**Spotlight Friday's**

Hallelujah it's Friday!! What a week!

Today's special Spotlight Friday will feature 2 picks that my fellow New Yorkers could possibly enjoy this weekend.

"No sleep till Brooklyn!"

As I mentioned in one of my posts this week, I spent one of the last days of my summer with Don Pepe visiting his friends in Brooklyn. We were supposed to go Salsa Dancing, however we let the night guide us and ended up staying in their new area. (They just moved there) I was actually so happy we did, because they took us to 2 places I pretty much fell in love with!

Apt 138

138 Smith St.

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NY,

Yelp.com

We went here for a late night dinner, about 11pm, after finishing off two bottles of wine in our friends apartment. Thank goodness this place was within walking distance.

As you step in, it resembles a typical small bar/restaurant. Very dim lighting, and small intimate tables. However, when you go you MUST request their garden seating. They take you down the stairs and past the kitchen and into the most adorable, spacious outside seating area. (pictured above) The wooden tables adorned with candlelight make it so romantic.

We ordered another 2 bottles of wine and then our feast was as follows:

Appetizer: Mozzarella & Tomato - Now I've eaten this dish about a million times in my life, and who knew anyone could make this simple dish actually stand out! It was either the best balsamic dressing I've ever had, or the delicious pesto sauce that lined the outskirts of the plate, that made me want to order, 2 or 3 more. AMAZING!

Entrees: Jess and I ordered breakfast for dinner. Yes I said it, breakfast for dinner! A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a giant english muffin with potatoes and a salad. The sandwich was huge, the cheese was just dripping off of it and the bacon was nice and crunchy, just how I like it!! Gosh, writing this makes me want it right now! Jay went with the Goat Cheese frittata. It looked heavenly, but I'm not the biggest fan of goat cheese and he didn't really find it to be all that great. My bf Don Pepe, ordered the seafood paella. His favorite dish anywhere we go. It had mussels, shrimp, chicken, chorizo and peas all mixed in Spanish rice. He didn't talk much while eating it so I'm guessing it was excellent!

Sides: We all shared a side of Macaroni & Cheese. It was big enough to be someones entire meal. Now if you read my blog regularly, then I'm sure you have already realized what a HUGE fan of macaroni & cheese I am. I literally almost melted in my seat after one spoonful. It was soooo cheesy and had clumps of BACON in it! I swear I was in Macaroni and cheese heaven!!!

If you are ever in the Boerum Hill area of Brooklyn, this is a must stop! Actually even if you are not in that area, just take the trip and go!

Our next stop was for some after dinner dessert and drinks!

CAMP

179 Smith St

Brooklyn, NY 11201

The place actually really resembles a cabin in the woods somewhere, adorned with deer heads and all. They even have a Buck Shooting game, which I learned I am terrible at, but it was still so much fun. But you want to know what really made this place worth writing about? S'MORES!

You can actually make s'mores right at your table. They provide you with Hersheys chocolate, Graham Crackers and marshmallows, and you can actually roast the marshmallows at your table! It's genius!!!!

It was really such a great place to enjoy time with friends. And what's better than conversing with people you love over s'mores? Nothing.

So there you have it. A couple of "Brooklyn's finest" establishments.

Dang, I need to go back right now!!! =)

**Spotlight Friday's**

“Leave the gun. Take the cannolis.” - Clemenza, The Godfather

This quote really doesn't have much significance to today's post, except that it is one of my favorite lines from this Classic movie, and one of my coworkers said it today, I cracked up, and so I decided to share =)

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." - James Beard 

I swear, for some reason I have the most influential, engaging conversations, during a meal. Any meal! Theres something about gathering around food that gets people communicating, and I love it! Some of the most memorable conversations with Don Pepe have of course been over a meal or while sitting on the couch having a glass of wine.

Recently, during NYC Restaurant Week, we visited:

City Lobster & Steak

121 West 49th Street

New York, NY 10020

Courtesy of NYCGo.com

It was over our 3 course dinner here that I figured out the exact direction I wanted to take my career, and it was liberating. (I stress about that alot).

The food was delish! And for $35 it was even more delish!

Don Pepe enjoyed the calamari, 2Lb lobster and Red, White & Blue Shortcake for dessert and a couple of Pinot Grigio's. I tasted his lobster and who knows what seasoning they used but it was amazing! Kind of spicy and sweet, it was pretty much indescribable.

I got a Caesar salad (which by the way was THE best I have ever tasted thus far, i was tempted to lick my bowl =/ but we were in public ha ha), the Petit Filet Mignon with Crab meat, and Profiteroles Arabica for dessert which is basically coffee ice cream between two fluffy pastries drizzled in Chocolate Espresso sauce a.k.a the most delicious decadent dessert in the world.

Overall it was a great meal, not only because of the food, but for the company and the excellent conversation!

I do recommend City Lobster & Steak for a nice night out on the town and definitely during Restaurant week! It receives the Official Cupcakes & Caviar Stamp of Approval!!

**Spotlight Friday's**

S'Mac

345 East 12th Street

New York, NY 10003-7238

Courtesy of MentalFloss

Remember my last post when I gave a recipe for Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese? Well I was lucky enough to discover this amazing spot in the East Village of NYC that strictly serves nothing but Baked Macaroni & Cheese!!!!!
 

