NYC Summer Restaurant Week 2012

Hi foodies! NYC Summer Restaurant Week is starting July 16 and running through August 10. A  limited amount of restaurants in New York City will be offering a three course pre fixe menu for dinner and some menus for lunch. The price of the lunch pre fixe is $24.07 and the price of the dinner pre fixe is $35.00. For a list of the participating restaurants go the NYC Restaurant Week page.

-Mike

Chihuahua Querida: Press Party at Casa Mezcal

Hi foodies! Yesterday was the press party for Chihuahua Querida. This whole week Zarela Martinez is educating people on the beautiful culture of Chihuahua, Mexico. This week is also being sponsored by The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, the Mexico Tourism Board, and Food is Art. At the bottom of this post the schedule of events are included.

The press party to kick off Chihuahua Querida was hosted by the Mexico Tourism Board. Zarela did a presentation of her life in Chihuahua entitled, "How I Learned to Cook, Break Horses and Cut Cattle.” She showed some wonderful photos of her childhood that captured the raw wonders of Chihuahua. Zarela's message is to get the word out that Chihuahua is not only beautiful, but also safe.

During Zarela's presentation she spoke about how she would complain to her mother about her name. Her mothers reply was that Zarela was unique and will look great in shining lights. Zarela said that somehow she must have known something about what Zarela has become today. This touching moment truley shows the deep connection Zarela has toward the food she makes and the family she comes from.

As a side note, RAEchel Running, is a freelance photographer, who showed a presentation of some amazing pictures of Chihuahua, brought the essence of this beautiful state to everyone. RAEchel told how she is constantly traveling around Mexico, alone, and never has run into danger, nor has she felt unsafe. In addition, performance artist Narciso Martinez as Pancho Villa was in character and taking pictures with the crowd.

Narciso Martinez and Zarela Martinez

The food was prepared by Julian Medina of Toloache, who is a good friend of Zarela. He served some delicious appetizers including a Pork and Corn Empanadas, Burritos with Brussels Sprouts and Poblano Rajas, Chorizo Sopes, and Carne Asada Tacos.

The Pork and Corn Empanada was a flavorful small bite.

The Burrito with Brussels Sprouts, Poblano Rajas and an Avocado Sauce was fresh and vibrant.

The Chorizo Sopes were amazing. The smokey chorizo went great with the creamy queso fresco.

The Carne Asada Tacos were in a scrumptious marinade and were wrapped in a delicate and tasty corn tortilla.

Chihuahua is rich in food and culture and Zarela Martinez is the right person to get the message out there. Here are the upcoming events:

Sunday June 3rd, 2012 - starts at 12pm - Zarela will be teaching a class on how to use and prepare a pig from head to feet at  Jimmy’s 43. She will teach how to make chorizo, carnitas, carne adobada, tamales, manteca, pickled pig feet and cueritos. A reservation is required. The price of the class is $65.00 plus tax and must be paid through Paypal or by calling 212-644-1646. A light lunch and a beverage is included.

Monday June 4th, 2012 - 6pm to 9pm -At Casa Mezcal, the Mexico Tourism Board hosts an invite-only press kick-off event with food by Julian Medina of Toloache. Zarela will give a presentation on “How I Learned to Cook, Break Horses and Cut Cattle,” featuring photographs of her life on the ranch and stories from her culinary autobiography, “Food from my Heart,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Invite only.

Tuesday June 5th, 2012 - 6pm to 8pm - In celebration of Pancho Villa’s 132nd birthday there will be performance artist Narciso Martinez as Pancho Villa along with photographer Raechel Running will also give a presentation of her magnificent photographs of Chihuahua at Casa Mezcal. Appetizers and drinks will be served for a price of admission of $25.

Wednesday June 6, 2012 - 6pm to 9pm - At Casa Mezcal with owner Ignacio Carballido, there will be a comparison of mezcal and sotol, a native Chihuahua spirit made from the Dasylirion wheeleri plant. The food will be prepared by Cafe Frida.

Thursday June 7, 2012 - 11am to 3pm - A full lineup of Chihuahua food and presentations at Centrico Restaurant. Anthropologist Elsa Rodriguez Garcia will speak about the ruins of Paquime and other important Chihuahua discoveries. Zarela’s son Aaron Sanchez of TV’s “Chopped” fame will be serving authentic Chihuahua chuck wagon-style food and agua fresca (a non-alcoholic hibiscus flower drink). Ron Bridgemon will discuss tourism in Chihuahua. Conservationist Carmela Wallace will introduce master pottery maker Diego Valles. And Dave Hensleigh will speak about the famed Raramuri runners and the Copper Canyon.The presentations and food  are free, but reservations must be made through Danielle Kim at Danielle@jigsawmgt.com or 571-334-6058.

