Sally's Cocofe

Sally's Cocofe
http://www.sallyscocofe.com/
273 Main Street
Huntington, NY 11743

Neil: Do you really like chocolate? Like really like like it? Love it? Obsessed? Well, I'm not. But I wanted to go here anyway. HA. Are you Kosher? I'm not. But Sally's is. HA.
Anyway, we've been here a couple of times. It's right around the corner from one of our favorite eateries which is in heavy rotation in our playlist, but that's for another blog.
I would go to Sally's for after dinner -- dessert, hot chocolate, coffee, drinks. They do have main entrees, but they are not their strong point. Like pad thai? Like chocolate? They don't go well together. I'm not even so sure what was chocolate about it. Four of us split the double chocolate fondue where you get to choose two types of chocolate. We picked milk chocolate and white chocolate. Let me tell you, the white chocolate is like CRACK. Wow, delicious. My friend Scott wanted to drink it out of the container (so did I). Lucky for us, they offer the white chocolate in drink form as well. I've always been a fan of white chocolate (which isn't really chocolate at all!) and Sally seems to have mastered her craft in this category. Of the two white chocolate drinks Aztec Gold and Ivory Coast L'Orange, I award #1 to the L'Orange and the Aztec drink comes in an extremely close second. Starbucks used to have a drink, Cafe Valencia which I liked to get from time to time... this L'Orange blows Valencia out of the water. I also tried the Chocolate Mousse which came in a martini glass. It's really big, and I was really full from dinner (Poco Loco, lol) so I was only able to finish about half of it. When I think of mousse, I usually think smooth consistencies, but this was mousse was fluffy laden with chocolate shavings. I wanted the chocolate molten cake, but they were sold out.

Jill: We found out about this place from AOl Cityguide. They are open later on the weekends than some local places (with the exception of Diners etc.) during the week they close at 10 and fri sat 12. The melty chocolate like ceiling sets the stage for the deliciousness to come. just walking through the front door is heavenly from the smell of the chocolate and coffee. I think by specializing in these two, they have really worked at making really good desserts. They also offer alcoholic drinks, snacks, gelato and baked goods. I LOVE their white chocolate drinks. They are so smooth and not too sweet. I have also had the milk and dark chocolate which are good but when paired with the desserts (unless you are a chocolate junkie, are just a bit too much of a good thing) They offer their chocolate drinks both iced and hot. I have also had the Jamaican dark chocolate caramel ginger of the iced variety and it was good but had a bit of kick. Not as easily drinkable as the white chocolate. More for sipping for a prolonged period of time and perhaps better hot. The milk chocolate Earl gray, if you are like Capt. Picard, was very pleasing as well. Sounds strange mixing a tea flavor with chocolate but they complement each other well. The chocolate creme brulee is delicious although i would normally order its traditional brother of the vanilla variety (like at dessert truck). This is a great later night stop for after dinner. Their comfy seating and modernly designed interior is as pleasing to the eye as their treats are to the belly.

Poco Loco

Poco Loco
1431 Old Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY 11576

Jill: This little fiesta is located closeby in nearby Roslyn Village. Looking like a quaint old house in Roslyn you can find this lowkey Mexican restaurnt specializing in both more traditional and Tex-Mex favs. The margaritas here are worth trying. They are large enough to take a bath in and pack a punch, they are rather delicious. They offer complimentary chips and salsa that we sorta devoured with margaritas while awaiting the food. I liked that there was a make your own combo where you can pick either 2 or 3 items and chose to do so ordering the beef enchilada, tostada and chicken chimichanga that came with a side of refried beans and yellow rice. In the warmer months you can opt to sit outside on the side porch and most nights they offer a live mariachi singer that walks around with his guitar (who took the night off while we were there). The people next to us ordered a chorizo dish and enchilada which looked tasty as well and I may try on another occasion. Neils dish looked very authentic in its little pot when it arrived at the table and if I could eat seafood would have tried it. It seemed like a very generous portion and we both felt moosed by the time we got the check. The service was good and the food was tasty. Perhaps the check was more than some other places we have dined but not unreasonable. I would recommend this place if you were looking for a local place with outside dining and tasty Mexican dishes.

Neil: I decided to order the Paella which was a daily special, so I don't know if they happen to serve it everyday. This paella came with mussels, chicken and chorizo. When it came, the waiter first put down the pot and wooden trivet on the table then picked it up again, looked inside and then took a few spoonfuls laden with mussels out and served them on my plate. I've had paella before which was, I suppose, easier to eat because it didn't come with the mussels in the shells and chicken not on the bone, but this was the real deal -- rustic as Jill called it. At first I was trying to pick the rice out of the shells, not knowing there was a ton of rice still in the pot. I happily opened the pot to serve myself seconds and even thirds, and there was still rice leftover when I decided to throw in the towel. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to work to eat your food, I would say stay away. But if you're looking for a more authentic meal, go right ahead and jump in, the water's fine.

