Nick's Travel & Food Blog

Pompi Tiramisu – Rome, Italy

A few blocks from the famous spanish steps in Rome, you’ll come across the best tiramisu that you might have in your life. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch to say but it’s quite possible that it will be your best one yet. Disclosure: make sure your hands are closed and you make a fist or someone will place something in your hand walking up the steps. You’ll know what I’m taking about soon, unless you’ve already been. Anyway tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert. It’s coffee flavored made with ladyfingers and layered with a mixture of eggs, sugar, mascarpone cheese and flavored with cocoa. They also sometimes add nuts on top as well. To me, it’s like a cake but it doesn’t have the same texture of a cake. It’s kind of smooth in a way but it really does taste good due to some sweetness. This place is one of the best in Italy and you have to try it. Once you take it to go, you can enjoy it while eating on the spanish steps and seeing the vast amount of people walk by. Do bring cash as they only accept cash (euros) as a form of payment.

Ferraro’s – Westfield, New Jersey

It’s Wednesday, meaning you’re almost done with your work week. This next place I want to talk about is Ferraro’s. They are known for their Italian dishes that are surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because it surprised me being that I wondered if it would live up to what great things I’ve heard about it. This picture is the Stuffed Gnocchi. Yes, I said it right; Stuffed Gnocchi. It’s pronounced nyow kee. If you’ve had it before, you know it has to be cooked right. Gnocchi is a soft dough dumpling pretty much but it taste good, however, again it does have to be cooked right. This place has it right. This particular dish of there’s is with truffle mushroom, filet mignon, asparagus tips, cherry tomatoes, madeira wine and mascarpone. I know this picture doesn’t bring it’s worth to the forefront but when you try it and if it’s your first time, you’ll enjoy it a lot. The texture is just right which is soft on the outside and inside. The blend of flavors really come together well to make this dish pretty good. The other interesting items on their menu are the truffle fries with the bbq ribs. I tried it and I was a believer in this place. This place is lovely for a nice dinner date with a pay for parking next to it. This place is enjoyable and I think you will like it.

District Donuts Sliders Brew – New Orleans, Louisiana

If you’re like me, you check reviews on places before you go, especially if you haven’t been there or someone else you know hasn’t. When I saw this place it had over 1,000 reviews and I’m like ok, let’s try it and see if it’s real. #DoubleTakeTuesday it is. Let me begin by saying, I’ve had plenty of donuts from Krispy Kreme to Dough Donuts in New York but there’s something special about this one. Let me say this and make it clear, for right now this is the best donut I’ve ever had. Okay, so I finally got that out of the way. At least I didn’t say it’s the best I’ve ever had right? Anyway, this speciality donut is really outrageous. It’s called the lemon icebox. Let me tell you what this donut is. It’s lemon glaze, condensed milk pastry cream, brown sugar buttercream, and a key lime topping graham cracker crumble. Wowwww. This donut had me at the brown sugar buttercream. When I first took a bite, I was sold. I didn’t even have to go any further but of course I did. Look this picture doesn’t do it enough justice but I’m telling you, this donut is on point. The lemon glaze, the fluff, the taste, it’s just wrapped all in one for a sweet treat. The lemon glaze on top really brings this donut together. Do grab a knife and a fork because it can get quite messy if you use your hands only. They have other items on the menu so feel free to check it out. I think the other menu items most likely will be good especially the chicken sandwich. If you’re in NOLA and don’t go to this place, I might just shake my head. Lol.

