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Oh, Tagine Dining, you so complete my cravings for Moroccan food any day.Your maaquda and vegetable borek, vegetarian and lamb tagine are so good.
Tagine Dining. 537 9th Avenue.
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Cream Bakery. 31-78 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY.
Hit up this bakery if you happen to be roaming around Astoria. It’s cute, bright, and there’s a rather huge selection of baked items to choose from. They even sell boxed homemade chocolates that are wrapped so delicately in pink and blue ribbons. With so many choices of baked goods to choose from, I decided to go for their banana pudding which is just as comparable to that of the famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding. I also tried their cupcakes because I couldn’t resist (being the cupcake junkie that I am). I tasted the vanilla oreo, vanilla-vanila, banana cream cheese, pumpkin apple spice one though I would not recommend their cupcakes because they were rather dry and heavy. Definitely not up to par to those of Crumbs and Cupcake Crew or Magnolias.
On the bright side, this place is very cheap! Only $2.50 for a small banana pudding that sells for $4.50 at Magnolia’s and is just as delicious, if not better.
Petey’s Burger. 30-17 30th Avenue. Astoria, Queens.
In my adventures roaming around Astoria, Queens the past couple of weeks I happened to come upon the magical burger place known as “Petey’s Burgers.” Now I’m not one for fast food burger joints but this one happened to look more like a glorified burger king. I got the cheeseburger, fries, and drink combo special and was not disappointed in the least bit. At a reasonable price, this burger combo was delicious. Not to mention, they don’t skimp out on the fries. Go Petey’s!
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NUNU Chocolates. 529 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
While in Brooklyn yesterday, I happened to stop at Nunu Chocolates. Being the chocolate lover that I am, I could not resist entering the tiny, cozy, little storefront with its cute wooden tables and cushion green/organic themed chairs attesting to the homey feel I felt as soon as I entered. Rave reviews had told me that their “cozy” hot chocolate was amazing so I tried a cup but wasn’t too impressed. It was very creamy but there was not much flavor rather it fell more on the bland side and it did not quite fix my chocolatey craving. However, I did snag a set of their caramel blends which to my delight instantly hit the spot-like woah! The set included a sampling of their famous hand-dipped salt caramel, the salt-roasted cashew caramel, the soft golden caramel butterfly, and the peanut caramel crush. Nothing compares to their hand-dipped salt caramel chocolate which just dissolves into salty, creamy, caramel goodness.
A word to the wise, do not try their regular coffee, though the cheap price may be tempting. It’s just not worth it.
Who knew there could be so much goodness in one small serving of sweet banana pudding? Thanks Magnolia for reinventing such a delightful dessert.
Tonnie’s Minis-264 Lenox Avenue, NY.
There are some wonderful places in Harlem. Set aside from taking a trip to the Apollo or grabbing some grub at Sylvia’s, Tonnie’s Minis is the ideal, after activity treat delight. With different cupcakes to chose from, you even have the added option to make your own (how much better can it get?!) I’d have to recommend the golden sponge with buttercream frosting and added gummy bears as a finishing touch. The golden kiss is also great as a base but only if you also add the delicious unwavering touch of the buttercream frosting. Be sure to try M&M’s on that one though : )
The Chocolate Room, Brooklyn, NY.
Just discovered this hidden gem yesterday. The banana split was beyond scrumptious. Topped with a fresh baked creamy chocolate frosted cupcake and some homemade tasty chocolates to go, this place couldn’t have fulfilled my needy chocolate craving any better.
Oh, chocolate dough boy! Can someone say seconds please? 5 stars hands down.
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Sylvia’s Restaurant. 382 Lennox Avenue.
I finally got a chance to get myself to Harlem this week. Sylvia’s just happened to be right on the way. I’ve only heard people rave about Sylva’s so when I went I opted for the baked chicken with collard greens and mac & cheese as opposed to their bbq ribs, which they happen to be known for. Everything was appetizing though not entirely delicious. 3 stars out of 5.
