Curry Chicken Salad: Urth Caffe, LA

I don't know why, but it's midnight and I'm totally craving the Curry Chicken Sandwich from an LA favorite. But I'm totally blanking on the name. It's a tiny place near Melrose, with outdoor seating... hearts... weird spelling... something about earth... Urth Caffe!!!

God.

I cannot explain how much I love this place. I think it will always have a special place in my heart.

Aside from the shitty indoor seating area and the crowds that form by the register when you're trying to place your order... this will always be one of my favorite places to go to in LA. Well as long as they still have the curry chicken sandwich. I don't know what it is... the crunchiness of the salad, the moist chicken sans overwhelming curry taste/texture, the juicy raisins, the fresh bread... ugh I just don't know...it's SO good.

I haven't been to LA in a couple years so I really feel like I'm missing out. During my last trip to LA I wasn't able to make it out there, but next time I'll take a trip specifically for this sandwich. And I'm totally being serious. I've even gone to great lengths to have this sandwich- I've actually smuggled this sandwich on a plane from LA to NY. So if you're in the LA area, there are a few of these organic caffes in the major towns. Just check out Urth Caffe's website. And once you find a location, do yourself a favor and devour everything they have.

Baci e Abbracci <3

Calabrese: Lucky Coq, Melbourne

One of the best local secrets in OZ... Lucky Coq pizza on Chapel St.

And even though the pizza is rockin', the pizza isn't the secret. On Monday-Friday from 12-4pm or Sunday- Thursday from 7-11pm, you can get their pizzas for $4.00 each! And yes, I just typed $4.00.

How? Because their pizza is so damn good. 

I was told by a friend that they can afford to have their prices set low since they make up the revenue from the locals who take advantage of the deal at least once, maybe twice a week...

I saw it for myself- the place is jam-packed during these hours... and it's very difficult to get a table. But to be honest... I was fore-warned about the crowd. I didn't listen (and I'm blaming it on the jet-lag) because my friends (who introduced me to this place) told me that timing is everything. They said, "We have to leave at 7pm or a little before in order to solidfy seats." And well... I was a little late, and by late I mean like a 1/2 hour... so we had to get savvy once we were in (yes, I believe there is a bouncer at the door), and by savvy I mean, we had to stalk tables. So seriously, if you want to go... prepare yourself to be on time.

When we did get our seats... the guys decided to order 6 different pizzas... starting from the bottom left  and then clockwise: Greco, Mexican, Calamari x's 2, Calabrese ♥, Lamb

Seriously, I couldn't believe how unique and original these pizzas were for $4.00 a piece- truly one of the best deals on Chapel. And even though they were all delicious, I was partial to the Calabrese (the pepperoni-looking one)... YUM.


PS- We didn't get them the time I went, but get the olives too. The boys nearly cried when a friend forgot to order them.

PPS- Yes you have to place your order at the bar, pay for it and make sure no one steals your seat. But don't worry a waiter will serve you... just make sure he doesn't give your order to the wrong person LOL- It's rough, but it's worth it ;) 

Baci e abbracci <3

#33 or #45: La Pizzeria, Monza

Voted one of the best places to eat (and the only pizzeria to make it on the list) in Italy is: La Pizzeria. I don't know what they do it, but whatever they're doing, it's GREAT. I've tried the other pizzeria's in town but nothing compares.

La Pizzeria creates specialty pizzas that cannot be altered or substituted. There's a pizza there for anyone and if you dare ask to substitute something, the owner will personally come to your table and explain why he will not. All of the flavors are paired for a reason and there's no if's and's or but's to change this mans mind, and I don't blame him.

My personal favorites are #33 and #45. Yes, the pizzas are listed by numbers:

#33: Thinly sliced eggplant, a few olives, cheese and tomato sauce

#45: Proscuitto Crudo, basil, cheese and tomato sauce

I know that these pizzas seem quite simple, but the flavors are mouth-watering! They have more complicated pizzas like brie and speck which is also a great choice, but my favorites have to be the two mentioned above.

Basic description of all the pizzas:

1) All of the pizzas have a crispy, thin crust- don't think of it like a cracker because it's not. It's just a very thin pizza crust that tastes incredible.

2) All of the pizzas are quite big but they are not heavy to digest. I suggest you order one pizza, finish it... and if you're still hungry, order another pizza. On stomach growling nights I can finish two alone- just keep in mind that you're not allowed to take them home with you..

So if you're ever in Monza- make you're way down Via Lecco, turn right onto Via Torti, stop at the corner and take a seat at the BEST pizzeria in town- just make sure you call ahead for a reservation otherwise you'll have to wait till 10PM... no lie.

PS: No matter what you order you will have to pay a 3,00 cover per person, but it's worth it since they don't do take-away...

PPS: Don't wait for your friend to receive their pizza- eat it right away because the pizza will get cold fast! Which is also why you don't order two at the same time...

Baci e abbracci!

Ravioli: Pasta & Company, Torino

Why go to a supermarket when you can go to "THE MARKET"?

In Italy, each town has their own center. In the center, on specific days, there are Outdoor Markets. In Monza, I discovered their Mercato di Sabato... and a friend of mine introduced me to the "THE" Ravioli Truck.

We walked all the way towards the back of the market, and there it was... ECCOLO- a yellow and white masterpiece that made it all the way from Torino.

Now this isn't just some ordinary ravioli truck. This truck has ravioli with some of the loveliest flavors ever created. For instance, a personal favorite of mine is the proscuitto crudo, fichi (fig) and grana (parmesan cheese) ravioli. Yes, all that comes in one ravioli. But they also have simple cheese raviolis that are rockin'.

The ravioli are fresh and each week is a surprise because you don't know which raviolis will be featured... which is why I visit every Saturday and get a small portion of each and every ravioli that appeals to me :) And don't worry if you're on line and don't know which ones to choose, they'll give you a sample... just say, "Posso asajarlo questa qua" and make sure to point to the one you want.

PS: You can eat the raviolis raw because they're super fresh and uber delicious! Truth be told... sometimes the raviolis don't make it back to my apartment because I end up eating them like a snack on the way home LOL. Bottomline, raw or cooked... you can't go wrong :)

PPS: They make special trips to Monza for the market but you can visit them in Torino or check them out online- http://www.pastaecompany.it/

Baci e abbracci!

Creamy Italian Dressing: Federicis, Downtown Freehold

If you like tradition, you'll love Federicis... also know as Frankie Feds. This place has been runnin' their restaurant for decades... passing down the family recipes to each generation in the Fed family and keeping the infamous thin crust pizza (among many favorites) alive...

Now, you might be thinking... but the title says Creamy Italian Dressing?? And you're absolutely correct. My absolute favorite is the house dressing; which is created on site and poured into recycled ketchup bottles to enjoy with salads. However. I discovered the house secret.

Order a large plain pizza.

Pour house dressing on top of the pizza.

Mangia.

Seriously, it's awesome. And you can't knock it till you try it. Do it.

14 East Main St.

Freehold NJ 07728

And if you don't want to be seen in public eating pizza with dressing (even though everyone does it there), they have a to-go window in the back by the parking lot (just ask for dressing to go... chicken!)

Oh yea, and while you're at it you'll want to order the apple crisp a la mode or the cannoli for dessert, so yummm :)

Baci e abbracci!