Willie Mae’s Scotch House – New Orleans, Louisiana

So remember when I told you that Blue Ribbon was my number one fried chicken spot? Well I don’t want to renege on that statement so I will say this place is right next to being my number one. I might have to mull over it a little more though. Look, the flavors are just like how my brother in-law makes his chicken so it’s worth it. I have to admit that Willie Mae has a staple item right here. It’s seasoned quite well but not overly seasoned where you’re trying to grab water. It’s crispy and I can tell it’s been marinating in something to keep the flavor and juiciness. There is a little heat to the chicken but it’s still good. I think they added some cayenne pepper to it or red pepper flakes. I know it’s $15 for 3 pieces and a side but it’s oh so worth it. The sides are not all that good but the chicken is worth the price. Don’t bother going for the cornbread either. You can share the meal but they will charge extra for sharing plates. I wouldn’t share if I was you because you’ll want to eat it all. They usually say it’s a long wait to get seated but I just walked right in and was seated immediately. At first, when I saw the chicken, I was like ah, this might not be good but I was definitely wrong about that. You have to try it to believe it but I know some good fried chicken and this is one of them. It’s homemade comfort food at its best and you’ll savor every bit of this deliciousness.

Urban Griddle – Elizabeth, New Jersey

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Maple Syrup

Today is a special day because it’s the day I get to share Urban Griddle with you. It’s one of favorite places to eat regularly to date. Look, this place has blown up quite recently but it’s one of the places that I’ve been going to since their open. This place is so packed that people literally wait outside in masses. Yes, the parking lot is small and you will have to park down the street but it will be worth it. This place is really good because their speciality is breakfast. I really like the staff that they have there as well. They make sure your time is enjoyable, so please tip them well. The food is one thing but the service makes the experience even more enjoyable. Everytime I go, I order the chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup on the side. Trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrup, if you know what I mean. This place really serves good breakfast and everything that I’ve eaten there is on point. From the yucca fries with that sauce (oh my that sauce) to the cinnamon raisin French Toast. Everything is good, fresh, and hot. The chocolate chip pancakes actually have chocolate chips on the inside and not just on the top. Every bite is with chocolate chips which is awesome. The pancakes are really soft, moist and very delightful. If you go, don’t be surprised to see me there because I might be there. Do yourself a favor and put yourself on the Yelp waitlist before you arrive especially on the weekends because I can promise you it’s going to be busy unless you arrive before 9am.

In-N-Out – Various Locations

So continuing along with some of my all time favorites (Diesel and Duke is still my number one – let me just say that) and this one requires no introduction at all. Ah, it might actually need one because I know some don’t know what this is especially if you haven’t traveled to the West or Mid-West yet. This is In-N-Out. The picture above is the Double Burger with two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their sauce that they’ve had since 1948. It’s something about this sauce, let me tell you. It’s like a mayo mixed with smoked paprika, onions and something else. I really can’t put a finger on what it is but it’s quite good. It’s the type of sauce where you lick your finger after wiping your shirt because it spilled. Come on, you know you’ve done that before. lol. The fries are what they call animal style fries. They are pretty much regular fries with cheese and their sauce. Look I know it may not look that good but trust me, it most certainly is. This place is one of those no frill places that you order your food, get called on, and you sit down to eat with hopefully a table being open. My first time eating it was in San Francisco and I had to see what the hype was all about. The hype definitely measures up and many celebrities have of course been here because of how good it is. They do give you alot of food for the price so I know that you will enjoy it. This place is similar to what the East Coast calls Shake Shack but slightly better I must say.

Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken – New York, New York

I know what you’re thinking. This guy really does post alot of chicken pictures. I know, I know. I do have other pictures it’s just lately, that’s what I’ve been in the mood for. Anyway, being that this week is my birthday, I want to put up my all time favorite places. Since that is the case, this one is my favorite chicken place. There is no place that I’ve been to yet that has come close to it. First, you have to try their fried chicken of course. It’s seasoned really well and it’s kind of addicting. The flavor that comes from eating this is quite good. The chicken is juicy, a little crunch, and it’s just really good. I really don’t know what else to say to make this chicken place somewhere that you have to go to. Well, they do have biscuits which are pretty good and new to the menu. The other notable item on the menu is french fries with the works. The fries are topped or should I say loaded with bacon, aged cheddar, and sour cream. Try not to get into a food coma when eating it. I’ve tried it once and I’m like okay, it’s really good but I can’t do that again. Someone would have to roll me out in a stretcher because it’s so good. You know that chicken looks good and you do want to try it. Try one of their sauces on the side too with the french fries for even more flavor. Their menu is here.

