Need Saturday Night Plans?

It's raining outside and the thought of getting your act together and making plans for tomorrow night seems incredibly daunting, right? Good thing some awesome plans were already made for you! I'm hosting an open bar event tomorrow night to benefit the National MS Society at Turtle Bay in midtown (987 2nd Ave; between 52nd St. & 53rd St.), and all my awesome readers are invited!

For $40, you will get an open bar from 8-11 including beer, wine and well liquor, with $10 going to fight MS. When you get to the bar say "MS Walk" and you will be able to purchase your open bar wristband. Our group will have a reserved section in the back of the dining room and I hope to see you there! Invite all your friends -- it's going to be an awesome night for sure!

Your New Go-To for Oysters and Jazz on the UES

Beets are one of those controversial foods that people either love or love to hate. I am of the former opinion (throw some goat cheese in there with some diced beets and I'm a happy lady), and hence was very excited when I was invited to try the recently opened Beet Restaurant on the Upper East Side last night. The large corner space is beautiful and open, with large banquettes and plenty of windows to observe passersby. The restaurant is named as such because the owners hail from Australia, where beetroot is essentially ingrained in the cuisine (try ordering a burger down under without beetroot and you'll get funny looks).

Photo Courtesy of Beet

My guest and I decided to go on a Wednesday night because they have live jazz from 7-10 (also Sundays from 6-9), and you all know about my new-found affinity with jazz. Beet also serves oysters on Wednesdays and Sundays so we opted to start off our meal with an assorted platter of Blue Point, Wellfleet and Montauk Pearl bivalves ($21 for 12), which were served on ice with migionette, tartare, and cocktail sauces. The oysters were super fresh, and though I don't recall which varietal I liked better, some were ABSOLUTELY GINORMOUS (and frankly intimidated me), so I stuck to the more manageable sized ones. These suckers paired perfectly with our Champagne ($18 a glass).

Oyster Sampler

Although the menu encompasses a wide variety of flavors, influenced most specifically on French, Italian, and Morroccan flavors, according to Chef Hassan Belamine, who sat with us and introduced the menu before we ate, you will see a lot of more familiar items on the menu as well. As another starter, we opted for one of those more familiar items because, well, how can you resist lobster mac 'n' cheese? As for Beet's version ($14), first of all, it's pretty gigantic (do you sense a theme yet?), like entree-size portion-wise. One thing I really liked was that they use large, recognizable pieces of lobster--my guest pulled out a whole intact claw. However, we both noticed a few bits of shell in our dish, which I hope was just a one-off mistake, but do with that information as you will. The elbow pasta was tossed with ooey-gooey white cheddar and topped with breadcrumbs for a bit of a crunch.

Lobster Mac 'n' Chese ($14)

Before we transitioned to entrees, I perused the wine list, which Olivier the general manager told me will soon be expanded, and ordered a glass of the Malbec from Argentina ($12). It paired very nicely with my Duo of Lamb dish ($28). I need to preface the discussion of entrees by explaining once again that the portions are exceedingly large at Beet, so keep that in mind when you see the prices. So, my decision to order the lamb was based solely on the fact that I never cook lamb so it was about darn time I had some (I was also contemplating the Branzino special for the night). My plate came with 4 lamb chops and a good size lamb shank, as well as hazelnut cous cous, vegetables, eggplant grape mustarda, and some sort of foam. The meat was cooked perfectly medium rare, and I really enjoyed the cous cous. Not being a huge eggplant fan, I wasn't so into the mustarda, though I did like the rest of the vegetables. Though the plate was a little scattered presentation-wise, everything tasted very delicious and it would definitely be at least 2 meals for me.

Duo of Lamb ($28)

My guest told me he has a certain test for restaurants; typically I'll order the chicken if I feel like really testing a new restaurant because no one ever orders the chicken and it's really easy to mess up chicken. But my guest is Italian and loves his gnocchi so he ordered the Gnocchi with Baby Vegetables ($18) served in a sage butter broth and topped with shaved Parmesan. While I think he enjoyed his food, we both likened the gnocchi to little mashed potato balls, as they could have been a bit firmer, but the flavor was excellent and the veggies were fresh. This dish was also fairly large and didn't get finished. 

Gnocchi with Baby Vegetables ($18)

For dessert we decided on the chocolate mousse which was served with two ladyfingers and strawberry whipped cream in a large (you surprised?) martini glass. I really liked this dessert and found it even more enjoyable when I sipped the remainder of my Malbec in between bites.

