Doughnut Plant

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Doughnut Plant on the lower east side to pick up some doughnuts for our staff Birthday celebration at work. And then, I had the pleasure of trying to flag down a taxi with my foot, in the scorching heat, while awkwardly holding two boxes of three dozen doughnuts.  I'm just going to go ahead an pat my self on the back for that one. More importantly, let talk about how awesome Doughnut Plant is!

With recipes dating back to 1910, Doughnut Plant is pleasing the people of New York City one by one. Originally inspired by his grandfathers doughnut recipe, Mark, creator of Doughnut Plant, has been in the business of fried dough since 1994.  Starting from the basement of a tenant building gone kitchen work space, Mark and his team have come a long way now with two Doughnut Plant locations in NYC as of 2011 and locations in Tokyo and Seoul. I would like to personally thank Mark and his grandfather for their amazing doughnuts. Well done folks!

The doughnuts here are not so typical and that what makes it that much more interesting. They use all natural, high quality ingredients to make flavors like; Peanut Butter Jam, Black Out, Vanilla Bean, Tres Leches, Coconut Lime and they always have a fresh seasonal fruit flavor. Check out the full menu here.

Glazed and Peanut Butter Jam

 Cinnamon Sugar, Tres Leches, Vanilla Bean, Black Out

The Famous Peanut Butter Jam Doughnut

Doughnuts For All!

Doughnut Plant is located at 379 Grand Street and at 220 West 23rd Street in NYC. Grab a friend and go get some sugar at Doughnut Plant. You will be glad you did.


P.S. This is my favorite book right now and is the perfect accent to coffee and doughnuts. Get your copy now!

Follow me on social media: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/confessionsofahungrywhitegirl

Twitter: @OCastriota

Instagram: OCastriota

Pinterest: Olivia Castriota

Amaing Rice Ball's at Faicco's Italian Specialties

 

     I discovered Faicco's Italian Specialties while on a Greenwich Village Foods of NY Tour. If you haven't heard of this thing called a "food tour" you need to sign up for one the next time you go to a major city. Food tours have become one of my favorite hobbies over the last few years and every time I go somewhere new I look for one. For more information on the New York Foods of NY Tours click here (The Chelsea Market Tour is awesome as well!).

If you are looking for the perfect old school butcher for all of your Italian needs you will be sure to find it at Faicco's Italian Specialties. They have an assortment of  Italian meats as well as a wall full of tomato sauces, olive oils, bruschettes, pastas and much more. Anything you need to cook an Italian feast, you can find right here in this tiny shop. 

My favorite part of the shop are the Rice Balls. Its a small round ball of creamy rice dipped in bread crumbs and lightly fried and served warm. So, so delicious. Its the perfect little Italian snack and they only cost a dollar!

Faicco's Italian Specialties is located in the West Village at 260 Bleeker street NY, NY 10014. You can also reach them at (212) 243-1974. Now... go have a snack!

Serendipity 3 is The Place For Me

Serendipity- the art of making happy discoveries, or finding the unexpectedly pleasant by chance. That definition pretty much sums up what happens to every person who walks through the Upper East Side doors at Serendipity 3.

Serendipity 3 has been enticing taste buds for over fifty years. And over those years it has quickly become a favorite among celebrities and New Yorkers alike. It's a small Upper East Side gem with a huge  waiting list almost every night. Don't worry though, as long as you have a few hours to spare they will get you in and you can experience serendipity for yourself.

Although Serendipity 3 has a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, what I want to focus on is their sweet treats. Let's start with one of there most talked about items: "The Original, Outrageously Divine, Frozen Hot Chocolate." Its made up of chocolate pieces, hot chocolate mix, milk, sugar, whipped cream and chocolate shavings- and probably contains your calorie intake for the day. For the exact recipe click here. This tasty treat makes Oprah want to "dance on the chandeliers!" It can be all yours for only $8.95

Next is something so delicious it needs to be shared. The "Can't Say No" Sundae is a tower of humble pie, ice cream, banana, hot fudge and whipped cream. After the two hour wait, my best friend Annie and I were ready to feast! Again, all these calories can be yours for only $15.

