Eva’s Deli

Restaurant: Eva’s Deli, Bridgeport, CT 

This is a bit different than most of my posts. However, recently my film crew and I created a documentary about a local restaurant in Bridgeport, CT, Eva’s Deli.  The couple that owns the venue are two of the most compassionate and hard working people that I have ever met. Not only are they loving and hard working, but they make some of the best Greek food that I have ever tasted. Not to mention that their direct heritage to Greece just adds to the authenticity of the venue. The couple is constantly switching between languages and loving to accommodate not only to people who share in their culture, but to people who appreciate their food. Their homey atmosphere and warm personalities create the most genuine dining experience.

Review: What can I say, the food is great. When we stopped by to shoot this video, the couple made sure that we not only had something to eat, but that we even walked out with leftovers. Everything from their baklava to their egg and cheese sandwiches are worth trying. If you are looking for something that is as close to Greece as you can get, then stop by Eva’s Deli and you won’t be disappointed. For the rest of the review, I am going to let the video speak for me as my taste buds continue watering over the thought of when I can have their baklava again.

Eat Again? Considering I made an executive decision to host all of our upcoming film meetings at this venue, it’s safe to say that I’ll be back.

Lederach Tea Room

Restaurant: Lederach Tea Room, Lederach, PA

Review: In honor of my busy, overbooked and college student lifestyle, I’m reviewing the Lederach Tea Room from my visit on some unknown date in November. However, no worries my memory is rather clear considering how unique this venue presented itself. Walking in reminded me of small cottage with wooden decor, close corridor seating and a festive Christmas tree tucked away in the corner.

The first item that I ordered was of course, tea! There were a handful of options for me to consider but one of my all time favorite teas is a classic oolong. So as soon as I saw oolong on the menu I knew I had to explore the Lederach Tea Room’s sampling of my go to tea. As a result I was overly satisfied with their oolong tea. It wasn’t over steeped and it tasted perfectly of the herbal outdoors (as oolong should taste). I was so pleased with the tea that I can’t wait to go back and try some of their more special selections.

Now onto my brunch. Prior to going this restaurant, I saw online that their muffins were a must have part of any meal at Lederach. This day’s option was a banana nut muffin which they kindly offered to toast (always say yes to toasting a muffin if this is an option). I don’t really have much to say about this muffin except that I’m pretty sure I ate it in three bites. One initial bite to taste, a huge bite as a reaction to how amazing it was and a small savory bite to make the flavors last just a little bit longer. It is most certainly safe to say that their muffin ran passed my expectations and lapped the last muffin I’d had to this date. The banana nut flavor tasted natural and buttery. It was the perfect ratio of nut to banana flavor along with some extra goodness that could only come from a chef who truly knew how to bake.

Ahhh time for my full meal. Naturally I was draw to one of the specials of the day. The omelet was home to spinach, cheese and mushrooms sautéed in white wine. Sliced avocado rested on top of the completed omelet and home fries laid on the side. Well hello heaven. This combination is not one that my taste buds were foreign to yet everything was just done right. I was beyond satisfied because this meal was clear evidence of someone who did not only know how to cook but how to cook well. Even the home fries broke my will power to try and not finish everything. At the end of the day my plate was licked clean, my stomach was full and I left wondering why I had never visited Lederach before.

Eat Again? The flavors were rich, the food ranked high, I don’t know why you wouldn’t see me knocking on the doors of the Lederach Tea Room again soon. It was a pleasurable meal and the venue has a lot more to offer. So I am sure I will be back even if only for some tea and muffins.

Addition photos: 

Hot Chocolate

Special quiche of the day

Donut Crazy

Restaurant: Donut Crazy, Shelton, CT  (also located in Stratford, CT)

Review: Recently, I made a visit to the local joint, Donut Crazy.  Walking into the venue, I assumed I would see one or two unique items that peaked my interest.  Long story short, I walked out with half a dozen donuts closer to a sugar overload.

Now I know six donuts is a bit excessive to eat in one sitting..that doesn’t mean I didn’t try.  Well in reality, I surprised my roommates with some pretty crazy donuts.  Since my indecisive taste buds could not just settle on one donut, my roommates and I had a sampling of each.

The first donut that I devoured was the Mambo Italiano or the Cannoli donut.  In comparison to real cannoli flavor, this donut stepped up to the plate.  The filling, powdered sugar and chocolate chips tied in nicely to mock the flavors of a legitimate cannoli.  However, it had a less impressive dough when considering the other donuts that I tasted. I give it an A+ for nailing the filling, but the filling also made it a little more soggy than what I was looking for.

The next epic flavor is the The Great Pumpkin.  The outside of the donut houses a nice simple and delicately sweet glaze with a fluffy frosting on top.  As for the donut itself, it was a very traditional style which made me feel as though I was just eating a normal piece of pumpkin pie.  The filling hidden within the donut tasted fresh and authentic, unlike a normal pumpkin flavored seasonal treat.  This donut went above and beyond my pumpkin standards by showing clear signs of authentic pumpkin ingredients.

