February 23, 2010

Scoopst - $18 "Taste of 7th St." Festival

Courtesy of my friend Jillian comes an awesome way to try out all of the great eats on 7th St - what I deem one of the best food streets in the city.

Purchase on Scoopst.com at a 49% discount, $18 bucks gets you a sampling from Caracas Arepas, Luke's Lobster, Porchetta, Butter Lane Cupcakes and Xoom during the "Taste of 7th Street" Festival happening this weekend from Feb 27-28.

Come early and stop by Abraco for one of their delicious drip coffees or lattes first!

East 7th St. between 1st and A.

February 18, 2010

Chop't Salads - Are we in Disneyland?

From the size of the line and the way it wrapped several times in the Times Square location yesterday, for a moment I was a bit confused.

Who knew that salad could inspire lines reminiscent of Space Mountain!

Chop't specializes in fresh, creative salad mixes that are mixed and chopped before your eyes!  No one likes eating a huge piece of lettuce - so at  Chop't, everything is chopped into that perfect bite.

Salad creations include decadent options like the Chop't Po Boy (fried chicken, jack cheese, red onions, tomatoes and tex mex ranch - it has a kick!) and the Kebab Salad (grilled chicken, feta cheese, red onions, peppers, and pita chips chop’t with romaine lettuce) and the Steakhouse (Grilled flank steak, tomato, and fried onions chop’t with romaine lettuce).

Or...make your own salad from dozens of toppings!  In any event, Chop't will run you around $9-11 bucks for a salad.  Pretty pricey for lunch - better make it a once a week treat!

Maybe on a Friday when you can take a little bit of a longer lunch.  Given the lines...you'll need it!

P.S. Pick up a loyalty card - after 9 salads, you get one free!  That's like 10% off!

Chop't
Several locations
Menu

February 15, 2010

Baked By Melissa - Just the right bite!

For Valentine's day my boyfriend got me a box of 25 cupcakes from Baked by Melissa.  25?!?!?  Sounds like a lot - but it seems to be just the right amount and way to sample the many flavors Baked by Melissa offers.  Plus - I forgot....they are just bite sized!

After going through a phase of cupcake burnout, I thought there could be no other way to make a cupcake.  I guess I was wrong!  Just shrink them to bite size and charge $1 buck each!

Perfectly moist and can be eaten in one fell swoop...these are the perfect answer to the late night munchies.  Or late afternoon munchies...  or an on the go breakfast run!  Basically good anytime of the day!

My favorite flavors are the red velvet, peanut butter cup and cinnamon!  Don't forget the tie-dye!

And to keep them moist, store in the freezer.  Defrost for 5 minutes and they are just like new!

Baked by Melissa
Union Square
7 East 14th St.

Soho
529 Broadway

February 6, 2010

Dos Toros Taqueria - Delicious Mexican near Union Square

I just discovered this gem courtesy of my friend Keia who sent me the New York Times review $25 and under review.  And ever since my first trip two weeks ago - I've been about 5 times since!  A perfect weekly treat.
Opened by West Coast transplants near and dear to my heart (brothers from my alma mater, Berkeley) - Dos Toros Taqueria specializes in simple, yet decadent burritos, tacos and the most perfect quesidilla.

Located in a tiny offshoot off Union Square on 4th between 14th and 13th street, Dos Toros is a major attraction for all the NYU students that infiltrate the area.  Good luck hopping into the place without waiting at least a good 15-20 minutes in line.

But trust me - it is well worth the wait.  The process is a bit like Chipotle - pick your style - burrito, taco or quesidilla, and pick your meat.  Choose from Carnitas, Steak or Chicken - any of the three will not disappoint.

My personal fave is the steak - I usually stay away from steak at "fast food" joints, but this steak actually tastes like steak!

The quesidilla is the standout dish - fried in oil, crispy with a sliver of jack cheese that melts perfectly to a somewhat creamier/gooey texture than normal quesidillas.  Folded neatly in with meat, salsa, sour cream, and guac (extra, but worth it) - it almost tastes like a fried burrito.

Strangely, it actually reminded me of Chinese fried scallion pancakes - similar in texture as taste.  Delicious!!!

The taco is like a mini quesidilla - bit sized, making it the perfect late night snack.

If you are lucky enough to grab a seat in the tiny abode, order a beer and make a real meal out of it.   If not - take it to go, but don't wait too long to eat it or your perfectly crispy quesidilla will turn soggy soon - best to be eaten with fork and knife at that point.

Good luck - try to go on an off hour for the best chance at a seat!!


Dos Toros Taqueria
137 4th Ave. (between 13th and 14th)

January 14, 2010

BlackboardEats.com - Discounts @ your favorite places!


I just heard about this new discount site - launched in Los Angeles and New York - sign up @ BlackBoardEats.com to receive discounts at your favorite places in the city!

You get a discount code - usually good one time during the next month.

Bring that code to the restaurant to receive the discount!

Today's offering: 30% off your bill at Hill Country
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