Lastly, I want to tell you about the most expensive sundae that money can buy. This sundae is so intense that they need 48 hours notice prior to you ordering it. It's called the Golden Opulence Sundae. It's so fantastic that holds a Guinness World Record. I mean if you can afford to eat gold you might as well enjoy it at Serendipity 3. 

Serendipity 3 is located at  225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues New York, NY 10022. They are open Sun-Thur 11:30am to midnight, Friday 11:30am to 1:00am and Saturday 11:30am to 2:00am.





Some photos from: Table hopper and Emloves

Ruben's Empanadas

     
     Ruben's Empanadas are mmh-mmh-good. I stumbled upon this small shop about two months ago when I was running an errand at my internship. While walking down Broome street the word "Empanadas" caught my eye and immediately I was curious. I didn't have time at the moment to check it out but it didn't take long for me to wander there for lunch a few days later, and I'm sure glad I did.

     The menu is pretty simple as well as there marketing strategy. You won't find a Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for this shop and that fact kind of makes me like it more. It feels like you are a part of the extended family when you dine in at one of the four tables in the whole shop.They have been in the same spot for 32 years serving up some of the tastiest empanadas in SoHo. 

     They have empanadas made with beef, potatoes, ham & cheese, broccoli, ricotta and mozzarella and their most popular is spicy chicken. They also serve up classic rice and beans with your choice of black beans or pinto beans. For dessert they have sweet empanadas and a a cookie sandwich stuffed with caramel. YUM! Love, love, love this place and you should too!

Ruben's Empanadas is located in SoHo on the corner or Watts and West Broadway. The empanadas rock so go get some!

Pommes Frites Is Where It's At

   Pommes Frites is a place that I just cannot stop telling people about. Anytime I am talking to someone about the absolute best places to eat in NYC, Pommes Frites is always at the top of the list. It's not necessarily what most people would consider a typical meal but if french fries are in a separate food group in your book, like they are in mine, it makes an amazing Saturday night fourth meal.

Ta-dah!

The Double. Amazing.

Sweet chili with mango sauce.

     I discovered the Belgian fries at Pommes Frites about two years ago. I had just moved to NYC to start an internship at NBC and I was craving fries. My boyfriend and searched all over the area where I was living and couldn't find any satisfying fried potatoes. Lucky, I used my trusty friend Google.com and after a quick search for the "best fries in NYC" I stumbled upon Pommes Frites. And I have been a happy camper ever since.

     Pommes Frites is amazing for precisely three reasons. 1.The fries are hand cut and delicious!      2.They have over 26 hand made dipping sauces to choose from to make your fries even more fantastic. My favorite is mixing sweet chili with mango...AMAZING.  3.The menu is simple and its cheap.

Its a great place to go on a Sunday afternoon date or after going out dancing on Saturday night. Also when you get a craving at 3 AM don't fear because they are open till 4.

     Pommes Frites is located at 123 2nd Ave. New York, New York 10003. What are you waiting for? Go get some fries!

Welcome!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my new blog. My name is Olivia Castriota. I am a recent graduate of York College of Pennsylvania. I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY and I am an intern for the production company Warrior Poets. Of all the amazing things in my life, let's face it food is the most important. And not just any kind of food...mind blowing food. Eating fantastic food has been a passion of mine since I met my best friend Annie Swade. I mean I liked eating food before I met her in the ninth grade, but she really changed my perception of how much better life can be with ridiculously good food. Now finding cool and delicious restaurants, hole-in-the-wall joints, bakeries and everything in between has become a part of my daily routine. In this blog I am going to introduce you to the most mouth watering and tasty things one could ever eat. I live in New York-the Mecca of unique and amazing food- so most of the places I blog about will be here. But I will spice it up with some other areas from time to time. So grab a tissue cause as you read on you are sure to be drooling. Enjoy!