Trapiche Argentina Wines: Pairing BBQ With Bubbly (And Beyond)!

by: Anne M. Raso

Trapiche Wines--one of the biggest wine producers in Argentina with a 6,200 acre vineyard and top seller of Argentinean wines in the US--recently invited a few food and wine press to come to their office in NYC to taste some of their wine and chat with Carla Castorina, Trapiche’s Assistant Chief Winemaker. Wine was paired with both classic and edgier BBQ, courtesy of Hill Country.

Taste Testing the New McDonald’s Angus Beef Wraps

“Coming back for more…”

A few weeks ago, McDonald’s sent me a few coupons to try their Angus beef wraps, the newest item on their menu. NY editor Anne gave financefoodie.com readers the first peak at these babies a few months ago, and I was salivating after reading her review (As many of you know, I try to eat organically and support local restaurants most of the time – BUT McDonald's is totally my kryptonite – I swear the sweet aroma of their fries hypnotize my brain cells!)

The Ravel's Penthouse 808: Queens' First BoutiCHIC Hotel! [New York]

by: Anne M. Raso

I recently got a coveted deck side table at the new Penthouse 808 eatery at The Ravel Hotel in Long Island City -- and Hello Dolly, the penthouse view of the Queensboro Bridge at night (and almost feeling as if you could reach out and touch it) is enough to make me want to go back! And I can do so year-round, because  this outdoor penthouse has a retractable, climate-controlled roof that comes out once Fall/Winter hits.

The UM-Amazing View! 

Bloodypalooza @ Turner Fisheries [Boston]

“Blood on the dance floor…”

This past Saturday for lunch, I headed over to Turner Fisheries for their Bloodypalooza festival, a weekly event where patrons can make their own customized bloody mary drinks. I was pretty excited about this event, even though I’m not much of bloody mary fan, because I’ve been wanting to check Turner Fisheries out for a while now (I always passed by the place on my walk home from work). Plus, the event was hosted by CitySearch Boston, so I knew I’d be in the company of food enthusiasts/CitySearch contributors whose recommendations I read on a daily basis when I plot my next meal.

When I arrived, I was greeted by a fully loaded bar – with 5 different vodkas, 4 different bloody mary mixes, and A MOTHERLOAD of FRESH SEAFOOD for garnishing. Jackpot baby!

You had me had hello...

Boston Summer Restaurant Week: 29 Newbury

By: Finance Foodie

Restaurant Week in Boston is baaaccck! For the next week (from August 22-27th), participating restaurants are offering 2-course lunches for $15.10, 3-course lunches for $20.10 and 3-course dinners for $33.10. Truth be told, I’ve always had mixed feeling about Restaurant Week. Yes, it’s a great way for consumers to try a new place for a fraction of the cost, and the resulting surge in traffic is a much welcome respite to the recession stricken restaurant industry. But are these deals possible because the quality in the food and innovation of menu items are sacrificed?

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: The Pre Event Diet

By: Finance Foodie

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is less than a month away! And for loyal followers of this blog, you know what that means – it’s diet-so-I-can-fit-into-cute-dress time. This year, since I started early, I am DETERMINED to lose the pounds the healthy way. After doing some research, if I follow a 1,400 a day calorie diet (along with exercise), I can lose about 1 pound a week – which is exactly want I need to fit into my “goal” dress.

Macy's Kicks Off Back-to-School with Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice! [New York]

By: Anne M. Raso

We can never resist a chance to hang out with the boys in the hit Nickelodeon show Big Time Rush, even if it is just for five or six minutes before a performance. These guys are funny, silly, cute, smart and musical--and we were probably the oldest fans at the event. BTR is really getting noticed by pop fans old and young. Group member James Maslow (aka "The Abs") told me that he was recently very flattered when "Becks" came up to him at an LA event and asked if it was okay that the kids got a quick snap with the BTR boys! (Naturally, they said yes!) Carlos Pena told us he recently was next to Megan Fox on a red carpet in LA for a whole hour and was too shy to say hi!

Hanging out with the boys from Big Time Rush! 

Betsey Johnson's Birthday Party [New York]

by: Erin Douglas 

Wednesday, August 17th 2010 was a big day for fashion designer Betsey Johnson. It was her 68th birthday and she wanted everyone to celebrate at her SoHo NYC store! Yes, the over-the-top edgy fashion designer is still going strong with her funky bold colors, big puffy girly dresses, and her cartwheels down the runway. Betsey has found a way to fuse the girly-girl in pink with the edgy girl in black and maybe a tattoo into all her designs. Her love of a little bit of everything shows in the clothes she makes and the girls who wear them.

