Cuba Cuba Cuba!

This January a group of us went to Havana, Cuba for class for 10ish days. It was wonderful and warm and pretty and the Cuban people were so nice to us. They're such happy people and it's crazy to see colorful buildings and retro cars that are falling apart while everyone walks around with a smile. 

We got there pretty early in the day and three of us ended up walking around for a place to eat. 

We ended up in this little square and at first we walking into this Restaurant that Ernest Hemingway used to go to or something to do with him, I'm not awesome at history, I have no idea. But 'Floradita' was crazy packed and was full of tourist drinking and while we did take photos, we decided not to eat there. 

Instead we went right next door to 'La Pina De Plata' which had the cutest decorations. Our first taste of Cuba on our own, and it was great. This meal was when we realized that Cuba takes it easy. Meals are slow going and very social. Turns out you don't go to a restaurant when you're hungry, you go before you are because by the time the food gets to you, you're starving. 

La Pina De Plata was delicious and was such a great experience. Of course the food was relatively cheap for us and came with more than enough food. I ordered chicken and rice because...Cuba. It ended up coming with plantain chips which turned out to be a favorite with my friends and me. First meal in Cuba: Success! 

New Years in NYC - McDonald's Twist

This is a good story. Short but sweet. So pay attention! 

New Years Eve my two friends and I were walking around getting ready to meet our friend Ryan for dinner. We got to the sushi place a little early so we decided we would walk around a little to avoid being at the restaurant awkwardly waiting for him. What ended up happening was that it was freezing out, what with it being the last night of December in New York. So we were cold and decided to duck into a McDonalds because hey it's New York and we didn't see a Starbucks. 

So we go into this McDonalds and sit down close to the door hoping we don't get kicked back out into the cold. It's a little late so it's pretty empty and the workers didn't care that we were there. 

My friend Karie sits down facing the counter and Zoe and I sit across from her facing the door. Not long after we sit down a group a guys comes in. Maybe about 4-6 of them ranging in age from 16-25 looking. It was random I know. We notice they're kind of looking at us as they walk in and Karie almost immediately points out that some of them continue to stare as they sit down. We don't make a big deal about it and keep sitting there and talking. Not long after, the poor girl working behind the counter comes over with three Oreo McFlurrys and sets them on the table. Karie, being the outgoing one, quickly tells her we didn't order anything and that she must have the wrong table. She says she was told to bring them to us and quickly leaves like she doesn't want anything to do with the situation. Confused we stare at them. We just ate rice pudding and we're stalling before sushi dinner. Plus Karie is lactose and tolerate so none of us really want to eat them and are confused as to what to do. 

The small swarm of boys leaves the place quickly. Then three of them run back in. Two of them come up to our table and one stands close to the door with his phone clearly filming the situation. The two guys have german kind of accents and ask us if we have time, would we like to join them for a McFlurry later. Um bro? I think you already bough us McFlurry's now... I don't think we need another one later? Plus it's New Years and we already have plans. Sorry.. 

Smiling they both graciously leave. We're a little confused. Did we just get hit on with McFlurries at McDonalds? Apparently, Yes. Cute? Kind of?

Now we don't walk by a McDonalds without jokingly asking each other "Do you want to get a McFlurry with me?!?" 

It was a really cute try foreign boys! Thanks?! 

New Years in NYC - Rice Pudding

Sounds a little weird but my friend I drove to NYC with mentioned she went to a rice pudding place the last time she was in the city that was pretty good. She mentioned portion sizes were small but it's super filling. She was right. 

I've never really had a rice pudding before but it turned out to be really good. It's more of a snack/dessert-y thing but Rice To Riches has it done right. 

I almost ordered the cheesecake rice pudding (it literally tastes just like normal cheesecake) but I got a raspberry rice pudding instead (I'm telling you, I'm really into fruity flavors). It was such a good snack and I would go back here too.

The containers are also a really cool clam shell kind of shape that I'm in love with (packaging can make me want to buy things more than the actual thing a lot of the time.. whoops?). The spoons they have are super cool and being there is just fun and cute.  

I think I'm going to move to New York just for the food. Is that weird?

New Years in NYC - Popsicles!

I love popsicles, how can you not! So even though it was December and cold and snowy, we had to go get popsicles. True New Yorkers here kids. Definitely worth it. 

This was my first trip to PopBar and it was way too excited. I love popsicle because they aren't so creamy, meaning I can eat more of it. Sugar > Cream = Popsicles > Ice Cream. At least for me.

I also love fruit so I wanted to try all the flavors. I could go back there every day. We loved it so much my friends and I contemplated getting second popsicles each.. we didn't but it was a close call. I'm pretty sure I was boring and got my favorite flavor of dessert - strawberry. SorryNotSorry. A strawberry popsicle with milk chocolate coating and carmel popcorn on the outside. I could go for another one right now. I swear if I move to the city I'm going to be a regular at PopBar. Completely in love. 

New Years In NYC - Donuts

For winter break this year I had a trip to Cuba planned for class at the end of January. This meant for Christmas and New Years things were going to be low key which was fine because I got to stay at home and work. Because money makes things happen. Sad but true. 

So for New Years one of my friends in Rochester proposed that we go to NYC for a week to hang out. It ended up that we would be in the city for New Years. No we did not stand in time square when the ball dropped.. everyone I asked said it was way overrated and the idea of standing in one spot in the freezing cold to watch a ball drop didn't sound as fun and running around NY hitting new places to eat. So eat we did!  

First stop - Donut Planet! 

Of course all of these places were recommended by friends, I do very little research ahead of time because everyone has been to enough cool places and we run into random places just because they look good so I stay open to these things when I'm in NY. 

Donut planet was great. I ordered the Citron donut which was soooo delicious.

I'm not a huge donut person. One of my teachers in High School causally mentioned that donuts are made of a type of fat that your body breaks down last. Aka every donut you've ever eaten is just sitting in your body as fat until every other type of fat is broken down. Let's just say I avoid donuts now when I can.

But when at donut planet, one donut is okay. That citron donut was worth it too. 

The little space was super cute too. Little tables the shape of donuts lined up along the wall. The benches were lined with cute little circle and square donuts of all colors. And the walls were filled with stuffed donut pillows (I wanted them all). So yeah, I'd go back if someone asked, no regrets!