Daily Archives: December 15, 2011

Dec15

Healthalicious: 1594 2nd Ave (between 82nd St & 83rd St) New York, NY

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Living social has been offering a pay $6 for $10 worth of food deal at Healthalicious for a couple of weeks and I take them up on the offer pretty frequently. It’s a GREAT place when you want a healthy meal that you don’t feel like cooking yourself. I plan to keep buying the offer until they stop offering it. At their regular prices- I probably wouldn’t go as much, but this deal rocks.

Pictured are my last 3 lunches so that you can get an idea as to what they have. Everything is always cooked to order so for a ‘fast’ food place, it’s a little on the slow side. I’m not usually in a rush so I don’t mind waiting 5-10 minutes at all- and I like that the cashier brings your meal over to you when it’s ready. The arugula salad was the only one of the 3 meals that I didn’t really love. It was okay- but not very exciting, and the mozzarella wasn’t particularly fresh tasting- pretty much just slices of slightly firm low fat tasting cheese. The balsamic dressing was very nice though, and it was a large, filling meal.

The hot plates are my go-tos now and I will continue trying the different ones that they have on the menu. These 2 dishes are: The Get Ripped: Seared tilapia over cauliflower puree and steamed broccoli with a lemon/caper sauce (Excellent. The fish was cooked perfectly and the cauliflower is SO creamy you’ll think it’s mashed potatoes) and The Body Toner: (very good) grilled chicken with lentils and steamed spinach with a light citrus sauce.

I always feel great after I eat here and am happy to know that someone out there is trying to take the concept of fast food to a healthier place. You can feel full and satisfied, without loads of fat, calories or carbs and still really enjoy eating your meal. Plus, then you don’t feel so guilty about that post-lunch piece of dark chocolate 🙂

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Dec15

Pincher’s Crab Shack: Gulf Coast Town Center 10029 Gulf Ctr Dr Fort Myers, FL

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Gabriel and I spent a few days in Florida visiting our parents and we were starving when we got off of the plane in Fort Myers. His parents were nice enough to treat us to lunch at Pincher’s, which was a great choice. The menu was SO appealing- with a ton of seafood choices. Wanting to start out the trip with a healthy choice, I ordered a salad with grilled shrimp instead of one of the many fried seafood options (but I did have a taste of the fried oysters which were awesome).

There was enough shrimp  on the skewers for 2 or 3 people and I happily gave some away. The  vegetables were all fresh and the blue cheese dressing was chunky and creamy. I was quite happy with my lunch choice and easily cleaned my plate. I realized as we left that this was one of many Pincher’s locations and thought I would definitely go back to try some of the other items on the menu. As a New Yorker, I was especially impressed with the oyster prices- and surely plan to go back for a dozen the next time I’m in Florida.

Dec15

Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon: Inn at Irving Place 56 Irving Pl New York, NY

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My dear friend and I have birthdays a day apart and every year we pick a place to celebrate together. This year, we decided to go for a fancy tea instead of lunch or dinner and it proved to be a great decision.

Lady Mendl’s is hidden away at the Inn at Irving Place behind doors that make you think you’re walking into someone’s private brownstone. A small teacup plaque near the front door is the only clue that you are indeed in the right place, and it gives the feeling of walking into a little treasure.

Inside, the small rooms are decorated in warm, cozy light, antique furniture and plenty of candles and fresh flowers. After the host took our coats in the greeting room, we were led to a wonderful pair of leather sofas in front of a roaring fireplace. As girly as going out to tea may sound, this had such a romantic feel that It would make for a lovely date as well, assuming that your date loves delicious snacks, tea and excellent service.

We began with a wonderful butternut squash amuse bouche which was hot from the oven, perfectly smooth in it’s crispy shell, and so full of squashy flavor. My bouche was indeed amused.

Next, my chamomile tea was served with sugar cubes, including one particularly pretty decorated one that sat next to my cup. Delicious and poured beautifully by our server.

The waiter then came around with a tray full of tea sandwiches which we could choose from- with no limits I might add! Knowing that we had a lot more coming, we chose to share a few different ones including: smoked salmon with dill cream cheese on pumpernickel, cucumber with crème fraiche on brioche, turkey on seven grain and classic egg salad on rye. They were all delightful and petite- as they should be.

Next were the scones, one buttermilk and one cranberry. They were served with jam and clotted cream- although I must admit that I prefer the cream at Alice’s Tea Cup- another favorite tea spot of mine, which is a bit fluffier and thicker. The cream here was a bit running and loose. The scones however, were wonderful. It was a good thing that just two small ones were served because I think I could have polished off a whole basket full of them.

The dessert was my favorite course. It’s not hard to see why this cake is the one that Lady M is famous for. Wow. About a million layers as thin as crepes were piled high with a spread of whipped cream in between each. Underneath the cake was fresh raspberry coulis, the perfect accompaniment. It was SO indulgent, SO light, beautiful, simple and really incredible tasting.

Just in case we weren’t totally stuffed by then, our last and final course was served. I will call this one dessert, the sequel. A plate of handmade cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. I’m not sure how I managed to find room but I can assure you that I did. No cookie went unfinished. My favorite was the heart shaped butter cookie half-dipped in dark chocolate, and of course, the strawberries.

Overall, I was totally delighted by this experience. I would go back in a heartbeat- and would love to take a group of ladies and/or family there sometime. I think it is best on a chilly winter day to go and make sure to get that fireside spot. Enjoy this special place!