Mitzie Mee Blog - Mitzie Mee

NYC: Serendipity 3 and the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Serendipity is an iconic restaurant located on the Upper East Side, and yes, it’s the restaurant from the Serendipity movie. The restaurant is known for its eclectic decor and whimsical atmosphere, and it has been a popular destination for both locals and tourists since its opening in 1954. The extensive menu features a variety of savory dishes, desserts, and the signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.

I was curious about the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and wanted to find out what the decades long hype was all about, so that’s what I ordered. Frozen hot chocolate? Isn’t that just chocolate milkshake? While there are similarities, I would say that they’re still two different animals. What I really liked about the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate is that it wasn’t too sweet, but very hot chocolate-ish. It was served with plenty of whipped cream on the top, of the kind my grandma would make, that is, no sugar, and rather heavy, as compared to the fluffy, watery stuff from a can you’d sometimes get at other dessert places. It’s more a dessert than a drink, and the serving is huge, so I had to abandon my original plan about a main course later. The Frrrozen Hot Chocolate is $19.95 but considering that it’s so filling, it’s a meal in itself I guess the price is somewhat justified. Furthermore, it’s quite an experience to have visited a place that has been around for so long and has such an amazing history and clientele, because that’s where the real attraction of Serendipity lies.

There’s an $18.95 minimum spend per person (July 2023).

Serendipity 3, 225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

July 26, 2023 0 comments

NYC: Dear Irving on Hudson – Drinks with a view

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

It’s rooftop season in New York City, and Julie suggested that we met for drinks at . I’ve been to the other Dear Irving (the one that doesn’t have a rooftop bar) and I liked it a lot, so my expectations were sky high (around 40 floors or so).

We started out with a table indoors and with water dripping from the ceiling, but before anyone got grumpy, we were moved to what might have been the nicest table at the entire place, right in the corner of the outdoor terrace. The cocktails were great, and the nibbles were nice enough, but not the reason why we came, and not a reason to go back.

Dear Irving on Hudson seems to attract a slightly different crowd than the other Dear Irving (yes, you’ll see a tourist or two), but I liked the place and the view was amazing, not to mention the company. Had such a fun night with some of my favorite NYC ladies.

Dear Irving on Hudson, 310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

July 21, 2023 0 comments

Mijas Pueblo: Menu of the Day at Restaurante el Niño

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

When I was working as a tourist rep in Marbella more than 20 years ago, I often drove to Mijas Pueblo on my days off.
Even though I’ve been wanting to go back to Mijas, it never really materialized. Not until last month, when I was visiting Costa del Sol with my sister, and I finally made it back to Mijas.

Mijas is one of the most picturesque of the Pueblos Blancos (white towns), so the little town attracts a lot of tourists, but the restaurants are generally good, and if you avoid the worst tourist traps you’ll also get friendly service and very reasonably priced food. At Restaurante El Niño, I paid €9 for a nice, lunch consisting of a soup, an omelet, and a delicious crema catalana.

The waiter was a young guy who carefully explained what was included in the menu of the day. Turned out coffee was also included, which made the €9 price tag a steal. A great place to go if you’re after a no-frills meal and a very local crowd.
Restaurante el Niño is located just west of the town, and on the street where most people end up parking, when they realize they cannot find parking inside the more central parts of the town. So park your car, have lunch at Restaurante el Niño and go explore the narrow streets and admire the beautiful whitewashed houses in Mijas Pueblo.

Restaurante el Niño, C. Campos, 26, 29650 Mijas

July 20, 2023 0 comments

What I ate in Sicily

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Sicily is a great place for good food, and during my trip, I spent most of the days devouring one delicious meal after another. The island is renowned for the abundance of fresh, local ingredients such as citrus fruits, olives, and tomatoes, and the proximity to the sea means that fresh fish and seafood play an important role in the local cuisine. Compared to northern Europe, dining out is fairly cheap, whether you’re grabbing a quick snack from one of the market vendors, or whether you’re in a nice, candlelit restaurant, so don’t miss the opportunity to sample authentic versions of dishes from the world-famous Sicilian cuisine.

