Greer's OC

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Greer’s OC Takes NYC

06.24.14

Max Brenner: Chocolate Addiction

by Kelley Moody

No trip to New York City is complete without a few sweet indulgences, and if you’re looking for chocolate, Max Brenner is the place to be. This café/restaurant combo is 6,000 square feet located right in the heart of Union Square. The ambiance has a sophisticated, chocolatey flair that is crowned by the delightful menu of chocolate based treats.

At Max Brenner, there is no such thing as spoiling your appetite before dinner. Each item is meant to meet the standards of fulfillment and enjoyment. I started my meal with the Salted Caramel Milkshake.

Slowly churned vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate ganache and sweet caramel united in one rich beverage complimenting my dish of Banana Split Waffles. Each bite was complete with tasty caramelized bananas and Max Brenner’s signature Choco-Pops. I will admit that after this late night visit, I returned the following morning for a White Chocolate Chai that tickled my taste buds into a chocolate heaven.

The founder of this dreamlike chocolate factory shares his chocolate love story in the menu, finding that all his life he has been drawn back to his irresistible urge to make sweets though he hopes to one day write novels.

The only downside to this experience I encountered was the knowledge that I wouldn’t be a simple subway ride away from this location when returning to Orange County. It will certainly be a favorite on my NYC to do list upon my next return.

Pleasant Surprises at Serendipity 3

Rounding the streets of New York it is typical to see bright lights and giant signs meant to catch the attention of any tourist onlookers, but Serendipity 3 shyly keeps to itself between 2^nd and holds delectable secrets for all who enter.

Founded by Stephen Bruce in 1954, this tight little restaurant has entered the spotlight in multiple movies and TV shows. The menu currently holds two Guinness World Record titles for the most expensive dessert and burger with their $1,000 “Golden Opulence Sundae” and $295 “Le Burger Extravagant.” Celebrity frequenters such as Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol have visited through the decades.

I kept my visit on the relatively cheap end in comparison to these lavish bites, but still found myself perfectly content with the delicious, signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Think cool chocolate milk meets icy sundae and you will find yourself slurping down this sweet and delicate bowl of chilled cocoa. While enjoying this treat I recommend taking a look at the gaudy décor of floating butterflies with stained glass wings and historical knick knacks that can be found throughout the restaurant.

Lucky for us west coast folk we can get a taste of this darling restaurant in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace making our ventures into fortuitous happenstance even more likely.

Philanthropic Delights at Magnolia Bakery

The charming Magnolia Bakery is a tourist favorite when looking for quickly baked sweets on the streets of New York City. I personally recommend the Peanut Butter Toffee Bar: crumbly, nutty, cheap and easy—what could be better! But what really left me with happy stomach was Magonlia Bakery’s appetite for humanity.

Magnolia Bakery makes daily efforts to contribute locally and internationally with donations of baked goods to those in need. This franchise has held partnerships with multiple foundations including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and NRDC. Actor Michael J. Fox stopped in for a cupcake to celebrate his 53^rd birthday the day after my own visit. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has also worked with the bakery in the past.

While Magnolia Bakery continues to bake up new menu items and featured cupcakes, they are always looking for new organizations to get involved with. Donation request forms are available on their website.

This little shop has announced that it will continue to expand internationally to Tokyo, Moscow and Mexico City with locations already in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other hot spots around the globe.

You can enjoy Magnolia Bakery at 8389 West 3^rd in New York. 323.951.0636

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Doheny Surf Festival

06.23.14

Celebrate surf at the Doheny Surf Festival on June 28-29, a free, family-friendly event at Doheny State Beach. The two-day event features a variety of surf exhibitions, contests, a vendor village, Kona Brewing’s Liquid Lounge, classic woody car show, music performances by Common Sense, Aloha Radio, Trevor Green, and more. Proceeds will go to State Parks including Doheny State Beach.

Beer Gardens: This year, Kona Brewing Company will be serving up favorites like Longboard Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale and the new Castaway IPA, daily until sundown.

Tandem Demonstrations: See tandem surfing up close and personal! Couples tandems teams from around the world will participate in this exhibition.

Nose Riding Exhibitions: Finesse and footwork at its finest, this exhibition is an amazing display of balance and positioning.

Longboard Lager Legends Expression Session: A rare opportunity for surf fans to get to see some true legends and capture a few autographs.

Terry Martin Memorial Ride: This year, the festival will feature an interactive Terry Martin exhibition ride. On Saturday, at 1 p.m., the public is invited to bring a board shaped by Martin with them and join the exhibition ride. Advanced registration will be held at the HOBIE booth and a $20 donation is encouraged to support the “Sport of Kings” Foundation in memory of Martin.

60s Longboard Contest: Hosted by the Doheny Longboard Association, this contest is open to the public for anyone with a pre-1970s board. You can also sign up for “Pick a Stick” should you not have the correct type of board. Entry to the surf contest is $30. For more information and to register, visit dohenylongboardassocation.org

Vendor Village: The 2014 Vendor Village features an art walk, more than 100 surf and beach vendors offering new wave-riding products, unique gift items, beach fashion wear, Surf Museum exhibits, food trucks and more. Vendor Village opens at 9 a.m. and closes daily at sundown.

Classic Woody Car Show: Over a dozen well-restored, mint-condition classic surf woodies will be on display as well as the all new Subaru sports models complete with racks and custom accessories..

Surf Collector’s Alley: New this year, hundreds of vintage and collectible surfboards from across So Cal, and beyond, will be available for viewing and purchase.

Kids’ Area: The family-friendly festival features a variety of educational and interactive games, displays and presentations from State Park staff teaching environmental awareness and respect for the ocean. There will also be a variety of free crafts including Lei making, airbrush tattoos and story time. Grab a blanket and join a special outdoor screening of the family-friendly film “Lilo & Stitch” on Sunday at sundown on the main lawn.

Beach parking is $15. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on the 2014 Doheny Surf Festival, visit DohenySurfFest.com

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