Friday June 8, 2012 - 10am to 4pm - Diego Valles, master potter of Mata Ortiz, will be giving an all-day class. He will speak about his technique and his art will be on display at Greenwich Pottery House.

Saturday June 9, 2012 - 11am to 2pm - Zarela Martinez will teach all her favorite recipes she learned from her mother, including albondigas, carne con chile colorado, flour tortillas, frijoles charros and calabacitas at Suenos.

I truly have fell in love with Chihuahua and look forward to these events coming up! For more pictures of the press party at Casa Mezcal go to the Foodie Finders NYC Facebook page.

-Mike

Coming Up-The Seed: A Vegan Experience

Welcome foodies! On June 16 and 17 a very exciting event is coming soon called The Seed: A Vegan Experience. Below is the details.

The Seed: A Vegan Experience – Two Full Days of Vegan Immersion in SoHo

See…Eat…Hear…Shop…FEEL VEGAN. Explore veganism, and be amazed! The Seed invites the vegan-curious, vegan-skeptical, and vegan choir to explore what veganism has to offer.

Date: June 16 & 17

Where: 82 Mercer, SoHo

Get Tickets: http://theseedexperience.com/purchase-tickets/

The Seed will be a fully immersed vegan experience with something for everyone:

- 80+ Vendors

- 17 Leading Experts Presenting, Including World Champions

- Food Samplings From Top NYC Vegan Restaurants

- 7 Cooking & Other Demonstrations

- 3 Movie Screenings with Film Directors Q&A

- Workshops

- Amazing Raffle Prizes

- And Much More!

For more details and event schedule please visit: http://theseedexperience.com 

 -Mike

Shopikon London App

Welcome foodies! Shopikon is releasing a new London version of their shopping app. To kick it off food bloggers have been asked to get conversation started about the restaurant scene in London. I have not yet been to London, but one restaurant I really want to visit is Pied à Terre. The menu makes my mouth water with some of my favorite ingredients. Of the 7 course tasting menu, one stand out item that I am dying to try is the Salad of Cornish Crab with Crab Mayonnaise, Nasturium Leaves (similar to a water cress), Chilli and Cucumber. It sounds so fresh and flavorful. In addition, I would love to taste the Slow Cooked Veal Rump with Globe Artichoke Purée, Braised Celery and Lemongrass Jus. My mouth waters at the thought of that slow roasting veal and braised celery. To end my meal, I would order the Tart of Earl Grey Tea with Milk and Vanilla Gel, Bergamont Ice Cream, and Candied Orange. This dessert sounds so interesting with flavors like orange and earl grey tea that I love. I hope to enjoy this upscale dining experience soon. Pied à Terre is going to be my first stop when I get to London. On the Shopikon London app there are many great reviews of other restaurants and shops. Whether you are dreaming of going to a specific London shop or restaurant because of its celebrity status, its incredible looking menu, or its name recognition, share this experience with others by leaving a comment here on Foodie Finders NYC or on the Foodie Finders NYC Facebook page.

-Mike

Coming Up - Zarela Martinez Cooking Class at Suenos

Hi foodies! On June 9th Zarela Martinez will be doing a cooking class at Sue Torres's restaurant, Suenos. From 11am to 2pm, Zarela will be teaching about the food and culture of Chihuahua. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity! For more information and to sign up click here.

-Mike

Wellness in the Schools Annual Benefit

Hi foodies! Tuesday, May 22nd, was the Wellness in the Schools Annual Benefit. It was a wonderful event with amazing food and people for a great cause.

Wellness in the Schools is bringing healthy food, environmental awareness and encouraging more activity in school. They provide this for New York City public schools and have now expanded to Kentucky with Florida on their radar as a future project. WITS, created in 2005, is now servicing twenty five schools with their three programs, Cook for Kids, Green for Kids, and Coach for Kids.

The benefit was a blast with a silent auction, a live auction and great food from 26 amazing restaurants. One highlight of the night was the Shrimp Ceviche from Josh Capon of B&B and Lure. It came with a great avocado mousse and I could have just drank the liquid on the bottom all night. Josh became involved with WITS because it hit home. His daughter started school and the lunches were not acceptable. If you did not decide to pack a lunch, the alternative was not good. He said it was time to "rock the boat".

Sue Torres of Sueños, returning for her second year at this event, served a delicious Cochinita Pibil Taco.   The pork was very tasty and the hand-crafted tortilla was like no other. Together it was a spectacular dish. Sue also served chips and a homemade salsa as a vegetarian option. Sue Torres is a pleasure to talk to and her food is out of this world.

