Forays of a Finance Foodie

The Taste of Park Plaza [Boston]

2009-08-08T10:55:00.007-04:00

“Just for the taste of it…”

Last Tuesday, I attended the Taste of Park Plaza at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. This event was held to support the Great Boston Food Bank, one of my favorite non profits in Boston (because food = good, charity=good, charity that helps end hunger=awesome) and of course, for Boston foodies to sample some delicious treats from local restaurants.

So armed with my map, camera, and flip flops (this was a pub crawl style event, so my 4-inch stilettos had to stay home that night), I set out on my food journey. Below are some tidbits from evening.

First stop, McCormick and Schmick’s. Even though the map said to start at #1, I though I could outsmart the system and avoid the lines by starting at #3. Unfortunately, all the other attendees must have also had this thought because I arrived to a packed house! M&S's Ahi Tuna with Wasabi was waaaay too spicy for my tastes, but these ladies were kind enough to spare a sip of wine from their bottle to wash down the fieriness in my mouth*

*note, wine bottle was just for decoration…but I thought it was pretty sweet nonetheless!

The next stop, Todd English’s Bonfire restaurant, was my favorite of the night. (Being the rebel that I am, I completely deviated from the map’s stated path). No Todd English present, but lots of freshly fried black garlic empanadas and surf and turf tacos to feast on!

At Au Bon Pain, I sampled their new BBQ Chicken Sandwich and Watermelon Smoothie. I usually only have Au Bon Pain for breakfast, but I was pleasantly surprised at their tasty lunch offerings. I especially liked the watermelon smoothie, which was a refreshing burst of fruity sweetness.
The Melting Pot offered cheese fondue and chocolate dipped strawberries. I wasn’t a huge fan of the cheese fondue (tasted a bit like Velveeta from a box), but the plump strawberries were gorgeous and scrumptious even without the chocolate dip!

I then headed over to MJ’ O Conner’s, who was serving clam chowder and shepard’s pie. At this point, I was pretty sweaty from walking around to all the venues (in my uncomfortably heavy business suit) so the thought of imbibing hot soup made me rather “feverish”. Pass.

Finally, I ended my night at Finale. The Dark Chocolate Decadence (and I am not talking about Tyson Beckford) flourless cake was a great “finale” to the night.

After the Taste, all the VIP guests headed to Whiskey Park for the after party. Although tempted to partake in the continued festivities, I decided to call it a night and head home. All and all, a fun filled evening filled with great food and charitable Bostonians!

Ancora Ristorante [New York]

2009-08-01T13:49:00.005-04:00

"Fantastico!..."

By: Ethan "Yi-Lin" Shen

Tony Fantastico greeted us as we walked into Ancora, and yes, that’s his real name. He’s not the host, not a waiter or staff, but instead one of the owners of the restaurant. Every night either he or Elio Albanese is here making customers feel welcome and attended to. The effect isn’t immediately apparently, but as the meal unfolded we’d soon discover that, like the owners, Ancora adheres to more than just passion for great food, but a zealous attentiveness to the ageless and unhurried ritual of eating well.

It started with the table; dining with a lady, we found a name plate inscribed “Princess” placed next to her table setting. Unsurprisingly, this touch was a crowd pleaser, and apparently Ancora regulars even have their own personal nameplates. That same spirit of inclusiveness and winking sense of humor would be the continuous thread of the evening.

The meal began with a selection of fresh breads, paired with a gratis antipasto spread of sliced zucchini sautéed with peppers, big chunks of fresh parmesan cheese, and salami. The spicy zucchini was a playful opener that accentuated the other natural ingredients, piqued the appetite, and presented a generous invitation take our time to savor the elaborate meal that was to come.

The antipasto was followed by a triplicate of shrimp stuffed scallops, smoked mozzarella, and Oysters Rockefeller. The oysters were good if not a little overwhelmed by the rich butter sauce and my personal fondness for food stuffed with other food meant the scallops had me at hello. But most surprising was the smoked mozzarella which carried rich, smoky notes intermingled with a subtle sweetness reminiscent of the fresh milk it came from. Each bite was also enhanced by the roasted mushrooms layered on top providing an added earthiness and meaty texture making this item the unmistakable star of the appetizer course.

Our enthusiastic host then announced a lengthy list of that day’s specials which included tantalizing items like Shrimp, Scallop and White Bean Soup and Pork Loin Stuffed with Apple and Pinenuts After much heated debate, we settled on the Broiled Fish “Branzino” and the House Steak. For dramatic effect, the cooked fish was brought whole to table as the stage was set for its elaborate final preparation. Over the next 3 minutes we watched with rapt fascination as he filleted, flambéed, and finished the dish with truffle oil before our very eyes. More than just for show, the table side presentation essentially turned the whole fish inside out; taking the edge off the sharper lemon and peppers flavors penetrating the extremities, rounding them off with the subtle aromatic scent of truffles and exposing the most tender and flaky morsels for our consumption.

Counterbalancing the delicacy of the fish was a steak of such gravitas that you can’t help feeling like it should come with an entourage and a Tommy Gun. The house steak was not only fantastic, it was also unequivocally huge, so large in fact the steak itself was served pre-cut along the bone and each individual slice laid down as its own little steak. Living up to its high reputation, the steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare, giving each piece a firm, clean bite, and capturing the full character of fine cut it came from. Especially exceptional was the expert charring that added another layer of tastes and textures to the steak. With each chew the caramelized crust was intermingled further with the juicy meat and subtle sea salt crystals released bursts of flavor throughout the bite. This steak easily stands toe to toe with the best, especially when paired with a 2006 Vendemmia Chianti-Classico which balanced our food with a full bodied fruitiness and dry finish that was just right.

By the end of the night, there was hardly room for dessert, but damn if we didn’t find space to fit it. We wrapped up with apple and chocolate tarts. The first was lovingly composed of alternating layers of pastry, apple and ice cream, while the second was composed a mousse so rich is some managed to still seem decadent even after the four courses that proceeded. We couldn’t ask for a better finish.

The food is excellent and the service fantastic. But more than just fine dining, what stands out about Ancora is how everything is presented with a distinct lack of pretentiousness and infectious enthusiasm. From Tony and Ellio’s glad-handing and the sing-song recital of daily specials to the comically oversized pepper grinder, the flambé’s visual spectacle, and of course, “Princess”, everything is designed to make sure you not only eat well, but have a good time, and leave with stories to tell.

Ancora Ristorante
11 Stone St
New York, NY 10004
(212) 480-3880

National Cheesecake Day!

