SPICE up your life!

SPICE is a chain of Thai restaurants throughout NYC. It is consistently good and trendy and has prices that can’t be beat. It’s not the most allergy friendly as there are peanuts and cashews in a lot of their dishes and sauces, so nut allergic must be careful. The food is flavorful and they have drink specials almost every night. Last night they had mojitos on special, and if you were lucky enough to get a sample glass, they came around the table and gave you them for free!

Allergy info:
Nut Allergy Beware

Foodie Rundown:
Appetizers:
Sa-tae Chicken (grilled marinated skewers with peanut dipping sauce)
Thai Dumplings (steamed pork & crab dumpling with black bean vinaigrette sauce
Crispy Calamari with spicy crushed tomato sauce

Entrees:
Cashew Chicken Nut - onions, broccoli, bell peppers with tamarind chili paste (pictured)
Beef / Shrimp Pad Thai- traditional thai noodle, egg, peanuts, bean sprouts and scallion
SPICE Duck - half duck, ginger, mushrooms and pineapple with sweet and sour sauce (pictured)

Locations:
Chelsea
East Village
Union Square
Upper West Side
Upper East Side


SPICE

I want Billy’s….Cupcakes!

So, I’m more of a cookie lover, but I think these cupcakes officially have changed my mind. I was lucky enough to try 2 cupcakes at work from Billy’s Bakery. They were fluffy, delicious, and flew like hotcakes out of the containers, so I was happy to get my hand on 2 different flavors. Billy’s bakery has more than just cupcakes though, and I can’t wait to be able to try more menu items! They have cheesecakes, pies, cookies and bars and other items such as breakfast muffins and biscuits. They are located throughout the city, so make sure to check them out for your next event or birthday!

Allergy Info:
No preservatives in any products
Nuts are used in certain items such as the carrot cake, pumpkin bars and some of the breakfast items (for example the banana nut mini loaf). Although there may not be nuts in whatever you order, they’re still made in the same kitchen, so nut allergies beware!

Foodie Rundown:
Red Velvet Cupcake: Very velvety, delicious and the frosting was amazing! (warning: this cupcake stains, so make sure you’re careful when eating it, check your fingers, your clothes and make sure that it’s not all over you!)
Banana Cupcake: I have never tasted a cupcake like this before. It was like banana bread with a cream cheese frosting, so flavorful and seasonally appropriate. I absolutely loved it!

Locations:
Chelsea
Tribeca
Nolita

http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/

Olive You <3

Fig & Olive is a trendy, fun, and healthy place to have either a romantic dinner, a quick casual dinner and drink or a family gathering in the city. My family and other families alike, love going to Fig & Olive for their variety of shared crustini’s and veggies and delicious salads. All the ingredients are fresh, and everything is made with Olive Oil and not butter. The philosophy is to highlight the use of the different and the best olive oils from the coastal regions of the South of France, Italy and Spain. Figs are predominant on the menu (that shouldn’t be too surprising), but their use of vegetables and flavors are delicious! Making those who are health conscious, very excited!

Allergy Info:
No Butter
Vegetarian Friendly
Vegan Friendly
Nut Allergy must be careful as there are a lot of walnuts, almonds and pine nuts on the menu

Foodie Rundown:
So being that I’ve been here a few times, I have tried a lot of what is on the menu. I have also never had anything that myself or someone else didn’t like – so I will give you a review of everything! (Hey! The more the merrier, right?)

Let’s start with the Crustini’s – Depending on the number of people at the table, make sure you get enough to share. These are pretty small, but can be cut in half to share. For 4 people, I recommend at least 6 crustini’s (and other appetizers, duh?)

