Yatai - Mineola, NY - Long Island Restaurant Review
There is often that one charming dish coaxing your taste buds to return soon. But, there is not often a restaurant that offers an entire menu of such foods that keep you on the edge of your seat for more. Yatai is a model restaurant for what one would hope to find in casual Asian dining, with high quality authentic food, a modern and comfortable shop atmosphere, and gracious hospitality in the front and back of the house.
I can honestly say that there are too many excellent choices to enjoy in one sitting. Below, I have listed in order my personal favorites; however, you cannot go wrong with any of these options.
Chicken Meatball Banh Mi Sandwich
Fried Chicken Sandwich
Spicy Vegetable Ramen (Special)
Asian Burger
Long Life Noodles
Japanese Fried Chicken Appetizer
Dragon Tail BBQ Pork Appetizer
Additionally, the Fuji-Apple Potato Salad is a must-try. This unique blend of corn, apples, and pickled carrots elevate this from your standard potato salad. Lastly, the That Tea with Bubbles is an outstanding complement to all this great food.
Disney Food Affinity and Beyond: Walt Disney Studios and LucasFilm
Hello Disney fans! As one among many Star Wars fans tirelessly re-watching all the latest trailers in anticipation for December 18, I have come across an intriguing reoccurring theme in the marketing material. I have compiled all the posters and videos that suggest the symbolic importance of eyes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as this might even give important hints toward the plot of the upcoming movie!
To start, we see this Star Wars TV Spot blatantly focus on this eye motif, as the narrator says:
"I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes. I know your eyes"
The female character narrating this trailer is a new character, Maz Kanata, played by Lupita Nyong'o. She is an enigmatic creature that we have yet to learn much about; However, Director J.J. Abrams told Entertainment Weekly, "I had this pitch about these goggles that she wore. Her eyes are an important aspect of her character, and you'll see how it plays out." Nyong’o adds, "As an actor for films, your eyes are a lot of the way you communicate
anyway, so it was definitely a gift to have that be the
means to her magic as a motion-capture character.” A close look at the film's theatrical poster shows off Kanata''s eyes shrouded by the aforementioned goggles.
In addition, the recently released character posters, as shown below, display all the main characters with one eye covered by his or her weapon of choice. The new and old Star Wars generations are represented, reinforcing the ideas mentioned in the above trailer.
Moreover, in a humorous SNL skit, there is a very subtle hint to the importance of eyes, mentioned by John Boyega, who will be playing Finn in the film. Go to the 2:10 mark in this video to see Boyega suggest the idea of controlling the force with ones eyes.
The symbolism of eyes doesn't seem to come as much of a surprise when considering J.J. Abrams is behind all of it. In his very popular TV show Lost, eyes were a reoccurring theme that followed through from the pilot episode up until the series finale.
The focus on this Star Wars eye motif in this promotional material seems to hint that eyes may have a large role to play in the 7th installment of this movie collection. Even thinking about the films title, "The Force Awakens", creates the
imagery of waking up, and opening ones eyes is quite important when one
awakens. With less than two weeks until this highly anticipated premiere, the eyes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is definitely something to watch for!
While in the Binghamton area, I had a incredible breakfast at The Village Diner. Don't let the outside deceive you because this little restaurant is a culinary powerhouse. They make the classics, and they do them right.
The pumpkin pancakes are awesome. With such an intense pumpkin flavor, you can taste Autumn is just around the corner.
The french toast breakfast sandwich is another great option. The sweet syrup and toast with the savory eggs and ham was a delicious combination.
Lastly, we ordered the very special chicken and waffles. This exclusive item is no longer on the menu, but we were lucky enough to see someone else order it. I could not tell you why this was removed from the menu because this dish was the star of the meal, (and as the half eaten picture shows, it was so good it was nearly gone by the time I took my camera out.). I highly recommend ordering the chicken and waffles, and make sure you drown it in syrup and hot sauce!
There is no doubt about it - The Village Diner is a must-dine restaurant for a true breakfast lover. Happy eating!
On a recent trip to Ithaca, I stopped by Cornell Dairy Bar. I love this ice cream shop for the amount of care put into the product. From cow to container, the ice cream is entirely made locally. As a bonus for students, the Cornell Dairy Bar is located within Cornell University at Stocking Hall.
The ice cream is super creamy and very flavorful. My favorite flavor is the Sweet CORNell, which is a corn based ice cream with salted caramel swirled throughout.
If you are in the area, definitely give the Cornell Dairy Bar a try!
Disney Food Affinity and Beyond: Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Food and Attraction Information and Speculation
Change is coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom in the next couple of years. Additions are being made to enhance the theme park experience, especially at night, through a new nighttime spectacular (and don't be surprised if you see a dragon or two pop up here in the Rivers of Light show), a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris, and the highly anticipated Pandora: The Land of Avatar. This Avatar Land is a big undertaking, however Disney has yet to reveal all the details on this expansion. Here is what seems likely to be true so far:
Main Attraction (E-Ticket) - "Flight of Passage" (rumor)
This rumored 3D Flight Simulator is expected to give guests the experience of riding the mythical Banshee creature.While not the exact same technology, this ride resembles that of Soarin'.