2009-07-31T00:00:00.006-04:00

What a close contest!!! The #1 and #2 commentor separated by just a few seconds!!!

Congratulations Rafael for being the FIRST person to share your favorite cheesecake flavor!

Please email financefoodie [at] gmail [dot] com with your mailing address so I can send you your prize!

And don't forget to enter my Au Bon Pain gift card giveaway, winners will be chosen on Aug 8th using a random number generator (so the last entry could even be a winner!)

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"Who moved my cheese?..."

Thursday, July 30, is National Cheesecake Day and the The Cheesecake Factory's participation in the beloved event.

Celebrate the big day by dining-in on July 30 and enjoying any of their 30 delicious cheesecakes for half price! The Cheesecake Factory will also introduce their new flavor: Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake.

What’s more?
For every slice of Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake sold over the next 12 months, The Cheesecake Factory will donate 25 cents to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief charity.

Additionally (READ THIS FOR FREE STUFF)....
Financefoodie.com is proud to partner and support this great event by giving away a $25 gift card to The Cheesecake Factory. Just be the FIRST person to comment and answer this post:

"What is your favorite cheesecake flavor?"

Winner will be announced tomorrow at 12 midnight EST!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

And be sure to check out the Cheesecake Factory's facebook page for more fun stuff!

TWIST Ravioli Scrubby

2009-07-28T20:53:00.000-04:00

“Let's get dirrty..”

Now as many of you know, I am a terrible cook. During the few occasions where I attempted to cook, the only things I managed to make were small fires and large messes. Luckily (or maybe strangely), I find it rather calming to clean up these messes – in fact, nothing makes me happier than seeing a sparkling countertop and cupboard full of neatly stacked shiny dishes and pans (I’m going to make a great wife one day, minus the not cooking part)!

Since I am a sucker for cool kitchen cleaning aids, imaging my excitement when I discovered the Ravioli Scrubby from TWIST! A kitchen sponge made to look like food…how ironically awesome! This hemp burlap pouch is filled with a biodegradable sponge and it does an awesome job in clearing off baked on (or in my case, burnt) food. And it’s an eco-friendly product – tough on stains but friendly to the Earth.I later found out at my local Whole Foods that TWIST makes a whole slew of food inspired cleaning products (i.e. Dish Dumpling, Sponge Cake, etc.)…witty! The products are a bit more expensive than your generic sponge from Wal-Mart, but well worth the investment (plus they are just so darn cute!).

To see more TWIST products, check out their website at www.twistclean.com

Au Bon Pain Gift Card Giveaway!

2009-07-26T09:48:00.014-04:00

CONGRATS to #3 and #32, Shirley and Stoner!!!!

Please email me at financefoodie [at] gmail [dot] com with your contact info and address so I can send you your prize!

Thanks to all for playing....and look out for more giveaways soon!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 32 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 3 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

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On many days, my biggest motivation for not hitting that snooze button is the thought of a tall cup of hot (or iced – weather depending) coffee served with a toasted corn muffin from the Au Bon Pain. Lucky for me, there is an Au Bon Pain at every block corner in Boston, so I’m never far from a “morning motivator.”
Well, lucky for you too readers, because my friends at Au Bon Pain have just sent me TWO $20 gift cards for me to giveaway on FinanceFoodie.com. To enter, please leave a comment under this post answering:

“What is your favorite breakfast item?”*

In two weeks, I will use a Random Integer Generator and select the two winning commentors.

Looking forward to hearing your responses! And check back on August 8th to see if you have won!

*In order to promote inclusion to all readers, for those who do not eat breakfast, you can share your favorite lunch item :)

Tavolo Ristorante [Boston]

2009-07-20T22:06:00.009-04:00

"Good food is everything!"

by: Paola "KA-PAO" Mesadieu

Going to dinner with a bunch of food bloggers can be quite an experience. Aside from all of the cameras flashing and the scribbling sounds of bloggers’ jotting down their notes in between each bite, I’d say this is a great way to dine in Boston. Chris Lyons of Chris Lyons Communications, organized last week’s Bloggers Dinner at Tavolo Ristorante in Dorchester. With 25 years in the PR business, Lyons has found that hosting these dinners for foodies is a win-win situation for both bloggers and restaurant owners.

In the case of Tavolo’s Ristorante, the owners wanted to get the word out about their unique dinner menu. In addition to their pizzas and pastas, Chef/Owner Chris Douglass and Chef Maxwell Thompson are cooking up some interesting combinations that highlight the different specialties of Italian cuisine. Our five-course dinner started consisted of:

Watermelon Salad – feta, lemon, herbs

This light dish was a nice combination of tasty herbs and sweet watermelon chunks.

Gnocchi alla Gricia – pancetta, pecorino & local fava beans

This pasta was cooked to al dente. The savory combination of pancetta and pecorino gave this dish the right about of flavor.

Swordfish Involtini – fontina, garlic & parsley rollups

The mild flavor and soft texture of the cheese-based filling made this seafood item a unique dish.

Roast Duck Breast – organic faro, local beans, & red currant

My favorite dish of the night! The soft beans complimented the tender duck, while the red currant provided just the right amount of sweetness to the palette.

Blueberry ‘Genetti” Cake – local blueberries & whipped cream

This desert was moist in the center with a crunchy exterior. The light whipped cream and the sweet blueberry topping finished the meal off nicely.

Due to my eager taste buds, I devoured these plates before I could reach for my camera. So thanks to Tina from Carrots 'n' Cake for the lovely photos seen on this post!

Tavolo Ristorante
1918 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester Ctr, MA 02124

One Kendall Square Music Lab [Boston]

2009-07-18T13:16:00.005-04:00

"Good Eats. Sweet Beats..."

by: Marico "Mari" Corbin

A stream of jazzy notes and raspy lyrics float up to my ears as I approach the One Kendall Square Music Lab last Wednesday. The band, 3rd Left, is the featured entertainment for the evening. Hailing from Plymouth, MA, the rock and jazz inspired four-man ensemble creates the perfect mood for an evening of food, drinks, and mingling.

The One Kendall Square Music lab combines restaurants in the vicinity with local bands to create a sampling of talent via food and music. Talk about a taste and sound orgasm. Wandering through the crowd of khaki wearers and beer-filled cups, I scouted out my initial point of contact. First stop: The Blue Room.

Give me seafood and nine times out of ten I’ll love it. Such was the case with The Blue Room’s dish: grilled shrimp and chorizo. A gusto of flavor presented in such a small skewer, this was the perfect appetizer to start with. The spice coated the shrimp to a tee, while the chorizo was a great complement. Not too overzealous, but enough to linger on your taste buds.

