O Wow Cow!

OwowCow Creamery

I decided to go home to Bucks County on my two days off from work to spend time with my family and friends! One of my favorite places to go to when I visit home is Peddlers Village to shop and venture around. My mom and I spent the afternoon antiquing and boutiquing there!

On our way home, we were in the mood for a sweet treat so we stopped at the local, OwowCow Creamery at Carousel Village. I've been dying to go here because they serve artisan and handmade ice-cream with organic ingredients from local farms of Bucks County! They even have a board behind the counter listing the local ingredients and which farm it came from.

This ice-cream parlor offers unique flavors such as Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Lemon Ginger, Sweet Potato Wasabi and many more! I got Honey Lavender and my mom got Lady Grey Tea and Blueberry Lemon flavored ice-cream. The taste was so fresh with the lavender. You can tell it was fresh because of the actual pieces of lavender mixed in. As I was indulging the ice-cream, all I could think of was the beautiful lavender farms of Bucks County. My mom loved the taste of the Lady Grey Tea flavor and felt so refreshed with the Blueberry Lemon flavor that it reminded her of the warm weather.

OwowCow has another location in Ottsville, PA. Go to either/or for a special treat! I will definitely be back again to try more flavors!

Stone Harbor, NJ Meets Philly

Marabella Meatball Co.

Ever since both my sister and I have moved to Philly, my dad has been dying to try Marabella Meatball Co. The reason why he wanted to try it so much is because the original restaurant, Marabella’s is located where we go for our annual family summer vacations, Stone Harbor, NJ. To expand their Jersey Shore locations, Marabella Meatball Co. was brought to Philly to showcase one of their key ingredients: meatballs.

On the menu, there are numerous options to choose from between salads, pasta, bowls or sandwiches. I’ve been here a few times before and have never been disappointed. Before I have gotten the pasta bowl and chicken parmesan sandwich and they were both amazing!

When both my dad and I went, there was one item on the menu that caught our eye. It was the “Philly Pork” sandwich in which included: BVP meatballs (beef, veal, pork), aged provolone and broccoli rabe. My dad got the traditional size which has four meatballs and I got the Nonni size which is only served with two meatballs. The combination of the meatballs and melted aged provolone was so delicious. But what made this dish for both my dad and I was the fresh, sautéed broccoli rabe. It added that special flavor and kick to it.

Next time you’re searching for a place to eat with authentic and quick food, try Marabella Meatball Co. I’m sure with the Italian-style cuisine, anyone can find anything that they’re interested in!

Healthy on the Go

Eat a Pita

Eat a Pita in Midtown Village of Philadelphia is a great place to go for a healthy, quick meal made right in front of your eyes. Their specialties include pitas and salads. The fun part to it all is you can order an item already with select ingredients or you can “Pick Your Own Pita” or Pick Your Own Salad”. This includes choosing your own produce, protein and pour. Eat a Pita has a whole list to choose from.

I’ve been here numerous times for a quick bite for lunch or to just to have dinner. Each month Eat a Pita features both a pita and salad. This is why I recently went. I wanted to try the pita of the month which is the Black Bean Burger Pita.

This pita contained black beans, quinoa, brown rice and “all the veggies” mixed in Harissa sauce. The ingredients were so fresh and the black bean quinoa burger was very flavorful. The Harissa sauce had a nice kick and red pepper taste to it.

For a side, I got the Farro which had butternut squash, dried cranberries and spinach in a maple vinaigrette. This was simply perfect.

Eat a Pita is a great Philly local to go to if you’re on the go and want something healthy. Their special salad is the Winter Kale Salad which includes roasted beets, “all the veggies”, toasted pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries in a lemon tahina dressing. February is coming to an end, so make sure you try!

Philly’s Two Favorites Combined

Jake's Sandwich Board

If you’re a Philadelphia native, you know that the famous chocolate bar Peanut Chews is originated and is still enjoyed by many today. Peanut Chews are decadent chocolate bars with roasted peanuts inside them. You can either get the chocolate dark or milk.

I’ve written about Jake’s before for their sandwiches and milkshakes. Ever since I first went there, I’ve always wanted to try their Peanut Chew milkshake and I am glad I finally did!

For this milkshake, you can either choose chocolate or vanilla ice cream for a base. I chose Vanilla. Also incorporated is chocolate syrup and crushed up pieces of pieces of Peanut  Chews within the shake and topped off with it. If you are a chocolate and peanut butter lover, you’ll love this!

Birthday Celebrations at Mercato

Mercato

Mercato by far is my favorite Italian restaurant here in Philadelphia! They introduce traditional Italian cuisine with New Italian American cuisine. This combination opens up your horizon to a home-cooked style dishes with a unique twist on it. My sis and I love this restaurant and we decided it’s our new place to go to when we’re celebrating each other’s birthdays.

For our appetizer, we split the Mercato Antipasto which includes: Italian cured meats & cheeses, grilled and roasted vegetables, crostini and marinated olives. Our favorite part of this dish was the pepperoni because it had fennel in it. The roasted vegetables were also good! This Antipasto reminds me of my mom’s with all the ingredients and display. It was very comforting because it reminded me of family holidays.

Since it was Catherine’s birthday, two appetizers were sent to our table compliments of the chef! The first  item was the Roasted Pork Belly Salad which had house cured pork belly, watercress, pistachio, charred scallion roasted pear mostarda, balsamic reduction. The pork belly was so crisp and flavorful! The best part was the pistachios and whole-grain mustard. The second item was the Cacio Pepe which included tonarelli pasta, extra virgin olive oil, cracked pepper, pecorino romano, bread crumbs, parsley. The Parmesan crisps on top of the pasta made the dish!

