What to do this week? 9/29 Edition

"We know there's no use in getting miserable, so we go out on the town instead" - Lee Ryan

In case you wondering what to do this week either to let off steam from work, try a new restaurant, meet up with friends for happy hour or have a great date, here is a list of my recommendations for the week :-)

Farmers Market Fridays
Every Friday from now until November 22nd, Queens Botanical Garden will be hosting their Farmers market Fridays. Be prepared to get lost in the option of fresh, local and seasonal food. If you're constantly thinking of your next best recipe, this is probably a great place for some inspiration!

43-50 Main Street
Queens, NY 11355


Happy Hour - O'Nieals Soho
No I didn't misspell it, its O'Nieals! My co-worker brought me here one day for a much needed happy hour and I was hooked. The ambiance is super chill with a touch of fancy (just what I like) and once 10pm hits, the music will keep you out of your seat! Happy hour runs Mon - Fri from 4 - 7pm. $2 off draft beers and $5 house mixed cocktails, which were definitely potent! The food isn't too bad either, so be sure to grab a bite as well. 

174 Grand St
New York, NY 10013


Chelsea Brewing Company
Looking for something different to do on your Saturday afternoon? Head over to Manhattans largest microbrewery for a FREE tour of its site and witness the magical brewing process. You will also receive a few free samples (cause why else would a tour be worth it?) along with tickets for discounted pints to enjoy at their bar afterwards. Tours run every Saturday from 2pm and continue every hour through 6pm. 

Pier 59
Manhattan, NY


Date Day - Smorgasburg
Do you and your significant other share a similar love for food? Then spend your Saturday or Sunday in Brooklyn enjoying a multitude of food vendors all at your fingertips! The event takes place at 11am on Saturdays at East River park and Sundays at Brooklyn Bridge park. 

http://www.smorgasburg.com/


Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria
Looking for somewhere new to dine? Tired of the same brunch locations where you can only choose one entree? Then bring your self and a friend to Maya! For $39 you get unlimited Mexican small plates and unlimited margaritas, mimosas or bloody mary's for 2 hours. The food is delightful, the drinks are strong and the waiters are excellent at making sure you get your monies worth of free flowing drinks and food! I can only imagine how great their dinner is. Other highlights of Maya: $2 Taco Tuesdays and $6 Margarita Wednesdays 

Here's a little pic of what to expect when brunching at Maya:

Enjoy your week :-)

Oh How I Have Missed You!

I have missed blogging oh so much! Especially recapping all the amazing meals, restaurants and drinks I have had the pleaure of eating, experiencing and drinking. The last year and a half has been very exciting though and has been keeping me busy. These past 9 months in particular have been amazing. A quick recap: 1. I started graduate school 2. I got engaged to the love of my life Don Pepe and 3. I lived and studied Psychology in Bali, Indonesia for one month! Pretty exciting stuff which will be detailed in future posts. The most memorable moment however, was our engagement =)

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Woolf

It was quite the surprise and I am the happiest woman on earth! Our families were very happy as well and threw us a mini celebration the night after our engagement.

The cakes were as good as they looked. Strawberry shortcake yum my favorite. And here is a glimpse of the ring:

The start to a great year! More to come...

End of Summer Blues!

It's the last day of summer =( I hope everyone enjoyed this great season, through heat waves, tornadoes and all!

How have you enjoyed your summer? I spent most of mine enjoying some new restaurants, NYC restaurant week, trips to the Dominican Republic and Washington DC. Watching my godson grow, Yankee Games, parties, weddings, BBQs, beach, sitting poolside, and lounging! It really was a great summer!

This last weekend of summer was great! Friday spent time with my aunt for our monthly wine and cheese night. Saturday hit up Harlem and Brooklyn with my love Don Pepe. I pretty much think Brooklyn is my new love! We had dinner with friends at Apartment 138 and then walked down the street for some drinks at Camp. They were both amazing!! I will do a double feature Spotlight Friday on these 2 Brooklyn spots. But for just a glimpse into my review, imagine breakfast for dinner and possibly the best mac and cheese you ever tasted, finishing it off with do it yourself S'mores and a game of Buck Hunter. It really doesn't get any better. On Sunday, it was a day full of relaxing! Spent some time with family and Don Pepe, then caught up with an old friend Nikki, over some rum & cokes and pool.

But now it's on to enjoying the many adventures and events that Fall and Winter brings. Time to put away the bikinis and bring out the Northface jackets and boots!

BBQ, Beer & Wine

This Saturday head out to the North Fork of Long Island where they will be celebrating their 4th Annual

Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival

Photo Courtesy of LIPulse

Over 50 Breweries from around Long Island will serving up over 100 different beers for your tasting pleasure! In addition, the Martha Clara Vineyards will be giving wine tastings throughout the event.

That's alot of drinking!

So, along with your beers and wine you will also be given a BBQ sandwich and side so you won't drink on an empty stomach and get sick and can continue you're drinking festivities!

They're so smart =)

Tickets are selling quick!

$50 gets you a souvenir tasting glass, beer tasting, BBQ sandwich with side and attendance to any of their special programs held, including a session on how to pair your Wine and Beer with Food. Awesome!
Ticket prices will go up to $70 the day of the event.

They are even safety conscious!

Designated Drivers get a reduced admission price of $12 which gets you a BBQ sandwich with side, a bottle of water and attendance to their special programs. If you're caught even taking a sip of someones beer or wine, you get thrown out!

