Restaurant Review: Nitrolado's Latest Location Adds Awesome Food to the Menu!

Sasaki Time was invited to a media preview of the new Nitrolado in Westminster. Already known for their amazing nitro ice cream, signature churro bowls and crafted beverages, this latest location adds a large selection of small bites! With the addition of great indoor and outdoor seating areas, you have a perfect place for a meal and dessert!

Their are comfortable seating areas to make it feel like your new home away from home!

Not only could I not wait to have their nitro ice cream again, I was most interested in trying their new small bites menu! We started with the Honey Butter Sweet Potato Chips! The browned butter, California honey, sea salt and cracked pepper added to the crisp sweet potato chips and the perfect way to start!

We then got the Pho King Fries, be careful how you say that! But you get brisket, gravy, cheese, fresh herbs and house sauce over fresh fresh fries that combine to taste like a bowl of pho! Absolutely amazing and a new favorite!

Mighty Mug Review: The Mug That Won't Spill!

Have you heard of Mighty Mug and their claim? They claim that this is the mug that will not fall over. Imagine typing away on your laptop and you reach over to grab something and then you knock over your coffee! The coffee spills on your laptop and goodbye laptop! But, if you had your coffee in a Mighty Mug, you would knock the Mighty Mug and it wouldn't tip over! Check out my video below and see if their claim holds true!



If you are now a believer in Mighty Mug like I am here is a link to purchase one for your very own and plus it helps me as well!

Amazon: Mighty Mug

Disclaimer: Thank you to Mighty Mug for the free samples! The review is strictly my own opinion!

Horchateria in Paramount Is A Horchata Lovers Dream Come True!

As a huge horchata fan, my friend Cesar brought me to Horchateria in Paramount, California!

They have a simple menu but you will still have a difficult time trying to figure out what you want to have! You can choose from horchata (either regular or vegan), you can get churros or turn them into a churro sundae complete with horchata ice cream! There is aquas fescas, coffee, horchata iced coffee, concha ice cream sandwiches, and even frappes!

It was such a hot day that I went with the horchata iced coffee! Look at this beauty! The smooth iced coffee combined with the creamy horchata is a perfect pairing! You are never going to look at flavored iced coffee the same way ever again! Even as I write this, I want an X-Large Horchata Iced Coffee right now!

But saving the best for last, the concha ice cream sandwich! The Mexican sweet bread is the perfect compliment to the horchata ice cream! The softness of the sweet bread and the fact that the sweet bread is not overly sweet is perfect for an ice cream sandwich. Cookies are too tough and donuts are just too sweet for an ice cream sandwich. This is the perfect marriage of sweet bread, ice cream and then combined with walnuts and drizzled with cajeta! You will wonder why no one has come up with this before!

Super friendly staff also makes you feel right at home! So bring a few friends and try a little bit of everything!

Horchateria Rio Luna Address:

15729 Downey Avenue

Paramount, CA

Facebook:

Horchateria

Portola Coffee Labs - Theorem Celebrates OctoberFest with Beer Styled Coffee Drinks!

Theorem, the walk-up bar that is part of Portola Coffee Lab, continues to push the envelope of what coffee is and what coffee can be. The menu offering for October 2015 is no exception as the baristas have chosen to create beer styled coffee drinks! The drinks are non-alcoholic but take on the flavors of the beers they are named after!

A flight is $15 and you get to try all four drinks. Take a look at the colors on the flight! It looks like actual beer! But how would it taste?

First up is the Pilsner. The biscuit malt notes gave it a floury taste but it was still nice and refreshing.

The IPA had really nice citrus notes! Easily a favorite of mine!

Next up was the Stout, which I thought was going to be my favorite but it proved to be a little too gritty for me.

My favorite was the Sour. This completely surprised me since I am not a sour beer fan at all. The blueberry and lime combined perfectly and is based off an actual beer in the area.

The entire experience was quite enjoyable and I cannot wait to try some of these coffee drinks again before the month is over!

Portola Coffee Lab

The OC Mart Mix
3313 Hyland Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(949) 284-0596

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Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland with this fantastic Starbucks Mug and a $20 Starbucks Gift Card!

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Restaurant Review: Donut Bar in Fountain Valley! The Best Donuts in the OC?

As many of you know, I LOVE donuts! I am always looking for the next great donut place! This is the Donut Bar in Fountain Valley! Check out the donuts above! They make everything in house! Everything is made fresh daily! The donut options also change from a day to day basis! Luckily their Facebook page shows you the donuts they will have the next day! And when they sell out, they are done for the day!

