Katz's Delicatessen New York | review

Katz's Deli New York! A tourist attraction or brilliant New York food at it's best? 

Well it's been a few days since I've told you all with my travels to the fair city of New York. Now since I feature all the new restaurants I like trying out on my blog it seemed fitting to share with you all Katz's Deli and dedicate a little post to this unassuming modest street corner Deli. 

One of the best things for me about travel is been able to sample the local delicacies. As soon as I booked New York the first thing on my mind other than a trip to Sephora, (typical blogger) was sampling a "proper" New York Sandwich. 

After a subway ride and a little bit of wondering around lost we came across Katz's Deli, an unassuming corner street deli in the suburbs of East Houston. However the unassuming location is not something to take for granted as the Deli is something of a New York icon. 

Famed for it's well loved sandwiches alongside other family favourites such as matzo ball soup and well "that scene" from when Harry met Sally this was number 1 on my New York to visit list, sorry Statue of Liberty. 

With neon signs hanging along the deli counter and busboys busy clearing the tables, this place defiantly had the characteristics I had imagined. Pictures framed across the walls of celebrity who had visited the establishment which hung proudly, only enforced the understated tone of just how great this place is to locals and non-locals alone who flock here to sample the food. 

I ordered the classic Ruben sandwich, corned beef, Swiss cheese, Russain sauerkraut on rye bread with a side of pickles. 

I really really really wanted to like the food, like really bad! Maybe it was my choice, maybe it was the overwhelming quantity of food stuffed between two pieces of bread calling it's self my sandwich or maybe it was my high expectations, but, ohh I don't want to say the words, ok I'll whisper...I didn't like it. 

I tried hard to enjoy it, I really did, I even attempted biting into the sandwich whole, before de-constructing my piece of New York on my plate, pulling it apart one slice of corned beef at a time, but I just didn't see the big deal. We had got along well until my first bite, the staff were amazing, I was ever so excited to even be in the restaurant so many celebs had praised, yet the sandwich and I just didn't get along. 

I found the meat fatty, the bread crumbled away under the monstrous filling, the cheese cold and congealed together and the sauerkraut didn't do it for me. 

Now obviously I would give this place a 2nd try if I hopefully get to Visit again, Although with two holidays booked for May, Corfu and Croatia it won't be any time soon unfortunately. However I would maybe sample something a little different such as their French toast for breakfast.

Sammie

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Jack Daniels and Cherry Coke Cupcakes

 

 

So today I was casually strolling around on my lunch hour browsing a book shop when I picked up the coca-cola cook book. I'd seen this come out a few years ago when everyone was talking about ham cooked in coca-cola, however back then the book came with a hefty price tag (well for the book world anyhow). Apparently now a days, this rather quirky little book can be picked up for £3! Which is less than my morning gingerbread lattes. 

Flicking through the pages I noticed the cherry coke cupcakes and suddenly the book fell into my shopping basket. Somehow before the day was over I'd decided that what cherry coke cupcakes actually needs, is something a little more alcoholic, which has come in the form of Mr Daniels. 

 

 

To make, you will need:

1 2/3 cups of plain flour

3 tablespoons of unsweetened coco powder

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking power

1/4 teaspoons of baking soda

3/4 teaspoon of salt

2/3 cups of caster sugar

2 lightly beaten eggs

2/3 cup of cherry coke

125g melted butter

(2 tablespoons of Jack Daniels)

 

Extras

Butter-cream frosting & cherry's to decorate

How to bake

1. Pre-heat the over to 190c
2. Sift all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix.
3. Create a well in the centre, add the eggs, cherry coke and whist together, gradually add the melted butter until smooth. 
4. Add the Jack Daniels and keep in mixing until you have a smooth thick batter.
5. Spoon into muffin cases.
6. Cook for 20-25 minuets until risen and firm.
7. Decorate. 
8. For an additional kick add a little splash of Jack Daniels to the frosting. 

 

Will you be trying the Jack Daniels and Cherry Coke cupcakes?

Sammie

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New York Day 3 | Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge

The penultimate post about my trip to New York and as much as I've tried to cut down the photos and not make the post not too photo heavy..photo's are the best part right? 

Plus I promise I'm not in them all. It did make me laugh slightly when choosing which photos to add for the post. I don't know quite why I have 3 photos of a bakery and yet only one uploaded of the Statue of Liberty. Blogger problems at it's butter cream coated finest there. 

