Big Kid in a Candy Store

An impromptu trip to DUMBO allowed me to stumble upon Dewey's Candy, and it was a magical experience. I feel like the expression "kid in a candy store" is discrimination because adults like candy too. (They are actually those same kids who are just all grown up.) But being in that store did take me on a trip down memory lane through my childhood.

Did anybody else used to pretend that Smarties were "adult pills"? I thought that taking pills (because I had witnessed my grandparents taking medication on a daily basis) was a part of being an adult. So to savor my Smarties (instead of devouring the whole pack in seconds like I usually did) I would pretend they were my pills and would pop one in my mouth every few minutes (probably seconds). The Atomic Fireballs reminded me of the first time I tried one. When I was in either first or second grade, I tried to sneak and eat it during class. The heat was such a shock to my system that I spit it right out onto my notebook. When I tried to wipe it off, I just smeared it into a big red and sticky splotch. (I don't remember if I ended up handing in the assignment like that or if I had to do it over.)

I was honestly overwhelmed (in the best possible way of course) by how many different kinds of candy were in one place. On one wall, there were the old school treats like Push Pops and Pez. Then there was a wall with stuff like gummy bears and sour rings. Of course my favorite wall had chocolate covered everything from pretzels and graham crackers to cookie dough and oreos. There was even a section of specialty colored M & Ms, which had more colors than a rainbow, like teal, maroon, gold, and black. I was so mesmerized as I jumped from one treat to the next that I know I missed half of the goodies there, which means another trip is a must.

It was such a bonus treat to meet Dewey herself, who was such a sweetie pie. I also love that Dewey's supports The Trevor Project, which is raising awareness about and taking a stand against bullying, which is unfortunately also a childhood memory that many have. If being bullied is part of your childhood memory that you'd like to fight back against, you an easily do so by buying a Dewey's t-shirt.

It's funny how all of this happened to happen on the way to reBar, where I had a pretty amazing burger and oh-so-cheesy gouda mac and cheese.

Dine In Brooklyn: DUMBO

So I finally made it to DUMBO, and I love it there! As seen in the photo, the area allows amazing and unique views of the Brooklyn Bridge. DUMBO, which is actually an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a neighborhood in Brooklyn that I think is a hidden treasure.

Thanks to Dine In Brooklyn 2011, a few friends and I had the opportunity to enjoy a 3 course dinner at Water Street Restaurant for only $25. It feels like an old tavern, but the menu offers mouth watering southern cuisine, which I didn't expect but I must say was a pleasant surprise.

Going with the theme of embracing the Brooklyn experience, I stepped out of my comfort zone and went for Six Points Sweet Action, a local beer. I won't say that I loved it. Beer is certainly an acquired taste that I'm working on getting my palette accustomed to.

I love that Water Street Restaurant offered their normal menu, unlike other restaurants that offer special menus of items that are not available beyond the restaurant week, which I always thought was weird. If I fall in love with a dish I can't go back and get it again because it's not on the regular menu. But I digress. I started with the Crawfish Poppers, which I absolutely loved. For the entree, I couldn't resist the Catfish in a Quilt (of bacon!) lying comfortably over a bed of black-eyed peas, cabbage and corn. Although I don't usually like sweet/savory combinations, I really loved the spicy pineapple glaze it was topped with. For dessert, I went with the dark chocolate and peanut butter brownie, which honestly wasn't my favorite. The texture of the brownie reminded me of a flourless cake or a vegan dessert. I liked the peanut butter but could live without trying it again.

Even though I'm not a big fan of pie, I would like to try the key lime pie because it seemed to be a popular item among the guests around us. Also on my To Try List are the crab cakes and DUMBO gumbo. I'd also like to try Big B's Deep Fried Deviled Eggs, which Big B himself (also known as General Manager Brian) proudly recommended as his personal contribution to the menu. Brian and the rest of the staff were very attentive, and the entire restaurant had a very comfortable and familiar vibe.

I would highly recommend Water Street Restaurant , and would even go as far as to offer to accompany anyone interested in checking it out (not just to satisfy my own yearnings). There is still time to take advantage of Dine In Brooklyn, whether it's at Water Street Restaurant or one of the other participating Brooklyn restaurants (until March 31).

I'd definitely love to become more familiar with the DUMBO area. The famous Ignazio's Pizza, River Cafe, and Dewey's Candy shop are my first stops.

Gotta Love NY: Brooklyn Bridge

As I mentioned in my post about my Summer To Do List, I am wasting no time in kicking off my summer activities. Today was way to beautiful to not seize the opportunity to start the summer fun. A solo journey into Manhattan proved to be a rewarding one.

In my short sleeve shirt, I leisurely walked several Manhattan blocks, simply taking in the warmth of the sun that my body has been craving and has been deprived of for so long. In the spirit of starting my summer, I accomplished one thing on my Summer To Do List: I bought an I (heart) NY t-shirt. I have lived in NY for most of my life (minus the four years I spent in Atlanta for school), and I have never owned one of these shirts. 1. Because they are primarily geared towards tourists, but if anyone loves NY, it's the natives. 2. They've always been huge t-shirts that you wear to sleep (maybe I did have one of those when I was younger). But now that they have cuter and more fashionable ones, I felt it only right that I have one of my own. I stuck with a classic white, but I may add a few more to my collection before the end of the summer. I don't have a picture of it to show off, but it will certainly show up in a number of my pictures throughout the summer.

Another one of my accomplishments involved some photo fun on the Brooklyn Bridge. After tackling the Brooklyn Bridge last summer, I can now walk across it with a feeling of triumph. What I love about the bridge is that it seems to bring together more than just two boroughs. Man, woman, child, biker, runner, nun, boy scout, cars driving by, helicopters flying over, and boats sailing under, all of this I witnessed while there. The bridge is a form exercise for some, a means of transport for others. It can be romantic, relaxing, educational, fun. All of that hidden in this huge structure that so many New Yorkers have yet to experience for themselves.

Even though the day was uneventful in some sense, it was exactly what I needed to kick off my summer. Stay tuned because I will be sharing my many adventures...and there will be many!

What do you have planned for the summer? Have you ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge?

Photo courtesy of yours truly. I'm stepping up my photography game.

Mmmm...my Mexican Burger

Can I just tell you all about the amazing burger that I enjoyed the other day? This burger known as a “Mexican Burger” at Purity Diner comes loaded with cheese, chili and jalapenos, and that is EXACTLY how I love to build my burger at other places. Cooked medium well, topped with lettuce and tomato and served with steak fries, this simple treat made my day.

Purity Diner happens to be on 7^th Avenue in Park Slope, where I had the pleasure of taking part in Buy in Brooklyn, where numerous businesses along the street offered free tastings from their menu. My partner in crime (who was lucky enough to live on the street) and I happily and hungrily jumped from door to door and joined each line without even knowing exactly what was awaiting at the end. (Oh how I miss those summer nights.) Please forgive me for not remembering the names of the places, but I vividly remember a DEE-licious dish at a Mexican restaurant with chicken and jalapenos, a chocolate cake and a super tasty mini-burger. With a few of my other favorites along 7^th Avenue: Dashing Diva and Five Guys, that area holds a special place in my heart. It is my hope that one day we’ll be reunited and build a long term relationship. I already feel so at home there that it only seems right.