The cookies at Levain Bakery were amazing. They are monstrous size cookies that come in four different flavors. Levain Bakery serves Chocolate Chip Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. These cookies are some of the best I have ever had, and my favorite is the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie.

At Candle 79, they prepared a plantain chip with an avocado mousse, chipotle sauce and tempeh bacon. Tempeh is a soy product that is cake-like and commonly found in Indonesia. This smokey product acted as a replacement to bacon. The dish was delicious.

Dessert was being made over at Craft's booth with the executive pastry chef Meredith Tomason. She presented a Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta along with cucumber and watercress. It was refreshing and reminded me of the Summer days quickly approaching.

Bill Telepan of Telepan was serving great raw oysters with a cucumber mignonette. Telepan also served a Strawberry Granita Parfait with almonds, verbena cream, and prosecco. This was a beautiful and fresh dessert. Bill is the Executive Chef of Wellness in the Schools and said that he got involved in 2008 with the idea of having volunteers improve the food in schools. The first days that he started helping schools, they set up three programs of salad bar day, vegetarian chili day, and sandwich day. They began hiring employees when there was inconsistency in volunteers skills of being able to cook and having great personalities. They brought the program from three schools to eight schools and by the end of 2011 they were working hard in twenty five schools. Now WITS has just undertaken a huge project of expanding their program to the entire state of Florida.

Guacamole and chips were being served over at AG Kitchen from chef Alex Garcia. AG Kitchen is Alex's new restaurant that will be opening soon. 

Harold Moore, the chef and owner of Commerce Restaurant, prepared a vegetable fricassée with black truffle and a poached egg. The dish was very rich and flavorful. 

A great sausage and peppers sandwich was being served from Marco Canora's Hearth. Yum!

Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern was a pleasure to meet. Gramercy Tavern served Chicken Mortadella with an asparagus salad on a Thai cracker. This was a delicious bite. 

Wellness in the Schools is an amazing organization that just continues to achieve. For more information on this charity click here.

For more pictures on this event go to the Foodie Finders NYC Facebook page. More restaurant reviews and food events in New York City are soon to come.

-Mike

Los Angeles Resraurant Review - Susan Feniger's Street

Welcome foodies! After a great food filled journey through Los Angeles, I am going to share my dining experience at Susan Feniger's Street.

Street     742 N Highland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038

(April 2012-Dinner)

Street is an incredibly fun and lively restaurant. The staff, a beautiful reflection of the lovely Susan Feniger, is so nice and knowledgeable. The concept at Street is about different street foods from all over the world served tapas style. In the Izakaya + Asian Pub Food section I loved the West Sumatra Beef Curry. The flavors were so elaborate and bursting with flavor. The Pea Shoots + Pork Belly with coconut rice and a soft egg was very good. The richness from the egg was a wonderful addiction to the dish. Another great dish was the Edamame Hummus. It came with papadum chips that put together was amazing. In the Meatballs + Fritters section, I enjoyed the Syrian Lamb Meatballs. They had a great subtle gamey taste that was paired amazingly with the date molasses. The Korean BBQ Meatballs were delicious too. They were very flavorful. The Chicken + Waffles Croquettes were a fun and tasty dish. It came with an amazing spicy maple syrup that sealed the deal. In the Classic Street section my mouth still waters when I think back to the Kaya Toast. It was salty and sweet, crunchy and gooey. The dish was a piece of toast with a yummy coconut jam that gets dipped into an egg and dark soy. In the Veggie Sides section I greatly enjoyed the Braised Greens + Chorizo. It was smokey and extremely flavorful. Next up, dessert! The Egyptian Basbousa Cake was scrumptious. It was a light cake with a citrus-y lime curd that was delicious. The Croatian Apple Fritters were outstanding. The fritters were perfect and complimented by the incredible apple butter and whiskey cider sauce. The Thai Tea Creme Caramel was great. The tea taste was perfect and the lime caramel on top was amazing. Street was a wonderful dining experience.

Edamame Hummus

West Sumatra Beef Curry

Kaya Toast

Chicken + Waffles Croquettes

Croatian Apple Fritters

Egyptian Basbousa Cake

I highly recommend eating at Street if you are in the Los Angeles area. If only Street was a little closer to my street! Also, back in NYC, Madison Square Eats is starting today, May 4 open through June 1. For more information check out Foodie Finders NYC Facebook page. Also for more pictures of the spectacular food at Street, go to Foodie Finders NYC Facebook page. 

-Mike