Taste Testing: Domino’s Pizza Specialty Chicken

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks ago, Domino’s Pizza launched a much buzzed about new menu item - the Specialty Chicken, its first new menu item since Handmade Pan Pizza in September 2012. Domino's pizza chefs took chicken to a whole new level by using toppings, sauces and cheeses, and layering them over our boneless chicken to create four unique flavors of Specialty Chicken. The four flavors are: Crispy Bacon & Tomato, Spicy Jalapeno-Pineapple, Classic Hot Buffalo and Sweet BBQ Bacon.

Eating for Good at Taste of the Nation New York City

By: Finance Foodie

Inspired by a passion to fight childhood hunger, over 75 of New York’s hottest chefs, restaurants and mixologists gathered last Monday night for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation benefit, the city’s premier culinary charity event. Taste of the Nation New York City, held in the heart of SoHo, raised critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in NYC and across the nation. Team Finance Foodie is a supporter of anything culinary and charitable, so of course we had to attend! Below are our "Best Of" during our evening.

The Liquid Chef's smoking cocktail 

Death by Caramel Chocolate Loackers: #PureIngredients Recipe Contest

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Loacker, an Italian dessert company that makes a wide range of delicious wafer-based treats, asking if I wanted to participate in their #PureIngredients Recipe Contest. As one of 25 selected bloggers, the contest had me creating a recipe incorporating Loacker wafers. So I hunkered down this weekend in my lab (kitchen), and plugged away....

Spotlight on Artisanal Products: From Cup to Plate with Lavazza Coffee

Sponsored Post

Lavazza’s National Brand Ambassador, Francine Segan (James Beard Award finalist), will lead a unique voyage into the world of coffee at Eataly. As an expert in Italian food, Francine will guide an engaging class featuring Lavazza’s four new specialty blends. She will also discuss the rich heritage of this family owned Italian coffee brand. Together, Francine and chefs from Eataly’s La Scuola will demonstrate the recipes of a Coffee Hazelnut Tart and Coffee Cake. Following the demo, attendees will also be able to taste these delicious treats made with Lavazza.

Taking it to Times Square at Wasabi Sushi and Bento

By: Finance Foodie

A few months ago, I discovered Wasabi, the London-based Japanese fast casual restaurant chain, just opened its first U.S. location in Times Square. The "Pret" of Japanses food, Wasabi specializes in a wide selection of individually-wrapped sushi and Japanese hot food favorites, including bento boxes and noodle soups, as well as made-to-order salads and special sushi rolls, all made fresh in-store daily. I had to work late the other night, so I decided to stop by for a quick to-go dinner.

Interior

Introducing Dairy Pure Worry-Free Flip Cap

Sponsored Post

Introducing the newest thing in milk since the dairy cow: Dairy Pure’s new Worry-Free Flip Cap! It’s easier to use and protects everything you love about Dairy Pure milk, along with the 5-Point Purity Checklist. The Worry-Free Flip Cap also helps keep your milk cap where it belongs; on the bottle. Plus, Dairy Pure’s Purity Seal makes sure your milk stays fresh from farm to fridge.

In addition, you can check out Dairy Pure’s recipe page, which recently profiled how to make Butternut Squash Bisque with Ham and you can also visit Dairy Pure’s Facebook page for more info and to find the Dairy Pure retailer closest to you.

Full Disclosure: I was contacted directly by Dairy Pure, who asked for my participation in this post. All materials and/or products were provided by Dairy Pure as part of this initiative.

Orale: Hip Mexican On The Upper West Side That Doesn't Disappoint!

By: Anne M. Raso

The Upper West Side's Orale is a place that is as appetizing on the eyes as on the palate. There is a fun atmosphere--barrio style florescent graffiti lines the front walls and the dead center features 100 of bottles of Jarrito's soda against a lit wall (creating some very unique "pop art”). There is also some interesting Day Of The Dead art placed in key spaces in both the bar and dining area. The staff is friendly in this month-old eatery and will customize the food without charging you extra and with no hassles.

Interior

A Taste of Westhampton in the West Village at Pizzetteria Brunetti

By: Finance Foodie

After winning rave reviews for their pizza at Pizzetteria Brunetti Westhampton Beach – father and son team Michael & Jason Brunetti opened their second location in New York City's trendy West Village last fall. The Mister and I happened to be in the Village the other night, so we stopped by for dinner.

Interior

Easter Feasting at Grace's Trattoria NYC

By: Finance Foodie

Since 1997, Grace’s Trattoria has been serving some of the most authentic Italian dishes in New York City for over 15 years. Founded by the Doria family as a complement to their gourmet shop, Grace’s Marketplace, around the corner, the restaurant has always been a way for the Dorias to showcase their family recipes, using ingredients directly sourced from their store.

