Stop #29: Upstate New York, USA

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Syracuse)

I was so excited to finally visit the birthplace of Dinosaur BBQ. The place was very happening on a weekday night. I tried the St. Louis ribs, brisket, chicken, homemade smoked sausage and some sides - all traditional BBQ goodness. 

However, I wished the menu was a little more extensive and experimental like the other locations. The branch in Newark NJ offered Korean ribs, gumbo and BBQ fried rice; and they were delicious! 

For more information,
visit http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com.


Rochester Public Market (Rochester)

So happy I stumbled into this place. Tasted breakfast empanada from Juan and Maria's. I read that Scott's II and Zimmerman's also offer great breakfast sandwiches. The produce here was fresh and  cheap. Couldn't get any better. 

I support local business whenever and wherever I can. If there is a local coffee shop, I would kick Starbucks to the side. Java's is the local coffee company since 1992. They roast their coffee in a turn-of-the-century style direct flame roaster. It smelt good in the coffee shop and the coffee was perfect. Right next door was the Cosimano e Ferrari Olive Oil Company, also based in Rochester. They had awesome olive oils and vinegars. 

Then there was the Union Street Bakery. Carb heaven and I wanted to buy and eat the entire store.

Hello, Duke's Donuts!!!

The donut was so moist and it almost tasted like a cake. YUMMY!

For more information,
visit http://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket/.


Anchor Bar (Buffalo)

Home of the original buffalo chicken wings. Tourists visited the place and so did the locals. There was a wait on a weekday night but the turnover rate was fast. 

WINGS! I enjoyed every bite. Perhaps I would order them extra crispy as others had suggested.

For more information,
visit https://www.anchorbar.com.


Cracker Barrel (Binghamton)
I love Cracker Barrel. Fun environment, friendly service and great food; what's not to like? Look at this feast!

For more information,
visit http://www.crackerbarrel.com.

Stop #28: Taiwan

Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung, originated from Taiwan, is probably the most famous dumpling house in the world. It has locations all over Asia and has expanded to Australia and U.S.A. (west coast). People relate Din Tai Fung to its small and delicate steamed dumplings. These dumplings are not only juicy and delicious, they are also an art form, in my opinion.

Juicy Pork Dumplings

Juicy Pork & Crab Dumplings

Rice & Pork Shao Mai

Shrimp & Pork Dumplings

Besides the dumplings, their dishes are pretty decent as well.

Sautéed String Bean with Minced Pork

Shrimp & Pork Wonton with Spicy Sauce

Shrimp Fried Rice

Sweet Red Bean Rice Bun (dessert!)

Each restaurant has an army making the dumplings! And yes that is Tom Cruise on the strip of pictures at the bottom of the window. He was there making dumplings. Well, he tried.

For more information,
visit http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/.


Zhuji
Mmmm... Their beef pastry is so juicy and tasty. Every bite is an explosion of flavor in the mouth.

Pork Wonton Soup, Beef Rolls, Millet Porridge and Beef Pastry (clockwise)

For more information,
visit http://www.zhuji.com.tw/index.php.


Shinyeh
If you want traditional Taiwanese food, this is the place!

Sweet Potato Porridge

Lean Pork with Bamboo Shoots in Soya Sauce

Soft Spring Roll

Steamed Bun Sandwich with Lean Pork and Preserved Vegetables

Fried Eggs with Dried Turnip

Stewed Tofu with Pickled Mustard Green

Mochi coated with Ground Peanuts (dessert!)

For more information,
visit http://www.shinyeh.com.tw/.


Kao Shi
Overshadowed by Din Tai Fung and that may be a good thing. It is less crowded but the food is just as good! Their signature dish is the Pan Fried Pork Buns, served in a hot pan with a traditional wooden cover.

Pan Fried Pork Buns

Salty Crispy Pastries

Dried Shrimp Fried Rice

Sauteed Shredded Pork with Dried Tofu

Tofu Casserole

General Tso's Chicken

Sweet Pastries for dessert!

For more information,
visit http://www.kao-chi.com/.


Woolloomooloo
Italian food with Asian influence, yes! The combinations of ingredients are very creative and surprisingly tasty. The owner is an architect from Australia and interior feels very airy and open. I love the wooden furniture. They even have an area with toys for kids to play!

Salad

Miso Soup with Salmon, Tofu and Turnip

Pasta Bolognese

Risotto with Squash

Pasta Calamari

Pizza

Didn't get to try their coffee but surely tried some dessert!

Japanese Food
There is a great Japanese cultural influence in Taiwan, therefore tons of good Japanese food.

Omurice (Japanese Omelette Rice), Fried Pork Cutlet and Japanese Curry

Ramen Noodles with Soy Sauce

Other Famous Taiwanese Dishes
Beef Noodle Soup

Fried Pork Chop over Rice

Stop #27: Broadway Bites in Greeley Square Park, New York, New York, USA

Broadway Bites is a new food market in Greeley Square Park in midtown Manhattan. It opens everyday for about a month in the fall. The market features 25 different cuisines. It is a great way to sample some of the best foods New York has to offer. 

Everyone was raving about this pizza. Everyone came to this event for this pizza. Roberta’s pizza was made in a wood-burning oven and offered unique toppings. Pictured was the Famous Original with tomato, mozzarella, caciocavallo, oregano, and chili. The crust was crispy and the spicy kick was nice, though the tomato sauce could be a little richer. 

I enjoyed this short rib and brisket sandwich from Mayhem & Stout. Topped with dragon (barbecue) sauce and spicy slaw, the sandwich was juicy, crunchy, a little sour and spicy. Would have liked the buns to have more presence in taste.

Tried lobster mac and cheese from Red Hook Lobster Pound this time. I personally preferred the cheese a little more burnt but who cared if it was too creamy. The big chunks of lobster mixed inside made up for it.

This was Sigmund’s Pretzels’ truffle cheddar pretzel. The pretzel was so soft but I expected the cheese taste to be stronger.

Doughnuttery smelt soooo nice. And these mini donuts were probably the highlight of this tasting trip. The donuts were fried to order so they came out hot and fresh. The donut itself was soft and tasty, but the special formulated powdered sugar was purely heaven. This one was Cacaoboy with cacao nibs, chocolate cookies and mesquite.

This one was Bam Berry with blueberry, acai and maqui berry.

Whenever I could support a local coffee shop, I would! Loved Gorilla Coffee from Brooklyn, NY. Their coffee was roasted locally with passion.