Win a Trip to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week from Fiber One!

"Walk walk fashion baby..."

As important as it is to carry the season´s must-have handbag, it´s just as important that it´s filled with the right on-the-go essentials. That´s why Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars make the perfect accessory for a woman´s handbag. These delicious chewy bars perfectly compact and low calorie, making them the ideal fashionista on-the-go snack.

Cheese Please at Cheeseboy

"Island in the sun..."

If you are a long time read of this blog, you know that I love all things cheeeeeesee (cheesy jokes included!). Therefore, on my trip back to Boston last weekend, I knew I had to stop by Cheeseboy, America's first quick service restaurant dedicated to serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and accompanying soups, that just opened up in the Prudential Center (which also conveniently is just a hop and skip away from my apartment) .

Full Stop Ahead in Rittenhouse Square at Parc Philadelphia

By: Finance Foodie

When I asked my Philly foodie friends about the city’s dining scene, only one name came up consistently -- “Stephen Starr.” For those that are unaware, Mr. Starr pretty much dominates the restaurant scene in Central Philly with such choice eateries as Continental, Alma de Cuba, El Vez (and a boat load of others). Last night, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first “Starr” experience at Parc, a chic little French styled bistro in the heart of Rittenhouse Square.

When we arrived, we were immediately brought to a table on the patio overlooking the Park. With a delightfully refreshing Citron Glace cocktail in one hand and made-in-house baguette in another – I felt I had been transported to the streets of Paris (minus the slew of Phillies-attired pedestrians perusing around the block).

The Best Pizza In New York and Donatella's Other Delights!

By: Anne M. Raso

Using the phrase "Best Pizza In New York" is a serious matter especially if you are a New Yorker (sadly, tourists' opinions do not count much in a pizza contest that started with the real Ray's back in the day and goes to now). New Yorkers know their pizza, and feel as strongly about it as they do for the Yankees and Statue Of Liberty. Chelsea's Donatella (owned by restaurateur extraordinaire Donatella Arpaia) has won awards for her all-veal meatballs so when you put them on one of her pizzas--yowza! We are very specifically speaking of her Polpette Pizza, which includes freshly made Caciocavallo cheese (not mozzarella although it tastes similar and a staple in Puglia, Italy from raw cow and sheep milk curds), topped with fresh pieces of basil and a darkened-just-right crust baked in her custom-made brick oven. Did we fail to include mention of Donatella's homemade old-school marinara? Sorry about that. We like the way the crust is very dark and even black at parts--it's very old school and even beats our previous #1 (the old-school Neapolitan pies at Eataly).

Pizza Polpette

First Philly Foodie Foray: Crabfest 2011 at the City Tap House!

"It’s beer thirty a honky tonk time..."

What do you get when you combine all-you-can-eat crabs, Brooklyn Brewery beers, and a rocking live band? Well, besides a helluva good time, you also get Crabfest 2011 at the City Tap House. This event also marked also my first food event that I attended since moving to Philly few weeks back -- and judging by this event, I think my next two years in the city will be might grand and tasty!

After we were lead to our table, we were presented with the first of many lovely cooked crab friends. To be honest, I wish these suckers came pre-shucked (I ended up spending an insane amount of effort for just a small amount of meat!), but all the hard work was worth it in the end -- the crab was juicy and tender, with just the right amount of season.

Upstairs At The Kimberly: Dining And Drinking With "Open Air Flair"!

By: Anne M. Raso

For those who love open Modern American dining with a view, Upstairs At The Kimberly is the place to be. The signature drinks are highly inventive (if costly, at $16), but once you've tried one or two, you'll feel compelled to try them all. We checked out the Oh Yoko (a soju and sake based refreshing summer drink with lemon grass, ginger and mint) and Electrolyte (a vodka-based summer drink with fresh pineapple and lemon that is said to actually bring down one's body temperature) and we ordered repeats!

Electrolyte

A Pirate's Life: National Rum Day on August 16th!

"Yo ho ho..."

For centuries we’ve enjoyed the versatility and refreshing taste of rum as the go-to drink of seafarers, islanders and the land-locked alike. So wherever you are - beat the summer heat and continue this tradition by celebrating National Rum Day on August 16. To kick off the celebration, crank up the Caribbean tunes, light the barbecue and invite your friends over for a night of rum revelation!

