Morotino East Village

While I was in New York, I had to have a New York slice. Partial to Neapolitan pizza, I decided to give Morotino in East Village a shot. When I sat down for dinner, the cozy restaurant was relatively crowded, but by the time I left, it was even more packed, with a line going out the door! Clearly, people love this pizza joint, but I was not the biggest fan. 

 I ordered a classic margherita pizza. The crust was a little too chewy and slightly charred. Also, the relatively small amounts out mozzarella cheese, compared to the basil sauce, not only kept sliding off the slice, but also didn’t have that familiar, warm gooey taste. Instead, it taste a little clumpy, as if it was it’s own ingredient rather than one that’s supposed to be cooked into a larger pizza dish.

The friendly service somewhat makes up for the decent pizza. The waiters always had a smile on their face and were extremely attentive. When my glass was running low, they were always there to refill it; I never had to pour my own water! The service and ambience, however, don’t totally make up for the food, so I don’t think I’ll be stopping by Morotino anytime soon. Instead, I suggest the nearby Kesté to enjoy traditional Neapolitan pizza.

Ladurée Soho

If there’s one thing I miss from France, it’s all the delicious pastries. So, this week, while in New York, I had to stop by Ladurée, a French luxury bakery in Soho. I stepped inside the shop to find a delicious assortment of croissants, puff pastries, and macarons enclosed in a glass to my left and small statues lining the mirrored walls to my right. That first room served more as a tea and dessert room, while the next room, where I was seated, and the ones beyond it were more for full lunch or dinner meals. There is also outdoor seating available for warmer weather days! 

When I was in the Paris bakery, I ordered the Millefeuille Praline, a caramelized puff pastry filled with almonds and praline cream. Here, I tried something different with the Plasir Sucre, a meringue biscuit with crispy praline, thick milk chocolate leaves, crushed piedmont hazelnuts, Chantilly cream, and milk chocolate filling. While both were decadent treats, the Plasir Sucre blew me away, satisfying my chocolate craving. I also asked for three petit macarons in salted caramel, chocolate, and red fruits. They packed the perfect amount of sweetness into a one-inch diameter size. I have to admit that I do prefer the lighter, more airy macarons of Pierre Hermé, but until my next trip to Paris, Ladurée will be my go-to spot for delicious French pastries!

7 Best Nickelodeon Shows from the 2000s

We all know that Nickelodeon had some of the best cartoon TV shows of all time, but we can’t forget that the Orange Channel also produced some of the most entertaining live-action TV shows. These series were zany and fun, while incorporating the perfect amount of conflict that could easily be resolved in 22 minutes. Now, let’s take a look back at the 7 best Nickelodeon shows of the 2000s.

All That (1994-2005)

Like a Saturday Night Live for kids, All That features original short comedic sketches and weekly musical guests. Notable sketches include Good Burger, Vital Information, and Everyday French with Pierre Escargot, while the Quickie Mart Sketch remains a personal favorite. I’d like to think of All That as the show that started all other Nick shows with spin offs including The Nick Cannon Show, Kenan and Kel, The Amanda Show, and Zoey 101. From the Amanda Show, we were introduced to Drake and Josh who got their own show, and from that we discovered the talented Miranda Cosgrove who starred in iCarly. Zoey 101 also launched the career of Victoria Justice, star of Victorious, a show that catapulted Jeanette McCurdy and Ariana Grande into further fame in their spin off Sam and Cat.

The Amanda Show (1999-2002)

Amanda Bynes starred as the host of her very own sketch comedy and variety show. The sketches were often parodies, including "Judge Trudy”, a spoof of Judge Judy; "So You Want to Win Five Dollars?" a spoof of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; and “Moody’s Point, a spoof of Dawson’s Creek. The series also featured humorous commercials that advertised Popper Pants, pants that make popcorn, and Snap, Crackle, Kaboom!, cereal that exploded in your face. The eccentric and dimwitted characters like Amanda’s number one fan Penelope Taynte and Crazy Courtney, who always shouted “MAH-HA,” elevated this classic show to the next level. Now, let’s bring in the Dancing Lobsters!

