When It's OK To Stuff Your Face

I love food. Of course you already know that, but seriously, I'm not picky at all and I'm not afraid to try different cuisines. Blue cheese, cucumbers, and kiwis are the only three foods that I can honestly say I don't like. So when my friend told me about this place called Veselka, I was curious to try Ukrainian food. It was a very spontaneous decision that we made around 3 am after Salsa dancing. We were looking for a 24-hour breakfast place and we couldn't have picked a better place than Veselka. The place was packed! It's obviously very popular, even at 3 am. I took this picture of the wall because it encouraged me to stuff my face.

While some people were gorging down the Ukrainian Meatball Hero sandwich, with mushroom gravy and sauerkraut on a challah bagel, and the Baczynski, which is polish ham with Ukrainian salami, podlaski cheese, and pickled vegetable relish on potato bread, I settled on pancakes. The pancakes are made from scratch! So, because of my love for Jack Johnson, I ordered banana pancakes. If you haven't noticed, breakfast food is my favorite and these pancakes were sooo good. They also have Ukrainian-style crepes called blintzes and buttermilk waffles made from scratch. And challah french toast! Yummmm! And of course, how could I forget oatmeal? Old-fashioned and slow cooked with milk. I have yet to try it but when I go back I'll order oatmeal with a warm mixed berry compote or a crunchy vanilla topping for $6.50. Breakfast food isn't all, however. Homemade soups, such as the Ukrainian borscht, and sandwiches among other specials are offered. Everything on the menu is so tempting that you're not going to be able to make up your mind. Oh and burgers! They have a traditional lamb & feta burger and appetizing Ukrainian specials like grilled kielbasa, goulash, beef stroganoff. I definitely have to go back. Comment on this and we'll go together! Either way, promise me you will go to Veselka. Traditional Ukranian soul food in the East Village, 144 Second Ave at the corner of 9th street. Grab your coat, gloves, a hat and go!

What's A Knish?

Last semester I took a class called Finding NYC where one of my assignments was to go to a NYC food place that contains a lot of history. So on 137 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side, a small place called The Original Yonah Schimmel Knishery exists and has been there since 1910. This small, cozy place only has seven tables and smells like freshly baked dough and potatoes. Yum!  Yet, do you know what a knish even is? Because I had no idea before I went and I had never tried a knish until I visited this knishery, but let me just tell you, there probably isn't a better place to try your first knish. Yonah Schimmel's offers all different kinds of knishes, including blueberry with cheese, apple strudel, and even cabbage. However, the difficult decision is whether to order a sweet knish, like a dessert, or a salty one, like the more original knishes. The menu explains that a knish is a snack food from Eastern Europe that was made popular in North America by Jewish immigrants. A knish is baked, never fried (healthy!) and it contains the filling of your choice. Oh and Yonah Schimmel’s is the oldest Knishery in America! Isn't that interesting? The menu also taught me that most traditional knishes have fillings made of mashed potato, onions, kasha, or cheese. Yonah Schimmel's menu includes all these options, in addition to more modern knishes made with sweet potato, fruit, broccoli, spinach, and jalapeño fillings. One knish is less than $5! The menu even has the recipe for how to make your own knish at home! I'm not going to tell you the recipe, however, because I encourage you to visit Yonah's Schimmery, try a knish, fall in love with it, and then write down the recipe yourself.

I finally decided on the spinach knish. On the walls, pictures and newspaper articles hang and have headings that say, “Lucky City Dwellers Know Their Knishes” and “New Twists on the Knish Tradition” and “A Knish Giant Celebrates 100 Years.” Obviously, the public adores this knish place and it has a great reputation. So go! See for yourself! People also sent the knishery postcards that are also on the walls and say, “Best Knish Ever” and “The knishes are AMAZING”. Praise the knish!