The Ink Spa: Loving Every Minute Of The "Freestyle Facial" And Tranquil Surroundings!

By: Anne M. Raso

What sets the Ink Spa at the Ink48 Hotel apart from the numerous and fabulous hotel spas in midtown Manhattan? Two words: FREESTYLE FACIAL! This 50-minute facial (priced at a reasonable $125) is as customized as a facial can get and features not only Kerstin Florian products fragrant with the scent of lavender (it's the line commissioned by the Kimpton Hotel chain and is featured in all their spas across the globe) but massage on the hands, feet and chest while peels and masques are doing their magic. Facialist Karalyns Schuck makes grand efforts to address every issue your skin is having with treatments that exfoliate, renew and finally, add a youthful and dewy look that some clients have probably not seen since they were 16. From the beginning of the treatment, where Schuck used Kerstin Florian's rehydrating Neroli Cleansing Milk to the Clarifying Exfoliating Scrub to the Rehydrating Neroli Water spritzed onto my face at the very end of the service, I gleefully inhaled the most wonderful all-natural "aromatherapy" while getting every cell on my face renewed. Schuck does the traditional steam during the FREESTYLE FACIAL as well, followed by gentle extractions. Manager Suzanne Owen is proud of the fact that the spa staff created the FREESTYLE FACIAL themselves and notes, "It gives us an opportunity to analyze the skin and customer the perfect treatment."

Breakfast In The Sky And Other Delights In Wildwood, NJ!

By: Anne M. Raso

Wildwood, NJ, has long been known as one of the more well-kept towns on the Jersey shore, with the cleanest beaches (all free to the public) and the largest amount of kiddie rides for the eight and under crowd (not that there aren't several adult thrill rides on the three Morey's Piers jutting off the world-famous boardwalk). Keeping with the times, the town has updated some of its numerous "doo wop architecture" motels into a baby boomer heaven (there's even a free trolley tour that goes around from motel to motel on weekends that you can catch at the Doo Wop Cafe, directly across from the Wildwood Convention Center, and other locations).

Groovin’: A Musical Journey Of Stories And Sounds: Dennis Diken’s Love Letter To The Golden Age Of Rock!

By: Anne M. Raso

If you are a Smithereens fan, you already know that drummer Dennis Diken's talents on the toms are enough to make Ginger Baker shake in his boots way down at his current home of South Africa! I first saw (and met) Dennis at Rock Con in East Rutherford, NJ, a year ago and have been one of his most fervent followers ever since. He could easily be rock and roll's greatest skinpounder (at least in my humble opinion)...but did you also know that he is a rock historian and journalist with endless liner notes (including compilation discs by Louis Prima and The Lovin' Spoonful) and major rock mag articles to his credit?

A Rockin’ Girl’s Getaway in Cleveland Ohio!

By: Finance Foodie

In anticipation for my journalism trip to Cleveland Ohio, I asked my buds what came to mind when they though of the city. The responses I got were: "Bone Thugs” and “LeBron”. Seeing how I know nothing of sports and listen primarily to Britney Spears and the like, I feared that this would be a tour to remember – that is, as one of the most boring trips I had ever taken.

Feeding Trevor the Giraffe at The Cleveland Zoo!

Chowing Down At Philippe New York: Haute Chinese At Its Hottest!

By: Anne M. Raso

Philippe in New York's tony Upper East Side is a virtual melting pot of Park Avenue ladies dressed in Chanel, Housewives Of New York City cast members, rap moguls, foodies and folks on first dates dressed their best and trying to impress. They have already garnered acclaim for their crispy Peking Duck (it's $75 for a two-person seven-pound portion but several regular diners there have revealed to financefoodie.com that they need their fix at least once per month with no regards to the cost)! All the dishes are actually prepared (and priced) for two, but some of them are--in all honesty--big enough for four.

Making Memories with Kodak Photo Books!

"Let the memory live again..."

Last week, my parents celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. A milestone like that deserves a special gift  -- but unfortunately, I was all out of ideas (and funds -- being a poor grad student and all). Luckily, the Kodak Photo Gallery stepped in for the rescue.