Peach Pinkberry, with mango, raspberries & mochi!

Sushi is one of my favorite things to splurge on and I absolutely adore trying new places and different rolls. But, nothing has intrigued me more than conveyor belt sushi; it just seems so fun.

From what I’ve seen on the Travel Channel, conveyor belt sushi is popular on the West Coast, and from what I’ve read on Wikipedia, it was started by Yoshiaki Shiraishi in Osaka, Japan during the 1950s. 

While nothing resembling this unique dining experience has been available in the Boston area in the past, we finally have Wasabi Sushi in Natick (and soon Braintree).

This small restaurant set up in the center of the Natick Mall opened in the summer of 2011. Featuring a conveyor belt with orange pods that circle around the bar and between two rows of booths, Wasabi Sushi offers everything from the classic California Rolls to the exotic Baja Tuna Maki (it has jalapeno!), as well as various salads, edamame, fresh fruit and desserts.

I started off with my favorite sushi roll of all time, the Philadelphia Maki; salmon, cream cheese, avocado and scallion. Then, I grabbed a Red Dragon Roll; spicy tuna, cucumber & masago, wrapped in tuna with spicy mayo. Both were tasty, but nothing remarkable.

The third plate I picked up off the conveyor belt was the California Volcano Roll; crabstick, avocado, cucumber, masago, eel sauce and spicy mayo. This was my favorite sushi of the day. The cucumber and avocado balanced out the spicy mayo … and, well, everything tastes better with eel sauce!

The last one I tried was their Spicy Tuna Maki; tuna with scallions, spicy mayo, and something that looked like red pepper. IT. WAS. SPICY. And, delicious.

I would have eaten several more plates, but I thought four was plenty. Each plate color represents a price category, and your server adds up the bill at the end … I didn’t even spend $20!

All in all, my experience at Wasabi Sushi was quite moving (ha ha). The conveyor belt lived up to the hype and I definitely plan on going back for more soon!

We’ve already covered that I am obsessed with Harry Potter, but my love for the magical world that Jo Rowling created reached a fever pitch when Bobby and I traveled to Florida at the beginning of the month and visited Universal’s ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter.’

Entering into what is essentially Hogsmeade, the first thing you see is the Hogwarts Express … and the first thing you need to do is get yourself some Butterbeer (yes, it’s only 8 a.m., and no that shouldn’t matter). They serve the Butterbeer as a regular soda drink, or as a frozen concoction. I opted for the soda, as there is no such thing a “frozen Butterbeer” in the books.

Just across the way is Zonko’s Joke Shop and Honeydukes (inside, they are connected as one store, but their exteriors look different). There are so many things to observe, as a million small details have gone into the designs and decorations. There are sneakoscopes and extendable ears … and there are other non-book related items; there are chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans … and all sorts of regular fudge and candies inside a glass case.

Right next door is the Three Broomsticks, where we had lunch. The food isn’t that spectacular, as they tried to maintain a historic-United-Kingdom-feel, with Cornish pasties and Shepherd’s pie, but I got the fish & chips and it was pretty good. At this point I also tried Pumpkin Juice and it was AHH-MAYY-ZINNG. Tucked away in the far side of the restaurant is the Hog’s Head, which is just a bar area for ordering tap beer and the exclusive Hog’s Head Brew, which tasted like an IPA.

Back outside are the restrooms, which you MUST visit if you’re a girl!! As well as several fake store fronts.

There is also Dervish & Banges, the Owl Post, and a short show at Ollivander’s Wand Shop (try and do Ollivander’s first thing in the morning, as the line gets long and the show isn’t really worth the wait; they let in about 20 people and only one random kid gets chosen to pick a wand).

Attractions include the ‘Dragon Challenge’ roller coaster, the ‘Flight of the Hippogriff’ for small children, and ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,’ which is the ride inside of Hogwarts Castle. The wait was over an hour long, and I had to close my eyes for a good portion (there were acromantulas), but it was a really cool ride and worth the wait — especially since there were so many things to take photos of in line.

