Má Pêche: Still a lunchtime favorite in Midtown

After going to Má Pêche for lunch back in December (I oinked about it here), it quickly became a Midtown favorite.  As far as my experience has gone, they have always been quick with their service and the food is delicious.  Though I haven't tried all the items on the $10 lunch menu, the bánh mì maison and bún du riz are excellent and remain my go to items.  I also enjoy the peanut butter cookie and the popcorn with nori and chillies.  If you're pressed for time, you can place to-go orders online.  While currently they are only offering a limited menu, the full restaurant will be open soon.

Hipsters on food stamps...

"They're young, they're broke, and they pay for organic salmon with government subsidies. Got a problem with that?"

Yes, as a matter of fact,  I do.  Though I'm not the biggest fan of the "hipster" lifestyle, I always sort of figured to each his own.  That, however, changed after I read this article last week.  It's when they start using my tax payer dollars to eat expensive, organic goods that I draw the line.  Remember to post your comments on how you feel about the latest hipster trend.

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Celebrating St. Paddy's Day on the cheap?

Then check out this link, This Drink’s On Us, provided by the financial savvy group at LearnVest.  The link will connect you with various other website that can point you towards Happy Hours and Open Bars in your city.  Remember... Drink responsibly!

Outstanding in the Field posts their 2010 Schedule!

If you're not familiar with Outstanding In The Field, here is a little bit of info from their website:

"Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table."

Each meal is made with locally grown ingredients and typically prepared by a chef of that region.  Additionally, the proceeds from some of the specific events are donated to a particular charity, for example proceeds gathered from the La Plaza Cultural (NY, NY) dinner will be donated to Wellness in the Schools, which promotes nutritious and tasty food in NYC Public Schools.  Though I have yet to participate in one of their amazing events, they just released the 2010 tour schedule and I am hopeful I will make it to one of the three NYC dinners this year.  Click here to find a map and list of this years events.  Tickets go on sale March 20th, so make your profile early (required for purchase) so it won't be a hassle when this Saturday arrives.

(ps. you can also follow OITF on twitter or their blog. Also, the beautiful picture, and others, can be found in their gallery.)

Plaza Food Hall... Food Courts get Fancy

When Todd English left the Libertine, the restaurant at the Gild Hall Hotel in the FiDi, I must admit, I didn't really care.  The food was never very good to begin with, except for the lobster mac 'n cheese, and it was definitely over priced.  Anyways, thanks to GrubStreet we have a sneak peak at the new fancy food court English is apparently putting in the Plaza Hotel (Yes... the Plaza is getting a food court).  The 5,400 sq. feet comprising the Plaza Food Hall will host a wine bar, cheese/charcuterie station, sushi bar, burger bar, Asian noodle and dumpling station, espresso and tea bar, brick-oven-pizza station and seafood grill.  Additionally, there will be a specialty foods and cookware shop.  Sounds sort of overwhelming, but I guess that's sorta what food courts are all about.  Guess we shall see what this does for the Plaza Hotel.

Macaron Day NYC 2010

As mentioned yesterday on Gadling.com, not only is March 20th the first day of Spring, it is also Macaron Day in New York City.  What exactly does this mean?  Well, it means that at least 11 bakeries throughout the city will be celebrating with free macarons!  I fell in love with this tasty treat a couple years ago when Ellie, my french friend you've heard so much about lately, came to visit and brought me a beautiful box of the tiny morsels from the famous Ladurée tea salon in Paris.  For those of you who are not familiar with french macarons, the Ladurée's website describes them as "small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle" and provides a delightful history of the pastry.  They come in a variety of flavors ranging from chocolate to rose to caramel with salted butter.

It just so happens that NYC's 1st annual Macaron Day coincides with the 5th annual Jour du Macaron in Paris.  To find more information on this delicious holiday, including participating bakeries, please visit macarondaynyc.com.

Tourondel says 'Happy St. Patrick's Day' with Free Food!

Though Laurent Tourondel may no longer be at BLT Burger, Grub Street reports that you can catch some of his tasty dishes, including a bacon pizetta, sirloin sliders, and most importantly.... CORNED-BEEF-HASH with sunny-side-up-egg sandwich at the "Tabasco Hangover Headquarters" food truck this Thursday, March 18th.  Tourondel's motive for such a pop-up menu...?  Serving the hungover and famished from St. Patty's Day's debauchery.  My motive for waiting in line between 7 and 9:30 a.m. (48th between 5th and 6th)?  Free Breakfast!  If you oversleep and miss the truck's first stop, you can catch this tasty special at 26 Broadway, near Bowling Green, from noon until 2 o'clock.  Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

ps.  there will also be virgin Bloody Mary's!

(picture taken from http://www.the80skids.com/2009/07/4-leaf-clover/)

Never too late for a Cocktail Event

Culintro is hosting a fabulous event tonight called "Building an Effective Cocktail Program" (in a Chef-Driven Restaurant).  Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend due to a prior engagement, but if you're free and in NYC, you should definitely check it out.  The program will include five amazing panelists, including Jim Meehan as Moderator (the guy responsible for those amazing drinks at PDT).  You can rsvp at alinam@culintro.com.  Hope you all can make it!  Oink oink!