Next up: The Friendly Toast

Cheers! This sangria was definitely friendly and ideal considering I tasted more red wine than any fruits or juices. I love red wine, so I’m not complaining. It was a nice tart refreshment after the ambrosial goodness that had just entered my mouth. Strolling along and sipping on my new found friend I discovered my next target: The Cambridge Brewing Company.

I was in pulled pork heaven as soon as my mouth sank into the tangy, tender meat that saturated the toasted bun. Relief overcame me when I saw that the sandwich was not drenched in barbeque sauce. Had it been, I’m sure I would have had to make use of my napkin as a bib. Although I felt my food meter slowly creeping up to full I had room for one more stop. On to Tommy Doyle’s.

Pasta salad just bellows out, “I’m a summer food. Devour me in the hot weather at your neighborhood barbeque.” Crowning ingredients encompassed this salad: olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and ziti. The vegetable and chicken kabob was satisfactory. The chicken was tender and savory. The vegetables weren’t a highlighting factor.

I left full and with a new band to add to my iTunes. August 19th is the last and only day that the One Kendall Square Music lab will take place. It is definitely worth meandering through.

Upcoming Events [Boston / New York]

2009-07-09T19:38:00.045-04:00

Under construction ...check back soon!

Delmonico's [New York]

2009-07-07T19:59:00.000-04:00

“And we won’t come home until we’ve kissed a girl...”

By: Ethan "Yi-Lin" Shen

As I walked up to the door of Delmonico’s I couldn’t help humming the opening theme to Wall-E.
“We’ll see the shows, at Delmonico’s, and we’ll close the town in a whirl!” Turns out, it’s no coincidence, Delmonico’s is the oldest fine dining restaurant in America and has been open since 1837, more than enough time to earn its honorific place in some song lyrics. But we’re not here for nostalgia, we’re here to be fed.

We started the meal with some fresh bread, Big Eye Tuna Tartare and Lobster Bisque. The tuna was fresh and flavorful with a light touch of wasabi and roe intermingled to add variety to the texture. The bread was quality, but somewhat plain in comparison to everything else that was to come. The star of the opening round was the Lobster Bisque for both its flavor and superb presentation. When my bowl arrived, there was no soup, but instead a substantial pile of lobster chucks stacked neat and tall in the center with a dab of caviar at the top. Then, the waiter serves the bisque from a carafe and, in one swift motion, submerses the lobster, leaving only the caviar peak to hint at the mountain below it. It’s like Hawaii, but delicious. The bisque was rich and creamy and the lobster pieces gave substance to the light lobster flavor.

This was followed by Roast Rack of Lamb and a house specialty, the Lobster Newberg. The lobster was visually stunning to say the least.

The tails were lightly butter and half pulled from their shells while the claws were tender and drizzled with a heavier sauce similar to the bisque served earlier. The sautéed side vegetables served in a small tart provided good variety in texture but could have been a stronger counterpoint for the entrée. The ensemble presented a great mix of light and strong flavors and beautifully provides another avenue to eat shellfish in front of clients with class.

While the Lobster Newberg was fine demonstration of Delmonico’s creativity and finesse, it was the simple technical mastery evidenced in the Roast Rack of Lamb that impressed me most.

Compared to the ostentation of the lobster, these three crossed chops seem almost unremarkable in their understated austerity. That is, until you realize, the extra cutlery they’ve brought you is a butter knife. The flavor is excellent, the lentils and peperonata sauce savory, and the paired vegetables a good balance. But it’s the physics defying tenderness of the meat that that will leave you marveling with every bite at the extraordinary mastery of aging and roasting that must have produced this meal.

We finished with the Baked Alaska, originally created to commemorate Steward’s purchase of our coldest state. A light sponge cake, topped with almond ice cream, and encase in a hardened meringue provided a light and not overly sweet send off to our meal.

Delmonico’s main dining room evokes the same kind of dignified 19th century allure that fits a historic steakhouse of its stature. A particularly pleasant feature is the plethora of big picture windows that give the interior a bright, inviting atmosphere in contrast to the borderline somber mood some steakhouses cast.

In all Delmonico’s presented a fantastic experience combining comfortable surroundings, attentive helpful service and above all, marvelous food. The next time you’re planning a professional meal, a 3rd date, or just feel like soaking up a little piece of New York history, Delmonico’s is sure bet.

Delmonico's
56 Beaver St
New York, NY 10004

Fancy Food Show [New York]

2009-07-03T10:48:00.012-04:00

This post comes from Eleonora "Ellie" Herdean. Ellie left her small Midwestern town to pursue her dreams of singing on Broadway. When she is not on casting calls, she enjoys exploring the NYC food and dining scene.

The Fancy Food Show at the Javits Convention Center is massive, filled to the brim with hundreds of thousands of products from all over the world. It was so exciting, I didn't know where to begin!

After drinking a little too much Australian wine, I "stumbled" into the amazing Chocolove booth. Ooh chocolate and wine! How much better can it get? Besides the chocolate being yummy goodness, each of the wrappers included a different poem inscribed by a famous poet. What a great gift to your sweety pie!

Now, sticking to the wine and chocolate theme, I cannot think of a better way to enjoy vanilla ice cream than to top it off with champagne mint chocolate sauce! Whoever came up with this is genius!

I had an amazing time and wish I could have stopped by every booth, but my journey stops here. I wish you all the best wine and chocolate dreams.....

For more highlights, check out my guest post about the Fancy Food Show on Grace's blog, GraceNotesNYC!

And for more pictures, please click here

Taste of Cambridge [Boston]

2009-06-28T19:36:00.012-04:00

"Summer days driftin' away, to those summer nights..."

This post comes from our newest guest blogger, Paola “Ka-PAO” Mesadieu. Ka-PAO does not eat to live, she lives to eat. On any given weekend, you’ll find this foodie cooking up Caribbean American fusion cuisines for her friends and family.

On Thursday, June 25th, the rain gods took a break from dousing New England with unrelenting rain showers just in time for the 7th Annual Taste of Cambridge food festival. With cuisines from India to Ireland, the Taste of Cambridge “celebrates the diverse dining scene of one MA’s most historic cities”. Held in the court yard of the classically chic, Charles Hotel, Thursday’s savory food bazaar was jammed packed with food aficionados and curious tasters alike. Proceeds from this event benefited Youth on Fire, a care center for homeless / street-involved youth, and Club Passim’s Culture for Kids/Music Speaks, a free, monthly, multicultural program whose goals are to provide children with exposure to other cultures and peoples.

