Have you ever had a craving for some good old fashioned street tacos? We call that Tuesday in our house. Always looking for new adventures, we were excited when our neighbors suggested a new taco hot spot- this local suburban NJ Mexican Cantina called Lolita’s in Westwood (Bergen County).
Stepping into Lolita’s felt like stepping into an old family friendly Mexico City eatery with the brick walls, wooden tables, and vibrant colors complete with a full 360 degree bar as the centerpiece. There is a range of Mexican beers and the premium tequila collection sets the stage for some delicious margaritas. After all, what’s a taco without a margarita to wash it down?? Those who know me understand my love affair with spicy margaritas and Lolita’s did not disappoint with the “El Barrio”- a margarita concocted with jalapeno infused tequila!
El Barrio
Sangria
Classic Margarita
Both times that we visited Lolita’s (Yes, we liked it so much we went back a few weeks later!) , we decided to make our own “family style” meal. The dishes come complete with 4 tacos, so we ordered multiple different flavors and them divvied them up!
Needless to say, our craving was satisfied! The food was fresh and delicious and the servings were the perfect amount- we felt full but not regretfully overstuffed. Here is what we ate:
Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Aioli and Avocado
Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Mango slaw
Carne Asada Tacos with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo
Crispy Chicken Tacos with Avocado and Pico de Gallo
And I wouldn’t be doing our visit justice if I didn’t mention the Mexican Street Corn, which was AMAZING!
Also pictured: Mexican Meatballs, Handmade Guacamole, Rice and Beans, andFlautas.
Tacos are not the only food served at Lolita’s- the menu is complete with empanadas, quesadillas, paellas, enchiladas, and more! So if you are in NJ and looking for a night out with some delicious Mexican food, check it out!
Nestled in the Financial District on Water Street in NYC you will find The Dead Rabbit- not the animal, the pub. It’s an old fashioned “saw dust on the floor” Irish bar started by Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon back in 2013 when they came to New York from Ireland. It didn’t take long for them to be voted “Best Bar in North America”. In fact, they hit a homerun, claiming the title for 4 consecutive years!!
The Dead Rabbit: 30 Water Street, New York, NY
So what does it take to get on the “Best Bars” list? The menu is far more impressive than most Irish bars. The whiskey list is so great the Village Voice voted The Dead Rabbit “Best Whiskey Bar in New York” in 2015. The cocktail menu has won so many awards that we lost count. This should come as not surprise considering the fact the Jack McGarry has been voted “International Bartender of the Year” and Jillian Vose, the bar manager, won a 2013 “Rising Star Award” from Star Chefs. The food menu is a little more upscale than your typical Irish bar and is as good as the cocktails and whiskey, offering labeled gluten free menu options for those with food allergies and sensitivities. If you are downtown and looking for a place to enjoy good food, drinks, and atmosphere, this is it! There are 3 floors of fun and cheer, including The Taproom on the first floor, The Parlor on the second floor, and The Occasional on the third floor, where small private parties can be accommodated. Cheers, or should I say Slàinte!
*According to the National Institute of Health, the distilling process removes all gluten proteins from whiskey, making it gluten free.
*After this trip, we returned to The Dead Rabbit for brunch. If you are looking for an authentic Irish breakfast, this is the place!Whether you are going for drinks, food, or their comic book-like menus, it’s definitely worth a trip to see The Dead Rabbit!
This is not your ordinary ice cream shop! What started as a seasonal ice cream truck by 2 long time New Yorkers has grown into a year round NYC ice cream staple. BGIC has won a slew of awards in its 10 year lifespan, including #1 Ice Cream Shop in the United States and #5 Ice Cream Shop in the World! (as rated by USA Today).
They combine old school custard style ice cream with fresh new flare. A classic favorite is “The Dorothy”: Vanilla Ice Cream that has been injected with Dulce de Leche and rolled in crushed Nilla Wafers. YUM! Every now and then they get real crazy with their flavor combos and have limited time specials. As you will see below, our most recent trip to BGIC included the limited time Conan O’Brien special which consisted of thick vanilla ice cream layered and rolled in crushed Cheetos. I know what you are thinking, but don’t knock it ’til you try it!! These guys know how create an ice cream twist that will blow your mind!
Limited Time Special: Vanilla Ice Cream with Crushed Cheetos
Visit Big Gay Ice Cream at one of their 3 New York City locations:
East Village (The Original) 125 East 7th Street New York, NY
West Village 61 Grove Street New York, NY
South Street Seaport 11 Fulton Street New York, NY
They also expanded into Center City Philadelphia in 2015 and you can indulge in these sinful treats at: 1351 South Street Philadelphia, PA
Bear Mountain State Park is situated on the Northern West Bank of the Hudson River and offers tons of seasonal fun for park goers. About a one hour drive from NYC, this park is great for hiking, biking, picnics, paddle boats, cross country skiing, and more. There are 50 documented hiking trails, spread over 235 miles of park and they range from short to long, easy to difficult. My favorite trail is the Major Welch Trail. It’s 2.5 miles up and 2.5 miles back, making a nice 5 mile day hike landing you at Perkins Memorial Tower at the top. The view from Perkins Memorial Tower is amazing, and on clear days you can see the Manhattan skyline, 40 miles to the south. This is a great place to perch on the boulders to eat lunch or just enjoy the view. You can tour Perkins Memorial Tower for free, which is filled with exhibits, education, and park history.