Chocolate Mousse

Final comments, though we both had an overall pleasant experience, I left a little confused about what kind of restaurant Beet wants to be and I think they need to figure that out a little bit more for them to be super-successful (the restaurant was mainly empty throughout our meal, and none of our dishes actually had beets as an ingredient). I also think it doesn't quite fit in with the more casual and cheaper restaurant options that line 2nd Avenue in the 80s, but that doesn't mean that a nicer place can't find it's niche. If you have a hankering for oysters and jazz, I'd highly recommend a visit to been on a Wednesday or Sunday evening and you won't be disappointed. Tuesday nights are also half-price wine bottle nights.

AWESOME ALERT: Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day Today!

The sun has (finally) come out to play and that means it's time to stuff your face with as much Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey as you can handle (read: A LOT).

Kick off Spring today by visiting one of three Manhattan locations (to see all Ben & Jerry's locations, click here):

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse Level

New York, NY 10020

212-218-7843

Macys Herald Square

151 West 34th Street, Macys - 4th Floor

New York, NY 10001

212-594-0018

Ben & Jerry's 104th and Broadway

2722 Broadway

New York, NY 10025

212-866-6237

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to I'll Eat You Last

Bette Midler is one of those people that just about everyone knows, and for that reason alone, you should be excited to see her on Broadway in I'll Eat You Last, a new one-character play about the legendary Hollywood superagent Sue Mengers. Written by John Logan and directed by Joe Mantello, the show tells the story of Mengers' life and her mega famous clients like Barbra Streisand, Faye Dunaway, Burt Reynolds, Ali McGraw, Gene Hackman, Cher, Candace Bergen, Ryan O'Neal, Nick Nolte, Mike Nichols, Gore Vidal and Bob Fosse.

Midler is making her first Broadway appearance in 30 years, and I'll Eat You Last is a performance not to be missed. For more than 20 years, Sue Mengers's clients were the talk of the town, and her dinner parties were the envy of Hollywood. Now, you're invited into her glamorous Beverly Hills home for an evening of dish, dirty secrets and all the inside showbiz details only Sue can tell you.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to I'll Eat You Last! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know your favorite Bette Midler song or movie and why.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to see @BetteMidler in @illeatyoulast on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/12AWQCL via @yaelleah" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Friday 4/12. You have until Friday 4/12 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

Congrats to Brad B.! He was the second to comment and wins two tickets to I'll Eat You Last! Thanks to everyone for entering and have a great weekend!!

Coffee, Tea, and Me

A couple weekends ago I was invited back to the NYC Coffee and Tea Festival, which I've been privileged to attend now for 4 straight years. It was weird being back in the 69th Regiment Armory twice in one week for yet another food/drink event, but that wasn't going to stop me from having an awesome time.

Walking in to the armory, you're suddenly warmed by the aroma of, well mostly coffee because let's face it, tea doesn't really have that much of a standard smell. Weaving through the aisles, I found myself trying all sorts of new brews and learning a heck of a lot. As someone who goes against the norm and doesn't actually drink that much coffee, I'm constantly befuddled by all the different coffee mechanisms and varieties.

NYC Coffee and Tea Festival 2013

Our first stop was Cafe Mami, which was serving Puerto Rican coffee from a thatched roof hut! People were flocking to this booth and it took two walk-bys to finally get a taste. It was good, but honestly a bit too strong for my taste. A few tables down was Harney & Sons, which I discovered at my first ever Coffee and Tea Festival. Since then I've become a bit of a Harney & Sons nut, and my desk drawer currently holds 3 different tins of their tea -- pomegranate oolong, English breakfast, green tea with thai flavors, and white peach.

Cafe Mami Puerto Rican Coffee was mobbed!

Harney & Sons, one of my favorite tea purveyors

Two drinks in and I was already ready for some sweets. Good think Kilwins was giving away chocolate and peanut butter fudge samples!

Kilwins Fudge

The next coffee booth was my favorite of the festival. Roast Coffee & Tea Trading Co., based on long island, was sampling their signature roast in two different manners, French press and Chemex. Everyone has seen a French press before, but I wasn't really sure why someone would choose one manner of brewing over another. While the coffee was the same, the sample brewed in the French press was strong and delicious. However, I then tried what was made in the Chemex and that tasted almost like pure hot water. Supposedly the filters used in the Chemex absorb most of the oils, which I guess some people like, but I know now that I'm a French press fan.

