LOCO BURRITO Brooklyn, New York

TAJ MAJAL RESTAURANT 7/29/19 Brooklyn, New York

Mulligatawny Soup.

Nan Bread.

Shrimp Poori.

Meat Samosa.

Chicken Tikka Bhiryani.

INTERESTING SOFT DRINKS lll

Coke Raspberry came with much anticipation to me since it was not available in New York (Brooklyn at least) for some months until after its first appearance, I did get to enjoy the other new flavors on the block that were Georgia Peach and Strawberry but the Raspberry variety is the one I was most impressed by. 

Still am waiting for them to can this stuff or two liter it by me but the glass bottle is just fine and to aficionados the true way to appreciate a carbonated soft Drink.

With almost impeccable timing was the Dark Berry Dr. Pepper launched as I had recently been on a bit of a Pepper binge myself.

Snatched up a twelve pack of cans to be followed by two more twelve packs and the 20 ounce bottle serving when I can find it.

This seems to be disappearing from the shelves sadly and is most likely a limited Flavor.

My take on it is a Dr. Pepper but slightly Sweeter with a Berry tinge and if what I read is correct a hint of Black Currant as well.

Came across Ting maybe a year prior to this writing and was instantly impressed, so much so that I ran across the street and bought a second bottle to bring home.

Pictured here is another sighting of this elusive brand (due to my neighborhood) and I was just about to purchase a bottle with excitement when I recalled I am forbidden from Grapefruit by doctors orders.

My initial impression a year back was

"Like Fresca but with Sugar"

I hear there is a Pink Grapefruit variety as well that I so want to try but have not spotted one and now Grapefruit is marked from my books.

I was forbidden my Taste O' Ting but right there close by on the shelf amongst the Jamaican brand of Sodas was a can of Vimto.

This was akin to Champagne Cola plus Fruit.

A favorite of mine but it makes the list due to its serving size.

I have even pondered the thought in my spare time

"Why don't they make Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale in a 20 ounce size ?" 

Well Now they do and I am very pleased.

This was recommended to me by my friend Dianne and as soon as I spotted one I purchased it, This is a 7/11 product it appears and I made a special trip with it in mind.

Very tangy and sweet just as it should be. I have no negative response to it BUT whenever I see the word Lemonade I think non-carbonated. This one was carbonated and it even says so on the bottle but as I did not read the bottle upon initial tasting I was somewhat surprised.

This I have yet to try but what better time than while I am writing about Sodas I have known.

Excellent just like I expected from the Jones Soda company.

Its not just Orange, its Blood Orange.

There was a mistake when buying this incidentally, you see I was in a 7/11 and spotted a Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Soda and to me there are not enough Sour Sodas in the world so I was completely all for it, however Watermelon would not be the top choice of Flavor Sour or not so snuggled in the chute with the Watermelons was an Orange. When I got it home was when I noticed it was not a Sour Patch soda but shrugged it off with a "Well, I am a fan of blood Orange anyways" attitude.

Like many of these Drinks they were purchased during work and this one certainly was. The common Ginger Ale but a new brand for me and also after purchase I noticed it was made with Cane Sugar which is always a plus.

Thi almost did not make this list but might not be around in five years time so we will put it here just the same. I did notice when finishing this bottle that the Cranberry Flavoring was quite powerful but in a very good way.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CREAMERS

Staying cool in a local 7/11 while waiting to end a phone call with my boss so I could catch my train I noticed Reese's Peanut Butter Creamer amongst the Flavor enhancers by the Coffee station and was somewhat taken aback but with pleasure. I even dabbed a drop on a Napkin piece to sample it after I searched and discovered that the International Delight line of Flavored Creamers was for sale in the Dairy section.

This began as a possibly promising new hobby as I do Drink Coffee daily and even though at the moment take mine Black with Sugar I am not against some Flavoring especially if it might make my cup of joe taste a bit like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Is it still Coffee then ?

Thats a whole other conversation.

The Reese's Creamer was pretty damn superb and tasted just as it should.

Like a Reeses Peanut Butter Coffee.

My promising new hobby may have come to an all too quick finish as I tried my second choice in the Flavor running.

While I investigated the availability of the International Delight Creamers that fateful night in 7/11 whence the Reese's was discovered I took note of some of the other perfumes on offer and White Chocolate Raspberry stood out as a serious contender for Taste Bud elevation.

While this variety does indeed taste exactly as it should it was not as exciting as the Reeses, I even just today took great enjoyment in having two cups of Coffee without Creamer but I am not beaten yet or should I reword that.

My Creaming Days Are Not Over Yet.

