Anthony’s CF Pizza, Darien

I tried Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Darien for the first time this past weekend and I really enjoyed it!

They’re known for their wings (didn’t try them on this visit), salads, and their ‘well done’ pizza.  This is great since I usually ask for my pizzas well done anyway!

My friend and I split a family size  ‘Anthony’s Classic Italian Salad” and you can choose mozzarella or gorgonzola cheese – we chose mozzarella.  The salad comes with red onions, tomatoes, hardboiled eggs, chick peas, and olives – with their house dressing.  The cheese was served separately in a small container.  If you like cheese – and I REALLY do – you’ll need to ask for a 2nd container…especially if you order the family size!  We could’ve easily eaten 3 containers worth (again, we’re cheese lovers) but 2 was enough.  All the ingredients were fresh and the dressing was light and not overpowering.  The salad was very good and I would definitely order it again!

Onto the pizza!

We split a large pie – half pepperoni and half prosciutto & onion.  So delicious! The prosciutto was perfectly fresh and the onions were not raw but sauteed and very flavorful.  I have to say I favored the pepperoni though 🙂 Although the crust was very crispy and delicious, the middle of our pizza wasn’t as ‘well done’ as I would’ve liked- but the flavor was there and I won’t be a stickler about it.  I very much enjoyed my pizza and I honestly can’t wait to go back!  I think next time I’ll do a small pepperoni pie – that way it’s guaranteed to be crispy in the middle!

Behold the yumminess below…

Half Pepperoni & Half Prosciutto & Onion

Half Pepperoni & Half Prosciutto & Onion

 

Prosciutto & Onion Slice

Prosciutto & Onion Slice

In addition to their Darien location, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza has locations in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania & Florida.  Definitely check them out if there’s a location near you!

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
319 Post Road, Darien, CT
203-655-2625
 
Sunday – Thursday 11:30 – 10:00
Friday & Saturday 11:30 – 11:00

www.acfp.com

 

Obligatory Shake Shack Post

It’s no secret that Shake Shack is pretty awesome…

My go-to order is a Shack burger with pickles, cheese fries, and the Shack-ago dog.  Although the Smoke Shack burger is competing for my favorite…see below!

After a full meal of cheese fries, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, trying what other people ordered, etc –  I’m usually too full get a shake! I know, I know, I have to step up my game.  BUT I have gotten the ‘Fair Trade’ shake – which is a coffee shake made with 100% certified organic Arabica fair trade beans.  So delicious.  I like to get it with chocolate ice cream 🙂

What’s your favorite shake/ice cream/custard?

PRO MEAL TIP: (If you really love cheese) Ask for cheese on the side. Why? Because who wouldn’t want to dip their fries, cheeseburger, hot dogs, and God knows what else in MORE cheese. They gave me a side of cheese once because they forgot it on my fries, and now I’ll never go back! Enjoy some of my Shake Shack visits below…

 

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Smoke Shack Burger – Cheeseburger topped with applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry peppers, & Shack sauce

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Shack Burgers, Cheese Fries, Shack-ago Dogs

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Shack Burger, Cheese Fries, Shack-ago Dog

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Shack Burger – Cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, Shack sauce (and you gotta add pickles)

 

What’s your go-to Shake Shack combination?

Valencia Luncheria-Food Truck

Soooo I’ve gone to the Valencia food truck in Vet’s Park in Stamford twice in one week because it was just that good!

Last Friday I took a chance and ordered the Cuban sandwich & a Cheeseburger empanada.  I say ‘took a chance’ because there was no description under the Cuban sandwich, but I figured it had to be good for two reasons. 1 being that it was the only sandwich offered, and 2 because I assumed it would be a combo of a meat and a cheese…and I love most meats and most cheeses..soo I mean it couldn’t be terrible….. and MAN was I right in my assumption!

