Drinks Galore.

I can always count on Cafeteria Restaurant to not only provide an amazing (finger licking good) meal, but to create an atmosphere that promotes positivity and community. It also doesn’t hurt that their drinks are always so good and buzz worthy. Since I was in the Union Square area recently, starving, and I knew it was the perfect place to stop for a bite. I’ve been frequenting Cafeteria, what seems like forever. At one point, that was my date night hangout, I would bring all my dates there. What can I say, its a good date night spot.

Do you have a go-to restaurant? Let me know, I’m always looking for somewhere new!

Jonezy

Lets Eat.

Do you have a certain meal, or food, you ALWAYS order when you go out?

Well I do, and its always seafood, specifically salmon. I want to believe I am adventurous when it comes to meals and what I am willing to try. However I can admit, Salmon is just that ‘thing’ my eye always look for when out. One of my favorite restaurants in New York is Clyde Frazier’s Wine & Dine. Not only is it a semi upscale sport bar, but there is a half basketball court, where you can perfect your jump shot. The food is absolutely divine! My go to meal is the blackened Scottish salmon with bourbon butter spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, with a glass of white wine. The salmon is so delish, that it melts in your mouth! I usually can’t squeeze in dessert but when YOU go please make room for the ricotta donuts!

For me, this is the perfect date night spot, whether its a first date or you’re a couple that’s looking to try a new place. If you are single, fret not for the bar area, is incredible! AND Clyde Frazier’s has a nice line up for happy hour. Hopefully I will catch you there one of these days, don’t ever be too shy to say hey!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: I’m horrible at taking photos at restaurants, so use your imagination! I promise I’ll do better.

Haterade Nation.

I’ll admit, because I’m always super honest with you guys, that I almost turned into a hater this week. As you all know, there’s nothing more I’d like to do than live in my Soul city of Chicago but when it came time to transfer, unforeseen circumstances prevented that. So a coworker IS actually transferring to Chicago and I was a bit bitter at first when I was told. I was (almost) a hater because I wanted so badly for that to be me.

I had to be real with myself, and remember how blessed I was for the opportunities that are presenting themselves, and Chicago may not be my destination right now. I owed it to myself to trust my journey but to wish my coworker well on her path. Since today was her last day, I brought a banging cake and a card, that had every little trinket that would remind her of New York. I decided to make this about her, and I’m so glad I did.

So, tell me when YOU was almost a hater!

Tristan Jonez

#TheMeadowsNYC

So I went to my first Music and Arts Festival, and I loved every minute!!

SideNote: I wonder how they decide who’ll perform, the order and the length of their set. It was a good flow to the schedule.

At first my only reason for attending was to sample and eat as much food as I could get my hands on. Of the three day festival, I could only get Saturday off from work, but getting to see Tory Lanez in person was the icing. So much energy! I’ll forever respect him. LL Cool J has had hits that I definitely rock with but not enough for me to see him in person, well he brought out Q-Tip, and I nearly lost my mind!! I opted not to see Future, and saw Big Gigantic. Didn’t know them before but I throughly enjoyed their set. They did a EDM collab with Biggie Smalls, so how could I not love them?

However I’m highly upset I missed Big Boi’s set. I had a killer migraine that morning, and just couldn’t get it to settle down quickly enough. I experienced Erykah Badu, but felt she was too regal to record. The food and drink option was plentiful, and I left feeling full and fulfilled.

This was the second year of The Meadows and I will surely be attending next year, all three days! Have you guys ever been?

Tristan J

Clawdaddy’s

One of my absolute favorite seafood restaurant in New York! A fan (Me) favorite, especially amongst folks that are looking to have a romantic date night. However I must warn you, it’s VERY easy to get tipsy way before you even put your order in for dinner as the happy hour rivals most I’ve been to. I usually start off with their signature adult Capri suns, that goes pretty nicely with my grilled oysters. They’re sprinkled with butter and parmigiana cheese, Drool worthy!

I can’t come to Clawdaddy’s and not order a seafood boil of Crab Legs and shrimp, which topped off with Cajun spices, Corn and potatoes makes coming to the LES (Lower East Side) truly worth it.

Tristan J.
Clawdaddy’s

185 Orchard Str NY

San Gennaro Feast 17.

I know I’m late.

I had the immense pleasure of experiencing The San Gennaro Festival this year again in little Italy, Nyc. It’s a festival that spans over 11 days and celebrates Italians coming to New York from Italy. It’s a festival filled with food, culture and more food. Think all the italian sausage, Cannoli and zeppoles you can get your hands on! Unfortunately and fortunately it was drizzling when Michael (Coworker) and I got there but it helped to semi thin the crowd out.

First we started at the beginning of the fest which is Prince st down to (I think) Canal street, just so we could see what was being offered. Once we got to the end, we was going to walk back up but there was a mini parade in which the priest were blessing all of the shops. Our first stop was for my Italian sausage with onions, and it didn’t disappoint! Second stop, Mexican Roasted corn, however I got butter & ‘spices’ and Lord! My mouth was on Fire! But I ate every kernel. Lastly, Gelato! Since I recently had the freshest (a word?) gelato from Spain I wasn’t impressed AT ALL!

The festival is still going on until Sunday September 24th, Make sure you partake!

Tristan Jonez

With Onion Gravy

There’s a Baltimore club music song, that states. “French Fries and Onion Gravy”, I should note that its one of my favorite songs to dance to. Saturday, I went to the Meadows Festival in Queens, the highlight… I ate French Fries and Onion gravy! Since I’ve lived in New York, I haven’t frequented any eateries that serve it, so of course I had to order myself a batch! It was like eating a cloud, the french fries were not oily, but were fried to perfection. The gravy was the ‘icing’ that transported me back to my hometown. In my excitement I didn’t pay attention to the name of the restaurant, I got my ‘cloud’ from so wish me luck on my search for perfection.