So as the 3 photos tell..errmmm 3000 words? We started the day by strolling round the corner from out hotel (Row NYC) to Carlo's bakery. AKA cake boss cafe. Don't act like you don't watch the food channel a little like a travel show too, it really can't be just me who does this. I mean it's not quite been featured on diners, drive in's and dives, but its the cake boss cafe! (going off on a little tangent making little sense now, I know).  

Selecting breakfast a baked treat was hard! They all looked so nice. In the end I opted for a classic cheesecake. It would have been rude to be in New York and not try their cheesecake after all.  Plus cheesecake for breakfast always tastes nicer than cheesecake at any other time of the day. This particular cheesecake for some reason tasted like birthday cake. It was a weird heavenly combination but paired with freshly roasted coffee, gave me just the perk I needed for the morning ahead. 

We took the subway to Grand Central Station, I'm sure the New Yorkers might not see the fuss about a "train station" but with stunning architecture, windows beaming in light from the New York skyline, the American flag hanging with pride and even the hussle & bussle of the commuters make this such a beautiful attraction. After leaving the station we took in the sights of other stunning landmarks such as the Chrysler building and maybe did a little shopping in Bath & Body works. 

After walking around with our eyes high in the sky marvelling at the skyline of New York, it was time for my stomach to lead the way. It lead me all the way to the well know New York eatery Katz's Deli, for one of their famous ruben sandwiches. I'm saving this for a post of it's own. 

With a full stomach it was time to brave the cold on-board the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Sailing across icy water and chilly winds, I kept hold of my hat as we sailed closer to Lady Liberty in the distance. It's such a iconic landmark and one that gave me little butterflies to actually see in person. 

Arriving back on land, we warmed up with a cocktail at the rather quirky dead rabbit cocktail bar. An unassuming little bar with such charming character. I ordered a Sweet Jane (gin, dolin Blanc, apple, lemon, pink grapefruit, anise and bitters) it was strong but I certainly wasn't complaining. 

After warming up we again set of to explore more of the big city. (I'm starting to read this back to myself in a pirate voice now, I think I keep saying the word exploring too much). Arrggghhh-fter the drinks, we headed down Wall Street. 

The streets of Wall Street had a slightly different feel about them, they seemed more relaxed and casual. Maybe as everyone was at work, it was Monday afternoon after all. I enjoyed the charm of wall street and the landmarks to be seen. The charging bull statue, the New York Stock Exchange and Trinity church. It was a nice stroll wandering in and out of shops (and Starbucks) on the sunny morning. 

We ended exploring the financial district by paying our respects at the 9/11 memorial. It's hard to write in words the feeling of seeing the memorial and taking it all in. I've chosen not to add the pictures as it feels a little wrong to categorise a memorial the same way you would any other tourist attraction. 

We ended the days sightseeing with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Luckily we timed the day perfectly and strolled back from Brooklyn to New York as the sun set. The city looked ever so picturesque as the twinkling lights of the skyscraper windows looked almost like fairy lights winding their way around the city. 

Finally back at the hotel for a quick freshen up we headed out for the classic taste of NY in the form of pizza. It was a personal highlight of the trip to be sat next to the two most "new york" sounding guys I had ever heard (not heard many) talking about there day. 

The pizza was washed down with a drink or two at Rudys bar. $8 pictures of beer...take me back! 

Does the day make you want to plan a visit to the Big Apple?

Sammie

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Bumble and Bumble invisible oil set review

A quick review of the Bumble and Bumble invisible oil set, containing the shampoo, conditioner and hair primer. I picked up the travel set from boots, before my trip to New York. Admittedly there was no need to add such a luxury product to my holiday "pre-boots shop", you all surly do the pre-holiday toiletries run, it's part the holiday right? but it felt the perfect opportunity to sample a few products from Bumble and Bumble at a smaller "travel sized" price £19.50. 

Although I am aware I could have got a full sized good quality shampoo and conditioner for that price. Tell a lie I fully wasn't aware at all until I just checked the price online, I really need to stop throwing stuff in the basket like I'm on beauty-market sweep or something. Honestly this is clearly why i often think my bank card has been cloned. That said there really also wasn't a need to throw in the strawberry scented denman hairbrush too, just because it was slightly smaller than normal hair brushes and looked a cute travel "essential". 

Anyways after than insight to my spending habbit, was the travel set worth the money? Plus we all want to know how it treats our (pampered) locks. So...

