Yifang Taiwanese Fruit Tea Lugu Oolong Tea: My good friend and bubble-tea expert Mace recommended this Bay Area spot specializing in Taiwanese fruit teas. Yifang's small to-go shop is adjacent to Berkeley's campus and certainly would have become my go-to spot if I stilled lived there. Their Lugu Oolong tea was super refreshing and clean, with a floral oolong flavor followed by a hint of peach. I added the aiyu jelly, which was well worth it; lightly sweetened, it had a slippery texture with just the right amount of gelatin. Luckily,... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended Berkely yifangtaiwanesefruittea lugu oolong tea 4.0
Dominant Culture Yogurt with Rosemary Sorbet: When asked for recommendations for where to eat in NYC, I always bring up Chikalicious, a dessert bar in the East Village where $18 gets you a prix fixe tasting of fine-dining-level desserts, always served by the industrious and humble pastry chef Chika Tillman. She and her husband have been offering to-go treats at a separate pop-up on the edge of Tompkin Square Park, including churro cone ice cream that I've previously reviewed. Now they're planning a yogurt shop called Dominant Culture an... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nyc chikalicious dominantculture yogurt rosemary sorbet 4.0
Daily Provisions Citrus Lemonade: There aren't many things more summery than a classic lemonade. Add a slice of orange, and it polishes off a well balanced sweet and tangy drink ideal for humid weather. From Daily Provisions near Union Square Park in NYC. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks lemonade dailyprovisions citrus 4.0
People's Pop Melon Basil Popsicle: I got this popsicle from NYC-based frozen treat brand People's Pop for free at a pop-up. It had a refreshing concentrated cantaloupe flavor whose natural sweetness was complemented by fresh aromatic basil. A sweet and just a tad savory combination that worked really well in the summer heat. 4.0/5.0
recommended frozen cantaloupe sweets peoplespop melon basil popsicle 4.0
Baked in Brooklyn Sour Cream and Onion Pita Chips: I fittingly bought these pita chips from Foodtown in Brooklyn. I liked them overall - they tasted a bit like garlic bagel bites but with a slightly tangy flavor that gives sour cream and onion its character. The pita chips are what you expect: hearty and thickly cut. A healthier yet similarly tasty alternative to sour cream and onion potato chips. 3.5/5.0
recommended bakedinbrooklyn sour cream onion pita chips 3.5
East Imperial Grapefruit Soda: This small batch soda comes in an equally small mixer-sized 5 fl oz container, which is just a tad less than a bottle of Q soda or Fever Tree. Using ingredients from Asia and produced in New Zealand, the soda uses all natural ingredients and has a concentrated citrus flavor that tastes of pure grapefruit. The carbonation consists of small but impactful bubbles; if you take a sip and pause before imbibing, your mouth becomes awash with pops of fizz. The soda was created in collaboration wi... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks soda grapefruit citrus lastimperial 4.0