Brightgirl

Birthday dinner, Macao Trading

March 14, 2014May 23, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Dinner, Drinks, Restaurants

I absolutely love birthdays, with them come dinner and usually cake but always some sort of dessert. My sister and my niece are a day apart. This year my niece turned five and my son had a Boy Scout event the same weekend. My sister decided to go away, I couldn’t go Mommy duties over sister duties. No worries my sister had a restaurant picked out and reservations made for dinner. The four of us, my mom, two sister’s and I were all on time, amazing. We ordered three drinks, the Hong Kong, No Mames and Dr. Funk. I loved the names of all thier drinks, they have an extensive drink menu. I may have mentioned I am a tequila girl, two of those drinks were tequila based and the other was rum based. The drinks were awesome! We ordered a few appetizers. Kale salad, it had these crispy homemade potato chips that they called croutons. I was an immediate fan of the salad. Steamed dumplings, they were steamed dumplings. The shrimp was served in the pan it was cooked in with a fantastic bread served in the side. Mushroom croquettes, I don’t like mushrooms if I see them. These were pretty good. The dipping sauce probably won me over. Mains!! I got African chicken with slaw. It was so good. The sauce was really tasty and not over powering. The slaw was the perfect cool compliment. Birthday girl had lobster, there was none left. My mother had Hakka noodles with vegetables. She enjoyed it, it had to have a kick to it. She isn’t satisfied unless there’s some heat. My sister had Hake, he fish was light and flaky. I thought it could use a little heat, it had a nice flavor. We had long beans, bok choy and black rice. The black rice was divine, it surprised me. The veggies were seasoned well. Desserts!! We had two Diablo chocolate desserts and malasadas, like a beignet. The Diablo Thai chili chocolate with this super thin brittle on it. Not sure words can describe how delicious it was. The birthday girl got a Tropical storm dessert, rum soaked fruit with a ginger whipped cream. Ginger is one of her favourites. This meal was great. This place has a lounge downstairs, so the party could continue. I would love to go back, more drinks and definitely dessert.

CRONUT!!!

February 22, 2014February 22, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Brunch, Desserts, Restaurants, Snacks

I wasn’t originally going to write about it but I got a lot of questions about it. I tried to go one evening after work, it was sold out. They have other pastries and great looking treats, my quest was for the Cronut. My relationship is transitioning and it’s making me feel very sad. To cheer myself up one morning I hopped off the train at Spring Street and joined the line for the Cronut. I was going to be at work early had I not made this detour. I’m calculating I have about forty minutes to get it and get to work. Ten minutes pass, now twenty at thirty I wonder if it’ll happen. A woman behind me says ‘it’s so worth it, wait a few more minutes’. Right after she says that an employee comes out and lets us all in, whoop, whoop! I learned on line that there’s one flavor for the month, February’s is Raspberry Lychee. I’m not a fan of the cooked fruit, I figured it’s a Cronut it’ll be different. You are only allowed to buy two. The lady behind me bought my other one. I got to work with two minutes to spare. The Cronut looks and smells amazing. The packaging is super unique. It was like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. It was buttery, flaky and layered like a croissant but shaped and flavored like a donut. Hence the name Cronut, best of both worlds. It was just enough to bring me a bit of happiness. I’ll be back next month for another flavor, I can hardly wait.

Last minute birthday dinner, Woodland

February 14, 2014February 15, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Desserts, Dinner, Restaurants

I usually write about places relatively quickly, this not usual. My mother’s birthday is in July, this tells how how long ago I went. We didn’t have a place in mind, just an area. We parked on Flatbush and walked until we found a menu that peaked my mother’s interest. She doesn’t eat meat, so there has to be a decent fish or vegetable selection. This place is woodsy and rustic, floors, tables, chairs and even the bar. It was hot we all ordered strawberry lemonade, made with fresh puree, makes such a difference. Only one of us got an appetizer, butternut squash soup. It was flavorful and piping hot. I ordered the charred Cornish hens with apple/fennel slaw. My mother ordered the whole branzino, with spinach. My sister had burger with truffle fries. We ordered roasted broccoli and duck fat red bliss mash. All the sides were really good. The hens were amazing, you could taste the grill. The fish and burger were okay. We had a few desserts, hot apple crumb with vanilla ice cream, red velvet cupcake and beignets. The beignets were divine, the apple crumb being served warn was a help. Nothing about this place expect the ambiance would have me go again. My meal all in all was good, there wasn’t anything else that really grabbed me. It maybe good for a beignets and a drink after work.

Bonus post!! Taste of Chicago, part two.

February 7, 2014February 8, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Drinks, Out of Town, Restaurants

I woke up on the morning of day two with my whole day planned. I had breakfast downstairs at Angels and Kings. Buttermilk pancakes with orange butter, maple syrup and turkey sausage. Everything was delish, I love when everything is served hot. I then took a cab to Shedd Aquarium, I love aquariums and try to visit every city I go to. After the aquarium I walked back to Taste for a few quick bites. I had a tequila lime taco, corn on the cob, a nutella filled crepe, a slice of cheesecake, fried mustard catfish, buffalo boneless chicken and fresh cut fries with a carrot aioli. The aioli was divine, the chicken was too spicy for me, I can usually do heat, so I was disappointed, I only ate two. The corn was so fresh and the crepe was made to order so it was super hot and yummy. I love tequila anyway adding a taco to the mix just warms my heart. The catfish was like grandma used to make divine. I also found a crazy assortment of hot chips. I posted a pic below. I found the Garrett Popcorn, it originated in Chicago so I had the authentic Chicago Mix, saved it for my plane ride home. For my first ‘big girl’ trip, I had a ball. I would like to go back to do a little more sight seeing.

