks, needing cheese.

ATTACKED

After I indulged in some really good donuts, I walked up and down the street so that I could “digest” and prepare for my next indulgence. I just couldn’t go home without trying macaroni and cheese. I first ordered the “white truffle mac”. This is made with parmesan cheese and truffle. 

wrap battle: round 1

August 11, 2015

I love wraps. Why do I love wraps so much? Wraps are very versatile. You can have wraps for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s true that you could have a sandwich for any of these meals but it just doesn’t seem right to me.  Wraps provide a little bit of variety to your ordinary deli visit. You can choose any ingredients that you want to put into a perfect little pouch. You can eat them without feeling SUPER guilty because the wrap itself is so thin unlike a thick roll, and this allows you to fully enjoy the flavors that lie within.

Aside from eating, I like to go to the gym to workout. One of my weekend routines is going to the gym early Saturday morning followed by breakfast (or lunch depending on the actual time and what I am craving) at a local deli. Super Duper Deli’s Breakfast wraps are honestly the best breakfast wraps I’ve ever had.