Greek yogurt for one, please!

In light of the Olympics’ sponsorship by Chobani, even though there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the authenticity of the company’s claims, I’d like to highlight one of my favorite breakfast spots nestled in the heart of NYC – Chobani!  Chobani opened its first café this past summer, conveniently only a few blocks away from my apartment, in the lively SoHo neighborhood.  I had already grown into a Chobani Greek yogurt fanatic by this time, so hearing the news of this new breakfast (or whenever) spot was like music to my ears.  I made my first visit to the impeccably clean, simple, and bright yogurt bar on the way to my internship one morning and was immediately pleased upon seeing the unique menu to choose my yogurt combination from.  After taking far too long trying to chose only one item from the list of amazing choices, I decided on the toasted coconut + pineapple yogurt combo, which was beyond DELICIOUS!  I was amazed by how much better and fresher the yogurt (which was 0% plain) tasted than it ever did when I bought it from the grocery store.  The toppings (pineapple, toasted coconut, light agave nectar, and hazelnuts) were also incredibly fresh and flavorful, making it the best Greek yogurt meal I’d had yet.  The fact that every customer is given the option to keep the adorable glass bowl that the meal comes in is also quite the added bonus.  I couldn’t help but keep my bowl, which I still use today to eat my yogurt from.  I visited the café once more before I had to return home for the summer, and that time I chose the blueberry + power combination.  Unfortunately, Chobani was out of their blueberries at the time and offered me to choose any replacement fruit, which ended up being deliciously ripe strawberries and mangos.  The combination of the fruit with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, toasted sunflower seeds, walnuts, and light agave made for yet another perfect breakfast.

The next time I’m in the city, I will definitely make a stop (or two) at Chobani, just after I get my fix from Shake Shack.  If you are ever in the city and have an affinity for Greek yogurt and fresh ingredients like I do, add the Chobani café to the top of your “to-do” list.  Check out the café menu that I’ve posted below (which also features food other than yogurt) and a few pictures that I took of my delectable yogurt combinations- YUMMY!

The adorable packaging that comes with a “to-go” yogurt bowl!

…Is your mouth watering yet?

Shack Attack!

Upon recently hearing the news that Shake Shack will be opening in Atlanta next year, I’ve constantly caught myself nearly drooling at thoughts of the amazing Shack burger.  I had my first taste of Shake Shack in August 2012, with my parents as we were leaving NYC from my first summer interning in fashion.  As we waited in line at the original Madison Square Park location for about 30 minutes in the sweltering city heat, we found ourselves praying that the burgers and shakes would be more than worth the ridiculous wait.  Of course, we weren’t disappointed, and I successfully left the city knowing that I had just eaten the best burger ever and found my new guilty pleasure.  Ever since that first Shack burger, every time I’ve been in the city, I’ve made stopping at Shake Shack a necessity.  Each time I dig into their burger, it is insanely juicy and perfectly cooked.  The flavor is honestly mind-blowing, with the delectable combination of their secret Shack sauce, ripe tomato and lettuce, perfectly melted cheese over a natural Angus beef patty, and subtly sweet and soft bun holding everything together.  After finishing my burger without a thought of coming up for air, I almost always have a rich and creamy milkshake and hot crinkle fries waiting for me to perfectly top off the guilt-ridden yet wonderful meal.

I’ve only been to the Madison Square Park location of Shake Shack, but I’m sure that all of the Shack locations make their burgers and shakes just as well.  Whenever you get the chance to pass by one of the few Shake Shack locations, don’t hesitate to stop in for the most satisfying meal ever- you won’t regret it.  While you begin scouring Google for the nearest Shake Shack location, I’ll be home and crossing my fingers that the Atlanta location will open up before I graduate from UGA in May.  If it doesn’t, I may just have to make a trip to the city (if I’m not already living there) to grab a celebratory graduation burger and shake.

P.S.:  below is the Shake Shack website link…I know you’ll be needing it sooner or later after scrolling through my mouth-watering photos below

http://www.shakeshack.com