Unfabulous (2004-2007)

Emma Roberts stars as Addie Singer, a teenage girl who writes songs about her life in middle school. We watch Addie balance school with her relationships with family and friends including fashionista Geena Fabiano and environmental activist and basketball player Zack Carter-Schwartz.  There’s also the additional bonus of revisiting the middle school dating scene as Addie recaps her crushes and blossoming love life with angsty song lyrics while strumming her guitar.

Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide (2004-2007)

Ned’s Declassified focused on Ned Bigby, Jennifer "Moze" Mosely, and Simon "Cookie" Nelson-Cook, three friends trying to find their way through the socially awkward middle school years. Throughout the series, Ned shares the tips in his survival guide with viewers and classmates to help them survive the standard middle school struggles, such as popularity, grades, and sports. Not only was the show helpful, but it also featured fast-paced comedy that made it enjoyable to watch, and I watched it a lot considering Nickelodeon played it non-stop during my childhood.  

Drake and Josh (2004-2008)

This series follows the lives of Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck), two teenage boys with opposite personalities who become stepbrothers. Drake is a popular, but immature aspiring musician, whereas Josh is more kind and sensitive soul. They live in San Diego with Josh's father Walter, Drake's mother Audrey, and their manipulative younger sister Megan. This show not only follows their hilarious misadventures, but also opens with “I Found a Way,” the theme song by Drake Bell himself, and includes fun catch phrases that make me want to shout, “Hug me brotha!” at the top of my lungs and “repeat things for emphasis. EMPHASIS!”

Zoey 101 (2005-2008)

This series focuses on the lives of teenager Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears) and her friends as they attend a fictional Southern California boarding school, Pacific Coast Academy (PCA). The show made boarding school life look like the ultimate dream, where you got to ride to class in your Jet-X, grab Sushi-Rox with friends, and lead a carefree, independent life devoid of parental supervision. Also, the theme song “Follow Me,” sung by Jamie Lynn, was composed by her famous older sister Britney Spears.

iCarly (2007-2012)

When Carly and her best friend Sam act funny at a school talent show audition, tech-savvy Freddie tapes and posts it online without telling them. An online audience soon demands more of the duo’s hilarity, so the iCarly webcast is born. While grappling with typical teenage issues, Carly, Sam, and Freddie also deal with their online celebrity of their hit show. Not only does the cast have great chemistry, but also guest stars such as Michelle Obama and One Direction add a special element to the show.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians Recap: On the Road

On the latest episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kim prepped for her interview at the Code/Mobile tech conference. While she felt confidence in her ability to talk about technology, she felt as though everyone else expected her to fail. After the interview, she was vindicated with positive feedback through social media. Fans praised the respectable businesswoman for her tech savvy and eloquent manner. Ultimately, Kim was proud that she stepped out of her comfort zone, by attending and speaking at a tech conference for the first time, because she proved her critics wrong and grew in the process.

            Meanwhile, Kylie and Kris hadn’t spoken in the past two weeks. In an effort to reconnect with her daughter, Kris invited Kylie to visit MJ in a mother-daughter bonding trip. After Kylie asked for a separate hotel room and revealed her plan to move out the second she turns 18, Kris felt hurt that her youngest child didn’t want to spend time with her. Finally, Kylie decided she was being too tough on her mom and agreed to a day at an amusement part. Not only did they ride old-fashioned roller coasters and enjoy cotton candy, but Kris also let Kylie know that she will always be there for her and reminded her about the importance of spending quality time together.

Back in Calabasas, Khloe ended her relationship with French Montana when she asked Malika to drop off the last of French’s stuff at his house. Newly single, Khloe decided to turn a party appearance in Las Vegas into a girl’s trip. While at dinner, they run into French who invites them to a party later that night. Malika didn’t want to go and felt that Khloe should distance herself from French. Since things got heated between the best friends in Vegas, Khloe invited Malika on a road trip. Eventually, Khloe realized that Malika’s advice came from a loving place, but Khloe decides to keep in her life. Amidst a backdrop of murky, putrid hot springs, the girls reconcile, hug, and return home.

Catch a brand new episode of Keeping Up with The Kardashians this Sunday at 9/8c on E!

6 Best Nickelodeon Cartoons of ‘90s

Until 1991, Nickelodeon aired animated television series that were largely imported from foreign countries. Then, the channel created a number of original cartoons, making Nickelodeon the go-to source for children’s entertainment. Nicktoons still make a substantial portion of Nickelodeon’s lineup, including both current and reruns of former programming. Although Nickelodeon continues to produce new cartoons, the '90s undoubtedly introduced us to the 6 Best Nickelodeon cartoons.

