New York City: Dos Caminos

Location:

825 3rd Avenue

New York, NY 10022

www.doscaminos.com

Came highly recommended. Didn't know it was a chain. And for someone who spent more than 8 hours at the Met without eating anything, I was, to say the least, starving. The service was top knotch, and because we said we were incredibly hungry they brought out everything in literally 10 minutes. 

The rice and beans were unlimited, and we (mostly me) had about 5-6 refills. 

The fish dish was spicy just as I ordered, just wonderful. Ah, to have it once more. 

Provincetown, MA: Fanizzi's

Location:
539 Commercial Street  Provincetown, MA 

For the MLK long weekend, we decided to check out Cape Cod for the day. Yes, it was freezing, and yes, everything, save for a few shops, was closed. However, we were recommended Fanizzi's by the water and decided to grab dinner there before heading back. 

We scored the best seat of the house, overlooking the water and the sunset.

The service was lovely and the place filled up quickly as the sun began to set. 

We chose a dish of sea scallops n' pasta in marinara sauce and fish n' chips, both downed with beers. The coleslaw that came with the fish n' chips was to die for. It must have had some green apple or something, as it was both sweet and perfectly coleslaw-y. The bread basket arrived piping hot which is always welcome. We also had coffees and the molten lava chocolate cake, which took me well over my sugar quota for the day, but was totally worth it.

I can't recommend this place, enough. We'll be back this summer!

Recipe: Cake Pops

My sister and I (more her) made cake pops recently for a cookie swap we were invited to.  She was telling me about these cake pop machines you can buy, but you really don't have to

if you can do the following.

My sister made the mix, I rolled the balls and stuck the sticks into them, sis dipped and dunked. 

Et Voila!  They were a huge hit at the cookie swap!  (My sis also made Snowball cookies, recipe to come, soon!)

You can coat them however you like, which would make them wonderful little Holiday presents. 

Boston: Curly Cakes

Location:

81 Charles Street, Boston MA 02114
www.izzyscurlycakes.com


My girlfriends were visiting from Toronto this past weekend.  As we toured around Boston and wandered towards Boston Common on Charles St. we came across Curly Cakes.  I'd been past it before and have always wanted to visit.

We did.

Gorgeous Little Shop. Gorgeous Little Cakes.

These babies were absolutely delicious.  Each one tasting different than the last.  We got three different kinds:

Triple Chocolate (Moist buttermilk, chocolate cake with a rich ganache filling, topped with creamy chocolate buttercream and dipped in melted chocolate, dusted with Cocoa Puff^TM streusel.  $3.95) Yes, THE Cocoa PUFFS!!!



Red Velvet. (A rich Southern Red Velvet Cake that combines classic cocoa and vanilla flavors, topped with velvety cream cheese frosting, dipped in melted white chocolate.  $3.95)






Boston Cream - how could you not? (Moist vanilla cake filled with rich vanilla pastry cream, topped
with chocolate buttercream and dipped in dark chocolate. $4.95)



With our lattes and coffees and teas, everything hit the spot.  Did I mention it was only lunch time?

Recipe: Cardamom Cake

This is one of my favourite cake recipes handed down to me from my Mother. 

It's the Elachi (Cardamom) cake...a spongy cake that's great for tea parties or rainy days.

Ingredients:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Tsp Cardamom crushed
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg crushed
1/4 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Butter (softened)
4 Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla Essence
1 Cup Milk

Directions:

Set oven to 350 degrees F.

I like to use fresh nutmeg and cardamom pods and crush them instead of powders which I don't find as aromatic.  Remove the shells of the nutmeg and cardamom and crush into a powder.

Combine the softened butter and sugar together in a big bowl. Add eggs and blend together.

Combine the flour with the crushed cardamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder together in separate bowl.

Pour the milk and flour into the butter/sugar mixture and blend until smooth.

Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan and pour the batter (should be smooth and creamy).

Bake for 1 hour at 350F

Cool on a wire rack and dust with icing sugar if desired.

Serve with piping hot chai (tea)!

Future Bakery & Cafe

Location:

483 Bloor St. W., Toronto

Cost: $10-15

Speaking of cake...

Future Bakery's Kahlua Truffle Cake is to die for....or to share with friends.



Great little cafe in the Annex, to hang out with the people you love until the wee hours of the morning...or until 2am, when they close :)