Taste Test : Cadbury Creme Egg by Connfessions of a Reservationist


The Cadbury Creme Egg is having a rough year. It just had a makeover, and it has not been well received to the masses. Even in its home country it is receiving harsh treatment.


Despite the negative attention this icon of my Easter candy has been receiving, I decided to take a taste test to see how much different is it really compared to what I remember. Is the “no” dairy milk chocolate really any different?

Answer:

Yes, it is significantly different. If you enjoy chocolate on a regular basis like myself and tasted an older version of a Cadbury Creme Egg, its newer sibling will not bring back distant memories.

Sadly, the infamous egg tastes as if it was made with less expensive ingredients, to be respectfully kind. Though it may appear the same, both, the chocolate and its filling does not taste the same.


What does it taste like? Palmer chocolate, that’s what. If you like Palmer chocolate, you will definitely like the new Cadbury Crème Egg. That may not be a bad thing to some people, but it is disappointing if you were expecting the same chocolate that you enjoyed for years.

Though I wanted to prove the media wrong on this one, the Cadbury Crème Egg is just not the same. Lets hope they will listen to its fans and return its chocolate back to where it belongs.

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media by Connfessions of a Reservationist

Well, it was definitely quite a weekend: Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, the official beginning of Mardi Gras, record freezing weather, an entire plateful of activity. Two things to note:

1. Valentine’s Day. I thought I would see an overflow of different kinds of chocolate recipes, tacky flower arrangements, and super sugary cocktails. What did I see instead?  Blood Oranges!




  

2. Tired of the typical Mardi Gras cake? Try some King Cake Fortune Cookies or King Cake Donuts. They definitely appear to make this coming week a little more appetizing…



Experimenting Novice: “Healthy” Oatmeal Cookies by Connfessions of a Reservationist


As an effort to try to eat healthier in recent weeks, I have been experimenting with several ideas, especially since I crave sugar almost every day.

I found an oatmeal cookie recipe that has no sugar, butter, flour, oil, or carbs but has simply fruit, oatmeal, chocolate chips. It must have gone viral because I saw it on various social media outlets online. Even my landlord even asked me about it.

I never really attempted to do these fad diets such as no carbs, Paleo, South Beach, you name it. However, given I have been trying to improve my diet in recent weeks, I thought I would give these a try.

Result? They are very much like a fruit bar in many ways. In all honesty, these cookies did not taste satisfying right out of the oven. Definitely enjoy them after they cool if you decide to eat these alone, allowing the flavors sink into one another.


If you look to pair these cookies with something a little more “normal", I would definitely try them with vanilla ice cream. Heat the cookies, crumble them and you have a warm fruit crumble a la mode!

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media by Connfessions of a Reservationist


Its that time of the year where its everything and anything about the word love: hearts, kisses, any shade of the color of red, flowers, berries, chocolate, bubbly, the list could go on forever. Though my Valentine’s Day inspiration will only increase throughout the week, these two findings are sure to be winners of any person’s heart, no matter who they are!



Yes, that’s right. It’s a potion and it’s bound to be the ultimate RX.


Cupcakes with a little bit of heart, compliments of blogging queen, Lauren Conrad. Make them and feel a little sweeter.

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media by Connfessions of a Reservationist

Good morning everyone! Here are some weekly trending foods in the wonderful world of social media:

The wonderful invention of the slow cooker, crockpot, whatever you want to call it. I am sure these recipes will give you any reason to use it. 



Siracha has made quite an appearance in the world wide web. Bon Appetit being one of their top presenters.



Why? Maybe having a mouth on fire is a faster way to feel warm in this weather?


The rise of homemade cereals. Do I need to say more? I am so excited about these that I am listing them all below:











Just to name a few.

Ok, I might be a little too excited. They might be a little advanced for some, but I will admit, the homemade Cookie Crisp is something I might try as my next experimenting novice project.

The Month Long RX by Connfessions of a Reservationist

Happy New Year! Though I got to spend every ounce of the holidays down at the family home in Georgia, they were a little more stressful time this year. For me unfortunately, I have had to take care of some health issues that sadly affected the one thing I enjoy, especially around the holidays: my diet.


2014 was not an easy year for me, which caused me to not really take care of my diet the way I usually do. I ended the year treating what I have built up all year long, possibly longer. Therefore, I have not been able to share as much as I wanted to over the holidays.