Interior

Jammin' In Jensen Beach, Florida

By: Anne M. Raso

I make a couple of annual pilgrimages to Jensen Beach, FL to take in the warm weather in a place quieter than Miami. Don't take me wrong--I love Miami and its world-class art deco architecture but sometimes I just want to chill on the beach and not have to go to restaurants that have an hour or more wait time for a table. My favorite way to fly to West Palm Beach (which has the nearest airport to Jensen Beach, at about an hour away) is via Jet Blue. Why do I love Jet Blue? First of all, they have the lowest fares and most flights to the West Palm Beach from LaGuardia Airport and it's not unusual to find rates at $90 each way before taxes and fees. My number two reason is that they do not charge for your first piece of luggage while 90 per cent of other airlines that fly domestically charge $25. Thirdly, they have the best food offerings on the plane. Besides having complimentary Terra Blues blue potato chips, Pop Chips and other trendy snacks, the items that you buy for $6 are generous, especially my favorite, the Beef Up Box. Lastly, for $5 they have movies on board just on the tale end of their initial run and cable TV with dozens of channels (for free). Did I fail to mention along the way that the attendants always come around and ask if you want a second free snack (at least in my personal experience)? LOL!

Hutchinson Island Condo

B & Co.: Why We Give Their Southern Mediterranean Fare An “A”!

By: Anne M. Raso

The romantic, dimly lit, yet Euro club feel of B & Co is something you do not easily forget. The food is top-notch Mediterranean which a heavy emphasis on Southern Italian and not only is the quality high--produce is from local farms)--but the portions are generous. The kitchen staff is not afraid to experiment, either. Fresh pasta is made every morning on the premises and the #1 favorite amongst regular customers is the Japanese Sea Urchin Spaghetti dish, served simply with olive oil with a wee bit of garlic and parsley added ($32).

B & Co. Interior 

Here Batter Batter at NYY Steak Midtown

By: Finance Foodie

I might not know baseball but I do know my steaks. So when I heard that NYY Steak, the premier steakhouse at Yankee Stadium, had opened an outpost right in Midtown Manhattan, of course the Mister and I had to check it out.

From the Second Floor  - Interior Shot

Rested and Relaxed with Zeel.com's In Home Massage on Demand

By: Finance Foodie

Living in NYC can be quite stressful, as climbing the corporate ladder can really do a lot of damage to one's body. After a particularly long and exhausting week of work that had my back aching and head spinning, I decided a good massage was imperative to my sanity and health. But did I want to trek all the way up to the Upper East Side to see my usual masseuse? (Answer: hails to the no, that's just a subway ride and trek too far for my tired soul). So what's a lethargic and lazy girl to do? Get the massage to come to you of course, courtesy of Zeel.com. Zeel is a revolutionary way to book same-day, in-home massages with licensed and vetted massage therapists - starting anytime between 8am and 10:30pm in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. It's super easy - just download the Zeel app on iTunes/Android, type in your address, what kind of massage you prefer, special requests, available appointment times and BOOM - you got yourself a massage on demand. In fact, it's so simple even my tech illiterate mother (who just got a text messaging a few months ago) had no problem navigating this site.

Zeel.com Booking App

How Sweet It Is: Celebrate National Caramel Popcorn Day with The Popcorn Factory

By: Alex Loanzon

One of my favorite snack items is popcorn. Specifically caramel popcorn. Growing up on Cracker Jacks, nothing made me happier than coming home after a long day at school to a sweet and salty goodness that was a treat to my mouth (with a bonus prize that was also treat for my pocket!)

Now that I'm a bit older and richer, its time to up my game with a more refined caramel corn. To commemorate National Caramel Popcorn Day (April 5th) and to satiate my taste buds, I celebrate by ordering some crack like corn from my favorite gourmet popcorn e-tailer, The Popcorn Factory.

The Popcorn Factory Popcorn....YUUUMMM!

Eat Great With No Extra Weight! A Better for You Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to Fuel the Day

By: Finance Foodie

As the temperature inches higher, I can’t help but secretly dread the thought of shedding my trusty down coat and slipping on something a little less concealing. Luckily, since I still have a few more weeks to lose my Winter 15, I have been spending my days concocting meals that I dub as “easy to make better-for-you comfort foods.” Each dish below has been awarded the Finance Foodie Seal of Approval based on my three food principles:

(1) It tastes good 

(2) It contains nutrient-dense foods 

(3) It’s convenient / easy to make

Properly Satiated at Hotel Chantelle’s Sunday Night Improper English Roast

By: Finance Foodie

The Lower East Side restaurant & lounge, Hotel Chantelle, has put a new twist on a Sunday feast. On Sunday, March 9th, this hotspot started its “Improper English Roast”, an Across the Pond inspired menu of English favorites along with signature beer parings carefully curated by their beer sommelier Joanna Carpenter.