Monthly Review | March 2025 | Food-Edition

Hey Babes!

Welcome back to the blog! I hope you’re all doing amazing. Since moving to New York, there’s been a phrase living in my head rent-free: "Americans eat like their healthcare is free". As funny as it sounds, there’s some truth to it! I’ve lived in many different places, but nowhere compares to the food scene in the U.S.

So today, I’m rating some of the foods I’ve tried since arriving. Consider this a special edition of Monthly Favorites (yes, I know I skipped last month, but I’m changing the name and the rules—be patient with me!). To keep things fair, I’m only including foods that are either exclusive to the U.S. or ones I’ve only ever eaten here.

1. Erewhon Hailey Bieber Smoothie – 9/10

I wanted so badly to say this was overhyped, but honestly? It lives up to the craze. Erewhon knows what they’re doing when it comes to smoothies. This one is a dreamy blend of almond milk, fresh strawberries, bananas, avocado, and dates, with added health perks from sea moss and collagen. It’s the perfect sweet-yet-nourishing treat—especially for a vegan like me.

2. Vegetarian Egusi Soup – 10/10

This was my first time ever trying African food, and I’m officially obsessed. Traditional Egusi is typically made with meat or seafood, but the vegetarian version I had used tofu (or awara) instead. Meat substitutes can be hit or miss, but this? A solid hit. And the fufu? Incredible—soft, stretchy, and the perfect pairing.

3. Baked Apple Pie from McDonald’s – 6/10

Including this one not because of the pie itself, but because of how it’s made. Back home in Switzerland, McDonald’s apple pies are fried instead of baked, and they’re way less sweet. The U.S. version is decent—not bad, but nothing life-changing either.

4. Soft Serve from Erewhon – 8/10 (9/10 with berries)

I made Alex take me to Erewhon, and we both got soft serve. He added berries to his, and like any good fiancée, I stole a bite. Verdict? The soft serve alone is great, but the tartness of the berries takes it to another level.

5. Jollof Rice – 8/10

Alongside my Egusi soup, I tried a small bowl of Jollof rice. The flavors were rich, the spices were balanced, and the texture was spot on. Just enough heat to keep things interesting without being overwhelming. I totally get why there’s such a passionate debate over which country makes the best Jollof—I might need to try a few versions myself to weigh in! (Team Nigeria?)

6. Chicken Pesto Pizza – 8/10

I usually don’t eat meat, but I make the occasional exception. This was one of those times. Alex does most of the cooking in our relationship, and this pizza was one of his creations. The flavors were well-balanced, and the pesto added a delicious twist.

7. Vanilla Matcha from Erewhon – 10/10

No notes. Just perfection. I’m a matcha girlie, so obviously, this is a solid 10. The vanilla smooths out the earthiness of the matcha, creating a creamy, well-balanced drink. Slightly sweet but not overpowering. If you love matcha, this is a must-try.

8. Crumbl Cookies – -4/10

Yes, you read that right. I’ve never rated anything this low, but here we are. I wanted to like them—I really did. But they were way too sweet, and the icing on some flavors made it even worse. I nearly threw up. The only redeeming factor? The chocolate chip cookie was… okay at best. As cute and fun as they look, they’re just not for me.

9. Homemade Conchas from Our Neighbor – 10/10

When Alex and I moved to New York, our neighbor welcomed us with homemade conchas as a housewarming gift. They were soft, sweet, and absolutely delicious. Bonus points for being made with love! Mrs. Vasquez, if you’re reading this—thank you for the sweetest welcome.

10. Colossal Titan Popsicle – 8/10 (with bias included)

If I’m being objective, this is a 5/10 in terms of quality. It’s your standard novelty snack—nothing special. I got it from a little convenience store (btw, I just learned they call them bodegas here). But because I’m a huge Attack on Titan fan, I’m throwing in three extra points. My blog, my rules!

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That’s it for this roundup! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these—or if there’s something else I need to taste while I’m here. Until next time! 💛