What did I get to enjoy? First, I could not pass up my favorite family oysters Rockefeller. My last glass of alcohol actually comes from Georgia’s own Red Hare Brewing Company, which I highly recommend if you are ever visiting the Atlanta area. Though I paid my consequences for sampling their offerings. The holiday season also includes my birthday so I had to go to my favorite restaurant in DC, Roses Luxury.


My progress? It is looking good so far. In fact, I am going to try and start incorporating more foods this week to see how I cope. I also plan going to a nutritionist to see what else is making me weird. Possibly over doing it? Maybe, but I am a health nut and a foodie at heart, so I will do anything possible to make sure this does not happen again. I will definitely share what information I find as for my quest to get better continues.

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media by Connfessions of a Reservationist


Welcome back and happy New Year! As much as I wanted to share the holiday events, I was unfortunately under the weather until last week. In any case, below are some of this week’s popular social media findings:


Food charts and lots of them


 Numbered ingredients: Fudge, bread, even pineapple cake


The endless different kinds of chicken: Honey chicken, skinny chicken, lemon chicken, chicken wings, whole chicken, garlic brown sugar chicken, just lots of chicken 

The Experimenting Novice: The Hot Toddy RX by Connfessions of a Reservationist


I have been enduring a cold in the past couple of days just like everyone else throughout the transition into the season. I did not have any medicine readily available at the time, but I did have several items instead, one of which included Bourbon. Therefore, I thought it would be worth a shot to try a Hot Toddy to see if it would speed up its process and allow me to sleep.

Why not? I noticed some people say the cocktail RX does not work while yet the remedy is posted on Web MDEven Serious Eats recently posted a tasty remedy  So again, why not?

Verdict? I immediately felt better. I felt so much better that not only did I sleep well, I had another Hot Toddy the next day just to get the rest of the cold out of my system, or what was left of it.

Hot Toddies have variations including water or tea or using various kinds of Whisky or Bourbon. I chose to have simply hot water, a fantastic organic honey I have from Caledonia Spirits lemon juice, and of course, some Bourbon. Two ounces worth, to be exact and recommend no more for potential lack of sleep.

So here is my RX for all of those potential cold patients out there this season and enjoy!


2 oz Bourbon or Whisky
.25 oz Lemon Juice
2 T Honey
4 -6 oz Hot Water


 Build in glass or coffee mug. Stir, garnish with a lemon peel.

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media by Connfessions of a Reservationist


After beginning the week a little heavier and much happier from Turkey Day, I share with you this week’s menu of social media fan favorites.


 Leftovers: turkey soup, turkey quesadillas, turkey eggs Benedict, turkey sandwiches with leftover garnishes, turkey and dumplings, turkey casserole, turkey and waffles, countless number of possibilities await you.


The buck doesn’t stop there. How about an apple or pumpkin pie milkshake?



Or a cranberry sauce cocktail?


Turkey Day favorites were not the only things that attracted foodies this week. The immortal trio of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers tried to steal Turkey Day’s show.

The Experimenting Novice: Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramels by Connfessions of a Reservationist


I am sure I am not alone on this, but I will go through craving trends where I am obsessed with a particular type of food until I am sick of it. Sometimes the craving is seasonal (naturally), and sometimes it becomes everlasting, like chocolate chip muffins, spinach pizza, or a Negroni.


One particular item that is increasingly becoming a part of the year-round obsession list are caramels. Chocolate covered caramels, that is. I enjoy Trader Joe’s version of them, and I probably buy out their entire stock from time to time because they run out of them more often than other candies. Therefore, I became determined to make my own so that I can have my own personal inventory.


I am no expert when it comes to confections other than being around my Mom, who is an ultimate master. She made a batch of her own caramels a few years ago, and I have never forgotten them so I am pretty curious to see how this attempt is going to go.


I based the caramel making experiment off of a recipe from the blog, Inspired Taste.
Super simple and cheap, these morsels can be creative gift for friends or as an immediate go to whenever you are craving sugar, which for me is almost all day.



Result? Overall, I think I cooked the caramel a little too long for my liking, probably because I was almost more interested in taking pictures than I was concentrating on the stove at the time. Everything took much faster to cool and harden than what the recipe stated, partly because there is literally no heat in my kitchen and we have marble everywhere. The chocolate ended up being a little sloppy since I did not temper it as well as I should have but overall looked pretty reminiscent of my Trader Joe’s favorite. They surprisingly tasted like See’s Candies caramels so I think I did pretty well for a first try.

Interested in taking a shot at creating these morsels? Find the recipe here: Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramels

Do not forget the tomatoes! by Connfessions of a Reservationist


I know I am  a little late for this post. In fact, three weeks late. It is October, and tomato season has passed the corner. However, if you still have a few batches of tomatoes as I know I would in my parents' backyard in Georgia, you can try this short and sweet recipe.

