CHINESE FOO!

Chopstix

I believe there is only one of these, but it is truly a secret wonder. Not everyone enjoys Chinese food in an incredibly relaxed setting, but there is nothing I need more on a sad day then to have magical Chinese from chopstick’s with the girls. The menu is very diverse with the nice mixture of vegetables and meat dishes. The food is nowhere near as greasy as most Chinese restaurants, which is healthy and exciting. The food is cheap, but the taste surpasses the price expectations. The kitchen is very small, but they are always timely. If you order you should allow some time especially, on Friday’s, Saturday’s, and Sunday’s. So whether you are dying for steamed pork dumplings, or chicken with fried rice bring your chopstick’s for a stroll. One more thing; don’t forget to open your fortune cookie!

Morimoto munchies

Morimoto

Morimoto in Philadelphia is like a whole different world. The modern zen feel that the restaurant gives off is calming and feeds you energy as you wait in excitement for your food. The menu is extravagant especially, if you order the chefs choice. No matter what you are looking for a flavorful roller coaster that you will want to ride again and again. The restaurant may seem packed at all hours of the day, but they make sure to make it very personal. Maybe if you are lucky you will get a glimpse, or even talk to the Iron Chef himself. From the light soups and the salivating salads to the richer than Richy Rich desserts you are going to feel an extreme, full body experience. Not only does the restaurant have the perfect location, but the perfect vibe. If you love the cuisine of Asia’s then don’t be afraid to be daring and take a step inside.

Dunkin’ brings double trouble

DUNKIN DONUTS

I just finished stuffing my face with the most delicious muffin I have ever had and it comes fresh from Dunkin Donuts. They have umpteen amount of flavors and when choosing any flavor you can not go wrong. My favorites are chocolate chip and the apple Cinnamon. The aroma evaporating from the muffins is intoxicating in the best way possible. The muffins are cheap and easily accessible as there is generally a Dunkin Donuts at every corner. Everyone knows that a hot coffee and freshly baked muffin from Dunkin Donuts is the ultimate breakfast combo. It’s the best when you have Dunkin’s double trouble.

I spy with my little eye something doughy and cheesy

Pão de queijo

This is the most amazing cheese bread I have ever tasted. I guess a lot of good comes from having a Brazilian house keeper. I can indulge in around twenty of these in one sitting. The small doughy rolls are filled with various types of cheeses. They can be eaten in generally one bite and that is all it takes in order to taste the magic. Though they are relatively pricey when served in frozen packages they are not difficult to make from scratch. Both are equally rewarding experiences considering they share the same result. If you are looking for something soft, fluffy, and nourishing to be a comforting side dish to any meal I suggest you get some before they run out.

Let’s go candy bar hopping

Dylan’s Candy Bar

As far as I am concerned if you want to go to the mall you mind as well follow your instinctual sweet tooth. I say this because Dylan’s is a candy lovers mall. The style of the candy bar is exquisite with it’s brightly colored and modern physique. The bar is stocked with an ice cream bar, two floors of hundreds of candies, a sweet and sour party room, and an area for clothing. As your mind blows apart from the entrance you are nowhere near finished until you take a journey down the see through steps that have candy embezzled in them. If your lucky maybe your parents will allow you to make your own sugar stick, or gumball package while they tend to their old school love of candy from “back in the day.” I know that while I am home snacking on my gourmet flavored gummy bears I am certainly wearing my soft and warm Dylan’s candy bar pajamas.

Vince & Eddies is not where the mobs at

Vince and Eddi’s

I just dined at this traditional restaurant in the city this evening and I felt it deserved a review. The cuisine is American with a French flare. My tender baked salmon with vegetables melted in my mouth almost as quickly as the apple crumb cake with ice cream. The restaurant itself is relatively casual, but still very nice. There is a room that is more open to a garden. The service is average, but the flavors combined in the food make up for it. The bill may be slightly pricey, but I would say that it makes for a great place to enjoy on a nice occasion. I am going to bed with the happy and hypnotizing aroma of freshly roasted garlic spread upon thick layers of French bread.