RICE

Rice

STUFFED CABBAGE BOWL - While out pounding the pavement my mind wandered towards the dilemma of what to do with the leftover Saurkraut and this seemed an interesting idea, in preparation of actually executing it a day later not so much so and here I sit with my first sample.

Certainly could use Salt and this I preambled. 

First impression is that it can actually use more Cabbage.

And more Cabbage was added, does not taste so much like a Stuffed Cabbage as it does the separate amalgamation of its parts but then again I haven't had Stuffed Cabbage proper in probably about 40 years !!! Growing up I frowned (and this is being overly polite) upon friends of mine occasionally Eating Rice with Ketchup (a distinctly abhorrent concept) but the Tomatoness of it all is barely perceptible on the taste buds, in this case it is Tomato/Spaghetti Sauce so not nearly as Salty or Vinegary.

This one is Ground Beef, Fried Onions, White Rice, Tomato Sauce (canned) and Saurkraut with Salt to Taste.

Does not work, Rice is close enough to Pasta being a Carb to be coupled with Tomato Sauce so I was thinking this is akin to Spaghetti and Meat Sauce with Saurkraut which I would never do so why do this, well I tried.

CHOP MEAT & RICE - I can really call this a Bowl as that is what it is served in but screw trendy fashionable labels.

This is Chop Meat and Rice that my mom raised me on.

Of course the Rice is not as good as moms nor is anything else but this is a queer psychological paradox that we all face as human beings, nothing is as tasty as your memory recalls and also your mom had more practice at it and it was usually the first time you tried many things in being prepared by his or her hands.

This is the classic (to me) Chop Meat (Ground Beef), Fried Onions and White Rice.

Thats it,... maybe a little Salt but definitely some Soy Sauce.

The String Beans are present here as they were leftovers to be had, a healthy addition and also added some color to the photo.

MILON BANGLADESHI RESTAURANT (PANNA ll) TWO, GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK

At this juncture I have written about Indian Food to the point that there is nothing to add, this being Milon Restaurant which I have enjoyed for years and also trying nothing new for my palate, well Cristina did order her "mild" version of Chicken Vindaloo which they recommended as Chicken Balti so that was new to me.

Everything was great and service was adequate even though the waiter could not identify the photo on the walls details (Cristina wanted to know if that was Cardi B. in the photo) and they assumed my sixty bucks for the price of a fifty two dollar Meal included an eight dollar gratuity (which it did) never returning my change. It is nice to offer though.

Mulligatawny Soup.

Shrimp Poori.

Decorative atmosphere in its display case adorned the hanging garden of Christmas lights walls. In this case unremoved seasonal tree lights.

The aforementioned Chicken Balti.

Mild and Buttery and served in a tin cup.

Chicken Tikka Masala.

Garlic Nan.

Portion of the Delectable aftermath.

Mango Ice Cream was offered on the house and myself being in an Ice Cream mood lately allowed me to find room in my overly satiated appetite for.

INVASION OF THE NACHO CHEESE FRIES

Yes, they had a 7-Layer Burrito and I bought one too but always a fan of new Menu items to try I was drawn to the plastic backlit advertisement placard on display boasting Nacho Fries Supreme.

Being a fan of The Bells Nachos Supreme and it being a mainstay of most visits when I can find a local Taco Bell which facilitates the need for a visit in the first place I figured how bad could it be, replace Tortilla Chips with French Fries,... so I placed an order.

Yes, it was the middle of my work day as I was bouncing around the five boroughs but approaching 5th avenue a small miniature bull terrier appeared before me blocking my path and uttered the phrase "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" reminding me a local Bell establishment was just around the bend.

Yes, I was also quite Hungry at this point in my day (spelled starving) but this only played a small part in the Tastiness of these Fries. This being a stand alone Taco Bell they were not borrowing KFC or Arby's French Fries so I guess these were Taco Bell Fries and nothing special about them, the average straight cut Fried Spud stick but powdered lightly with Nacho Cheese dust. Why don't they sell this magic dust on its own in the Spice aisle in the supermarket ? well High Sodium Risk might be a reason but it certainly worked and set the Fry apart in this manner.

Not exactly correct on the "Supreme" level as my order was topped with Beef, Beans, Sour Cream, Cheese Sauce and Diced Tomato omitting the Scallion bits.

I would like to see the device utilized to Dice the Tomatoes. 

They do appear uniform in shape and rather small in size making extra work for the human hand to achieve such a feat or maybe they just grow them Diced.

All in all as can be expected from such a Snack and my plastic dish was completed in about two minutes time. Lets hope they keep it on the Menu.