Free Ben & Jerry's - July 28 to August 25! [Boston]

Bostonians can beat the heat and avoid Cape traffic by staying in Beantown this summer. Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Truck will be keeping things cool by giving out thousands of FREE SCOOPS of ice cream from July 28 through August 25, 2010. The highly-coveted Scoop Truck will be making stops at community events, parks, offices and beaches in the greater Boston area.

Making the summer even sweeter, Ben & Jerry’s is leaving the almighty scoop in Bostonian’s hands and asking them to direct the Scoop Truck to its next destination through Twitter @BenJerrysTruck and Facebook.

A Vivabox Tapas Experience: Boqueria [New York]

By: Finance Foodie

This past weekend, I was in an empire state of mind. Yup that’s right – another visit to NYC! It was a fantabulous two days – not only did I get to catch up with two of my best friends, I also got to test out my new NYC Tapas Experience Vivabox – a win/win situation!

BlogHer 2010: Bumble Bee Foods VIP Party, featuring Hell's Kitchen Chef Scott Leibfried [New York]

by: Nancy Gong

The most amazing thing about Bumble Bee Foods is the wide variety of healthy and simple meals, snacks, and fun treats you can make with their products. Last Thursday, the company's VIP tasting party for all the BlogHer conference attendees was the perfect blend of educational – from the nutritional perspective - as well as a tasty!

Christmas in August: Lord & Taylor Holiday Preview [New York]

by Anne M. Raso

I  recently attended Lord & Taylor's holiday press preview and I must say - they not only have a ton of alluring merchandise for the holiday season, but they also have one heck of a set decorator.  Some of the highlights on set I saw were the uniquely positioned old chandeliers on the floor between mannequins and the old dress form covered front and back with over 100 brooches (all priced at $42 and less!).

Bring Romano’s Macaroni Grill to Your Kitchen: A FF Cooks at Home Series!

“Figaro, Figaro, Figaro…”

I’m sure if you’re a loyal reader of this site, you’ve figured out by now that I’m never going to start cooking (afterall, I’ve been attempting to cook since my New Year’s resolution in January)

Well reader, you are wrong! (partially) :))

For this first ever (and hopefully not last) installment of Finance Foodie Cooks At Home, I’m going to be making Basil Parmesan Chicken with grilled white meat chicken, broccoli florets and tomatoes with cavatappi pasta tossed in a flavorful creamy basil parmesan sauce. MMMMMM!! Doesn’t that sound good? And what if I told you it takes less than 20 minutes to whip this up?

You’d say "Finance Foodie, tell me more – I’ve got hungry mouths to feed!" :D

Alyson Stoner: Camp Rock Star to "Step Up" in 3D - An EXCLUSIVE Q&A!

by: Anne M. Raso

Alyson Stoner, just 16, has already wowed teen viewers with Phineas & Ferb and Camp Rock 1 & 2 on the Disney Channel. Now she has her first feature with Disney Films proper - Step Up 3D coming out on Friday, August 6th. I got to go on the set 10 or 11 months ago in the Financial District - where some of the more ambitious dance scenes were shot in a now empty high-ceilinged building once used for admission of cruise passengers. We talked to Alyson about future projects, her friendship with Twilight star Taylor Lautner, her conservative viewpoints about dating and her strange quirks -including hating candy and stickers and not caring too much about getting her drivers license! Forthcoming projects including voicing the Little Engine in The Little Engine That Could and voicing Lorelei Tan Gu in Kung Foo Magoo. Of course, Phineas & Ferb is doing great so more episodes are in the works. Alyson might just be the ultimate teen voiceover queen and not even know it!

Free Yoplait Delights: Aug 2-6! [Boston]

“Free to be me..”

Want to delight your sweet tooth without regret? From August 2-August 6, 2010, be on the lookout for free samples of the tasty Yoplait Delights Parfait! A team will be sampling in various high traffic locations in Boston (for example “T” stations, shopping areas and parks). So be on the lookout – cause they might just pop up in the most random places!

(FYI, I’ll be posting sightings of the Yoplait team throughout the week on twitter…another reason to follow me on twitter if you aren’t already :)