Shampoo: It smelt incredible and as it's sulphate free it's friendly on the scalp and indeed anyone unfortunate enough to get it in their eyes. Although thankfully my last memory of that was from L'oreal kids after a swimming lessons as a child. The Dolphin 8 badge was not worth my tears! The shampoo didn't foam very well and made it difficult to make me feel I'd given my hair a good wash. I do use a lot of products on my hair so i like my shampoos to lather well, as it's easier to feel I've washed out all the build up of product. However that said my hair did feel very clean, despite the lack of foam.  

Conditioner: Again incredible smell and defiantly a more luxury feeling product than the shampoo. The conditioner was rich and almost body butter-esk texture. This is defiantly what I look for in conditioner. Having thin yet damaged hair it left my hair feeling nourishes and smelling fantastic. 

Heat/UV protective primer: Well let's be honest, no idea how well this protects my hair from UV rays or heat, I don't exactly own a science lab, however as i regularly use these type of products anyway (usually thrown in my beauty-market sweeps) compared to most heat protectors, it smelt nicer. Plus it helped me comb my hair through easier after washing, so i would also say it works well to detangle hair. 

Overall shampoo, not exactly worth the price tag for me, conditioner, would buy again if i was feeling flush, primer, will enjoy using it and it will be great whilst the bottle lasts. Now since I've just booked a getaway to Corfu in May, I'm now on the look out for a great swimming shampoo...obviously I will never learn. Any suggestions? 

Have you tired any products from the Bumble & Bumble range?

Sammie

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New York diary day 2 | Times Square, Central Park, MOMA, Shake Shack

Ahh New York New York. From my recent posts you will already be aware of my trip to New York. Our first day consisted of mostly travel and an amazing meal at Buddakan. 

Day 2 and it was time to start exploring the city. After grabbing a coffee in Times Square (trust me Starbucks and everywhere!) and a spot of, not so light shopping, in Forever 21 and Sephora we headed uptown for brunch. 

We took the Subway uptown and headed for brunch. We paid $29 for a 7 day pass for the subway which I would recommend buying. It saves time been able to pass quickly through the Barriers, plus not all subways stations have a ticket kiosk so it means you don't have to worry about not been able to easily pass through certain stations or wander around lost for an attendant. More so if you get lost or accidentally jump on the wrong line (surprisingly only happened once), it means you don't need to pay any extra for those wasted journeys. 

We had originally planned to go to Calle Ocha for an all you can DRINK brunch, however unfortunately the restaurant was full. After a little stroll we came across Cafe Frida a few blocks away from the Natural History museum. 

Not the most attractive looking brunch, but it was tasty and cheap. We shared a portion of the guacamole and corn chips to start $11, followed by the Mexican classic of huevos rancheros with eggs sunny side up $11. Delicious homely food and the perfect brunch to warm up and let the frost thaw away. 

With full stomachs we headed to Central Park to walk of brunch. As the snow fell it couldn't have been more perfect timing to visit. We had planned to visit Strawberry fields however with visibility been poor and the snow covering the ground, finding the landmark seemed a little futile so we decided to simply soak up the snowy sights. 

Shaking of the snow, we headed to the Museum of modern art (MOMA). Although The Met seems a more popular choice with tourists, for me the MOMA was one the attractions I wanted to visit the most. Entry to the museum id $25 however considering the museum houses some amazing art work including, Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, Picasso and Jackson Pollock it's great value. I was so excited to see Van Gogh's Starry night. Despite not having a large amount of knowledge about art work, there are so many paintings housed at the MOMA it's hard not to get excited when you come across the ones you recognise. 

Strolling back through the streets, passing attractions such as Radio city music hall, it would of been a crime not the sample something from the famous Magnolia Bakery. I tried a classic red velvet cupcake and unfortunately was disappointed. A dry cupcake wasn't something I expected from the famous bakery. Although since I dropped my first one accidentally on the floor in the queue and they politely swapped it as the shop assistant noticed, at no extra charge, I'd maybe give this place a 2nd try. 

We headed back to the hotel past the bright lights and snowy sidewalks of Times Square and for the 2nd time that day I head the shops whispering in my ears. This time M&M world and the Disney store. 

Finally back at the hotel, a little sleepy eyed, it unfortunately was time for " quick nap" with plans to go out a few hours later. However waking up at midnight, it's true, new york doesn't sleep we opted for dinner at Shake Shack across the road.

Have you visited New York?

Sammie

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