ROC - Aja Noodle Co.

I haven't been feeling well lately which means time for soup!

Some days, my stomach decides it hates me, and food.. It's days like these that I need happy, clean things to eat like soup! Now soup from where you may ask - this particular day I was feeling like a nice bowl of Coconut Thai Chicken Soup from Aja Noodle right around the corner from my house. 

LOCATION: 2602 ELMWOOD AVE, ROCHESTER, NY 14618

I actually haven't had this soup in years but something in me was craving it and since I haven't had an appetite, when the stomach wants something, you go for it while that window is open! 

This is my favorite soup and it'll come up in my mind randomly but each time I get it, it never fails. This is a smooth coconut milk soup with thai spices that give it a nice kick. It comes with vermicelli noodles which are an easy thing for my stomach to handle, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms as well as a splash of lime. I'm not a huge fan of bell peppers but I always forget it's there and end up picking them out of the soup, no problem. I got it to go so I could eat in the comfort of my own home in my pjs because sick Emily is not about that presentable vibe when I'm under the weather and it was the perfect thing for the day. Warm and filling but not too heavy, this soup makes me happy every time. 

ROC - Magnolia's Deli and Cafe

Julia came back again this weekend!!! She had time to come and have a late lunch with me so we checked out her list. That's right, Julia now has her own list (which she found) of 15 places you HAVE TO eat in Rochester along with specific dishes for each place. Obviously the garbage plate (they've listed the ones from dogtown) was there but I've been there, ate that. So we checked out the list today and picked out what we were looking for.

LOCATION: 366 PARK AVE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607

Both of has been to Magnolia's Deli and Cafe though not with each other and neither of us have had what was on the list: The Obama Special or The President! Both of which are the same combo meal eaten by the current President of the United States when he stopped by our little city years prior (apparently he missed the garbage plate memo but that's probably not a healthy Michelle Obama approved meal). This Obama Special is a half sandwich of grilled cheddar cheese on sourdough with a cup of the Magnolia's signature cream of tomato, artichoke, and cheese soup.

Let's just say, the president made an awesome choice on this one. The grilled cheese was the perfect crispness, with gooey, melty, warm cheddar in the center. Nothing too crazy but great flavor and really good when dipped in the cream of tomato soup. The soup itself was really great. This is what I want when I'm feeling like a cream of tomato soup. Tart tangy flavor but still creamy and smooth. Julia and I were super happy with this choice. The soup did come with little garlic break crostini type slices in it which I found great but Julia stated was too garlic-y. I understand her opinion but I think it was packed with great flavor for the mellow soup. Such a good first choice for this little list. I'm pretty excited to hit some of the other spots. 

ROC - La Casa

While La Casa wasn't on my list (not saying all restaurants I frequent need to be) this place has been recommended to me several times by various people and I've finally made it. 

Sophia has been trying new places lately and in turn has been recommending them to me, aka giving me a reason (and a buddy) to go with. So while Julia was in town for the weekend, Sophia and I decided it was about time we had a meal with the three of us together like old times. Then we decided that it was about time that Julia met Sophia's new boy Tyler so might as well make it a party at La Casa. 

LOCATION: 93 ALEXANDER ST., ROCHESTER, NY 14620

La Casa is a cute little house turned into a restaurant per Rochester style. It's bright and colorful on the outside making it super cute and fun. We were also seated next to this big cliche buffalo like skull on the wall. (Is that the right animal? What roamed the deserts of America?) 

Anyhow, Julia and I arrive first and of course they bring out a bowl of warm chips and salsa for us to start while we wait and look over menus. When Sophia and Tyler arrive, we've already decided the homemade guacamole to start is a must. I personally thought it was a great guac but Julia mentioned that it was a little too citrus-y and she's one of those people that thinks cilantro taste like soap so.. not so bueno. 

We all order and it turns out Tyler and I have similar taste because we both order the Tres Puercos Tacos but of course, before I can get too excited about us being lunch buddies and ordering the same thing he goes and spoils it by being a boy (I forget what he said but it negated our lunch buddy-ness and I'm just now continuing speaking terms with him :P) This is a plate of two tacos of carnitas, chorizo, and bacon - all things I can get behind - with caramelized onions and cheese on a corn tortilla. It came with a little side salad of dressed lettuce and tomatoes and whatnot which were really really good. I only managed to eat half of the plate but Tyler ate all of his and we were both pretty happy with the choice in the end. 

ROC - Victoire (and Poutine)

LOCATION: 120 EAST AVE, ROCHESTER, NY 14604

I have returned to Victoire with Uly on our quest for poutine. Poutine is our bonding food and Uly is in town for a few days so this trip is a long time coming. I typed poutine into Yelp and Victoire was the list so off we go! 

First off Uly is pretty excited about the draft list and while I place the order for the duck confit poutine right away he scans the list and ends up with something to do with a golden monkey of sorts. Aight. After this is all out of the way, we decide to split calamari only Victoire has run out of calamari so instead we venture into the sandwich part of the lunch menu and decide to split the Bison Meatloaf sandwich. He's never had bison, I've never had bison, lets go. 

First off, the poutine is great. I think I miss out on any traces of actual duck but I'm not that sad because the cheese curds, the green onions, and the gravy they use is on point today. I also still love the texture and flavor of the french fries at Victoire and was not upset that the Bison Meatloaf Sandwich came with a side of fries.

The sandwich was pretty solid. Bison is pretty meaty and tasted fairly lean. It came with lettuce, tomato, and was glazed with dijon on sourdough bread which I love and was a good choice. Perfect amount of food for the two of us, reasonable price, mellow atmosphere, a great choice in the end. 

Buckeyes!!!

Buckeyes have been a new dessert for me but I suppose with as much traveling as Ive done to Cincinnati this year (especially for someone who has no family or SO in Ohio) this was bound to happen. For those of you who don't know, a buckeye dessert is basically a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate. It's that simple.

For 'friendsgiving' I've decided that buckeyes would be the perfect contribution to a night of eating and drinking with friends because they're such a crown pleaser and super easy to make! (Also, a wonderful gluten free choice for a party where the host herself is gluten intolerant and guests have mild ciliacs.)

I've never made these suckers before but my last visit to Cinci, Megan made some for her work's cookie exchange, and seeing how simple the process was, I decided to take on the task myself! I looked up a couple of online recipes and made some personal modifications and got to work.

In a large bowl, I softened 2 sticks of butter then added in 1.5 cups of peanut butter along with a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and slowly stirred in about 3 cups of powdered sugar. I used additional powdered sugar to keep the mixture from sticking to my hands or my spoon and scooped and rolled 1tbsp worth of the peanut butter mixure into a ball and placed them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They went into the freezer for about an hour then I pulled them out and began dipping them in chocolate. I melted about a cup of chocolate at a time and went through a 12oz bag of chocolate for maybe around 30 or so buckeyes (I forgot to actually count..sorry!!) I picked up each peanut butter ball with a toothpick and swirled them around in the chocolate, put them back in the freezer for another 40 minutes while I got ready and tried to wash the smell of peanut butter off my hands and put them in a container for the party! 

These are a big hit and easy for everyone to eat. Simple to make with few ingredients and fun if you don't mind getting a little peanut buttery. These may just be my go to treat to share for awhile!