The inspiration comes from the hospitable staff at The Cavalier in Lynchburg, VA. They were giving away home grown tomatoes and I could not let them go to waste.  It is a little bit of summer and fall combined with its dressing of bacon fat, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. It is a salad to most certainly melt in your mouth.

Give it a try if you have a few tomatoes left in your house, if not it is definitely worth saving for next season!


Tomato Bacon Salad with Blue Cheese

1 12 oz package of apple smoked bacon
6 small to medium heirloom tomatoes
1-2 heads of Boston lettuce
1 8oz package of blue cheese
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 T sugar
1 T water

1.     Cook all slices of bacon over the stove stop. Remove slices and set aside to cool. Preserve all dressing and set aside to cool.
2.     While the dressing is cooling, wash and cut the tomatoes in quarters. You can cut them smaller if you prefer.
3.     Wash and cut the head of lettuce. Mix with the tomatoes.
4.     Add the blue cheese to the salad.
5.     Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar and water to the cooled dressing and stir until blended and sugar has dissolved.
6.     Cut cooled bacon slices and add them to the salad.
7.     Pour onto the salad or save on the side for guests to use sparingly.
8.     Enjoy!

Pit Stop Blondies by Connfessions of a Reservationist


The road trip to Lynchburg was almost worthless in taking if I did not go to Sheetz first. Sheetz is a fan favorite amongst my college friends where we could always either pit stop during a road trip, to try to sober up after partying, or to wake up to finish our homework.

This Pennsylvania modernized “kwik shop” harbors a list of feasting favorites such as the chicken salad sandwich on a pretzel bun, flavorful coffees, and breakfast pastries. However, Sheetz has only one thing that I made sure I purchased no matter how many times I went, Smoothie Blondies from Boyer Candy Company in Altoona, PA.

These rich, butterscotch covered, peanut butter filled cups of mouth watering delight always accompanied me while I studied every hour, on the hour. They include their own version of “play money” inside each package to collect and earn merchandise. No matter how much play money I have collected, I do not think I will ever earn enough of it to be able to purchase anything.

Smoothies are not the only nostalgic gem on their confectionery menu. They also have my mother’s personal favorite, Mallo Cup, and the Triple Twist Pretzel.  The website is filled with not only their play money online shop but also a library’s worth of recipes to use with all of their brands.



PS: As promised, I would show a highlight of Negroni Week back in June. Well, here you go! This beauty is brought to you by Compass Rose off of 14th Street on U Street Corridor. The cocktail alone was unequal parts, but I know everyone prefers their Negroni a little bit differently (I like equal parts Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth). Regardless, it was definitely refreshing, and you must check Compass Rose out if you have not done so already. The food alone will take you around the world in one visit. 

1346 T Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.506.4765

The Cavalier by Connfessions of a Reservationist



I can only begin with stating that I am amazed this place has not been talked, tweeted, blogged, pinned, or produced through any form of media ever since the birth of the “foodie”.  Not only is The Cavalier a hidden piece of American history, but it produces some of the most satisfying American culinary classics I ever tasted. I look back and try to think if I am partial to this place just because I studied two blocks away from this restaurant, but on behalf of all the students and locals in central Virginia, The Cavalier is truly a hidden, mom and pop gem that anyone must go to if you happen to travel to this part of America.


The Cavalier originated as a carriage house, and Thomas Jefferson himself could have possibly been there before this place evolved into a convenient counter store, and finally into full service restaurant packed with almost every inch of Virginia atmosphere you could imagine. Expired license plates, a pool table, old school arcade games, college flags, and initial etchings from every best friend, lover, spouse, or family member covers the inside of this restaurant.


 Everyone I know who developed a relationship with The Cavalier has their personal appetizing favorites: the cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, the personally favored Reuben, hot dogs, onion rings, they even have Mr. Pibb. I am not a particular fan of regularly feasting on fried food, but The Cavalier’s home fries is one fried creation I know I could devour every day if I was given the chance. Not just home fries, home fries with their special seasoning and ranch sauce for dipping. I ordered enough over the weekend for me to take back home and I have to admit, they are even better when the seasoning sits.


The Cavalier is a genuine expression of not only classic American food, but also a true definition of what Virginia means to me. I encourage you to take that pit stop at The Cavalier in Lynchburg if you are traveling through the great state of Virginia. You will be glad you spent your meal there rather than a drive thru, I guarantee it.

