ICE CREAM AND CAKE

Since this song/commercial is currently trapped in my head, figured I would share the pain with you all. If you haven't seen it yet, it's the latest commercial for Baskin Robbins' Ice Cream Cakes (go figure):

http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/07/baskin-robbins-ice-cream-and-cake-commercial-video/

Lunchtime Links for August 6th, 2009

• Nicole Richie Maternity: I can only hope to look half as good as her when I'm preggo (look at those tiny arms/legs!)
• Jamba Juice Flatbreads: Stick with the smoothies, please.
• Rise of Food TV: Thanks T for the link.
• Working With Food: Also helps that Padma is a MODEL.

Lunchtime Links for August 5th, 2009

• Xie Xie: A look at the sandwich options at this new Asian-concept shop.
• Iced Coffee: Cold-brewing coffee for best results.
• Hi-Chews: One of my favorite Japanese candies, might even be better than the real fruit.
• Worst Commercials of July: I agree, these are pretty horrible and annoying.
• Rodarte: Another Target/Designer collaboration coming this winter.

Lunchtime Links for August 4th, 2009

• Backstage at PR: Some insight into the environment of Project Runway contestants.
• Ummm: WHY, Max Azria, WHY?!
• Taste Test: Non-dairy milk options.
• Real Housewives of ATL: TVGasm's recap of last week's episode.
• AHHHH: TOO CUTE

Review: Siggi's Yogurt- Orange & Ginger

• I Paid: 2.99 at Balducci's
• Description: Icelandic style skyr strained non-fat yogurt; Grade A; 0% milkfat

As pretty much anyone reading this knows, I am a sucker for packaging. If it looks cute/fun/even remotely interesting, I will probably buy it just for the sake of it. Case in point, the siggi's yogurt pictured above. I saw it perched on the Balducci's shelf, with a thick paper wrapping and ignorance of capitalization, and thought "So cute! Let me try one"... sighhhhhh. The packaging does have some purpose in addition to looking all cute and fancy artisanal-ish... the paper wrapping comes off, so that the paper and the plastic is recycled separately. Also, there's more product information on the inside of the paper sleeve.

Now, onto the taste. Not surprisingly for a skyr-type yogurt, it's really thick. Like buttercream frosting thick. Like I could hold the cup upside down over my head and nothing would happen thick. The Orange & Ginger flavors were both well represented in the yogurt, with the orange flavor being incorporated into the yogurt, and the tiny pieces of candied ginger mixed throughout. It's definitely not for people that only enjoy the more "dessert-y" flavors of yogurt, like the Yoplait line as an example. It's sweetness is all-natural, so it's not very prominent in this yogurt.

Final verdict? I'd definitely like to try out some other flavors of this yogurt. I wouldn't get it all the time, not just because of the price, but because the thickness can be a little off-putting after a while. If you are a fan of Fage or other greek-style yogurts, you will probably like the siggi's yogurt as well.

I <3 NYC

Back from a fun fun weekend in NYC! Weather held up for the most part, walked around a bunch, good times with good friends!

On to the food... some highlights:

Pork & Egg Bun... Deeeeeeelicious.

Saturday- First stop, Momofuku Milk Bar for some tasty treats. The place is small but jam-packed with so many amazing things. M and I both got the Pork & Egg bun- if we had known how big they were, we definitely could've split one. It was so amazing- pork belly slices, an over easy egg, cucumbers, hoisin sauce. A squirt of Sriracha (available at each table) was great, but isn't necessary to make this taste Awesome.

We also got samples of both the Strawberry Shortcake and Cereal Milk soft serves. Yes you read that correctly, Cereal Milk. And wouldn't you know it, it REALLY tasted like the milk in a bowl after you've eaten all the cereal. So Cool!! I couldn't leave without buying one of their sweets- picked up a Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow cookie- bonus, the one he gave me was broken off on one part so he gave me two, woo. I tried this cookie later on Sunday before I left, and it was just so rich and crispy/smooth/buttery/I'm running out of adjectives, haha. So good!

Vanilla Custard, Shake Shack

After walking around for a while, we hit up Madison Square Park for the famed Shake Shack. I first got a custard, thinking I was still too full from the Pork & Egg bun to get a burger. But since M wanted a shake anyway, we got into the "not custards" line and waited it out, for about 30-45 minutes total.

I could eat my computer screen right now, seriously.

I am so glad we did, and I told myself to just get the burger, since we were all the way here and already waiting in line anyway. Oh. My. GOD. The Shackburger (meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce, Shack sauce) was UNBELIEVEABLY good. Like Wow-So-Glad-I-Got-This-I-Can't-Finish-It-But-I-Want-To-But-I-Might-Explode-But-It's-So-Amazing-I-Wonder-If-I-Can-Take-It-Back-To-MD-And-Save-It-So-I-Can-Extend-This-Enjoyment-For-Another-Day... kind of "good". Seriously, I don't even care if you went to a churrascaria moments beforehand, if you are anywhere near MSP (or not, even), just suck it up and wait in line for this baby. SO AMAZING. In other news, M got an order of fries which I sampled as well- crispy and salty with creamy potato-y insides, a delicious order in itself.

Hello long-lost loveeeeeeeeeee.

Finished off the weekend with some breakfast at Pinkberry before catching the train back to DC. They have a few new toppings, including the Valencia Orange slices pictured above. Even though I've been lucky to have other tart frozen yogurt places pop up nearby, they are just still not the same as Pinkberry. So glad I got some before heading home!

M & E, it was great seeing you both!

Lunchtime Links for August 3rd, 2009

• Nutella Bar: A review of a tasty-looking faux Nutella nougat bar.
• Giveaways: From Marie Claire magazine.
• Bizarre Cars: 10 wacky (and real) cars.
• Oh, Bourdain: Anthony Bourdain encounters Sandra Lee.