Starting off with something familiar

I ventured into the festive melee of food, music, and laughter for my first sampling. As the fates would have it, I stumbled upon Koreana, Cambridge’s premier Korean restaurant (and my shameless addiction). I sampled their kimchee (pickled cabbage with spicy seasoning), Gal bi (grilled, marinated beef), and chapchae (stir-fried cellophane noodles). The serving size was just enough to leave me with room to move on to the next food station.

Trying to stay cool

I will admit, the warm weather did play somewhat of a role in my sampling choices. Due to the humidity, I gravitated to any table that offered a cool and refreshing treat. Therefore, I found myself enjoying a creamy summer gazpacho from Small Plates and a flavorful shrimp gazpacho from Legal Seafoods. I topped off my night with a scoop of delicious homemade Black Raspberry ice cream from Lizzy’s Ice Cream.

Want to see some of my highlights for TOC, check out the following clip

Free 12 oz Drink at Borders!

2009-06-23T21:35:00.001-04:00

The Finance Foodie knows that in this tough economy, every dollar (or in this case $4.00) counts...

Therefore, for this installment of my "Recession Special"

Free 12 oz Drink at any Borders' Seattle's Best Cafe!

From June 26-July 2nd, with a Borders Card (application is free and easy in stores)

O Ya [Boston]

2009-06-21T19:30:00.008-04:00

“Sake to me…”

This past Saturday, I had my two-week belated birthday dinner at O Ya, the Japanese restaurant located in Boston’s Leather District. I had already heard the rave reviews about the wonderful and innovative the dishes at this place, so I was uber excited to actually see/ taste the food for myself. A recap of the night as follows:

5:50pm: Arrive at O Ya, 10 minutes early for our 6pm reservation. Decide to wander around the neighborhood for bit. Stop by the bookstore nearby hoping to catch up on the latest gossip from . No luck, but the rainbow flag displayed prominently outside the door should have tipped me off that this wasn’t your local Borders.

5:55pm: Walk inside the restaurant. Notice that O Ya is really tiny and seats about 30 people max. Also, the place was already half full. Bostonians eat really early compared to New Yorkers!

6:00pm: We sit at the “chef’s table”, so we get to watch the sushi chefs prepare each dish. How entertaining! Also, noticed I am completely overdressed in pearls and heels compared to the rest of the patrons. Was told later that O Ya’s dress code is “come as you are”. So that explains all the jeans and basketball shorts (!) I saw.

6:30pm: The plates at O Ya are served tapas style, which means small plates at entrée prices. First dish of sushi is out: salmon with unfiltered wheat soy moromi and yuzu. Very flavorful but nothing too special.

6:31pm: I noticed that O Ya does not have soy sauce for the sushi. I wonder if they would be offended if I asked for it.

6:35pm: Diver Scallops sashimi. The scallops were very tender and not chewy at all. The olive oil foam and sprinkle of meyer lemon added excellent flavor to otherwise bland scallops.

6:55pm: Fried Kumamoto Oysters with squid ink bubbles. I loved the fried oysters, which tasted freshly fried, but the wasabi mayonnaise that “glued” the dish together was not my cup of tea.

7:00pm: House Smoked Duck Tataki drizzled in foie gras sauce. Richest dish of the night. Duck was a bit fatty and chewy, but the foie gras sauce was just heavenly. By now I realized each dish was already so complexly flavored, that soy sauce would just completely ruin everything. Also realized that O Ya is not your average sushi joint that serves California Rolls with a side of Shirmp Tempura.

7:35pm: Grilled Chanterelle and Shitake Mushrooms with sesame froth and homemade soy. Although the picture does this plate no justice, this was the best dish of the night. The mushrooms were extremely meaty and exotic tasting. Although the sesame foam looks like (unappetizing) soap bubbles, it actually provides a nice nutty seasoning to the dish as well as an interesting texture to the tongue.

7:45pm: Peruvian Style Toro Tataki. This is a very interesting dish due the fusion of latin and asian flavors. I really liked the aji panca sauce, whose flavor I can only describe as “mellowed BBQ sauce”. This dish is followed shortly by the Kin Medai (a type of red snapper) served with white soy ginger and lemon oil. The Kin Medai was light, refreshing, and airy, and served as a good contrast to the heavier Toro. Both dishes were excellent.

8:00pm: The last two dishes of the night: the Wild Bluefin Tuna Tataki (t) and the Soy Marinated Salmon (b). I wasn’t a big fan of the Tuna, as the pickled onion that came on top of the fish was a too sour for my tastes. The Salmon was very tasty and hearty – and great way to close out the meal.Although the portions were small, I was surprisingly satisfied after the meal (like Per Se, they space out the service and many of the dishes were rather rich). I do want to mention that this is probably one of the priciest restaurants in Boston (a small plate ranges from $12-34), so unless you are completely unaffected by the current recession, I would defiantly suggest O Ya as a special occasion place. All and all, a great meal with great company and a lovely way to celebrate a birthday – however belated it may be!

O Ya
9 East St.
Boston, MA 02122
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

MFA Summer Masquerade pARTy [Boston]

2009-06-15T21:13:00.013-04:00

“Hot town, summer in the city…”

I have gotten the opportunity to attend a plethora of eclectic parties in Boston - from the star studded fabulosity (RoxComp) to the awesomely over the top (GPOE) to the just plain delicious (Taste of South End, Taste of Beacon Hill). All these events have shown me that Boston is definitely not the sleepy city I assumed it to be, but yet I still wondered, “What is the must attend party of the year here?” This past Saturday, I found my answer: The Museum of Fine Arts Summer Party. Over 400 of Boston's most social, esteemed, and beautiful young professionals attended this sold out event, which was organized by the Museum Council and held to benefit the Museum's Artist in Residency Program.

Below is my “pseudo twitter” of the night. Note that I do not actually have a “Twitter” (pro-blogging!), but this was what would have appeared if I did twitter.

9:00pm: I arrive on site at Museum of Fine Arts. Two lovely sopranos are outside serenading the guests as they enter the building. Classy.

10:10pm: Head up the grand winding staircase. Enter the cavernous main hall where the festivities are already in full swing. This was my first time visiting the MFA in Boston and I was completely blown away by the sheer beauty of the place. Felt like I had just walked into a party at the Palace at Versailles.

10:30pm: Wonder if I the security guards would detain me if I tried to touch one of the paintings on the wall (like they did at the Getty Museum). Decide tonight is not the night to find out.

10:45pm: Check out the adjacent the rotunda which display all the artwork in the silent auction. Really want to buy the ceramic vessels for our bookshelf (the vessels would look perfect next to the African tribal mask hanging beside the shelf). Look at the bids and suddenly remembered how much my rent and credit card bills already were for this month. Pass.

