Clockwise: (1) A glass of chilled champagne greets each guests at the 30 Rock store. (2) Atmosphere at the store hosted by Marie Kennel, Corporate Sales Manager. (3) I spied French Macaroons.  La Maison du Chocolat’s recipe is sweeter than most.  (4)  Perfect for summer. Dock into the store after taking out of town guests around the Rockefeller area.  I spied a gelato bar !!  (5) The special box in French ochre designed specially for the new summer treats.  We sampled the olive flavored chocolate.  The flavors mixed well and there is a nuttiness to it.  I’m not a big fan yet but the box holds a lot of promise.  Need to stop by the store again to sample the rest.

Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com

Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com

Top: (Left) The entrance to My Little Secret.  (Right) Wine Glass Chandelier.  Bottom: (Left) Vinny, the person in-charge, with his film industry friends. (Right) The greenhouse at the back.  Photos by TheNYFashionista.com

My Little Secret is a prohibition inspired subterranean night spot in the heart of Little Italy complete with a bouncer, a red velvet rope, wine barrels and a tommy gun glass etching display.   On the night we went,  the bouncer was in a good mood so he let us in.

I was expecting a boisterous bar.  Surprisingly, the joint was cozy and relaxing with candle light flickering against the  limestone walls - reminiscent of a Tuscan Bistro.  Everyone was speaking in hushed tones and unwinding with a glass of wine.  

Here’s what we ordered: 

Clockwise:   (1) The steak slider (2) Hot chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (3) Of course, the cannoli (4) Off the menu, shrimp with linguine.  [A Pasta Menu is in the works.]

The Verdict:  Molto delizioso.

What’s the secret at My Little Secret: 

When we were chatting with our server, she let slip that there’s a greenhouse at the back of the restaurant.  I checked it out and got shooed away by someone who looked like Baby John DeLutro, the owner of both My Little Secret and Caffe Palermo across the street. 

This guy told me not to tell anyone because that’s THE SECRET.  

@#$@#  Well, I have a big mouth and I’m telling - This is such a find !!  I’m going back this summer – Al Fresco dining on Mulberry Street without the gawking tourists.    And, to the My Little Secret staff reading this post – Step on that Pasta Menu already !!

Atmosphere at the 69th Armory on Lexington Avenue at the 2010 Village Voice Choice Eats.

REVIEW

At Early Bird Rates, $35 for general admission and $65 for VIP tickets, Village Voice’s annual Choice Eats event is a bargain by NYC standards.  It was no surprise that the line snaked around the square block which houses the 69th Armory.  With 90+ restaurants and beverage companies to choose from, after an hour of sampling and fighting my way from table to table, it all became a blur.  Only the best tasting samples lingered and I went back to get that second serving.

Here are my picks:

Clockwise:
(1) Porchetta @ 110 E 7th Street, Roast Pork with crispy seasoned skin. [Why?  The pork was fresh, moist and succulent.  I could taste the star anise which gave the pork more depth.]
(2) Aperol, an Italian apertif with a bitter-sweet orange taste.  It also helped that they served the apertif with an orange LED flashing stirrer.  In the dimly lit armory, Aperol stood out like twinkling stars. [Why? I was first drawn to the LED lights.  After the first taste, I was hooked.  It complemented all the samples I tasted.]
(3) An Choi @ 85 Orchard Street, Pork Belly with Pickled Escarole. [Why? It was served hot and the pork belly melted in my mouth like wagyu.]
(4) Del Posto @ 85 10th Avenue, Olive Oil Gelato Lollipops coated in chocolate with salted breadcrumbs.  [Why? At first,  the frozen olive oil tasted strange but as the taste of the salt kicked in, the gelato made sense.  You just have to try it.]

My strategy for next year – purchase the Early Bird VIP tickets to beat the crowds.