The last thing I noticed during my visit was especially remarkable. At the end of each of the tables lies a journal that says  “Memories in Yonah Schimmel Knishery” on the cover. I flipped through it and read entries in English, French, Spanish, and even Swedish. Ok I couldn't exactly understand the  entries in Swedish, but I can tell you that people from all over the world visit this place. One of the entries from 2009 says that he (the person who wrote the entry) started coming to the Yonah Schimmel Knishery in 1980 and loves it just as much every time he returns now. The journal is completely filled up with comments, but I managed to squeeze in a little comment at the end and I wrote, “Just had my first knish and it was delicious! Thank you, I will be back!” and signed my name. I'm telling you, go visit The Original Yonah Schimmel Knishery. I promise, if you like dough and fillings and just food in general (which you should because if not why are you on my blog?) you will enjoy a knish. I know that I will go again to try perhaps the sweet potato or maybe the blueberry cheese knish. And just remember, in the words of the knishery itself:

P.S: I forgot to take pictures while I was there (I know, how could I?!) so the picture of the spinach knish is from Google so don't give me credit for it. Don't worry, next time I'll take a picture myself ;)

P.P.S: I saw some people eating the knish with mustard on it. I guess that's common. Well, I'm not a very big mustard fan but if you are, go for it!

Why Everyone Should Love Oatmeal

Who likes oatmeal? Well, let me just tell you, you probably don't like it as much as I do. Seriously, I have a problem. I am an oatmeal FANATIC. This place on 120 West 3rd Street in between Macdougal and 6th Avenue is called OatMeals. It is also called The Best Place Ever. Now, mind you, I have tried oatmeal many different ways and at many different places, including Gronsky's Milk House in High Bridge, NJ which I recommend for breakfast if you're ever near the area, but never have I seen a menu with so many unique toppings and combinations for oatmeal. OatMeals' menu ranges from the classic oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon to oatmeal with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto. I have been a few times and I tried the Pumpkin Pie oatmeal from the Hot & Bothered menu, the Salted Caramel Apple oatmeal from The Happy Endings menu and this morning I tried the Quatre Fruits Rouge oatmeal. I honestly can't even pick my favorite because they were all so good. If you're more of a sweets person I highly recommend the Salted Caramel Apple and the Pumpkin Pie or the Dulce de Leche Cheescake (which I have yet to try), but they also make a S'mores and Banana Cream Pie oatmeal! Now if you're feeling healthy and love fruit (like I do) then the Quatre Fruits Rouge is for you. If you're in a salty mood, try the Croque Monsieur which has toppings like diced ham, gruyere cheese, and black pepper, and let me know how it is because I am more of a sweets person.You can also create your own and select from a plethora of toppings.  The prices are extremely reasonable; the most expensive largest size, the Papa Bear, is only $6.75. I think this place is great and if you enjoy oatmeal, definitely try it!

http://oatmealsny.com








P.S: It was this morning that I went with a friend and tried the Quatre Fruits Rouge oatmeal and the social media woman took a picture of us and we ended up on their Facebook page! So go like their Facebook page!

Welcome foodies!

Welcome to food for foodies on a budget! I'm Juana and here is a little bit about myself: I am Argentinian, but originally Italian, French, and Spanish so food is an essential aspect in my culture. I have wayyy too many hobbies. I love sports, languages, science, music, singing, dancing, horse-back riding, running, baking, cooking (obviously) and the list goes on, but one of my greatest loves is FOOD. I am most definitely a foodie. As a college student on a budget who wants to experience all the food wonders that NYC has to offer, I have set out on a mission to discover cheap and delicious cafes, restaurants, ice cream shops, bakeries, markets, and much more! If you have any suggestions of places to visit, please feel free to comment. Just to warn you, I'm not a journalism major and writing has never been my strongpoint, but food is something I am passionate about and I want to share my experiences with you other foodies so that you can visit these places and hopefully enjoy them as much as I know I will. So on that note: bon appétit, buen provecho, buon appetito, and enjoy your meal :)