Travel Thursday – Olive La Jolla!

Today’s Travel Thursday post comes all the way from La Jolla, California.  (Pronounced “La Hoy-a” for those on the east coast).  I stumbled upon this store while walking through the quaint and lovely town of La Jolla 2 summers ago.  My parents said “There Sydney goes into a food store again - Shocking”.  Immediately I was blown away at this store, as my immediate response to the woman at the register was, “you need to open one of these in NY” and here is why:

• All olive oil is local to California
• Educational shopping experience, learn things about Olive Oil that you most likely don’t know!
• Quality Olive Oil – Local, Local, Local! 
• In addition to Olive Oil, they sell handcrafted mustards, pestos, tapenades, balsalmic vinegars and other speciality ingredients such as caramels and chocolates and salts!

As their website says, “We Olive is more than just a store with olive oil…it is an Olive Oil Experience”.  And that’s how I felt when I left.  Check it out, tell your friends, and if you’re ever in California, get some local Olive Oil at “We Olive”!

 

Allergy Info:

All ingredients are on the labels, so don’t be afraid to ask some questions.  The people at “We Olive” are there to help you in finding your inner olive oils.  (That’s a joke).  All ingrediatents are locally grown in California, and if they are not, We Olive will make sure to tell you (just in case you are against the other states).  Remember, you are helping the local farmers, the local economy and the local environment.

Foodie Rundown:

Unfortunately without physically going to La Jolla, you won’t get the same experience as I had.  Thankfully there are many locations throughout California and there is an online store.  But if you do get the chance to go, you will notice that there are little squares of bread and huge jugs of olive oil and spreads throughout the store.  Take some bread, and enjoy the different tastes of California’s olive oil.  Fill up the size bottle of your choice, and be on your merry way.

Pick an olive oil with flavor!  There are tons to chose from.  We left with over 8 bottles of Olive Oil.  One of the fan favorites is the We Olive Collection Fresh Garlic Olive Oil.  It is infused with garlic and is great for cooking pasta!

Truffle Salt will allow you to have your expensive taste on tight budget!  Throw this on potatoes, pasta’s or really anything?  (My trick is on mac n cheese!) -- Pictured

Check out the We Olive blog here

If you’re in the area, check out the events here

Locations:

La Jolla, CA

Costa Mesa, CA

Paso Robles, CA

San Luis Obispo, CA

Fresno, CA

El Dorado Hills, CA

Ventura, CA

Belmont Shore, CA

San Francisco, CA

Walnut Creek, CA

http://www.weolive.com/ 

YEE HAW!

Step out of the City into a country delight. Hill Country BBQ offers some of the best BBQ in New York City, and is fun for the entire family. Get family style sides to share, or little ones to keep to yourself (you all know what I would do!). This is an interactive restaurant so don’t think you’ll go to Hill Country to be wined and dined. Bring your cowboy hat, your appetite and have a few beers and enjoy this fun and casual BBQ place in the heart of Flatiron.

*Remember, don’t lose your meal ticket! You could be charged $50 for that baby! So keep it on your table at all times!

Allergy Info:
Meat lovers!
No nuts
No fish
Mostly gluten free
Sorry vegetarians, this place is not for you!


Foodie Rundown:

For the Meat:
Pork Spare Ribs And Beef Ribs – I can never remember which of the ribs I love more, so every time I go, I get one of each! They are absolutely great, and they are huge!
Brisket – My boyfriend loved the brisket, said it was delicious and fall apart delicious
Original Sausage - Can never go wrong with sausage, take that as you wish.
Market Chicken - ok so for those of you who follow the blog, I don’t really eat chicken. But my mom ordered the Market Chicken, and I took a little taste, it was outrageous! Succulent and juicy, with lots of BBQ sauce and a slice of white bread. Welcome to Texas!?