Rugrats (1991-2004)

A '90s staple, Rugrats focuses on a group of toddlers, mainly Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil and Angelica. Their parents are portrayed as easily distracted, leaving the adventurous, young children free to explore. Thus, viewers got to see the imaginative, day-to-day lives of Tommy and his playmates as they rode around in the Reptar wagon or hung out with Cynthia, who is a really good dancer. The show not only enjoyed a remarkable 13-year run, but also spawned three films, a spin off series, and two direct-to-video specials. 

Hey Arnold (1996-2004)

The show centers on a fourth grader named Arnold as he navigates urban life. Not only did he live in a boarding house with his kooky grandparents, quirky neighbors, and his pet pig Abner, but also his school was populated with hilarious, relatable, young friends and classmates. Between fighting with Helga, who harbored a secret crush on him, hanging out with his best friend Gerald, and pining for Lila and Ruth, Arnold taught us a thing or two about life and helped us smile along the way.

CatDog (1998-2005)

The series follows the adventures of CatDog, a conjoined cat and dog hybrid with opposite personalities; Cat loves Opera and reading, while Dog prefers Rock n’ Roll and chasing garbage trucks. Although they have their differences, the two are best friends. Viewers got to enjoy the crazy adventures of CatDog, but at the end of each episode were still left wondering many things, like how they could be best friends when they seemed to hate each other and, more importantly, how did they go to the bathroom?

The Wild Thornberrys (1998-2004)

The Thornberrys are a family of documentary filmmakers, famous for their televised wildlife studies. The show primarily centers on the family's younger daughter Eliza, who can secretly communicate with animals, including their pet chimpanzee Darwin. Together, the pair frequently ventures into the wilderness, befriending many species of wild animals along the way. The series taught us about animals and life’s lessons such as the importance of family or that grunge is always in, so I think we can all agree that this show is smashing!

Rocket Power (1999-2004)

Rocket Power revolves around a group of friends named Otto, Reggie, Twister, and Squid in the fictional Southern California town of Ocean Shores. The foursome surf, skate, and play extreme sports daily, while making it all look so easy. Not only do we the daily situations of the young gang, but also enjoy other loveable characters like Raymundo, Otto and Reggie’s cool surfer dad, and Uncle Tito, the best friend to the family who helps run the Shore Shack.

Spongebob Squarepants (1999-present)

We all still know and love the yellow sponge “Who lives in a Pineapple under the sea?” Spongebob Squarepants chronicles the adventures of Spongebob and his friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. As the longest running series on Nickelodeon, the show has welcomed famous guest stars throughout the years including Amy Poehler, Johnny Depp, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Scarlett Johansson. From the mouthwatering Krabby patties to the catchy F.U.N. song to the antics in Jellyfish fields, this show has kept me entertained and laughing to this day.

4 Reasons We Need Season 4 of The Mindy Project

The third season finale of The Mindy Project aired on March 24^th, but the fourth season of this Fox comedy has yet to be confirmed.  Fellow Fox show New Girl has already been renewed for its next season, leaving Mindy fans worried about the fate of their beloved romantic-comedy sitcom. Although the future of the show remains unclear, both fans and cast members remain hopeful that the show will continue, whether that be a Fox renewal or on a new network. Whether you’ve never missed an episode or are wondering what show you should binge-watch next, watch The Mindy Project and you’ll soon see these top four reasons we need another season of this fantastic show.

The Cliffhangers

While the season finale was beautiful, it definitely did not feel like an ending, but more of a build up to something greater. Fans still have questions, which the show has yet to address! Who are Mr. and Mrs. Lahiri? Will they accept Mindy and Danny’s relationship and their potential child out of wedlock? Will Mindy have the baby? Will she and Danny get married?

The Guest Stars

Notable names that have come on the show include Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lee Pace, Shonda Rhimes, B.J. Novak, and Seth Meyers, while Stephen Colbert and Laverne Cox appeared at the end of the third season alone. One can only imagine who will show up next season, especially considering Mindy is known friends with Lena Dunham, Reese Witherspoon, and her The Office cast mates.

