Cookies and Creme

Most summer nights give way to ice cream, frozen yogurt or italian ice. But last night I was looking to use up some ingredients in my house while also satisfying my sweet tooth and decided to whip up these cookies using a recipe I found online.

The mix of chocolate chips and Oreo's remind me of another summertime favorite - Cookies and Creme ice cream. Dunk these in milk and you've got a great twist on a classic treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 6 Tablespoons sugar
• 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 11 broken pieces Oreo Cookies
• 1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter, and sugars until well combined. Add egg and vanilla until mixed well.

2. Place flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl, stir to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients then stir in oreos and chocolate chips until just combined.

3. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop onto baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until cooked, but still soft. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Ready to Test Your Luck for Some Frozen Yo? [DC Summer]

Over the past five weeks that I've now been in DC, I've worked through my fair share of yogurt spots. While some offer up a tarter blend and others a sweeter, creamier yogurt - one has successfully set itself apart from the others for one reason: trivia. 

Mr. Yogato located at 1515 17th St NW takes frozen yogurt to a different level. Yogurt-goers have the option to answer up to 4 daily trivia questions and each question you answer right will snag you an additional 5% off your final bill. If the trivia isn't enough of a challenge for you, Mr. Yogato offers a more difficult challenge that's fit for only the most dedicated frozen yogurt eaters. Those who eat at Mr. Yogato for 30 consecutive days will have a new combination named after them - are you up for the challenge?

The atmosphere makes you feel like you're stuck in a 90's videogame - fitting for the Nintendo Entertainment System that's right next to the counter. While you're enjoying your soft or tart yogurt (or new flavor of the week) you can play a relaxing game of Candyland. As I was saying, this isn't your average frozen yogurt spot.

Overall, the yogurt was one of my favorite I've had since being in DC. As someone whose a huge fan of a more tart yogurt, Mr. Yogato's really hit the spot and the endless and creative topping options, such as junior mints, cocoa pebbles and yes, siracha, made it worth the trek up to DuPont. 


Cost? A small or "little" yogurt costs $3, and a huge costs $5, before your trivia discounts and without toppings. Toppings cost an additional $1-2 depending on how many you're in the mood for. 


If you want to check out their website before heading over: http://www.mryogato.com/


Mr. Yogato
1515 17th St NW, Washington DC

To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth [DC Summer]

Since starting my internship, I have come to realize that weekends have one purpose: to explore all of DC's incredible offerings (which can usually be narrowed down to food, monuments, and lots and lots of walking). This past weekend, Lauren, Stef and I covered a lot of ground in the NW quadrant of the city and came across some incredible restaurants and events that made this a truly unforgettable weekend.


Our unintentional discovery of The Taste of Georgetown is what led us to checking out Baked and Wired. Located at 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Baked and Wired offers a decadent array of cookies, cupcakes, bars, pies and other baked goods that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.


We were lucky (and hungry) enough to sample a few of Baked and Wired's treats. Here's how it went:

An assortment of Baked & Wired cookies

Strawberry Cupcake.
Vanilla cake with fresh strawberries folded in the batter finished with a swirl of pink buttercream.

O.M.G. 

A graham cracker crust is layered with homemade caramel, marshmallow and a bittersweet chocolate glaze. 

Blueberry Pie. 

Blueberries with a dash of cinnamon in a double crust.

Berthas. 

Soft oatmeal cookies filled with cream cheese frosting. 

Banana Nut Bread. 

Sweet and moist banana loaf with walnuts and mini chocolate chips.

Best bite? Without hesitation, the Strawberry Cupcake. Each bakery in Georgetown has it's own take on this classic dessert - but it is Baked and Wired's fresh, creamy frosting layered on top of a fluffy, sweet cake - that make this dessert a true winner.


Not in the mood for a cupcake? Try out the O.M.G. bar. With layers of gooey caramel, crunchy graham cracker, fluffy marshmallow and semisweet chocolate - this bar lives up to its' name...and then some.


If you want to check out a full list of their baked offerings before heading over, visit:
http://bakedandwired.com


Baked and Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Not Your Average College Late Night

About a year ago I first visited Frita Batido’s and was instantly wowed by their amazing flavors and college-friendly prices. Although this Cuban-inspired restaurant is not located nearby other late-night hangouts on South U or State Street, this should not stop you from heading over to satisfy your need for some late-night munchies.