For the Side:
Longhorn Cheddar Mac & Cheese - I’m pretty sure everyone loves mac & cheese as a side, and if you don’t, well that’s just not good (pictured)
White Shoepeg Corn Pudding – this is like corn candy! I love this stuff, I’m pretty sure it’s seasonal, but it is always the first side that I get when I go
Green Bean Casserole w/ Durkee Onions - just like mama’s green bean casserole!
Skillet Corn Bread with Ancho Honey Butter – 1) you always need to have corn bread on the table at a BBQ, 2) the ancho honey butter is melt in your mouth delicious! It has some cinnamon and honey and it is just outrageous! Smother it all over the corn bread like you would in the deep south, it’s ok, no ones watching! (pictured)
Hot German Potatoes
Confetti Cole Slaw

For the Dessert:
Banana Cream Pudding - when you think you can’t eat any more? Make sure to order this dessert, as my boyfriend said, “I think this may be the best banana cream pudding I’ve ever had!”

Locations:
NY – 30 W. 26th
DC – 410 Seventh street NW

http://www.hillcountryny.com/

Always “Having a Good Time”

In Spanish, the word Pipa, means “having a good time.” At Pipa, you can guarantee yourself a good time with Spanish- inspired food, including the ever trendy and popular, Spanish tapas. With delicious Latin flavors and traditional small plates you will enjoy your evening whether with friends or on a date. Order as many dishes as your stomach can handle and don’t forget to share and don’t forget to admire the chandeliers in the dining room.

*FYI, the sangria is potent and delicious! (Pictured)

Allergy Info:
Allergy Friendly
Lactose Intolerant may have a hard time, but there are enough dishes without cheese that you can order!

Foodie Rundown:
Cocas (Catalan Flat Bread) - The Pipa with sliced chorizo, artichoke, tomato and piquillo peppers is delicious, as is the Bistec with grilled skirt steak, goat cheese, tomato, red onion, cabbage, chimichurri and jalapeno (for the spicy tongued)

Pinchos (Skewers) – de Pollo – free range chicken breast with coriander, paprika marinade and hazelnut-romesto dipping sauce. My family ordered this without the hazelnut sauce, and it was outrageous! 1) I don’t really like chicken, go figure? And 2) this was the best part of my dinner! I can only imagine what it would taste like with the dipping sauce!

Croquetas – Anything deep fried with cheese is going to be delicious. But I have tried and loved the following:
Bolas de Queso Croquette - goat cheese, tricolor bell peppers with a white wine dipping sauce
Jamon Croqueete – Ham, carmelized onions with a sherry dipping sauce

Let the fun begin, Tapas Rundown:
Gamas al Ajilillo – Sauteed Ecuadorian Shrimp with garlic and chillies – make sure you’re not kissing anyone right after this tapas, but if you do, bring some gum, cause it’s totally worth the garlic breath!

Stuffed Piquillos – Piquillo peppers, crabmeat, shrimp and piquillo aioli – this just speaks for itself.

Baby Chorizo with white wine, olive oil and garlic (a Spanish tapas staple)

Beef Meatballs – sofrito, green pepper demi-glaze, crème fraiche and tomato (I wanted to order 10 of these with some pasta and eat this as a meal)

Patatas Bravas – another Spanish tapas staple dish, deliciously sliced potatoes with a spicy brava aioli sauce (Pictured)

Location:
Flatiron - 38 East 19th St - Between Broadway & Park Ave South

http://www.pipa-nyc.com/

Travel Thursday!

Psych! Today we are traveling to Colombia without actually leaving Manhattan. Palenque is a food truck with gourmet Colombian delicacies. The food is made using only the best eco-friendly and organic ingredients and has vegetarian and vegan options as well.

What is an Arepa? You might ask…It is a bread patty made from corn and water (Palenque offers brown rice or quinoa based patty’s as well). Arepa’s can be topped with arugula, queso de hebra, beef, chicken, shrimp, seitan (wheat based and vegan), portobello mushrooms (vegan), organic vegan Italian chorizo or organic vegan chipotle chorizo! And if you think that’s not enough! They have organic vegan chipotle mayo (made with soy), guacamole and chimichurri-cilantro sauces!

