Best Things I Ate in 2010

Happy New Year!

I had some memorable meals in 2010. Hidden Kitchen in Paris, great Jersey Tomato sandwiches in my backyard, and a fantastic casual Greek dinner in Astoria, Queens.

The most delicious specialty foods (and I'm not getting paid to say this) I ate in 2010 are listed below. Some of them can be purchased via mail order, and some you will just have to get on an airplane to try.

I fell in love with a Toronto Bakery called DUFFLET.

Their cakes, pies, pastries and SMALL CONFECTIONS were the best I have ever tried. SCARY and addictive. The Madagascar Vanilla Covered Cherries and the Cinnamon Pecan Dark Chocolate Crackle were like crack (not that I have ever tried crack, its just an expression). I have only a few left, and I am ready to go to Canada to get more, fortunately, they ship to the U.S.!



The 2nd most amazing thing I ate was Lard Bread from Mazzola Bakery in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Though my dad and family are all from Brooklyn, it's all so new to me, like a foreign city. The faces have changed and so has the food culture, but this Italian old school bakery hasn't changed. Bread made with lard & salami? It's so good. You'll have to take a ride to Brooklyn and try some. Enough said.



Another amazing thing I fell in love with was the Tuscan style salami called Finocchiona from Cesare Casela's Salumeria Rosi.



I don't usually get too excited about cured meats, but I now crave this salami. It is made in house, and is made with fennel seeds. This stuff is light and wonderful and the taste lingers in your mouth, like a fine wine. I love it with cheese on an antipasto platter.

And what would my year be without the gift of figs?

My friend Linda sent me my favorite figs dipped in chocolate from Valencia, Spain.
I wouldn't share them with anyone. Devoured in 2 nights.



I am sure 2011 will bring some new favorite things.
Stay tuned.

Comments

SarahB said…
I discovered finocchiona in Florence. I think I ate it every day while I was there. I have never found one in the states that compares. I need to try CC's!
Jen_from_NJ said…
I am so ready for a road trip to Brooklyn for that bread! Oh and that salami looks amazing! Happy New Year Stacey!!!
This post made my mouth water!
Anonymous said…
Ooohhh, I lived in Astoria for 10 years before coming back home to Jersey to raise the kids. Could you please name of the fanastic casual Greek restaurant? We go to Queens now and then and maybe we'd visit. Thanks!
Stacey Snacks said…
Anonymous:
The name of the Greek restaurant in Astoria is called TAVERNA KYCLADES on Ditmars Blvd.
SO GOOD!
Salami and chocolate-dipped figs? 2010 sounds like it was an awesome one for you!!

Happy New Year :)

Sues
I am such a sucker for figs. I would have to say my favorite of your favorites is definitely the chocolate covered figs.

Happy New Year!

Nisrine
Anonymous said…
Checked out TK's website already... Zagat's - "perfectly cooked seafood at a modest price" -who could argue with that! Thanks Stacey.
Anonymous said…
Stacey --- you are my hero!
Claudia said…
On my next trip to NYC I am parking myself in Brooklyn!
Lisa in DE said…
Happy New Year, Stacey. Thank you for your year-long sharing of goodies and especially your favorites. Why should I not be surprised that you ended your list with figs; chocolate covered, no less?! Lisa
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - Thanks for the shout-out and I'm so glad you enjoyed the figs. No need to buy them through the internet - I found them at a nearby Wegman's. I've eaten that finocchiona at Salumeria Rosi, but I've also seen it at Eataly. It is delizioso.
yummy
this is something i love to eat .
photos in this post makes me hngry again .


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The JR said…
All of that looks delicious!
Mazzola is awesome. I just stumbled upon your blog tonight and love it! I'm in NJ too, close to the city, so I can totally relate to a lot of what you're talking about and referring to. Looking forward to reading some more!
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