Let’s start with Last Friday’s lunch…

Valencia's Cuban Sandwich & Cheeseburger Empanada

Valencia’s Cuban Sandwich & Cheeseburger Empanada

 

Would you LOOK at that crispy, toasted bun!? The Cuban sandwich consists of roasted pork, tavern ham, proscuitto, swiss cheese, and pickles.  If you’re thinking ‘wow, that’s so much meat’, you’re right. And it’s awesome. It’s a big sandwich for sure – I gave the other half to my Colombian co-worker and she LOVED it.  I originally asked for the beef picadillo empanada, but they were sold out and the (very smart) man suggested I get the cheeseburger empanada – which is the same as the beef picadillo but with mozzarella cheese.  I wasn’t upset with that information and I agreed.  It was just a delicious meat & cheese party in my mouth. The sandwich and empanada hit the spot for sure! I would absolutely get them both again….and I did.

As I said, I went twice in 1 week, so here was today’s choice…

 

Empanada Combo Platter! Cheeseburger & Beef Picadillo Empanada with Rice, Beans, Avocados, and Plantains

Empanada Combo! Cheeseburger & Beef Picadillo Empanada with Rice, Beans, Avocados, & Plantains

 

Ok, so I mean I don’t have to tell you that this was awesome right? I had to get the cheeseburger empanada again and I wanted to compare it with the beef picadillo one, and shockingly (insert sarcasm here) the cheeseburger one was better.  I mean cheese makes ANYTHING better.  The beef one was good too – but I prefer mozz to no mozz, feel me? This combo platter has everything you need, sweet & salty.  Those plantains were done RIGHT. The rice & beans were very good as well, although I couldn’t finish them because I was so full!

Verdict when it comes to the Valencia food truck….DO IT.   I’ve been to their restaurant as well and there’s so much to choose from!

Check their facebook page for their food truck schedule or go to their main spot in Norwalk!

 

Valencia Luncheria – FACEBOOK

Valencia Luncheria – WEBSITE  

Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main Street, Norwalk, CT

Smorgasburg @ Williamsburg

http://www.smorgasburg.com

“Smorgasburg happens in two locations every weekend: Saturdays at East River State Park—Kent Ave. and N. 7 St.—on the Williamsburg waterfront; and Sundays on the DUMBO waterfront at the historic Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Both locations are open from 11am to 6pm, and feature packaged and prepared foods, beverages, and more from purveyors from New York City and across the region, for a total of 75-100 vendors. The markets are always open rain or shine.”

Smorgasburg is by far heaven on earth for people who love food. There are bite sized/full sized eats along with vegan/gluten free options.  A list of the food vendors is on the website.  It’s very overwhelming at first, so it’s a good idea to get there early and get a game plan going.  You really do need a game plan though, especially if you plan on stuffing your face and getting as much food as possible.

I went to the Williamsburg location, which is gorgeous and right on the water at East River State Park.  Get there early.  I went today, Saturday, and got there at about 1pm and the lines were okay.  Most places didn’t have much of a wait, but there were a few places that I WISH I had waited in line for.  But let’s get on to what I did have…

Braised Pork Belly from Bite Size Kitchen

Braised Pork Belly from Bite Size Kitchen

I started off the Smorgasburg visit with these pork belly buns and they were amaaazing.  It came with braised pork belly, cucumbers, scallions, hoisin, and pickled jalapenos.  It definitely had a kick to it! The bun was super doughy and soft and the crunch on the inside from the cucumbers and jalapenos balanced everything out.  I need to try the others!  After the day was done I wanted to go back and get more, but I was at capacity. Look at the menu for Bite Size Kitchen here.

Parmesan Truffle Fries from Home Frite

Parmesan Truffle Fries from Home Frite

A must have! These were insanely fantastic.  It was between these Parmesan Truffle fries or the Bacon Cheddar fries, and these did not disappoint! The fries were crispy and not too oily, and sooo flavorful.  Check out Home Frites here! They’re so good that I almost with I didn’t share it with anyone else. But then I suppose I wouldn’t have been able to try more things. Next up…

Bacon with Maple Glaze from Brooklyn Cured

Maple Bacon Sticks from Landhaus

Bacon lovers only! This was sprinkled with paprika and topped with a maple glaze.  I ate most of it, and it really was delicious, but there was a good amount of fat on there that I just didn’t feel like eating haha.  But nonetheless extremely tasty! Check out Landhaus here!

