Avlee Greek Kitchen | Carroll Gardens | Brooklyn

Avlee Greek Kitchen, known for Greek comfort food in the Carroll Gardens/Gowanus area may be the neighborhood's best kept secret.  As a family-owned and operated restaurant, they've been providing regulars authentic Greek food since 2013. We'll show you why they've earned top marks 4.5/5.0

Bagatelle NYC | MeatPacking District | Manhattan

We were invited to return to posh, upscale Bagatelle's flagship restaurant in the Meatpacking District (MePa), known for the energy and over-the-top fun for all, including celebrities and socialites.  As a fun, crazy nightclub atmosphere still persists, the fun extends to their menu, as mentioned in our last write up and continues with the spring menu introduction.

Chang'An Restaurant | San Gabriel Valley | San Gabriel, CA

When Downtown LA meets SGV, you get Chang'an. A modern Chinese gastropub, beautifully designed by the owners.

FOH Restaurant | DTLA Financial District | Los Angeles, CA

Located in the Financial District in downtown LA, FOH offers modern Mexican cuisine. The venue is a modern rustic with a touch of class. The vibe is casual, with a hint of sexy.

Primera Taza Coffee House | Boyle Heights | Los Angeles, CA

Located in Boyle Heights, Primera Taza Coffee House is the spot for a grand variety of coffee and also well known for their sandwiches. The quaint coffee shop is run by Chuy Tovar and his wife Rosalinda Hernandez.

RESOBOX: RITA Sake Tasting | LIC | Queens

Please join us and many others at RESOBOX on Wednesday, March 16th (6:30-8:00pm) for a sake tasting event.  Guests will be trying four different sakes from the RITA brand of Toshimaya, complemented by food that's specifically paired with each sake.  They're all inclusive tickets for $30.

Harry & Ida's Meat & Supply Co | Alphabet City | Manhattan

While few places in the city resonate in my heart, you'll be happy to hear that Harry & Ida's is one of them- They hit the nail on the head with a resounding, satisfactory bang!  You'll also be hard pressed to hear me use the word best, because "best" is subjective nearly impossible to achieve.  However, they do collect a 4.9/5.0 and here's why...

Banh Mi Lunar New Year Giveaway Contest 2016

Lunar New Year is upon us and it so happens to coincide with our Instagram follower count reaching 3,000 followers! In order to show our appreciation for this momentous occasion, we are giving away banh mi!

The Baroness Bar: Last Unicorn Burger | LIC | Queens

The Baroness in Long Island City (known by many to be a burger haven) is the latest to introduce a new burger incarnation, one of only a few allowed to collaborate with The Bagel Store, dubbed The Last Unicorn Burger.  Their cozy atmosphere, accessibility and friendly service did for the most part, lend itself to our 4.7/5.0 rating.

mŏkbar | Chelsea | Manhattan

Editor's Notes: Featured Read of the Day on Yelp  ROTD 11/15/2015
They say true genius often strikes in the pale moments between awake and asleep. I must have been sleepwalking all these years because I haven't truly had Korean-style ramen until today and the experience I had, by definition, was a culinary eye-opener. This brings us to why we feel mŏkbar is deserving of 4.8/5.0

Robicellis Bakery | Bay Ridge | Brooklyn

Robicelli's takes the cupcake! Yes, I meant it in every sense of the word. They have (and still do via wholesale) some of the best cupcakes in the city, and most certainly all of Brooklyn.  They're located in South Brooklyn and by that I mean Bay Ridge.  While I've been into their bakery often in 2014-2015, I've always found myself gravitating to their cupcakes, for good reason. 4.5/5.0
(Note: retail portion is now closed - it's now a commissary/commercial kitchen)

La Goulette | Williamsburg | Brooklyn

La Goulette, affectionately named after the port of Tunis, the Tunisian capital, I had the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic meal from true hard working Tunisian brothers there, (They're originally from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn).  Great Tunisian food is hard to find as you can find Mediterranean just about any borough in NYC, but to have it done up perfectly in a fast, but casual setting without seeming cheap? Very slim... They get it right. 4.5/5.0

Ladybird Bakery | South Slope | Brooklyn

Definitely one of the best bakeries in NYC even if it's technically in Brooklyn. This is the sister bakery to Two Little Red Hens, which for all intent and purposes, is off the beaten path for most New Yorkers- deep in South Slope and accessible by F/G and driving.  Fortunately, their goods can be found in many eateries within the city limits. You just have to look, and you'll find them easily. The staff is amiable and patient. The bakery itself is a quaint (read: cute and small) delight to visit... and visit I have- several times already. 5.0/5.0

Manila Social Club: Donuts and DJs | Williamsburg | Brooklyn

I was invited to join in on the (monthly) Donuts and DJs event. Little did I know, I ran into many friends who were there to support the event and the family's endeavour. Fantastic donuts and a unique venue give rise to my 4.8/5.0 rating.

Charcuterie Masters 2016

(Updated 1/26/16)
Get your meat on! Charcuterie takes center stage at this meat competition at Flushing Town Hall on February 27th. An event like no other, New York Epicurean Events is bringing together a group of charcuteries to show once and for all who among them is a cut above the rest.

Donut Fest NYC 2016

Winter may be in full swing but this may be one New Year's Resolution you're going to have to break.  The Inaugural Donut Fest 2016 arrives in NYC on Sat, Jan. 23rd, barely two weeks from now at Verboten!

Beer Bourbon and BBQ Festival 2016

 

Now in it's 10th anniversary, the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to Chelsea (The Tunnel) for the 7th time at the end of January (1/30)!  You get to party it up as the Southerners do - why with Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Bacon, and Bluegrass of course!

Whole hog being served up (Courtesy of DNAinfo)

Admission comes with a sampling glass to enjoy unlimited tastings and samples of beer and bourbon.