Burrata, Tomato, herbs and Blasamic – A classic twist to a Bruschetta
Roasted Bell pepper, Ricotta – This was the largest and juiciest bell pepper I think I’ve had in my life, I think I cut it in half to share, and then stole the 2nd half back, whoops?
Prosciutto, Ricotta, Fig, Olive, Walnut – This is the epitome of Fig & Olive – so delicious
Salmon, Ricotta, Citrus, Cilantro – Mom’s favorite, salmon is fresh, and refreshing with the citrus
Shrimp, Avocado, Cilantro, Tomato – A little taste of mexico with the avocado and cilantro and a fresh crisp shrimp on top! (See Picture)

Veggies:
Zucchini – Pesto Ricotta with Pine Nuts, is really just a Zucchini spin on Pesto, with ricotta instead of Parmesan, dunk the extra Zucchini sticks or use the extra bread that they will give you (See Picture)
Artichokes – Family Favorite! These juicy artichokes with Parmesan and Balsamic, are a great combination (See Picture)

Appetizer:
Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet – So I don’t even like gorgonzola cheese, but warmed, with prosciutto, fig, walnut, arugula, scallions, tomatoes on a fine puff pastry, nothing matters anymore. These flavors and the crispy yet fluffy puff pastry, just melts in your mouth! (See Picture)

Dinner:
Fig & Olive Salad – Crisp lettuce with fig, apple, manchego, gorgonzola (I replaced this with goat cheese), tomato, walnut, olive, scallion and 18 year fig balsamic and Arbequina olive oil – want something delicious and guilt free? This salad is the way to go! (See Picture)

Melon & Prosciutto Burrata Salad – This was like an art sculpture when it came out of the ktiche, piled high with argula, melon, burrata, pesto, tomato, fresh herbs and lemon with Picholine Olive Oil, this was a sight to see! (See Picture)

Zucchini Blossom & Goat Cheese Ravioli – House made goat cheese ravioli, zucchini emulsion, tomato confit, curpsy zucchini blossoms with parmesan & shaved ricotta salata with Nocellara Olive Oil

Truffle Risotto – So my love for truffle never ends, Arborio rice, trumpet and cremini mushroom, with scallions, parmesan, parsley and white truffle oil

Locations:
NYC - Meatpacking (13th and
NYC – 5th Ave
NYC – Lexington
NY - Westchester
California (Melrose Place)

http://www.figandolive.com/

Dare to Dumpling?

If you’re in the mood for some dumplings…nice, plump, yummy dumplings (ok, my mouth just watered), and you don’t want to order the fried rice, the egg roll or the chicken and broccoli, you can simply have a dumpling feast at Rickshaw Dumpling Bar! In addition to their location in Flatiron, on Lexington and in Times Square, they also have a food truck! And we all know, everything tastes better from a food truck! Indulge in different flavored dumplings, different dipping sauces, and an array of side dishes that will make you dance for dumplings! Have a desire for a double dose of dumplings? They will cater an event as well!

Allergy Info:
Peanut allergy be careful! – there are peanuts in some of the dumplings as well as the sauces
Vegan Friendly
Vegetarian Friendly
Looking to eat healthy? Rickshaw says an order of 6 dumplings has less than 300 calories! After a meal, your dumplings will still look good!
No MSG

Foodie Rundown:Szechuan Chicken Dumpling – Bell & Evans chicken with Szechuan chilli, white soy bean and Chilli soy dipping sauce
Peking Duck - Local Hudson Valley duck with cabbage, scallion, 5 spices and hoisin dipping sauce
Chicken & Thai Basil – Bell & Evans chicken with lemongrass, glass noodle, carrot and spicy peanut dipping sauce
Never can go wrong with Classic Pork or if you’re vegetarian / vegan, check out the Vegetarian Edamame Dumpling with organic edamame with lemon in a whole wheat wrapper and lemon sansho dipping sauce!

Order a Rickshaw Regular for the best dumpling deal in town! Medium order of dumplings (6 dumplings) with a choice of noodles, salad or side for only $8.96!

Locations:
Flatiron – 23rd between 5th and 65h
Times Square – Broadway between 42nd and 43rd
45th and Lexington
Food Truck – Make sure to follow Rickshaw on twitter for their daily location changes! @RickshawTruck

Dare to Dumpling? http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/

Bareburger – Spare it all, but the Bun!

For those of you gluten free friends out there, don’t let your burger be bare at Bareburger! Eat the burger WITH the bun! Popping up all over the place in NYC, Brooklyn and Queens, this organic, all natural, free range, grass fed burger sensation will be sure to delight all family members.

Whether you are looking to stay lean with a multi-grain roll, wheat or lettuce wrap, looking to keep your cholesterol down with a turkey burger, veggie burger, or chicken patty, or just trying to make up any excuse to eat a beef, elk, bison, or ossie burger, go to Bareburger!