The donuts above and starting with those at the top are two kinds of red velvet donuts! One is a red velvet cake donut and the other is red velvet glazed donut! Then a strawberry split and their gluten-free donut of the day a banana caramel donut. The bottom one is a salted caramel donut! All are amazing! None of the donuts are heavy. They are all light and fluffy. They offer a different gluten-free donut every day unlike some places that only offer them once a week.

In the next box we have a fresh blueberry donut to the upper left and a creme brulee donut right below that. The giant donut is a raspberry pistachio donut! All were so good and fresh! All these donuts were also light and fluffy! You are going to be hard pressed to just pick one or two donuts!

The bottom box here has a maple bacon bar, a mud pie donut, the cherry in the middle is the root beer float donut (yes it really does taste like a root beer float), and the last one is the amazing bourbon maple donut! The glaze is maple bourbon and you will taste the bourbon! Oh yes, you will taste the bourbon! They should almost card you before they sell you one!

The Donut Bar also carries some great drinks to wash down those donuts with! Check out the Stumptown coffee I have here! One of the best coffee places provides coffee to accompany these amazing donuts!

Check out the drink list! Do you see what I see? That's right milk on tap! You know I am going to have to try some of that!

Delicious chocolate milk is on tap! So is the strawberry milk that they mix milk with strawberries in house! If you ask you can get a Neapolitan milk like the one you see in the above photo!

They also have this massive chalk board where you can write down suggestions for new donuts or simply tell the Donut Bar how awesome they are!

Amazingly fresh donuts with fantastic flavors and great coffee and milk! Plus, awesome employees make this the best donut place in the entire OC! Get there early as they have limited hours! Also, on the weekends they have special donuts for kids. One donut per child and adults can buy these fun cartoon character donuts!

• Donut Bar
• 18011 Newhope St.
• Fountain Valley, California 92708

Hours	Mon - Fri: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm Sat - Sun: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

The Pie Hole - Must Have The Earl Grey Tea Pie!

Thank you Kristen for the use of your awesome photo!

Time to venture out of the OC area for another review in the Los Angeles area! Thanks to my friend Erin who told me about this wonderful spot in Los Angeles for coffee and Earl Grey Tea Pie! that's right - you heard correct - Earl Grey Tea Pie! Let that sink in for awhile! Ok ready to take a look at this masterpiece? Here we go...

The prize is on the right there but as many of you know I know apple and that apple double crust will be on my come back to try list!

Here she is - the Earl Grey Tea Pie in all of it's glory! It looks so light and delicate! I cannot wait to sink into it!

First bite - rich, creamy, dreamy. Just so light and delicious. The Early Grey Tea is mixed into the cream and the flavor of the tea is very subtle.

Pair the slice of pie with a regular cup of coffee. Anything more and it will be too much of an overload of richness and sweetness in your mouth. The pie needs to be experienced on it's own flavor palette so the straight up black cup of drip coffee is perfect. Next time though I will pair it with a cup of Early Grey Tea. Perhaps too much of a good thing? We shall find out on my next visit!

The Pie Hole

Arts District

714 Traction Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013

888-657-0586

Starbucks Hacks: Cotton Candy Frappucino!

Here is yet another Starbucks hack! Make this tasty Cotton Candy Frappucino!

Recipe:

1. Order a vanilla bean Frappuccino

2. Ask for a pump or two of raspberry syrup

Yes, it really is that easy! Drink and enjoy! If you don't want it to be super sweet then only ask for one pump of raspberry syrup!

Restaurant Review: Bruxie Coffee Tasting for The Bold Blend!

Lil Oishi and I went to the Costa Mesa location of Bruxie to try their new custom crafted coffee, The Bold Blend! Would it be Bold enough to stand up to the Bruxie name? Well, we were here to find out!

The coffee blend is the brainchild of Bruxie partners Dean Simor and Kelly Mullarney. They set out to create a coffee that could stand up and compliment the menu. They found a local roaster who blended their 100% fair trade coffee beans. The blend is made up of the four origin coffee beans of Sumatra, Brazil, Ethipoia and Costa Rica.  

Taking my first sip of The Bold Blend and I instantly tasted the boldness of the flavors. A rich, robust coffee with a smooth finish. I love strong coffee and immediately needed more.

Lil Oishi and I shared the first cup of coffee with an egg and sausage breakfast waffle. The strong flavors of the coffee blended perfectly with this waffle sandwich.

I also got to pair the coffee with Bruxie's prosciutto and gruyere as well as their smoked salmon lox and dill cream cheese. The strong flavors in both of these waffles once again paired perfectly with the equally strong flavor of the coffee.