Oh Em Gee!!

 
And you know what they had on their menu??? Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese!
 
 

 

It was just as amazing as it sounded!

 
The place is really small but super cute with yellow and orange accents. Prices are definitely reasonable considering the area as well. I got a "Mega Munch" size for $10 and I couldn't even finish it! Of course i took it home though and had it for lunch the next day =) Anytime you can get 2 meals out of one, it's money well spent.
 
Don't go here expecting anything fancy or exceptional waiter/waitress service. Go here to simply indulge in one of their 12 cheesy masterpieces!! Mmmmmm I can't wait to go back!!
 
More info can be found on their website here.

**Spotlight Friday's**

Monte's Pizzeria

Route 111

Smithtown, NY 11787

Photo Courtesy of Zero Gravity Eats Smithtown

I had to spotlight one of my favorite pizzerias today! I don't really even need to write a long drawn out post about it cause this place really speaks for itself! I work right next door to Monte's and not only is their pizza and almost everything else they serve, Ah-Mazing, but the guys who work there are by far some of the nicest people I've ever met! You are always greeted with a smile and they make you feel right at home.

They are also the guy's who made this beauty:

 as i noted from a previous post and also the guys who gave me a free lunch today =) You know that made my belly very happy!!

Stop by Monte's and experience it for yourself!

**Spotlight Friday's**

Nero D'Avola

46 Gansevoort St

New York NY10014

Close your eyes...imagine you're at Brunch...you order an entree and a mimosa. You finish eating your meal and drinking your mimosa and suddenly the waitress comes over and refills your mimosa. She continues to do this over and over and over again without you even requesting it! 3 hours and 30 mimosas later you get the bill and realize you were never charged for the 30 mimosas. Now open your eyes...cause this is EXACTLY what you would get during brunch at Nero D'Avola.

My wonderful friend and I (let's call her La Fashionista) go here for our monthly drunken brunches. Seriously, for $24.95 you get an entree and UNLIMITED Champagne, Mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers for 3 hours!!!!!! They never rush you out or water down the drinks. They're nice and strong, just how i like it! And let me repeat...for 3 hours!!!! There's really nothing like walking around lower Manhattan tipsy in the middle of the afternoon. It's really something everyone should at least try once...or twice...three times...you get it.

Now, not only do you get a meal and UNLIMITED drinks for a poor college student (like myself) friendly price, oh no, the fun doesnt stop there, you also get a live DJ spinning all your favorite Let's-get-on-the-tables-and-dance music! Oh yes, every Sat & Sun from 12-4pm, you can get an UNLIMITED drink and DJ Brunch!

This is my FAVORITE NYC Brunch Spot!

If you're visiting NYC you cannot leave without experiencing a Nero D'Avola Brunch. I recommend the Eggs Benedict and Mimosa.

Nero D'Avola get the Official Cupcakes & Caviar Stamp of Approval for its Dancing Drunken Brunch!

For directions and to see their menu please visit their website: Nero D'Avola

**Spotlight Friday's**

The Eatery at Tullulah's

12 4th Ave

Bay Shore, NY 11706

Photo Courtesy of Foodie Girl

I first discovered this restaurant earlier this year, when my bf Don Pepe and I were on this whole "we-need-to-eat-at-BYOB-restaurants-all-the-time phase. We had just discovered a great one in the village and were DYING (literally) to find one on Long Island. Immediately I turned to my handy dandy Google (I'm not sure what i would ever do without Google) and began searching desperately for "BYOB restaurants on Long Island."

BAM!

The Eatery at Tullulah's website pops up. It was literally almost like the heavens opened up, and the birds started singing. We didn't waste anytime. The very next night we bought a HUGE bottle of wine and headed straight to their door. What a pleasant surprise.

Ambiance: The Eatery at Tullulah's kind of reminds me of a small chic restaurant you would find in Soho. Dark paint and art on the walls, and a chandelier greet you as you make your first step through the window paned door. Some Bob Marley played softly in the background, immediately giving me a chill relaxed vibe.

Food: AMAZING!! I mean theres really no other word that can describe the taste orgasm i received while i was here. We tasted the Chorizo, the hanger steak, the Sesame Soy Chili Wings (so spicy but too delicious to put down) and the smoked Gouda mack n cheese (so cheesy, mouthwatering). They come in Tapas style, so they can easily be shared. Oh and did I mention this place was BYOB? Let me repeat! BYOB!!! Yes, you can bring YOUR OWN bottle of wine and they will provide the glasses and corkscrew and bucket of ice for chilling if needed.

I mean how much better can it get?

Awesome food? CHECK. BYOB? CHECK. Great ambiance? CHECK.

I would definitely recommend this place for a great date with that special someone or to celebrate a special occasion. BYOB and Dinner are on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm - Midnight.

I am definitely a BIG fan of The Eatery at Tullulah's and give it my official Cupcakes & Caviar Stamp of Approval =)

Tullulah's

TADA! II

I've decided I'm going to start another weekly posting in addition to my Wednesday's "~Eat Up, Drink Up, or Shut Up~ post.

Every Friday I will spotlight a different restaurant I have been to and have fallen in love with. I will give my review, my favorite dish, and where they can be located. These restaurants will have the official "Cupcakes & Caviar" stamp of approval.

Let's call it.....

**Spotlight Friday's**