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D’Artagnan Duckathlon 2013

D’Artagnan may be not just the best supplier of delicious meats in the US, they may be one of the best scavanger hut/challenge organizers. D’Artagnan’s Duckathlon was simply, awesome! What is the Duckathlon? A competition where none other than NYC’s … Continue reading

Sotto Sopra Amagansett, Making Tuscany Proud

We were recently invited to the Hamptons to check out the pet friendly resort, the Southampton Inn. While there, we had the pleasure of dining at Sotto Sopra. Lovely people, lovely food, and lovely atmosphere. I ran late for my … Continue reading

Yup, this exists “Lasagna-Bun Burger”

Just when you thought that all Paula Deen inspired food monstrosities were over, this creature was born. PYT, a Philadelphia restaurant has concocted a burger, it’s buns are “two thick slices of deep-fried mozzarella & ricotta lasagna”. The meat is … Continue reading

New York City Threatens To Close Down 17 Sidewalk Cafes

How’s this for timing? Just before summer, New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs is threatening to close down sidewalk cafes at 17 popular restaurants unless they can prove they comply with zoning regulations. Oddly enough, according to the New … Continue reading

TGI Fridays in New Jersey Caught Selling Cheap Liquor as Premium

Fraud is rampant in the restaurant and food retail trade. From Yellowtail mislabeled as mahi-mahi, and Nile perch labeled as shark, to the discovery of horsemeat in big brand products sold by supermarkets, to Anheuser-Busch routinely watering down its finished … Continue reading

Chef John Schenk’s Grilling Tips

 Chef John Schenk, who is known for his intensive knowledge of meat and steaks, joined the BR Guest Hospitality Group to direct culinary operations, including the New York City and Las Vegas locations. He’s certainly made his mark. In 2004 … Continue reading

The Sad and Untimely Death of New York City Food Trucks

Through the years, the popularity of food trucks exploded from coast to coast, with many trucks serving high-end fast food to taste savvy consumers. Customers are able to access Twitter and Facebook to track their favorite catering trucks’ daily location as well … Continue reading

Monday Night at Andanada

Last Monday night I decided to dine at Andanada which recently took over Gastroartes’ home. Decor stayed intact, which is quite nice. The cuisine is also Spanish and there’s a big focus on tapas. The restaurant was quiet, which was … Continue reading

Mother’s Day 2013

Five days to Mother’s day and you still haven’t made resos? What the heck are you waiting for? Here are some ideas for you…just cross your fingers that they still have spots open. Andaz Wall: 75 Wall Street (Financial District): … Continue reading

Ca Va by Todd English Launches Home Grown Private Honey Menu

My good friend Blanca is an ardent admirer of Todd English’s food, so when I heard he had a food event organized at his restaurant (Ca Va) I jumped on the opportunity to taste his food. Ca Va, located at … Continue reading

Cinco de Mayo 2013

While Cinco De Mayo is not really much of a holiday in Mexico, it has become a cause for celebration in NYC. This means margaritas, tacos, and delicious Mexican food and drink all over the city. If you are celebrating … Continue reading

Undercover At The Hottest Club in Vegas

Condé Nast Traveler editors work undercover jobs in travel and leisure to report their experiences. The magazine claims editors and reporters pay the same prices as regular customers and receive no special treatment or recognition. They travel unannounced and are … Continue reading

Three Decades Since OSHA Inspected Texas Fertilizer Co.

It’s been almost three decades since Adair Grain Inc.’s West Fertilizer Company, the scene of a deadly explosion last week in Texas, was inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. According to its online database, OSHA last inspected the … Continue reading

Outdoor Dining NYC 2013

Screw Ned Stark and his crappy premonition “Winter is coming”. If you consider yourself a  summer child (like I do), get ready, because NYC’s hottest outdoor spots are ready for you. Here’s the breakdown on where to go to catch … Continue reading

No Lunch For Some School Kids in Massachusetts

Whitson’s Culinary Group, a New York-based school food service contractor that supplies 80 schools in New England with lunch meals, denied 25 children lunch at Coelho Middle School even if they had five cents of debt on their pre-paid lunch … Continue reading

Damn Good Burgers & Tacos at Cantine California in Paris

If you’ve ever traveled long term in France (or in any other country), you know that even if you have been eating the most refined delicacies, sometimes you just want a burger (or a tac0). Sadly, most burgers and tacos … Continue reading

Easter Roundup: NYC

You know you don’t want to cook for the whole family on Easter. That means a whole day’s prep & a whole day’s cleaning. Skip it, and check out these scrumptious meals in NYC. Alfredo of Rome: (4 West 49th … Continue reading

Fun Easter 2013 New York

You’re looking for a way to celebrate Easter, but you are sick and tired of the same old regular prix fixe menus (don’t worry, I’m a little fatigued with them as well). Here’s a round up of some fun things … Continue reading

Mississippi Thumbs Nose at NYC Mayor With Anti-Bloomberg Bill

Since a state judge in Manhattan struck down New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s rule capping soda sizes, lawmakers in Mississippi have passed a law prohibiting counties and towns from enacting rules that require calorie counts to be posted, that … Continue reading

Benares Review

Located in Tribecca, Benares’ warm, inviting, and low-key atmosphere makes this restaurant a delightful location for dates or anyone looking for a little adventure in downtown. This reasonably priced restaurant brings a creative twist to many traditional Indian dishes. Over … Continue reading