The Major Welch Trail requires moderate skill level. There are areas of the trail that include steep inclines and uneven terrain; you will need to do some climbing! Be sure to bring a backpack with snacks and drinks if you are tackling this trail, especially if it’s a hot day. Also, remember to bring your camera- the view from the top is photo worthy! The trail back down is easier than the hike up and is part of the Appalachian Trail (marked by white trail markers). If you are looking for a little more leisure you can walk the 1.4 mile loop around Hessian Lake or rent paddle boats and cruise around the lake to check out the wildlife (there are lots of turtles!).
Don’t feel like being active at all? You can cozy up in the Bear Mountain Inn, a small mountainside retreat, for a romantic weekend getaway. Restaurant 1915 is located at the Bear Mountain Inn and is a great place for brunch.
Helpful Information: Parking at Bear Mountain is $10 and cash only is accepted! You can drive to the top for the view if you don’t feel like taking the hike. Perkins Memorial Drive is open April-late November, weather permitting.
Fun Facts: There is a merry-go-round near the Bear Mountain Inn that is a popular place for children’s birthday parties. For information and reservations, contact guest services at the Bear Mountain Inn at 845-786-2731.
There is a lot of flavor cooking at this West Village gourmet eatery and market. With the feel of an Italian Salumeria and the taste of a French Bistro, Suprema will leave you salivating for more. The setting is cute and informal with just the right amount of tables for a small restaurant feel. There is a full service bar with a wine list that complements the cuisine, which is no surprise with Joshua Wesson, a well known sommelier, heavily involved in the restaurant’s success. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, assisting us with the best choices for pairing our food and drinks. At the back entrance of Suprema, Italian meats, books, and other fine imported foods can be purchased in the “market”. From salami and cheese boards to pork shoulder lasagna to the famous “Suprema Burger” itself, you won’t be disappointed here. It is worth noting that the “Suprema Burger” was the highest rated burger in NYC by the Gotham Burger Social Club!
What We Ate:
The Suprema Burger: Short Rib, Brisket, iberico jamon, bacon jam, black garlic sauce, aged cheddar cheese sauce, and sundried tomatoes.
Roasted Chicken with Young Carrots and Potatoes
Since this is a smaller venue, reservations are recommended, especially in the evenings and on weekends.
You can call for reservations at 646-964-4994. You can visit their website at www.supremanyc.com
Suprema Provisions is located in the West Greenwich Village neighborhood at 305 Bleecker Street New York, NY
What if I told you that you could visit a place where the walls were made of chocolate fountains? It seems like something out of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory but move over Willy Wonka, there is chocolate flowing in the heart of Union Square, NYC!
Chocolate Fountains at Venchi, Union Square NYC
The place is Venchi, a world renowned Italian Chocolatier serving up gourmet chocolates, coffees, gelato and crepes. These are all amazing, but the star of the show in the 45-foot long and 10-foot high chocolate fountain that makes up the walls of half of this decadent dessert shop. Look, don’t touch though! The walls are not for eating.
You can visit Venchi’s chocolate fountains at 861 Broadway, New York, NY. Just want to indulge in the sweet treats? Venchi also sells their goods at the Flatiron and World Trade Center Eataly locations in NYC, and various locations around the world.
For more information, or to find a Venchi near you, visit their website here.
I don’t know about you but I find gardens and greenhouses to be very soothing spaces. After all, psychologists have found that having plants in your living space can decrease stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and enhance creative thinking. And who doesn’t enjoy starting their day with a good cup of coffee or tea? So the idea of combining plants with coffee is brilliant! That is just what you will get at Remi Flower and Coffee in NYC! Buy your java in the front of the store and your hand cut flowers in the back! The café beverages are well done and are complete with a frothy design. There is seating available amongst the greenery so you can enjoy your coffee peacefully in house or you can get it to go. Either way, this is a great spot for your morning joe!
What we ordered:
Left: Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk
Right: Pumpkin Spice Latte
You can visit Remi Flower and Coffee at 906 2nd Avenue New York, NY For more information, visit www.reminyc.com
I am sure you have all heard of the “Fearless Girl” by now, as she has created quite a buzz around the world. What started as a temporary art installation commissioned by State Street Global Advisors to encourage large companies to put women on their boards has become a global phenomenon.
“Fearless Girl” started her journey posted in front of the “Charging Bull” at Bowling Green but has since been moved to her new, more permanent location across from The New York Stock Exchange. She has caused both controversy and a movement of empowered females all at the same time, but like most pieces of art, you can interpret it as you wish.
