Potato lovers rejoice!

There is a place... a heavenly place... where the potatoes are baked and sweet, fried and smashed, pure or smothered with toppings and sauces... The name of this potato utopia is, naturally, Pota*topia.

You see, several months ago, as I was walking home from the W4 subway station, I noticed a small "coming soon" storefront on 6th Ave between Waverly and 8th St. that immediately caught my eye:

Hello friend....

As a life long potato lover (duh), clearly I was going to have to visit this fine institution. Well..! last week I was on my own for dinner, hungry and hopping off the subway when it struck me - my date with potato destiny was THIS night. So I walked in to Pota*topia and was immediately floored by the sheer number of options, combinations, potato styles and sauces...

But fear not my fellow potato loving friends! The helpful staff at Pota*topia is there to support and guide you as you select a pre-created "signature meal" combination or devise your own potato masterpiece...

And while yes, 10ish dollars is a pretty penny for fancily dressed potatoes, if you consider that I was stuffed to the brim after my baked po loaded with homemade veggie chili, fresh veggies and topped off with chipotle sauce, then it's not too bad at all! 

Basically, I cannot sing the praises of this pota-stitution highly enough. I want to go back a bajillion more times to try the smashed and the au gratin, the sweet potatoes and the fries. With so many options,the combination possibilities are endless. Also, they're open late (4am "snack"!? Yes please!!) and have some pretty hysterical/witty branding. So do not delay, get your Pota*topia on today!!!

Hump Day Distractions

So Easter is just a few weeks away which means my love affair with Cadbury Eggs has officially been rekindled. I purchased those bad boys at the grocery store (so conveniently placed near the register) last night. What I'm wondering is whether Cadbury Egg + Banana = good breakfast (certainly seems to satisfy THIS healthy habit requirement!) While I distract myself with dreams of soft fondant center gooey goodness, you folks enjoy this heaping pile of internet fun. Happy Hump Day!

* Mila Kunis gives a newbie reporter the interview of his life.

* No better place to meet someone new than in a ball pit. (via ExPress-O)
* So THESE are going to be pretty f'ing amazing huh!?
* Dr. H is gonna hate, but I think it could be fun.
* I dream of an NYC with stars...
* A great piece on why Yahoo!'s new CEO is getting a bad wrap as a feminist (hint, she isn't one!)
* This is just too adorable. PERFECT for that "ice cream social" party I'm planning (seriously)
* My screening of Life of Pi was not nearly as awesome as THIS one.
* New good music! Check our Lorde.
* Now that is my kind of (potato) party!
* For this, I think Evie deserves a promotion from Junior Ranger...

Good Eats.

As the weather warms up and we start shedding our layers of bulky winter clothing, I find myself craving a totally different type of cuisine. Though I love me some rich, creamy goodness, come spring I gravitate towards more fresh and colorful foods. Though I may be eating Cadbury Eggs for breakfast, here are a few recipes which include "good eats" for your weekend enjoyment. Happy cooking! ("eat me" via Pinterest)

Holy YUM and other possible deliciousness
(butternut squash mac cheese!?) over at PinchofYum

Hailed by many as the superior tater, I recently decided to give cooking sweet potatoes a try and I'm lurve. For a super easy side dish, I like to slice the potato into thin "discs", rub on a little olive oil and kosher salt, and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes (depending on thickness and desired crispness). Stuffed potato skins coming soon!

The healthiest Paula Deen recipe EVER.

Dr. H is obsessed with avocado. OBSESSED. I am definitely a fan, but unlike hubs, I don't sit around eating it with a spoon - I need a little flava. I know how to guac or serve it up with Mexican, but this might be my next dinner party dish.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese.
Kitchen to do list fo sho

I like quinoa, but I haven't figured out how to take the grain "to the next level". I usually eat it as a side dish, prepared in chicken stock instead of water with seasoning  to taste, but with the help of Iowa Girl Eats, I think I'm ready to get fancy!

Pizza. Fruit. Sugar. YUM.

Leave it to Betty Crocker to help us make fruit less healthy right?! To lighten up this recipe a bit, I'm thinking of substituting the cream cheese frosting for Light Cool Whip, or maybe Greek Yogurt with some Splenda mixed in? (suggestions welcome!)