11:00pm: Head over to the hors d'œuvres table (Finance Foodie can’t forget about that, natch). I spy cod cakes …hooray! I actually like cod cakes better than its more expensive sister crab cake. Moral of the story: great food comes at all price points.

11:10pm: I see Adriana Sassoon, personal stylist/designer/owner of Mizu Salon and AJ Williams, owner of Creative Events chilling on the couch. I feel horribly underdressed in my rather casual Alexander McQueen skirt compared to these glamorous and bejeweled ladies. Although my dress did have rather cute and practical stretchy pockets.

11:11pm: Attendees are rocking out on the dance floor to Lady Gaga’s Just Dance. This song is followed by Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. The DJ and I totally have the same ipod playlist.

11:12pm: Even the guys are masked out!

11:30pm: I spot lady about town Tonya Mezrich wearing a gorgeous Michael DePaulo dress that seemed to glow with the light with local radio host Kate Considine in a beautiful black gown. Again feel underdressed but am happy about my elastics pockets (which holds my blackberry perfectly)

11:15pm: More decked out partygoers! Loving the masks!

11:45pm: Take one last turn on the dance floor and head home. Another happening night in a not so sleepy Boston!

For more photos, click here

Spiga [Boston]

2009-06-06T11:24:00.009-04:00

"Tie your napkin 'round your neck, and we'll provide the rest..."

By: Jessica "Fast Foodie" Cickay

Some of my friends may say that I’m a creature of habit—and by some, I mean most, and by most I clearly mean all. Either way, last night I surely shed my predictability and shocked them with my impromptu trip to Southern Italy after work—and by Italy, I mean Needham, and by Needham, I mean the all new Spiga Trattoria Italiana. With a well-seasoned chef, a fresh menu and an inspired décor, the new Spiga with its old name treated my taste buds and me to a fabulous evening of food and drink.

Apparently blogs are the new black nowadays, and Chris Lyons of Lyons PR got that email. Instead of relying on the traditional restaurant reporter to critique her clients, Chris celebrated the art of the blog with a lovely tasting dinner—bloggers only—to spread the word about the restaurant’s revamp. Executive chef Marisa Iocco entered Spiga in April 2009 and since then, the warm glow she naturally brought with her has only seemed to burn brighter. This “name brand chef” is responsible for the critically acclaimed menus of Mare, Umbria and Bricco, and now she’s the proud Italian mother of this latest venue. Her demeanor was humble, her look a bit funky and her food was, well…

We began the evening with a toast, our glasses filled with a crisp pinot grigio, and some homemade foccacia and cannellini bean “hummus.” In retrospect, the delicate bread and smooth, garlicky bean paste were omens of good things to come.The table decided to order antipasti, primi and secondi family style and I can’t lie—I was a little scared. I have this problem come 6pm where I become hangry—or the perfect combination of hungry and angry—and I cry like a three year old if I don’t get what I want to eat or enough of it. However, in a way I never could have predicted, Chef Iocco’s creations and their layers of flavor and genius ingredient combinations, quelled even my body’s most torrid attempts at becoming hangry. Her insalata of octopus was a mix of tender baby octopus atop a bed of shaved celery and potato sticks, all drizzled with the faintest reminder of a lemony olive oil.

An array of sea scallops came next, accompanied by sweet red and yellow peppers that truly lived up to their sugary name, and then a plate of buttery shrimp, which leaned against a creamy mountain of avocado and farro. Somehow, the coating-less shrimp maintained an all-natural crunch, and they were piqued with a tart hint of citrus.

Chef Iocco and her endearing family of wait staff then brought us free-form scallop lasagna and hand-made pappardelle Bolognese. Persnickety eater that I am, the Bolognese aspect of the Bolognese didn’t tempt me, but I made a dent in the delicate broth-bathed layers of crepe that formed the cheese-less lasagna. The flavor was light and oceanic, with its minimal flavor still somehow allowing for maximum satisfaction.

In this blogger’s opinion, seafood swam into the spotlight at Spiga. The black and white sesame seeds encrusting the flaky filet of trout were countered with a colorful kiwi and striped beet salad. It was crunchy—yet tender—and it was sweet—yet aromatic—but somehow the flavors didn’t fight.

To accompany our main dishes, Chris requested Chef Iocco bring out her inventive tray of parmigiano Oreo cookies, or thin tuile’s of melted parmigiano cheese bookending a pillowy cloud of rich mashed potatoes.

Thick cuts of sockeye salmon arrived from the kitchen perfectly seasoned with a one-two punch of fresh herbs. Chef Iocco shredded zucchini and red onions into shoestrings and kissed the spongy “noodles” with a roasted garlic ragu. I pretty much hoarded the plate of salmon—my bad—because I just couldn’t get enough of the veggie pasta that cradled the coral fish.

Although our table of bloggers requested that we eat dessert first (my type of eaters!), we followed directions and saved the sweets for last. The chef’s streamlined trio of chocolate delights was comprised of a gentle and rich cocoa gelato resting on a platform of silken chocolate flan and a dense, hazelnut cake dipped in a bittersweet chocolate cloak.

The final scoop of my spoon was into Chef Iocco’s signature vanilla bread pudding. A simple dessert with complex flavors, this baked beauty was soft on the inside and toasty on the outside, compliments of removing the brioche’s crusts. A drizzle of vanilla caramel and garnish of minted strawberries topped off both the bread pudding and my belly’s ability to indulge any further.

Today’s Spiga is definitely off the beaten path in Needham, but with a menu as varied and interesting as Chef Iocco’s, choosing the road less traveled is the tastiest decision you’ll ever make.

Spiga Trattoria Italiana
18 Highland Cir
Needham, MA 02494

Free Iced Coffee at Au Bon Pain on June 3!

2009-06-02T00:14:00.004-04:00

Nothing cures the afternoon slump better than a ice cold cup of caffeine...

http://aubonpain.fbmta.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=27917290609&storecode=87

Share the Beat 2009 [Boston]

2009-06-01T22:12:00.010-04:00

“My heart will go on…”

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the star studded Share the Beat fundraiser featuring legendary Boston Pops conductor John Williams, Nashville piano man Phil Vassar, award winning director James Redford, and hunky plumber James Denton. Share the Beat is a longstanding event held to benefit the American Society of Transplantation (AST), an organization dedicated to supporting transplant research and the training of transplant professionals and the Redford AnimAction Project: It's a Rap, an educational outreach program geared toward youth and dedicated to raising organ transplant awareness.