Foodie Rundown:
Start with some pickles for the table, don’t want to fill yourself up before the big meal
Fries…or Onion Rings? Can’t decide? Get the basket combo with both!
The Western (This was the burger I had, with a gluten free bun, out of this world!)
Maple Bacon Chesesebarburger (This was the burger my friend Tara had, on multi-grain, that was described as the “best burger ever”)
The Roadhouse (Turkey burger, on a wrap, the healthy version that my friend Jolene tried)

Allergy Info:
Not Nut Friendly (100% peanut oil is used for all the fried items)
BUT
Veggie Friendly
Gluten Friendly
Cholesterol Friendly
Organic Friendly
Beef Friendly
Chicken Friendly

Locations:
Manhattan
Laguardia Place, NY, NY - Washington Square Park
3rd Ave - Murray Hill
8th Ave, - Chelsea
2nd Ave – East Village
1st Ave – Upper East Side

Queens
31st Ave – Astoria
31st St. – Astoria
Austin St. – Astoria
Bell Boulevard – Bayside, NY

Brooklyn
7th Ave – Brooklyn, NY

Hebrews and She-brews - A Kosher Cupcake!

On this Shabbat evening, let us take a moment to honor thy cupcake. Let’s break it down. Analyze this beautiful work of art from Crumbs Bake Shop. Let’s start with the flavors: (take a deep breath now):
Red Velvet
Cookies and Cream
Devil’s Food
Peanut Butter Cup
Squiggle
Cookie Dough
S’mores
Black and White
Artie Lange
Chocoloco
Fudge Chocolate Chip
Chocoalate Coconut
Caramel Apple
Chocolate Sundae
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Carrot
Butter Pecan
Brownie
Blueberry Swirl
(take breath)
Cotton Candy
Key Lime
Dulce de Leche
And
Milkshake…

Just to name a few!

Ok so Crumbs (as you most likely know) has locations all over NYC and many other cities as well, but did you know that their cupcakes were kosher? Bring them to a Shabbat dinner for dessert, as I’m sure these colorful, tasty treats will go a long way (as long as you don’t eat them before you get there!).

Allergy Info:
Kosher! - http://www.crumbs.com/orderinfo/kosher
Nut Allergy Beware! Crumbs suggests if you have a nut allergy to not eat any of their products. See the link for more information.

Foodie Rundown:
You seriously can't go wrong with any of these flavors! Can't decide? Get the box of minis with a tasting of flavors!

Address:
Various - So here’s the location finder! - http://www.crumbs.com/locations/

http://www.crumbs.com/

NUT so good...

The Cellar at Beechers is a super cute date spot, dimly lit, and has a surplus of delicious cheeses and small plates to indulge yourself with. But for the nut allergic beware, as Beechers may be yummy but naive to our nut special friends.

Let’s start off with the crackers. As I sat down, the first thing I told the waiter was "I am allergic to nuts”. Out comes some crackers for the array of cheeses on the table. Fast forward to the end of the meal, the check is coming out, and the waiter is sweating and in an uncomfortable way, making me kind of nervous. He goes, “did you eat the crackers?”. Well duh I ate the crackers, do you think I ate the cheese with my fingers? I politely said, “Yes, why?”. He decided to tell me that there were hazelnuts in the crackers, and proceeded to place down a bowl of “non nut crackers”. Thanks? Considering there was no more cheese on the table and I was about to leave, I told him I was ok as I had not encountered a reaction.

Before the wild reaction to the crackers, the plate of cheese came out, with almonds all over it. I asked if he could bring us a plate with no nuts, but he left it there as my date kept picking away. About 45 minutes later, he brought a plate of just the cheese. With my not too smart “no fear” attitude I had already picked away all the cheese from the larger plate. (Which meant, more cheese for me!)

As great as the food was, be careful with a nut allergy here. Nuts, wine and cheese go together so it can be difficult for those who have a nut allergy.

But if you aren’t allergic, definitely a great date spot!

Allergy Info:
Nut Allergic beware!

Addresses:
900 Broadway (Corner of Broadway and 20th)

Foodie Rundown:
Lots of cheese
Lots of wine (restaurant is 21+)
More wine?