Corner of Vermont lemonade with maple syrup: Corner of Vermont is a small shop in Brooklyn selling Vermont maple syrup and other specialty items as well as maple-syrup enhanced dishes including hot dogs and ice cream. I ordered their lemonade with maple syrup and found it to be a perfectly balanced drink. The acidity level was very nicely paired with a mild sweetness from the maple syrup, which, despite my concerns, did not overwhelm. Served cold, it is an entirely satisfying summer drink. 4.5/5.0
cornerofvermont drinks lemonade maplesyrup exceptional 4.5 maple syrup
Bonchi Ponsuke Nori-Aji: One of my favorite things about Asian snacks is the combination of sweet and savory. These substantially-sized wheat crackers have a sweet, soy-like glaze with speckles of nori. Balance is very good. Texture is similar to a rice cracker, but slightly more dense. Very addicting. For the type of snack it is, it's one of the best I've had. From Japan. 4.5/5.0
japanese hmart exceptional wheat crackers nori soy bonchi 4.5 ponsuke nori-aji
Food Should Taste Good roasted red pepper brown rice crackers: This snack had done the impossible--make brown rice taste good! A rare case where a snack cracker holds its own without any dip. In fact, to pair it with a dip would mask two characteristics that make it essentially perfect. First, the red pepper and sesame flavor is pronounced, and the cracker is already perfectly seasoned. Second, the texture of the cracker is ideal: super crispy, yet just thick enough to still be substantial. This hardly ever happens, but I am at a loss at what could make... (read more) 5.0/5.0
exceptional perfect fstg foodshouldtastegood 5.0 crackers brownrice sesame redpepper roasted red pepper brown rice
Horizon cheddar snack crackers: I've always had a soft spot for cheese crackers in cute shapes, but that doesn't mean I'm not discerning in comparing the several options on the market. Goldfish have long gone downhill, with Pepperidge Farm substantially increasing the sodium content and with an unacceptably high risk of getting a burnt batch. Next best are Annie's cheddar bunnies, which are perhaps the crunchiest of the bunch but have good cheddar flavor and an ideal level of salt. Slightly better is Trader Joe's cheddar r... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional cheddar cheese crackers horizon cows 4.5 snack
365 organic onion rings: Funyuns++. Thick pieces of airy yet crunchy onion rings with an elevated sour cream and onion flavor. Captures the sweetness of onions, which is perhaps its most unique quality-it's as sweet as it is savory. Very addicting and well executed. 4.5/5.0
365 wholefoods organic onionrings onion exceptional rings 4.5
Cones cantaloupe gelato: Cones is a small ice cream shop on Bleeker St. in the West Village specializing in house-made flavors both classic and unique. The cantaloupe sorbet was superb, with a particularly concentrated melon flavor that still felt light and refreshing. Had small bits of fresh fruit. Perfect amount of sugar. I sampled their mate South American green tea (excellent) and corn (also great). My only criticism is that it could be more consistently smooth (some larger icier chunks), but the flavor doesn't ... (read more) 4.5/5.0
gelato icecream cones nyc westvillage exceptional cantaloupe 4.5