[slimeats]

Snack Time!

Having access to any and everything at will was something that I could absolutely get used to! It also allowed me to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes; SNACKING!

From icecream at the parlor to snack sized appetizers at the seafood shack. I was in heaven and was able to have little treats between each meal. I didn’t eat an official “lunch” most days, so snacking was a big part of holding me over between breakfast and dinner.

[slimeats]

BREAKFAST IN BED, but not really....

As tempting as ordering room service for breakfast was, I woke up every morning with no desire to stay in bed. I wanted to get up and enjoy the day as early as I could. The next best thing to an in-bed breakfast was endless buffet breakfast!

The resort’s breakfast buffet had mostly all of my morning favorites. Everything from waffles and pancakes, to fresh fruit and parfaits. They also had several ‘make it yourself’ stations.

The personal omelettes were one of the highlights of the buffet. They give you several options for toppings and/or cheeses. A few of my favorites were:

• spinach

• mushrooms

• tomatoes

• green and red peppers

• onions

• mozzarella cheese

Of course I would have been satisfied and full from just the overstuffed omelette; but where’s the fun in that? So I paired it with some Belgian waffles (a breakfast fav) and more bacon than I probably should have.

With so many savory flavors being had thus far, I balanced it all out with fresh fruit for acidity and a cute parfait for sweetness.

After breakfast I was almost always ready for a nap by the pool!

[slimeats]

extended stay, please?..

Vacations are never long enough, am I right?...

I just returned from a lovely trip in beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico! I had uber fun exploring and learning about Mexican culture. I of course also spent a lot of time maxin’ and relaxin’ on the all-inclusive beach resort and spa that I stayed at; called Ocean Coral & Turquesa.

Quick tip while vacationing, all-inclusive is definitely the way to go! Not having to worry about paying for food and drinks is amazing and adds to the relaxing experience that vacation brings. Upon check-in, they give you a wristband to wear and for your entire stay it acts as your all-access pass to all of the restaurants and bars on the resort. (every resort isn’t the same, some exclusions may apply)

The resort I stayed at was beautiful and huge, it had nine restaurants and five bars throughout. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to try EVERY restaurant. I did however check out majority of them, mostly the ones that peeked my interest the most. The following posts will be centered around my favorite meals and treats that I enjoyed during my trip. 😋

[slimeats]

SLIM’S SIPS 😋

🌴🍹 TROPICAL MAMÍ 🍹🌴

The next time you’re imagining yourself soaking up sun on a tropical island, make this smoothie for a dramatic affect! That is exactly what I was doing while I was making, and enjoying this yummy treat which I dub the ‘Tropical Mamí’.

Inspired by some staple fruit flavors from the Caribbean islands, this drink is sure to get you in a relaxing mood (especially if you add a splash of rum!)

• 1/2 cup coconut water

• 1/3 cup pineapple juice

• 1/3 cup orange juice

• 1 banana

• 1 1/2 cup fresh fruit

stawberries, pineapple, mango (I used frozen mango, but I suggest using fresh.)

As I said before, find some space in your blender for a splash of rum for an extra island feel and a nice buzz!

[slimeats]

SLIM’S SIPS 😋

🥤VERY BERRY BAE 🥤

This smoothie is for all the berry lovers! It’s packed with both fresh and frozen strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Although they aren’t my favorite fruit, berries are tasty little treats, and they’re really good for you. Berry benefits vary from boosting heart and brain functions, to stabilizing blood pressure. Also, the antioxidants in most berry seeds are known to increase collagen, elastin and hydration for the skin. (The triple threat for healthy skin!)

So enjoy this sweet treat with the assurance that you’re doing your body tons of favors.

• 1 1/2 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla)

• 2 cups frozen berries

blueberries, blackberries, strawberries

• Handful of fresh strawberries (adjust amount to preference)

• 1/2 a banana

*raspberries would also be a great addition, but I didn’t have any on hand*

Go berry crazy! 🍓

[slimeats]

SLIM’S SIPS 😋

🍹FROZEN CHERRY-PEACH TART🍹

This smoothie recipe was inspired by my intense longing for summertime. Since spring seems to be playing hide-and-seek, I decided to make something reminiscent of warm, sun shining days. This cold and fruity drink was super easy to make, and was exactly what I needed it to be!

• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (you can also use plain)

• 1/2 cup coconut water

• The juice of 2 lime. (adjust based on how tart you’d like it)

• 2 cups frozen fruit

black cherries, peaches, mango, strawberries

Garnish with mint for extra freshness!

[slimeats]

🌨SNOW DAY SNACKS🌨

It’s the second day of Spring, but we can’t tell here on the east-coast. We are currently being attacked by the second nor’easter of the year, and hopefully the last!

Since the weather today calls for staying indoors with snacks and sips, I gladly obliged with one of my favorite combinations. Popcorn & Wine! 😋

WINE: Barefoot Chardonnay.

I’m a white wine kind of girl! I love a dry Chardonnay or a sweet Moscato, especially with seafood and pasta. It’s very seldom that I prefer red wine, unless it’s a sweet red blend or if it’s a red wine Sangria.

Typically I stick to two brands;

Sutter Home is my favorite, but when the store runs out or doesn’t carry it I go with the Barefoot.

POPCORN: Orville Redenbacher’s.

This is one of the only brands of popcorn I buy. They have different flavors but my go-to is the movie theater butter, which I add my own sea salt and cracked black pepper to. The only honorable mention of popcorn for me is the three flavor tin can; with cheddar, caramel and butter. (I always mix the caramel with the cheddar) And of course, when I go to the actual movie theater and harass the conssession stand worker for extra melted butter! 😋

Feel free to comment and share some of your favorite snow day snacks with me!

[slimeats]

Freebird Kitchen and Bar

Although it isn’t too busy of a city, White Plains, NY is chock full of cool bars and restaurants. Having lived in the area for a few years, I’ve become pretty well acquainted with their popular Mamaroneck Avenue strip.

One of the newer additions to Mamaroneck Avenue is a southern food spot called Freebird Kitchen and Bar. I stopped in for happy hour a few weeks back with a friend of mine to feel the place out and I was really impressed. So much so that I dragged my friend back today for a late lunch.

For starters, their menu is amazing and the drinks are good and strong! On my first trip, I ordered a few happy hour sliders (chicken & waffles and crab cake) and a few whiskey gingers. My favorite of the sliders was the crab cake, mostly because the chili aioli is to die for! Today’s trip was an opportunity to get more of an intimate feel since we were actually seated at a table for a full lunch and not just a bar-top experience.

After mulling over the menu for a while, I decided on the Cajun shrimp and cheese grits (Savory breakfast is one of my absolute favorites!). Freebird’s rendition of the popular dish includes a healthy portion of andouille sausage and jumbo shrimp which were super tender and well seasoned. They also include an amazing blend of sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes in a spicy sauce, which I could not get enough of! The cheese grits weren’t exactly what I expected in terms of flavor and portion unfortunately, but I won’t hold it against them. The grits did however serve as a vehicle to better enjoy the rest of the dish because they got the texture and consistency perfectly!

Besides the food and drinks being yummy, Freebird has a cool ambience and amazing decor. Hanging from the ceiling are origami swans and birds, which are beautiful and spot on for the restaurant’s theme. The tables, chairs, bar and bar stools themselves are super chic and modern; yet inviting and comfy!

They also have a rooftop area which I plan on visiting once the weather breaks.

Overall, I enjoyed myself and would absolutely recommend Freebird Kitchen and Bar.

https://www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com

161 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

[slimeats]

The Hiatus Is Over

Hi guys! I know my consistency with posting has been TERRIBLE, to say the least. Life happens, and I’ve been tied up and focused on so many other things. However, I am excited to say that my hiatus is officially over! I’m going to make a solid effort in no longer neglecting the blog.

With the spring season approaching and bringing the warm weather with it, I will definitely be out and about more often. Which means restaurants, bars and more importantly BRUNCH! So in the coming months, expect more restaurant reviews and recommendation posts. Also, feel free to submit questions, comments or even restaurants that you’d recommend or want me to review!

[slimeats]

If you’re ever in White Plains, NY and have a sushi craving, check out Haiku on Mamaroneck Ave. They have the best sushi and the best prices that I’ve ever come across!