They are serious about their safety!

For more information on this event check their website HERE

National Cheesecake Day!!

OK, im back! To say this week has been so stressful and busy would be an understatement! I know i slacked on my Wendesday ~Eat Up, Drink Up or Shut Up~ post so i promise next week i will double the recipe goodness!!!

OK! Moving on!

HAPPY NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY!!!!!!

I'm going to admit that I am not the biggest fan of cheesecake, however, for some reason Oreo Cookie Cheesecake really really gets my tastebuds jumping!!! So today, I will take part in this beautiful holiday and have a slice =)

For anyone else that would like to take part in the festivities today the

will be serving up slices of ANY cheesecake on their menu for half price all day, all night! I believe they have over 20 different types, so just go and run wild!!!!

For all of you New Yorkers, our most famous cheesecake establishment

located right in Brooklyn will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary and National Cheesecake Day by serving up free slices of ANY cheesecake with a purchase of a lunch or dinner entree OR serving ANY cheesecake slice for 60 cents!!! Their slices usually go for about $6!!!!!

Unfortunately, I won't be in the area today to enjoy a Juniors Oreo Cheesecake since it is the BEST in NY!!!!! But I will be enjoying one at the Cheesecake Factory =)

For more information and to find a Cheesecake Factory by you, visit their website Here

To drool over Juniors delicious Cheesecakes and for more information about one of New Yorks most famous establishments visit their website Right Here

4th of July Festivities

One of my favorite holidays is fast approaching! I'm beyond excited for all the food I will have at my reach and all the beers I will surely drink. This day is always usually very simple for me. Beach in the morning and a backyard BBQ with hella good food and lots of beers to go around, capping the night with an amateur Firework display! That's pretty much a perfect 4th of July in my eyes.

However, maybe some of you don't have that option, or maybe your looking for something more extravagant and exciting. Or maybe your living on Long Island and your annual tradition was watching the Jones Beach Fireworks Show, and since its cancellation you have no idea what will replace it, well do I have some ideas for you!

NYC

Hudson Terrace:
         This is for the glamorous. The ones who want to party like its 1999. For the ladies who want an excuse to buy a new dress (me) and the fellas who want to break out the Pradas. Hudson Terrace will be hosting an exclusive Macy's Fireworks Display party on July 4th from 6pm to 4am. Ticket includes 4 hr open bar and All-You-Can-Eat BBQ food. Let me repeat this...ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BBQ FOOD!!! A DJ will be playing tunes all night for your dancing pleasure. You can visit their website for more info at www.hudsonterracenyc.com

Marco Polo Cruises
        Enjoy Cruises? Dinner and Dancing under the stars? Better yet, under a Firework display? Then hop onto the Lucille Cruise boat for a night on the Hudson River, Full Buffet, 3 hr open bar and DJ spinning all night, from 6pm to 11pm. Tickets are selling fast. This is pretty much the best seat in the house for the Macy's Firework Display. Click Here for more event details and to purchase tickets.


QUEENS

Water Taxi Beach
          Celebrate our Independence on a man made beach in Long Island City. (Long Islanders this is the closest your going to get to your beloved Jones Beach show). Perfect views of the fireworks display, food and drinks for purchase and music to keep your body moving all night long. Very casual, very relaxed, perfect destination if you're not into the extravagant party scene and want a little something more than your average back yard BBQ.


LONG ISLAND

Jones Beach
        Although there will be no fireworks here this year ( =( ) Jones Beach will still be hosting there famous "Latin Night" on July 4th, featuring special guest, recording artist Kat Deluna and many others. Dance the night away and who knows, maybe you will still catch a glimpse of the millions of amateur fireworks going off throughout the night.


Whatever you choose, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July! Party like its 1776!!!!

Let's Drink and Be Merry!

This weekend Long Island will be hosting it's first Wine & Food Festival!! Yum!!

Wineries across the North and South Forks of Long Island will be hosting numerous events to treat your palette. Including, dessert pairings, specialty Italian Dishes, live music and special dinner menus.

The event will be kicking off on Saturday with a VIP Reception and ending the weekend on Sunday with it's Grand Tasting at Mitchell Park in Greenport, where over 50 wineries and restaurants will be sharing unique wine and food delicacies for your tasting pleasure!!!

This event will also be featuring special guest chefs such as:

Daniel Gagnon

Season 5 contestant on Bravos Top Chef.

If you are in the Long Island area make sure this Festival is on your agenda and come and support a weekend filled with good wine and great food!

For more information on events and to purchase tickets go to their website www.longislandwineandfoodfestival.com

Would you like some Scotch with that Cigar?

OK fellas this one's for you:

Scoth and Cigar Tasting June 23rd NYC

For more info on this guy's night out idea you can check their website:

 http://www.thefiftybest.com/local/best_events/

Cigars and Scotch...How much more manly can you get??

Vinho Verde Week NYC

June 21 - 27

This week NYC restaurants and liquor stores will be celebrating this beloved Portuguese wine, perfect for summer thirst quenching! Many restaurants such as 10 Downing, BLT Prime and Spice Market will be serving special wine pairings and Vinho Verde by the glass. Liquor stores around the city will be offering free wine tastings throughout the week as well. Amen to that!!!

So for that post show drink or after work rendezvous, you can check out all the schedules and the rest of the participating restaurants on their site:

www.vinhoverde.com/week/

Happy Drinking =)