The Explore Chinatown Food And Culture Walking Tour: See (And Taste) Chinatown As You Never Have Before!

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently went on the three-hour Foods Of New York Tour called the Explore Chinatown Food And Culture Walking Tour that can be booked on www.foodsofny.com for $65! Considering how cheap the food in Chinatown is, I wondered if it would provide good bang for the buck, and I am happy to say it did--and not just because of the food. I found out so much about Chinatown, from the unusual items mourners place on the altar at funerals to insure the deceased has a good afterlife to secret side streets that no one seems to know about and that offer great souvenirs and other mementos. I never had so much fun in Chinatown and it was great to learn about each dish as I was eating it.

Manhattan Chinatown

Latest Craze: Bingo Parties

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Bingo is a classic game: it has helped people unwind and entertain for centuries. It’s a great pastime and also a fantastic icebreaker in a social gathering. What could be a better way to party up a storm than the good ol’ game of bingo? So call in your peeps and throw a bingo party at your house.

A Little Slice of Mexico at Cafe El Presidente

By: Finance Foodie

Cafe El Presidente, the newest offspring from the owners of super chill and hip Nolita taco shop Tacombi, recently opened this year in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Being a fan of Tacombi, I had to stop by last weekend for lunch and check this new kid on the block out.

Exterior

Morton's The Steakhouse: The Legend Lives On (And For Good Reason)!

By: Anne M. Raso

The luxurious Morton's Steakhouse on Fifth Avenue is as great as ever and I think ever steak maniac should have it on their "bucket list"! There is a nothing like a prime piece of Midwestern grass-fed beef grilled in a specially made broiler just for the restaurant--and you can watch from one of New York's most luxurious dining rooms that actually has a dark yet modern ambiance. Wait, let's make it more of a Hollywood glamour ambiance! The decor is definitely Hollywood movie star inspired with oversized ceiling lamps and comfy banquets with the wonderful, brightly lit cook staff area at the helm. On the trip downstairs to the restrooms, black and white photos of current Hollywood megastars line the walls including one of then late 30s George Clooney with Morton’s staff.

The New Grace's Marketplace: Grace, Style And The New "Foodie Central" of The Upper East Side!

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to attend the opening day of the eagerly anticipated new Grace's Marketplace at 1299 Second Avenue on the Upper East Side. It was back in April that proprietor Grace Doria learned that her successful business of 29 years had to move from its convenient location at the corner of 71st and Third (the landlord simply did not want food businesses in his building any longer). Ms. Doria found even bigger digs in a newly constructed building at 68th and Second, and it opened on the exact day (November 4th) as her old space opened 29 years ago.

Grace's Grand Opening

The Grand Tasting At The New York Food & Wine Festival: Feasting, Fun And Doing Something Nice To End Hunger!

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently attended my first-ever Grand Tasting at The New York Food & Wine Festival at Piers 92 and 94 even though it’s been happening for seven years now. I was expecting something like the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, of which I am a longtime veteran. There are a lot of similarities although there are less foreign food brands than at the Fancy Food Show. Do you get as stuffed walking around and sampling from more than 100 booths? You betcha. I gained five pounds yesterday from all that feasting—plus, this year there were more than 100 types of wine to try, not to mention a lot of bourbon and rum!

All Hail Haldi: Curry Hill's Newest And Possibly Best Eatery!

By: Anne M. Raso

As a matter of fact, the first thing that the server asks you after the gratis papadam (which is in a unique burrito shape) and accompanying condiment tray appear on the table is if you like your food mild, medium or super spicy! I will also say right here that their Raita is extra mild as opposed to having the strong cucumber taste that is traditional. Haldi is a simple yet striking Indian restaurant smack dab in the center of the legendary Curry Hill. There is copper cookware hanging from the ceiling but otherwise it is a modern space with clean lines and the occasional piece of classic Indian and New York street scene artwork. There is a fun wall mural of a Checker cab driving by the Taj Mahal to the immediate left when you walk in. The wonderful smells of Indian spices as you enter make you salivate but don’t worry—if you are someone who prefers your Indian cuisine mildly spiced, they take that into account!

Interior