SUN WINEFEST 2010 Announces Celebrity Chef Lineup

Featuring Culinary Connoisseur Bobby Flay

Weekend filled with many events and celebrity chef appearances

UNCASVILLE, CT (October 9, 2009) – SUN WINEFEST 2010’s lineup of celebrity chefs will feature some of the most prominent names in the industry at Mohegan Sun on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31, 2010. Celebrity chefs in attendance will include: Bobby Flay of Bar Americain and Bobby’s Burger Palace, Todd English of Todd English’s Tuscany, and Jasper White of Jasper White’s Summer Shack and Summer Shack Express, all located at Mohegan Sun, along with chefs Robert Irvine, Mary Ann Esposito, Govind Armstrong, Benjamin Ford, Floyd Cardoz, Christina Pirello, Andy Husbands, Betty Fraser, Michael Ginor, Chris Schlesinger, Lydia Shire, Kim Canteenwalla and Ihsan Gurdal. Mohegan Sun Executive Chef Michael Luboff and his exceptional culinary team will also take part in the events.

Chefs Bobby Flay, Christina Pirello, Betty Fraser, Robert Irvine, Govind Armstrong, Mary Ann Esposito, Andy Husbands, Todd English and Benjamin Ford will participate in live demonstrations throughout the day during the Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm as well as in the Celebrity Chef Dine Around on Saturday at 7:30pm where they will be joined by the full lineup of celebrity chefs.

Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $70.00 for a one-day pass and $110.00 for a weekend pass and purchases can be made online at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 1.800.745.3000 or at any Ticketmaster outlet.  The weekend’s schedule can be found online at sunwinefest.com. Event schedule and celebrity chefs are subject to change.

The Celebrity Chef Dine Around features an opportunity for guests to sample delectable dishes prepared by world-famous chefs, television celebrities and cookbook authors.  Dishes will be primed with extraordinary wines and an elaborate dessert display presented by Mohegan Sun’s Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel.

Tickets for the Celebrity Chef Dine Around are $175.00, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer, a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) corporation chartered by the State of Connecticut whose mission is to provide economic assistance and compassionate aid to Connecticut cancer patients and their families and to raise funds for cancer research. Tickets are available at sunwinefest.com or by calling Life Marketing and Events at 860.953.0444 ext. 144.

SUN WINEFEST 2010 is a production of Life Marketing and Events, a West Hartford, Connecticut-based, full service firm that specializes in marketing, event management and production, public relations, sponsorship, advertising sales, creative design, promotions, publishing and more.

Contact:

Michelle Williams, Mohegan Sun: 860.862.4107

Sean Flanagan, Regan Communications, Boston: 617.488.2878

Erin Tracy, Regan Communications, New York: 212.710.0322

Lisa Doucet-Albert, Regan Communications, Providence: 401.351.8835

Michael Guinan, Life Marketing & Events: 860.953.0444

Top: (Left) Martin Howard, Executive Pastry Chef at Brasserie 8 1/2 dressed as Cruella de Ville and sang “Oklahoma” before he did his cooking demo.  (Right) The Sweet Riot Team.  Bottom: (Left) Pure Dark’s Product Display.  (Right) Chritopher Michael’s delicious and pretty chocolates. Photos by TheNYFashionista.com

This year’s Chocolate Show fell on Halloween weekend.  It was a treat to arrive at Martin Howard’s [Brasserie 8 1/2's Executive Pastry Chef] demo and find him all dressed up as Cruela de Ville singing “Oklahoma”.  It was so much fun !! 

Here’s our picks:

Clockwise:

(1) Christopher Michael – Sizzling Bacon Bar [Why? Bacon really blends well with chocolate !!  Yummy !!] http://www.chrischocolates.com/
(2) Berkshire Bark – White Lighting – made of Belgian white chocolate, fresh roasted cashews, crystallized ginger, fresh lemon zest and sea salt.  [Why? It's melt in your mouth creamy and the ginger/lemon mix gives the chocolate a whole different depth.] http://www.berkshirebark.com/
(3) Boissier Chocolate Petals [Why?  Each chocolate petal is subtley infused with flower or fruit essence.  Absolutely Divine !!] http://www.maisonboissier.com/
(4) World of Flavors, Spices & Teas [Why?  This vendor is a chocolate show regular.  The vibrant colors of their spices is such a sight !!]

