Welcome to Back to Basics, where we classy ladies try to establish just how basic one can be in the Orlando area. Each month, we’ll be taking on a new theme, and we’ll be searching for the best in basic trends. We’ve all heard some of the most recent popular foodie trends – charcoal, galaxy and unicorn – as well as familiar classics such as pumpkin spice and peppermint. We hope we can inspire the rest of the Nonahood to embrace their inner basic.
This month, with Saint Patrick’s Day just around the corner, we’re taking on the classic Reuben sandwich and all things green and sweet. Don’t forget to pinch your least favorite co-worker for not wearing green! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Place: Jersey Mike’s
Order: Grilled Pastrami Reuben (hot)
Final Review Nicole: I’m a reuben fan, and this one was good, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to order it with all of the options they offer. The rosemary bread was a nice addition to the sub, but it was a little excessive in the sense that the bread-to-meat ratio wasn’t that proportional until the middle of the sandwich. I had to request more sauerkraut as there wasn’t any included, but c’mon, what makes a reuben? All four components are essential to the sandwich.
Final Review Vanessa: I’m not much of a meat eater, so reubens aren’t really up my alley, but for the sake of the holiday, I gave it a go. It was fair, in my opinion. I’m not a big sandwich fan, but I definitely see the appeal with this sandwich. The first time, the classic sauerkraut on the sandwich was not included, which was a bit of a bummer, as that’s what makes a reuben a reuben.
Taste: 6.5/10
Aesthetic: 7/10
Environment: 6/10
Price: 8/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 10/10
Place: Starbucks
Order: Green Tea Latte
Final Review Nicole: Okay, ladies and gents, this is my go-to order at Starbies, and I’m never disappointed. Whether it’s hot or iced, I swoon over my matcha every single day. I love to order mine with coconut milk so I can enjoy the best of both worlds and fulfill my obsession. Coconut + matcha = HAPPY NICOLE! I honestly can never get tired of this wonderful drink, and I will always want more. If you’ve never tried matcha, you’ve yet to live (in my opinion). Give it a go next time and let me know what you think! Are you on the matcha train with me!?
Final Review Vanessa: Starbucks offers a really great green tea latte for when you’re on the go and need something refreshing as a pick me up. I’m never against a good tea break, and Starbucks is the current king of coffee and tea convenience (sorry, Dunkin’!). The latte was especially good with soy milk, which in my opinion gives an extra layer of creaminess and fullness to the latte.
Taste: 8/10 (Nicole gives it a 10/10)
Aesthetic: 8/10
Environment: 7/10
Price: 7/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 10/10
Place: Vespr
Order: Matcha Green Tea Latte
Final Review Vanessa: I love this latte! It’s been one of my favorites at Vespr for a long time now, and I still love this latte! It is by far my favorite green tea latte in the Central Florida area, and it is one of the many things that keeps me coming back to Vespr. I love the frothy taste of the matcha and milk combination. I totally recommend Vespr for a coffee stop and for their variety of teas, friendly staff and very chill vibe. They actually didn’t have any when Nicole and I went, and I’m pretty sure I heard her heart break, but she trusts my judgment on my previous visits.
Taste: 9/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 6/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 6/10
Place: Chibi’s Boba
Order: Green Tea Lavender Boba (slushed and iced) and Island Curry Coconut Chicken Panini
Final Review Nicole: Alright, I know I say this a lot, but this is literally heaven in a cup! I had always wanted to try this combination of flavors, but it was too hard for me to stray from my usual mixture. This time, Van convinced me, and I pretty much owe her my life at this point. This has got to be the most amazing flavor of boba, hands down. Being that I’m obsessed with both green tea AND lavender, it’ll be difficult for me to want to order anything else, especially since Chibi’s has such amazing flavors and you can combine them. Life is difficult…first-world problems.
The panini was absolutely amazing! It was so tasty, and the first time I’ve ever ordered food from Chibi’s. I’ll definitely order food from now on! Chibi’s just never disappoints me. The coconut curry was so flavorful, and the cheese was melted to perfection! The sandwich was generous in all forms.
Final Review Vanessa: If you didn’t know, you can mix chibis flavors! This has to be one of my BEST creations to this point, because, DUH, lavender and green tea? What’s NOT to love!
I love this creation because the two flavors totally compliment each other and give the drink a wonderful flavor. One of my favorite things we’ve had!
Taste: 10/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 8/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 8/10
Place: Krungthep Tea Time
Order: Matcha Emperor & Green Curry Signature Sandwich
Final Review Nicole: OH MY GOSH, GUYS, I think I just died and went to matcha heaven. This dessert is BEAUTIFUL!! I could get carried away with how gorgeous this is, but let’s talk about what’s more important: Taste. Wow, honestly at a loss for words. This has taken the first-place trophy for me over anything I’ve ever tried. I think a tear is falling. For a moment, I forgot I was eating toast and not French toast. The sweet red beans add a nice, light sugariness and break up the flavors of all things matcha. The sweetened condensed milk adds a delicate and sweet touch, but this matcha ice cream?! Can I get an infinite container of it to go, please?! I could eat this literally all day, every day. If I’m being honest, I could’ve licked the plate until it was ready to go back into the cabinets. #sorrynotsorry. The sandwich comes with your choice of bread, and I chose sunflower bread because why not?! Wow, this is so flavorful! My palette is going crazy with all the flavor notes! There’s the little kick of curry, the sweetness of the bell peppers and the savoriness of the chicken and eggplant. Leaving completely satisfied and more from Krungthep. Can’t wait to return.
Final Review Vanessa: THIS WAS HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT WE HAVE EVER EATEN ON BACK TO BASICS. HOLY WOW.
This takes first place on the list of weird/basic/amazing things that we have been able to try in the history of this column. I was in shock and in love from the first taste. For starters, I’ve never had red beans before, and I didn’t realize how sweet they were. The paste on top of the sweet toast and matcha ice cream *major heart eyes.*
Every texture, every flavor was a perfect complement to the other, and they all made such sweet music in my mouth. Even though I got only four bites since Nicole took most of it (she was REALLY into it).
Taste: 10/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 8/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 5/10 (Yo, I-4 blows, man.)
Next month, we’ll break out our flower crowns, and Vanessa will probably lose Nicole somewhere in a field of flowers or in a floral coma as we embrace lavender and rose notes.