To me, Fearless Girl’s soft childlike features and her big stance say “Dream big, anything is possible”. She is a celebration of all who came before her that broke boundaries, knocked down walls, and accomplished greatness, women like Rosa Parks, Kathryn Switzer, Malala Yousafzai, Sally Ride, Diana Princess of Wales, Gertrude Belle Elion, Virginia Apgar, and so many more. She is also an inspiration to young girls whose world changing activities have not yet played out. And most importantly, she’s a reminder to all that a person’s worth should be judged by what they contribute to the world through their minds, their compassion, their hard work, and their talents, not their race, gender, or economic status.
I bet when Kristen Visbal created this 50 inch tall sculpture she had no idea what a force she would be. You go girl!
What does the Fearless Girl mean to you? You can visit her in Downtown Manhattan across the street from the New York Stock Exchange.
Fearless Girl, across the street from the New York Stock Exchange
New York winters may be cold, but you can walk into 1803 and immediately be transported to the French Quarter in sunny New Orleans. Named for the year of the Louisiana Purchase, 1803 offers Cajun cuisine with a flare of French and Spanish flavor. It is brunch by day and speakeasy by night, offering a downstairs jazz club with Bourbon Street style cocktails. Next time you are downtown dine in NOLA style at the Big Easy of the Big Apple!
1803 Restaurant, located at 82 Reade Street, New York, NY
What We Ate for Brunch:
Crawfish Cakes Benedict with a Side of Slab Bacon
Green Eggs No Ham (Poached Eggs in a Tomatillo and Poblano Pepper Sauce) with a Side of Jambalaya
It’s that time again!! This month’s #GGA5daygetaway destination is Iceland. We had the pleasure of visiting this small country during the winter months. The frozen scenery was breathtaking and quite a sight to see. However, the winter weather can be treacherous so be sure to plan accordingly if you are traveling during the cold season!
Climate
Iceland is a Nordic Island Nation situated in the North Atlantic between Greenland and Norway. Temperatures are similar to Upstate New York, both in the summer and the winter. Iceland holds wonderous beauty in all seasons. It is the most volcanically active country in the world and boasts beautiful waterfalls, geysers, and glaciers, creating no shortage of sights to see. The plethora of volcanoes allows for the country to run mostly on geothermal energy, but we will get into that later! Iceland is very safe for both visitors and natives and is rated #1 on the Global Peace Index.
How to Prepare
If you will be exploring in the elements during your winter trip to Iceland you will want to pack walking boots that are comfortable, water proof and warm. The wind tends to be colder than the actual air so a wind proof jacket and pants are also recommended, along with hats, gloves, and all of the other necessities. The ONE ITEM that you MUST take with you: YAK TRAKS, TRACTION CLEATS, ICE SPIKES, ICE GRIPS, CRAMPONS: whatever you want to call those little spiked straps you put on the bottom of your shoes, don’t leave home without them. During a hike to a waterfall we almost had a tragedy on our hands. Bring your traction cleats. Use them. Period.
The other thing to think about bringing is snacks/food. Iceland isn’t exactly known for their cuisine, and the natives will tell you that. Food is expensive and if you are taking day trips the guides will tell you to pack a lunch. If you have food allergies, it’s not the easiest place to visit. I packed an entire carry on bag full of food when we went. We were happy we did.
Driving in Iceland
Our trip was only 4 days and based in the western region of the island. Daylight is short this time of year, so be sure to plan ahead to maximize your time! We rented a car and drove many places. If you plan to do this, here are some helpful tips: **Driving is on the right side of the road **Car headlights must be on at all times **Cell phone use while driving is prohibited **Seatbelts are required by law **ALWAYS check the road conditions prior to leaving on a day trip. Roadways can be desolate in places so getting stuck would be quite a predicament. **At the time of renting you are given the option of snow tires and extra windshield protection- I recommend both **Be sure to get fuel when you see a gas station, they are often few and far between **The Search and Rescue Association of Iceland has released a safety app for visitors planning to drive in Iceland (click here for information on app)
Renting a car is fun and allows you the freedom to see the sights at your leisure, but is by no means necessary. If you are staying in Reykjavik, most places are walkable and there are plenty of tours to waterfalls, parks, geysers, and other activities.
Currency and Language
Other Helpful Information: The Currency used in Iceland in called the Icelandic Krona (ISK) and is the only currency accepted at most establishments, however a majority of the places do accept credit cards. Cash can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival. Although the native language in Iceland is Icelandic, we found that most people also speak English. Alcohol is EXPENSIVE; it is only sold in state run liquor stores or restaurants and is heavily taxed. Keep this in mind if you are planning a celebration such as a bachelor/bachelorette party, birthday celebrations, etc.- it could get pricey if you are going there to party!
Now that you are prepared to travel, let’s get to the fun stuff!! See the next article: Exploring Iceland- The Blue Lagoon and The Golden Circle.
