New City Microcreamery Fennel and pistachio ice cream: At a little over $4, this kiddie scoop from Cambridge ice cream shop New City Microcreamery was fairly micro-sized, but large enough to get a good sense of the quality. The ice cream, made with liquid nitrogen, has a smooth consistency. I was hoping for more aniseed licorice flavor from the fennel, but it mostly tasted like a solid milk base with bits of pistachio, though there was a little something extra to the aftertaste that told you it wasn't just straight-up vanilla. Would come agai... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended icecream cambridge desserts newcitymicrocreamery fennel pistachio ice cream 3.5
Tsaocaa Rose oolong tea with pear: Tsaocaa is a small trendy bubble tea shop a block away from the Chicago CTA subway stop it's large enough to seat groups of teenagers hanging out for hours. I ordered a cup of rose oolong tea with pear with a topping of honey aloe. Served in a sturdy cup, the tea had a slice of orange and lime and a scattering of goji berries floating on the surface alongside a pyramid-shaped tea bag. While the honey aloe was on the sweet side, the drink on the whole had a cleansing and refreshing herbal f... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks chicago fruittea fruit tsaocaa rose oolong tea pear 3.5
Quinn's Dark chocolate's peanut filled pretzels: These pretzel nuggets are much better than any I've had before; the pretzels are just salted enough and act as a thin shell around a mostly dark chocolate filling that has just a hint of peanut. The pretzel has a much richer flavor grain flavor than others I've had, and because it's thinner, the overall consistency of each nugget is more crispy than crunchy. Would buy again. 3.5/5.0
recommended quinns dark chocolate's peanut filled pretzels 3.5 parkslopefoodcoop
Popcorners Spicy Queso Popped-Corn Chips: These "Tex-me" inspired chips have a zingy and slightly spicy aftertaste thanks to the addition of red and black peppercorns. Definitely distinctive from ordinary nacho-flavored chips, so is worth a try if you're looking for a new spin on a cheesy classic. The chips themselves are like other Pop-Chips; light and baked rather than fried, they feel healthier yet similarly indulgent as potato chips. 3.5/5.0
recommended chips popcorners spicy queso popped-corn 3.5
Meyers Bageri Cinnamon Roll: On my recent trip to Scandinavia, the one item I was on the look out for was cardamom buns. Unfortunately, a handful of the bakeries I tried to go to didn't work out. Most of them were closed for the month of July as part of their summer holiday (could you imagine if people did this in the US?!), which I only sadly discovered after going to them in person. It was a reminder not to trust Google Map opening hours as bakeries often share that they're closed through their Instagram feeds. Ba... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended bakery cinnamon bread roll 3.5 meyersbageri
Kolsvart Turbot Sour Berry Candies: Actual Swedish fish candies from Malmo, Sweden. Raspberry-flavored, these turbot-shaped chewy gummies have a sharp but well balanced sour coating. They come from a company called Kolsvart, which literally means pitch black, a fitting name for Swedish's death metal roots. Like the Swedish Fish candies, they don't contain gelatin and are, as a result, vegan. Texturally, though, these candies have a softer texture than Swedish Fish; they're similar to Sour Patch Kids, but with a more natur... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended candy swedish gummies kolsvart turbot sour berry candies 3.5