PS I was out there for 7/11, got my free slurpee!

Bonus Post!! Taste of Chicago, part one.

January 30, 2014January 31, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Out of Town

After two years of longing to go I finally made it. It was a graduation gift. My flight was delayed a couple hours due to rain. I picked a hotel (Hard Rock) that ended up being walking distance to Taste, score!!! I arrived early enough to enjoy Taste twice and take a nap on day one. I didn’t have a particular place I wanted to try, just as many as I could in two days three visits and tickets bought. Visit one: stuffed spinach pizza, bbq chicken slider, jerk chicken, hazelnut gelato and a watermelon slice to clean the palate. Everything was good and just the right portion. You can get taste portions or a full portion so to maximize my tastes I got taste portions of everything.

Side what? Sidecar

January 22, 2014January 22, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Brooklyn, Brunch, Drinks, Restaurants

I saw this place on a television show. I figured hey, it’s in Brooklyn and looks interesting. Went online, saw something on the menu that called my name. My home girl from Boston was coming into to town and I figured we’d go there for brunch. It was crowded and a thirty minute wait. We opted to sit on high chairs by the open kitchen. I found a vanilla vodka based drink, it was light perfect for brunch. I ordered the Migas, it’s basically a Mexican inspired egg dish. The guacamole was tasty, it could use a kick of heat though. The tortillas were served warm. My friend ordered a bunch of sides. Nothing on the menu was that interesting for her. Cheese grits, a biscuit, eggs, sausage and home fries. The biscuit was average, the home fries were a little crisper than I would’ve preferred. The cheese grits were really good. I saw a few drinks that were interesting and the fried chicken sounds good. Not sure that’s enough for me to make my way back anytime soon.

Sticky’s Finger Joint

January 7, 2014January 11, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Dinner

This name couldn’t be more perfect. They specialize in chicken fingers. Thier signature fingers are Salted Caramel!! Crispy fingers, covered in salted caramel served with pretzel sticks. I have a slight prejudice to salted caramel but these are my favorite. I also had the Buffalo Balsamic Maple, the first flavor you taste is buffalo but there’s a mild sweetness to it. Flame Fire Curry, was just that. The kick was serious, but nice cause curry is usually calm. Bada a Bing, the loveliest piece of chicken parmesan to exist, in a few little bites. This was my second trip trip here and I decided to try the Vampire Killer, it was good minus the aioli. It was crispy and the garlic was just right. The aioli overpowered the taste for me. Wasabi had a great flavor. The ginger was enough and the aioli was just right. I tried all the fries: cajun, truffle, green bean and salt and vinegar. I loved all of them! I rarely eat salt and vinegar chips, unless I steal a few from my homegirl. These were amazing. They have basic drinks..except the Mexican Coke, yum! It’s not the biggest place. The owner was there both times I went. He was very friendly and outgoing which made the experience more enjoyable. I love good food amd good service. It’s good for just two, date night. I’ve seen bigger parties make it work too. Working on making my way back, very soon.

Bonus Post! The Capital Grille

October 14, 2013August 13, 2015 by Brightgirl, posted in Dinner, Drinks, Restaurants

I’ve made two successful trips back to Boston this summer. Lots of emotion, no tears though. My trips used to be to visit my Nana. She has gone on to a better place. Now my visits are to a city that I have grown to love. I am not a steak person, but I am a food person. This restaurant is known for steak, there surf and turf options are on point as well. Started with a mojito, mint was muddled well. The calamari was amazing, first time I ever had it tossed with hot cherry peppers. I had a caesar salad, the dressing was just right, keeping the lettuce nice and crisp. I went with cod, I usually have salmon. It was great, had a citrus flavor, with pieces of grapefruit included. My date had a steak, NY sirloin, enjoyed every morsel of it. We had creamed spinach as a side. It was very tasty, not to creamy. I saved room for dessert. Creme brulee, it was divine. Just a few berries on top, yum! The service was amazing, very attentive and helpful.

I am looking forward to going to ine in New York to compare the food and service.

Brunch and Lunch, Pounds and Ounces

August 13, 2013January 18, 2014 by Brightgirl, posted in Drinks, Restaurants

Not too long ago my post office was closed. I was rerouted to the one on 18th. I past this place first dish I saw was Mac and Cheese Croquettes. My next Saturday off, I went for brunch with my homegirl. No croquettes on the brunch menu, pretty sure I could’ve ordered them though. They had something else that caught my eye, deviled eggs!! I decided to have a savory brunch instead of sweet. I had the eggs and a crispy chicken benedict. A savory waffle, greens, chicken with an egg on top. I got egg only on one, not a fan of the runny egg. Chicken was cooked well, nice and crispy, greens were surprisingly tasty the waffle had a touch of sweetness. My girl had a steak burrito it was huge!! The hash browns, were yummy. I had a tequila based drink, it was cool and light. It was called snow cone, so appropriate.

Lunch with my peeps was great. I ordered my croquettes, immediately. I had wings and ginger carrots too. My date had calamari and a salmon burger. I had a/c lemonade, apple cucumber. He had a berry drink with apple juice in it. They were both blended and super yummy. Mac and cheese was soo good. The crust on it was perfect, the mac and cheese was hot when you opened it. The calamari was nice and crispy. The wings were cooked enough to have that nice crust on it. The had a nice flavor. The carrots were the baby ones, orange and yellow. The ginger was on target, not over powering. His burger, whoa! It was big, had lox and sliced avacado along with lettuce, tomato and onion. It was marvelous. Served with fries, they were good too.

The service was great both times I went. The atmosphere is really swank and sleek. I would absolutely go again. They have a nutella stuff french toast, gotta try that.

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