The next donut is the Campfire Donut or the S’mores donut.  This donut tastes just about as good as it looks.  The top is a perfectly toasted marshmallow with a graham cracker sprinkle.  In the center of this amazingness is a chocolate mixture that screams heaven.  The only downside to this donut was that the marshmallow in combination with the chocolate filling, caused the donut to be a little soggy.  However, the flavors were such an accurate representation of s’mores that it didn’t even matter.

Say hello to the Black- Hawk donut.  To describe this dark madness simply, it is a chocolate donut topped with chocolate, dipped in chocolate, covered in chocolate and then drizzled with more chocolate and finally sprinkled with oreos.  This cocoa concoction really filled my chocolate loving heart.  During my tasting, the individual bite that I had was more than enough.  This wasn’t a bad thing though.  Each bite of this donut was so densely packed with chocolate that only the strongest of chocolate lovers could conquer a full Black-Hawk in one sitting.

With only two donuts left, the Nutty Nutella comes in as one of my favorites out of the bunch.  This donut stayed true to the genuine hazelnut flavor of Nutella.  The donut itself was the perfect texture, soft enough that it tasted fresh but not wilted or overstuffed.  Also, I really appreciated how the donut was topped with actual hazelnuts.  It added to the overall flavor nicely and it gave it a more of a unique twist.  In addition, it is important to point out that the filling was not just Nutella straight out of the jar.  Instead, it was a fluffier mixture that made the taste lighter and overall more enjoyable.

Last but not least we have Anna and Raven’s Morning Show.  This jam packed donut is bound to wake you up even on the most tiring of mornings.  This chocolate donut is filled with a prominent expresso flavor along side a rich buttercream and even more chocolate.  I will admit that I am a little biased by claiming this as my number one donut, since I am a sucker for anything coffee flavored.  However, this was a remarkable donut.  Anna and Raven’s Morning Show surpassed all of my expectations and created a delicacy that I could not have pondered up myself.

Eat Again? I would be crazy if I didn’t go back after this donut experience.  Heck you would be crazy if you didn’t get in your car right now and try them for yourself.  Donut Crazy caused me to look at donuts in a different way.  They created an art, a masterpiece and donuts most certainly worth going crazy about.

Main Street Creamery

Restaurant: Main Street Creamery, Bridgeport, CT

Review: Recently, I visited Main Street Creamery, which is located moments away from my previous post, Merritt Canteen.  The establishment is setup as a traditional “snack stand,” having no functional interior for customers.  There are only brightly colored neon benches which complement its orange and green exterior.

The venue boasted about its extensive menu including twenty-four soft serve flavors.  So naturally I was inclined to try every single one.  As a result, I devoured a double cone.  On the left hand side was Espresso with a cookie crumb dip, and on the right side was buttered pecan with chocolate dip.  The twenty-four flavor magic was sadly a source of one machine with what seemed like “flavor shots” injected into each specific ice cream.  It was most certainly an awesome ice cream experience.  Yet, I don’t think I ordered the best item that their menu has to offer.  The ice cream wasn’t too flavorful and if I did not get the toppings, it would have been a significantly lower quality.

However, the combination possibilities that the menu provides brought me back for more.  Second time around, I ordered a Flurry, containing vanilla and chocolate swirl soft serve mixed with cookie dough.  This definitely exceeded my expectations.  The vanilla and chocolate soft serve had a different consistency and was a lot richer in flavor.

Eat Again? Well, considering I have already traveled back to Main Street Creamery, my opinion is pretty evident.  Even though I was not blown away during either trip to this ice cream joint, it is still worth stopping by.  They have options that will satisfy every sweet tooth.  This expands as far as frozen yogurt and funnel cakes.  One big plus that this creamery does provide is the fact that they are open all year long.  As the weather gets colder, people are less likely to desire cold treats, yet Main Street Creamery will be there for those random cravings.

Peanut Butter Soft Serve

Blackberry Soft Serve

Left: Vanilla Soft Serve with peanut butter dip Right: Peanut Butter Soft Serve with rainbow sprinkles

Annamarie’s Place

Restaurant: Annamarie’s Place, Royersford, Pa

Review: The other day my parents told me about a new breakfast place that they heard about.  Shortly after, we were making our way over to Annamarie’s Place.  The venue is on the smaller side but it is not anything that will make you feel claustrophobic. We walked through the doors bright and early at 6 AM.  To our surprise, we weren’t even the first customers of the day.  The restaurant has been known to draw in large crowds and even have a line out the door.  After one bite of our meals, we figured out why.

For my main meal I ordered a Spinach, Parmesan, Sun dried Tomato and Balsamic omelet.  The flavors were so rich and notable that my taste buds can still recall them.  One thing that I particularly enjoyed about the omelet was the balance that it had.  The egg was very fluffy but not disgustingly filling or over stuffed.  I ended up only eating one half of it but the next day it was still tasty.  Eggs can easily get gross and unattractive.  Yet, this dish felt just as fresh as when I first ordered it.  Also, the homefries were a lot better than I would have expected.  They tasted more like potatoes than a fried greasy concoction.