First up was an introduction by the night’s emcee James Denton (aka Mike the hottie plumber from Desperate Housewives), who has been a long time supporter of organ transplant research.

After a few words from AST president Barbara Murphy, James Redford took the stage to speak about his own liver transplant and his charitable foundation that supports organ donation awareness. James, whose complexion was not as “sun- kissed” as his brother Robert’s, concluded that this night was a “celebration for not only those who receive, but also for those who give.” Well said, my fair skinned friend.

Nancy Erhard then took the stage to share her touching story of her late son, Bo, whose selfless donation of his organs helped save 50 lives. This was followed by a lovely musical performance by the talented young singer and kidney transplant recipient Ariana Kershenbaum. By this point, I was so touched by the stories I heard, I was almost in tears.

Luckily, my eyes were dried by the appearance of country star Phil Vassar. Phil’s jovial attitude, booming voice, and powerful songs lit up the room. It literally did, as my pictures started coming out clearer!

Now for the moment I had been waiting for….uber baller composer and Boston Pops Conductor John Williams. If you haven’t heard of him, you must have lived under a rock for the past 30 years because this guy composed the scores for some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood (ET, Star Wars, Indiana Jones…the list goes on). To cap off the night, Williams showcased some of his biggest hits as well as paid special tribute to movie producer/director Stanley Donen. The extremely affable and talkative Stanley is also an uber baller who directed and danced with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

I was shocked / appalled to learn that only 38% of all US citizens are registered organ donors. C’mon people! Signing up for organ donation is not like applying to college. There are no essays, no recommendation forms, and no fees - just a simple form that takes less than 10 minutes to complete. I used this easy-to-read step-by-step guide on organ donation to sign up. Just think, 10 minutes equals countless lives saved.

Just for Fun

2009-05-26T21:57:00.010-04:00

"She will be loved..."

After a long tiring day at work, I come home and find this awesomely rad gift from Johnsonville in the mail...

I don't cook, but I might start just so I can wear this sweet apron!

Check out the Johnsonville site...if their sausages are as good as their promotion team, then they must be a winner!

Crispo [New York]

2009-05-23T17:14:00.006-04:00

"9 thumbs up..."

This review comes by way of Ethan "Yi-Lin" Shen, financefoodie.com's new NY correspondent. Yi-Lin believes that food is all about how it makes you feel; the anticipation, the indulgence, and the afterglow.

Last night we went to Crispo, an Italian restaurant near Union Square. The first thing that struck my attention was how wholly un-Italian the atmosphere was. While I wasn’t expecting red checkered table cloths or a mustached mandolin player, the abstract art that adorned the walls and moody lounge lighting definitely told me that I was in for something different tonight. The first pleasure of the night came at the bar. From blood orange martinis to whiskey lemonade, the creative assortment of cocktails showed great originality and were an excellent way to open the evening. I highly recommend the white pear sangria, light and refreshing, and served with clear enthusiasm from the man tending bar.

There are few things life greater than an open air restaurant in the summertime and it’s here that Crispo’s architecture really stands out. The rear garden area is ingeniously designed so that the lights and crossbeams spanning the open space above you creates a faux ceiling that almost makes the sky and stars beyond it feel like an illusion, like eating at Hogwarts. The atmosphere is genuinely unique as the classy warmth of eating inside blends quietly with the charm of dining under the stars. Make sure to specifically request this if you’re making a reservation.

And don’t let me forget the food! We started the meal with fresh mozzarella, almond-maple Brussels sprouts with prosciutto, and cured beef appetizers. The mozzarella and beef was quality, as were the crunchy mystery vegetable layered on top, but the Brussels sprouts were unmistakably the star of the opening act. Lightly sweet and a hint of prosciutto, the sprouts were cooked to the perfect texture that let you feel every layer as you bit through but then melted in your mouth once you were done. Outstanding.

Appetizers were followed by Seared Duck Breast, Short Ribs and Scallops, and an excellent Ricotta Gnocchi. The duck was also well done with a flavorful sauce and surprisingly hearty. I had almost resigned myself to tragedy that loving duck meant eating meager portions at most restaurants, but at Crispo I found myself happily working my way through what may very well have been an entire duck long after my companions were done.

Alas, no room for dessert, but in all Crispo delivered a great meal at a very reasonable value. The service was very attentive and friendly though sometimes disorienting because multiple waitresses seemed to be tag teaming our table. Conveniently located, easy to walk-in, good price, versatile ambience, and excellent food, this restaurant is easy to recommend.

Crispo NYC
240 W. 14th St
New York, NY 10011

Amelia Earhart Awards f/t Barbara Lynch [Boston]

2009-05-19T23:33:00.003-04:00

This piece comes courtesy of another one of my Boston correspondents, Marico "Mari" Corbin. Mari is currently a hostess at the posh and elegant L'Espalier in Back Bay Boston, where she can be both a foodie by day and a foodie by night. Previously, Mari was an intern at Boston Common magazine.

“Adventure is worthwhile itself...”

A rush of ladies entered the room at the Sheraton on May 13th for the 25th anniversary Amelia Earhart Award Luncheon honoring Barbara Lynch. Boston-based Barbara Lynch is one of the country's leading chefs and restaurateurs who first gained fame with her highly acclaimed restaurant No. 9 Park. Over the last ten years, she has expanded her Boston-based Barbara Lynch Gruppo to include B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, Stir, Drink, and Sportello.

“Welcome! Hi,” the voice of Elisabeth Babcock, president and CEO of the Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU) floated throughout the room, announcing the commencement of the ceremony. She thanked the crowd for the endless support and spoke a few words about CWU and their goals to help low-income women overcome barriers and succeed in today’s world.

Next on the microphone was Helene Gaudette. Ms. Gaudette amazed the crowd with her empowering story of how CWU changed her life.

By now, I had already devoured my simple piece of salmon that sat atop a bed of leafy greens, potatoes, and crisp green beans and began to get a little overwhelmed by all the questions from all the sociable ladies that surrounded me at my table. I had been asked about three times if I knew a Betsy.

Next, Boston’s own Mayor Thomas Menino said a few words honoring Barbara Lynch and the strength that is represented by CWU. Radio and television personality Ron Della Chiesa then followed and made an introduction to a short clip from the Barbara Lynch documentary “Amuse Bouche.” The movie provided a short look into her life from the scraps of being thrown into chef-dom on a Martha’s Vineyard boat to owning her own restaurant, No. 9 Park.

During the movie I began to pilfer the dessert, a small strawberry tart. As my fork carved into the pastry and took a bite I was satisfied to an extent. Less sweet than expected, I know now why it is called a tart.

