Caroline's Cakes 4-Layer Pink Champagne Cake

Aw. My mom ordered this fancy nut-free cake online for our birthdays (Oprah recommended it!) which was super sweet. But alas, I was a little sick, I don't love cake in the best of times, and I don't think this cake was that good. However, it definitely looked the part -- if ever I am sad about not being able to eat wedding cakes, I'm just gonna imagine they taste like this. The frosting is generic sweet, the cake is a little mushy and generic sweet, with a light flavor of either plastic or strawberry, I'm not sure. It's inferior to a pepperidge farm cake for sure (or an ice cream cake, although RIP to the days when I could eat a safe ice cream cake). If you like cakes, though, maybe you'd like this. The company seems cool and legit, but this flavor did not impress me.

Overall
Cost: 3/10 [70$ plus shipping!!!!!!]
Taste: 5/10

Gin Mill

Went here with my family, and I think they liked it more than I did! Don't get me wrong, it was a decent place (although a bit sticky), and they have a huge beer list -- but it's totally different from the one on their website! The server was nice, and the food I got (chicken) was fine but not amazing. Seemed OK allergy-wise. No big opinions :)

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

The Better Chip - Spinach & Kale

They changed the packaging! This version is way less appealing. But I guess it matches the product, because these chips are truly kale-colored. Disturbing! I guess that gives the "healthy" vibe, even though these are mostly corn and oil and not that healthy. But they do taste like kale, which I kinda like -- that aftertaste goes on and on! It's a filling snack, though it's basically a kale-flavored corn chip, and I don't love corn chip. But a fun novelty, nevertheless.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

utz Barbeque Chips

These are very good! Superior even to the sour cream and onion flavor. A classic chip that lives up to the childhood memories. Good stuff, nice and thin, lots of powder.

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 8/10

Sam's Fresh Medium Salsa

Hrmm. Long ago, when I actually ate this, I sent a message asking about allergens, but I don't think they ever answered. me. Well, let me confirm that. Nope! They left me on 'read'! Forget you, Sam's salsa. This was fine though. I don't super-remember it, but I think I didn't finish off the whole thing, so I guess the mild one was slightly better. Still very watery/vinegary, but I suppose that's the nature of the preserved beast.

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 5/10

Bacio Della Luna Pinot Spumante Rosé Brut

Mentally I conflated Spumante (this, sparkling wine) with Spumoni (not this, a nutty dessert), and so was very nervous to drink this until I did a little research. But then I happily enjoyed this with some friendos during a wedding celebration weekend! No complaints, it was a light, pleasant, fruity fizzy rosé. Cheers!

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 7/10

SuperPretzel Soft Pretzel Bites - Pub Cheese Bites

My god, these were a disappointment. A very weird (soy-esque?) smell and taste. Not great, bob! Sure, the texture is bound to be bad since it's a 28-second microwave cook, and they are chewy indeed, but the inside is neither saucy nor firm -- it is a weird plasma of non-cheesy flavor. What flavor is it? I just am not sure. I guess a very umami beer/soy sauce mixture. I was not allergic to these and they are quick to cook and filling, yet I still do not plan to buy them again, so that should tell you something about their badness. :(

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 4/10