And for only two and a half dollars, a fair bargain rate for 14th street in Manhattan.

Facade Approachment.

7/11 - THEY DO DONUTS RIGHT

Sean has told me of the wonderments contained within (and without) the 7/11 Nutter Butter Donut (actually a Crueller in shape and a Long John in the fact that it has filling which I suppose differentiates it as such) and after another conversation about this I kept it tucked away in my mind to check a local establishment. 

Being at work in an unknown neighborhood in Queens I joked that I would not run into a location. On my way back to the train I spied across an eight lane highway the familiar green and red banded logo of a 7/11 and I knew what I had to do.

Entering the store I quickly spotted the Donut kiosk and went to it with a purposeful stride.

There it was, the hopper in which the Nutter Butter Donuts were on offer and it was empty. Disappointed I glanced around at the other cakes on display and decided not to purchase one but taking a farewell second glance noticed one (1) Peanut Buttery concoction left in the back of its shelf and happily purchased for just under two bucks.

Amongst the greatest Donuts ever it was. 

7/11 produces a Krispy Kreme quality Donut so the Dough was not Sugar Sweet but had the right amount of "pull" (to borrow a Sean term), barely discernible chocolate Glaze but this was for a reason and a Tasty one, the Peanut Butter filling was just right, not too sweet, not too Peanut Buttery and best of all Not Paltry in its capacity and filled from end to end. The best bite to me was right near the halfway point just under the Cookie Top where most of the Cream had migrated to and speaking of the Cookie Top, yes it is the industry standard Nutter Butter Cookie but its being in close proximity of the Donut and Icing and being stored in the moist vacuum of the Donut display interior was slightly softened and minimized massive Crumbage. A Superior Donut and as I plan on further trips to grab one in my travels it will be difficult to try other varieties on offer.

And here is a variety that pales in comparison next to the Nutter Butter Donut.

The classic Boston Cream.

There is actually nothing making the 7/11 version inferior to any other, it is just not superior. Boston Cream only in a few Bites of the Donut but that is usually the case always with any brand. As usual the Cake is nice and Doughy and you actually have to Chew it a bit which is certainly a good thing.

Peanut Butter Things

While speaking to Sean (texting) I was sent a photo of a 7-11 Nutter Butter Donut and became very interested towards hunting one down and also relayed a few of my Peanut Butter Snacks that I have on hand at the moment back to him.

Being a fan of All Things Peanut Butter and also trying new Peanut Butter items it was decided this needs a current entry.

Pictured above are variations of the Peanut Butter Cookie.

Nutter Butter is a long standby and I have loved them since I can recall. Oreo Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is a variation on Oreo Peanut Butter and a favorite, hope they keep making them and the package is not labelled "Limited Edition" so my wish might be fulfilled so long as sales are good.

Oreo Peanut Butter Pie is a Graham Cracker based Cookie with half Chocolate/half Peanut Butter Creme in the center.

Peanut Butter Twinkies and Ding Dongs respectively.

An example of the fact that if you put the word Peanut Butter in the title and ingredients I am more than willing to give it a try.

The 7/11 Nutter Butter Long John. 

Hard to beat in the entire World of Donuts.

An odd concoction but is just right on the Flavor scale.

Meaning "it tastes just like it says on the label".

The CVS brand of Peanut Butter Cookie.

If you did not tell me it was a Peanut Butter Cookie I would pin it out as just a Chocolate Chip Cookie.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

PANSTEAK CAKE-UMM'S LAST STAND

Friday Night 3 a.m.

Sometime in the latter half of the decade we shall call the 1980s.

There was almost certainly Bread in the basement kitchen to be had (and I do stress Almost) but his Munchie addled mind had brighter ideas and decided to substitute Frozen Toaster Pancakes as opposed to Slices of white Bread.

This seemed a brilliant idea at the time.

It Was Not.

For decades when odd Food creations have been brought up in conversation I would chime in with my recollection of once having Steak-Umm with Cheese on Toaster Pancakes which were wistfully followed by fond yet slightly insane Culinary memories so decades later I decided to recreate this spirited concoction.

My memories did not serve me well. Yes, it was edible but clumsy on the Palate would be too kind of an observation. Well, at least I tried (again).

Photographed clearly on a paper plate to enhance the classiness of the dish. 

I am quite averse to paper plates having plenty of dishes in the house but my hand is forced to utilize the "picnic" mentality and Eat at a Barbecue in my own home for most of the time.

Expectations were so high for the Steak-Umm Pancake thingy that I began preparing a second one before Eating the first.

The Ingredients were put away and had the Pancakes proper for the second round.