The Cavalier
434.845.3837
2920 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg, VA 24503

Ode de Rose's by Connfessions of a Reservationist


Every now and then a restaurant comes along and just steals your heart away with everything it has to offer, from decor to dishware to garnish. Rose’s Luxury in Capitol Hill does just that and then some to make sure you remember each moment of it. It undeniably never fails. I may have written very briefly about it in a previous post, but after my most recent experience, I just had to share what this place is made of, especially if you have not experienced it yet. Rose’s is magic waiting to happen.




Now, restaurants always have their ups and downs with guests’ experiences, and I am sure they have had their challenges to make sure a guest leaves more than satisfied, especially if someone makes a, for lack of a better word, mistake. However, when I go to Rose’s I think a mistake is not possible, because it simply does not look possible. The staff is entertaining, and you can tell they want to be there. The restaurant alone feels like a home that you just want to either bring some of your closest friends for some laughs or bring your main squeeze for a little alone time. It just brings that good old, classic feeling we have to feel entertained.  

The food speaks for itself from Chef, Aaron Silverman. It is a perfect combination of innovation and originality.  To begin with as well as the ultimate staple of the evening besides my (yes, my) Fig Martinez is the potato bread. With butter. The crispy squid salad is an ultimate starter dish. Designed to share, I almost felt like using it as a spread rather than a salad with its creamy combination of avocado, crema, and lime.

Uni scrambled eggs, potatoes, and hollandaise. I am at the point now where I feel like I am in a fairly tale and magic is actually happening during my meal. I am not usually a fan of fried food, despite the fact I was raised in the deep south. However, the fried chicken with honey and benne seed syncs sweet and savory into an addicting symphony that never wants to end. The brisket sandwich can be on or off the menu and will be waiting for you if you ask for it.



And for dessert? Mascaparone with fruit and crumbles as a “cheese course” is simply one of the best things I have ever tried here in DC. Doughnuts with vanilla ice cream and Cabot cheddar sprinkled on top. You think you might despise it, but you will not stop thinking about it after you try it.

The combination of vintage dishware, simplistically bohemian decor, hanging garden lights, and now the garden rooftop makes you feel like you are being entertained in an enchanted courtyard. Rose’s simply has the right pieces to make the right combinations, making you never wanting to leave and itching to come back.


So, do yourself a favor: If you really want to just have a good time, show off what today’s DC dining is all about, or spoil yourself for that matter then go to Rose’s Luxury. It is a genuine magic maker in the heart of DC.

Rose's Luxury
717 8th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.580.8899
www.rosesluxury.com 

Negroni Week by Connfessions of a Reservationist



The Negroni. One of the few cocktails I have enjoyed for years. It is the cocktail that made me fall in love with various spirits that I used to despise, Campari and Gin. Now, I am amazed to even think I did not enjoy these flavors when I was younger. Just more proof that as one becomes older and wiser, so becomes one's palate.

I happen to admire this cocktail so much that I shared my respect for it last year in a previous post .  Therefore, you cannot be too surprised to know how excited I am that Imbibe and Campari are teaming up on June 2nd for Negroni Week, a Drink for a Cause. Participating locations will be promoting the classic cocktail, and a portion of the earnings will go to a charity of choice. Everything from the vintage recipe to the modernist creation will be to your savoring, depending on the location you plan to go to.

Since I live in DC, I plan to tour around the participating locations in the area. So check the event's website out to see which bars and restaurants are celebrating the one and only Negroni in your area. I will share some of my favorites and not so favorites so stay tuned.

Sparkling Champagne Truffles by Connfessions of a Reservationist

I had to try this recipe the instant I found it online. I have been working on some personal projects and thought this would be a decadent extra to those who are to receive them. I needed to find something that would grasp their attention, and I thought this recipe would do the trick. Plus, I’ve always had a fascination with them even though I am not an certified “Chocolatier”.



The recipe comes from Martha Stewart. I did not have any Cognac in the house but I did have Chambord so I used that as an alternative. The result: I think personally better but I think it depends on what your taste buds gravitate to. Check it out below:


Catch Up by Connfessions of a Reservationist

Such a long time from here. Too long. Much too long. Much has happened since I have last visited here. My schedule has become much less time consuming which means I can focus on sharing again! Just a small recap since I was last here. More of my pictures from my endeavors are on Instagram and Twitter if you want to see more of what I have been up to recently.