For Catherine’s entrée, she got the Short Rib Ragu which was ricotta gnocchi, broccoli race and shaved locatelli cheese. She loved how tender the meat was and that you could break it apart with a fork. I got the Chicken Cacciatore which included boneless chicken roulade, soft polenta, sautéed spinach, bell pepper, wild mushroom & tomato ragu. I loved the display of the chicken and creamy polenta!

For dessert, Catherine and I split the Trio of Gelato. The flavors of the night were raspberry, chocolate chip and peanut butter. They all were so good and fresh! You could tell they are homemade. They even lit a candle for Catherine’s birthday!

Mercato is a great restaurant to celebrate any special occasion! Between the relaxing atmosphere, impeccable food and excellent staff, you won’t be disappointed! Oh, and it’s BYOB which is always a plus!

  

Thin Mint Blondies

Cake and the Beanstalk

It’s that time of year again, when you see Girl Scout Cookies being sold in local food stores or shops. Well, do I have great news for you! Philly’s own, Cake and the Beanstalk’s featured dessert is Thin Mint Blondies!

A blondie is a rich and sweet dessert bar. Combine this with Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, it’s like a match made in heaven! It is amazing as it sounds.

Other great blondie flavors include: Butterfinger, Dark Chocolate& Peanut Butter Chip, M&M, Oreo, Reese’s and Twix.

Make sure you go and try yours today : )

Red Velvet for Valentine's Day

Jake's Sandwich Board

It's a new month which means Jake's has a new Shake of the Month! For February, they are featuring Red Velvet!

Made from Duncan Hines' red velvet cake mix, this milkshake truly tastes like you're eating the piece of cake yourself! This creation is drizzled with chocolate syrup and all sorts of deliciousness.

It's definitely one of a kind and a flavor milkshake you don't see often. Make sure you head over to Jake's sooner than later because remember, February is a short month!

Superbowl @ Strangeloves

Strangelove’s

Strangelove’s is a great restaurant that features unique yet affordable  offerings that attracts all types of eaters. Strangelove’s is open for brunch on the weekends, lunch during the week s and dinner daily. I've been here for numerous occasions, but what I love most to go there for is for what their known for: their craft beers. Nothing beats an IPA and great bar food!

I went on the night of the Super Bowl with my sister so we can enjoy the game over great company and drinks and food. I got the Smokey Crystal Steak Fries served with homemade, spicy ketchup for my appetizer and my sister got the French Onion Dip served with potato chips. Every time we come here, we get the Warm Pretzel Bites because it’s a favorite of ours and we always order it.

The Warm Pretzels Bites are fresh because they are served hot. They are seasoned not only with sea salt, but fennel as well. This adds a delicious twist that you are not used to!  The bites have three different dipping mustard's. The mustard's include whole grain mustard, a red wine infused mustard and a horseradish mustard. All three are so good, but my favorite has to be the whole grain mustard!

To accompany our food, my sister and I had a craft beer each. My sister got the Smuttynose Shoal’s Ale and I got the Victory Hot Ticket. Another great thing about Strangelove’s is they have an extensive list of craft beers either draft or their own brewed.

I will definitely be back to Strangelove’s in the near future. I want to try their express lunch one day. Its two courses and a drink for only $14! Like I said a great affordable place with great food!

Happy Birthday Green Eggs Cafe!

Green Eggs Café

Happy Birthday, Green Eggs Café! Since it’s been four years since the restaurant has opened their South Philadelphia location, one of the specials for this week is Birthday Cake French Toast! I think this has to be Green Eggs Café’s most rich in flavor and the most mouthwatering delight.

This breakfast meal includes: cake batter dipped brioche bread, wild-berry mascarpone, chantilly crème and rainbow sprinkles. It truly feels like you are eating a piece of birthday cake.

Make sure you try this with a big appetite because it can be a lot to handle!

Panini of the Week

Fuel

Fuel is my “go-to” restaurant whenever I want to have a healthy meal. Everything on Fuel’s menu includes local and fresh ingredients all fewer than 500 calories! Their menu includes a variety of salads Panini’s and wraps. Fuel also has a coffee and juice/smoothie bar.

What I love about Fuel is on the actual menu, you can see how many calories, protein and Weight Watcher points in which what makes the meal. So right off the bat, you know you are clean eating and making healthy choices.

Each week, Fuel has different specials to offer. The special Panini this week was Roasted Sweet Potato & Prosciutto Panini which included: roasted sweet potato, red onion, sliced prosciutto, arugula and gorgonzola cheese served on wheat bread with a side salad. What really made the sandwich was the sweet potato and gorgonzola cheese. All the ingredients complemented each other perfectly and were so fresh.

You can never go wrong with going to Fuel. They have so many choices and their creations are one of a kind. Fuel is open for lunch and dinner but serves brunch on the weekends! Make sure you get the chance to go and eat right!

Quaint & Comfortable

La Creperie Cafe

Looking for a comfortable, quaint place that serves both sweet & savory crepes? I have the place for you! Located in Rittenhouse, La Creperie Cafe offers a numerous number of authentic and original crepes. My mom and I went one afternoon for lunch because we’ve been dying to try it!

I went with the sweet option and got the L’Americaine Crepe which includes: banana, peanut butter and Nutella. It was warm and fresh with the Nutella and peanut butter melted within the banana.

My mom went with the savory option and got the Les Trois Pays which includes: Swiss, brie, feta and basil. She loved all the cheeses melted into one!

I will definitely go back here to try more options. As well as crepes, La Creperie Cafe serves quiche, paellas, and brunch items such as omelettes and salads. They have a lot to offer that I can ensure you anyone will find something they will like!