Here is some of the tasty food I ate when I visited Sicily. If you’re visiting Sicily, make sure you eat your way through this list:

Octopus

In Sicily, octopus is typically boiled or grilled, and served with olive oil and lemon. I had some really good octopus at a small restaurant in the central food market in Palermo. It was perfectly cooked, and the meat was tender and delicious. Unfortunately, the service wasn’t that great, but we can talk about that another day.

Cannoli

Cannoli are crispy, tube-shaped pastries, made from a sweet, fried dough filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Cannoli are best enjoyed freshly made, with the filling added just before serving, to maintain the crunchiness of the shells. The best cannoli I tasted in Sicily are the ones you can see in the photo below. They were from a small, local bakery in Giardini Naxos, and we had to wait 10 minutes for the staff to prepare the filling, but I can assure you, it was worth the wait.

Gelato

Compared to traditional ice cream, Italian gelato typically has a lower fat content and a creamier texture, which I really like, so guess how much gelato I had in Sicily? Yes, a lot!

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian pasta dish featuring a luscious sauce made from fresh tomatoes and eggplant. It may seem like a simple, rather boring dish, but the combination of high-quality, locally sourced produce elevates Pasta alla Norma to a delicious, flavorful experience that you don’t want to miss when visiting Sicily.

Arancini

Arancini are deep-fried balls with rice and melted cheese. They have a crispy, breaded crust and are served piping hot as a snack, as street food, or as an appetizer. Arancini come in different sizes and flavors, and they taste delicious, but they are also quite filling, so be careful not to order too many, if you’re also planning on trying other dishes.

July 8, 2023 0 comments

Paris: La Maison du Mochi

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

When AC and I were in Paris, we stayed at a hotel near a charming little cafe called La Maison du Mochi. I love mochi, so I was eager to check out the place. However, every time we passed by, the cafe was closed, so it wasn’t until I went back to Paris with my sister that I finally got to visit La Maison du Mochi.

La Maison du Mochi is a super cute patisserie that specializes in making traditional Japanese daifuku mochi. The shop was founded in 2016 by Mathilda Motte, who fell in love with mochi during a trip to Japan. After returning to France, she began experimenting with different mochi recipes, and eventually opened Maison du Mochi Paris to share her passion for this exquisite, Japanese dessert.

Daifuku mochi is made from pounded glutinous rice. It has a soft, chewy texture and is often served with sweet fillings, such as red bean paste. The history of mochi dates back thousands of years. It is believed that mochi was first made in China, and it eventually spread to Japan. In Japan, mochi is often eaten during special occasions, such as during New Year’s celebrations.

Many Asian grocery shops sell ready made mochi, and they usually have a very long shelf life. Though the mochi at La Maison du Mochi are freshly made each day, and you will immediately realize that they are in a completely different league.

There were many different flavors to choose among, but we already had lunch, so I only got three mochi: Mango, Rose and a monthly special, Sakura Luna, with almond, coconut, and cherry blossoms. The mochi were so soft and delicious with the perfect combination of sweet and chewy, and on par, or even better, than many of the mochi I’ve had in Japan. And the beautiful drink on the side? That’s a Sakura Matcha latte:)

La Maison du Mochi, 39 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris

July 2, 2023 0 comments

NYC: La Grande Boucherie – Oysters, steak frites and hot tea

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

On my second day back in New York, I was still haunted by Jet-lag From Hell, but someone (April) wanted oysters and steak, so after a short power nap that actually made me even more tired, April dragged me over to La Grande Boucherie in Midtown, which is one of her favorite restaurants in that neighborhood. La Grande Boucherie is an elegant French brasserie with an atmosphere so authentic that it feels more French than France itself, and a menu with a tempting lineup of traditional French dishes such as steak frites, oysters, and onion soup.

We had half a dozen of oysters as an appetizer, and April then got the steak frites she had been craving all day. I was still on Denmark time, so it was around 3 a.m. for me as we sat down for late dinner, and my appetite was nonexistent, so I had a mocktail, a salad that I couldn’t finish, and a hot cup of tea.

The restaurant was introducing a new feature that offered 5% off the bill, if you ordered and paid for your food on your phone. It was really smooth, and omg, so nice to be able to head straight back to bed after the meal, without having to sit and wait for the bill.

My guide to French restaurants in New York City >>

La Grande Boucherie, 145 W 53rd St, Midtown, New York