Finally Barbara Lynch was presented her award. “I’m always fixing my bra straps,” she said as she came up to the podium one hand sliding across the collar of her shirt. Teary-eyed, she was grateful to be honored with such an award. “If you want something you can talk yourself out of being scared. It’s not you against the world, it’s you against yourself,” she said.

The final touch was when Barbara Lynch was crowned with an original Amelia Earhart leather helmet. What a wonderful and inspirational woman and a great way to spend a lazy Wednesday afternoon!

Taste of Beacon Hill [Boston]

2009-05-13T22:20:00.009-04:00

"Like this and like that..."

This past Tuesday night took me back again to the jail-turned-posh-it-spot The Liberty Hotel for the Taste of Beacon Hill. My purpose for this visit was not to scope out the fashion like last week, but to sample the variety of foods in the Beacon Hill area - I'm getting back to the Finance Foodie roots! Armed with an empty stomach and decked out in my strechy (food consumption) pants, I set out to see what Beacon Hill had to offer.

I really liked this offering of seared ahi tuna on fried wonton crisps, drizzled with sweet soy sauce from Scollay Square.

This was not the last of my friend Mr. Tuna. Here was another play on the friendly fish: a clever tuna tar-tini immersed in a blood orange ponzu sauce from Paramount. I later had more tuna tartar at the Bin26 table. Clearly everyone and their mothers were loving the tuna that night.

Hello celebrity chef! Here was Lydia Shire of Scampo cooking up a storm of pan seared salmon with stir fried spinach and horseradish gelatin.

Oh the creativity never ends! A mini three course meal on one plate from Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro. First course was a rich stuffed morel mushroom with duck liver mousse, next was a wild onion creme bavaroise (custard) , and then to top off the meal was chocolate ice cream served with smoked sea salt and a sweet biscuit.

By this time, the place was packed and made the room temperature jump faster than the DOW on less bad economic data. Luckily, I was able to cool down with a refreshing chilled yellow tomato soup from Clink. Mmmmm.....sweet and tangy!

Speaking of the crowd, I spotted many local Beacon Hill business owners and representatives who sponsored the event in the crowd, including individuals from the West End Apartments, Pauli & Uribe Architects, and Crush Boutique

All and all, not bad for a Tuesday night!

For more pictures, please click here: Party Pics

Couture for Cancer f/t Carmen Marc Valvo [Boston]

2009-05-07T23:28:00.004-04:00

"Strike a pose...Vogue..."

[Update: For the NYC Prep fans out there, this was the charity show that Jessie was pulling clothes for at the warehouse in New Jersey on the 7/28 episode...go Boston!]

As I watch old episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” (Tyra B.=fierce!), I am reminded about the Carmen Marc Valvo fashion show I attended last Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Hotel. Held to benefit Ovations for the Cure, a non profit organization dedicated to the research, patient outreach, and awareness of ovarian cancer, this event combined high fashion with a great cause in a beautiful setting. I was pumped to cover this event – and even more thrilled that my new events correspondent Jessica “Fast Foodie” was able to join me – go Team Finance Foodie!

Remembering the near starvation experience from the last fashion show I attended, I made a mental note to pack a few snacks for the day. Unfortunately, my mental notes are usually forgotten faster than those one hit wonders from VH1’s "Where areThey Now."

Thankfully, I lucked out because I arrived to a beautiful raw bar, desserts, and of course, the fashion show standard, cocktails!

Before I had a chance to buy one of Ovation's symbolic butterflies from the “butterfly tree”, I was whisked away by event coordinator / superwoman Tania deLuzuriaga from Colette Phillips Communications for a backstage tour and a chance to watch the models get pretty by the team from David Paul Salons.

I was just about to head back out for another cocktail, when I spotted style expert Gretta Monahan from the Rachael Ray Show and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style getting ready backstage. This Boston native was super gorgeous, super gregarious, and super sweet. We chatted about food, New York (she went to FIT), and our mutual love for Tim Gunn.

Then I saw the star himself, fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo! Carmen was a recent survivor of colon cancer and a close friend of the late Carol Arrick-Wells (whose memory and battle with ovarian cancer was honored at this event). His 20 year retrospective collection that he was presented “starts with black tights and ends with black tights”.

[Ed Note: I just wanted to mention that I was totally rocking my black tights that day.]

The show begins! Here we have Ovations for the Cure’s president Paul Flaherty posing with the lovely presenters: Ovation’s Director Lisa Tocci, three time cancer survivor and woman about town Joyce Kulhawik, WCVB-TV reporter Kelly Tuthill, NECN anchor Beth Shelburne, and Gretta Monahan.

After the heart felt presentations (especially touching was the tearful dedication speech given by Carol’s son, Andrew Arrick), it was time for the eye candy! Feast your eyes on Carmen's gorgeous frocks and bling from Hearts on Fire…

On a serious note, life is precious, beautiful, and should not be taken for granted. I encourage all my readers and friends to be learn more about ovarian cancer and be aware of the warning signs. Taking a stand and being proactive – a few battles may be lost but eventually we will win the war.

For more pictures, please click here: Party Pics

Food2.com / Food Network Party [New York]

2009-05-02T11:22:00.001-04:00

“Culinary Boner…”

So last night was the Food2.com Launch Party at the Food Network Test Kitchen in NYC. Food2 is a rad new site from the Food Network that aimed at the twenty-something foodie who is hip, trendy, and down with pop culture.

Wait…let’s backtrack…did you say a party in Food Network Test Kitchen? How sweet (and by sweet, I mean awesome and tasty)

Then I looked more closely at the invite: Friday at 7:00pm. Oh shizzle…I knew there was a catch. The party sounded out of this world cool, but there was no way could I leave the job that pays my bills to make it inNYC by 7pm.

Not to fear because Financefoodie.com’s NY correspondent Fashionable Fang came to the rescue and took on the task of attending the party, sampling the foods, and mingling with the other foodie guests. Such a tough job being Finance Foodie correspondent. Here are some snapshots and her thoughts from the night...

I looove grilled cheese sandwiches. After a hard day at work (or shopping), this is my ultimate comfort food. And brownie points for bite sized portions…cause a girl has got to fit into her jeans.

More sandwiches…here we have mutton burgers. Fun fact: mutton in some Asian countries refers to goat meat. So if you are going to Asia, you better be super specific about your food order (speaking from personal experience…)

Grilled bluefish on rye…A step above the Mickey D’s Fillet O Fish I had for lunch today

Oh look! It’s Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef mingling with the bloggers. He is hosting a new show on the Food2 site called Kelsey and Spike Cook.