Green Papaya Thai Cuisine

Green Papaya
38-04 Prince Street
Flushing, NY 11354

Thai food, cash only.

Neil: I first started going to this place long before it was Green Papaya or Thai. My brother brought me here when it was Penang, a Malaysian restaurant. The first time I brought Jill here, I was saddened to see a shell of a building under construction. I asked the nice man emerging from the construction site what happened, and he reassuringly told me they would be back. Well, they came back, but as a Thai restaurant called Green Papaya. Luckily for us, they're delicious and affordable. Some of the dishes we've had include the garlic chicken (I hope you like garlic and are packing altoids) and the pork with roast chili paste. If you like Chow Fun, the Pad See Ew is very similar with its wide noodles. I usually always get Thai Iced Tea whenever I eat Thai food and this place is no exception. I also like the coconut drink with fresh young coconut and little fork that comes with it.

Jill: I can honestly say that over the course of the past several years that we have gone here on occasion, the food and service is consistently good and enjoyable. I love that they have a lychee drink which I have not seen at other Thai restaurants that we have been to. Yes it looks strange with these lychees floating in your drink but trust me, you should give it a try you will not be disappointed. I also usually get a side of sticky rice which comes in an individual straw container and the Tom Kha Gai soup with chicken, coconut milk, galanga and kaffir lime leaves is very good if you like some spice. Out of the various dishes we have tried between pad thai, spicy basil chicken, masaman curry etc they have always been good, no complaints here and worth giving a try with a mix of authentic thai dishes that cater also to the American palette.

Dessert Truck

Dessert Truck
www.desserttruck.com
St. Marks Place & 3rd Avenue
6pm-Midnight

They also have daytime hours, but we don't do that. HA!
well... if you really want to...
55th & Lex
12pm-3pm

Neil: Food on wheels. How could you go wrong? Their menu changes often, so be sure to check their website before going. Also, since they're a truck obviously, sometimes they make changes in their location and/or schedule, which are also reflected on their website. The creme brulee is probably the best I've ever had in my life, no exaggeration. We also tried the goat cheesecake, which Jill says tasted too strongly of goats, but I didn't think so. More for me!

Jill: I first learned of this migrating deliciousness on the Bobby Flay Throwdown on food network and from suggestions from my brother. They beat him with their chocolate bread pudding which I have had and is definitely awesome (they do offer a bacon custard sauce as an option and as much as I like it, have not been brave enough to try). The entrepreneurs of this tasty enterprise were trained in culinary school and decided to take it on the road. They offer great explorations via tastebuds with combinations venturing into the gourmet on a bargain. I have also had the creme brulee which I love, they carmelize the top when you order and the pavlova which has a great combination of a red berry gelee and meringue with creme fraiche. They only accept cash but most desserts come in at about $5 and are easily eaten while enjoying the neighborhood.

GLYHOP

GLYHOP Bakery & Pancake House
149 Glen Street
Glen Cove, NY 11542
www.glyhop.com



Neil: Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day. This is especially true at GLYHOP (God Loves You House of Pancakes) where I enjoyed a large portion of Strawberries and Cream French Toast (challah bread filled with strawberries and cream cheese). So large in fact, that I was only able to eat half. Unluckily for me, my dog started to eat the other half that I brought home. Don't be fooled by the name of the establishment, there's nothing Churchy about it... except for the fact that it's attached to a religous book store. Though some may say that eating at GLYHOP is as close to Heaven on Earth as you can get. ;-) I'm glad that Jill ordered a side of hash browns because I feel that you always need a balance of sweet and salty.

Jill: I have to say that when Neil first brought up this place as a new venture I was slightly skeptical. Walking inside the restaurant felt very comfortable and welcoming with red and white checkered tables and friendly waitstaff. It was pretty empty but I have a feeling this place would be hopping with the Sunday brunch crowd. They only serve breakfast and lunch and are open daily until 3 pm Tues-Fri and 4 Sat/Sun. I ordered the Wholegrain Maple Pecan Pancakes and opted to have roasted apples on top. I think aside from some bacon pancakes I once consumed upstate NY, these come in a very close second as the best I have had. They may sound a little "granola" if you will but they had a delicious crust on the outside, not too heavy and a very genours portion of 4 ginormous pancakes. We also ordered a side of the Home Fries which I liked because they were the cubed potatoes rather than the hash that were nicely seasoned and included some onions and peppers. I loved the complementary cornbread that they offer you on the table as well as the real maple syrup and reg pancake syrup on the table. I would definitely venture back for breakfast or try the lunch menu of wraps/sandwhiches.

Dishing up Dumplings

Jill: Neil and I have currently been to 3 different places in NYC that specialize in their own take on the popular and ever-so-good dumpling.

