TASTE BUDDZ

COMING BACK SOON! 2012

                             Only 3 days left for Starbucks HAPPY HOUR!!!

Since May 6th from 3-5 p.m. they have HAPPY HOUR! What does that mean? Well for all the Frappuccino lovers, it means that you get your blended drink HALF OFF!!!! Yeah it’s a marketing skim, but if you can make it, take advantage.

Starbucks you are already addicting!!

Above pictured is my ultimate favorite Caramel and the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino.  It was my first time trying the Mocha Coconut which is…

“Rich mocha sauce and coconut-flavored syrup blended with coffee, fresh milk, and ice. Topped with sweetened whipped cream, mocha drizzle and toasted coconut flakes.”- Starbucks

It was very delicious, yet a bit too sweet for my tastebuddz. But for all those of you who like sweets, it’s a must! If you have ever had Girl Scout Samoa Cookies, you will enjoy the Mocha Coconut Frappe. It tastes just like the cookies in a drink. A pleasing taste of coconut and chocolate, all in one gulp. 

For all of you who don’t like coconut or would simply like something different don’t forget: Chai Creme, Strawberries and Creme, Vanilla bean, Mocha, and Java chip. Happy Hour ends May 15th, so don’t miss out!

Hurry to your nearest Starbucks!!!!!

xoxo

Southwest Chicken Salad                VS Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad

 When you think Carl’s Jr. or Jack in the Box, you think “Famous Star” and “Jumbo Jack”. Personally, I have an ongoing battle between their salads. “In the first corner we have”  Jack in the Box’s Southwest Chicken Salad, weighing in at 365 calories/ 27carbs. The Southwest Chicken Salad comes with crisp grape tomatoes, black beans, roasted corn, red onions, white cheese, warm chicken; all tossed with romaine and spring salad mix. You get to choose between crispy or grilled chicken, then you add on the south western creamy dressing and spicy corn sticks. Toss the salad and you get a zesty spicy flavor mix for your tastebuddz. The dressing adds a rich, spicy, salty flavor that mixes well with the many ingredients. I do wish that Jack in the Box would add more than just three pieces of chicken, it’s just not enough. In the second corner we have Carl’s Jr.’s Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad, weighing in at 260 calories/ 34 carbs . This salad is prepared with red onion rings, grilled pineapple slices, cucumbers, crispy wontons strips and grilled chicken- served on a bed of spring salad mix topped with delicious Sesame Asian Chicken Dressing. The dressing has an intense sweet and sour flavor . Each bite is filled with a well balanced combination of flavors. Now to choose between salads, each has a unique flavor , interesting ingredients and presentation. Personally I do not have a favorite, I constantly go back and fourth,  so it depends what mood you are in a South West Chicken Salad  or  Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad. Both salads have their own special taste. Do you have a favorite?

Xoxo

*Edited by: Yvette Osorio

Caramel Brulee Latte, is my favorite Starbucks holiday drink. Espresso with steamed milk, rich caramel sauce, topped with sweet whipped cream and delicious pieces of caramel bits. Wake up with a holiday drink! Starbucks also has other holiday flavors such as Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte and Eggnog Latte. Which one is your Holiday Favorite? 

xoxo

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I also hope you all ate like little monsters! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, it was extra special, since the cook of the night was my uncle George. This year our dinner was American Style. Uncle George went all out, creating different side dishes to accompany our turkey. You can see the plate above, it is full of color and was definitely full of taste.

With everyone gathered around the table, we began with a simple salad, that consisted of broccoli, lettuce, red and green pepper. Everyone had the opportunity to choose their favorite dressing. I personally chose Italian dressing. Now for the main entree, as you can see my turkey was accompanied with delicious sides. Starting with homemade Mash Potatoes that were seasoned with garlic salt and butter. Meatloaf, which was topped with bacon, with a bit of barbecue sauce to give it a balance, which went perfectly together. Sweet Potatoes, which were my favorite, were seasoned with pepper and mixed with pineapple. Stuffing was amazing, had bits of carrots and cranberries, and the texture was beyond perfect. And of course we could not forget the Turkey, which was honey baked, very juicy and was topped with homemade cranberry sauce. My Tastebuddz had a thrilling time. Of course I enjoyed my meal with Becks Beer.

xoxo

So we all know while being in Las Vegas, you spend most your time drinking than eating. This time around I stayed at the Planet Hollywood Westgate Towers; not only for the luxury and commodity but for the variety of food amenities all throughout the Miracle Mile shops.

