Mocha in a Fancy Glass at Cafe V-Dal

It's not every day where you walk into a cafe, order a mocha and it comes out in a fancy-shmancy glass. For some reason, this is like the equivalence of getting an upgrade without asking it. Even when I go into a bar and order a whiskey shot and it's placed before me a heavy, crystal shot glass, I can't help but grin like a maniac and think,

"Now this is gonna go down good."

Who knew that the holder of said mocha or whiskey could make either taste that much better? The shot glass was cold, adding an extra bite to the whiskey. The glass for my mocha was comfortably warm while I stirred it with the spoon and I could see the milk and the coffee swirl together in a pale kaleidoscope of tasty goodness. 

Now don't get the wrong idea here. Cafe V-Dal does not sell booze but their mochas, you simply have to try, Paired up with one of their oven-warm croissants and it's exactly what you need for a mid-day snack. Be sure to sit by the window too, in the afternoon because the sun simply pours in and you'll sit there, like a content cat. 

You may even start purring...

New Year, New Coffee Shop

There is always something to be said about trying new things. And as we near the end of the first month of the new year (I know, I know, I'm late), it's safe to say that trying new coffee shops is something we must all aspire to. You honestly never know what to expect. Oh, sure, you know you can expect coffee...maybe some muffins...maybe a few super-cute cupcakes decorated as a Minion or Cookie Monster.  And of course, the patrons on the laptops, tick-tacking away on their keyboards, ears plugged in, coffee cup at the elbow, immersed in their world while the real one goes on around them. But what can you notice when you don't, um, notice? Especially when you're in a new coffee shop. There's so much to look at! The drink menus, the trays of home-made biscotti, the cookies and that wonderful sound of grinding coffee beans and that's not even including the decor! Local artwork, little coffee-related knick-knacks like the JAVA blocks in the picture above - it's all in the atmosphere and it's important to absorb it as you sit near the window, sipping at the delicious nectar of the gods, the thing that we mortals refer to as: coffee.

So branch out from your local Starbucks and Dunkin and Wawa. Stop by a quaint little place in Limerick called Java Brewin'. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. 

To Dream of New Orleans Beignets!

A few years ago, I had the honor and pleasure of visiting New Orleans with my friends. Upon my return to the frigid Northeast, I told myself (and many others) that if I were to EVER move to New Orleans, it would be for the food, the whole food and nothing but the food.

Because the food down there is ridiculous and so good and so.....heavenly.

Until recently, I've been unable to find a decent replication of the ever-famous beignet. Then I was bought to the Grand Lux Cafe and holy good God, my friend and I positively tackled this basket of scrumptious beignet goodness. From the buttery flakes to the dusting of powdered sugar to the three choices of dipping sauces, it was a feast of dynamic proportions. Coupled with a whipped-cream-slathered hot mocha, I was transported back to the mellow, easy streets of New Orleans, complete with the casual gait of both tourists and locals and jazzy music that soothed the spurs in my soul. 

There Is Never a Bad Time for Baked Goods

See that glow? It's a ray of heavenly light because even God knows there's nothing more divine than a glass of iced coffee and a cupcake glazed with Oreo crumbs.

What's a Weekend Without Pastries?

Nothing spells W-E-E-K-E-N-D like delicious pastries! 

And I know, I know, everyone's getting ready their beach bodies ready but look, the longer you deny yourself, the harder it'll get to resist when someone shoves a cupcake in your face.

Am I right or what?

So, not to be an enabler or anything but here are some of the scrumptious treats I indulged in this weekend because, honestly, I have zero impulse control:

These cupcakes can be found at Alice's Bakery and Confectionary!

And these tasty cup of tea (black tea, strawberries, orange peels and sprinkes--yay!) paired with this equally-mouth-watering scone can be enjoyed at The Talking Teacup!

Let it be known that I am always on the look-out for new bakeries, coffee shops (besides Starbucks *wink*) and tea houses so if you've got one near you, leave a comment!

New Year, New Coffee Shop

(picture above: Backyard Beans mocha and a salted caramel biscotti...so good!)

            Okay, so we’re a month into the New Year. By now, I’m sure most of your resolutions have sailed out the window but hey, no judgement here, believe me. I told myself on December 31^st that I would put this blog to good use much more than I have in the past and here we are, currently, on the first day of February and only now I’m putting a new post up.

            *sigh*

            But that’s all right because we need to focus on something more important than sticking to useless resolutions. Something that we all know, love and cherish.

            Coffee.

            If you’ve ever decided to expand your coffee palette, which is, quite frankly, easier said than done when there are fifty Starbucks within a five-mile radius from you at all times, you can find small coffee shops making an appearance, popping up like little mushrooms after a rainstorm. One such place I’ve come across is right in the middle of town called Backyard Beans.

            Sporting a minimalist lay-out that’s both startling and welcoming, this local hole-in-the-wall is a stone’s throw away from yup, you guessed it, Starbucks. But come inside and you’ll feel the quiet embraces you like an old friend. The menu is simple and so completely unencumbered, it’ll take you a minute to realize that no, you’re not missing anything. It takes you back to a time when things were simple, when coffee was a singularly easy task, brewed hot and delicious, light and satisfying.

            So, this year, don’t be afraid to branch out. Coffee was invented for us to gain the courage to try new things and you don’t have to wait till New Year’s to do it.

Cupcakes vs Muffins: An Epic Battle

(I do not own this image. I take no credit for it.)

            Is a cupcake really just a muffin beneath all that icing?

            Is a muffin really a cupcake without all the fancy window dressing?