We sorely miss the annual chocolate fashion show and Mary’s Chocolate, a vendor who usually flys in their delicious truffles directly from Japan exculsively for the show.  Hopefully in 2010 …

Cook. Eat. Drink. Live.

Try the Wine. Taste the Food. Watch the Talent.

November 6-8, 2009

New York, NY—The Third Annual Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. Festival returns November 6-8^th to feature culinary celebrities, tastings, shopping, and more. Presented by CCK Global Events and sponsored by Zagat and the Astor Center, the Festival will take place at Chelsea’s The Tunnel/La Venue.

Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. is a lively, interactive, holiday-themed event that showcases new food products, celebrity chefs, wineries, cocktails, cookbook authors, mixologists, and popular restaurants. In addition to the tastings, guests can do holiday shopping with both purveyors and wineries, as well as have the opportunity to purchase gift certificates to over fifty of New York City’s popular eateries.

Some highlights from this year’s Cook. Eat. Drink. Live.:

• The Main Stage features cooking demonstrations, party planning tips, sampling by celebrity chefs and authors.  Hosted by Tanya Wenman-Steel, editor-in-chief of epicurious.com, the talent includes chefs Bill Telepan, Jimmy Bradley and television personality/author Karen Bussen.
• The Astor Stage offers a range of informative and fun holiday-themed programs throughout the festival hosted by television personality Ted Allen, wine expert Marnie Old, Orson Salicetti, Apotheke’s Mixologist and more.
• Robert Mondavi Discover Wine Pavilion will be stocked with wines from the Robert Mondavi Private Selection and Mondavi Winery portfolios. The pavilion provides guests with an interactive learning experience through tastings and classes.
• FineWaters Pavilion offers tastings, flavor profiles, serving and stemware suggestions from a distinctive collection of waters from around the world, including Patagonia Mineral S.A. and Glace Rare Iceberg Water.
• Action Against Hunger. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will go to Action Against Hunger (www.actionagainsthunger.org).

What:   2009 Cook. Eat. Drink. Live.

When:  November 6-8, 2009.  Friday 6-9PM, Saturday 2-6PM, Sunday 2-6PM

Where:  The Tunnel/La.Venue, 608 West 28^th Street, NY, NY

Agenda: Interactive food festival featuring tastings, chef demos, wineries, cocktails, popular restaurants, and opportunities for early holiday shopping.

Tickets are $65.00 per day and can be purchased online (www.cookeatdrinklive.com) or by phone: 888-695-0888.

Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. is made possible by the generous support of Zagat Survey, The AstorCenter, Coca-Cola, The Grape Exchange, Viking, The Last Store on Main Street, Debragga.com, Amtrak, FineWaters, New York Post, NYC.com, GRI, Robert Mondavi Discover Wine, Imbibe, Coffee & Tea Festival NYC, Oceans Alive Scallops, City Guide, ISES, Promenade, and Skyline Credit Ride.

TOP: Chef Duff Goldman teaches kids how to decorate cakes the Ace of Cakes way.

Bottom: (Left) Each child has a cake, icing, sprinklers and a spatula to start practicing.  (Right) Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery sample toy cakes inspired by Chef Goldman.

It was a great afternoon for the kids as they practiced decorating their cake the Ace of Cakes way as showed to them by Chef Duff Goldman.   The parents were happily taking pictures as Chef Duff visited and gave each kid a pointer or two.  It’s so refreshing to see so many happy faces !!

Q&A with Chef Morimoto on how he started in the restaurant business in Philadelphia & NYC and how his mom influenced his decision to be a chef:

Morimoto Cooking Demo @ NYCWFF 2009 from NY Fashionista on Vimeo.

Video Snippet:  Katie Lee discussed her love of the great American comfort food – Hamburgers and Fried Chicken.