Caracas: Arepa Bar; 291 Grand Street New York, NY 11211 (718) 218-6050

                            Arepa, who?  Arepa, you!  Me?  Couldn't be! Then, who?  YOU!

That's how much fun I had, seriously.  They literally call this sauce the always enigmatic spicy chimi-churri sauce.  Order by number- A20 - La Sureña as if grilled chicken and chorizo, weren't enough, you get avocado slices, and, of course, the sauce!  Yah, amazing.

Tostones Mochimeros Fried Green Plantains topped with Mojito Mayo, a squeeze of lemon and white cheese

$4.50

These were insanely reasonable, satiating, and just, what?! Mojito Mayo!!!! Yes!!!!!! I will have the rest!  I ate them all before I could even take a picture.

But, literally, the cream of the crop was the guac.  I swear there is crack in it.  Or, perhaps that was the sweet delicious Venezuelan Rum they gave me a dollar shot of with my amazingly delicious beer.  What? I am not an alcoholic, I am just food and drink obsessed! 

But, heck, so is Laura, so all is right with the world.  For me, anyway.  Love to Mangia!

Samurai Mama: 205 Grande Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211: ph:718.599.6161

Oh, Mama, don't let me resist this oasis of warm, savory noodles.  This newly openened center for all things traditionally Japanese for comfort, not only houses this opiatic glow of solid natural wood ambiance, but also leaves you with the Japanese version reminiscent of grilled cheese and tomato soup on a cold winter's day. 

You get a sampling of wasabi soy (takes the work out, which is nice), ginger soy, and soy.  Mmmm, girls gotta love options!

The lemongrass iced tea, and the personal pot of Genmai Cha were the perfect companions to our oodles of noodles, both with side of "pickled japanese veggies", and huge chunks of fatty pork, but only tempura and veggie broth, for the vegetarians.  Divine. Can't wait to return when it snows!