            Can you be pro-cupcake while being anti-muffin? Or pro-muffin and anti-cupcake?

            Is it possible to enjoy both?

            It’s hard to know where to draw the line, if indeed a line should be drawn at all. Cupcakes and muffins have long since been at war with one another. One is well-regarded as an irresistible treat to be enjoyed at any moment, day or night, while the other is simply relegated to a certain time of the day, which is usually the a.m. with a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of orange juice.

            There are also flavors to consider. Take a carrot cake cupcake, most likely topped off with cream cheese icing. Carrots are a vegetable, right? And yet, here it is, swirled into a treat that is held in perhaps what some may consider as a higher standing than a muffin. Now let’s take a double-chocolate, chocolate chip muffin, no icing needed. No vegetables, either. Yet, it’s to be enjoyed in the morning and somehow is much more decadent than a carrot cake cupcake.

            Is this fair?

            Can this justify the battle between such delicious treats? The crumbs that are left behind? The paper sleeves balled up and tossed away? Can this even explain the carefully-avoided fact that cupcakes are made in muffin tins?

            The battle is on-going.

            Delicious, but on-going nonetheless.

While Getting Coffee....

This is the face I make when I run into rude people.....especially in a Starbucks. Seriously. You're in a Starbucks. You're getting a hug in a mug. Why are you going to be rude? What is there to be rude about? Your brain is about to get a jolt of love. Your body is going to receive the burst of affection it craves and you're going to be rude? 

*sigh*

Birthday Cupcake

One thing that's good about birthdays is the treats. And I'm not talking just any treats. But original treats. Treats made specifically for you by your awesome co-workers. The heavenly cup of cake that's above--are you looking at it, huh, are you, are you?--is lovingly called, "The Larry."
(sidebar: this recipe will not be forthcoming, for its creator is as territorial as a rabid dog.)

With a fluffy vanilla cake, pocked with peanut butter chips, topped with a creamy wig of peanut butter buttercream icing sprinkled with candied bacon garnish, this was truly a way to celebrate another year older. And honestly, can getting older really be that bad when you're sinking your teeth into this sweet deliciousness?
Excuse me, I'm still recovering from sugar shock.....

Who Loves Starbucks' Spring Cups?

I absolutely love them!

Happy Valentine's Day

So, yeah, okay. I'm late. Valentine's Day was two days ago....two and you know what? I missed it because I was too busy recuperating from a sugar coma....and it was worth every bite.

It's Been a While But I Come With Great Treats...

Fair peeps!

Near and far!

I know I've been MIA....I have no excuses. Seriously, I blink and 2 months have flown by. I'm not even sure how it happened. One minute, I'm in shorts and a tank top, the next minute I'm handing out Halloween candy and the minute after that, I'm talking about taking a crack at my mom's aunt's blueberry cobbler recipe for Thanksgiving.

It's insane.

On that note, I did come across this delicious recipe from Jamie Oliver and oh my God, I NEED to make this.

I heard someone say it looks like the night sky since it's so dark with salt flakes sprinkled on top. That description alone kind of sold me on it, apart from the fact that it's chocolate....

I'll have to convert it to American measurements but why let a thing like that deter me? I'm doing it! Look out, kitchen! I'm on my way!

(And no, I do not own this image.)

The Pros and Cons....

Trying to be healthy has never been so hard.....

 

This Is Why I love Starbucks....

You never know what name they'll put on your cup....

How Serious?.....Very.

Tea is very serious business....

Crying Over Spilled Coffee....

So....guess which sneaker got hit with my cup of coffee that decided to take a header off the roof of my car this morning?

How To Keep Your Cake From Going Stale

It's so easy...it really is...

 

 

heh heh



As Promised....A Cupcake Recipe To Rival All Others From Carmela POP

As promised, and I always make my promises on mountains of frosting and sprinkles, here is a cupcake recipe that will melt even the iciest of hearts. Just in time for Christmas, I came across Ana, the miracle worker of all things pastry-like and lip-smackin’ good. She runs an absolute delish site called Caramela POP where she showcases her mouth-watering creations. She was gracious enough to share her recipe with me for these:

Oh yes.

You're seeing this right, my friends.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes and yes, each word deserves to be capitalized because they are that good. And did I mention they were from scratch? Well, they are which is part of the reason why they are so tasty. I not only made these cakes of cups for myself but also for my work Christmas party. Now go ahead. Ask me. Ask if there were any left.

"Melissa, were there any left?"

Not a-one.

My co-workers were walking away with a balanced meal--a cupcake in each hand and on this, comrades, I do not lie. To be honest, I never made cupcakes from scratch before and natural I was a bit hesitant. I thought to myself,

           "Self, why deviate? Why make things complicated? Simply get a box of ol' Betty Crocker or trusty Duncan Hines and be done with it."

           But I wanted something different. Something that didn't have that pre-made taste. And these cupcakes are anything but. Fluffy, golden deliciousness, light and airy, yet dense and moist and topped with creamy peanut butter frosting that was peanut buttery enough to send you straight to the stars.

          And if these delicious little snacks aren't enough, check out what else Ana is baking up at http://carmelapop.com/

 

Happy Holidays, everyone! 





 

Follow the Trail of....

A cupcake recipe is coming!

Coming Soon....A Cupcake Recipe....

 

Ladies and gents....

Coming soon, in the midst of making merry and throwing holiday glitter, you will find a cupcake recipe here on this blog.
First reaction: What kind?
Second reaction: Well?
Third reaction: Are you going to make me WAIT?!

And the answer will be, "YES."

Soon, my little cupcake eaters. Soon.