7 June Food Favorites – Strawberry Smoothies, Trader Joe Seasonings & More

Although blogging is not my only professional focus anymore, I still like to use this space to record some of my favorite things. It’s more challenging to search through my social media posts when I try to remember things. Also, who knows when the various social media sites will change their policies or shut down altogether? On that note, below are 7 food highlights from last month.

1. Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter I


When a girlfriend wanted to take me out for a belated birthday gift, I was having a difficult time coming up with a restaurant pick. Then, I was on the Upper West Side with my family after a movie and bumped into this spot. I love afternoon tea and hadn’t been here in a while, so we went. I tried a different sandwich, tea, and scone. The blueberry lemon scone and The 44th P.O.T.U.S. Blend tea were excellent, but I think that I’ll stick to thei ccurried chicken sandwich in the future.

2. Bourbon Street


This Cajun food restaurant in Queens serves very generous portions. When I went there for a lunch date with my husband Reggie, we bought enough leftovers home to feed both of our sons!

3. The Bund Chinese Cuisine

bund chinese restaurant chicken appetizer   bund forest hills soup dumplings
This is my favorite new local Chinese restaurant. Their fried chicken appetizer and soup dumplings are especially tasty!

4. Collard Greens


As is our custom, my husband and his dad send me a list of foods that they would enjoy for Father’s Day. Everything is pretty simple to prepare. Collard greens just take the longest, so I usually prepare them the day before. (They also tend to taste better the second day anyway.)

5. Strawberry Smoothies

6. Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce


I can make my own barbecue sauce, but I normally don’t. I’ve been fine with Hunt’s Original BBQ Sauce. Then, I went to a barbecue which used this sauce. It’s now my new favorite – especially for my easy oven barbecued chicken.

7. Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend


I was sharing on Instagram how much I enjoy avocados with a little sea salt. A commenter noted that I should try it with this Trader Joe’s seasoning. I made a mental note and the next time that I was in Trader Joe’s, I asked the clerk where I could find their “Everything But The Kitchen Sink” seasoning. After laughing at me, he showed me the correct seasoning. 🙂 It is great. I have used it on my roasted broccolli and on avocado toast. My sons (who are cooking their own breakfast and lunches this summer) put it on their burgers too!

{If you come across any great recipes, food items, or restaurants that you think I should try out, please let me know. My email address is [email protected]. Thanks!}