Saturday, April 1, 2023

Aladdin's Market & Kitchen - A Magic Carpet Ride to Amazing Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Homecooked Food

Chicken Shawarma Plate

1180 Holcomb Ave Reno, NV 89502 (Midtown)
(775) 737-4244

Click to Enlarge

If you've ever wandered the streets of New York with a growling stomach and a love for good eats, chances are you've spotted the legendary Halal Guys' food carts. They're hard to miss, with lines snaking down the block and the smell of grilled meats wafting through the air.

People flock to these carts for their mouthwatering dishes – think grilled meats, rice, hummus, and veggies all smothered in a delicious tahini/hummus sauce that brings everything together in perfect harmony.

But if you're in Reno and craving that same flavor without the wait, look no further than Aladdin's. Tucked away in a local Mediterranean market, Aladdin's Market & Kitchen is the creation of a friendly owner, Radi.

I recently tried their sampler and chicken kabob plate (a personal fave), and let me tell you, I was practically doing a happy dance after that first bite. The chicken kabob plate? Pure perfection – juicy chicken, a kickass garlic tahini sauce, and tzatziki that had me licking my fingers clean. Don't be shy about asking for extra sauce!

The beef kabob (or kofta) could've used a bit more oomph in the flavor department, but it was still pretty darn good, especially considering how fresh it was.

Now, let's talk desserts. Some of them were a tad too sweet for my liking, but hey, if you've got a sweet tooth, give 'em a shot – they're popular for a reason.

Their tabouli salad was a refreshing side dish, packed with parsley, tomato, cucumber, bulgur wheat, and a zesty citrus dressing.

I'm already planning my next visit to dig into their kibbeh, fries, and soup. And can we take a moment to appreciate Radi? He moved to Reno four decades ago and saw a gap in the food scene – Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. I'm so glad he took the leap and brought us this gem of a spot. Here's to good food and following your passion!

Aladdin's Sampler

What You Will Find at the Market:
-Hot, Fresh Food Made to Order
    Kabobs
    Sandwiches
    Appetizers (Dolmas, Hummus, Fries, Flatbreads)
    Shawarma Plates (thinly sliced meat, stacked, and roasted)
    Vegetarian and Vegan Options (Falafel Plates, Hummus, and Sides)
    -Desserts like Baklava
    -Specials
-Grocery Items - Frozen and Pantry (No Fresh Produce), Snacks, and Drinks
-Hookahs

Their Tabouli Salad is the BOMB

Notes:
- While waiting, feel free to browse the grocery side for some added excitement.
- Customizing your meal is a breeze; just give them your preferences.
- For ultimate convenience, order online for pickup or delivery via their website (link provided above).
- Depending on the time of day, the parking lot might be packed, but you can usually find street parking nearby.
- Inside the market, you'll find a few tables available for dining in.
- Rest assured, their food and products are Halal Certified, meeting Islamic Law standards.
- Don't forget to check out their selection of prepackaged sides and desserts for sale.

Falafel Wrap

Different styles of Baklava. A little too sweet for me but worth trying if you have a sweet tooth.

Categorized Under Good Eats and International Markets

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Experience a Tea Fit for a Queen at Bouchee Confections in Reno, Nevada


Bouchee Confections
940 W Moana Ln #102 
Reno, NV 89509


Business Snapshot
Bouchee Confections in Reno expertly pairs single-origin chocolates with complementary flavors, crafting decadent bonbons. They offer high tea services featuring made-from-scratch scones, sandwiches, desserts, and loose-leaf teas. Their store also stocks truffles, bark, chocolate bars, and more. Call ahead to experience their unique flavors.


$45/person is an absolute steal!
Or call/text (775) 384-1455 

***You can order tea pot loose leaf tea a la carte any other day

Simply put, "Afternoon Tea (also known as High Tea these days)," a British tradition introduced in the 1840s by the Duchess of Bedford, Anna, was a means to bridge the gap between meals and tame hunger.  

Though there are subtle differences between "High" and "Afternoon" Tea, they have evolved to be used interchangeably as restaurants have found it easy to put the two in the same category for advertising purposes. 

Source of Picture The Spruce

Today, tea is enjoyed as an occasional indulgence, a way to catch up with special friends, and is used to celebrate special occasions. 