Other Attraction (C-Ticket) - unnamed boat ride (rumor)
This speculated boat ride will take riders on a journey through the wildlife of Pandora, including a variety of bio-luminescent plants and animatronic Na'vi
Various Shops
If you know Disney, there is sure to be a gift shop or two in this new land. The number and nature of these shops are unknown.
Quick Service Restaurant
There has been no information on what food will be found in Avatar Land, but there are rumors of a quick service shop in the plans. I have no idea what type of food this mythical cuisine specializes in, but it would be cool if this was a molecular gastronomy restaurant. Disney World has never taken on this style of food before, but I think this strange, inexplicable world of Pandora is a great place to start.
In addition to the concept art included above, Disney has released three videos on this expansion.
While no attractions have been confirmed, the land itself looks incredible. Who wouldn't be excited for real-life floating mountains!
Now for the rest of this post I will be providing some fun speculation. Nothing below is confirmed by Disney or supported by existing rumors, but purely my own ideas - and in the spirit of Disney, I'm hoping these dreams come true.
As I previously mentioned, there are rumors of a quick service restaurant opening, but I am hoping for a full service restaurant instead. A molecular gastronomy restaurant could work as a quick service meal, but I think it would translate better as a sit-down meal.
In addition, Pandora is going to be a very exciting place to visit and I think such a heavily themed land is in need of a tour. Similar to the existing Wild Africa Trek tour, this adventure would take guests on paths through Pandora especially designed for the tour. This intimate interaction can end with a private picnic style meal, preferably in a secluded area that overlooks the magnificent waterfalls shown in the concept art. An experience like this would be unforgettable.
Lastly, I know that rumors are pointing toward the fact that there will be two new rides coming, but I believe there may be more. 3 more movies are guaranteed to come from this franchise, and that will bring audiences to experience more of Pandora. It is possible Disney is planning to add onto The Land of Avatar with rides based off of the upcoming films. Since no real details have been announced, we won't know for now. But, the D23 Expo is just around the corner, and we are sure to expect some more information soon.
Disney Food Affinity and Beyond: Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios Food
One of my favorite quick service meals at Hollywood Studios is the Frankfurter in a Pretzel Roll. This delicious option makes for a satisfying lunch for theme park goers who want to spend more time on attractions rather than in restaurants. The pretzel roll truly completes this meal, elevating it above a normal hot dog. Not only is this frankfurter good, but it's also rare. Min and Bill's Dockside Diner is the only location in Walt Disney World where you can buy this particular hot dog.
Another fun option to try at Min and Bill's are the shakes. I like to check out the seasonal shakes offered. Truth be told, they are not always outstanding, but on a terribly hot Florida afternoon, these frozen treats do the trick.
In addition, the seating area is in a nice central location, providing a nice view for some of the shows in front of The Great Movie Ride (R.I.P. Sorcerer's Hat).
Make sure to try this Frankfurter in a Pretzel Roll and let us know your thoughts here in the comment section!
Disney Food Affinity and Beyond: Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Food
When visiting "The Happiest Place on Earth", food -
particularly delicious food - is essential to keep everyone upbeat and
energized. While it's hard to go wrong with a steaming hot Mickey Pretzel and a
heaping pile of mustard, I have handpicked 4 incredible eats that are a true
celebration for the taste buds.
For the early birds entering the park with
breakfast on their minds, Starbucks on Main Street U.S.A. is a feasible option;
however, I can help one-up that meal. The answer is the Ham and Cheese Omelet Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow - a unique
offering that exceeds the expectations of a typical egg sandwich. An added
bonus to this quick service dining experience is the seating area.
Here, you can devour your waffles with an exciting view
of the Castle Stage Show, from the side of Cinderella's Castle. This special angle lets you seebackstage, offering some
behind-the-scenes magic!Does it get any better than eating a waffle sandwich while
Captain Hook is waving to your family right before he leaps onstage?
Later on in the day, if you are in need of
a quick and delicious meal, sail on into the Columbia Harbor House for a
Lighthouse Sandwich. There is no going wrong with this outstanding sandwich,
filled with a garlic-y hummus and a crisp broccoli slaw. And, speaking of views
again, there is a wonderful upstairs seating area that overlooks Liberty Square
on one side and the incredibly themed “Tangled” restrooms on the other (I know
it sounds wacky, but this “Tangled” area is a beautiful and fun place to visit.
I will go into further detail on these storybook bathrooms in another post!).
Also, the Liberty Square view offers a cool perspective of the Festival of
Fantasy parade at select times during the day.
With all this food, you are going to need
a drink. A refreshing option for the entire family is the Lefou's Brew at
Gaston's Tavern. This drink, on tap from the land of "Beauty and the
Beast", is composed of apple slush, mixed with toasted marshmallow, and
topped with a passion fruit-mango foam. I recommend pairing this drink with a
leisurely stroll through the heavily detailed and deeply immersive New
Fantasyland - the newest expansion to the Magic Kingdom.
And of course we can't forget dessert! Here at Aloha Isle you will find the
frozen paradise that is Dole Whip. Whether you enjoy it in a cup or a pineapple
juice float, this pineapple soft serve is a Magic Kingdom staple that cannot be
left out.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is full of culinary gems -
and I'm not talking about those in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train "where a
million diamonds shine". These four items are among the greatest of these
culinary treasurers. I highly encourage you to try them all!