Roberta’s – Brooklyn, New York

It’s Friday and what other way to celebrate the not so official “not cooking day” with Pizza. There are various pizza places that you can order from but one you must try is Roberta’s in Brooklyn. This is their original location so you have to go. It’s very scenic with the bench chairs, the wood-fired oven, and some other decorations. It’s definitely a hassle to get to because it’s not relatively close to a subway. I mean, if you do get off the closest subway and walk you may question if you’re going the right way but when you get there, it will be quite enjoyable. They have various different pizza’s but the one that I like most is the Rosso (tomato, oregano, garlic). Of course there are others but this is the most classic one on the menu which you can then add different toppings to. All of their pizza’s are made fresh and baked exceptionally well because they are wood-fired. This is one of my favorite pizza places of all time because their pizza is light, airy and not doughy. They have the best combination for sure. I’ll mention another pizza spot later which is my second favorite. However, when you bite into it, it’s like a pizza you don’t feel guilty eating because of how light it is. Don’t be bothered by the black marks on the crusts because it’s oh so good. If you’re in Brooklyn, you have to try it. There pizza is easily shareable but when I went, I did have one to myself. It will be crowded, no doubt about it, so try to get there early. If you get off the nearest subway, order a lyft there, you’ll thank me later. Enjoy the weekend and I’ll see you Monday.

Ambassador Fish and Chicken – Newark, New Jersey

Fried Chicken Wings!

Happy New Year to you all! It’s truly a blessing to live another day but most importantly a new year, a new decade I might add. Times like this, it’s good to reflect to see how far you’ve come. Count your blessings. Anyway, over this holiday break, my aunt brought the fried chicken and this place in Newark serves some of the best. It’s honestly in my top five. First, I want to add, they do call this fried chicken, “crack chicken”. I know why would someone call it that. I didn’t make up the name but this is what people in the area call it. They call it that because the chicken is highly addicting. I’m not even sure what makes this chicken that good but it’s something in the way they season it I guess. It’s seasoned quite well but not too salty. It’s like chicken that you can’t just have one piece of it. If you can resist only one wing, you’re doing pretty good. The chicken is crispy, tender, and it makes you want to really eat every bit of it to the bone. I enjoy fried chicken, even though I don’t eat it much anymore but I know good fried chicken when I try it. This is one of those chicken places that are really good.

Pelicana – Various Locations

Last post of the year so I have to make this count. This place is called Pelicana and I must say they have some pretty good wings or should I say Korean wings. As pictured are the boneless wings but they also have bone in and other items on their menu. Each of their wings come with a salad and radishes. If you try one of their spicy flavors, you’ll need this radish as it will help cool down your tongue. I usually get the Level 1 sweet and spicy wings because when I tried the level 2 which is medium heat, I couldn’t handle it. Lol. I’m telling you, Level 2 is hot. It’s one of those where it’s hot to the point that it’s not even enjoyable to eat it any more. However, I will say Level 2 didn’t any phase Leah. I guess her tolerance for heat is higher then mine. Don’t even think about trying Level 3 but if you were there I would dare you though. Lol. They do have other sauces like bbq, garlic, or even plain. Additionally, you can have two different flavors which is also nice as well if you’re unsure. You can add on fries to the wings as well. The fries that I enjoy the most are the truffle fries. They are quite good and it comes with ketchup and spicy mayo sauce. The spicy mayo is a must to dip the fries in because they taste even better when you do. Going back to the wings, they are crunchy and quite delightful. They really do a good job in making sure the crunch is just right but not to the point where the chicken is dry and can’t taste any meat. If you try the bone in wings, they’ll even give you a finger glove so you won’t get the sauce everywhere and then want to lick it off your fingers. I highly recommend this place but do try to get there early as they accept no reservations and it does get quite busy depending on which day you come. Happy New Year and I will see you in 2020.