Every time I visit Whole Foods, I always find myself leaving with an ultimate brownie. This brownie is on the sweeter side (very rich) with a fudge-like texture. I usually don’t like sweet brownies, but the dark, rich flavor of the layered brownie with chocolate chunk gets me every time.
Ultimate brownie isn’t as good as Starbuck’s Belgian Brownie, but you can find this at any Whole Foods!
katie’s favorite: ultimate brownie from Whole Foods
Summer is here, and it’s smoothie season! Yogurt definitely makes or breaks a smoothie. I could use the same fruits and make a smoothie at home, but it won’t taste as good as Red Mango’s. The tart yogurt adds just the right amount of tartness/sweetness to the fruit.
I like the mixed berry smoothie (strawberries, blueberries, and seasonal berries [usually raspberries or blackberries]). If you’re not a berry fan, I’d opt for the tropical mango (pineapple and mango). It’s a bit sour, but still refreshing.
Red Mango - locations
katie’s favorites: mixed blend (250 calories) and tropical mango (260 calories)
Price: $5.45 per smoothie
Rosie’s Bakery reinvents the typical walnut chocolate chip cookie with shortbread! Thick, buttery, and crumby, this cookie is every bit as delicious as it sounds. If you like shortbread, definitely stop in and try this cookie!
katie’s favorites: Chocolate Chip Shorty ($2.45)
Rosie’s Bakery (locations)
Magnolia Bakery is famous for its cupcakes (thanks to Sex and the City). However, Magnolia’s cupcakes are just average. The dessert that is worth the hype is the flourless cake.
After my first bite, I wish I bought more than one. It has a rich chocolate flavor (similar to Starbuck’s Belgian Chocolate Brownie) with a brownie/cake-like texture. This cake is not as dense as you would imagine a flourless cake to be. The texture is a combination of a dense brownie and a crumbly cake. It’s a simple, tasteful, and somewhat healthy dessert.
katie’s favorite: flourless cake ($5.50)
Magnolia Bakery, New York City
This favorite needs no introduction. America’s favorite french fries.
Whenever I eat sushi, I always order a spicy tuna maki. I usually get tuna because it doesn’t taste fishy (unlike salmon). The roll is light and great for a summer day.
Make sure to get spicy tuna and not just regular tuna. The addition of spicy mayo is great! Spicy mayo does not taste anything like regular mayonnaise. It’s more of a dressing. Best spicy tuna maki is made with tempura flakes. It gives an added texture to the maki.
Picture: Spicy Tuna Maki @ Sei Bar
If you like spicy tuna, check out my scorched fatty tuna post. It’ll change the way you eat fatty tuna!
When it comes to these two snacks, I need to join binge-eater anonymous. Shamefully, I can eat a box of these in a day or two. I’ll keep snacking until the very last piece, it’s just that good.
Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuits: Great party cracker. It’s not too salty and the rosemary really gives the triscuit some flavor. Goes well with dips or cheeses!
Rolo Gold Honey Wheat Pretzels: A healthier option than potato chips. Rolo Gold’s come in twists and the honey wheat makes this a sweeter pretzel.
I have a weak spot for americanized Chinese food, especially General Gau’s chicken. Growing up eating authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food, I don’t know why I like it so much. General Gau’s Chicken is the furthest thing from being “authentic.” It was first introduced in New York City, so it’s 100% invented in the USA.
The best General Gau’s chicken is crispy and not overloaded with batter. Pair the chicken with rice or pork fried rice. It’s my guilty pleasure after a stressful day or a long workout.
Picture: General Gau’s Chicken @ Dragon Chef
I don’t even need to be hungry to finish off a Chipotle burrito bowl. Once I smell the grilled chicken and cilantro rice, I’m scooping every last rice kernel out of the bowl.
Here’s what I usually get in my burrito bowls:
- Chicken
- White Rice - love how they infuse the rice with cilantro and lime
- Fajita Vegetables, no beans
- Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
- Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa
- Lettuce (sometimes, depends on what i’m in the mood for)
Price: $6.45 for a chicken burrito bowl
If you are ever near a Nando’s, you must go in and eat! Nando’s is a fast-food Portuguese chain famous for its chicken and peri-peri sauce.
Order the chicken pita. It’s marinated in Nando’s signature peri-peri sauce, and then grilled to the peak of juiciness. You can pick the level of spiciness from extra hot to lemon and herb. I love spicy food, so the extra hot is great.
You MUST get the perinaise sauce. It’s a great dipping sauce for fries (also great with chicken breast) I think the perinaise sauce is a blend of peri-peri sauce and mayo, it’s a creamy and tangy. I’d visit Nando’s just for the fries and perinaise sauce!
katie’s favorite: chicken pita with chips (fries) with perinaise sauce
Nando’s - Locations