I toured the Golden Isles for a very special event of my sister's wedding. Drank one a many gin and tonics, soaked some sun, and enjoyed many walks along the beach. I had the opportunity to have my first Dairy Queen Blizzard in years which was shocking, to say the least. I enjoyed the holidays both in DC and Baltimore. Ate a ton, drank a ton and had a wonderful time with the family and friends. More importantly, I got to make my favorite holiday dish, our family’s very own Oysters Rockefeller. 



Lately however, I have been experiencing very intense food cravings. I think it is because of this crazy weather DC has been experiencing this season. For instance, I can have a chocolate chip muffin every day of my life if I wanted to, no matter how hard someone tries to stop me. Turkey and avocado wraps with lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese have been nonstop, especially since my favorite deli in town knows how to make them the way I like them. Sweet potatoes have also been a thing for me lately, especially sweet potato soup. Its filling for the weather but not too heavy on your stomach. I also developed a trend for peas lately. Peas in pasta, pea soup, pea risotto, you name it. I think Spring was flirting with my taste buds and I had to take advantage of it. 


I have developed a passionate love for scotch over this season and starting to consider to make some of my own digestives and aperitifs. I will keep you posted what I discover, because I am starting to believe that I cannot live without some of these new discoveries.



As for places? Well, I am obsessed with Rose’s Luxury in Capitol Hill and Mintwood Place is becoming a solid staple, especially since I am not far away from this little treasure. 

There is much more, plus posts that I committed to finish sharing so stay tuned. I just started catching up.

41 Degrees by Connfessions of a Reservationist


I feel compelled to share one final experience in Barcelona which was at 41 Degrees, the renown restaurant by Albert Adria. For those unaware who Albert Adria is, he is the brother to Ferran Adria, the man behind the restaurant, El Bulli in Roses, Spain. These masterminds decided to open 41 Degrees since closing El Bulli back in 2011.

I did not get to experience El Bulli in its prime, but 41 Degrees was certainly an exception. 41 Degrees allows their guests to use all senses in creating the ultimate gastronomic experience. It felt as if I was enjoying dinner and theater together, performing together as one.

Below are highlights of my experience at the restaurant. Even though these pictures are only small samplings of what my meal was there, nothing can compare to what it felt like in person. I was in the middle of my own, intimate culinary dream and did not want to wake up.

The Boqueria by Connfessions of a Reservationist


The Boqueria, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Barcelona was by far, one of my favorite places to visit during my trip to Spain. I think I visited it every day while I was there.



The one way I believe you can grasp the ultimate feel of how a culture lives is by visiting the local market. You can see everything there: How people interact with one another, what are the local commodities, what items are considered popular, how items are marketed to the demographic, it is ultimately one of the most exposed ways of observing a culture and I absorbed it like a sponge.


The Boqueria’s origins are unknown to this date, but historians do know that the market was built around 1200. It was known as a market for travelers but evolved into a destination for locals throughout several centuries.The Boqueria also was not originally in the same exact location. It was originally along the La Rambla, one of the city’s main pedestrian areas, but as the market’s popularity grew, so did the market. The church of Saint Josep was eventually destroyed in 1835 in order to make more room for the market. Today, the Boqueria’s eclectic atmosphere has grown to international fame throughout the past century, so much that it won the “Best Market in the World” in 2005 at the World Markets Congress in Washington, DC.



I could spend hours at the Boqueria just sampling, savoring and buying all of the delectable foods they offer on a daily basis. I probably would have a dinner party at least one night a week just so I could find an excuse to go there. As you approach the open aired entrance, prized legs of jamon are dangling at the sides of the market, teasing your appetite. If that is not enough for you, mountains of chocolates and sweets tumble along your path, secretly flirting with your sweet tooth. I had a difficult time to not spoil my dinner while I was touring the Boqueria for the first time. From there, endless rows of fruits, vegetables, various meats and seafood overflow the market as if it was Willy Wonka’s Factory of food. I could not leave.




The feast does end start there. Just following to the right of the entrance, Quim Marquez, one of Barcelona’s celebrated chefs, operates a humble tapas bar known as El Quim de la Boqueria. El Quim has been the home to the Boqueria since 1987 and remains to be a mandatory destination to savor classic Spanish tapas.




I simply did not have enough time in this original Barcelona institution. If I had it my way, I probably would stay another week just to get the full flavor of places such as the Boqueria. The Boqueria made me understand why Barcelona is a culinary destination for aspiring chefs or adventurous foodies. The endless variety of local foods are presented in such a basic yet magical way that leaves you speechless if you are touring for the first time. When I return, I will undoubtedly make sure that I make an excuse to visit the Boqueria at any chance I get.