eat your chow.

16 Handles, East Village

Another way to celebrate fantastic weather: ice cream! I finally tried 16 Handles a few weeks ago, hence our winter wear. Yes, that’s right, the place has 16 flavors of frozen yogurt. (Oreos and cream, peanut butter, and red velvet cake were my choices.)

It’s not the most flavorful stuff I’ve ever had, and is more comparable to Tasti than tart yogurt. But having so many yogurt flavors and at least twice as many topping choices was exciting.

Drawback: with toppings like brownie and cookie dough bites and peanut butter sauce (guilty on all counts), don’t expect this to be a healthy treat unless you have incredible willpower. Good thing the yogurt is nonfat.

2pm

Cafe Gitane, NoLita

Brunch is the best way to celebrate good weather, so Saturday I did my sunny weather-happy dance and headed up the street to Cafe Gitane. Although it’s not my favorite neighborhood restaurant (mostly because there’s always a wait and the service can be hit or miss), I do take my out of town guest here for the rumored best coffee in nyc. I try not to drink coffee so I have yet to taste it, but I’m sure one day I’ll break down. So far, my friends do agree it’s the best.

What I do like about this place is the cheerful, sunny ambience; the beautiful Europeans who have made it their outpost; the simple, affordable French-Moroccan food; and maybe best of all, the fresh squeeze orange juice. It’s the real deal people.

I had the baked eggs with basil, tomato, cream, and spicy sausage. It was delicious and filling, especially for $9.

1pm

My coworker brought in some of the prettiest chocolates I’ve ever seen, from Norman Love Confections. I chose the chocolate peanut butter truffle, obviously. The shop is in Fort Myers, where I was a month ago. Drat!

This is my new go-to when I need to send a little gift.

10am

25 Most Common Cooking Mistakes

(via thecooknook)

Over-softening butter. Ugh, I do it every time.

Via EmilyPosts

5pm

Butter Lane Cupcakes, East Village

So a couple weeks ago this happened. Actually, because of a cold, I only made it through a half dozen cupcakes, and yes, I ate all of them by myself within 24 hours. Don’t judge. One Groupon went unused (I was that sick); let’s not dwell on it.

Butter Lane has three cupcake flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and banana) and at least 20 different frostings, so you can mix and match your little cakes right on the spot. I normally hate all things banana except banana bread, but I decided to give “The Elvis” (banana cake, peanut butter frosting, topped with mini marshmallows) a go. Thank God. This actually was my favorite out of the whole bunch.

Using the picture below and going clockwise from The Elvis (also ranked 1-6, 1 being the highest, and going to The Elvis):

• Chocolate cake with chocolate raspberry frosting (5)
• Vanilla cake with strawberry frosting (6)
• Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting (2)
• Vanilla cake with honey cinnamon frosting, swirled with honey on top (4)
• In the middle, vanilla cake with burnt caramel frosting, topped with popcorn (3)

The vanilla cake is sometimes a little dry, but the frosting is outstanding, the creative flavors are ridiculous, and the thoughtful way they top the cupcakes is just the ”icing on the cake.” Butter Lane is one of my top four cupcakeries in the city, along with Crumbs (I don’t care what you haters say!), Baked by Melissa, and another place I’ll tell you about soon.

PS- they also have frosting “shots.”

9am

Angelica Kitchen, East Village

I have several go-to healthy restaurants in New York that I eat at frequently (Candle Cafe, Spring Street Natural, and Josie’s), but last week I wanted to try some place new. Enter Angelica Kitchen. The space is cozy and relaxed, the food vegan and delicious, although it’s no Candle Cafe. I had the Marinated Tofu Sandwich: lemon herbed baked tofu layered with roasted vegetables, a smear of parsley-almond pesto, and lettuce. It was pretty delicious.

I will definitely return next time I’m jonesing for some vegan food and don’t feel like traveling uptown. Candle needs a downtown outpost, stat.

Do you have a favorite healthy restaurant in New York? Do tell!

10am

3000 Miles 'Til Dinner

snackgirl:

Please, pretty, pretty please follow my new blog where my chef mother-in-law posts recipe missions and both my sister-in-law and I attempt them. It’s brand new, so stay tuned for more missions. And while you’re at it cook along with my MIL!

You can even ask her a cookin’ question here.

This is a really cute idea for a food blog. Wish my mom and I had thought of it!

Via SNACK

10am