**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!

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

**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**

Break Me Off A Piece Of Meat

I LOVE New York! There are VERY few times I ever wish I lived elsewhere. However, this would be an exception, mainly because I'm greedy, fat and can eat meat like no ones business! (I apologize to my vegetarian friends, but I cant help it)

The restaurant chain Carl Jr's has decided to come up with what I can only describe as a "Fantabulous" ( Fabulous and Fantastic, I should copyrite this ) idea. The Foot Long Cheese Burger!!

Photo from Foodbeast

Sadly, the closest Carl Jr is on the west coast, so I can only use my imagination and think of the deliciousness that comes from a bite of this genius creation. PLEASE if any of my followers live on the west coast, try this and just let me live through your lucky taste buds!!


I first spotted this on Serious Eats but you can read one mans entire photo journey tasting this burger at FoodBeast

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!!!!

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 =)

Cupcake Tour NYC

Affinia offers New York City cupcake tour
http://www.cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/


Omg Omg Omg!! I wish I could book this and spend an entire day indulging in sweet heaven!! Maybe you can! If your looking to spend a night in NYC, BOOK THIS!!!! And you know what, maybe I will, just to take this tour. Or maybe there is a way I can get my hands on their list. I hope Sweet Revenge in the West Village makes the list (I will highlight this brilliant place soon), if not, I'm sure you can always make a pit stop =) Either way, this is a brilliant idea! Bravo Affinia!!!

P.s. Please check out this blog I linked, brought to you by 3 women who clearly understand the fabulousness (I know I know, that's not a word, i'm just so excited) of the Cupcake, and mark it as your "favorite". If your a cupcake lover like myself, you will appreciate it =)

Just a random thought...but I've always wondered why people who live or visit New York would EVER eat at a chain Chinese food restaurant. I.e. P.F. Changs, where a meal for two will probably run you about $40! We live in NEW YORK people! We have THE best family owned Chinese food restaurants in the states! (yeah I said it). Like Empire Ginger in Smithtown, Shanghai Garden in Flushing, and the little closet sized mom and pop restaurants in Chinatown. Whats better than a $5 lunch special? Or a quart of Pork Fried Rice for $2??!! That's comfort food for ya!!

So please, if your visiting NY or your a local whose looking for a good eat, and you're getting lured in by the bright lights and fancy looking overpriced Chinese food chains...STOP YOURSELF! And go to a local establishment!! Your belly wont be disappointed, and neither will your pockets =)

OK, back to my chicken with broccoli....