{i scream, you scream}

in

...we all scream for ice cream, especially in this hot and humid weather. Fortunately for me and Christina, the weather had started to cool off for our little Brooklyn excursion.

I always love coming into the city earlier than the meeting time because it gives me time to explore nearby gems and grab a quick refresher. My destination, Smith Canteen, is cafe that boasts delicious sandwiches, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to try them this time around. I grabbed a nitro cold brew, a chocolate croissant, and DuJour magazine to pass the time. By the way, if you haven't read this article about John Legend and Chrissy Teigan, you should. I didn't think I could love them any more than I already do (#lifegoals, #couplegoals).

 {Afternoon light & shadows.} 

 {Afternoon light & shadows.} 

 {Counter Culture coffee.} 

 {Counter Culture coffee.} 

 {Chrissy Teigan, my kweeeen.} 

 {Chrissy Teigan, my kweeeen.} 

I have four words for you: ice cream cone flight. Milkmade Tasting Room, originally an ice cream delivery service, opened its brick and mortar store this year and offers eclectic flavors that you've probably never had before. To get the full tasting experience, we (obviously) went for the mini-cone flight to sample just 5 of the 8 flavors that were available. After many photos and melted scoops, we dug in. The cones are specially made from Konery (link) and were a delicious addition to the ice cream. I personally didn't have a particular favorite from our picks, but I can't wait to go back and try more of Diana Hardeman's ice cream concoctions.

{Read Christina's more in-depth post here.} 

 {Cute door sign.} 

 {Cute door sign.} 

 {Pre-melting scoops.} 

 {Pre-melting scoops.} 

 {Had to get some photos against this wall, ofc.} 

 {Had to get some photos against this wall, ofc.} 

 {Hello pretty lady!} 

 {Hello pretty lady!} 

After reading some rave reviews of Nightingale 9, we decided to check it out after our cone flight. I mean, dessert before dinner is always better, amirite? Unfortunately, the pho didn't meet my expectations, and the heaping amounts of tiny, chopped cilantro pieces didn't help my taste buds (can't stand the taste of cilantro because it tastes like soap to me). One interesting thing they had on their menu was the pho butter, condensed pho broth mixed in with butter. It was an interesting yet tasty mixture of two things you never thought could work together. I still prefer my favorite spot, Saigon Shack, for my pho fix. If you haven't already visited, you should. NOW!

 {After I scooped most of the cilantro out.} 

 {After I scooped most of the cilantro out.} 

 {I can't believe it's pho butter.} 

 {I can't believe it's pho butter.} 

 {I spy a piggy.} 

 {I spy a piggy.} 

I had tried Ample Hills Creamery once before at Gotham West Market, but I was excited to visit their brick and mortar store in Brooklyn for the first time. From the many, MANY flavors they had, I chose the Sweet as Honey and The Dude as my two flavors. For a small cup, they gave hefty portions. Not complaining, though I couldn't finish my cup of goodness. We wandered upstairs and discovered a cute seating area complete with hanging globe lights and a view of a beautiful sunset.

 {Same Sweet as Honey on top, but different bottom flavors. #samesame #butdifferent} 

 {Same Sweet as Honey on top, but different bottom flavors. #samesame #butdifferent} 

 {Gotta get that hand action.} 

 {Gotta get that hand action.} 

 {Old friends catching up over ice cream.} 

 {Old friends catching up over ice cream.} 

Of course, we couldn't end our ice cream tour just yet, so we visited Ice & Vice, one of the best new ice cream shops to open up in town. The flavor concoctions are given enticing names like Milk Money and Shade, but we were intrigued by Mahjong, a 21+ sorbet with Jasmine tea leaf, white peach, and peach lambic. It was refreshing and delicious, perfect for the humidity. I'm not sure if the flavor will reappear on the menu, but make sure to head down and try the new flavors for FRUIT WEEK!

 {Best new ice cream to come to NYC.} 

 {Best new ice cream to come to NYC.} 

I'm so happy to have bonded so closely with Christina through our food adventures as of late. We've been friends since middle school, but only recently did I have my first date with her over some Turkish food. 2015 is slowly but surely coming to an end, and I'm thankful for these refreshing moments of friendship that have brought me so much closer to my New Years resolution. Cheers to Ms. Philport's class and heaping scoops of ice cream!

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{2015 august playlist}

in

August is whizzing by so quickly. For the first time in a while, I feel happy. Genuine happiness. It's hard to pinpoint where it's coming from, but I can truly say that I'm chasing the right things now and making my dreams a reality. Kind of. One step at a time!

Working on a new project that will hopefully kick off this week, so stay tuned for an update about that! For now, enjoy this month's playlist. I'll continue to add tracks as the month goes on. Billie Black has been on my radar ever since I heard her song I Don't Need Another Lover. The first track of my playlist is from her new EP, which is filled with songs produced by some of my favorites, Sam Gellaitry and Mura Masa.

{black tree nyc}

in ,

The last time the three of us were together was when we gathered to cook and take photos for Chick-N-Bap. It was nice to get together again with two of my good friends, Sung and Sally, for dinner at Black Tree, which has been on my to-do list for a little while now.

Black Tree is a farm-to-table joint, which means their ingredients are 100% locally sourced within a 300 mile radius. This means their menu is constantly changing, which means you probably won't see the same menu items from now in just a few weeks, come September. For the summer months, the theme is vegetables, to which my heart sank. However, coming out of this meal, I felt like I could have done without the meat and gone for more veggies. Like another Summer Mushroom sandwich, hnng.

{Deviled duck eggs.}

{Deviled duck eggs.}

{Burrrrrrata.}

{Burrrrrrata.}

{A+ appetizers.}

{A+ appetizers.}

This was also my first time trying burrata, and it did not disappoint. It was creamy and created the perfect bite when paired with the warm, buttery bread. It was instantly devoured alongside the deviled eggs, which were interesting to say the least.

{Sung spreads burrata 1.}

{Sung spreads burrata 1.}

{Sung spreads burrata 2.}

{Sung spreads burrata 2.}

{Sung spreads burrata 3.}

{Sung spreads burrata 3.}

Ohhhhh yeahhhhhhhh. Look at that spinning burrata deliciousness.

{Sandwiches & beers. Top to bottom: Summer Mushroom, Heirloom Pig, Short Rib.}

{Sandwiches & beers. Top to bottom: Summer Mushroom, Heirloom Pig, Short Rib.}

{Short Rib.}

{Short Rib.}

{Oink.}

{Oink.}

{Summer Mushroom has my heart.}

{Summer Mushroom has my heart.}

Sandwiches on sandwiches. Dare I say we were feeling a little ambitious with two appetizers and three sandwiches? Everything was devoured in an instant—we are all true fatties at heart. We all agreed that the best of the three sandwiches was the Summer Mushroom, which consists of portobello and crimini mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, cream cheese, and arugula pesto. The meat wasn't missed, which says a lot for me because I need to have at least a piece of chicken in anything I eat. The short rib sandwich fell flat for me because it seemed to get a bit dry towards the end. Highly recommend veggie (and meat) lovers alike to try the summer menu before it's too late! You have until labor day. Go.

___________edit*

As of yesterday, Black Tree has added fish to the menu until August 19th*! Dishes like Clam Bao, Blue Fish Tacos, and Wha' She Order (fish filet, if you didn't know) are now available. Check out the rest of the menu items here. Who knows what else will show up? Only time will tell...

Black Tree
131 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002

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