Doughnut Plant

I can't get over the magnitude of the carrot cake doughnut. Bare with me. Last weekend I made a scheduled stop to Doughnut Plant while I was feeling the pain of cold season. Through my fever and stuffy nose, I knew that a delicious yeasty doughnut wold take my pain away so I made my way over to Doughnut Plant.

Vanilla Bean Doughnut

I went on a Sunday. The parking situation sucks. My boyfriend had to park illegally while I jumped out to grab the grub. There were no lines. The shop is about the size of my closet. The people who work there were nice. They have digital signage with their full menu and a display case showcasing each flavor they offer. They have a great selection of various yeast, filled, and cake doughnuts. 

 The flavors that jumped out for me immediately were the Vanilla bean, which looked like a big glazed doughnut, and the Chocolate Hazelnut. My boyfriend went with the carrot cake.

Carrot Cake Doughnut

The inside of the Vanilla Bean doughnut was so fluffy, doughy, and perfect. The vanilla taste was subtle and the glazed top layer was just perfect. The Carrot Cake doughnut was the real MVP. This guy is a moist cake doughnut with a layer of cream cheese frosting glaze on top. The audacity. I am so glad I don't live in NYC. Like my whole pay check would be spent on designer doughnuts.

                                                                   Doughnut Plant

Food Porn

                                                   It's Wednesday. Keep your head up

Negril Village

Brooklyn is the Caribbean food capital of the US but when you don't feel like going to Brooklyn there's Negril.

I read this article about 100 black owned restaurants and bars in NYC. I'm determined to make my way down the list. Beginning at Negril Village.

We randomly stopped by midday. The restaurant had a great vibe, we were seated on the upper level. The menu is filled with the usual suspects; oxtail, stew chicken, and so much yummy sea food. My boyfriend had the curry shrimp. It was presented beautifully and he loved it. A bit on the spicy side but nothing crazy. His only complaint was that he wished that the portion was larger.

Curry Shrimp

I chose the stewed chicken. As a West Indian, I won't tolerate less than perfection on this dish. It was just ok. It could have been warmed up a bit more also. I wouldn't get this dish again. Other than the food,  the sevrice was super slow. Not sure why since the restaurant was nearly empty.

Brown Stew Chicken

I would go back to Negril as soon as I finish going to the 99 other restaurants on this list. 
Enjoy the action shots!

Negril Village

Waffle De Lys

                                   My job used this caterer for an event and I fell in love.

The waffles were made fresh right in front of us. Once your waffle is made, you walk up to an array of sweet and fruit toppings. I choose strawberry, nutella, and hazelnuts at the suggestion of the server. Such a great combo and the waffles melt in your mouth. These waffles are a good size and I would defiantly hire them for events like a birthday party or wedding.


                                                             Waffle De Lys

Waffles INCaffeinated

                                                               We love waffles.

My boyfriend is from Pittsburgh and during a trip back home he brought me to Waffles INCaffeinated. The place was packed on a Saturday morning and we waited about 30 minutes to be seated. The restaurant is on the small side with tables placed close together. The wait staff were friendly enough but seemed frazzled. 

The menu has an array of breakfast and brunch items like sandwiches, salads, omelets. The star of the show are the waffles. You can customize you own waffle or get one of the interesting ones on the menu. I opted to make my own with white chocolate chips, Oreo crumbs, and vanilla ice cream. The boyfriend opted for a boring waffle with pecans and strawberries. Whatever. 

Awesome waffle. A bit on the dry side and not as soft as I would have liked. The ice cream tasted delicious, creamy, and homemade. We had our waffles with a side of bacon and potatoes. So yum. I loved the multicolored potatoes. 

The boyfriend ordered some apple juice and and glass had a lipstick stain on it. Yuck. He asked for some water instead and there was some unidentifiable debris floating around in that. I would smuggle in your own beverage here.

I would definitely go back but you can get a breakfast 10 times as good as this at any Jersey dinner. I guess this is good for Pittsburgh people.

Turks and Caicos Travel Diary: Part 2

We arrived in Providenciales on a Tuesday in September. Perfect time to travel to the island. The airport was uncrowded, the kids all started school so the resort was pretty much adults only, and the resort was probably at less than half capacity.

Grace Bay Beach

After lots of research we decided to stay at Seven Stars Resort. Awesome choice. This resort boasts great food, an attentive staff, and luxe rooms. It's only ten minutes from the airport.

Seven Stars Resort

Every staff member that we encountered was friendly and eager to help. Even the cab drivers. Caribbean people are the best.

Provo Ponies

Highlights were Grace Bay beach; the best beach I've encountered. I also enjoyed the Island vibes tour which picks you up at your resort for snorkeling and stops off at iguana island. I also loved provo ponies despite my overzealous horse. Amazing experience.

Lo Duca Pizza

I am only reviewing pizza joints this week. I go to Lo Duca's fairly frequently since I work in the area. Average food. Nothing special. I went in this week during the lunch time rush. It was very crowded. I waited a few minutes to order and when I went to order I asked for a calzone. The guy at the counter let out a laugh..I'm not sure whats so funny about a calzone but ok. In the past, I was always told that it would take 15 minutes. Time and went on and on. About 20 minutes passed and the lunch time rush was over. I was the only one left waiting for my order. The guy asked what I was waiting for. I said a calzone. He laughed and said oh yea! At that point I knew that a mess had occurred.

They forgot my order. I assumed this. The employee said nothing. Just walked over to the dough and started making my order. At that point I debated just walking out but my lunch break was almost over and by the time I drove someplace else I would have no time to eat. Ugh

I waited 15 more minutes and the woman behind the counter mumbled that a calzone order was ready. Ugh. I walked over waiting for her to explain, apologize, or acknowledge what had happened. She just told me my total and waited for payment. Ugh.

Terrible customer service. Obviously I will not be coming back to Lo Duca ever. They lack human decency and do not appreciate their customers. Since I waited so long, I had time to observe their methods. There are 2 people behind the counter so you would think that 1 is on the register and the other is preparing the food. Wrong. They both alternate between operating the register, touching people's cash and credit cards with their bare hands and then touching everyone's food. Nasty.