A Nice Cuppa

When is the last time you even heard of a chocolate egg cream?  First they have a disclaimer “Look Ma, no eggs and no cream,” so just what is it that is so quintessentially New York about a classic egg cream? Is it the old time seltzer bottles which are now museum artifacts? Or is […]

In honor of Empress Jasmine’s New Years’ resolution to get back into her silvery, slinky, svelte, butterfly form, and fit into her satin gowns…
These are delicate and delightful. You can add a layer of fine proscuitto, if you are not watching your dumplings. They are easy to create, and you could swap teas and add […]

Happy Chinese New Years, Year of the Earth Ox!
Shall we go on a journey to the home of tea? Makes my mouth water thinking of all the delicious juicy dumplings…I have a surprise for you this freezing season, we are going to have some fun. If you would like to come along on a […]

I don’t drink coffee, but I certainly have no problems cooking with it.  In fact, one of my favorite go-to cookie recipes uses espresso - good stuff, and perfect for holiday cookie trays. 
Recently, on an episode of Guy Fieri’s show Off the Hook, he made a Java Crusted New York Steak with a Stout Glaze.  […]

The Van Leeuwen Ice Cream truck is a masterpiece of sweets, within a revamped post office truck.  Founder Pete Van Leeuwen scoops up love letters like a postman from everybody’s sweetie.  Monsieur and Mademoiselle Cacao! A special delivery… Each luscious scoop is the stuff of Shakespearean poetry. The soft mellow yellow once USPS truck is a […]

Tea eggs seem to be getting a lot of cockle-doodle-do, in the Nice Cuppa comments!
Here, in China Town on cold days, like the ones enroute, shiny food carts on Elizabeth/near Canal with warmth steaming amidst chilly 8 am crowds, some sell yummy, yet mysterious snacks. Hand-made steamed noodle crepes with bits of scallions, pork and […]

Just when I thought the Venga Volkswagon designer energy drinks that help you zoom around all energized with vitamin juicy tea, in my local deli I found the Borba Be Beautiful skin balance waters!  Borba is a high-end organic cosmeceutical skin care company which I can barely afford to sample. I tried the Acai Be […]

I am clinging to Summer tooth and nail, hanging on to every last warm day, every opportunity to wear short sleeves and pretend a bit longer that winter in the Northeast is just a nasty rumor. But I’m not delusional; I know that all good things must come to an end. So around this time of […]

Hot or cold tea infused oils are easy to conjure. I would like to dedicate this post to new mommy Giada DeLaurentiis! Giada of Everyday Italian of the FoodNetwork. I’m sure most of us love and know her. Her name “Giada” means Jade! I do not believe her meals are quite as easy to conjure! Yet […]

Summer is winding down way too quickly! I’m not ready to relinquish my teacher husband and children to the confines of school. I’m not ready to wear sweaters and long pants. I’m not ready to put away the ice-cream maker! I don’t know about your summer, but mine has just flown. So many well-intentioned plans left undone! […]