SideNote: I’ve given up eating fried foods, but I allowed myself to cheat for the day.

Have you guys ever experienced the magic?

Tristan Jonez

Bourbon Street.

As an Obsessed lover of all things New Orleans, I’m not sure how real a restaurant can be if there are only two items on the menu that include Craw fish! Since I have yet to eat at this establishment I will try to hold all my judgement until then but I’m slightly judging. Furthermore I’m not sure that Cajun Quesadilla, and Craw fish added into the Mac & Cheese qualify as menu options. If I want to visit an authentic New Orleans restaurant, I want crawfish to be available in ALL my dishes.

SideNote: The fact that the restaurant is named “Bourbon Street” gets a side eye!

I’ll be visiting to partake soon enough, then I will update you about my visit.

Tristan Jonez

SideNote II: I just read the very mixed reviews on Yelp, definitely wasn’t that helpful.

The Sweet Spot

I’m always in need of a sweet snack, as I get older I try (Keyword) to look towards something on the healthier side. Gelato is usually my go to treat, especially when I’m traveling out of the country. While in Spain, during one of the hottest summers, gelato, was definitely the move.

Giolatto was within walking distance from my hotel, so the second I passed I knew I would be having a solo date there. Sure enough after a day of sun, fun and shopping, I made my way into the shoppe. There was such a selection of fresh gelato to choose from, I settled with Raspberry and Creme of Pistachio and I wasn’t disappointed! It was Delicious!

When you’re traveling what is one sweet snack that’s a must?

Jonez

This Little Pig

So I am not really a fan of waffles, pancakes or syrup. I don’t really take the time I should to participate in Breakfast, I know I know, but when I do I usually have an egg (sunny Side up) on toast with cheese. When I do, brunch, I try to find something sweet and totally wrong for my diet. So When I arrived in Salt Lake City, I was on a mad hunt for food! Pig & A Jelly Jar was the top rated restaurant for Brunch so I figured, “Why not?”

I normally go for what the restaurant is known for, as it kind of ensures that the meal will be good, since they’ve perfected it. The meal was good, If I was to go back I would try something else but if you are a chicken and waffle lover, this would hit the spot for you. Unfortunately I didn’t care for the waffle or the syrup, but that’s cuz Im not a waffle fan. But the chicken was very well flavored, seasoned so good, juicy and a good coating of fried skin. I could have definitely go for a second helping; super delish! Once I was finished my meal, I saw there was an assortment of jelly flavors, NEXT TIME!

There’s nothing better than jelly on a butter biscuit.

Jonez

SweetShop

A trip, any destination, virtually means nothing without a trip to a cupcake shop. While in Salt Lake City, I just had to sample one of the Best Cupcake shop, which happened to be Sweet Cake Bake Shop located in Downtown Utah. The shop is nestled on a cute lil street next to a few eateries.

Of course being the person I am I arrive twenty minutes before closing time, so I kept it simple with three mini cupcakes, chocolate, hummingbird and carrot cake. (Sorry, No Red Velvet this time) Surprisingly the Carrot Cake was my absolute favorite, it was like biting into a sunny day the first day after rain. So super moist but not overly sweet. It was perfection. Chocolate would have to be second as it was almost too sweet but they somehow managed to add just the right mixture. Unfortunately hummingbird fell flat, it just had no umph, no kick.

I must say this was a “sweet” stop in my exploration of Utah. If ever in Utah, be sure to add Sweet Cake on your list of stops.

Sweet Cake Bake Shop

457 E 300th S

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Tristan Jonez

#DiningwithDariusCooks

Here’s my story.

As y’all know I had promised myself since I had previously went to three (!!!) #DiningwithDariusCooks I didn’t need to attend anymore. However because I had talked about him and his events (So Much) I had friends who had yet to experience the splendor, so when tickets became available for New York, they purchased tickets, and wanted me to tag along. Although I had just came back from the Chicago date a few weeks earlier, and I really didn’t want to go to the New York date, I still purchased a ticket. I couldn’t let my friends have a ‘house party’ without me, so of course I was down to go again.

Well the day was coming up, and we are all so excited! I’m telling them all about the past dates and how much fun I had with the other guests, including my friends outside of work. So you can imagine the disappointment, when there was no event. Yup, it was cancelled but I did NOT receive any notice of the cancellation. I sent an email, and my friend also sent an email, to which we did not receive a reply. It just so happened, Darius started a Live on Instagram, to which I sent a message, and he stated “I’m not on here to talk about Dining with Darius Cooks but the event was cancelled, check your spam” Now being that I’ve been THREE TIMES BEFORE I know to check my spam, and yet there was nothing there. I even had my friend check her inbox and spam boxes, same thing, no email! So I didn’t trip, I was just like I understand that he has a lot going on, since he had recently opened his restaurant but I’m annoyed. IF you were going to canceled an event, at least have the imagination to call the folks, personally, or have someone who works with you call, if you were too busy to do it yourself.

The event was scheduled to take place on June 19, I submitted my request for a refund, but I am STILL patiently waiting. I’m unclear as to why it is taking this long, but its a lesson learned. Like I Said in the beginning, I may be able to support him later on but as for right now, I’m 100% good on him. However It did create a bad impression for my friends who purchased tickets, and were left to figure out the next steps they should take.

I think I may still tap him to be the chef for my wedding, as his food is that good! Unless I find a Chef I vibe with, then that’s a wrap! However I definitely wish him the very best!

Tristan Jonez.