BlackBerry Curve 9350: Simple And Sleek

By: Anne M. Raso

I am a ten-year BlackBerry user who stands firm in their beliefs that no other device works as well for someone who has to write at least 100 emails a day. The Qwerty keypad is God's gifts to those of us who want to type fast and get through at least five email replies per minute. The raised keys are just the perfect size and "feel" for feminine fingertips. Sure, the iPhone might be proud of its browsing capabilities and virtual keypad, but nothing beats BlackBerry in my estimation. The browser is just great on the Curve 9350 and it is a device that will only cost you a couple hundred bucks--and usually only about $50 if you actually sign a contract with a phone carrier.

Now Eat This: Rocco Dispirito Cooks "Light Style" Italian

By: Anne M. Raso

In celebration of Rocco Dispirito's Now Eat This Italy cookbook and his new AOL Travel show of the same name, AOL publicists invited several journalists to cook with the outgoing Jamaica, Queens native in the test kitchens of the International Culinary Institute in Nolita. I was one of the lucky three dozen journos who got to cook light versions of Caprese Salad, Pollo Al Forno, Spaghetti Vongole and Instant Italian Ice (which Dispirito whipped up with Rachael Ray on her show about 1 ½ years ago).

Chef Rocco in Action

Casual and Classic at Social Bar New York City

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to check out Social Bar, a casual and classic American eatery in the Theater District last night and have to say that it serves a cut above neighbor sports bar fare—actually, several cuts above. Social Bar calls itself an Irish pub on its official website but I saw only one or two pub-style dishes on the menu (the Dubliner Irish Burger and Fish & Chips). Everything is prepared fresh and I dare say that their fries are a contender for one of the Best In Manhattan! They are salty (in a good way) and seem to be fried in peanut oil for extra flavor.

Dread Head cocktail

Lights! Camera! Action! - A Tour of Hollywood California from CityPass

By: Finance Foodie

Although I live on the East Coast, have my heart in the South and not so secretly dream of running away to Asia, I find myself drawn to the West Coast more than a few times a year (the fact that practically my entire family lives in that California might have something to do with it). My usual visits consists of filling up on Chinese food, hanging out in Chinatown, and speaking Mandarin loudly to my half deaf grandma.

"Of course we can get married George!"

Lip Smacking Good at 2013 Chef in Shorts Boston

By: Jessica Cickay

The weather gods must’ve been hungry the day of the 16th Annual Chefs in Shorts event at the Seaport World Trade Center, as this year’s BBQ-inspired feast was, as always, a delicious hit, but, for once, not a complete washout. The sunny skies were the perfect pairing to the full glasses and plates that soon translated into full bellies of diners who came together to taste Boston’s top restaurants’ take on BBQ. Guests smacked their lips and licked their fingers all for a great cause, of course, and this year’s beneficiary was Future Chefs, which works with urban youth in Greater Boston to prepare them for careers in the kitchen.

Cupcakes from Top of the Hub

Taste Testing McDonald's Blueberry Pomegranate McCafe Smoothie

By: Finance Foodie

The new McCafé Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie from McDonald's focuses on the latest trend in berries - as it is made with a blend of blueberries and raspberries and a splash of pomegranate juice.  This new McCafé menu introduction is also part of McDonald’s ongoing efforts to evolve its menu with relevant, great-tasting beverage choices. I happened to try one of these shakes out during my West Coast vacation last week, in an effort to escape the hot Hollywood heat (the weather, not the people).