Wanna know how to get in my pants? The answer is FOOD. Just kidding, I’m already taken, but we can still be friends- but only if you bring me food.

Recently, a friend I met backpacking Europe came to America for her first time ever! Traveling from Switzerland to the dirty south of the United States to visit ME! I can’t believe she allowed me to be her american cherry popper. Under such strenuous pressure, I thought about the first thing that came to mind…food. Just kidding again, alcohol was the first thing. And if you know me, you would have known. Delicious meals come in a close second or even a tie with alcohol.

I had been to Ponce City Market before, but never with someone who hasn’t been able to experience everything this wonderful country has to offer. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for her (and I) to eat our way through the market, one cultural experience at a time. And do I really need an excuse to shovel food into my annoyingly big mouth? Most people would agree it’s one of the only ways to shut me up. I’ll leave those other ways up to your imagination 😉 ANYWAYS, onto the menu’s…

[dt_divider style=”thick” /] Bellina Alamentari [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

This is an Italian lovers paradise. Fresh pasta and ingredients, signature cocktails and an extensive list of goodies, we decided to get something small to start our food journey. I am a sucker for anything pasta, but cold pasta salad has to be one of my favorites. I always like to ask someone what they recommend, gotta put your big girl panties on and try some new shit.

We both split between the -Sicilian Pasta Salad-  and the -Farro Salad-

Don’t ask me what Farro Salad is because I have no fucking idea. All I can tell you is, both were good. Very light which was exactly what we needed as our 1st meal. So, which one took the cake?

[wp-svg-icons icon=”heart” wrap=”b”] Sicilian Pasta Salad 

Overall it had the best flavor. Italian spices with a little kick, and rotini noodles make my mouth water. We both agreed, although everything on the menu looked appetizing, we had to move on!

[dt_divider style=”thick” /] Bottiwalla [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

My boyfriend is Persian and pretty much shuns me every time I confuse Indian food with Persian food. It all sounds and looks the same to me. As much as I hate to admit it, I am just not a fan of either. I’ve tried, plenty of times…but he grew up on it and I grew up on fried chicken and taters. We decided to give INDIAN food a chance. One of the only things on the menu I had even heard of was -Chicken Tikka Roll- What was this place? Trying to turn Indian food into sushi? The fuck?? We decided to split since we had to pace our self, the outcome??

[wp-svg-icons icon=”heart” wrap=”i”] Chicken Tikka Roll = HEAVEN

Holy shit balls. It was FIRE. I mean, so so so so good. When I see something marinated in yogurt and spices I instantly turn away, and I’m so happy I didn’t. It was like a buttery chicken sandwich nestled between warm naan bread. You have to eat it almost like a taco. If you have the chance, EAT THIS. You will not be disappointed.

[dt_divider style=”thick” /] Boxed Water [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

Can we just take a second to recognize how fucking cute this box of water is? Something about drinking cold water out of a milk looking carton just made our day. We literally took it home and refilled it over 10 times.

Okay, back to the menu…

[dt_divider style=”thick” /] Saint Germain Bakery [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

Whoever says you can’t have dessert halfway through your lunch should be slapped.

Candy, chocolate and all things sweet aren’t a luxury they are a NECESSITY. Don’t confuse the two. We hopped on over to the bakery to see what kind of treats we could indulge in. Macaroons kind of scare me. Does this happen to anyone? They have so many different flavors and mixtures, yet look so appetizing.Who can help wanting one when they look like unicorn poop?? Even though my senses were leaning towards something colorful, we both got…

[wp-svg-icons icon=”heart” wrap=”i”] Chocolate 

Yes chocolate stole the show; plus we had to compare this to the Swiss chocolate she brought with her.  I opted for 1 piece of caramel chocolate, and her a piece of raspberry chocolate. STILL only snapping a picture of the macaroons. They are so freakin majestic and mysterious.

 [dt_divider style=”thick” /] Minero [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

Did someone say tequila? No? That was probably just my guardian angel whispering it in my ear.

Our final food stop was at a urban Mexican inspired restaurant with a beautiful bar filled with lots and lots of alcohol. We sat at the bar and order a round of drinks, it was a must at this point. What did we quench our thirst with? -Minero Sangria- it came in this cute little glass but packed a lot of flavor, garnished with a whole slice of lime.

Like I said before, I like to get the opinions of people who work there so I can make sure to try something yummy. Since we were getting pretty full, I thought a taco would suffice, but which one? She told us to either choose the Carnitas, Al Pastor (grilled pork) or the Catfish. Catfish? Really? Whatever you say! I took the plunge on it, while my friend got the Al Pastor…and the winner is….

[wp-svg-icons icon=”heart” wrap=”i”] Fried Catfish

Anything fried is amazing, but when I tell you this taco was one of the best I’ve ever had, it’s the truth. You know I keep it real and would NEVER say it if it wasn’t true. Sure, drunk tacos from Taco Bell at 4 am are better, but this was the shittttt. Ramona didn’t like it as much but that’s cool, more for me.

I know it might not seem like we ate too much, according to my boyfriend; this whole day was hardly an appetizer for him. BUT, we were a happy full by the end of it. It was so cool to introduce a foreigner to other foreign foods in a foreign country. We hit some pretty solid places, tasting an array of foods and flavors. I will definitely be back to Ponce to finish eating my way through the world.

 [dt_divider style=”thick” /] The Sideshow [dt_divider style=”thick” /]

We finished on the roof that was set up like a carnival. Complete with slides, mini golf, skee ball and of course, a bar. This might not be technically “eating” our way, but drinking alcohol is a vital part of everyday life. Look it up. I saw it on Discovery Channel. They were out of bloody mary mix so I got some drink I forgot the name of, and she got some frozen strawberry drink. Best part about the whole thing?

[wp-svg-icons icon=”heart” wrap=”i”] The view

The perfect way to end an eventful day. Drinks with a view. We ended up playing a round of mini golf before we spent all of our money shopping at Lenox. Did you know that stuff is almost 4x cheaper here than in Switzerland? She was amazed!

I hope you are slobbering over our journey eating through cultures at Ponce City Market. Get out of your comfort zone and more importantly, your house and see/taste the world! Doesn’t have to be fancy restaurants or expensive meals. Go on a progressive street food lunch date, or even hit up some local food trucks.

Have you eaten your way through a place?? I can’t wait to try it again, possibly at multiple restaurants throughout a city next time!

xox Bon Appetit Bitches!

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