Small Plates - November 23, 2009 - Pages, Pucks and Pantry

RED MANGO -I've never been a big frozen yogurt fan. I've maybe had a handful of frozen yogurts over the years. I've always just preferred the taste of regular ice cream, or gelato. And quite honestly, I'm not all that fond of tons of fruits or nuts or candy on my yogurts. I'm sure that would have upped the yummy factor.

Then came Pinkberry and all the hype. Seems you couldn't turn round without hearing about how some celebrity just loves the stuff. But there was no Pinkberry around so I just kind of ignored the fuss. Then there is Chef Ben* and his blog "Cooking With the Single Guy". Seems Chef Ben is a frozen yogurt connoisseur. He regularly visits fro-yo shops, gives reviews and rates them on his blog. He convinced me that I had to try this tart frozen yogurt that everyone fusses over. But his highest rated place, Red Mango, wasn't anywhere local to me.

That changed recently when I started going to a monthly scrap event at Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos. Almost right across the street was a Red Mango (next to Starbucks of course). I finally decided to try it out this past week. I went pretty basic, trying their original flavor and had it swirled with pomegranate, a seasonal flavor they were currently offering.

I had no idea how this stuff would taste. I really didn't see how it could be much different from that generic frozen yogurt stuff I've had before. But boy was I wrong. This stuff was amazing. Maybe because I like things tart or sour in general, but there was just a flavor and texture that I found wildly appealing with the Red Mango fro-yo. So much so that I thought about that dang frozen yogurt for days (which I don't do even after having some amazing ice cream or gelato!). Wow. Taste bud sensation. Still thinking about it. Yes, I think I've become addicted. But according to Chef Ben's ratings, I started at the top with the best. And the good thing is I don't have to go all the way to San Carlos to get a fix. There is a Red Mango in Valley Fair (franchise owner of that one is Yul the winner of Survivor: Cook Islands).

*Yes, I know you don't want to be known as Chef Ben just the Single Guy but you will always be Chef Ben to me...kinda like it will always be Candlestick or The San Jose Arena or Sunnyvale/Saratoga Rd...

STARBUCKS - A quick Starbucks update: new on the radar to me is Starbucks creation, the Caramel Brulée Latte. I liked it but it's a bit sweet for my taste. Kinda like a sweeter caramel frapp. Starbucks is now selling their instant coffee, VIA, in decaf packs. Not sure why they didn't offer these originally. Not happy that my 10% discount for having a gold card is going away. Yep, those cute little black Starbucks discount cards are going away as of December 26th. The new "discount" will be a program that offers free birthday drinks, free refills and free Wi-Fi. Big deal. I'd rather have my 10% off the food I buy, the coffee drinks I buy (they won't be giving free refills on Venti Caramel frapps now will they?) and the occasional cup or housewares I buy. Bah Humbug. I don't sit at Starbucks for hours so I don't need the Wi-Fi. Grumble.

HOCKEY RULES - My photographer friend Chuq who also knows more about hockey than I could ever forget, gave me a heads up on a new hockey blog. 87 in 107 is a hockey fan trying to learn all the rules in hockey. She started this project 107 days before the Olympics are to start in Vancouver (which it seems she is going to, color me jealous). She is attempting to learn all 87 rules by watching hockey games and figuring out how the rules apply. My favorite part is when she equates a hockey rule with real life. You can check out her blog here.

Caramel Brulee Latte