Give me ALL the Soba

Japan. The Kings of Noodles and fried-stuff. Never eaten so many noodles in my life. But who can honestly blame me?? I'm in Japan and the food is INCREDIBLE here. Seriously. So damn good.

TGIF

If anybody is doing TGIF right, it's me. Just take one look at this photo to realise it.  The Whitsunday Islands blew me away. Such an incredible place. And what was even more incredible was this "Eighth wonder of the world" cocktail. It tasted as good as it sounds.

Unexpected Brunches

Out of ALL of the places on my Queenalsn road trip, Yeppoon out of all places, was not what I thought it would be. Which was a cute town by the sea, with quirky cafes, good coffee and even better food. Blown away. So unexpected. But that's when the best things happen.

My Favourite 5 American Guys

This little franchise has grown into a giant chain in the last few years, and now I know why. Five Guys Burgers have had to be one of my absolute favourite place to eat (2nd to 99c Pizza, and Shake Shack following in 3rd). The cool thing about Five Guys is every single day, they get a fresh batch of potatoes from different states around the country, and they write up where they've come from too. As I'm (unfortunately) allergic to red meat and seafood, I could only eat a few things on their menu- but that seriously didn't stop me.  Especially when they're grilled cheese's were the bomb. Not only that, but with their burgers, you can add as many/whatever topping you so desire (free of charge). And they also have freaking Soda Vending Machines. Yep, you heard me correctly . Cup goes on tray, touch screen tap your drink choice and wa-la , yours to drink. And they don't just  have a "few" flavours of soda in America. They have every damn flavour that you wouldn't even dream about. The Sprite category alone had seven different Sprite flavours, 'Grape', 'Orange', 'Berry', 'Lime', etc, etc. And they're  milkshakes , oh my goodness. I couldn't believe my eyes, of my tastebuds. When I return home, I'm going to seriously  miss this place.

New Kid in Town

I had heard of this place before, but I personally, hadn't planned on visiting it. That was until we found ourselves shopping in one of Orlando's many, many premium outlet malls. After burning a hole in our wallets in Calvin Klein (it was 60/70% off, shh),  we found ourselves at Ben and Jerry's. Although this Ben and Jerry's didn't have the flavours we wanted, so off we went till we stumbled across Godiva. And I have to say, I was so impressed. Okay , not too  impressed by their hefty $6USD price, especially for a soft serve cone ice cream. But the ice cream itself (including the chocolate fudge) was the Bomb.com. Godiva's ice cream is definitely the new kid on the block (Move over Ben and Jerry's).

Starbucks.

Okay, let me just give you a quick run down on Starbucks. They have the best hot chocolate's ever. I'm sure their coffee is great too- as every second New Yorker has a cup in their hand (I wouldn't know personally, as I don't drink coffee). I also know that Starbucks don't have Iced Chocolate's on their menu like they do in Australia. Which surprised me a lot. Fun fact about Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts: everywhere in New York City, you can walk 20 metres in any direction and you'll find one or the other as a store. Never-ending supply of coffee and donuts, hey!

Greek in D.C

There is only so much fast food and sugar that one can eat in America. So when we finally stumbled across 'Roti', in D.C's, Union Station, it was a god-sent. Think Greek Food but with a healthy-twist. It may not look too appealing on the eye, but it tasted incredible. An honourable mention for American food. 

My One True NYC Love

Prepare yourselves.... for a post that raves about nothing, but my favourite food; Pizza. And not "just" pizza. But the best, darn pizza in all of New York City. For only 99c, you can purchase a slice which is equivalent to 1/3 of an Australian Pizza Hut pizza. Or $8, you can get a whole pie (and it comes in a box, so big, that I could hardly carry). And all of their soft drinks are 99c too!

Do you know that phrase, "don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, that phrase should be applied to this place. It looks shabbier than a cardboard box, especially for a fast food restaurant. And it's only cash-only too. But don't let that stop you. Seriously. This is the best freaking pizza I've ever had (and I've been to Europe already). New York City has pizza downpat.

Why do you have so many photos of pizza, Taylah? (You may ask). Probably because it was the one thing that I ate most in America. I spent my very last morning in New York, eating a slice right under the Chrysler Building (my favourite building in NY), as pictured. Could I have asked for anything more? The answer is no.

Homer Simpson Style

This sucker was from Krustyland in Universal Studios', Orlando, FL. For only $4.99, you can buy a "Big Pink", from either Krusty Burger or Lard Lad Donut's. And do not be mistaken, this donut is literally bigger than your head. It take two hands to properly hold it and two people to finish it off (in a struggle). BEST $5 I spent in Orlando. Hands Down.

Disney World. Do I say more?

No, I don't even really think I have to say anymore than that. Disney World is where your inner-child is let loose (and so is your money- bid it farewell right now). I don't think there is a single meal in Disney World that doesn't have sugar in it. My inner-fat kid was in absolute heaven. (Until about three days in to our seven day pass, where we Uber'd to a Wholefoods to have the world's biggest salad... God Bless Whole Foods; but that's a whole other story). And don't worry fellow Starbuckian's (yes, I know- don't judge, just go with it), there is a Starbucks right on Old Road USA, just for you. Their cups are even Disney "themed". Word of advice, Frontier Land has the best Mexican I had in America (eat your heart out Chipotle). And to answer you question, yes, yes most food in Disney World is in some sort of Mickey Mouse shape.