We will start off with Earl Of Sandwich, a deli sandwich you will catch open at 7am. While every other place has an hour till they are open. Now I know at this time you are tired and hungry. This is why the quick service is convenient if you can no longer hold your hunger and are ready to just devour a delicious sandwich. You receive your sandwich wrapped in their signature gold foil, like a small gift you can’t wait to open. My personal favorite was the Turkey Bacon with Swiss cheese. An excellent proportion served warm. I added Dijon mustard to add an extra spice of flavor, but the sandwich itself is already a perfect combo of juicy turkey, melted swiss cheese just right, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato. Yum!

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Private Party at P.F. Changs was a great dinning experience. If you are a group of eight or more and want to enjoy an intimate lunch to catch up on last night’s stories.This place is just perfect and a must, so make sure you request the private room. Not only is it a casual intimate environment but also, a great way to share different plates and flavors. The service was pleasant, every server was ready to answer questions on specific plates and drinks. P.F. Changs is one of those places where there is so much variety in the menu, you actually need a minute to ponder what you want.  Another plus for the restaurant is that they now have happy hour. Yay for food specials and most importantly drinks.

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Of course you don’t need to go to Las Vegas to enjoy some P.F. Changs. But while in Vegas, besides buffets and delis you need a relaxing meal experience.{1} From the 10 different plates my taste buddz enjoyed, I had my personal favorites such as: Crispy Honey Chicken which was served over a bed of crispy rice sticks. Not too sweet where you can only eat one, but a light sweetness which was not overpowering. If you prefer seafood you have the option to choose shrimp. Another favorite was the Mongolian Beef cooked with scallions and garlic. The beef was soft and easy to chew, with its own sweet flavors, and the compliment of the garlic and scallions was a married match. {2} I always start with Changs Lettuce Wraps, perfect while you wait for the main dishes. I always add pot sticker sauce for an additional sweet sour flavor. The appetizer is very light and one order is enough to share with four people. {3} You must save room for dessert, especially for the Banana Spring Rolls, the flavor is to die for. The spring rolls are filled with banana, fried to perfection, served with coconut-pineapple ice cream, drizzled with caramel and vanilla sauce. My mouth waters just to think about the flavors in my mouth. Now the berries are not just for show, with every bite add a berry and a scoop of ice cream with caramel and you will be speechless and your TASTE BUDDZ will be thankful. Last but not least the best drink would be Changs Mai Thai which is Bacardi light, dark rum and orange curacao and tropical juice flavors… sounds like a desert all on its own. I tried their Asian Pear Mojito, but it was low on flavor. So, I say go for the Mai Thai, its strong and delicious.

XOXO

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Sushi Roku is located in the city of Santa Monica, one of my number one eating places so far . Dimmed light restaurant with an upbeat environment and great customer service. From time to time you might just catch a celebrity there. You have the option from tables, sushi bar and if the place is busy a bar to enjoy a drink while you wait! Each plate is presented as an art piece, which I think captures ones attention and the need to try new things.  I definitly think to get the best Roku experince, you must sit at the sushi bar and ask for MONZO {1} to take care of you, he is worth the wait. Best advice, always ask the sushi chef what he or she recommends, you will be in for a surprise and possibly fall in love with their creation. {2}

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{3}Japanese Yellowtail Sashimi with diced chiles is incredibly full of rich lemon zest and chilies. Every thinly sashimi slice is indulged with flavor, which melts in you mouth in every bite. You don’t loose the Yellowtail fish flavor, the chilies, ponzu sauce and lemon create a smooth balance. Its mouth watering and only keeps you wanting more. You honestly take your time in every bite. Mixing the radish strings into the ponzu sauce is an extra. The dish is great for starters to get your taste buddz going. Of course with every meal you need a drink to keep you food company. {4} Roku’s Fusion is a vodka concentrated in fresh fruit, which turns pink. Each slurp has a refreshing exotic taste. The wonderful thing is that you don’t even taste vodka since you are being seduced with honeydew cantaloupe and watermelon and hits of pineapple and cranberry juice.

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You can not leave Sushi Roku without trying another mouth watering delight, {5} Sweet Live Shrimp. How much more fresh can you get than to have a LIVE shrimp’s head cut off and fried before you even blink again. Definitely an experience, but it does not stop there. I can honestly just describe the flavor as electrifying. Its so different yet so exquisite. The fried head is served with a special warm sauce on the side. Once you mix the fried shrimp head and the sauce are combined perfectly. Both complement each other and bring out a crunchy and zesty flavor in each bite.

***Remember TASTE BUDDZ that when treating yourself to sushi and you are trying different rolls or fish, eat a piece of ginger so it can cleanses your palate! 

XOXO