Food Network chefs in action

Thanks to Food2 for inviting me to this awesome event and Fashionable Fang for allowing me to live vicariously through her camera!

Cupcake Camp [New York]

2009-04-28T20:21:00.002-04:00

"I Dream in Cupcakes…"

This entry comes from our newest Financefoodie.com correspondent Jessica "Fast Foodie" Cickay. This former Boston University Cross Country/Track and Field star, who has written for EATS and Giant Magazine, shares her sweet experience attending the Cupcake Camp NYC at the Happy Ending Lounge on April 10, 2009.

I often find myself acting in the name of frosting. Whether I’m committing the social crime of a Saturday night stay-in with my dear friend Betty Crocker or stalking the grocery store bakery for half price sheet cakes like a predator to her prey, my frosting radar always seems to be on high alert. My boyfriend teases me, my girl friends giggle and my co-workers find me baffling (to give them some credit, I am a lanky 5’10” competitive distance runner), but I had the last laugh a recent weekend in New York when my police dog-esque abilities to sniff out sweet treats led me to stumble upon Cupcake Camp NYC at the Happy Ending Lounge.

I officially became the best girlfriend ever while walking through the Lower East Side last weekend with my boyfriend. Per usual, my desire to go out to a bar or somewhere seemingly hip remained at a solid 30%, and my idea of taking shots of frosting rather than shots of alcohol seemed deliciously better with each passing moment. The boy clearly disagreed—but we knew that we were not up for a night of drunken revelry. I capitalized and convinced him of the necessity of a frosting fix.

The Happy Ending Lounge, to me, was more of a happy beginning, middle and end as free cupcakes—yea, did I mention that this was all free?—rained upon us and, the red velvet decor with a side of swank set the mood for the pastry party. Other bloggers, cupcake enthusiasts and a slew of randoms baked for and attended the event at no cost. Magnolia Bakery, Sugar Sweet Sunshine and Baked By Melissa also all donated creative confections for the cause. What was the cause you ask? Merely to spread the kind of love that only cupcakes can spread. How could these rainbow Peep cupcakes not make someone jump and clap?

The Happy Ending itself is one of those places that makes everyone inside look good; you could never stumble into any bad lighting there. A certain sexiness seeped from the ensconced walls, but in a kitschy, cutesy kind of way, rather than in a sweaty, gropey kind of way. The bouncers were gentle giants and the bar tenders were eager to please. In my mind, any décor decorated with dessert does wonders for the space, but even sans the sweets, The Happy Ending was an eclectic mix of sleaze and swagger.

Once I ingested the look and feel of the lounge, I followed directions and ingested just about every cupcake that came within sight. Moments of crazed cupcake inhalation passed by like childhood as I double fisted the palm-sized confections.

I didn’t let the menacing growl of the Domo cupcakes pictured above get to me, and I’m glad I was so brave. A simple yellow cake, a rich chocolate butter cream and bit of growl from the puppet made these cupcakes fierce. RAAR.

These s’more’s cupcakes brought me back to my summer camp days. A spicy cake layer topped with marshmallow and chocolate frosting only required the addition of a crisp homemade graham on top—and no bonfire necessary.

The idea of a cupcake on steroids is the idea of a genius in my opinion. I personally honored this baker’s eureka moment by inhaling at least three-quarters of this massive cupcake, no problem. I think people were scared to cut into it and alter its state of perfection, but as I said from the start, I often find myself acting in the name of frosting.

Drunk on cupcakes and high on sugar, the night winded down and so did my sugar high. I definitely hit the wall—but it was a sweet, sweet wall, just as any cupcake wall should be. The boy officially dubbed me the best girlfriend ever and we waddled back to our hotel satisfied and satiated, Cupcake Camp complete.

all photos courtesy of: Cupcakestakethecake

Artists for Humanity: Greatest Party on Earth [Boston]

2009-04-19T21:29:00.004-04:00

“Crazy, Sexy, Cool…”

What a rocking weekend for the Finance Foodie! Between all the festivities surrounding the Boston Marathon (I was literally drowning in an ocean of blue and yellow tracksuits), I had the opportunity to celebrate Earth Day at the Greatest Party on Earth (GPE) at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter on Saturday night. My expectations for this event were higher than Method Man – any party that bills itself as the “Greatest Party on Earth” has a lot to live up to – and I am happy to say this party past the test with brightly flying colors.

As you all might remember, I was at the Epicenter two weekends ago for the Minds Matter Spring Soiree. Now the decor for the Minds Matter event was nice, but the GPE transformed the Epicenter into a smoking hot Studio 54 at its heyday meets modern art gallery. All that was missing was the Man in the Moon with the Spoon.

I headed downstairs and scoped out the food (I am a foodie afterall). I was excited to see Cod Cakes with Quinoa and Corn Salad on the Gourmet Caterers table - I prefer the more exotic cod cake to the standard crab cake.

I then spotted the East Meets West station, which offered a Sesame Wakame Salad topped with BBQ Shrimp Skewer. I thought the fusion of the Asian sesame and American BBQ flavoring was extremely imaginative – and exceptionally fitting for an event that was celebrating creativity and diversity in the arts.

What was on this gorgeous tray that I was stalking all night? Why it is the Catered Affair’s Ginger Lime Crab Salad in Yellow and Red Watermelon Cups. Mmmm…a light and cool bite of goodness!

My feet were hurting (4 inch stilettos are about as comfortable as they look), so I headed to the VIP tent to grab a drink (no line…hooray!), snack on caviar and hand-dipped chocolates, and relax on the plush white sofas for a bit.

Suddenly, I heard loud cheering from the outside crowd. I looked out saw the United Roots hip hop/break dancing squad busting a move. Somebody should call America’s Next Best Dance Crew pronto - this team was awesome!

The next performers were from the Boston Circus Guild’s acrobats team and they looked unbelievable dangling from the ceiling on satin sheets. They were my favorite act of the night. And not just because the lady acrobat looked a lot like Kathy Griffin (whom I adore and think is the wittiest person ever).

These were the lovely performers from Samba Tremeterra. Their stunning but tiny costumes made me realize it is time to put down my plate and hit the gym.

Now, who was at this party? Besides the amazing host committee, there were fashionistas, artists, lawyers, doctors, press, and even a guest who came all the way from Italy to run in the Marathon (just sat no to the open bar my friend).

All and all, this was the craziest, sexiest, and coolest party I attended so far in Boston. Here’s to more wicked sweet Boston events that give NYC parties a run for its money!

For more pictures, please click here: Party Pics