D.C. (Dessert Capital)

Despite being seriously disappointed by D.C as a city, their food still won in my books. Haägen-Daäs Ice Cream was always a winner with us. So much, I think we visited the place two or three times within the one week of staying in the city. And don't get me started on the Zombie Donuts that we tried. Freshly-made on the spot, and you can DESIGN YOUR OWN DONUT. I don't think anybody could be as excited as I was. Because the flavours, toppings and styles were endless (God Bless America... and their food). I will be returning to Sydney, in the cargo of the plane, because of the amount of food I have eaten here, would make me equivalent to over sized baggage.

New York, New York, New Waistline?

Welcome to America, the land of... some of the BEST food that i've EVER had. Especially in NYC. A city that I had only ever dreamed about. Well, it blew the ball out of the ball park. Especially, with their food and their desserts. Oh my god, their desserts. So this blog post is a NYC dessert appreciation post (you can thank me later). So on this trip to the States (after a whirl wind trip across Europe with Contiki Tours), I decided to try places that were sort-of on the map, but sort-of weren't. Places that locals rave about. But, I also wanted to visit and try trivial places in New York, because, heck, why not? I was in America after all.

So first up, we have two sundae's from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, which in 1922, was originally a Fire Boat House, on the Hudson River. Nowadays you'll find locals lined up outside the very building to get some of their freshly-made ice cream (made every single day). And although it was a trek on the subway to get from the Upper West Side all the way to Dumbo, Brooklyn, it was one of the best decisions we made. Cookies n' Cream with Jumbo Party Sprinkles and Chocolate with Chocolate Fudge, do I say more?? (No, I don't, because my mouth is full of ice cream).

Secondly, we visited the infamous Momofuku Milk Bar. Luckily for me, I had one right around the corner on W 87th Street (I was staying on W 86th St). And I can confirm that it is as good as people rave about it to be. Their Crack Pie Apple Pie is literal heaven. And their Cereal Milk Ice-cream, seriously lives up to its name. The Salted-Pretel, not so much (to my bitter disappointment). Although, I was told by my good friend Tara, who was there a week before me that the Crack Pie flavour was through the roof (I had missed this flavour by a day- Boo, you whore).

And lastly, the most trivial but exciting thing to talk about yet, is Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. Located in the Upper East Side. You tap the screen, pick your cake (or cookie, for that matter), swipe your card and beep, boop, buzz, your cupcake comes out and your like a fat kid in a candy store (or, well, cake store). It was pretty, damn exciting (and that's not sarcasm that your reading). IF you ever get the chance to do so, do it .The vanilla cupcake was the bomb.com. Other honourable mentions is Crumbs Cupcakes- much better than Magnolia Bakery cupcakes (sorry, Sex and the City). And also the Beglian Waffles bought from a food cart in Central Park.

I May Be Bias...

But I had the BEST Dining experience of my entire life, at Aqua Dining. From the service, the venue, the VIEW and most importantly, their food and drinks. If you don't visit this restaurant at least once in your life, then you're crazy. I was BLOWN away. Need I say more? P.s. Mojito!

Room Service!

What else are you supposed to do when you wake up on your last day in Sydney, with a view like this? Order room service, DUH! Thank you to the @sydneyharbourmarriott for letting me stay and for being so accommodating. The perfect way to wake up in a city that I call home.

What are Friends For?

They wouldn't be friends if they didn't help you devour ice cream and help me take a photo of them, even in 30C blistering heat. But @gelatissimogelato and @havaianas_au teamed up to create some pretty cool (quite literally, if you pardon the pun) flavour for summer, and they were definitely worth the melting for. Mango, Pineapple Carnival, Hazelnut, Pistachio , Blood Orange and Rio de Brigadeiro... Now this is how you do summer, my friends.

Mojito Appreciation Post

If anybody asks me what type of alcohol I like, I always simply answer, 'cocktail'. Specifically, 'mojito'. And if you saw my previous, raving review about @spicerssangomaretreat, you'll know that they do everything at 100% and more. And their cocktails was nothing to be disappointed by. Because they were but absolute best. I have had mojito's before, but mojito's with Blue Alize?? (Just excuse me for a quick second while I pick my jaw up off the floor...) Because this was as good as it looked. 

Bite Me! Okay.

This one goes out to my favourite, favourite people and staff at @spicersretreats
 at their @spicerssangomaretreat. I have seriously NEVER felt treated more like royalty, than these guys. Their hidden retreats made me feel as though I had struck gold. With modern, contemporary designed cabins that make you feel absolutely relaxed and in bliss, to be served breakfast, lunch and dinner in five-star styled restaurants each night (I genuinely never wanted to leave). Their baked eggs and sourdough toast were winners, but my heart was set on their pancakes with organic maple syrup. And their fresh juice!? Ahhhh! All ingredients from their meals are sourced from local, organic produce- which makes it even better. To see more of my visit at Sangoma, click here. You seriously won't be disappointed.