Allergy Info:
Organic
Vegan
Vegetarian
Nut free!

Foodie Rundown:
Organic Chipotle Chorizo Arepa– A fan favorite according to the truck. This vegan, vegetarian, chorizo arepa, on a corn based patty, was outrageous. It was full of flavor and definitely packed a nice little spicy punch!

Beef Arepa on a Brown Rice and Sesame Patty – same great flavors as the chipotle chorizo, with a little less of the spcies! Absolutely delicious, the patty was nice and crisp, and both were thoroughly enjoyable!

Location:
Their Schedule is located here: http://palenque-schedule.blogspot.com/


http://www.palenquehomemadecolombianfood.com/

Babycakes

Is your diet refined sugar, gluten, wheat, soy, dairy or egg free?  Are you vegan or kosher?  If you answered yes to any of the previously mentioned allergies, you will LOVE Babycakes NYC.  This bakery is all of the above, and more.  They don't use any peanuts or nuts except coconut, so based off the food and drug administration stating that coconut is now a tree nut, they are not able to mention that they are nut free.  But if you are allergic to nuts, and not allergic to coconut, then you are in luck!  This place is definitely for you! 

*Note - In the non gluten free items, Babycakes uses a flour called spelt which contains gluten. It is NOT recommended for those following a gluten/wheat free diet. Also, an individual with a wheat related condition (i.e. celiac sprue, gluten sensitive enteropathies, etc...) should not consume spelt flour.

Allergy Info: 

Refined sugar free

Gluten Free Friendly 

Wheat free

Soy free

Dairy free 

Egg free

Vegan 

Kosher 

Foodie Rundown: 

Sugar Cinnamon Doughnut (See Pictured) 

Chocolate Mint Cupcake  (See Pictured) 

Locations: 

NYC - 248 Broome Street (Btwn Orchard & Ludlow)

Orlando - Lake Buena Vista

LA  - Hollywood, Larchmont

Terri Tuesday!

What are you doing for lunch today?  Head over to chelsea (23rd and 6th) during your lunch break to get a vegetarian, organic, vegan & gluten friendly lunch! All items on the menu are 100% vegan and kosher, and only organic ingredients are used.  They have sandwiches with gluten free bread available, along with some great dessert options, including cookies, donuts and cupcakes! Make sure you grab a drink or a side to go in the fridge on the left, the strawberry mint lemonade is delicious!

Allergy Info: 
Vegan
Vegetarian
Organic
Gluten Free



Foodie Rundown:
*Fan Favorite - I would have to say, that while waiting for my Hummus & Avocado Wrap, the 4 people before me got the Hummus & Avocado Wrap!  Full of hummus, avocado, smoked tofu, hot peppers, lettuce and tomato (See Picture)

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - 'chicken', Buffalo sauce, vegenaise (a vegan version of mayo), lettuce, onion and celery

Strawberry Mint Lemonade - says it like it is


Location:
23rd and 6th

Follow Terri on Twitter here

The Daily Juice

Today's post comes out of Austin, Texas.  With lots of readers with affiliations to Austin, I wanted to make sure you got reviews that would make you smile!  The Daily Juice, is an all natural juice bar, never using chemicals, preservatives, chlorine, processed or genetically modified foods.  They are local and organic, as much as possible.  For a list of nutritional information for many of the Daily Juices ingredients (you can use this even if you don't live in Austin) please click here.

The Daily Juice is a local hot spot, stop by for a smoothie, a juice or a shot.  Hang out on the back porch with some friends and enjoy your juice in the hot sun (not sure if it's ever NOT hot in Austin).

Allergy Info: 
All Natural
Local / Organic when possible
Lots of nuts on the menu, so not allergies be careful

Foodie Rundown: 
check out the menu for the list of smoothies here
I had the Ahh...I see, which was acai berry, banana and fresh apple!  Naturally sweet, refreshing and delicious!

Locations: 
Austin, TX (Hyde Park)
2 New Locations to open up:
Westlake & Downtown Austin

http://dailyjuice.myshopify.com/