The Writing

The show’s writers have done a phenomenal job in establishing a unique and likeable voice for The Mindy Project. Not only have they incorporated a mix of pop culture references and witty one-liners into each episode, but they’ve also developed the plot in an organic fashion and created eccentric characters that complement the outlandish comedy of the show. The writing on this show makes fans laugh and cry, sometimes both, but always in the best way.

Mindy Kaling

As the creator, writer, executive producer, Mindy runs this show. Not only does she deserve a round of applause for all her hard work and talent, but also because Mindy, both off-screen and on, manages to come across such a relatable person-as someone we all want to hang out with.

New Term, New Workout

New school terms always feels like New Year's Day, with everyone possessing that positive mentality of “new year, new me.” With that can-do attitude seemingly on everyone's mind, students packed the gym during this past first week at school. I personally don’t mind working out in the gym, but I know that other people prefer running outside or, better yet, not working out at all! Although it may not be everyone’s favorite activity, exercise is still important and necessary in order to stay healthy. Luckily, there are plenty of fun, alternative ways to get moving.

This term, I signed up for Zumba and had my first class today! I can safely say that it did add a fun kick to my usual workouts, so I’m definitely looking forward to my classes in these upcoming weeks. If Zumba is not for you, you can also try Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, or a number of other activities. Take your pick and you’ll be happy, healthy, and on your way to a sizzling, summer body in no time! 

The Best Disney Channel Original Movies

From the late 90s to the 2000s, my brother and I tailored our Friday night schedules to catch the latest Disney Channel Original Movie, or DCOM for the more hip youths of the world. Although Disney Channel still releases new DCOMs, the television movies of the 2010s do not compare to my childhood favorites. If you’re ever in a nostalgic mood, pop a VHS cassette into your trusty VCR and revisit these 6 Disney Channel classics.

Zenon: Girl of the 21^st Century (1999)

Zenon Kar is a teenage girl who lives on a space station in 2049. When she gets into trouble, her parents exile her to Earth to live with her Aunt Judy. Initially, Zenon has trouble fitting in because of her spandex-y clothes and stellar slang like Zetus lupetus. Eventually, she makes friends and, with their help, saves the space station from crashing. Afterwards, everyone enjoys Protozoa in concert as he sings, “Zoom Zoom Zoom. Make my heart go boom boom, my supernova girl.” Talk about a DCOM major!

The Color of Friendship (2000)

This heartwarming movie stands out as arguably the first DCOM to deal with the reality of racial inequality. The film focuses on the growing friendship between two girls in 1977, Piper, a black teen from Washington, DC, and Mahree, a wealthy white teen from apartheid South Africa. Although initially standoff-ish, Mahree eventually grows close with Piper and her family, realizing the inherent equality in everyone.

Right on Track (2003)

This television movie is based on the true story of Courtney and Erica Enders, two sisters who join the traditionally male dominated sport of junior drag racing. Towards the end of their teen years, the Enders sisters come out on top to win the NHRA Junior Dragster national title. They continue to race throughout high school and college, and still do so today. If you’re looking for an inspirational story or miss seeing 7^th Heaven’s Beverly Mitchell on the small screen, Right on Track is the DCOM for you.

The Cheetah Girls (2003)

In Disney’s first television musical film, the Cheetah Girls, a teen girl quartet, try to win their school’s talent show. During the talent show auditions, a record label producer discovers the signing foursome, which leads to a series of obstacles for the girls on their road to becoming worldwide superstars. Not only is the movie filled with cheetah-licious fashion and friendship, but it also closes with the chart-topping hit “Cheetah Sisters.” What more can a girl ask for?

High School Musical (2006)

High School Musical tells the story of two high school juniors from rival cliques, Troy Bolton, the basketball team captain, and Gabriella Montez, a math and science genius. Together, they try out and land the lead roles in their high school musical. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others to do the same, in catchy musical numbers no less! Not to mention, the film introduced us to Zac Efron, so it will forever be in my heart.

Camp Rock (2008)

To attend a prestigious summer rock camp, teen girl Mitchie has to work in the kitchen as a cook. When she’s overheard singing, teen pop star Shane Gray falls head over heals and sets out to find the girl with the beautiful voice. Forever a jobros fan, my younger self was dancing and singing along to this DCOM gem. My older self still belts out “This is real, this is me” in the shower, so Camp Rock, along with these other DCOMs, is a film for all ages.