Now I hear Universal is working on an expansion project, which will reportedly include a Gringotts ride (and I vote for Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop). This is definitely exciting news, as it will give me an excuse to go back!!

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Butterbeer
It’s the end of an era

I whipped up this cheesecake (disguised as nachos) for a party recently. Isn’t it hilarious?

I spent several days beforehand searching for all the ingredients I would need; the green licorice proved to be the hardest thing to locate. I prepped and baked the night before & assembled the cake a few hours before heading to the party.

Everyone may have looked at it skeptically when I arrived, wondering what it was made of … but I assure you it was delicious cheesecake!

You’ll need:

• Your preference of cheesecake, baked without crust & tinted orange
• 1 roll refrigerated pie dough (Pillsbury)
• All purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar 
• Swedish Fish
• 1 cup sugar-free strawberry preserves (Smucker’s)
• Green licorice twists (Twizzlers)
• Black licorice dots (Crows)
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• Yellow and red food coloring
• Chocolate covered raisins (Raisinets)

I started by making the “black olives.” Cutting a dozen or so licorice Crows into 1/4 inch circles, I then punched holes into them with a straw. I went through several straws to complete this task, as the licorice didn’t give way too easily.

Next, I sliced up the green Twizzler twists to create the “green onions.” And roughly chopped the Swedish Fish for “tomato chunks.”

Spooning the sugar-free strawberry preserves into a small bowl, add a handful of “green onions” and all of the “tomato chunks” and mix; this will be your “salsa.”

For the “chips,” preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unroll the pie dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to flatten it slightly. Brush the top of the dough with milk and sprinkle with sugar. With a pastry wheel or knife, slice 2 1/2 inch thick strips and then cut the strips into as many triangles as possible. Transfer the triangles to the cookie sheets and bake in batches, 6 to 8 minutes each, or until they’re golden brown.

At this point, you can bake the cheesecake according to your favorite recipe - minus any crust. I used the Paula Deen NY Cheesecake recipe I made last year when I first purchased my springform pan (see: Cherry Cheesecake). If you really want to cheat, I’m sure a store-bought cheesecake would work just as well.

Once your cake is cooled and ready to be assembled, press several “chips” into the cheesecake and place some on top and around the edges. Add the “salsa,” “black olives,” “green onions” and “beans” (Raisinets).

For the melted cheese, tint the sour cream with the yellow and red food coloring. Transfer to a Ziplock bag and snip the edge, then pipe puddles all over your creation.

Serve & enjoy the reactions of your friends and family!

Dooney & Bourke was first introduced to me by my mother, back when their duck logo was still emblazoned on all their leather goods; I became a fan of the brand when they released the “it” bag in 2004, with Mischa Barton as their spokesmodel and those amazing, colorful zippers.

Now, Dooney & Bourke has teamed up with Disney and designed a line of limited edition bags, and, while in Florida last weekend I fell in love all over again.

This oversized, cream colored bag, with its scribble design of Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella’s glass slipper, the rose from Beauty & the Beast, and the Cheshire Cat, was fun, colorful and just the right size for a weekend in the Sunshine State.

I knew that I had to have it.

Luckily I had my trusty LeSportsac carry on with me, so I easily squashed it into my new luggage when it was time to pack up and head home. Now that I’m back in New England though, all I’m thinking about is my next trip to Orlando, so I can use the bag again!!

A selection of Dooney & Bourke’s Disney line is available at the Disney Store.

HAPPY EASTER!

Let’s talk about how much I LOVE THESE PANTS!

I’ve never been one to gravitate towards exercise/yoga pants; they’ve always made me feel insecure, clinging to every imperfection. However, I’ve recently been pushing myself to hit to the gym more often, and I feel frumpy hopping on the elliptical in what are essentially pajamas.

So, while I was at Gap the other day I threw caution to the wind, decided to try on a pair of the GapFit gFlex pants … and almost fell over in the dressing room. They were flattering! They concealed my problem areas! They were soooo comfortable!! How could this be?! I must buy three pairs!!! 

After just a week, these have become my favorite pants for lounging, running quick errands, and yes, hitting the gym.

Check them out here: GapFit gFlex.