Dan Dan noodles from Noodle Lane

Dan Dan noodles from Noodle Lane

These noodles were phenomenal.  The dan dan noodles consist of egg noodles with savory sauce, pork, sprouts, scallions, veggies, and chili oil. You can get different degrees of heat such as mild, medium, hot and spicy.  I got medium and I have to say it was a little spicier than I would have liked, but in no way did it affect it’s deliciousness.  Another must have, the noodles go down so easily 🙂   Visit Noodle Lane here!

SmorgIceCreamSandwich

Chocolate Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich from The Good Batch

Cocoa waffle cookie, Nutella buttercream, toasted hazelnuts, & chocolate ice cream.  I mean obviously it’s good!  This cookie sandwich is the biggest I’ve had and did not disappoint.  I just wish my stomach was as big as my eyes! Visit the Good Batch here!

Overall, I’d say my first trip to Smorgasburg was a success!  I was not disappointed with one thing, only the fact that I couldn’t get more!  Next time I’m ABSOLUTELY having the Ramen Burger from Go Ramen, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Asia Dog, and Mighty Quinn’s BBQ to name a few… The line for Mighty Quinn’s was ridiculously long the whole time I was there.  I’m going to have to go when it opens just to get a brisket sandwich because they’re obviously that good.

What do you recommend from Smorgasburg?

Elevation Burger – Rye Brook, NY

http://www.elevationburger.com

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100% Organic, 100% Grass-Fed, 100% Free-Range, 100% Ground-on-Site Beef Burgers; Fresh Fries Cooked in 100% Heart-Healthy Olive Oil; Fresh-Scooped Shakes and Malts; and Fresh-Baked Cookies.

Menu HERE!

My standard

  • The Elevation Burger (Double meat, double cheese) with bacon, “original” toppings (elevation sauce, pickles, lettuce, tomato), raw  or caramelized onion (depends on my mood), ketchup, and mayo.
  • Side of fries
  • Chocolate shake with oreo cookies

Everything is amazing.  Tender, juicy meat. Great toppings. Honestly one of my favorite burgers. Fries are good too. I love that you can get your burgers wrapped in lettuce if you’re going low carb!

Here are some pics from various visits!

Elev1

Elev2

Elev3

Check their website for locations!

Melt Mobile – Stamford/Greenwich, CT

Check their Facebook page for location details.

http://meltmobilect.com

Melt Mobile in Veteran's Park - Stamford, CT

Melt Mobile in Veteran’s Park – Stamford, CT

SPECIALTY SANDWICHES

  • Original Melt – House blend of Tillamook Cheddar, Gruyere,Monterey Jack on Country White Bread.
  • The Insanewich – A grilled 6oz Angus burger with Bacon, shredded Lettuce, chopped Tomatoes and Melt Sauce between 2 Originals.
  •  Meatball 3 Cheese Squeeze – Diana’s Meatballs in Marinara, Fresh Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano and Fresh Basil on Tuscan Bread.
  •  The Pork – U – Pine – Tillamook Cheddar, bbq pulled Pork, caramelized Onions, and sliced Dill Pickles on buttery grilled Country White.
  • The Svelte Melt(350 Cal) – Lowfat Jarlsberg, oven roasted Turkey,  Roma Tomatoes, whole grain Honey Mustard grilled on a 7 Grain.
  • Montecristo – Herb baked Country Ham, farm fresh Turkey, house Cheese blend [Cheddar\Gruyere\Jack] on Challah Bread dipped in French Toast battered and grilled, sprinkled with powdered Sugar and served with Mixed Berry Preserves.
  • The Caprese – Fresh mozzarella, Prosciutto di Parma, fire roasted peppers, tomato, arugula and pesto aioli on kalamata olive bread.
  • The Strawberry Supreme Melt -Fresh Strawberries, Nutella and Vanilla infused Mascarpone on crunchy Tuscan Bread dusted with powdered Sugar.
  • The Fluffernutter – Caramelized Bananas, Marshmallow Fluff, Belgian Chocolate and Peanut Butter on crunchy Tuscan Bread dusted with powdered Sugar.

 

ADD ON’S

  • Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
  • Vine Ripe Tomatoes
  • Caramelized Onions
  •  Sauteed Wild Mushrooms

I’ve tried the original & added caramelized onions, the meatball grilled cheese, and the pork – u – pine…loved them all!