CHEAP-EATS
Sure, NYC bodegas are convenient, typically have good variety, and obviously really ridiculously adorable cats. But hidden within such benefits are some very serious cons, namely the "Entrapment" style price gouging. No, I'm not talking about the $5 11.2 oz. coconut water or the $6 bowl of borderline rotten fruit --at least they have price tags attached (most of the time). I'm talking about the menu and prepared food items, and unpriced mystery products.
Recently, I stumbled upon a bodega called City Market Cafe on 5th Avenue near 23rd Street. Truthfully, I thought I had found my new go-to breakfast spot. I ordered a one egg and cheese sandwich on a roll. At only $1.75 plus .50 cents for cheese, it was a steal! Add on $1.95 for a small iced coffee, and I was styling at under $5 bucks for breakfast. However, when I went up to the register, the cashier rang my sandwich up for $2.45. --.20 cents more than it was listed on the menu. Oh well, it was .20 cents, whatever, I was getting a great deal anyway so I went on with my day. I returned again the following morning for another breakfast sandwich. I did notice the menu had two prices for egg sandwiches listed as one egg for $1.75 and two eggs for $1.95. I thought to myself, "Oh the lady must have assumed I had a two egg sandwich." Followed by, "Wait, why did she automatically charge me for 2 eggs instead of asking if I had one?" Again, it seemed wrong but I overlooked it.
Richard Sandoval fans are in for a treat with the new tricks and treats going on at Pampano this summer. Along with the new season, Pampano is introducing quite a few enticing changes. They're now featuring a new tasting menu serving up fresh Mexican seasonal ingredients until June 30th. The five course tasting is only $50 per guest or $75 with the addition of Los Nahuales Mezcal or Latin wine pairing.
Pampano is also introducing fun Taco Tuesdays! Every Tuesday from 5pm until closing, the restaurant will be serving up $2 tacos, with new specialty tacos each week. But that's not all that's new. There will also be special summer Fridays at Pampano Botaneria all the way until Labor Day, where you can come start your weekend early with Happy Hour starting at 3pm. All Latin cocktails and sangrias will be $6 a piece and Mexican-style tapas are only $5.
The big story on the New York Post today is that Long Island's 'Hotdog Hooker' Catherine Scalia is in hot water again for slinging more than Ballparks out of her camper. After doing a 4 year stint in jail from 2004 to 2008 for similar charges, the Hotdog Hooker is back in the slammer after an undercover cop caught her offering up off-menu wiener services.
It was only a matter of time before the shameless wiener wrangler was nabbed again as she did little to cover her tracks. Amongst her clearly guilty behavior, she handed out business cards titled "Strips-R-Us" offering "bachelor party" services, "stripteases," and "topless cleaning." She also previously posed for some ridic pics (inset), wieners in hand, chest out, with a mischievous smirk (inset).
Prepare your eyes and stomachs for this one: Pizza Hut's Cheeseburger Crusted Pizza.
Just when you thought nothing could get more foul than Kentucky Fried Chicken's 'Double Down Sandwich' or Dennys' Bacon...well, everything, Pizza Hut goes and one ups all its other federally subsidized obesity inducing competitors! Those clever little devils.
Unfortunately for those of you looking to get your greasy fingers on it, you'll have to fly to the Middle East because this little nutrition bomb isn't available in the United States. Guess you'll just have to keep on those Double Down sandwiches in the mean time.....
Also check out this video below of some actors who were probably vomiting in between takes:
Nicolas Palazzi of PM Spirits, who specializes in sourcing rare spirits, will be leading a tasting of Pineau des Charentes and Cognac with specially paired cheeses tomorrow, March 29th from 6:30-8:30pm. Nicolas was born to a family of winemakers in Bordeaux. He learned the art and science of Cognac under the tutelage of his grandfather's best friend, whose family started distilling around 1702.
During the event, Nicolas will guide you through a tasting of old Pineau des Charentes, a combination of Cognac and unfermented grape must (both red & white). These Pineaux are harvested by hand and some are made with six year old cognac and are bottled only when the right proof is achieved naturally. These libations will be paired each with a different cheese, selected carefully by artisan organic cheese importer, Seymour Pond of Pondini. Next, Nicolas will take you through some of the best cognacs and explain the distillation process and how different styles are created. All of the cognacs will also be paired with specially selected cheeses. What's on tap for the evening? Check out exactly what will be served below:
In MTV’s show I Just Want My Pants Back, the characters, like many New York residents, frequent their Brooklyn neighborhood bodega on a daily basis. The bodega in the show and countless others throughout the city are important locations in many people’s lives. Maybe they know you by name and or how you take your coffee. Maybe they don’t judge you when you come in the next day for an egg sandwich in your work clothes. From shrimp flavored crackers and hard to find nostalgic candies, bodegas offer things you need and items bought on impulse, like cheap lighters that light up. No matter the ethnicity of your corner bodega they all have one thing in common; they are relied on by many residents as a source of necessity and great food. Remember not to judge a bodega by its storefront window because some bodegas serve up the best foods you can find anywhere in the city.
The newly re-opened 40/40 Club is now introducing a weeknight happy hour from 5-7pm. Executive chef Mike Shand (formerly Jay-Z's private chef) is generously offering up cheap bites from their menu, including wings, nachos, empenadas, and much more for only $6. But food isn't the only thing that's being discounted...you can also score beer, house wine, or well liquor for $6! But since this is no ordinary sports club, reservations are strongly encouraged.
Do you remember the days you used to eat ramen noodles because it was all you could afford in college? It was as easy as adding a spice packet, maybe even an egg, and you had yourself breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well now it is time to spark your creativity without going out of your budget. Ramen is cheap and it can also be delicious, not to mention more healthy than the frozen pizza you were just going to heat up for supper. Learn to dress up your ramen noodles and step out of its normal boundaries. Check out this ramen recipe that we have created for you.
Let's face it. Being single in NYC is tough. It's even worse when you're broke and on a budget. So we're here to ease up the stress of it all --at least a little bit. Want to impress someone with good food, and a great atmosphere at an affordable price? Tired of spending way too much money on dinner but don't want to let go of the quality? Don't worry, we got ya covered! Here are five places that you can take a date to dinner, without draining your bank account.
Almost everyone is feeling the pinch of the current economic situation. People are cutting back in all sorts of ways but one thing is certain, you still need to eat. Eating out to some is a luxury but it doesn’t have to be a budget busting meal to satisfy your hunger and appetite for something different. Don’t fear your dinner bill and have fun while eating at the following restaurants:
Tacombi (267 Elizabeth Street) is a taco joint created by Food Network Chef Aaron Sanchez as a homage to the “color, flavor, and spice of Mexico’s favorite street food[s].” Tacombi’s laid back décor, friendly prices, and their willingness to throw parties for any occasion keeps customers coming back for more. Plus, to keep the street food feel, your tacos are prepared in a converted VW bus right in the dinning area.
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