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Francesca Dodaro

Francesca Dodaro is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in English. Her column, 'Sip it Up', runs on alternate Tuesdays.

DODARO: Daniel's Pizzeria is convenient but nothing special

Pizza is a meal that I rarely have anymore, mostly because all the options I have tried lately have been pretty mediocre, but I thought I would give Daniel’s Pizzeria a try since my friends have recommended it to me several times.Feb 8 2023

DODARO: The Original Picken Chicken proves to be convenient choice for Rutgers students

The Original Picken Chicken is a restaurant I have been wanting to visit, not only because of its proximity to the Cook and Douglass campuses but also due to a craving for chicken. It really was the perfect storm.Jan 24 2023

DODARO: Rutgers students need to check out Ramen Nagomi

Ramen Nagomi is a restaurant I have frequented since the beginning of my time at Rutgers, but I have never decided to write about it until now. One day, I decided I was craving ramen, and I took the short 10- to 15-minute walk to the restaurant, which is located on Bayard Street in New Brunswick. It was warm inside, and I was seated at a table almost immediately.Dec 13 2022

DODARO: Easy access to Thomas Sweet makes it convenient albeit imperfect ice cream option for students

Throughout my time at Rutgers, I have stopped and grabbed many frozen treats from Thomas Sweet, but never have I decided to write about them until now. From changing homemade ice cream flavors every day to late-night hours and much more, Thomas Sweet is definitely the spot to satisfy a sweet craving.Nov 15 2022

DODARO: Wings Over Rutgers offers convenient wing options for students

I have passed Wings Over Rutgers several times on my journeys down Easton Avenue, but I have never tried its food until now. After many recommendations from my friends, I decided to step into the small eatery and give it a try.Nov 2 2022

DODARO: Visit Scarlet Bowls for exceptional service with tasty cuisine

With yet another restaurant to rate along the great walk along Easton Avenue, I was drawn to Scarlet Bowls, whose spot is conveniently located a mere 5- to 10-minute walk from the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus.Oct 18 2022

DODARO: Check out Cool Runnin’s Caribbean for great food, experience

As I found myself on Easton Avenue yet again, I decided to try something different. I stumbled into Cool Runnin’s Caribbean and decided to place an order. While this restaurant is not a sit-down place, the food makes up for it and will have you ordering regardless. Oct 4 2022

DODARO: Pay visit to Sahara on Easton Avenue, especially for appetizers

Sahara is a restaurant I have seen on many walks down or around Easton Avenue, but I have not tried the cuisine until recently. As I pulled into the parking lot, and yes there actually was a parking lot, I felt the excitement bubbling at the thought of trying out a new prospect for tasty food.Sep 20 2022

DODARO: Sunmerry Bakery Cafe offers yummy drinks, excellent pastries

I recently visited Edison to scope out the area for yet another cafe to rate, and I was not disappointed when I found Sunmerry Bakery Cafe. The drive is a little bit of an inconvenience since Edison has some traffic along with its amazing drinks, but it is only a mere 10 minutes away from the College Avenue campus.Apr 27 2022

DODARO: Bubbleology offers convenient location but leaves much to be desired

I was drawn to Bubbleology merely for its convenient location, with it being in The Yard @ College Avenue and all, but after trying out the drinks, I think that the location is the best thing that the place has to offer. Even though Bubbleology has easy access to ordering and a pleasant atmosphere for hanging out with friends, the quality of drinks and limited options really threw me for a loop.Apr 13 2022

DODARO: Penstock Coffee Roasters offers craft blends, inviting atmosphere

Since I have been exclusively writing about bubble tea shops for a while, I thought it was time to shake it up a bit and try a coffee shop in the area. Penstock Coffee Roasters is a craft coffee shop within a mere 10-minute drive from the College Avenue Campus. And believe me, it is definitely worth the distance.Mar 30 2022

DODARO: Modern Tea Shop – worth the price tag for quality drinks

As I was trying to figure out which drink cafe I wanted to try next, I searched around the Edison area to find Modern Tea Shop. While it is a bubble tea shop, they also have various eats (takoyaki, edamame, etc.) and desserts (milk crepes) which drew my attention.Mar 9 2022

DODARO: Mi Tea offers full range of quality, delicious beverages

After trying Möge Tee for my last review, I decided to stick with bubble tea in the area and go to Mi Tea and see what they had to offer. Since it is in Edison, it is, once again, a 10-minute drive from the College Avenue campus, but that is a small price to pay for exceptional beverages.Feb 23 2022

Internet era dating: Is it romance revolution, or are we losing at love?

The internet’s development over the years truly is mindblowing — and the ease of knowledge that came with it in terms of connecting with others has both improved and impaired communication.Feb 14 2022

DODARO: Möge Tee's drinks are worth going off campus for

I know that I have been on a bubble tea craze for the majority of my reviews, but I just could not ignore Möge Tee’s diverse menu and amazing drinks. Even though there is a distance as it is approximately 10 minutes from the College Avenue campus, the cheese foam is the best around.Feb 8 2022

DODARO: Great drinks only one simple drive away at Cafe Zio in Edison

Since bubble tea is among my favorite drinks, I had to kick off the spring semester with a visit to Cafe Zio. Now, this bubble tea shop is a bit of a trek from the College Avenue campus, but since it is merely a 10-minute drive, I decided to take a drive for a taste of excellence from this hole-in-the-wall cafe.Jan 26 2022

DODARO: Hidden Grounds Coffee offers more than just good drinks

Following my review on two bubble tea shops in the area, I thought it was time to write about a traditional coffee shop once again. So here we are, and let us get rolling with this review of Hidden Grounds Coffee. Dec 7 2021

DODARO: Utepia's bubble tea is spot-on for tea lovers

Winter weather freezing your style? These items will heat up your wardrobe

Now that temperatures have finally dropped, it looks like winter weather has checked itself in –– and the chilly climate is no joke. Fashion follows a certain pattern when the seasons change and this winter is no exception. Nov 17 2021

Need to unwind post-midterms? Stream these films this weekend

As midterm season begins to wind down, it’s the perfect time to find a nice, relaxing weekend to pile on the movie recommendations and grind out a few exceptional watches. Nov 10 2021

DODARO: Efes Cafe features late-night snacks

As I carried on my search for cafes around New Brunswick, I stumbled upon Efes Cafe. Normally I would keep my drink runs restricted to the afternoon, at the latest, but I was craving a late-night latte and with Efes Cafe open, I could not pass up the opportunity to quench my thirst. Nov 9 2021

DODARO: Gong Cha should be your go-to

Continuing my hunt for refreshing drinks, the next stop I had to check out after Simply Chai was downtown New Brunswick’s Gong Cha. Bubble tea has to be one of my favorite drink categories so this had to be my second drink stop in New Brunswick. While there is not much room to sit and study, if you can catch some nice weather, the outdoor seating was pleasant and spacious, but as it gets cooler I would stick to getting drinks on-the-go. Oct 26 2021

DODARO: Simply Chai is simply best

After finally coming to campus, I can officially say that the hunt for refreshing drinks has begun. The first stop I have been meaning to check out was Easton Avenue’s very own Simply Chai. Not only is it a chill study site, but also the drinks are spot on if you are ready to grind out some work or need to grab something on-the-go.Oct 12 2021