Food

STS: Bigg Mozz

/ James P. Crowley / Leave a comment

Savor the Season is a new column from Burger-A-Day where writers discuss seasonal favorites.  Today, we’re breaking down mozzarella sticks that we found in Bryant Park.

Mozzarella sticks are a food for drunk people and children.  If you’re sober and order mozzarella sticks, you’re trying to recapture some childlike sense of wonder or the emotions of being borderline blacked out at a dollar slice pizzeria.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with this.  Mozzarella sticks are a simple pleasure that the appetizer gods have bestowed upon us mere mortals.  Big Mozz captures that and only that. Continue reading →

STS: The Witch’s Brew Frap

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Savor the Season is a new column from Burger-A-Day where writers discuss seasonal favorites.  Today, we’re talking about Starbucks’ limited new frappuccino just in time for Halloween!

Who says a cash grab can’t be good?  Starbucks’ limited release frappuccinos have been mostly bad, colorful (mainly purple) attempts to sell people aesthetically pleasing Instagram posts with so much sugar they’re undrinkable.  Nonetheless, it is Halloween so I figured if there was a time to try the Bucks’ Witch’s Brew Frap, it was today.  Unlike the Unicorn Frap or the Crystal Ball Frap, Starbucks really made something almost worthwhile. Continue reading →

Coffee Date: The Crystal Ball Frappuccino

/ James P. Crowley / 1 Comment

Coffee Date is back! Coffee Date is a column where we cover coffee and tea trends.  This week we’re covering The Crystal Ball Frappuccino from Starbucks.

Those Starbucks guys are marketing geniuses.  They can pump out crappy, sugar-loaded Frappuccinos every few months, and they sell like crazy.  When I remember to, I try them, but I’m always disappointed.  Marketing stunts like The Crystal Ball Frappuccino act as a reminder to a bizarre sense of curiosity and brand loyalty.

Continue reading →

Top 10 Podcasts from 2017

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It almost feels like every day someone tells me that they want to start listening to podcasts, and since it’s become a regular medium, you can find podcasts about literally anything.  I’ve listened to podcasts about everything from tech to crying.  There really is a podcast for everyone, whether you need information, a laugh, or an emotional reaction.  Here are some of the best new podcasts and veterans that have kept up the good work:

 

  1. Swipe Out

Alix McAlpine’s podcast is simple enough on the surface, and it’s certainly not the first dating podcast.  The premise is Alix goes on first dates, then discusses them with her friend, while creating a list of qualities she’d like her ideal partner to have.  Occasionally, it’s funny, but McAlpine is doing more than just gossiping about her dates.  She’s really exploring what it’s like navigating the dating world, as a millennial, with dating apps, and as a young adult.  It’s a mostly transparent look into the dating world, and it provides so much insight to those single among us.

Standout episode: Connor/Slim Thicc Continue reading →

Pickle Me, Pete-Bryant Park, NY

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Continuing our exploration of Bryant Park’s Winter Village…

Fried pickles are an underrated masterpiece.  Fried mac-and-cheese bites reign supreme, but there’s something about a nice juicy pickle, covered in breading that makes them a savory appetizer.  They can burn your mouth, but having the hot pickle drip on your tongue is also a skill that makes them excellent. Continue reading →

Sigmund’s Pretzels-New York

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sigmunds-bryant-park

Continuing our exploration of Bryant Park’s Winter Village…

When you think New York street food, you think hot dogs, but the closest runner up (and arguably, the underrated superior street food) is the big pretzel.  More often than not, these pretzels are a little dry, overly salted, and occasionally much heartier than you’d expect, but when you get a good pretzel, you know you’ve got a good one.  The truffle-cheddar pretzel that I tried from Sigmund’s Pretzels was a pretty damn good one. Continue reading →

The Truffleist-Bryant Park,NY

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Continuing our exploration of Bryant Park’s Winter Village.

Cheesesteaks are a reliable food.  They’re easy to do fine, but they’re difficult to make more interesting or better than they typically are.  Also, most people are sure to be more dismissive of cheesesteaks from outside of Philadelphia.  There’s no real reason for this, because you can get a solid cheesesteak pretty much anywhere.  Most are passable.  That being said, the truffle cheesesteak from Cheesesteaks by The Truffleist are excellent and a must-have from Bryant Park’s winter village. Continue reading →

Doughnuttery-Bryant Park, NY

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Doughnuts-dougnuttery-nyc

Who doesn’t love a good doughnut?  Generally, doughnuts are a failsafe food.  Whether you’re grabbing a quick glazed donut from Dunkin’ Donuts or a vegan, apple, chocolate frosted with candy corn doughnut from your latest hipster coffee shop, you’re probably going to be satisfied.  Still, there’s a fine line between satisfied and happy.  That glazed from Dunkin’ is probably going to satiate, but that franken-doughnut sounds pretty damn good.  I was totally satisfied with my six mini-donuts from Doughnuttery, but I wouldn’t say I was really happy. Continue reading →

Coffee Date:Tigers Jaw-Spin (Reanimator-No More Coffee For Tigers Jaw)

/ James P. Crowley / 1 Comment

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Coffee Date is a new column that features discussions of beverages stemming from leaves and beans.  Whether you brew your own or need a hip barista pouring it in front of you, we’ve got you covered for brands to try at home, coffee shops with some personality, and what you should try or avoid from your regular coffee chains. Today, we also cross over into a review of Tigers Jaw’s latest album, and the coffee that came with the presale.

Tigers Jaw’s decision to pair with Reanimator Coffee for the release of their fifth full-length isn’t anything new.  Modern Baseball and The Menzingers have also previously paired with Reanimator, but Tigers Jaw seems like the best pairing.  They’re the musical equivalent to a nice cup of coffee on a rainy day.  Spin sees the band at their most fully-realized, and Reanimator made a nice brew to compliment it. Continue reading →