They also make great general tso’s chicken! (Pictured)

https://www.haikubistro.com

[slimeats]

✨Shrimp scampi in garlic/butter sauce ✨

😋

[slimeats]

Tonight's Dinner ✨smothered pork chops with wild rice pilaf✨

- homemade gravy with onions and mushrooms 😋

[slimeats]

Tonight’s Dinner ✨Penne w. Italian sausage✨

[slimeats]

One of my favorite go-to snacks is popcorn! I normally buy 'Extra butter' and then add salt + pepper. Totally not the healthiest snack but I do enjoy indulging! 😋 *** FYI popcorn is AMAZING with a glass of white wine. 😋

[slimeats]

I have a thing for frozen treats. So much so that there was a point last summer where I brought a pineapple-mango smoothie everyday from McDonald’s. These days I despise McDonald’s for a number of reasons, so needless to say I haven’t had my favorite smoothie in a while. Today I decided to take matters into my own hands. Mine came out just as good, if not better! 😋

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

- Frozen fruit chunks - Vanilla yogurt - Crushed ice - Sugar

**** Today I didn’t have any, but you can add a splash of orange juice as a base for your smoothie. I used yogurt as a texture base this time, however there is an unlikely ingredient that adds amazing texture to smoothies. Rice! It may sound weird but trust me, a bit of cooked white rice adds a nice thick and smooth texture.

(Dole has a ton of different frozen fruit chunk flavors to choose from for you to substitute or add!)

[fattributes]

[slimeats]

fried calamari + anything spicy = 😋

[slimeats]

Summer ‘16 has been absolutely amazing to my tastebuds. A few months ago I discovered Harlem’s restaurant cluster on and around 116th street and boy am I glad I did!

My most recent trip to 116th street was this past Tuesday (8/20/16) A couple of my girlfriends and I visited a place I’ve been wanting to try for sometime now and I was not at all disappointed.

Though seemingly small in size, Lolo’s Seafood Shack packs a lot of big flavors and great food. Tucked on a block between Fredrick Douglass Blvd. and Manhattan Ave. , Lolo’s is quite easy to overlook. The restaurant appears to be a small storefront from the outside, but as you enter it becomes more apparent that you’re definitely in the right place.

The set-up of this restaurant is a bit different from most because you order and pay upfront before you are seated. The menu definitely plays on the “seafood shack” idea, however they take it a step further with Caribbean inspired items. Their food choices reflect their menu title “The Original Caribbean + Cape cod Mash Up”, with things like ‘Belizean Conch Fritters’ and ‘Jerk Chicken + Durty Rice + Johnny Cale Basket’

I stuck to my usual seafood favorites and ordered the ‘Crab Legs and Shrimp Steampot’. 1 lb. of snow crabs, ½ lb. of peel and eat shrimp, corn and sweet potatoes with garlic butter and Old Bay. (They also give the option to change the sauce to Coco Curry or Ginger butter and scallion) [$30.00]

Let me tell you, those crab legs were the best I’ve ever had! In most cases at seafood restaurants they don’t season crab legs enough for my taste. They sometimes don’t season them at all! Lolo’s on the other hand definitely has the seasoning under control. The garlic butter sauce and Old Bay was amazing paired with both the shrimp and the crabs, which were steamed perfectly. There was just the right amount of food for the price and the service, though limited (because of the counter order) was amazing. I’ll admit I was tempted to get another order to-go, but I behaved myself.

I would absolutely refer Lolo’s to anyone who loves seafood with big flavors. If you’re more of a shrimp person I do not suggest you order what I ordered because ½ lb. of shrimp does not suffice. I do regret not ordering items that were outside of my comfort zone but if I’m being honest, I just had an extreme crab leg craving. I will without a doubt be visiting Lolo’s Seafood Shack again, even if just for take-out. 😋

Lolo’s Seafood Shack 303 W 116th St. NYC 10026

TUESDAY + THURSDAY 4pm - 10:30pm FRIDAY + SATURDAY  12pm NOON - 10:30pm SUN 12pm NOON - 9 pm Closed on Mondays

http://www.lolosseafoodshack.com