As I stood here with both Dean and Kelly, I found it hard to believe that I was there on opening day of their first Bruxie location in Orange in November of 2010. That was pretty much my first food review! How far everyone has come since then!

Even my review vehicle, a 2014 Kia Optima needed some coffee!

Come and try this fantastic coffee blend for yourself with a waffle or two! I cannot wait to be back for more!

Follow Bruxie on Facebook and Twitter for updates on specials and promotions.

Bruxie has the following locations in Southern California:

• Orange – Old Towne
• Brea – Downtown at Birch Street Promenade
• Chino Hills – The Shoppes at Chino Hills
• Huntington Beach – The Strand on 5^th
• Irvine – Heritage Plaza Center
• Costa Mesa – 17^th Street

For more information on Bruxie, including menus, locations, directions, and hours visit their website at www.bruxie.com.

Amaretto Coffee Recipe!

Ingredients:

8 ounces hot coffee (freshly brewed on the stronger side)
1 tablespoon Amaretto (or more to taste)
whipped cream
toasted slivered almonds



Directions:

1 Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur into a cup of strong coffee.


2 Top with whipped cream and garnish with the toasted almond.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/amaretto-coffee-264982

Giveaway: Keurig K65 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System

Another chance to win an awesome Keurig K65 system!
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Coffee Ice Cream Pie Recipe!

 

Makes 8 servings

 

Ingredients:

2 (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate squares
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 pint coffee ice cream, softened
1 (8 inch) chocolate crumb crusts
1 (8 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1 Melt chocolate and butter.
 

2 Stir in milk and sugar.
 

3 Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
 

4 Cook and stir until thickened.
 

5 Remove from the heat and cool completely.
 

6 Spoon ice cream into crust.
 

7 Stir sauce and spread over ice cream.
 

8 Top with whipped topping and sprinkle with pecans.
 

9 Freeze until firm.
 

10 Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

Source: http://baking.food.com/recipe/coffee-ice-cream-pie-324757

Spiced Rum Breakfast Coffee Recipe!

 

Makes 10 cups

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup ground coffee
1 cinnamon stick
3 cardamom seeds, in posds that have been broken open
1 teaspoon rum extract
10 cups water
milk, to taste
sugar or artificial sweetener, to taste

Directions:

1 In basket of drip coffee make place coffee grounds, cinnamon stick, and the 3 cardamom seed pods broken open.
 

2 Add 10 cups of water and brew.
 

3 When done brewing add 1 teaspoon Rum extract to brewed coffee.
 

4 Serve. Can add milk and sweetener if you like.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/spiced-rum-breakfast-coffee-444697

Coffee Milkshake Recipe!

Makes 1 milkshake

Ingredients:

2 ounces strong coffee, chilled
4 ounces cold milk
4 scoops starbucks italian roast coffee ice cream

Directions:

1 To make double strength coffee, measure 1 2/3 cups of Starbucks coarsely ground coffee into a 12-cup coffee press.

2 Add water that has just come to a boil.

3 Allow to brew 4 minutes, then push plunger down.

4 Pour into an ice-filled pitcher.

5 Combine coffee, milk and ice cream in a blender and blend until smooth.

6 Makes 1 serving.

7 (Rachael Ray and Paula Deen both add sugar to their shakes, and I've started adding at least one packet of Splenda to mine. Just makes them so much better).

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/coffee-milkshake-96575

Ice Cream Soda Recipes: Coffee Ice Cream Soda

 

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients:

3 cups strong coffee, chilled
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup half-and-half cream
4 scoops coffee ice cream
3/4 cup club soda
whipped cream, for top

Directions:

1 Mix coffee, sugar and half & half.
 

2 Fill 4 tall glasses about halfway.
 

3 Add 1 scoop of ice cream to each, then fill up with club soda.
 

4 Top with whipped cream.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/coffee-ice-cream-soda-130341

Cafe Chocolate Strawberry Frappe Recipe!

 

 Ingredients:

1 cup french roast strong coffee, brewed but cold
3 scoops strawberry ice cream
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup ice cube
ripe strawberry (optional)
whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

1 In blender combine ice cream, chocolate syrup and sugar.
 

2 Pulse just to blend.
 

3 Add the coffee and ice cubes and blend at high speed until ice is crushed fine and ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
 

4 Pour into glasses.
 

5 Optional garnish:.
 

6 Top with dollop of whipped cream and a fresh strawberry .

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/cafe-chocolate-strawberry-frappe-206510