Whatever the reason for tea, you can expect to delight in a lovely and cozy setting in which conversations flow easily with dainty sandwiches, premium loose leaf teas, and fine pastries to look forward to.  

I am so excited to announce that we have an amazing tea service here in Reno provided by Bouchee Confections, a craft chocolate shop created and owned by Natalie, a passionate local chocolatier/pastry chef that's trained in France and has years of experience working in professional settings. 

Using quality ingredients, special training, creativity, passion, and patience, Natalie meticulously concocts multi-layered desserts and craft chocolates, specials throughout the holidays and seasons, and finger sandwiches, & desserts for her High Tea service.

For a lavish indulgence with a touch of style and class (accompanied by enchanting Bridgerton-like music in the background), Natalie's High Tea service offers a uniquely special experience that elevates any day and occasion.

What to Expect at Bouchee's Tea Service

*Comforting and Tasty Sandwiches  
(subject to change with seasons) 
My service came with: 
-Herbed egg salad 
-Roast beef, horseradish, and arugula 
-Brie, apple, and prosciutto

They were all so flavorful and delightful.  I kept on taking small bites because I didn't want the magic to disappear. 


*Bottomless Premium Loose Leaf Tea
One flavor per person
They have Green, Black, and Herbal Options

Coffees and Teas sourced from Glory Cloud in Carson City.  They have exceptional craft products and service inside their shop (order drinks while shopping for bags of coffee and tea and learn about their process). 

Their Strawberry Chocolate Pu'erh was BEYOND tasty.  A taste of sophistication. 


*An Assortment of Fine Pastries and Desserts
My service included a piece of divine chocolate, a delicious housemade shortbread cookie, a moist and flavorful scone, a beautiful chocolate-covered strawberry, and a gourmet housemade marshmallow.

*The Best Clotted Cream and Jams

What is Clotted Cream? 
The best thing you can spread onto your made from scratch scone!

Clotted cream is a thick butter made from heavy cream that's been baked for a long time in an oven.  With its long baking time comes the most flavorful type of thickened, earthy, and nutty kind of butter that has bits of explosive flavor in every bite.  

My service came with lemon curd and raspberry jam.  Both were so addicting and when added onto pastries with clotted cream, became an explosion of flavor. 

*Attentative and Friendly Service

I have a natural tendency to ask questions about foods I enjoy and kept on bothering my kind server, April, with so many questions.  She was always happy to answer them and even threw in some extra information for fun.  April was also great at checking in. 


*A Mix of Lovely China and Teapots 

Bouchee Confection's Teapots and Plates are absolutely cute and adorable.  These touches make for a fun and charming experience.

NOTES
*Natalie accommodates custom orders
*High Tea allows a two-hour dining window
*Seasonal and holiday variations in desserts and treats
*Ample parking space provided
*Daily offerings include Espresso Coffees, lattes, and loose leaf teas
*Indoor seating is available
*Secure your High Tea spot by booking in advance
*Explore additional products from local vendors in the shop
*Support and keep the shop thriving by following on Social Media and sharing the word with friends and family.

Other Desserts and Treats at the Shop

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate - Crispy Chocolate Cookie Base, Chocolate Almond Sacher Cake, 66% Ecuador Origin Dark Chocolate, Cremeux Milk Chocolate Mousse, Dark Chocolate Glaze.  This is my most favorite dessert in all of Reno that I crave and dream about constantly.  This is every chocolate lover's dream come true.  The crispy chocolate cookie base is a game changer.
Strawberry Pistacio - Pistachio Financier, Strawberry Gelee, Mascarpone Vanilla Mousse, Red White Chocolate Glaze.  This is one of my favorites.  Delicate with so many layers of flavors and textures and supreme pistachio flavor.
Tropical (GF) - Coconut Dacquoise Cake Pineapple Vanilla Compote Mango Coulis Coconut Mousse Yellow White Chocolate Shell Vanilla Whipped Cream, Lime Zest.  This dessert is so refreshing with amazing tropical flavors.  If you're a fan of white chocolate and true tropical flavors, this dessert is for you. 

*All opinions are my own. Information subject to change.  Please check in with shop for the latest details.

Categorized Under "Good Eats"---> "High Tea and Tea Shops" & "Desserts"