On top of the savory Fritas (Cuban for “burger”) and sweet churros, Frita Batidos has a new addition that makes this even more appealing to college students – an exciting and varied drink menu.  The drink menu is sure to quench any late-night thirsts. Customers can choose between locally brewed beers, wine, Mojitos and make-your-own style Mix and Match Tumblers. If you’re in the mood for a sweeter drink – ask for a Batido (Cuban for “milkshake) with a splash of rum

On Monday-Friday if you head in between 4-6pm, or the last hour of service nightly, each item on the drink menu is only $3.50 (a steal for the already very reasonably priced drinks).Of course, there’s no better way to complement your drinks than with the other latest addition to the menu – the Chicken Frita. Although my personal favorite is the Fish Frita, the Chicken Frita is a close competitor. Simple yet packed with tons of flavor, this burger will definitely be a great addition to the other inexpensive burgers and sandwiches that fill the menu.

Here’s a glance at the treats Frita Batido’s has to offer:

Ready to late night with a big group of friends? Chef and owner Eve Aronoff recently debuted the “LOVE FEST”. If you bring 20+ people to Frita Batidos any night after 10pm and your group will be greeted with lots of complimentary food and treats to supplement your meal!! You can reserve your LOVEFEST by emailing frita@fritabatidos.com

Prices? All drinks, burgers and side are well under $10.

Atmosphere? Hip, young, inviting and great for large groups.

Best dish? Close call – my favorite will always be the Fish frita with Cilantro Lime Salsa, however if you’re a meat lover, I’d highly advise the Pulled Pork Sandwich.

Location: 117 W. Washington St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

If you want to check out the menu before heading over:

Drink Menu: http://fritabatidos.com/drinks.pdf

Food Menu: http://fritabatidos.com/menu.pdf

THANK YOU FRITAS FOR THE LOVEFEST!! 

Ann Arbor's Best Scoop

Looking for a delicious way to end last Saturday’s meal, my mom, brother and I only had to walk so far as one block to find the perfect fit. Kilwin’s, located at 107 E. Liberty Street in Ann Arbor is hands down Ann Arbor’s best homemade ice cream shop.

Although I’ve always been more partial to soft serve, Kilwin’s serves hard ice cream that can’t be beat. They have enough flavors to suit every ice cream lover’s palate, but my suggestion? Try Toasted Coconut.

This flavor is truly no-fail. If you allow it to soften for a few minutes after it is scooped, you’re in for a real treat. Imagine a Caramel Delight Girl Scout Cookie or Mounds bar in ice cream form – a vanilla ice cream base with toasted coconut that has been allowed to caramelize, creating a caramel-chocolately flavor that’s consistent until the last bite.

So if you’re looking for where to go for Ann Arbor’s best scoop, take an adventure down towards Main Street and stop into Kilwin’s. What if ice cream isn’t your thing? Next door to the ice cream shop is Kilwin’s homemade chocolate store where you can choose between any of the incredible chocolates, toffees, caramels and candied or chocolate apples that they have to offer.

Location: 107 E. Liberty Street Ann Arbor, MI

Cost: Small ice cream is around $3. Chocolates, Truffles and Caramels average $14 for 8 oz.

Website: https://www.kilwins.com/annarbor

Summit Welcomes "Pizza Vita" with Open Arms and an Eager Appetite

Watch out Summit pizza lovers, there’s a new pizza place in town boasting it’s own twist on everyone’s favorite Italian classic. Located at 7 Union Place in Summit, NJ, Pizza Vita offers a variety of antipasti, pizzas, salads and pastas inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy. Owners Rocco and Adele DiBiase opened the restaurant’s doors on July 18, 2011 and since then, it has proved to be a roaring success. Driven by our eagerness to eat at the newest local cuisines, my dad, brother and I decided to check out what it is that makes this place so popular.

Here’s how we did it:

Starters:

Mozzarella en Carozza (translation: Olive oil poached mozzarella). Breaded, lightly fried and topped with a fresh, sweet tomato sauce, this appetizer is on the top of the menu for a reason. It is the perfect balance of sauce and lightly fried-cheesy goodness that is a necessity to have on your table prior to ordering any other item on the menu. Take it from someone who is normally not a cheese lover, these are a must-have item.

Meatballs: I’m normally hesitant about ordering meatballs because they tend to have a lot of filler and only a little bit of meat. However, these baseball sized-meatballs, which are impeccably seasoned and incredibly moist, have far exceeded any previous expectations I may have possessed. Served with an absolutely delicious and flavorful homemade sauce, this appetizer will make any meat lover a very happy diner.