Parody Website Mocks Guy Fieri’s NYC Restaurant With Bogus Menu

Guy Fieri’s food empire recently expanded with the opening of his new Times Square restaurant, “Guy’s American Kitchen And Bar.” But Fieri, the well-known face on the Food Network as the host of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” a U.S. travelogue … Continue reading

Basil Brick Oven Pizza: So Much More than Your Average Pizza Joint

Tucked away in a corner of Astoria, Michelin rated Basil Brick Oven Pizza is much more than its name would suggest. It is not your average NYC pizza joint, but a small family owned “home-style” Italian restaurant with a wonderful menu … Continue reading

The Quarter: They had me at Foie Gras Fig Newtons

I received an invite to dine at The Quarter, a lovely, super tiny place that recently opened up in Greenwich Village. It was a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to return. I was  warmly greeted by one of the … Continue reading

NYC Brazilian Carnaval 2013

Maybe you can’t afford the flight to Brazil, but you can afford to party and celebrate Carnaval. These NYC restaurants want you to celebrate with them. So get on your costume and get ready to Samba! Oficina Latina: 24 Prince St. … Continue reading

Where to Eat Valentine’s Day 2013 in NYC

You still have not made reservations. No need to bang your head against the wall. Try one of these amazing restaurants…just don’t wait too long. There’s only 3 days left. 21 Club: 21 West 52nd Street – Midtown/St. Patricks/MOMA - For … Continue reading

Interview with Chef Gaston Acurio

I recently had the chance to interview famed Chef Gaston Acurio. He is the man responsible for the Astrid y Gaston Empire, numerous cookbooks, and putting Peruvian Cuisine on the map. We met at his New York restaurant, La Mar … Continue reading

You’ll Sing Do-Raymi for Raymi

I’m sure you can tell by the title that I’m feeling saucy. Could be because I finally made it out to Raymi, Richard Sandoval’s Peruvian restaurant. It was damn good. I went during restaurant week, but this was completely by … Continue reading

2nd Annual Chocolate Week New York

I received an incredible invite from Severine Piquet of MPB Agency. It was for a press lunch to inaugurate Chocolate Week New York 2013. It was held at one of my favorite restaurants, Master Chef Claude Godard’s Jeanne & Gaston … Continue reading

Superbowl 2013

Sunday, February 3 is the day you’ve been waiting for, Superbowl 47. But you’ve been too busy to even think about where to watch the game or what to eat. No worries, we’ve got you covered. Hecho en Dumbo: 354 … Continue reading

Interview with Firebird Chef Paul Joseph

When I was invited to dine at FireBird, I was not expecting much. The area is known for sub-par restaurants with Prix-Fixe theater menus. I could not have been more wrong. FireBird is lovely in every sense of the word. … Continue reading

Where to celebrate Valentine’s in NYC 2013

Two weeks until Valentine’s Day. If you procrastinate like I do. There’s no need to worry. We’ve compiled not one, not two, but three lists of restaurants that are offering memorable  Valentine’s Day menus. So get off your behind, pick … Continue reading

$1,000 for a Bagel? How About $16,000 For a Meat Pie?

For those still in doubt about the ever widening gap between the rich and poor, consider this: two months ago, foodstamp usage surged by the most in one year to a new all time record of 47.1 million. Meanwhile in … Continue reading

Escape into Paradise at Oficina Latina

I try out lot of restaurants, so you can skip the bad ones. I’m thrilled to say that Oficina Latina is good to go. I was recently invited to a press dinner at Oficina Latina. It’s located in NoLita, which … Continue reading

Where to eat Valentine’s 2013 NYC

They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. That’s certainly the case with me. If you are looking to woo and seduce someone, you cannot go wrong with any of these restaurants. They offer impeccable service, delectable … Continue reading

Where to eat Valentine’s 2013 NYC

Valentine’s Day is usually a day when restaurants jack up their prices and give you sub par service because they know you’ve got no choice but to take out that very special someone. We’ve compiled a list of restaurants that … Continue reading

Kahve Upper West Side

If you’re feeling sluggish on the Upper West and need a serious caffeine fix, you are in luck. There’s an incredibly cute coffee shop in Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton Hill called Khave. The shop is about the size of a pair of … Continue reading

New Years Eve Restaurant Specials NYC 2012 – Part 3

Wow…you really procrastinate. Nah, you just do your research before making any significant choices, like where to end 2012. If the restaurants on our first and second list didn’t make the cut, then, perhaps these will. Aliseo: 665 Vanderbilt Ave – … Continue reading

NY Restaurant Christmas Specials 2012 – Part Three

You’ve been procrastinating. I know…you’ve got to get all that holiday shopping done. But isn’t that what Amazon is for? If you still have not made reservations from our first or second list of restaurants offering great deals for Christmas … Continue reading

NY Restaurants Offering Feast of the Seven Fishes in 2012

Living in an Italian-American neighborhood introduced me to many delightful culinary experiences. Nutella, homemade garage Zinfandel, and the Feast of the Seven Fishes. I always thought this was an Italian tradition, but it really isn’t (sort of). Yes, it is … Continue reading

Party Like There’s no To-Maya: NY End of the World Parties

I love the end of the world. It seems to come around every couple of years and gives me one more reason to celebrate.There was Y2K (not really “end of the world”, but it sure seemed like it), then there’s … Continue reading