  

Annamarie’s Place is known for pancakes larger than the plate that they are served on.  As a result, I could not leave without tasting one.  We ordered the Cinnamon Swirl Pancake.  Normally, I do not have a sweet tooth when it comes to breakfast.  Yet, I had to stop myself from completely devouring the whole pancake.  It was light and fluffy but it still had an even distribution of the flavors stated in the description. This was something that I felt this restaurant did very well, staying true to their description.  Sometimes I have ordered food and not all of the described flavors are relevant or noticeable.  Yet, at Annamarie’s, you get exactly what you ordered and the flavors are just as you imagined them.

Eat Again?  This venue has been bumped up to the top of the restaurants I want to go back to.  My experience here was very positive and memorable (even considering how we went at 6 AM).  The menu is so creative that my curious taste buds want to try everything.  I would also list this as another place that allows me to indulge but not feel gross afterwards.  My stomach may have been filled to the max, but I wasn’t sluggish or unmotivated.  Overall, if you are looking for a good breakfast place, head down to Annamarie’s Place.  They have an option to satisfy every craving.

Other items on the menu

Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake

Pho Kitch’n

Restaurant: Pho Kitch’n, Trooper, PA
Review: Recently, my first of taste Americanized Chinese food better known as the China Inn, closed.  However, Pho Kitch’n has proven to be a sustainable and more ethnic replacement.  For anyone who has previously been to China Inn, the interior is very similar.  It is a bland setting with tables and booths. There are hints of culture here and there, but nothing too distracting. Considering they had only opened days before my dining, this did not concern me.

The first item from the menu that I ordered was their Thai Lemon Grass and Coconut Soup.  This was ordered with vegetables and tofu.  However, you can also choose to add chicken or shrimp.  My goodness!  I was beyond impressed with this soup. The coconut somehow created this perfectly creamy and light consistency that had my mouth watering.  Also, all of my vegetables were notably fresh and delectable.  Often when I go to an Asian restaurant, my food tastes processed. Yet, this was the complete opposite.

For my entree, I ordered the Seafood Clay Pot.  This was a last-minute decision and I am very happy for my sudden change of thought.  The medley once again had the freshest ingredients I could ask for.  There was a combination of shrimp, squid and scallops.  If this peaks your interest, it is definitely worth stopping in for.  Also, I would like to give the appearance of this dish a round of applause.  It was cooked in a clay pot, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Side note: If you have any interest in Hawaiian Fried Rice, it is served in a pineapple. A friend of mine claimed that, “It was very delectable and just awesome to look at.”

Eat Again?  Overall, this was a dinning experience that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did.  My only comment would be that the service was a little scattered. They were efficient, friendly and accommodating.  However, our food came out when it was done and not all at once.  So this created long gaps between our meals.  Yet, this kink, I believe, is one resulting from being a new restaurant.  It is not something that should hold you back from going, and it could very well be fixed by now.  The food, if it attracts you, is most certainly worth a visit.  Even though I was saddened by the closing of China Inn, I am happy to know that its replacement surpasses anything that my taste buds could dream up.

Other items from their menu:

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Nook and Kranny Kafe

Restaurant: Nook and Kranny Kafe, Phoenixville, PA

Review:  The other morning a friend and I decided to go out to breakfast at the Nook and Kranny Kafe.  My discovery of this venue once again stemmed from internet searching.  The inside of the ‘Kafe’ reminded me of a diner at the Jersey shore mixed with my grandmother’s sitting room.  They had a huge collection of different tea sets as well as various knick knacks that filled the room.  It felt very much like a tea shop, just as it is described online.  Yet, it also had a very beachy vibe that simplified the surrounding clutter.

The first item from the menu that I ordered was their Nook and Kranny Grits.  This was made with brown sugar and butter.  As grits are one of my favorite foods, I was eager to see how their grits tasted compared to others that I have had.  I was more than surprised with how much I enjoyed these grits.  They were savory and delicious but they also has the right amount of brown sugar to compliment the creamy combination.  A+ on my grits grading scale.

The last dish that I ordered was a breakfast sandwich, mainly because I crave them all the time.  Yet, again I was very impressed.  My sandwich was on multigrain bread and had provolone cheese, eggs and ham.  The portion size was huge and something only a teenage boy with a metabolism the size of Texas could consume.  Well, maybe it wasn’t that big, but it was rather filling.  I only finished half and I took the rest home for my father to try.  He loved it.  It was definitely a great breakfast sandwich and worth the $9.00.

Eat Again?  Going back to Nook and Kranny is already on my list of places I want to revisit before the summer ends. Their menu not only had classic items, but interesting trendy food options such as a Chopped Kale Salad and a Corn Bread Pancakes with Vegetarian Chili.  It is also important to note that everything is made to order and reasonably priced. This also means that breakfast and lunch is served at any time of the day.  The venue is rather small, seating only about twenty-five.  However, they are very accommodating.  Overall, this hidden gem surprised my taste buds and left me wanting more.