Saturday, March 17, 2012

A Slice of New York (Pizza), San Jose, California

A Slice of New York lives up to it's name. Everything from floor to ceiling creams "NEW YORK!!!". That is not meant as an analogy or cute literary line, but as fact. Their fifteen-foot ceilings are covered in pictures of NYC's subways, skyline, and cuisine. The restaurant just has one of those vibes when you walk in. It sends a welcome chill down your spine, like you simply know staying there means a great time in your near future. Essentially, at first step, not even first bite, you can be confident your meal is in good hands.


Though the visual and atmospheric attraction ends there, the fun has just begun for the customer. Following that, they will experience excellent service and top-caliber food I have been hinting at since line one. Around a dozen signature pies are served here. The City slice is my personal favorite, with The Sutton a close second. The first of the two sports sausage, pepperoni, olives, and vegetables. This combination-style pie has you from the start. Each ingredient comes through just enough to be appreciated in full. At the start, you catch a touch of the sausage, and as you continue to the crust, the produce and fungi take the front seat. Throughout, spicy hints of pepperoni make their way in.



The latter pizza is almost as good, but is one I find nearly too bland. The strong meat flavor hits you from the start. Following it comes more and more mushroom. The Sutton is finished off with a perfect crust that is crispy to the touch, but soft in the center. There is nothing better than folding your pizza in half and hearing the crunch of the edge as it breaks in half. Both are a mere four dollars for a colossal slice. Two will fill you up, and a drink is free with the pair.


A Slice of New York is San Jose's premier stop for an East-Coast triangle of heaven, and may even knock off growing juggernauts such as Bocca Lupo (a traditional Italian version). With it's pizza, pricing, service, atmosphere, and decor, it is a complete package. That is a phrase often said, but rarely accurate. At A Slice of New York, it rings true.


A Slice of New York on Urbanspoon

Friday, March 16, 2012

Naglee Park Garage (American), San Jose, California


Dreams can be built on Naglee Park Garage. Dreams on how they made the restaurant what it is today, dreams on how to afford the food, and, most of all, dreams as to just how good the food will be. While being able to purchase the fancy burgers is a sure question mark, no concern needs to be placed on the quality of the food - it's delicious.



When you have a good-sized chunk of meat, some Portobello Mushrooms and some tasty Swiss cheese, what could you make except a delicious burger. Maybe a nice pasta... At Naglee Park Garage, though, they specialize in the creation of mouth-watering burgers. Though each lip smacking beef patty packs a financial punch ($10-$15 dollars per burger), the size and quality makes up for the stimulus-sized bill. The meat is tender flavorful, and the remaining ingredients taste fresh and hearty. It's a real burger! A real good one, that is.


If you love juicy meat in your burgers and gooey cheese under a bun, you need to stop by Naglee Park. Then, there's the homey feel of the popular restaurant and the excellent service, two other undeniable pluses. Most of all, you have to appreciate Guy Fieri exposing this San Jose hotspot to the world. He got this one right.


Naglee Park Garage on Urbanspoon

The Fish House (Seafood), Ruskin, Florida

Fish House on Urbanspoon

My trip to beautiful Tampa Bay would simply not have been complete without a visit to this shack legendary for it's fresh-caught fish sandwiches. The Fish House was rumored to have, along with strange business hours, excellent food at affordable prices. The fish, or so I heard, had a perfect set of seasoning and a picture-worthy fry. Nothing here was supposed to be anything short of spectacular. And, of course, it wasn't. Every whisper proved true as this lonely wood frame of a building won my affection at first bite. I myself dined on a succulent Grouper offering crafted out of newly captured seafood, a bun, and a light fry. Basically, think of fish fillet shoved in a Po Boy in the place of shrimp or andouille. It was to die for, a far too often used phrase that I have to use to accurately describe this sandwich. If you find yourself in the vicinity of Ruskin, the long drive here and sometimes insanely
long wait would be well worth it. After one taste of the
Fish House's Grouper sandwiches,
you'll understand for yourself.

Friday, March 9, 2012

That's Sweet!, Pleasanton, CA

The streets just got a whole lot sweeter with the unveiling of That's Sweet, one of the Bay Area's first mobile bakeries. The treats that come off this truck are on par with the best, including the hundreds of stationary cupcake shops located in the region. The rich frosting perfectly complements the base, and the fillings inside each goody are equally succulent. Lemon Buttercream has a tangy lemon center, for example, while Vanilla Salted Caramel is filled with fleur de sel. 



This truck is not limited to classics, either, as it has a firm root in the extra-ordinary with a Chocolate Maple Bacon offering that has breakfast and confection fans alike drooling for a taste. This delicacy in particular combines rich, sponge-textured cake and a maple frosting coated with savory bacon bits to create a tantalizing dessert. Like all of That's Sweet's other cupcake offerings, the pork option is an affordable $3 flat.




Next up is a traditional offering: Red Velvet. A vanilla frosting covers the top of this blood red pastry. It is simple, yet delicious, as even those like myself who shy away from red velvet choices enjoy this treat. It is a perfect foursome of baked flavors; red velvet, lemon buttercream, caramel and chocolate bacon, all of which are served separately or all together at this mobile eatery based in the diverse East Bay.




That's Sweet Truck on Urbanspoon