I am in the CIA what what?! Now I have to kill you

The Culinary Institute of America

Okay, so I am not in the real CIA, but I did go to The Culinary Institute of America. If you want to be a chef this is the place to go. With the best Chefs to teach you everything you need to know you are guaranteed an incredible education. You will learn in the newly done class rooms and one of the beautifully stocked kitchens. If you are hungry there is nothing to worry about because free coffee, tea, and juice is available at all times. Further more when you are ready for your meal you can go to one of twelve kitchens, which all represent different cuisines. The students prepare all of the food and make five plates a day for you to indulge. Let’s not forget how beautiful the school is considering you are right on the Hudson river. The school is also furnished with five incredible restaurants that are available for anyone who is willing to make a reservation at least a month in advance. Do not fear for not everyone on that campus is just interested in cooking. Yes, that means that there are a ton of clubs and activities at the rec center for your few relaxing moments. So, put on your pressed whites and thrive in the jungle of baked and savory goods alike.

SRO=Successful Restaurant Organization

Standing Room Only

Standing Room only is probably the best job I have ever had. It was my first culinary job and I couldn’t have been more excited to be the assistant chef. SRO may seem like a very nice small gourmet shop, but there is a lot more behind the scenes than meets the eye. Not only is everything made in house by the Johnson and Wales graduate and chef, but he also has to manage the out of house operations. Yes, this means that SRO caters and wonderfully at that. The party could be for ten people, or 400 it does not matter as long as you put in your order and are willing to pay the bill. The store is organized beautifully by the intelligent and highly trained staff, which is over seen by CIA graduate Jack T. You can be assured that whether you order one of their specialized wraps, fish plates, fresh cookies, or fruit platters that everything will be pristine and on time. They deliver and set up, which takes away all of the pressure. Just a walk and a talk and let the aroma consume you.

Tao’s Taste

Tao

Tao is one of my all time favorite restaurants for all special occasions. That is probably why my family goes every year for my silblings birthday. Tao is an asian fusion restaurant that is infused with zen. The people are attracted to the various attractions such as the massive buddah, koi pond, music made for the restuarant, the insanely original bathrooms, and of course the food. Whether you are going for a buisiness meeting, family lunch, or a night party there are an assortment of seating on the two floors. This includes the secluded party area. The massive stone doors that greet you may seem stiff, but the glass flower tables are incredibly comfortable. The menu is extensive including the fantastic tea list. My favorite would have to be the rose infused tea. The appetisers are full of various shumi’s to duck wraps. Desserts are also a specialty at this restaurant and you can taste the sugary delights with the tasting dessert. The service may be slow at times, but it is only because the restaurant is always packed. I suggest that you make reservations and don’t forget to order the restaurants Cd’s when you are there. To finish everything off ask where the servers got their intricate and funky uniforms and don’t sign the check until you recieve your massive fortune cookie.

Bizz at Balducci’s

Hello everyone! For those of you who don’t like food and reading about food this is not the blog for you. Let me start by introducing myself. I am Jamie aka The Psychotic Chef. It has been a family nickname that has stuck ever since I first started cooking up a storm when I was ten. I am writing this blog because of my passion for food. I have wanted to be a chef since I was ten, which led me to train all over in some great places in order to get into both Johnson and Whales and The Culinary Institute of America. Of course I went to the CIA, but I had to leave because of a fainting disorder, which I now know I have. I have decided to go to SUNY Purchase starting this fall in order to reach my new dream of becoming a food critic. Through this love I have created this blog in which every entry will be based on a different restaurant, food store, or website I have ventured to. There will be plenty of food and humor to go around, so please feel free to give a read.

BALDUCCI’S

I work at one of the large and brilliantly orginized Balducci’s in New York. Balducci’s is an on going corporation that continues to grow just as it’s sales. The loud orange, black, and white logo screams attention as this gourmet food store has thousands shop their daily. The food may be slightly pricey, but they quality makes it fair. There is catering, prepared foods, deli, seafood, meat, bakery, flower, sushi, and coffee departments, which makes the store well rounded and convenient for all types of customers. The people that work there are very pleasant especially, when dealing with the most obnoxious soccer mom’s around. The up beat music and samples makes browsing a lot easier as well as, hanging out in the coffee bar area. Whether you are looking for chips and salsa, a late, party plans, or the latest sand which Balducci’s is the food store for you.