Yogurberry

Dad Says:
I love yogurt and even better, frozen yogurt. In my journeys around the city I kept walking past a new place called Yogurberry and decided to try it now that my food buddy (the hungry daughter) was at work with me. Her choices were Mr. Softie Ice Cream or Yogurberry; she opted for the healthier choice which was great…how healthy you ask? Well yogurt by itself is very healthy but this place has got some 0g of fat frozen yogurt that is creamy-delicious! It only has 4g of sugar and 25 calories…am I a low fat-fiend, not necessarily, but delicious healthy food is a bonus on any given day. I had a plain yogurt with toppings on it and the yogurt was so tangy and fresh tasting I wanted to order another one...self control advised against it and won for a change as it was very filling. There were a good amount of toppings to choose from (fruit and nuts to stay on the healthy side and Oreo’s, chocolate chips and Captain Crunch cereal if you feel like adding some yummy calories to the yogurt). Let’s see what the girl has to say….
Website: http://www.yogurberry.com/usa/
Menu: 3 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service 5 out of 5 (1 worker but there were no crowds)
Price: 3 out of 5

Gia Says:
Yogurt rules!.......Today I went to work with Dad and after lunch I wanted Mr. Softy, but he suggested Yogurberry, that’s right you heard me “Yogurberry”…no T in that name….I had peach flavored yougurt with mango and coconut that was really really good. I want to go back next time I come to work with Dad. Like I siad Yougurt rules!!
Menu: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service 5 out of 5
Price: see Dad’s comments

Babycakes-NYC

Dad Says:
When it comes to deserts the norm would be “waist expanding” goodness…true enough. But in our travels we stumbled upon a bakery that actually makes Gluten Free confections that are not little chubby-bombs but are actually healthier for you and to boot we think they taste better; the bakery is called Babycakes-NYC. Usually GF products are not very good; they are dry, flavorless and break apart like cardboard. This bakery though got it right! We go there for cupcakes that are Gluten, Soy, Egg, Casein, Dairy and Nut FREE, but they have many other delicious desert items that are just as good. Not only are the items delicious but the staff there is beyond helpful and knowledgeable. If you have ANY kind of food allergies or intolerance's this is the place for you…they are there to listen to you! No more depriving yourself of that little treat after dinner…work hard, eat cupcakes! …lets see what Gia says.
Website: http://babycakesnyc.com/
Menu: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service 5 out of 5 (if I could give them a 10 I would)
Price: 4 out of 5

Gia Says:
We love cupcakes! We found a bakery called Babycakes-NYC. They make gluten free cup cakes, which you would think are not as good as regular cupcakes. But you would be surprised to find out that they are actually tastier than regular cupcakes….and are healthier for you too.
Menu 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of five (we love their cupcakes)
Service: 5 out of 5
Prince: see Dad’s comments

Mashed Cauliflower

A recipe from our upcoming book – “Loving Food Again: Delicious Recipes for Food Allergy and Intolerance Sufferers”:
Dad Says:
Who says kids don’t like to eat their veggies!?...well, OK most kids don’t. But sometimes if you have a few tricks up your sleeve you can convince them to at least try it, the outcome may surprise you. We make Mashed Cauliflower on regular basis. Not only does Gia love it but it is an easy leftover for me to take to work. Mashed Cauliflower is a great side dish when you want to skip the mashed potatoes and it is packed with more nutrients. We use cauliflower, garlic, red pepper flakes, pine nuts and olive oil sea salt and pepper….clearly not a lot going on in this recipe but the honest truth is that good food speaks for itself! So think outside the box a little and you may get your kids to eat their veggies. I will have other veggie tips later on (e.g. Spiced Carrot Puree and Mini Pea Pancakes)....lets see what Gia thinks of it....

Gia Says:
Dad makes Mashed Cauliflower which is our own made up recipe and we put red pepper flakes in it. Dad told me if you put the red pepper flakes in when it’s cooking your whole plate has spicy heat in it, but if you put it in when you’re done you only have spicy bites here and there. I think it’s really good and Mashed Cauliflower is one of my favorite side dishes.

The Capital Grill (Philadelphia,PA)

Dad Says:
A Steak House in “The City Of Brotherly Love”; this is a very upscale restaurant for sure, my only issue here was the atmosphere. It had the feel of “old money”, and while I appreciate the fact that the place is in historic Philadelphia, a little more of an updated feel would not be a bad idea in the dinning area. Onto the food…the food was fantastic! The steaks were cooked like I cook them at home and would like to have them cooked everywhere, perfectly! Me, my Wife and my Daughter all had steaks and we all had different cuts, all of which were cooked to our specific preferences the first time!...imagine that, I asked for something medium and I didn’t have to send it back because it came raw…who knew a steak house could do that? My Daughter had Potatoes Au Gratin and I have to say they were like “silky-cheesy love” sliced the thinnest I have ever seen. My Wife and I shared a Cold Fish Platter; every bit of it was as fresh as can be, the lobster portions generous and the oysters were as sweet as the ocean can make them. The topper to this entire event was my side dish of Lobster Mac-n-Cheese which was ridiculously delicious. There were no small shreds of lobster here, just gigantic chunks throughout and the cheese sauce they have on this was beyond decadent. The strangest thing was the trumpet shape of the pasta (which I have never seen before). I could have done without the breadcrumb topping on this dish, but otherwise it had to be the best Mac-n-Cheese I have ever tasted (and I have tasted a lot of them). Quick side note; our server, Matt Snell, was the most pleasant waiter. After spending a great day with the family, to go to a place and to be waited on like a friend is serving you at their house just tops off the day......lets see what Gia has to say.
Menu: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Price: 2 out of 5 (Steak House’s are never cheap)

Gia Says:
Recently we went to Philadelphia to go to the Zoo. Afterwards we went to a restaurant called The Capital Grille. Our waiter who served us was very nice, his name was Matt. I had filet mignon and potatoes au gratin. My steak was great and the potatoes were super delicious (maybe the best I ever had!). I also stole some of my Dad’s Lobster Mac and Cheese which was also excellent (really cheesy). All of the food was great and I would love to go back there again.
Menu: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Price: see Dad’s comments

Bonefish Grill

Dad Says:
Bonefish has a really nice menu with lost of choices. They even have a GF menu (Gluten Free) with loads of choices on it. Out of all the yummy goodness this place has to offer I would have to say the MUST out of the entire menu is an appetizer called “Bang Bang Shrimp”. This concoction is so ridiculously delicious I have to debate every time I go there if I am going to load up on two of them or order one and an entrée…lets see what my Daughter has to say.
Menu: 5 out of 5 (extensive; becasue of their GF Menu)
Food: 5 out of 5
Service: 4.5 out of 5
Price: 5 out of 5 (for seafood place these prices are great)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Gia Says:
When Dad says we are going to Bonefish I always look forward to having Bang Bang Shrimp….they are nice and spicy! I also like that they give you crayons to draw on the table on their paper tablecloths.
Menu: 3 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Price: see Dad's comments