Pizza:

Before getting into the pizzas that we ordered, I must mention what it is that sets Pizza Vita’s pizzas apart from all the others. Pizza Vita strictly uses ingredients in accordance with the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association (VPN), which was established to protect and promote authentic Napoletana pizza. Consequently, as a member of the VPN, Pizza Vita only serves D.O.C. pizza, which means that their pizza is made with only soft grain flour, water, all natural fresh yeast, sea salt, San Marzano tomato and Mozzarella di Bufala or Fior di latte Mozzarella.

So what does this all mean? It means that Pizza Vita uses only the freshest and finest ingredients (with many imported right from Italy) in order to serve up their original homemade pie! Once prepped, the pizza is cooked in a 100% wood fired oven for just 90 seconds due to its constant 900-degree temperature.

Margheritta D.O.C.: A classic margherita pizza with a chewy, lightly burned crust that is absolutely to die for. Though simple, this pizza will win over any classic pizza lover.

Padrino: Crushed tomato, hot soppresata (Italian cured dry salami), olives and provolone. A different take on the traditional meat-lovers pizza, however, it is equally satisfying and delicious. You may want to ask for extra bread to dip in the oil that drips off the pizza because I can guarantee you will want to savor every last bite.

Desserts:

All of the desserts are prepared by owner and chef Adele DiBiase, whose pastry background provided a delectable ending to this already incredible meal.

Doughnuts filled with melted chocolate, served with homemade caramel sauce: These doughnuts were light and fluffy, dusted with sugar and served hot. The melted chocolate inside is what made these doughnuts extra special and irresistible.

Despite sampling the restaurant’s many options, we barely made a dent in the menu, and left wanting to come back for more. So head on over soon to Pizza Vita and check it out for yourself! I promise you won’t regret it.

If you want to see their menu and other information before heading over, visit:

 www.pizzavitanj.com

The Clinton Station Diner

Location: Exit 13 off Route 78 West in Clinton, NJ

Coming from the Westfield area, Clinton is not exactly right around the corner. But to kick off the Jersey Diner Series, my cousin Dan, my brother Michael, and I, felt the 30-minute trip down Route 78 was necessary.  

The Clinton Station Diner hosts two different dining ambiances that both overlook a scenic area of 78: one half is a927 Blue Comet observation train car and the other is a much more cozy, family dining atmosphere lined with model train tracks suspended from the ceiling. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and happy to serve all their customers. We were also impressed by how quickly our rather large order was served (we did get some stares for ordering enough food for six even though there were only three of us).

Now onto the food. Clinton Station Diner had a fairly standard diner menu, with breakfast served around the clock, however, there were a few items that set this place apart from other diners.

Burgers and fries: The burger was juicy, flavorful and char-grilled to perfection. Their fries, hand cut from fresh potatoes, were wedge-sliced with a great balance of crunchy outside and soft, warm inside.

Hungry and ready for a challenge? Clinton Station Diner offers a prize of $5,000 to any ten people who can finish “The 8^th Wonder”, a burger that weighs in at 105lbs including the bun and toppings, in one hour.

If you’re interested in a small taste of their delicious burgers, try the “Nano Bites”, 0.4oz of the same ingredients in their larger burgers.

Pancakes: A perfectly portioned order of fluffy, light and buttery short stacks. 

Omelet: Greek omelet filled with feta cheese, tomatoes, onions and kalamata onions served with well-done hashbrowns that I could’ve mistaken for my grandmother’s latkes. Great way to start, or end, the day.

Greek Entrée: Spanakopita: flaky crust with the just-right balance of warm spinach and feta. Served alongside a Greek salad which on it’s own would be a delicious meal. **Best dish of the night**

Before leaving, we finished off this feast with two desserts: a chocolate mousse bomb and a vanilla shake. Although the shake was a little thin for my liking, the weight of the mousse bomb definitely compensated for it. Both desserts were amongst the many good-looking treats displaced with the other bakery selections.

If you want to check out their menu and other details before heading over:

http://www.clintonstationdiner.com/index.htm

Continuing the Cupcake Craze.

Ann Arbor is home to a diversity of food and dessert options and what better way to satisfy your sweet tooth than with a cupcake from Cupcake Station? Located at 116 E. Liberty, Cupcake Station has over 20 different flavors of cupcakes to choose from including: Station’s Samoa, Cookies and Cream, and Red Velvet.

Station's Samoa (Vanilla bean cake filled and frosted with their signature Buttercream, rolled in toasted coconut and drizzled with caramel and dark chocolate)

Craving just one bite? Cupcake Station has mini bite-sized cupcakes that will help satiate your palate without bursting your wallet. Both mini and regular sized cupcakes can be bought in larger quantities and are sure to be a hit at birthdays, parties or for that special someone.

Head over and check it out for yourself, I promise you won’t walk away empty-handed.