1. Rickshaw Dumpling Bar
http://rickshawdumplings.com/
61 W 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
This is a hip take on the dumpling with a variety of pairings. They offer several varieties including duck, pork, chicken thai etc in either a grouping of 6 or 9 with the choice to have them plain, with salad or with/in soup. Each type of dumpling has a suggested pairing that goes well wih the fillings. I HIGHLY recommend the warm chocolate soup dumplings for dessert. Do exercise caution while consuming and wait until they have cooled before you have a hot chocolate (but delicious) mess. It will cost you a little more for two than the two following dumpling places coming in at about $25, although it is NYC afterall.

2. Prosperity Dumpling
46 eldridge st, Chinatown, New York City
For 5 dumplings for $1...thats right something for a single dollar in NYC, how can you possibly go wrong. they offer them fried as well as steamed and you really cant go wrong. Neil and I read about this place via blackberry when we found out another destination listed in a tourism book was closed because they didnt pay their rent...oh well. They have these AMAZING vegetable pancakes that are almost like an asian version of a stuffed pizza slice. The cooks make them in giant pizza pies and cut them up into individual portions. They are coated with sesame seeds on the outside, have spicy kimchee, cilantro, carrots and other fresh veggies in the middle. where else can two people get moosed on good food for $5? It is a tiny tiny place pretty much with enough room for two people to be eating on stools and standing room for 2. Often times the line goes outside with people waiting after placing their order at the window.

3. Dumpling Man
100 St. Mark's Place, NYC
http://www.dumplingman.com/
A few steps lower than sidewalk level lies this tasty delight. You get to sit and watch seasoned women craft dumplings behind glass while you eat. This is your typical bowling alley, narrow NYC configuration for a restaurant or store and not exactly too much to look at decor wise, but the dumplings are good. You can choose any configuration of dumplings you prefer, steamed or fried. They often offer "surprise" or limited time offerings of new flavors sometimes labeled as "dumpling A". They have great freshly made shave ice in the summer with either red beans or mango, syrup and condensed milk which is awesome on a hot day. While you are eating you can have your friends check you out there via their live webcam.

Happy Eating!

Which Cupcakes Reign Supreme?

Jill: After being a self-proclaimed cupcake addict, Neil and I decided to try out another bakery that some have said to have the best cupcakes in NYC. We just had to settle this debate for ourselves. And the contenders are:

Buttercup Bake shop
973 2nd Avenue
(Between 51st and 52nd Streets)
New York, NY 10022
www.buttercupbakeshop.com

VS.

Crumbs Bake Shop
Union Square
124 University Place
www.crumbs.com

Buttercup: Neil and I have been visiting this location on the East Side for about a year every once in a while sometimes on our way to get a gyro or some other snack. This place was opened by one of the owners of Magnolia Bakery and they specialize in the retro stylings of baked goods, something like Granny used to make. They have cupcakes a little on the smaller or average size as one would bake at home with pretty traditional but popular flavorings (chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, lady baltimore, devildog, apple spice) but consistently delicious, just enough frosting but not too much. Personally I feel as though too much frosting overpowers the flavor of the cake and leaves you reaching for a beverage to wash it down. Better off getting there early as sometimes there are less to choose from in the cases on the busy weekend nights and best eaten fresh before the icing has a chance to get dry. Bakery is pretty small with only about 2-3 tables so it is sometimes best just to get them to go. I do enjoy their cupcakes as a sweet treat once in a while but not necessarily worth a drive into the city just for these.

Crumbs:
I found this particular location just to be pleasing from the outside. Very modern design and furnishings on the inside that appeared more like espresso bar(which being an avid and addicted coffee drinker, I found very pleasing) than mom and pop bakery. I could hardly help myself from drooling while perousing the case with A LOT of varieties of cookies, cakes, muffins... and the beloved cupcake. Neil ordered the Pistachio Flavor while I got the Caramel Apple. They are larger than the average cupcake and have a very different domed shape to them than the average. They have some of the traditional flavorings, chocolate, vanilla etc but have ventured into the dressed up variety with ganache, white chocolate and even fondant toppings. I found out they actually started with just a vanilla and coconut as their first offering before expanding. I was plesantly surprised when cutting into the cupcake that they fill the centers! The caramel apple actually had apples on the inside and the pistachio had a green icing not to exclude the caramel drizzle on mine and the rimming of chopped pistachios on Neil's. I found there to be almost too much icing for me personally but hey I know there are some of you out there that have confessed to diving into the icing containers when there is some left over from icing cupcakes and having it straight up. I think they can do a little more to flavor the cake to match the name like in the case with the pistachio. It was lacking a bit in that flavor other than the rimming on the top, the icing was merely green and the inside just vanilla. I guess you wouldnt want to over do it. I do also like that the sale from their celebrity apprentice cupcake goes to helping the St. Jude's children's hospital. A great reasont to take a bite.

I think it is a tie for different reasons. I like the simplicity and the understated old-fashioned style bakery in Buttercup but the expansion for the palette's sake with Crumbs and the larger size.

Take the cupcake challenge and let us know what you think!