Roast Coffee & Tea Trading Co.

As a honey fanatic, I was very happy to see so many honey purveyors at the festival. One of my favorites was Bumbleberry Farms Heritage Select Honeys, mostly because of their salted caramel honey sauce -- amazing stuff people!

Selection from Bumbleberry Farms

Next I tried some coconut chai from Chai Diaries and more honey from Bee Raw, which was sampling totally raw unfiltered honey (you know the white stuff that looks kind of gross but is actually super delicious).

Chai Diaries

Bee Raw Honey

Speaking of things that look weird, have you ever tried aloe drink? We likened Ralph & Charlie's pomegranate aloe drink almost to bubble tea, but rather than bubbles, smaller seed like things. As you can tell, I'm having a really hard time describing it, but it was rather refreshing. Not sure I'd drink more than a small cup though.

Ralph & Charlies Aloe Drinks

Another favorite from the festival was my sample from PRESSTEA. Instead of steeping tea with the traditional tea bag or loose leaf style, these guys actually press tea leaves to make the hot beverage a la coffee. They will be opening their first Manhattan storefront on 7th Avenue soon and I'd highly recommend you go check them out.

PRESSTEA

Vitamix demoed at the coffee and tea festival and, honestly, they stole the show regardless of having absolutely nothing to do with caffeinated drinks. We stood there for a good ten minutes watching Mr. Vitamix liquify a few vegetables to make tortilla soup (the friction from the speed of the blades actually heats whatever is inside the blender, crazy right?!). Although I couldn't reach my hand out in time for a sample, I did get a sample of the non-dairy "ice cream" he made in a matter of 30 seconds using a handful of cashews, cocoa powder, agave nectar and ice. Sorry I don't have a picture of it because it was gone in even less time than it took to make. Seriously, if I had $500 to blow, I would pick up one of these puppies. I think the mesmerized crowd that stood around me would agree.

Vitamix Demo

Our last stop was the illy booth (for a second time). Their cold bottled coffee drinks really are delicious!

illy cold bottled coffee drinks

So how was your experience at the Coffee & Tea festival? Did you make it to any of the presentations or try any of the same things I did? Did you walk out feeling like you could conquer the world and/or bounce off the walls?

AWESOME ALERT: Get $20 to Spend at the Zaarly Bazaar Just for Showing Up

You know Ebay. You know Etsy. Heck you might even know of Chirpify. But if you've ever felt the yearning for some good local old school commerce, Zaarly is where it's at. Using this new website, you can order a birthday cake, find custom made goods, and discover expert services and experiences.

Tomorrow, Zaarly is hosting a bazaar in Williamsburg from 3-6 pm at The Space at 50 N 3rd (located in The Villian) and they want you to come! Best of all, you'll get $20 to spend just for walking in the door, as well as free food and drinks!

It looks as though the free tickets are sold out online, however, you will still be able to enter if you have not reserved in advance. So if you fancy some soup in a jar, bespoke stationary, or maybe a terrarium or 2, why not stop by and see if your neighbors on Zaarly have something that suits your fancy.

Walk Like a New Yorker and Beat MS!

Every year for the last ten years I have walked in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Walk MS to raise awareness of the debilitating disease, fundraise to bring about new research breakthroughs, and honor my mom who was diagnosed when I was in high school. Walk MS 2013, a 6-mile walk starting at South Street Seaport and heading over the Brooklyn Bridge, is coming up in exactly one month. Over the past 10 years my team has raised more than $16 thousand and I'm aiming to raise another $2,500 this year.

By viewing my personal fundraising page, you can learn more about my personal story, why I walk and the meaning behind the team name, Straight Shooters 2. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be sunny and warm as we walk across through the gorgeous area of Brooklyn Heights with our poster held high.

Straight Shooters 2 at the 2012 Walk MS

I would love to have any and all of my awesome readers participate and join the MS movement! To do so, you can either donate on my fundraising page, join my walk team (you get a free t-shirt if you raise $125 or more!), and/or come out for an open bar at Turtle Bay on Saturday April 13 from 8-11 pm! For $40, you'll enjoy a beer, wine and well liquor open bar, with $10 going to support our team! For more details on the open bar, RSVP here.